Chapter 206:
A Single Vow
THE MANSION, ONCE AN EMPTY shell, gradually took on character. It was exciting watching the rooms slowly get furnished and decorated. Whenever Violette looked back on those days in the forest, when she’d drawn a circle on the ground and proclaimed it her house to comfort herself, she teared up a little.
The beautiful, pure-white jewel box was transforming into a love nest for her and Yulan.
Violette had the chance to consider which furniture she liked best and what color schemes she wanted. She was able to shop for her own dishes, ponder the best shapes for their lamps. Every time she and Yulan exchanged a smile, so much joy filled her. Then she would remember.
Yulan’s birth mother. The look on his face when he said she might’ve settled down somewhere nice. Like she was a total stranger to him.
“Ah, Vio. Found you.”
“I’m not surprised… You’re always the one who finds me, Yulan.”
As Violette sat in the attic, looking at the stars through an open window, Yulan approached, a soft blanket in his arms. This was the one space in the mansion that hadn’t yet been furnished. Violette wasn’t sitting in a chair but rather on a stepping stool that was no longer used. This little corner, tucked back from the glamour of the mansion, was perfect for stargazing.
She looked up at a world of nothing, no people and no divisions.
“Are you warm enough?” Yulan asked.
“I could be a little warmer. Are you warm enough, Yulan?”
“I can tolerate heat and cold.”
“I wasn’t asking whether the temperature’s tolerable.”
Although Yulan was bundling Violette carefully in the blanket, he’d just put on a thin cardigan to keep warm. Dressed only in a negligee, Violette was in no position to point fingers. Still, the sight of him made her shiver. There was no heat source in the attic, and the stars in the sky seemed to steal the very warmth from their bodies.
“Come join me,” Violette coaxed.
“No, thanks. I’m good. I don’t want to take that blanket away from you.”
“You won’t if we snuggle close. Come on. It’s cold.”
Goosebumps raced over Violette’s skin as she sat on the chilly wooden floor. She let Yulan join her under the blanket, and they held each other tight. They were both so chilled through that they’d have to hug for quite a while to get warm.
Violette giggled.
“What’s so funny?” Yulan teased.
“I’m just remembering the other time we did this. Do you remember?”
“That time we sheltered from the rain in our secret base?”
“Right. Except that time, we used a picnic sheet.”
“Yeah. And it didn’t do much to keep the rain out. I was so cold, I thought I’d freeze… But I had a great time. I’m glad it happened.”
“Even though you turned pale as a corpse?”
“When I’m with you, Vio, I don’t care about anything else.”
Violette’s cheeks reddened, but not from the cold. She smiled, savoring the moment. Ever since they were young, Yulan had often looked at her like this. Like she was so precious that he had to hold her to his chest, so as never to lose her—and like if he ever did lose her, he’d never be able to find her again.
“If you’re happy, Vio, then I’m happy.”
“If you’re having fun, Vio, then I’m having fun.”
“If you’re content, Vio, then I’m content.”
Each and every thing he’d ever told her had been an expression of his love, his longing, his truth. It was his feelings that had shielded her, taken her by the hand, and brought her to this moment.
The attic was dark, cold, and a little dusty. It was just like her dungeon in the other timeline. In that timeline, every tiny piece of her heart had been broken and crushed until the only feeling she was capable of was regret. She’d cast everything aside, given up hope, and waited for the end. She’d thought that was her only recourse. She’d believed that she and her very life were worthless on that fated day.
Ever since that day, Yulan’s embrace has kept me safe.