VIO Ch 58 – The Unbeknownst Creeping Shadow (I)

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Editor: sleepchaser

On a block on 10th Avenue stood a shabby house isolated from the rest.

It was close to the towering bailey, with the block cast in shadow for half the day. But this house saw even less light than the other houses around. Without exception, shadows fell upon it except during the morning. 

A vegetable field resided in its small garden, many potted plants lining the staircase-like shelves for sunlight exposure.

Around noon, knocks sounded on the front door.

“Doctor! Doctor Dawn! You’re home, right?!”

After a while, the door opened and a man in his forties came into view. The black wolf ears on his head proved his Locana origin. “Ah? What happened? So noisy… Did someone die?” Although his umber hair was tied at the back, adding points for neatness to his appearance, his clothes lay in disarray. Coupled with his beard stubble and lazy aura, he appeared to have just woken up. 

The woman, his visitor, frowned. “You stink of alcohol. You’re drinking during the afternoon again?!”

“Not really. I started drinking in the morning.”

“That’s even worse! Ugh! And what’s with you asking if anyone died? Be more mindful, you quack!”

Dawn looked at the woman who was yelling up a storm, expression one of obvious annoyance. “If you want to vent about how you’re fighting with your husband again, do it somewhere else.”

“I’m not! Really, do something with your weeds already! The insects are flying into my house. It’s really annoying.”

“They’re not weeds but the important plants I grow for my research. That’s all I have to say,” replied Dawn in a perfunctory manner. Then he tried to close his door. However, perhaps already familiar with this action of his, the woman slipped her leg through the doorway to prevent him from doing so. “Since they’re important to you, do something about the pests!”

“Yes, yes. Hey, Yuan. Sprinkle some insect repellent later,” said Dawn, turning to face the interior of his house. A boy around ten years old who was cleaning replied, “Yes. I understand, Dad.”

Such a scene caused the woman to arch her brows. “Don’t make your child do it! He’s still so young! Yuan, come over to my house later. I’ll make you lunch.”

“Thank you, Aunt Rosa,” said Yuan with an amiable smile, appeasing Rosa’s anger.

“Ohh, thanks, Rosa. You’re a great help.”

“I don’t care about you!” she shouted again, angered by Dawn’s unnecessary remark. “What a terrible dad. If you have time to drink, go look for patients to rob some money, you good-for-nothing!”

“Robbing money from other people makes me an even worse person, doesn’t it?”

“Bye, Yuan. Remember to come by my house later!” Then she shut the door and left. 

As she passed through the rotting wooden gate, the other women from the neighbourhood who had been watching their interaction approached her with amused expressions.

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“You’re taking care of them again, Rosa?”

“You should just leave them alone. Why would you go to Doctor Dawn’s haunted house?!”

“He used to be a priest, but all he does is drink now. His only saving graces are his educational background and his cute son.”

But Rosa only said, “I’m only looking after Yuan since he’s pitiful. Just go already!”

And so the women returned to their errands, laughing as they playfully called Rosa scary. 

Rosa took another look at the shabby house with its dense garden. With a sigh and grumble, she returned to her house next door.

 

　　　　　****

 

The Lesserhains’ townhouse was located on 1st Avenue, an elegant building made of white stone.

Purple and white flowers bloomed in the front yard. Bathing in the summer sun, the shrubs cast dark shadows. Most of the flowers were violas, because they shared a name with the mistress of the townhouse.

In one of the rooms, Rupheus greeted his father Erst, Duke of Lesserhain. Then he said, “I heard that you’ve summoned me, Father. What do you want me to do?”

Puffing away at his pipe as he sat by a window and looked through it, Erst signalled with his fingers. Immediately, the butler waiting upon them moved, carrying a silver tray with a letter before Rupheus.

Rupheus turned pale upon realizing what it was: a bill for the property damage from the royal castle. However, the smile plastered on his face didn’t change. “I’m sorry, Father. Despite this—”

Erst raising his left hand faintly. “I’ve heard the account from the messenger. There’s no use clarifying it. Really… You’re doing something stupid, Rupheus. You’re sharp, so I didn’t expect you to make this kind of blunder,” he said with a hint of interest, not once looking at his son. “I know that you hate Violant. But if you want to discipline him, choose the right time and place. You should’ve made it look like you’re praising him for helping the princess of the neighboring country.”

Reflected upon the window was the appearance of Erst smiling, but Rupheus only felt cold sweat running down his spine. Erst said, “Originally, I thought he didn’t deserve having a place in my family since he’s useless, but… it seems like he has grown up. Because he resembles Viola greatly in appearance, he must have also inherited her wisdom. He even shut up the Ruslan fox… Hahaha.”

Rupheus couldn’t help but ask, “Father, are you planning to bring him back home?” 

“Hmm… Who knows? It’s up to you, Rupheus. Don’t let me down too much.” Erst’s smile quickly disappeared, and his sharp gaze reflecting upon the window pierced Rupheus, reminiscent of a bird of prey’s.

At once, Rupheus hung his head low. “Yes, I’m very sorry for my blunder. I will make sure to act carefully from now on.”

“Yes, do that. Leave him alone for now. He can’t hold a sword yet, but he manages his town better than I expected. It’s also beneficial for us if he can make profit.”

“Understood.” Still facing the floor, Rupheus ground his teeth.

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