Gale almost choke on his tea the moment Viola informed about Violette's existence.

"Y-your sister!?" he asked with open mouth and wide eyes that a random girl walked in the dukedom with the same violet eyes as the Univers family with unknown backgrounds.

"Yes. At least I have to treat her like my family after everything are confirmed." Viola stated calmly to Gale's statement, making Gale clench his fist silently, holding himself back to warn Viola about Violette since Viola thinks greatly of her and sees her as her own family.

". . . I just hope there won't be any problems in the future." Gale remarked with a sweatdrop as he look at his own reflection on the tea, worrying about the future of Violette and Viola.

-

"Permission granted as long you bring Astor with you." Damon stated coldly without looking at Viola as he focuses his gaze on the stack of papers.

Even with the poor eye contact and lack of actions from her father, Viola form a warm smile that her father is giving her the permission.

"Thank you very much."

Viola decided to go to the town to find something decent as a present for Edward's upcoming birthday, that's the reason why she asked for Damon's permission to go outside.

She turned around and exit the office to be greeted by Astor who is waiting for her. "Did Milady get the permission?" he asked politely while looking at her with a small smile plastered on his face.

"Yes I did. We can go now." Viola answered calmly as they walk together through the long hallway towards the main hall.

"I wonder what should I buy for him." Viola asked to herself and Astor at the same time as Astor put his hand on his chin.

". . . I think anything is fine. I'm sure First Young Master would be pleased as long as Milady give it to him." he reasoned logically making Viola nodded in understatement.

". . . J-just like my sword that Milady bought me for my birthday last year." he added shyly and shifting glances all over the room making Viola smiled delightfully by the sight of him.

"Thank you for the advice, Astor. I think I know what should I give him for his birthday." she smiled gently at him making his cheek burning up with embarrassment as he quickly turned his head to the other side shyly.

-

Days after that, the big birthday banquet was held in the main estate of the Univers Dukedom.

The hall is spindly golden, brilliant, fancy, gilded, and above of all, impressive that left the other nobles shocked by how grand the main hall is.

Only the nobles of high society are invited to the birthday party and the only ones who can get inside the hall is the ones who have their invitation.

It is simply the debutante of the official Heir for the Univers Dukedom on his birthday.

"Happy birthday brother." Viola smiled warmly at Edward while handing him a small box.

Edward recives the small box as he opened it to be greeted by a beautiful silver pocket watch.

His eyes widened in surprise by the gift Viola gave leaving his wide eyes. ". . . This is. . ."

"A week ago, I notice that brother current pocket watch fell and it's broken. So I think I might buy something useful for you." she explained thoroughly with a gentle smile making Edward form a small smile as he raised his hand and patted her head.

"Thank you. I'll treasure it." he thanked her with his reassuring voice making her heart filled with warmth by his affection.

". . . Please do."

-

"Milady." the familiar voice of a man called her as she turned her head to be greeted by her butler, Gray.

"Yes, Gray?" she asked as she turned around to face him.

"I'm sure you haven't met the Crown Prince yet." Gray smiled as the figure behind him made himself visible by stepping forward. The familiar red hair and sapphire eyes.

". . . Pardon my rudeness your highness, but I should leave now that you already found Lady Univers." Gray bowed briefly at him as he nodded with a smile. Gray take a last glance at Viola before he made his way to the other guests.

The familiar figure put his right hand on the center of his chest, bend his back, and briefly bow his head.

"It's a pleasure to meet you Lady Univers. My name is Glenn Giovanni." he introduced himself politely with a friendly smile.

Viola return his greetings as she cross her legs and ankles while standing, then bend her knees slightly. Lift the fabric of her dress out to her sides.

"It's also a pleasure to meet you, Your Highness. My name is Viola Univers." she smiled gently as she introduced herself politely while looking deep into his sapphire eyes.

"Why does he look. . . sad?" Viola asked to herself while looking at Glenn who form a small, gentle smile. He reached out his right hand for her.

"Do you mind if we share a dance?" he asked politely with a friendly smile while looking at Viola.

In his eyes, she can see a whole bunch of mixed emotions because it's quite obvious for her.

But the most visible emotion is,

Sadness.

". . . Of course I don't." she raise her hand to reach out his hand. For them to share a dance together.

The music starts to play as they start to dance with other noble pairings.

Glenn guided her across the dance floor as if they were alone in their own world. He kept his eyes on her and knew exactly where to take her by steps. Every moment, every angle seemed to be planned by him.

". . . Being a Crown Prince, is it a difficult job?" she whispered softly to him.

"As you know, being a Crown Prince is a hard job. That's why I prefer fun things to do on my way!" he whispered-yelled as he winked at her and smiled proudly. "Also, do you know, at nighttime like this, you can see a bunch of fireworks if you go to the town." he informed with a friendly smile as Viola chuckled.

". . . Really?" she chuckled softly making him smiled.

"Yeah." he give her a toothy smile as she returned the smile.

"Let's go together sometimes!"

"It's kind of weird. We just met but we chatted with each other friendly. Like we've known each other since forever."

Right there, right now, she was confused. Nothing else seemed to matter anymore. He went right, she went right. He sped up, she sped up. They follow through every moves flawlessly as if they became one with the song.

