Chapter 10
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Violet's First Words - Episode 10
A few hours later. Ash reclined against the elongated sofa in his opulent chamber, leisurely turning the pages of a book. Marin entered carrying an armful of paper and cloth, which she deposited upon the table.
"Ash, don't you have something to say to me about your visit to the Academy this afternoon?"
"What would I have to say?"
"You suddenly ordered me to reserve the Academy Training Room. When I checked the schedule, the person who reserved it before you was that plain-looking Miss Everdin, wasn't it?"
"Mind your tongue, Marin. I know you've lost yourself in finding beautiful things—dresses and jewels—but you've crossed a line."
Ash's voice dropped subtly. Marin flinched.
"Well, it's not a nickname I invented, is it? I should have taken a closer look at that Miss Violet's face back then..."
"Violet Everdin is handsome, as I've said. Moreover, her personality and conduct are quite endearing."
Marin regarded Ash in silence.
"What is that expression?"
"Isn't our lord, who is obsessed with talent, beginning to fixate on that young lady's abilities?"
"I do not fixate on talent."
"Consider the talents you've extracted from the Academy—once you've marked someone, you pursue them relentlessly until they become yours, then lock them away in a jewel box, never to see the world again."
"They're all doing well now, aren't they? Thanks to me. I've placed them all in excellent positions."
"But you've never called any of them 'endearing.' And this is the first time your recruitment target has been a young woman around your own age."
"Is not the first occurrence significant for everyone?"
"The first... plain... rather, handsome, sword-wielding female talent? Is this some new type of admission process?"
"Let's call it a new category."
Ash chuckled softly. He turned another page of the book he'd been reading at leisure.
"So why exactly are you pursuing that young lady?"
"A truly excellent lord befriends talent and cherishes it. Violet is the most extraordinary person I've encountered recently, so I must approach her with utmost dedication until that tightly bound heart of hers opens."
Ash smiled with picture-perfect beauty. Marin gazed at her unfathomable lord and shrugged her shoulders.
"Our lord is far too difficult to understand."
"An easy man is tedious, Marin. A man becomes capable of delighting women only when his inner self remains tantalizingly obscure."
"That's from Chapter 3, Page 2 of 'The Lady Rosenis Story,' isn't it? Our lord clearly enjoys that book as well."
"...Must you continue tormenting me with that book?"
Ash lifted his eyes from the volume he'd been reading.
"Speaking of which, the Crown Prince's Winter Queen Ball—you'll be attending, won't you? Which young lady will you bring? Is she beautiful? Cute? Elegant? Voluptuous? Slender?"
"Enough. I'm torn between gagging you or simply moving to another room."
"Well, I need to prepare a magnificent uniform befitting the young lady who will be Ash's partner. Tell me quickly!"
"You jest excessively. I do not court women in the Empire."
"I'm not joking. The Night Market Festival is just two days away, and we can't have you looking like this!"
"...A festival?"
"The countdown has begun. The Crown Prince's Winter Queen Ball is the most important social event in the Capital, so everyone deliberates over who they'll attend with. That's why people use the festival as an excuse to go out together, and it naturally leads to partnership proposals for the Ball."
"Marin."
"...Why did you suddenly lower your voice?"
Ash rose lightly from his seat. Then, meeting Marin's eyes, he spoke with gravity.
"Now I'll give you something useful to do. Go fetch pen and paper. The finest quality."
"Who are you writing to...."
"You lack perception sometimes. Obviously, Violet Everdin."
Ash spoke gently.
* * *
When Violet returned home after training, she noticed the carriages lined up in front of the house and understood at once. 'Ah, the family has returned.' Servants bustled about ceaselessly, moving luggage back and forth. Several servants noticed Violet, but they all ignored her.
"If you scratch even one bag, I'll deduct it from your wages, understood?!"
Standing in the center of the first-floor parlor was a woman whose fierce tone belied her small frame. It was Paula, Violet's Stepmother.
"So you've finally arrived?"
Paula looked Violet up and down with open contempt. 'It seems the family hasn't heard about hitting Bludin yet.' I reflected silently. Perhaps Bludin was too ashamed of being struck by his betrothed to tell the truth. I hoped that was the case, but it didn't matter either way. In any case, Paula remained as she always was—consistently contemptuous toward me.
"Wandering about wherever you please. We've been far too lenient with a bastard child. Despite reaching adulthood, you do whatever you want, eat whatever you desire, and roam about in luxury."
"...."
"Be grateful you found such a generous family."
A cold sneer crossed Violet's face. 'How can she say such things?' When it came down to it, Paula was the one who had an affair with my father, and it was my Younger Sister Marigold who was the illegitimate child, not me. My Biological Mother was deceived by my father and ultimately abandoned. 'Though there's no shame in any profession, you yourself came from a tavern waitress, yet you always lied to me, claiming to be from an illustrious, prestigious family.' Thinking of her filled me with sorrow. 'There was only one time I clung to her.' It was around age ten, when I was burning with fever and ill. The memory was hazy, but I seemed to have wandered into the hallway, delirious from the heat. The maids had tended to me out of obligation, but my young heart yearned for the touch of my Stepmother Paula. So I went into the hallway to find her. [What were the maids doing that they let the child wander about like this?] Paula seemed quite displeased. And she reluctantly nursed Violet back to health. I was deeply grateful for her care, yet I felt sorry and as though I had been a burden to her. From that day forward, I prayed constantly. 'If my very existence is a flaw, then let me cause my family no further trouble.' Looking back now, it seemed absurd. After that day, there was nothing left to be grateful for. Violet was not a bastard. So there was no need to apologize. She was merely a victim. I felt even the gratitude of dust slipping away. 'You all deceived me.' This grand mansion, the luxurious dress my Stepmother wore. In truth, it had all been built upon the foundation of wealth brought by Violet's Biological Mother, Deborah. Violet stared intently at Paula.
"What is that expression? Do you have something to say?"
An expression of annoyance crossed Paula's face.
"Actually, there is something I wish to tell you."
Violet met Paula's eyes and spoke calmly.
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