Chapter 44
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Violet's First Words - Episode 44
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Everdin Mansion.
Marigold had been shrieking sharply ever since earlier.
"Ugh, this is so infuriating. I'm absolutely furious!"
Paula's face had turned ashen.
Geoffrey hadn't returned for several days.
'Where on earth is he, and what is he doing?'
The Crown Prince's Ball was just around the corner. This was no time to invite scandal.
Geoffrey had led a band of mercenaries to Cyril's House, and after that day, he'd gone two full days without contact before finally sending a telegram this morning.
The location from which the telegram was sent was a remote rural area that would take several days to reach even on horseback from the Capital.
It contained only a single line: that he was penniless and would return soon.
The next day, a package arrived containing a pile of wallets. Among them, she found Geoffrey's silk wallet—and it was completely empty.
'What on earth is he doing in the countryside? Is there a woman involved? And what does it mean that only his wallet came back?'
Paula felt as though she might burst from sheer exasperation.
Yet she couldn't report it to the authorities. After all, Geoffrey had been the one to raid Cyril's House in the first place.
"It seems we'll have to handle this matter ourselves."
"What? What about Father? Am I going to lose my Winter Queen position? I won't have it!"
Marigold shrieked, unable to contain her fury.
"That won't happen. You have the Crown Prince by your side. Calm yourself."
"But I don't understand why His Highness the Crown Prince tolerates Violet. And that's not all—everywhere you look, it's nothing but Violet's name plastered all over!"
Violet Everdin, the young lady who received a divine oracle.
Violet Everdin, harboring secrets about her birth?
Violet Everdin, the Crown Princess's closest friend....
Various articles about Violet circulated as though someone had deliberately spread them.
Yet Violet herself had proven nothing. Still, people were captivated.
"She's become famous for being famous, even though she's nobody. Right?"
"That's how all the famous people in the Capital are. They become topics of conversation without basis, and one rumor spawns another."
Paula spoke.
Marigold herself was famous for being famous.
She bore the title of Spirit Mage but had never seen actual combat, and she'd made her name solely on the strength of her pretty face.
"This is all because of people who envy you. You know that, don't you?"
"But there are multiple lawsuits pending against me. How do you think those will turn out!"
"Do you think Violet has any chance of winning those suits? What matters is that you don't lose your composure to her. If you've become the subject of gossip, you need to face it with even greater confidence!"
"I'm terrified that Edgar might choose the Crown Princess instead of me!"
Crown Princess Hueria.
Marigold convulsed at the mere mention of that name.
Violet had become a Winter Queen candidate precisely because of Hueria's nomination.
The problem was that Edgar had taken no action whatsoever in response.
He couldn't reject Violet as a candidate without arousing Hueria's suspicion.
'But I can't give up either. Edgar has been obsessed with the Winter Queen in an almost unnatural way.'
Marigold had always attributed this peculiar obsession—including his unusual excitement at the Temple—to Edgar's strange tastes.
It didn't matter. Couldn't she simply indulge his preferences?
"Calm yourself. As I've said countless times, the one who endures to the end becomes the true wife, and the one who loses shares the blame. How could you fail to keep such close watch over your husband?"
"...I suppose...you're right...."
As Marigold listened to Paula's words, she felt her composure gradually returning.
'This is all because of that foolish Violet....'
She thought bitterly.
"Have you calmed down now? I have a solution. I've received a blessing from the Religious Sect."
"A blessing? From the sisters?"
"Yes."
To be honest, Marigold didn't even know what religion Paula practiced.
She simply called it the Religious Sect.
All she knew was that there was some pitch-black altar, and underground secret temples scattered throughout the Capital and beyond. The high priestesses there were called sisters. That was the extent of her knowledge.
Even when she went there, she was guided with her eyes covered.
But Marigold held the religion in the highest regard. Because....
'Mother always prayed at that sect, asking them to make me special. Thanks to that, I became a Spirit Master and became someone extraordinary.'
This had instilled in Marigold an infinite trust in the Religious Sect.
Moreover, Marigold always prayed at the pitch-black altar as her mother instructed.
A flower-like smile gradually bloomed across Marigold's face.
"See? You can smile after all. Our beautiful angel... look at this."
"What is this? Salve? Medicine?"
"Apply this to your face, and unsightly hair will grow all over it while your skin becomes wrinkled and shriveled—you'll look just like a monkey. A very ugly monkey at that."
"Is this some kind of curse? Curses are completely illegal in the Empire. They're capital crimes."
Marigold spoke in alarm.
"As long as it isn't discovered, it doesn't matter. All you need to do is find an opportunity to be alone with Violet."
Paula whispered a few words into Marigold's ear. Marigold's eyes widened.
"So you want me to smear this on Violet's face and body to turn her into a monster?"
"Exactly. Once her appearance is ruined, Winter Queen or not, no one will look at Violet twice. Cyril may be playing the hero with his niece for now, but he's quite the eccentric, isn't he? Once Violet's face is destroyed, he'll likely lose interest immediately."
"Do you really think so...?"
"People only adopt pretty dogs. Would he want to play family games with an ugly niece? Even one's own children become unlikable if they look like monsters."
"Hmm.... But what about Bludin and Violet's engagement?"
Marigold had toyed with Bludin for amusement before. But Violet and Bludin's marriage was also desperately important to her.
Because Bludin's family needed to become a solid foundation of support for Marigold once she became Crown Princess.
To become Crown Princess, I needed the support of the Knight Commander at the very least.
Though Bludin's family was currently entangled in some troublesome affairs, they would overcome such obstacles soon enough.
Those in power did not crumble over mere trifles. Marigold understood how the world truly operated.
"This is an ancient curse created to punish disobedient children who refused their parents' words. After about three years, her appearance will gradually begin to recover."
"Then...."
"Bring that pathetic wretch Violet back home and re-educate her. Make her reflect for all three years. And after three years, you can marry her to Bludin immediately."
"Really? You'll make sure she never defies me again?"
A satisfied smile began to bloom at the corners of Marigold's lips.
"Yes, she's arrogant now. But human nature never changes. That fool Violet will never be able to defy you."
"Mother! I'm so happy! I love you!"
"You're so childish. Anyway, if it's you, Violet won't be able to move an inch, so hold her tight. I trained her from childhood to obey your every word."
"Yes! I'll do well!"
Brought to you by Valir Scans! To support our team and enjoy the latest releases, please read directly on our official site: valirscans.org