Chapter 32
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Violet's First Words - Episode 32
Ash had given me only two instructions for today. The first was to greet Bludin with confidence whenever I saw him. Bludin stared at me blankly, his mouth opening and closing soundlessly before he finally spoke.
"What in the world is that appearance?"
In that instant, Ash wrapped his arm around my shoulders and drew me gently toward him.
"What urgent matter compels you to wander about in such an unsightly state? If you understood propriety, you'd be better off surrendering your life—it would serve the world far better. How pitiful."
Ash spoke with cutting precision. Bludin's head snapped toward him, his teeth grinding audibly.
"What are you doing clinging to my fiancée?"
Fiancée? How absurd. A scoff escaped me unbidden.
"I believe Violet has already conveyed her intention to break the engagement to your father."
Ash's voice dropped lower, more dangerous.
"That is... well..."
"Whether I place my arm around my girlfriend's shoulders or adorn her beautifully is none of your concern."
This was the second thing Ash had asked of me. To tell Bludin that we were in a relationship. 'Will this strategy actually work?' I'd had my doubts, but Lady Rosenis's novels contained similar scenarios. I decided there was nothing to lose. 'And yet... it's actually working?' Bludin's face flushed crimson as he turned to me, his voice strained.
"Tell me yourself, Violet. Is what this bastard is saying true?"
I regarded Bludin with disdain, then gripped Ash's hand firmly.
"Bludin, think rationally for once. I'm a swordmaster too. How could I possibly feel attraction to a weakling like you? It's only natural to be drawn to someone special and strong like Ash."
"...You..."
"You always looked down on me anyway, so isn't it fortunate for us both that I found Ash? People should meet those suited to their station and live accordingly."
Bludin stood frozen, his mouth hanging open like carved stone.
"Choosing Ash over someone as tedious, weak, and dull-witted as you is the obvious choice. A perfect collaboration of instinct and reason, you might say. You'd have done exactly the same in my position."
I'd done it. 'I'm like Lady Rosenis right now.' A wave of relief crashed through my chest. For a moment, I felt truly liberated. The sense of accomplishment was an unexpected bonus. 'I'm not the worthless fool Bludin always claimed I was.' To speak such words directly to the face of the man who had constantly diminished my self-worth—it was intoxicating. Bludin was nothing. In fact, both Ash and I could have beaten him down as easily as we pleased. As proof, Bludin couldn't say a word right now.
"And you dared speak to me like that...."
No, it was worse than that. Bludin looked as though he were melting into liquid, flowing away helplessly.
"You'll live just fine, so don't worry. Go cry to Father and tell him about our broken engagement."
I spoke gently. This time the words flowed out as naturally as water.
"Shall we go, Violet?"
Ash said. I placed my hand lightly on his arm.
"Violet, you're making a terrible mistake right now. Do you understand?"
Bludin cried out belatedly. Honestly, it wasn't threatening at all. If anything, it sounded like the dying words of a defeated man.
"Wait here."
Ash released my hand and walked quickly toward Bludin.
"Ah, I hear you've cursed her quite a bit. Consider this repayment for all the debts I've owed you."
Ash smiled gently and drove his fist into Bludin's nose once more. Crack! With a dull thud, Bludin collapsed to the ground. 'So Ash hits someone who's already been hit... How admirable.' I marveled at the sight. Bludin lay there with foam at his mouth.
"Bludin, it's not over yet. Wait for my final words."
Installment payment. For Bludin, who had provoked such boundless fury, I had decided to give him a gift prepared with special care.
"By the way, you fool."
Ash leaned down toward Bludin.
"Before you run crying to Father, read this. It's quite interesting. Don't you think?"
Ash smiled and handed something to Bludin. Then, holding my hand, he slowly turned away. We walked in silence for a while. At last, we stopped before the Small Library. The Academy had libraries of various sizes scattered throughout, but most of them were empty of people most of the time.
"Violet, are you alright?"
Could that even be called a question? My heart was pure joy itself.
"Ash, thank you so much!"
I turned to look at him and smiled brightly. Unable to contain my happiness, I gently embraced his shoulders. Ash's body went rigid. He stared at me without moving, then grasped both my arms.
"A... sh?"
"No, I'm glad you're happy."
Ash gazed at my eyelashes for a moment, then pulled away.
"I'm sorry for being so informal. But I couldn't contain my excitement... Your plan worked perfectly, Ash. I never thought it would be this easy."
Ash responded a few seconds slower than usual today.
"I told you, it was nothing special."
"But are you really sure about this, Ash? I'm worried you might end up at odds with Bludin's family. What if your future gets ruined because of me?"
"Don't worry. I rather enjoy ruining my own life."
"I do too. But people might start spreading rumors that we're dating."
Even if Violet was no longer a failure, the terrible reputation she had accumulated over the years would not simply vanish. But Ash was different. He had a brilliant future ahead of him, now and always.
"You both enjoy ruining your lives, and according to Marin, the two of you look good standing together."
"...."
"Doesn't that make us a pretty convincing fake couple?"
Ash, watch your words.... I thought desperately. My heart had nearly stopped just now. 'Don't forget the terrifying side effects of a beautiful face.' Come to think of it, the saying goes that heroes should keep their distance from beauty. If I could stand beside such beauty and remain unmoved as stone, it would be excellent mental discipline for a knight.
"By the way, does that bastard Bludin really like any woman who wears a skirt?" Bludin had actually harbored feelings for Marigold for a long time. That's why he was furious when he became engaged to Violet instead of Marigold. But what was that dazed expression on his face when he saw me today?
"People with low self-esteem typically become obsessed with socially valuable partners."
Ash said.
"So you're saying he reacted that way just because I wore new clothes? Is he an idiot?"
"You said it yourself. He's an idiot."
"I don't understand why everything Bludin said used to sound so right before."
"That's the power of words."
The power of words. That phrase brought something to mind.
[Tell me everything you think about that bastard. All the words tangled in your heart. I'll teach you how to refine them elegantly.]
Over these past few days, Marin had refined my outward appearance, while Ash had helped me forge a blade within—a sword I could hone, wield, and defend myself with. A blade to sharpen and protect myself. Fortunately, I had studied ahead through Lady Rosenis, so it proved less difficult than expected.
"In that sense, Ash's biting tutoring was perfectly suited. It was as if...."
I paused mid-sentence, about to mention Lady Rosenis.
"As if?"
Ash spoke.
"You'll probably think it's strange. There's someone I deeply admire, you see. It felt like I had become that person."
"Who is it?"
"You might think I'm foolish."
"It's fine, so tell me."
"It's a novel called 'The Tale of Lady Rosenis.' It's light reading, but... it means a great deal to me."
This time, Ash fell silent for considerably longer. 'Why is he like this?' "You see, Lady Rosenis in the novel is extraordinary, isn't she? She's brimming with confidence, brilliant, and her sharp tongue is perfectly timed. She uses it exactly when needed."
Now Ash's face began to flush gradually. He turned his head away. His ears had turned crimson.
"I'm certain the person who wrote that novel must be a genius. Only someone thoughtful and warm-hearted could write such prose. Of course, since it's not high literature, it might seem trivial."
Ash grasped my shoulder.
"Let's stop talking about the novel."
"Oh, okay."
"And it's not trivial."
"...Really?"
My expression brightened.
"Having something you care about so deeply isn't a bad thing. ...I mean it sincerely."
"Mm."
I answered without much thought. But then I noticed something odd about Ash, the way he seemed to avoid my gaze. 'What's this? Has Ash read the Lady Rosenis novel before?' Surely not. I dismissed the suspicion. It wasn't that famous a novel to begin with.
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