Chapter 27
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Violet's First Words - Episode 27
"But are you certain about exposing Violet's family matters in front of so many people?"
"...That part does concern me somewhat, but I think it will be fine. It's something that needs to be done anyway."
Violet nodded.
"Violet, if we're not careful, your reputation could suffer too. After all, there's nothing to gain from being involved in such a scandal."
Marin asked while studying Violet carefully.
"But this way, I can properly break off my engagement with Bludin. Bludin's father, the Camelaine Knight Order Commander, places tremendous importance on appearances. That's part of what I'm hoping for."
Ash stared at Violet a moment longer at her words.
Violet met Ash's gaze.
"Did I say something strange?"
Violet tilted her head in confusion.
"Interesting. It seems fine to make this a bigger affair. I rather like the added benefits too."
Brown and Gran exchanged peculiar looks as well.
"Excellent. Added benefits, indeed."
Brown spoke.
"We must do whatever our esteemed lady wishes. That's right—a woman with a fiancé would certainly be troublesome."
At Gran's words, Violet tilted her head.
"Troublesome how?"
"Oh dear, we're in trouble. A formidable opponent."
Gran spoke with innocent candor.
"Everyone must be careful with their words and conduct themselves well, yes? We shouldn't meddle in others' private affairs."
Ash spoke, his eyes devoid of warmth.
Strangely, everyone fell silent at his words.
'Ash just seemed like someone of considerable... standing.'
Violet thought to herself.
"I'm not particularly fond of all the fuss surrounding balls and such, but it seems we've reached a conclusion."
Brown adjusted his glasses once.
"Marin, what exactly does this Winter Queen do?"
Ash asked, resting his chin in his hand.
"She dances with the young Royal Family member who hosts the ball and becomes the guest of honor. After that, she gains the privilege of personal interaction with the Royal Family."
"Can all of that be refused? For instance, the dance at the ball?"
This time Brown answered instead of Marin.
"Legally, there's plenty of room for refusal. The ball's dance is merely an extension of social convention and etiquette, after all. No one can compel it."
"I see."
Ash stroked his chin thoughtfully.
"Ash?"
I blinked.
In that moment, Marin's eyes widened. She was clearly anticipating something.
'What is Marin expecting?'
Soon, a bombshell dropped from Ash's lips as usual.
"I think you should become the Winter Queen, Violet."
"...What?"
"We should steal away Marigold's most precious thing. The most precious thing she'll have in the future, or what she's hoping for—isn't that the Winter Queen position?"
"Well, that's true, but..."
Marin practically bounced with joy.
"I get to design the Winter Queen's dress! This is wonderful! Come on, we don't have time—let's go, Violet. There's so much work to do!"
So these people had just handed over the Winter Queen position to someone.
My bewilderment only grew.
"Wait, I still have something to say."
"Please, I'm begging you. Let me dress you up!"
Marin even made a pitiful expression.
I had always been weak to small, delicate things. Marin certainly looked that way now.
"Well then, we'll be going."
"We have other matters to attend to."
Gran and Brown slipped away like arrows. Ash had already risen from his seat and was watching me with amusement.
"She said please, Violet. Marin can be quite persistent."
"..."
"See you in a bit, Violet."
Ash smiled charmingly, his eyes crinkling with mirth.
'I feel like I've been bewitched by a fox.'
I thought this as Marin dragged me along by the hand.
* * *
"Autumn-sky blue eyes, so beautiful. Hmm, not the common shade of blue. There's something to work with here. Petals drenched in water, flowers heavy with sorrow. No, wait—willows by a lake concealing infinite depths of a primordial forest. Yes, that's it. The image crystallizes. Why didn't I see it from the start?"
Beyond the small chair, a partition hung that divided the room in half.
Marin pushed Violet behind the partition and urged her to change clothes.
Violet sat on the small chair wearing only a gown and a thin slip dress.
Marin examined her face from every angle, then quickly trimmed her eyebrows. Next, she began lifting her lashes with a small brush heated over flame.
"Marin, what are you trying to do right now?"
"Start with the face, of course. Then I'll work all the way down to your toes. I'll refine every detail."
"Marin, what exactly are you?"
"I'm just someone obsessed with beauty. My greatest passion is polishing rough gems into brilliance."
Marin hummed as she spoke.
With one hand, she painted Violet's lips with transparent rouge.
"And you just brazenly admit to being such an obsessed person!"
"Hmm, platinum suits your skin better than gold, I think? Diamonds would look stunning too."
Everyone here was overlooking something crucial.
"Marin, the Winter Queen is decided by vote! The attendees use flowers to vote on the night of the ball."
"Childish, perhaps, but entertaining, don't you think? A grand ball where everyone adorns themselves lavishly. And among them all, the young lady in my dress will shine the brightest."
One moment of inattention and conversations with Marin would veer completely off course.
"You know my reputation well enough. People would never vote for me. I don't want to be humiliated. I don't want to play the fool."
Marigold was already a renowned beauty throughout the Capital. Moreover, she was a spirit summoner—an extraordinarily rare gift.
Her name appeared regularly in magazines and newspapers.
"Ash suggested you for the Winter Queen position, didn't he?"
Marin looked at Violet as though she couldn't comprehend her resistance.
"...And?"
"If Ash said it, then it will happen. If it doesn't, something's wrong. Something's broken."
In that moment, Violet saw Marin's eyes. They held the fervent gaze of someone consumed by faith.
'What is Ash that makes everyone around him follow so zealously?'
The more I learned, the stranger Ash's world became.
"There's no excess in revenge. What do you think would happen if Marigold lost the Winter Queen position to you?"
Violet recalled Marigold on the day she'd left after quarreling with her family—eyes wide with fury, demanding answers about the inheritance.
"She'd be furious, I imagine. She'd see me again, and she'd be humiliated in a way she'd never forget."
"You could give her the worst day of her life."
Marin hummed the words.
For a moment, I nearly lost myself.
"I need to talk to Ash."
"Change into the dress first. I put so much effort into making this—couldn't you wear it just once?"
What followed felt like enchantment. A new dress, hair combed, makeup applied.
"Look in the mirror. Isn't it beautiful?"
Marin spoke with absolute confidence, then left to fetch Ash.
Violet stood before the full-length mirror.
What Violet wore was a white dress embroidered throughout with daisy patterns.
The dress had no sleeves, with a square neckline that dipped elegantly across the chest. The skirt fell in a straight, flowing line to the floor, cinching subtly at the waist to accentuate her silhouette.
'Wow, what a beautiful dress. It's adorable too....'
Even in this bewildering situation, my aesthetic sensibilities remained intact.
Just then, Ash's voice drifted from beyond the partition.
"Violet, do you miss me already?"
"I'm coming out now."
Marin had brazenly taken Violet's shoes with her as she left.
All that remained before me was a single mule—crafted from soft silk, heeled, and unmistakably expensive.
Violet's feet were on the smaller side. She carefully slipped her foot into the mule, then pushed through the partition and stepped outside.
Ash stood at the doorway, his hand resting against the frame.
In that moment, their eyes met. The room behind was draped in curtains, and caramel-hued sunlight filtered through the gaps between them.
Brought to you by Valir Scans! To support our team and enjoy the latest releases, please read directly on our official site: valirscans.org