Chapter 28
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Violet's First Words - Episode 28
"Why are you staring at me like that?"
Violet spoke, feeling an odd tension rise within her.
"I've never seen you wear that color before."
"...I suppose not."
Knight Division students rarely adorned themselves elaborately. After all, training always left them drenched in sweat, so they perpetually wore the same simple shirt.
"You look absolutely beautiful."
Ash approached and gazed down at Violet's face. She averted her eyes.
Another anomaly. Her blood seemed to rush faster, her heart beating as though it might leap from her chest.
"Or perhaps you were always beautiful, Violet Everdin?"
Ash chuckled softly.
"...Thank you for the compliment. Well, in any case... the Winter Queen plan seems impractical."
"A waste of time?"
"The plan itself is sound. But... I think exposing the truth at the Ball will be sufficient."
I had already prepared a modest revenge concerning Marigold.
Perhaps on the first day of the semester, Marigold would find herself in considerable trouble.
If all went well, she might even be expelled from the Academy.
'Perhaps she could even lose her Winter Queen status. After all, the Winter Queen is determined by reputation.'
I pondered this quietly.
Marigold, on the other hand, would attend the Crown Prince's Ball through sheer determination. That was why I had decided to expose everything that day.
"If that's what you think, there's no need to force it."
"Thank you, Ash."
"Then, will you attend the Crown Prince's Ball?"
"Of course."
"In that case, come here, Violet."
Ash gestured to me.
As I walked through Ash's Mansion in unfamiliar heels, I felt a peculiar sensation wash over me.
It was as though I had become a refined young lady from the pages of a novel.
Ash led me to the Balcony on the second floor.
The Balcony held a table draped in white linen and a pair of chairs. Upon the table sat a small box and a vase with a single rose.
Ash grasped the rose stem—its thorns already removed—with a graceful motion and extended it to me.
"Violet Everdin, will you go to the Ball with me?"
Only then did I recall the imperial customs.
Before attending an important Ball, a gentleman typically requests a meeting beforehand—perhaps to view the Festival together.
Afterward, he would present small gifts like flowers, candy, or chocolate, and formally ask her to attend the Ball.
I had never once imagined I would receive such a formal invitation.
"You didn't need to go this far. But still... I'm happy, Ash."
Violet replied. She accepted the roses and examined them. They were absolutely beautiful.
"You should be. Open the envelope on the table."
Violet opened the envelope Ash had given her.
"How on earth did you find out about this?"
It was a brief memo, and it contained information about Bludin.
Bludin's family was wealthy and influential. However, Marlon Camelaine, Bludin's father, was a miserly man.
As such, he never indulged Bludin in any luxuries.
But foolish Bludin sought the black market to purchase jewelry cheaply in order to win Marigold's favor.
As it turned out, it was a scam. Bludin had paid an inflated price for counterfeit gems.
Yet Bludin couldn't even report it. If he did, word would reach his father's ears immediately—the Capital Knight Commander's Order commander.
"I told you, you can't give just one gift. There's no sweeter present than someone else's weakness."
"Well, but I also like chocolate."
"I figured you would."
Ash said. Beneath the envelope was a small box. Violet opened it. Inside were several beautiful chocolates.
Geoffrey always said it.
That a bastard child must atone simply for being born, and that sweets corrupt the soul—so Violet must never indulge in luxurious foods.
I was eight years old, I think, when Marigold received a box of chocolates as dessert. I remember standing there, swallowing only my saliva, watching her eat them with joy.
But these chocolates were prepared solely for me.
"They're truly beautiful. They look delicious."
"Try one now."
Violet placed a chocolate in her mouth. A bright smile bloomed across her face.
"Ash?"
Suddenly I felt his gaze upon me.
"No, it's nothing."
Ash said briefly.
Violet suddenly looked at Ash.
"I think my luck has been good lately. I've never experienced anything like it in my entire life."
"Really?"
"Yes. I came to live with Uncle, and I met someone like you. It seems my prayers from long ago have finally been answered. When I was very young, I prayed for someone to give me a friend."
Marin seemed somewhat perplexing at times, but she didn't seem like a bad person.
With kindness shown to this extent, surely these people and I were friends.
Violet, as always, expected Ash to return a sweet smile.
But this time, Ash did not smile. He looked into Violet's eyes and spoke.
"Are we friends?"
"Huh? Aren't we... not?"
Ash shook his head.
"Then let's say we are, for now."
"Sometimes, Ash... your way of speaking is too difficult."
"Anyway, let's talk about Bludin. What do you think of that bastard?"
I paused, considering my words.
"I despise him. He disgusts me. He's like a cockroach."
My words seemed to please Ash. He laughed with genuine amusement.
"And what else comes to mind?"
"With my other family members, I feel pain, resentment, and bitterness. But with Bludin, there's something else mixed in with my anger—a sense of shame."
More precisely, shame directed at myself.
Because I had once admired him. To a bastard girl with nothing, Bludin had seemed rather impressive.
But that illusion shattered far more quickly than I expected.
"Bludin loves Marigold. He's said he wished I were like her. The fact that I ever admired someone like that... it's shameful."
"Pathetic."
"Yes, pathetic."
"Then shall we go witness that pathetic nature firsthand?"
"...Do you have a plan?"
"There's nothing to plan. Pathetic people live by their pride. Shatter that pride, and they either destroy themselves or become utterly incapable of recovery."
"Pride is too generous a word for Bludin."
"Then let's call it arrogance instead."
That was far more fitting. Yet something felt strange.
Ash seemed like someone for whom everything in the world came easily. But oddly enough, when it came to Bludin, he became almost boyishly petty.
'Perhaps Ash also dislikes insufferable people like Bludin.'
I understood.
"And Violet, one more thing. It would be good to grow closer to Marin. You'll need her support if you're to say anything to Bludin."
Ash spoke gently. He became increasingly enigmatic.
"What does Marin like? I need to understand her if I'm to befriend her."
"Nothing in particular. Just speak to her as you normally would—without pretense, with genuine kindness. That will be enough."
Ash spoke gently.
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