"Your high-"

"You can call me Glenn."

"Glenn."

"Now, back to the fireworks topic, you always liked festivals. So it's better to see it together!" he remarked with a broad grin as she look at him with wide eyes. It's like he's telling her that he knows her before she knows him.

". . . W-what are you-"

"It's better if you just forget what I said." he smiled sincerely as she can feel he slightly squeeze her hand.

"Sometimes, ignorance is the best way for you. For Vio, today is our first meeting."

". . . How-"

"There are times when it can't be helped."

Hearing him say that makes her feel guilty out of nowhere. She tried her best and try to remember every moment when she's still a child.

But she can't find anything.

Even if she try to remember, something is going to make her heart painful and she doesn't like that feeling.

"Let's meet again."

When the song ended the audiences applause filled their ears. He kissed her hand as the two of them lean back.

She couldn't help but smile at him. In that very hour she wondered,

"Why did he look really sad?"

In her eyes, and because of that dance, she can see how devastated he is.

-

Glenn chatted with the other nobles freely because of his friendly and outgoing nature.

When he wants to rest, he turned around the corner and bumped into Violette.

When they bumped, Glenn's magic speciality reacted to her making Glenn sees part of memories that he didn't own nor belonged to him in the first place.

"W-what?" his eyes widened in surprise.

A girl with violet hair and violet eyes that is begging her life infront of her own father.

A girl with brown hair and violet eyes that is loved by others.

A guillotine infront of the violet haired girl but at the time, the violet hair suddenly changed into brown making him confused.

People fighting against each other, big chaos was created, a war.

And blood.

His eyes widened in surprised by the brief memories that he saw because of the clash between his magic and Violette's magic.

"I-I'm sorry!" Violette apologised sincerely because she just bumped into him.

". . . Her scent. . . What's with her disgusting and unpleasant smell? There's something weird about her." he thought while observing her from head to toe without her knowing. "It's alright." he smiled widely, trying to be natural and normal as possible as he excused himself from her and passed a few nobles on his way.

"Hey, do you know that girl?"

"Lady Violette right?"

"It's a shame that no one asks her to dance."

"It's to be expected from an illegitimate child."

"They haven't even confirmed that she is the daughter of this dukedom."

Hearing all those gossips, at least Glenn knew something about her.

"The Duke haven't confirmed it yet?" he asked to himself curiously while walking through the hallways.

"Something is not right."

-

Viola look around the bright hall happily and how everyone congratulate her brother sincerely.

When she wants to turn around, a certain male figure bumped into her.

"Can you see where you're-" before he could complain, he was fascinated by Viola and his cheek starts to burn up.

"Pardon my rudeness." Viola bowed politely in case he's starting to get mad again or to blame her.

". . . N-no. Sorry, my bad." he casually said making Viola look at him with a raised eyebrow. Her violet eyes meet his light magneta eyes. And in that moment,

"Truly, forgive my rudeness, Young Master Caden Albrecht."

Caden Albrecht.

He is from the Albrecht dukedom and the only son of Aaron Albrecht. His Dukedom is known for its intelligence.

"I-It's really alright Lady Univers." he assured her with an awkward smile making her return the smile. "Also," he handed out his hand for her to shake. "You can call me Caden. And I'll call you Viola. How does that sounds?" he asked casually making Viola's eyes widened in surprise.

But nonetheless the circumstances, Viola smiled warmly at him as she raise her hand to shake his hand.

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Sir Caden."

". . . Please drop the 'sir', Viola."

"Yes."

After that weird encounter, they talked with each other for a few moments until Viola excused herself to meet Edward.

She walked towards the birthday male figure who is standing in the hall, greeted every guests and making connections with people.

When Edward notice her presence, he excused himself and approach her.

-

". . . I can't believe that my brother is turning old." Viola chuckled while sitting at the bench with Edward.

"That's quite rude." Edward exclaimed while looking at her with a small smile.

They stayed like that for a while, enjoying each other company's until Edward decided to break the silence.

"You know. . ." he lower his gaze to the ground with a sad smile. "When you went missing, I was scared."

Viola's eyes widened in surprise by the shocking topic he brought.

"You went missing when you just turned 5. I was nine back then." he smiled sadly as he cover his face and a long sigh escaped his lips.

He tried to hold back the seething torrent/avalanche of tears that had been building up since the moment she went missing.

"I'm sorry that I couldn't do anything for you. It's all my fault."

Once that first tear broke free, the rest followed in an unbroken stream. He bent forward and clutch his chest, he began to cry with the force of a person vomiting.

Viola notice that as she take out her white handkerchief. "Brother, please lift your head." she exclaimed softly making him lift his head slowly.

Viola smiled sadly at his brother who has a moist eyes and red nose that suddenly broke down.

She doesn't mind it at all.

She wipe off the remaining tears from her brother's cheek carefully. "I didn't know that my brother is such a crybaby." she chuckled as her brother look down in embarrassment. ". . . It's not brother's fault. And please don't cry, it's your birthday after all."

Hearing those words only makes Edward more guilty about his past. How he is too scared to tell everyone that he knew she's missing back then.

But at the same time, it reassure him because he's not hated by her.

". . . I'm not a crybaby."