Chapter 26
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Violet's First Words - Episode 26
"Yes, that's correct. I went all the way to Bonheart Village to find her. It was quite rural, I must say. Fortunately, I managed to secure a good Gate passage and resolved the matter within a few days."
Gran spoke.
"Bonheart Village... How did you know that was where the wedding took place?"
"Cyril Cole Everdin is quite a well-known name. For someone like that, gathering information is simple. We traced Cyril's hometown and sent me, the High Priest, to the Provincial Temple."
Brown noticed Violet's astonished expression and spoke in a somewhat gentler tone.
"It's too early to be surprised yet. A man who gives only one gift has no charm."
Ash spoke. Gran extended a bundle of papers.
"These are oral testimonies we received from the village elders who attended the wedding at that time. In simpler terms, they are witnesses. They swore that the wedding did take place and that they attended as guests."
"It's remarkable that the people of Bonheart Village willingly provided this, and even more so that they've kept it all this time."
Violet spoke to Gran.
"It's evidence of your mother's kindness, I'd say."
Ash spoke.
"...Kindness?"
"They remembered. Though it was long ago, they remembered the pitiful bride."
At Ash's words, Violet nodded. Her emotions swelled within her.
Indeed, Cyril had not lied about anything.
"Moreover, though Bonheart Village was poor, the faith of its people was quite strong. When asked in the name of God, they readily agreed."
Gran made a gesture of prayer and spoke playfully.
The High Priest was a position of great authority. Had the villagers' faith been strong, they would not have been able to refuse the High Priest's request.
"Ah, you mentioned you were the High Priest..."
"Yes. Furthermore, according to our investigation, it appears that Miss Violet's father deceived your biological mother by holding the wedding ceremony but not submitting the marriage certificate to the authorities."
He held the wedding but never registered the marriage.
It was not surprising. My father was the type of man who could pull off such cowardly schemes and more.
Violet looked at Ash first.
"Ash, thank you so much. And Gran, thank you as well. I'm grateful to all of you."
"This marriage certificate is crucial evidence that you are not illegitimate. For us, whether someone is legitimate or not is a trivial matter, but for the Empire's Nobility, it's quite important, isn't it?"
Marin spoke.
"Marin, honor is important to everyone. Especially when it concerns the honor of one's parents—it's something people would kill for without hesitation."
Ash answered calmly. Marin nodded readily.
"So Violet, do you feel like playing the game now?"
Ash looked at Violet and smiled subtly.
"...It's already fun."
Violet answered, realizing that she had gained more powerful allies than she had anticipated.
"It will only get more interesting. Now then—first, the basics of hunting: you target the weakest opponent, yes? Who is the weakest target on your list of enemies?"
Marin asked.
"Probably Marigold. If not her, then Bludin."
Violet answered quietly.
"Hmm, from what I hear, they both sound like foolish rich heirs. Well, since Marigold seems easier to handle, should I teach her a lesson first?"
Gran grinned and spoke.
"I've heard Marigold is famous. A young noblewoman who's made a name for herself throughout the entire Capital."
Marin said.
"That's right, Marigold is renowned for her beauty. She's already been featured in magazines several times...."
Violet replied.
"So what should we do?"
Brown, who had been listening silently, clicked his pen and opened his mouth.
"Think of a situation that would make this sheltered lady Marigold feel as disgusted, humiliated, and miserable as possible."
Marin answered instead.
"Within legal bounds if possible. If we're committing crimes, violence, or murder, let's do it without getting caught. Getting caught just means more work for me."
Brown said.
"Trials, lawsuits—that stuff drives me insane."
Gran clicked his tongue disapprovingly.
"First, when you want to hurt someone, you base it on their values."
Ash spoke elegantly.
"Values? What do you mean by that?"
"What that person holds most dear. You take it away from them, or make them feel inferior about it."
"Marigold seemed obsessed with beauty, and also... with social advancement, that sort of thing."
Violet said.
"Doesn't she already have all of that?"
Gran asked.
"Yes, but it seems Marigold still feels it's not enough."
"Oh, I do love it when the person I'm tormenting is materialistic. That's when it really hits."
Marin murmured with delight.
"So when would Marigold suffer the most, Violet?"
Ash appeared indifferent, but looked into Violet's eyes as he asked.
"It would be the moment she loses and is robbed of what she truly desired."
"And?"
"And when the truth is revealed. That I'm not a bastard, but that Marigold actually is. Ideally, it would be even better if it came out on the day Marigold is at her most radiant and happy."
If Marigold heard a single word from me on such a day, what would that be like?
It would become a nightmare she could never forget.
"Hmm...."
Everyone fell silent in an instant. Violet flinched in surprise.
"What, what is it?"
"Wow, this young lady is a bit vicious, isn't she?"
Gran said.
"You're quite the troublemaker, aren't you? Fine, I like you. I want to get closer to you now."
Marin spoke like a little devil.
"That won't do."
In that instant, Gran and Brown's pitying gazes fell upon me.
"...What exactly is happening right now...."
I spoke carefully, feeling bewildered.
"Once Marin takes a liking to you, you become a human mannequin. We've all suffered through it thoroughly. The only advantage is that you don't need to buy clothes."
Gran said.
"Very well. I have twenty-five minutes remaining."
Brown clicked his pen again and spoke indifferently.
"So tell me. What day are you thinking of?"
Ash said.
I fell silent for a moment.
"You won't believe it, but Marigold genuinely wants to marry into the Royal Family. That's why she hopes to be chosen as the Winter Queen at the Crown Prince's ball."
"What is the Winter Queen?"
Brown furrowed his brow.
"A trivial tradition of the Royal Family. They hold an enormous ball every year. And in winter, they select one of the noble ladies who have just debuted in High Society as Queen and have her dance with the male royals. But there's one interesting point."
Marin answered instead.
Ash simply nodded slightly, as if he already knew everything.
"I'm already bored now that the ball has been mentioned. Make this interesting for me."
Gran said.
"Throughout history, countless Winter Queens have become the lovers of young royals. Among them, the truly fortunate women even married them. Though those were cases where the woman's family was already of good standing, of course."
The Winter Queen was literally an event where the Royal Family identified the most beautiful woman in the Capital.
"And the organizer of this ball is none other than the Crown Prince himself."
Marin continued.
"Isn't he married? He had a political marriage not long ago. Ah, I really don't want to know about these things."
Gran spoke as if it were absurd.
"So she's dreaming of sudden advancement, is she? Miss Marigold."
Ash said.
"Now that you mention it, is that right? Does Marigold really dream of becoming the Crown Prince's concubine?"
"...No, Marigold genuinely... dreams of becoming the Crown Princess."
I answered, wondering why I felt vicarious shame.
"Wow, she certainly dreams big. Really?"
"But it seems like she might actually pull it off."
"Why? What's your basis for that?"
"My family members have quite the con artist tendencies... and their obsession is tremendous. They're the kind of people who would do anything to make Marigold's dreams come true. They might even force the already-married Crown Prince to divorce."
I said.
"If Marigold's secret birth is exposed on the day of the ball, her dream of becoming Crown Princess will become distant. Your plan is quite an endearing idea. Well done."
Ash spoke indifferently.
"...Thank you, Ash."
Violet felt flustered, but the praise lifted her spirits a little.
Brought to you by Valir Scans! To support our team and enjoy the latest releases, please read directly on our official site: valirscans.org