Chapter 36
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Violet's First Words - Episode 36
"Ash, you advised me to become the Winter Queen at first. Do you still think that way?"
"Think about Marin. How did she treat you in the beginning?"
"...She seemed to dislike me. But then she suddenly said something like 'you're more my style than I thought' and tried to dress me up."
"It's the story behind someone that moves their heart. That foolish, ignorant Marin judged you only by the rumors she'd heard about you at first."
"But then I told Marin my circumstances..."
"A pitiful story is special wrapping paper. It only took her the time to drink a cup of tea before she reconsidered you."
"..."
"How long do you think it will take for the masses to see you differently?"
Once again, it was the beautiful man's hypnotic moment. But the problem was that it always felt sweet and convincing.
However, this decision was not one I was making under his spell.
I had to make my judgment with my own thoughts alone.
"What's good for you if I become the Winter Queen?"
"It's entertaining. I love chaos, and I quite enjoy ruining things."
Another lie.
But I could sense that Ash had something hidden behind his words. I could feel it instinctively.
'According to the future vision, in the future where Marigold becomes the Winter Queen, a great catastrophe occurs—'
Then it would be good for that future to be averted.
"The only thing that separates you from Marigold is reputation. I want to completely reverse the reputation about you. And one more thing."
"..."
"If you become the Winter Queen, you'll get the chance to speak in front of influential figures. Remarks, that sort of trivial thing."
The secret of my birth.
And the truth about the Academy's proxy assignment.
"Anything gains credibility when announced in a grand setting, Violet."
I didn't want to make Marigold happy, even for a moment.
Thoroughly... I had come to hope for that moment when I could become her nightmare, when I could speak my piece.
'In the future, you'll even frame me with false accusations, Marigold.'
I met Ash's eyes.
"I don't want to give the Winter Queen position to Marigold. If necessary, I'll even play the fool."
I added,
"And I genuinely hate the Crown Prince too. To do such vile things in the Temple."
I had only glimpsed one future, yet I felt an oddly visceral disgust toward the Crown Prince.
"I agree. You're becoming more to my taste as you speak."
Ash spoke softly.
Then came a knock.
"Who's coming today?"
"The last person I need to see."
Ash gestured for me to remain seated, then stepped out and opened the door.
Standing beyond the threshold was a woman with sharp, aristocratic features, accompanied by her attendants.
Her sun-kissed olive skin appeared remarkably healthy and striking.
'That's... the Crown Princess, isn't it?'
I thought to myself. I was certain I'd seen her photograph in the newspapers before.
"A pleasure to meet you in person, Your Highness the Crown Princess. Please, do sit."
Ash greeted her lightly.
The Crown Princess raised her eyebrows. She appeared displeased.
Understandably so. If Ash's earlier words were accurate, she had only just learned of her husband's infidelity.
'So the women who entered the room earlier were the Crown Princess's attendants.'
I attempted to rise from my seat, but the Crown Princess moved faster, settling herself down first.
The Crown Princess placed her hand on the table and began speaking rapidly, her words tumbling forth.
She was clearly furious—her foot stamped against the floor repeatedly, and she unleashed a torrent of words that were unmistakably curses.
'That's a different continental language.'
The common tongue of the Kaol Continent, where the Empire was situated, was the Imperial language.
However, people from other continents possessed their own lingua franca.
Then Ash spoke gently in that foreign language. From what I could gather, he was urging her to calm herself.
"The Crown Prince, that damned fool. Marigold—I didn't even know her name, but she's a damned wretch."
Then Hueria spoke in the Imperial language. Her command of it was far more clumsy than expected.
"Thank you for informing me of the Crown Prince's infidelity and revealing who his paramour is. I understand perfectly."
Ash replied.
"And you?"
The Crown Princess turned her gaze toward me.
"My name is Violet Everdin, Your Highness."
"Everdin?"
Her face contorted in an instant. She shared the same surname as Marigold.
"I am Marigold's elder sister. Yet I despise her more than anyone else. I abhor infidelity as well."
Though her speech was imperfect, she seemed to understand well enough. Her eyes rolled thoughtfully before she spoke.
"I remember—the young lady and the beautiful maiden. I am Hueria. I owe you a debt. What do you want?"
"Your Highness Hueria."
I nodded in acknowledgment.
'Being called a beautiful maiden is rather generous.'
Though I suppose the title of young lady is fitting enough.
"If you truly appreciate our assistance, there is something I need your help with immediately."
Ash approached and whispered a few words into her ear.
Hueria seemed to understand his words without difficulty.
For a smile of intrigue soon blossomed across her lips.
* * *
"Ash, a single day spent with you feels like an entire year."
Violet, now settled in the carriage heading back to the Everdin Residence, was already thoroughly exhausted.
She would have found it easier to fight dozens of opponents.
But meeting new people and uncovering shocking secrets... such things were unfamiliar to her.
Ash wore his characteristic enigmatic smile.
"Don't you think things are about to get more interesting?"
"Interesting doesn't begin to cover it—it's sensory overload. Until now, the only stimulation in my life came from the occasional treat when luck favored me and a few risqué novels."
Even though she had a brother who was committing adultery with the Crown Prince, she had lived like a criminal alone, and now that injustice weighed heavily on her.
"Think of it as waiting for a new life."
"That's not a terrible way to look at it. Still, I never expected the Crown Princess herself would make it so easy to meet with me, simply by revealing the truth of the affair."
"Hueria's homeland deeply reveres the strong."
"Did someone from Hueria's home country approach you?"
"Before that. I came to know her during the process of being scouted, and shortly after, she became the Crown Princess."
Indeed, it seemed that someone of Sword Master caliber could easily make contact with high-ranking officials.
The carriage came to a halt.
They had arrived at the Everdin Residence.
"Uncle is returning home today."
Violet spoke without much thought.
"Even better then. Go ask him for permission and come back."
"...Permission for what?"
"For becoming famous. Oh, and—"
"..."
"For having acquired a social boyfriend."
She understood that wasn't what he meant.
But Ash had phrased it in a way that invited misinterpretation.
"You mean a fake boyfriend, right?"
"Depending on how you interpret it, yes."
"Understood. I'll explain it well. He seems pretty open-minded about that sort of thing, so it should be fine."
After all, only noble families made a fuss about rigid upbringing.
"Open-minded? I suspect you might be mistaken about that."
"Uncle is far too busy to concern himself with my private life. Even living under the same roof, I've barely seen his face properly."
"He has eyes to see with, so don't speak as though he doesn't."
"...Huh?"
"Take care, Violet. I'll see you tomorrow."
Ash extended his hand beside Violet and gently opened the carriage door.
* * *
"Welcome home, Miss. Cyril Uncle will be returning shortly, so please change into fresh clothes and prepare for dinner."
Olive opened the door as he always did. I greeted him upon my return and headed straight upstairs to my room.
After changing into casual clothes and glancing out the window, I saw Cyril Uncle's carriage pulling into the drive.
'I do care for Cyril Uncle, but I still don't know him very well.'
An uncle met only in adulthood was somehow difficult to approach with familiarity.
Having resolved to truly converse with him today, I descended the stairs.
"Uncle, you've returned."
Cyril Uncle appeared somewhat weary after his long journey.
He wore a cape coat with broad shoulders adorned in leather, and small silver earrings hung delicately from his ears.
'I wonder if Uncle is sometimes mistaken for one of those handsome scoundrels from the Streets.'
The thought crossed my mind.
Brought to you by Valir Scans! To support our team and enjoy the latest releases, please read directly on our official site: valirscans.org