Chapter 247: Promises Broken (1)
Whether or not someone was there, she needed to go in and find out.
However, just as she took her first step, before entering the grove, a familiar figure appeared on the narrow path extending into the dense forest.
The moment she saw the figure, Aph's eyes lit up, and the heavy stone in her heart finally fell.
She quickly approached, her face full of worry.
"Your Highness, why haven't you returned yet so late?"
Her tone was a mix of concern and mild reproach. She immediately gave Violet a careful once-over, her worry evident.
"Your Highness, why is your face so red?"
The anxious look on Aph's face returned, stronger than before.
Violet, however, felt a pang of guilt at the question.
Why was her face red?
Her mind flashed back to what had just happened in the grove.
Avoiding Aph's gaze, she stammered, "I-I'm fine."
But such a weak response was hardly convincing.
"How could you be fine?" Aph pressed. "Your Highness, are you sick? Or did something happen? If there's anything wrong, you must tell me—it's my duty to protect you!"
Aph's relentless questioning buzzed in Violet's ears. Though spoken with concern, it only made Violet feel more guilty.
"Aph, I've grown up! I'm not a child anymore—I can take care of myself!" Violet declared, her tone serious.
But Aph's worry barely diminished. She stepped closer, placing one hand on Violet's forehead and the other on her own to compare. Feeling that Violet's temperature was slightly higher, her concern deepened.
"Your Highness, whether you're feeling unwell or have encountered danger, you must let me know. Please don't make me worry—"
"Enough!"
Violet's voice rose, cutting Aph off. She turned and pushed Aph back slightly, her exquisite face showing a hint of frustration.
"I said I've grown up! Stop meddling in everything, alright?" Violet's tone was firm. "I know what I'm doing, and I know how to handle my studies and life!"
"And by the way, 'I'm' the princess here. Don't you think you've been overstepping your bounds a little lately?"
Violet's gaze was resolute as she stared at Aph.
"Stop following me!"
She looked every bit like a spoiled princess throwing a tantrum. With that, she spun on her heel and stormed off.
Aph opened her mouth to speak, intending to follow, but Violet turned again and pointed sternly.
"Don't follow me!"
Violet walked quickly, her heart racing even faster.
Aph, I'm sorry.
She didn't mean to snap at her.
But Aph's concern had triggered memories of the earlier, shameful scenes.
Facing her closest confidante, Violet had no idea how to explain, so she could only act out, pretending to be capricious to avoid further questions.
She ran so fast that she didn't notice Aph's lingering gaze behind her.
Actually, what Aph truly wanted to ask was something entirely different.
But before she could, Violet's fierce outburst had silenced her.
She could tell Violet was deliberately avoiding the topic.
Having grown up together, spending nearly every moment in each other's company, Aph understood Violet better than anyone—perhaps even better than Violet understood herself.
So she didn't pursue her or press further.
Yet in that brief moment of contact, Aph had caught a familiar scent on Violet's body.
A scent she could never mistake.
She wanted to ask why that scent was on her.
But now clearly wasn't the time.
And even if she asked, Violet probably wouldn't tell her, would she?
Aph turned her gaze to the grove behind her.
It was silent, not a single sound coming from within.
If she couldn't ask Violet, she would just have to ask someone else.
---
Late at night, Shia heard a knock on his window.
Drawing back the curtain to his balcony, he saw Aph, dressed casually, standing outside the glass door.
He raised an eyebrow in surprise.
Were girls these days into sneaking through windows?
Still, he opened the door to let her in.
"Aph, what brings you here so late?"
They sat together on the small sofa in his living room.
"I came to thank you," Aph said, her hands folded elegantly, sincerity clear in her eyes.
"Thanks to the distillation technique you provided, the Silver Moon Kingdom's situation is improving. I'm truly grateful for your contribution to the kingdom. I can't thank you enough—"
Shia, hearing her familiar opening line, raised an eyebrow, a teasing smile on his lips.
"Are you planning to repay me with your body?"
But as soon as the words left his mouth, Aph's soft, gentle gaze turned sharp.
She exuded the intensity of a drawn blade, her commanding presence filling the room.
"Why didn't you keep your promise?!"
The scent she had caught on Violet earlier was unmistakably Shia's.
Aph's feelings for Shia weren't simple admiration. She deeply respected him and had even developed a fondness for him.
She had once considered marrying him, hoping it would ease Violet's wariness toward him.
But today, after catching that scent and seeing Violet's evasive demeanor, Aph instantly pieced everything together like the seasoned strategist she was.
She knew that if she'd entered the grove earlier, she might have witnessed something inappropriate.
That was why Violet had been so nervous.
But why did it have to be him?
Aph's hands clenched into fists at her sides.
"Why didn't you keep your promise?!"
Her voice was stern and heavy, but her beautiful, determined face now showed hints of heartbreak.
Her accusing eyes and slightly trembling lips made her look like a betrayed wife, filled with despair.
The oppressive atmosphere in the room grew heavier. Aph stared into Shia's eyes, her voice gradually softening, filled with sorrow.
"You promised me you wouldn't touch Her Highness… You lied to me again."
Her voice grew quieter and quieter until it was almost inaudible.
Yet the air in the room felt colder, the pressure mounting.
Her head slowly lowered, her expression darkening as shadows enveloped her features.
The hand holding her glass tightened, her pale knuckles and faintly bulging veins betraying her emotions.