When she heard that the Kanik Hotel was being built, she was secretly excited. The people of Rokround would come here to work in droves, so they would be able to feel the people, the food, and the hometown they missed for a little while.
The walls where the Kanik Hotel is being built were stunning. She heard that rocks were thrown at the pirates from the high castle wall and destroyed their ships, and the Navy of the Duchy of Doss blocked them from behind and captured all the remaining pirates. It was a story she had grown tired of hearing from the Doss siblings when she was young.
Violet entered the market at the bottom of the hill and began to look around to see if there were any ingredients from Rorkround. As expected, she saw familiar ingredients and was immersed in the grocery shopping when someone grabbed her arm. She turned around in surprise and saw a familiar face.
"Flір?"
Violet's eyes widened when she saw Flip for the first time in a year.
Winter's favorite servant, he had officially joined Kanik Company and was working there, and his attire had also changed neatly.
Looking at the handsome Flip, she unexpectedly thought that she was judging the looks of her employees, but Flip hurriedly pushed Violet into the wagon without any explanation.
As Violet was sitting there wondering what the hell was going on, she soon heard a familiar voice that made her feel moved just by hearing it.
"Flip, buy everything in the fourth alley. I will go the opposite way."
"Yes, CEO."
As Flip greeted him politely, Winter walked away. Only then did Flip quietly open the curtain of the wagon.
"Come out now, Little Madame."
"It's been a while, Flip."
"Now is not the time to be happy. If you get caught by the CEO, really..."
Flip trembled as if he didn't want to even think about it. Violet asked.
"It looks like Winter was very angry, right?"
"Angry? What can I say, it's a lot more complicated than that."
"Complex?"
"Hurry up and run away. Oh, please take this."
Flip took out a basket full of bread and held it out.
"We are purchasing various items to provide room service with menus unique
to this region. It's delicious, so eat it."
"Wow, nice smell."
Flip was shocked by Violet's complacency.
It seemed like she couldn't even guess how much Winter had dried up everyone's blood. He said she must have run away.
Flip was worried.
Winter hadn't mentioned Violet in almost a year. He did receive and collect her letters as they were sent to her, but that was because his money was enclosed.
However, he suffered from severe nightmares periodically throughout the year. Flip didn't ask what he was dreaming about, but the man who had no fear in the world woke up screaming or calling Violet's name and stayed up all night with his eyes open, his whole body shaking.
After he had that dream, he had to take strong medicine and fall asleep for a week.
In any case, it was clear that it wouldn't be good to get on Winter's nerves.
Winter has been just following his instincts these days. No one could control him.
"Go quickly! Hurry!"
"Thanks..."
"Say hello later and don't get caught!"
Violet ran toward the house carrying a basket of bread with a very embarrassed look on her face.
It was true that she wasn't ready to appear in front of Winter, but she also didn't intend to just run away like this. She didn't think what she did wrong was that big. It was Winter who first suspected her infidelity and even lied about the fact that he couldn't get the child.
Without understanding why Flip was so anxious, Violet left the market and headed home. Since she was very hungry, she hung the handle of the basket on her arm, picked up a piece of bread, and took a bite. It was a bread filled with lots of sweet cheese. Violet was moved and looked at her basket full of bread. Since she lived like a monk all year round, it had been a long time since she had bread of this high quality.
Her senses of smell, sight, and senses came to life brilliantly. On the way home, snacking on bread. Violet knocks at a house.
She stopped by Pim's on the door, and six-year-old Lina, her daughter, jumped out and clung to Violet.
Pim asked.
"Weren't you going to work today?"
"Ah, after work. I went to the market and met someone I knew in Rockround and received a bread basket. It was so delicious that I thought I'd share it with everyone."
"Anyway, I really wanted to share something like this... Shall I give you some tea?"
"Good."
Violet came in and placed a basket of bread. Pim shouted and called the children who were playing in front. Upon hearing the news that something delicious would be distributed, the children immediately sat down at the table. The children who calmly picked up the bread were impressed.
"Wow, it's delicious..."
"Violet, this is so delicious!"
As the children chattered and were moved, Violet looked at them with a happy expression. Meanwhile, Lina held her chin like a calyx with both her hands and looked at Violet. Most of the children in her neighborhood liked Violet for her gentle personality, but Lina especially liked her.
Violet, who made eye contact with Lina, supported her chin with her hand and tilted her upper body like Lina. She always sat in an upright position, so this behavior felt unfamiliar to her.
