Chapter 29
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Violet's First Words - Episode 29
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Days passed, and at last the Academy's opening day arrived.
Now both Violet and Ash stood on the threshold of their final semester.
Violet had spent peaceful days at Cyril's House.
On the day of opening, Violet met Marin early in the morning.
Marin had offered to prepare an outfit for her before heading to the Academy.
"What do you think? Beautiful, isn't it?"
Marin spoke with confidence.
Violet gazed at her reflection in the mirror and marveled.
Marin had prepared a sky-blue dress that hugged Violet's form perfectly.
Though the skirt was narrow, she had layered the fabric ingeniously to create slits that allowed for easy movement.
Over it lay a short jacket that shimmered like flowing azure water with every motion.
Her hair fell softly as usual, but a silver hairpin secured one side in place.
"Marin, what on earth did you do to me? My hair has become so lustrous."
Violet ran her fingers through her locks in wonder.
"Well, the power of capital and discerning taste, I suppose? I lavished expensive hair treatments on you. But your skin and hair have remarkable recovery potential. Once I trimmed away the damaged ends, they improved almost immediately."
For several days, at Ash's suggestion, Violet had visited Marin's House daily.
Ash was sometimes there, sometimes away. Marin, however, was always present.
Whenever Violet visited, Marin would always attend to her appearance.
As a result, Violet had built a rapport with Marin and now found herself chatting freely with her.
"Marin, that saying about clothes being wings—it must have been written for you. You could make anyone look like a winged angel."
Violet spoke her honest thoughts. Marin stared at her intently, her cheeks flushed.
"You have a discerning eye. Recognizing genius and all."
"How could I not? I have no sense for such things, yet I can see that I've become beautiful."
"...Really. You need Ash's sarcasm tutoring. You keep saying such kind things."
Marin continued muttering, unlike her usual self. Violet tilted her head in confusion.
"Anyway, you're withdrawing, right?"
"Yes, I'll attend today and then never return to the Academy."
The reason for delaying withdrawal was simple: Ash had suggested they both withdraw together after the Imperial Court Ball.
No matter how I thought about it, the request seemed odd... but it was no great matter to postpone a withdrawal I would make anyway by a couple of weeks.
In any case, I needed to keep my name on the student roster for at least two more weeks, and that required certain documents to be submitted.
"So I'll make you even more beautiful before you go. You need to show everyone that everything about you has changed. Sometimes resolve can be expressed through beauty."
"...Ash and Ash's friends all have a way with words."
Marin flinched at the word "Ash's friend." She quickly changed the subject.
"There we go. All done, including your lips. Don't you look beautiful?"
Violet gazed at her reflection in the mirror once more, marveling at the transformation.
"It all looks wonderful, but isn't it a bit much for the Academy?"
"Your younger sister walks around like that too. She dresses like some gaudy nouveau riche, but still. And there are a few others who just wander around without a care in the world."
The Academy was where the world's finest talents gathered.
But not everyone there was truly exceptional. Those who had bought their way in through donations lived dissolute lives under the guise of being students.
"Marin, you should attend classes too."
"I haven't gone to class in ages. I only attend the ones I like."
"But if your attendance is insufficient, won't you lose your scholarship eligibility?"
Marin let out a soft laugh.
"Do you think all commoners are scholarship recipients?"
In that moment, Violet felt a flush of shame. Marigold often dragged her along to the Academy or social gatherings as mere entertainment.
There, she had encountered Marigold's followers, and they looked down upon commoners. They believed commoners attended school only because of the tuition fees they themselves paid.
"You're right. I suppose I was harboring such prejudices. If I've offended you, I'm truly sorry."
Marin looked somewhat surprised. She soon smiled like a cat.
"Your personality is amusing, you know. So innocent and... I think I rather like it."
"Really?"
Violet felt genuine joy. Until now, she had never had anyone she could truly call a friend.
Marigold had been virtually the only girl her age with whom she had conversed.
Though she was calling Marin a friend of her own accord, Marin didn't seem to dislike her either. She had even said it was amusing.
Perhaps they could become close friends regardless of Ash.
"Look, your emotions show on your face like a puppy's. But listen, you can't tell Ash that I've been so casual with you."
"Why?"
"He told me to treat you with respect. Like I'm attending to some precious young lady."
Marin always pretends to be Ash's friend in front of Violet.
But occasionally, her manner of speaking toward a superior slips through.
"What exactly is Ash's true identity?"
"Why are you asking that all of a sudden?"
"Ash doesn't actually live here. He's just pretending to live here for my sake, but it seems like he has another residence somewhere."
Through her visions of the future, she could deduce that Ash was someone of great importance.
But even without that, anyone with sense would notice this inconsistency.
Marin flinched.
"Was it that obvious?"
"Yes."
Violet spoke with conviction.
"You have an intriguing personality. You seem like a simple paper door at first, but you're surprisingly sharp."
"Don't dodge the question. Is Ash perhaps some minor nobleman's heir—a viscount or an earl?"
Marin laughed as if the suggestion amused her greatly.
"Hardly. Ash couldn't possibly hold such a lowly position."
"...Then it's more than that. What on earth...."
"You'll find out soon. And Ash doesn't like people talking behind his back."
"...Then just one thing. Is the kindness you show me because Ash told you to?"
"First, I genuinely find it enjoyable, and second, Ash doesn't force his people to do such things."
"...."
"You'll understand soon enough."
That reassured me. There was nothing more frightening than an eternal secret.
"Well then, let's start by practicing how to walk gracefully."
Marin took my hand and guided me back and forth across the room.
"...So etiquette lessons are necessary too."
"When you wear beautiful clothes, you must conduct yourself accordingly. Speaking of which, have you talked to your guardian? About withdrawing from school, or about what's to come?"
Marin asked.
"Not yet. Uncle has been too busy with work to come home. He said he'd return before the Imperial Court Ball."
"Hmm, speak well when you do. Guardians still prefer to be informed of even the smallest matters. It's a way of showing respect to your elders."
"Okay."
I took Marin's hand and made a full turn.
"Ready?"
Marin spoke. Ash's carriage was pulling up outside.
"Yes, I'm ready."
"Then let's go. Time to show my masterpiece to the world."
Marin smiled.
Brought to you by Valir Scans! To support our team and enjoy the latest releases, please read directly on our official site: valirscans.org