Chapter 14
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Violet's First Words - Episode 14
Having spent the previous night in a flurry of activity, I woke later than usual.
After rising, I slipped into the Servant's Bathroom to wash in secret, then prepared myself for the day ahead.
"Violet."
As I descended to the Hall on the first floor, I found Geoffrey conversing with Mother. It seemed he had returned home early this morning, despite having supposedly spent the night at the Office.
I regarded Geoffrey in silence.
Geoffrey's brow furrowed.
"Such laziness—you've inherited it from your wretched Biological Mother. Marigold has already finished breakfast and gone for her morning walk."
At Geoffrey's words, my eyes hardened.
'Don't be ridiculous. My Biological Mother is descended from a Distinguished Noble Family. How dare you insult her.'
It was then.
"Father!"
Marigold approached with a bright cry.
At the sight of Marigold, Geoffrey's lips softened and his eyes gleamed with unmistakable affection.
"My beautiful daughter, did you enjoy your walk?"
"Yes, the flowers were blooming so prettily. I cut some to arrange in Father's Study."
"You have both a kind heart and a lovely face. With such grace, you'll be cherished wherever you marry."
"Even just at today's Festival, I've been receiving endless letters from Distinguished Noble Family heirs asking to see it together."
Paula, who had been irritable moments before, now spoke with a smug grin spreading across her face.
"Viewing the Festival?"
"As you know, publicly attending the Festival outdoors is one of the rare opportunities for unmarried men and women to interact that High Society permits. It's practically the opening move of a proposal."
"Ah, I see."
"The invitation letters I've received are all rather ordinary—just the usual acquaintances. But the invitation letter my sister received is far more remarkable. Don't you remember what I mentioned at breakfast?"
Marigold spoke with innocent candor.
The mere mention of my name caused disgust to bloom anew across Geoffrey's face.
"Indeed, what manner of conduct have you been engaging in? And now you've received a letter from some impressive man, no less?"
Geoffrey spoke as though utterly exasperated.
"It seems you've heard from Marigold about the letter I received."
I spoke without inflection.
I had never intended to accept the invitation anyway.
But seeing how anxious Marigold had become over Ash's interest, my resolve wavered.
"Hmm. Listening to both you and Marigold, I've come to realize I've been far too lenient with you."
"Lenient? With me, Father?"
I nearly laughed aloud at Geoffrey's words.
"That's right! If a bastard child gallivants about alone with a man without a chaperone, what do you think people will say?"
Violet recalled something.
It was truly a matter of little consequence.
The grand Festival that occurred twice a year was a day I secretly counted down to with anticipation.
I had no money and no one to enjoy it with.
But on that night, crowds always filled the Streets. Among them, I cherished the moments when I could simply be Violet herself—not a bastard, but an ordinary person.
'I was truly well-behaved. I never went out without my family's permission.'
Geoffrey only looked directly at Violet when he was depriving her of something.
Geoffrey knew that Violet loved the Festival.
"Violet, I cannot bear to see you gallivanting about so recklessly. From this moment forward, I forbid you from leaving the house."
Geoffrey spoke.
"But Father, how could you stand someone up like this?"
Marigold's lips twitched with delight.
"Indeed. Our family has its reputation to uphold, so Marigold, you shall go in her place and convey that Violet cannot attend. Perhaps you might even offer a cup of tea to that young man Ash as an apology...."
Paula spoke, as if spurring them on.
'Just as I thought. Marigold, you said yesterday you would gracefully step aside.'
I watched this farce unfold quietly, curious to see how far they would take it.
"Marigold, how could you be so thoughtful? There is no help for it. You must go in her stead."
Geoffrey spoke in an exaggerated tone.
"But my sister might be displeased. Just yesterday she was angry with me, as if she feared losing Ash's attention."
"How dare you speak to my daughter that way!"
Paula clicked her tongue.
"Violet, you must ask Marigold yourself. Though you are lacking in many ways, you are still my daughter, so I trust you understand."
Geoffrey lowered his voice, then suddenly spoke with tenderness.
'Their schemes are so transparent.'
I thought to myself.
They always disparaged and pressured people, then suddenly feigned affection for a single moment.
Only when they wanted something, only to treat her as more foolish and to brainwash her further.
The old Violet would have obediently said, "I shall obey you, Father," but circumstances had changed.
"I refuse."
"What?"
Geoffrey fell silent for a moment, his expression one of disbelief.
"The letter from Ash was addressed to me, and whether I accept or decline, I shall go out myself and tell Ash directly."
"You, right now...."
Geoffrey spoke in a voice trembling with rage.
"More than that, Father, I have something to say to you. To you as well, Marigold, and to you, Stepmother."
I spoke.
"What is with that insolent expression? You truly are your Biological Mother's daughter—shameless through and through."
Paula's eyes flashed with fury.
"Is that so? If I resemble my Biological Mother, then I should conduct myself as befits the descendant of a Distinguished Noble Family, yes? I am not the daughter of a tavern maid."
I looked at Paula as I spoke.
"What nonsense are you spouting all of a sudden!"
Paula's expression crumpled in an instant. Her eyes were trembling.
"Did you think I would never find out? Who has true breeding and who doesn't. What your real identity is!"
"...Y-you!"
Paula was utterly shocked. The servants who had been standing by to attend gasped and murmured among themselves.
Geoffrey had gone just as pale.
"This woman has truly lost her mind. Everyone, step back! Wait in the Servants' Quarters!"
As Geoffrey cried out urgently, the servants withdrew.
"What did you just say? Speak clearly."
Geoffrey pressed me, his tone sharp.
"Well, what did I just say? For instance, that Father's blood relatives are a fallen noble house? The fraud they committed back home? That everything you've boasted about since birth—your wealth, your status—was all a lie? And that Stepmother, who claimed to be of noble descent, was actually a tavern worker?"
"Sister, have you completely lost your mind!?"
Marigold shrieked.
"Dad, why is she like this? Even if I were jealous, how could she make up such things?"
"...."
"Dad?"
"They're not made up."
I regarded Marigold calmly.
"The truth is, you're illegitimate and I'm the legitimate daughter. And I'm the rightful heir to Mother's estate. Isn't that right, Father?"
Geoffrey fell silent, then silent again, while Paula's trembling hands clenched into fists.
"Do you have proof?"
Geoffrey finally spoke.
"...I'm sorry?"
"Proof. Do you have it? You don't, do you?"
In that moment, my breath caught short.
But I did not waver. Shaking people and spouting sophistry were Geoffrey's specialties—he wielded them just as readily against his own Company employees.
"Perhaps I do. The whole world will know of it. Even if it happened eighteen years ago, it didn't simply disappear. Why couldn't I reveal this to the world?"
"Y-you...!"
Geoffrey's face twisted. Marigold had gone deathly pale.
"What are you saying, Mom and Dad? I'm not illegitimate. Right? I can't possibly be the same kind of existence as my sister, can I?"
"...."
"Right, Mom? Tell me I'm right?"
Marigold's voice trembled.
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