Chapter 45
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Violet's First Words - Episode 45
That was why Marigold now stood before Cyril's House.
"Olive told me he found you. What's going on?"
Violet made Marigold wait for quite some time before opening the door. And she did not invite her inside.
'How presumptuous of her.'
But Marigold kept such thoughts to herself. Instead, she gazed at Violet for a long moment, her voice trembling, before she burst into tears and threw her arms around her.
"Sister, I missed you so much!"
"...What is this sudden display?"
"Because you've been away from home for so long, I finally understand how precious you've always been to me."
"..."
"I'm truly reflecting on my actions. I finally understand the pain you've endured all this time."
Violet's lips parted, trembling slightly.
"Coming to say such things now won't change anything..."
"It's not too late. It's never too late to restore our family bonds. If that's what you want, I'll even step down as Winter Queen. Please, just give me a chance to apologize."
"But Winter Queen was your dream."
"My true dream is a happy family—and that includes you. I'll convince our parents somehow and make them apologize to you."
Marigold spoke with desperate sincerity, tears streaming down her face.
"Think about it—how much longer will Cyril Uncle take you in? What if he casts you out? Then you'll have no one in this world. I'm terrified of that..."
"Are you truly reflecting?"
"Yes. Absolutely, yes!"
"...Then bring me an apology letter from our parents, attached to the oath declaring that I am Father's legitimate daughter and true child. If you offer a sincere apology, then I'll consider it."
"That's really all it takes?"
What value could an apology possibly hold?
Fools like Violet, obsessed with formalities, were always the problem.
Marigold thought to herself.
'I have no intention of apologizing, but I can lie a hundred times over, you idiot.'
On the surface, however, she merely maintained a pitiful expression.
"Then on the day of the Crown Prince's Ball, bring me that oath. After I read it, I'll decide what I truly feel."
"Y-yes. I'll do it. I'll do anything to get you back, Violet."
"...Come find me quietly in the Waiting Room that day. Let's talk, just the two of us. Don't bring anyone else."
It was exactly what she had hoped for.
Until the door closed completely, Marigold did not stop her display of weeping.
And the moment Violet disappeared beyond the door, Marigold's lips curled into a cruel smile between her fingers.
* * *
And on the day of the Crown Prince's Ball.
Marigold, dressed with meticulous care, went to meet Violet.
Violet sat quietly alone in the Waiting Room prepared for Winter Queen candidates within Saint Carita's Record Office.
Though half-sisters, the two looked remarkably different from one another.
Marigold possessed a mature, voluptuous figure. Violet, by contrast, bore an unexpectedly delicate frame for a knight.
Both wore white dresses. Marigold's was a white silk gown with a narrow skirt that accentuated the curves of her body.
'How on earth did she obtain such a flawless dress?'
The moment Marigold laid eyes on Violet, she nearly fainted from jealousy.
The dress Violet wore was breathtakingly beautiful.
A diamond necklace adorned her throat, and she wore an ornate gown embellished with jewels, her hair flowing freely beneath a silver hairband.
The abundant fabric of the skirt made her waist appear even more slender by contrast.
Though white, the dress was lined with a subtle sky-blue fabric beneath that shimmered like flowing water with each step.
Resplendent yet innocent in appearance. Today's Violet was nothing short of perfection.
"Marigold."
Violet regarded her with a quiet gaze.
"Sister, have you been well? I've missed you."
"Such words seem premature. First, show me the pledge document. And the apology letter as well."
Violet spoke bluntly.
'This is real. You know you're a dead woman the moment you set foot in that house.'
Marigold thought to herself.
"Of course. And I truly mean it when I say I'll withdraw from the Winter Queen candidacy. Actually... I'll deliver the letter to you and announce my withdrawal immediately."
"At least you're sincere about that. So you really will withdraw."
Violet's eyes softened considerably.
"You understand, don't you? Come back to me as my beloved sister now. We were sisters, and we've always been each other's greatest friend."
"But what of my honor? Bludin has treated me as a bastard all this time. I no longer wish to marry such a Bludin."
Marigold's lips twisted hideously.
"I promise everything will change. I'll speak well to Bludin and make sure he listens to you too."
"Really?"
"Yes, really! I'll make sure he never treats you disrespectfully again. So come closer. Hold my hand, just like old times..."
Violet hesitated for a moment. After deliberating at length, she stepped forward and took Marigold's hand.
That was the moment.
"Sylphir!"
Marigold cried out.
A hazy spirit slowly materialized in the empty air.
Marigold could summon only a single spirit.
Even then, her power was insufficient to manifest the spirit's form with clarity.
Marigold's spirit was known as the Weeping Spirit.
It always stood with a sorrowful expression, which was why Marigold despised her contracted spirit.
But today was an exception.
"Sylphir, keep Violet immobilized."
Marigold felt her body burning with heat.
For this moment, Marigold had received the blessing of the Religious Sect.
Beneath that blessing, she could exert power far beyond her own limits.
Sylphir was a spirit of wind and sleep.
Violet suddenly collapsed onto the ground.
Her eyes grew heavy, and she stared blankly at Marigold.
"You can't move, can you? I know exactly what someone like you is capable of. All you know how to do is swing your fists like an ignorant brute."
Marigold taunted her, brushing her fingers across Violet's cheek.
"Poor Violet. You should have been good and pretty, obedient to your parents, never defiant."
Marigold shoved Violet hard against the wall.
"An apology letter? That's ridiculous. This is the gift I've prepared for you."
Marigold rummaged through her handbag and withdrew a small jar of ointment.
She tapped it against Violet's cheek—already lost to sleep.
"Once you're disfigured and humiliated to tears, you'll learn to obey. Then I'll give you another chance."
"...."
"We can be close again then, can't we?"
Marigold wore white silk gloves. She opened the jar and prepared to apply its contents across Violet's face.
"So that was your true intention."
Violet seized Marigold's wrist, her eyes wide open and alert.
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