Chapter 52
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Violet's First Words - Episode 52
'Is she even alive?'
Hueria, dressed in the traditional garments of her homeland, walked through the crowd of people shrieking in alarm. Behind her, handmaidens with veiled faces followed in succession.
"Lady Hueria is deeply disappointed by the Crown Prince's actions, which have betrayed the trust between nations."
The handmaiden beside Hueria spoke loudly.
I didn't know what method Hueria had employed, but as the handmaiden finished speaking, a voice began to echo throughout the entire Hall.
[I am your royal mistress, am I not? You said you would make me your royal mistress and later your Crown Princess.]
[If such words are necessary, I will say them whenever you wish. You are my royal mistress and my future Crown Princess.]
Edgar's face flushed crimson. He stumbled backward, retreating step by step.
"Edgar, what have you done! Have you forgotten the sacred marriage contract?"
Riot spoke to Edgar with a bewildered expression.
"But, but..."
"But nothing. You couldn't endure just a few years?"
"I don't want to live with such a terrifying woman! I prefer an Empire beauty with a gentle and soft complexion!"
Edgar shrieked loudly.
There was no greater humiliation than this. Anne now wore the expression of someone on the verge of fainting.
"This is not the night I desired. I wanted the Empire's most beautiful woman, I tell you. Not that monster! This woman here is the Winter Queen I have chosen!"
Unexpectedly, Edgar pointed to Violet.
Violet's brow naturally furrowed.
"I am honored, Your Highness. However, I am not a sacrifice for tonight. Therefore, if you wish, I shall relinquish the honor of Winter Queen."
As all eyes turned toward me, I spoke as calmly as possible.
Anger flashed across Edgar's face. But it was only momentary.
"You foolish wretch! Silence!"
Crack!
Riot stepped forward and struck Edgar across the cheek.
A deep flush of shame spread across Edgar's face.
He stared blankly around him with wide eyes, then turned and fled from the Ball Hall.
"He abandons his mistress and runs away. He is no man at all."
Hueria spoke as if in disbelief.
Then the Emperor spoke urgently.
"Crown Princess! Where are you going!"
"Lady Hueria will be returning to her home country."
"But the marriage contract..."
"That's broken."
Hueria spoke. She approached with confident strides and nodded to Ash.
"I express my gratitude to you for informing me of this matter from the beginning."
"Anytime. We must honor the faith between allied nations."
Ash replied.
Hueria turned and disappeared.
Emperor Riot and Queen Anne watched Hueria's retreating figure in stunned silence.
Only when the Banquet Hall doors closed with a heavy thud did people exhale.
"Remove that at once! That disgusting thing!"
Emperor Riot shouted. Knights dragged Marigold away.
Riot shook his head as though the sight repulsed him.
Then he strode briskly from the place.
His attendants rushed after him, and with all the principal figures gone, the Ball Hall soon fell silent.
The banquet had only just begun. Yet with the series of tragic events that unfolded from its very start, people found themselves at a loss.
Ash gestured toward the gathered crowd.
"An amusing farce has concluded. Shall we continue the banquet?"
At his words, people forced laughter and managed to refresh the atmosphere.
Those of High Society needed time to process the shocking events of tonight and spread gossip.
I watched Ash from a distance.
"Truly remarkable, Violet Everdin. I never expected you to speak so boldly to the Crown Prince. I'm impressed."
His words were gentle, his manner easy with jest. Yet my feelings toward him had shifted considerably.
I gazed at Ash, who seemed to exist in some distant realm, with complicated emotions.
'A monster assembled from the noblest bloodlines in the world.'
That was my assessment of him.
As the sole son of the Imperial Family and heir to the throne, such a description was fitting.
As proof, everyone regarded Ash with eyes full of reverence.
Their expressions clearly revealed their desire to approach him, to speak with him. Most people whispered while glancing at Ash.
The reason most people remained in the Ball Hall despite the Ball's failure was surely because they all wanted to exchange even a single word with Ash.
Even I could immediately sense this.
I hesitated before speaking.
"Ash, I don't understand all the details. But... what was that about your father passing away tonight? Is that true?"
I felt pity for Ash.
"Is that your biggest concern tonight?"
Ash answered after a moment.
"I have many questions, but that's far more important than anything else. Shouldn't you be going to see your mother?"
Ash's lips curved upward.
"He had been in a state worse than death for a long time. He barely survived, dependent on numerous costly magical artifacts. Mother decided to grant Father peace tonight."
I couldn't help myself and gently touched Ash's arm.
It was the first time I had initiated contact with him.
'Though it's true that there are unkind aspects to all these events that occurred tonight,'
Regardless, Ash was my friend. I could settle accounts after I'd composed myself.
"Remember that I care about you."
I whispered.
Ash was about to respond, but the nobility who had been observing him and waiting for their chance finally reached the limits of their patience.
"Grand Duke Ravens, is it true that Imperial blood flows through your veins?"
"Please, might I have a word with you as well..."
As people surged forward, I released Ash's hand and stepped back.
In that moment, I remembered that I was tonight's Winter Queen.
'Under normal circumstances, I would have danced with the Crown Prince and made some remarks as the Winter Queen.'
But tonight's commotion had rendered everything meaningless.
'What truly concerns me is something else—Caritas's coffin. I need to verify the location of Caritas's coffin that the Crown Prince just revealed to me.'
It was the moment I was about to move.
A woman with disheveled hair pushed through the crowd and approached.
Though she wore a neat dress, her eyes were bloodshot.
"My daughter, where has my daughter gone!"
It was my Stepmother, Paula.
She must have overheard the murmurs of people outside the Ball Hall and sensed that something had happened to Marigold.
"Where did you come from?"
I spoke to Paula with caution.
My wariness was justified. That terrible salve Marigold had tried to force upon me.
Where could Marigold have obtained such a thing?
From the method, it was exactly the kind of act Paula would commit.
'My Stepmother must have planned to burst in once Marigold ruined my face and drag me away.'
Paula approached me.
"How could you do this? I was merely waiting near the Ball Hall, hoping my daughter would become the Winter Queen, and you had people detain me?"
Detain her?
I found myself surrounded by people, separated from Ash, and looked toward him.
Ash smiled faintly and gave me a subtle nod.
'Was this Ash's doing?'
Indeed, Ash must have had plans for tonight and wouldn't have wanted Paula to appear and cause a scene.
"You're being quite discourteous in front of all these people. Keep your voice down."
I said coldly.
"You, you devoured my daughter, didn't you? You wretched thing! I shouldn't have taken in a bastard like you—if only you hadn't existed!"
Brought to you by Valir Scans! To support our team and enjoy the latest releases, please read directly on our official site: valirscans.org