"What are you so excited about, Lina?"
"I like Violet!"
"I really like Lina too."
Violet answered and smiled. She was sharing bread with people who were laughing and talking, and looking at the child like this, she was overcome with small happiness.
***
Late at night, Winter was leaning against the window, looking at the long table. On the table were all the specialties of this region.
"Something is lacking."
As he spoke, Vice President Anjali, said.
"CEO, please expand your business moderately. If you just leave all the rest to us and keep doing things like this..."
"Shut up and keep your head down."
Anjali bit her lip at Winter's words. The fact that Anjali, who came from a prestigious family and was famous for her thorough education, was crying like this meant that an ordinary person would have resigned and kicked her out several times.
In fact, Eglin, the co-vice president, had repeatedly resigned and ran away more than ten times and returned because he could not bear the burden.
Winter grumbled as he walked towards Anjali.
"If you've paid off all your house debt, you can quit."
"I haven't paid it back yet, but regardless if I quit, the company won't be able to run."
"So. Did you come all this way to tease me?"
Winter was at risk of hitting someone for no reason, so Anjali took a step back before he got close. She continued.
"CEO, if we expand like this, big problems will arise. Even now, if you fall ill, it immediately hits me hard. The same goes for Hayel and Eglin."
"So."
"Please rest."
Anjali was speaking with the fate of the company on her shoulders, but in an instant, Winter's hand grabbed her collar. Anjali was also big, but she couldn't compare to Winter.
"Don't meddle in what I'm doing, mind your own business. Because that's the money I give you."
Anjali pursed her lips. Then Winter pushed her away and turned around.
"While we're here, let's take a spin and cool off. I'll give you two days off."
Although there was no time for that, Anjali wanted to rest for a little while no matter what the future held, so she left without saying anything.
As Anjali was walking down the hallway of the unfinished hotel, Hayel appeared and grabbed her arm.
"Vice President."
When Anjali turned around, Hayel whispered.
"Flip met the Little Lady here earlier."
"Right."
Anjali thought for a moment.
The company was already cracking. It was because they continued to expand without looking back, causing everyone who followed them to leave.
It really seemed like it would only be resolved if Winter stopped for a month. It was Anjali who managed to stop Eglin from seriously considering giving Winter medicine and putting him to sleep for a month. She asked.
"Has he talked about his wife recently?"
"Not at all. Just wait for a month or three and don't say a word after that."
"Still. if they run into each other, I think it will have a brief effect."
"Well, these days, I can't predict the CEO's reaction at all."
With Hayel by his side and aware of Winter's every move, the others were nervous every day as they did not know when lightning would strike.
"But for now... It's true that the CEO has been out of his mind ever since little Madam disappeared, so wouldn't it be good to see her at least for a little while?"
"I guess so."
"I will come back, so don't get too close to the CEO. If you quit, Vice President, I will quit too."
Hayel cried and ran out.
***
After chasing Anjali out, Winter sat down under the window. Then he tilted his head back, leaned it against the wall, and quietly killed some time. It's been like this ever since Violet left, something stimulating was building a new hotel.
In the past, he felt pleasure to the point of giving goosebumps every time he touched a building, but now it just gave him enough stimulation to confirm that he was alive.
He checked again the letter that had arrived at the Blooming Mansion not long ago. It was a letter from Beryl. Violet's former doctor.
[ The medicine I prepared for my Little Madam was mixed with medicine given through collusion between His Royal Highness the Duke of Blooming and his madam. There is no evidence, but it seems likely that taking the drug will cause pregnancy-like symptoms.
You treated me warmly all this time, but I'm sorry for doing such a bad thing and running away.
I'm really sorry. ]
Winter remembered the days when he took his parents' side in front of Violet.
He grew up without knowing affection or warmth, so he thought this was enough. The love he receives and the love he gives to Violet. He thought this was all it took. Everything he knew was wrong, and Violet was gone.
For the first time, he raised his voice at his parents, became angry, and cut off all financial support. He was going to cling to the sound of his family dying, and he didn't want to be in Rockround anymore, so he came to Violet's place.
It seemed like it had become a habit to visit his wife when he was sad. While he could not be his wife's support, Winter himself was completely mentally dependent on her. So much so that when she disappears he just collapses.
"Sometimes my trashy blood comes in handy."
His wife, who almost died because of him, was alive thanks to his damn blood.
Winter leaned against the wall and closed his eyes.
For a year now, the thing he hated most in the world was himself.
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