[Light Novel] Violet Evergarden English

Vol 1 Chapter 1.4

Chapter 1.4
The Novelist and the Doll, Part 4

"I have been dispatched here to fulfill your need for a scribe. I will perform my duties to your utmost satisfaction so as to not sully the Auto Memories Doll name. It matters not whether my tools are pen and paper or typewriter. Please make use of me as planned."

Violet uttered these words with her large, jewel-like eyes affixed firmly on Oscar's. It made Oscar feel a bit fidgety, but he managed to answer with an awkward nod.

The doll had been requested for a period of two weeks. They had only that much time to complete one full script.

Oscar composed himself and led Violet into his study, intending to begin work immediately.

However, on arrival there, it became clear that Violet's first duties would not be as a scribe but as a housekeeper.

Oscar had pulled everything necessary into one room for it to double as both an office and a bedroom. Strewn about the floor were dirtied clothes and dishes filled with half-eaten meals. It was a miserable spectacle. Such was the mess that one could hardly find space to walk across the floor.

Violet remained silent as she again trained her blue eyes upon Oscar. The eyes themselves seemed to accuse. Did you do anything at all to prepare for my arrival?

"...I'm sorry."

Oscar himself knew that it was not a room befitting a working man. Since beginning his days alone, Oscar had hardly touched the living room. As a result, that room had remained in quite a presentable state. But the well-trodden rooms of his house–this office, the washroom, and the bathroom–had all fallen into a most wretched state.

He suddenly felt quite grateful that Violet was an automaton.

Her physical appearance suggested a young woman at the twilight of her teens, or perhaps in her early twenties. Oscar could think of any number of other torturous things he would prefer to endure than the situation of having to show a real girl of that age this embarrassment of an office. It was unchivalrous, and Oscar's advancing years were no excuse.

"Sir, I must respectfully remind you that I am here to act as a scribe, not as a maid."

Yet even as she spoke, Violet pulled from her trunk a white, frilled apron and began cleaning the room with a certain zeal. Thus passed their first day.

On the second, they finally managed to both seat themselves in the office and set about the real work ahead.