Chapter 35
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Violet's First Words - Episode 35
Ash and I walked in silence. Ash passed through the corridor and ascended to the upper floor. Then he quietly opened a door near the staircase.
"Ash—" As I began to speak, Ash pressed a finger to his lips with a soft "shh" and gestured for me to follow. As I approached the wall, I noticed a tiny hole in it. I pressed my eye against it. Remarkably, as I drew closer to the wall, the sounds from the adjacent room became crystal clear to my ears. The owner of that passionate voice was none other than Marigold.
"Oh, Edgar, Your Highness. I've missed you so much."
"I've missed you too, Marigold. Haha, strangely, whenever I come to the Temple, my body and heart burn even more intensely. Come closer."
"I can't wait any longer! I want to announce to the entire world that I've fallen in love with you. I'm only waiting for the day I become the Winter Queen and dance with you boldly."
Marigold was nestled in the embrace of the man she called Edgar. I pulled my eye away from the wall, my mouth hanging open. 'She's truly insane, Marigold.' Setting aside her grandiose dream of becoming Crown Princess. All this time, my parents had brainwashed me with the words: 'You are a filthy illegitimate child, so always reflect on yourself and strive to live righteously.' Yet here was Marigold, raised with the full love of such parents, engaging in an inappropriate relationship with a married man. 'They're truly mad people. Even if Father doesn't know, at the very least my Stepmother must be aware of this.' It was repulsive. Seeing my disgusted expression, Ash let out a soft chuckle and wrote letters on the back of my hand. As if infusing magic into his fingertips, faintly glowing black letters appeared on the back of my hand. The ticklish sensation of my hand helped calm my turbulent emotions somewhat.
【Truth is always repulsive and provocative, isn't it?】
More than provocative—I wanted to strike them both once. I nodded in agreement. That was the moment. Ding-ling, ling. A chiming sound resonated in my ears once more. 'Another premonition vision...' It still appeared at the most inopportune moments.
In the vision of the future, I was speaking to a girl whose face was hidden. 【During my final year at the Academy, a seal was broken at the Crown Prince's Winter Queen Ball, and a horrific incident occurred where people died.】 【People say that incident was your first evil deed, Violet.】 【Yes, I was punished because I engaged in that disgusting display of affection with that repulsive Colbera on top of 'Carita's Seal', or so they claimed.】 【...Yes.】 【But on that day, it was Marigold, who became Winter Queen, and Crown Prince Edgar who committed that vile act upon the Lord's seal.】 I continued speaking. 【And they pinned the blame on me.】
The vision of the future ended. I discovered that my back had become damp with sweat in that brief moment. 'People are dying, and I'm bearing the infamy for it—what on earth is going to happen?' I didn't know what this seal was. But something catastrophically terrible seemed about to unfold. In that instant, my vision went white. When I came to my senses, I found myself cradled in a familiar fragrance. Cool sandalwood, the scent of leather. I was in Ash's arms.
"Ash?"
I opened my eyes. Just as I was about to cry out in alarm, Ash covered my mouth.
"Not now."
Ash whispered barely audibly against my ear. I nodded in understanding. We were still in the same place, the same room. The Crown Prince and Marigold were in the adjacent chamber. Ash waited patiently until I had composed myself. To signal that I was alright, I tugged at Ash's sleeve. Together, we carefully walked out of the unfamiliar room. Ash naturally supported me as we moved. 'What is this now?' And then I witnessed a peculiar sight. Two or three women who appeared to be foreign quickly entered the room we had just exited. Remarkably, they made no sound whatsoever as they moved. 'Those people....' I was about to say something. Ash shook his head, signaling me to remain silent. Though puzzled, I followed Ash. Since a service was underway, there were no people outside the chapel. Only when we reached a secluded Garden did Ash finally speak.
"Was it such a revolting sight that you nearly fainted?"
"I felt a bit dizzy.... I'm fine now.
"Thank goodness."
Ash said. We quickened our pace to leave this place.
"Ash, I have so many questions. First, how did you know there was a space like this in the Temple?"
"The Grand Temple is essentially a public institution. It's not difficult to obtain architectural blueprints of such places."
"That can't be right. If rumors about secret passages and hidden spaces have spread enough to reach us, the Grand Temple would have already conducted maintenance and repairs."
I responded. Ash's pace slowed slightly. 'He doesn't want to answer this in detail, does he?' I had the distinct feeling that pressing Ash on this matter would be pointless.
"Ash, let's say the Grand Temple is as you say. But what about those women from earlier? Is it alright to enter that room?"
"It's fine. They're people I called."
Suddenly, I recalled the Crown Prince's wife—the Crown Princess. She was hardly a presence to be reckoned with. If anything, her presence was remarkably faint. Her popularity was equally abysmal. She was a foreigner from a distant land with which the Empire maintained poor relations. Her appearance differed somewhat, and her command of the Empire's language remained clumsy, so she rarely spoke at official gatherings.
"Were those people earlier the Crown Princess's attendants?"
"You're becoming sharper by the moment. I quite like that."
"Thank you for the compliment... or rather, no. Ash, I want to know who you are."
Ash's response was different this time. He observed my eyes and spoke with deliberate calm.
"You'll find out soon enough."
"Just tell me one thing. Are you the kind of person who's dangerous, someone whose involvement would be harmful?"
"I'm safe to the point of being sacred, so don't worry."
"You're not a criminal or a con artist, then?"
"...Of course not."
"Then I'll trust you."
I nodded.
"Just like that?"
This time, Ash furrowed his brow.
"You said I'd eventually walk the path of light. Besides, once I've decided to trust someone, I should see it through."
I looked at Ash with unwavering eyes. If Ash intended to deceive me, I could act then—it wouldn't be too late. In any case, since he walked a path opposite to my future self, he couldn't be an evil person. Ash seemed taken aback. He then smiled faintly.
"You're like a protected species—an ancient creature on the verge of extinction. Did you know that?"
"...I don't understand what you mean."
"It makes one want to protect and help you out of sheer fascination. Anyway, shall we go? It's not ideal to continue talking here."
Ash spoke to me. I nodded in response. Ash led me to a small Cafe near the Grand Temple. In truth, I only just learned it was a Cafe. The door was locked and there was no sign. As Ash approached the back entrance, a guard quietly opened the door for us. I followed Ash into the Cafe's second floor, into a private room.
"Ash, do you know where the Crown Prince's Winter Queen Ball is being held?"
"Saint Carita's Archive."
Saint Carita. I knew well of her. She was a legendary priestess who had sealed and slain countless shadow demons occupying the Imperial Capital. Befitting her legacy, the place where Saint Carita had died was arranged with great majesty and beauty. It was quite spacious, and many fine artworks were displayed throughout. 'But I heard that everything about Saint Carita was something of a... legend.' What on earth was going to happen that night?
Brought to you by Valir Scans! To support our team and enjoy the latest releases, please read directly on our official site: valirscans.org