Chapter 53
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Violet's First Words - Episode 53
"A bastard? The real bastard is Marigold. You're the one who had a double wedding ceremony with my father, who was already married to my Biological Mother."
I wished my father—the one who truly deserved condemnation—were here to witness this. And this approach proved far more effective than any hollow statement of remorse. Interest flickered across the faces of those who had been stealing glances between Paula and me. Paula, rendered momentarily speechless, finally managed to speak.
"What do you know! Your mother was a useless, arrogant woman!"
"That doesn't change the fact that my Biological Mother and my father were married. And your claims about arrogance are merely your delusion. My mother was more noble than anyone. No matter how much you rant, the truth remains unchanged."
For the first time today, I understood the significance of wearing a beautiful gown. Today, Marin had dressed me in her masterpiece—an exquisite gown. Adorned in such finery, my words flowed with the grace of a blade wrapped in silk, each phrase cutting with polished courtesy.
"That's all lies! He only ever loved me! I am his true wife!"
Paula descended into hysteria.
"On that note, I'm pleased to inform you that tomorrow's newspapers will publish all evidence, including the marriage vows—proof that I am no bastard."
"You!"
"Don't be angry, but the people of the Village remember when your mother worked as a tavern maid. It's a small Village; people don't forget easily. Her former employer has also agreed to testify."
She stared at me as though I were incomprehensible. I stepped closer and bowed before Paula.
"Did it bring you joy, stealing my spirit and giving it to Marigold?"
Paula's eyes trembled uncontrollably.
"I'll come to bid you farewell soon. You'll face punishment not only through the press but through the law as well. You'll need to be healthy for prison."
"...."
"Take care of yourself until then."
Ash turned his head and spoke.
"That mad woman is making a scene. Drag her out."
The hesitant servants then approached Paula.
"Let go! Do you know what she did to my daughter? Everything she says is a lie. I'm the one telling the truth!"
Paula ranted in her hysteria. The atmosphere grew awkward once more. Two outbursts had left the crowd uncertain how to react. In that moment, everyone's gaze fixed on Ash. He watched Paula's retreating figure and let out a soft, amused chuckle. The surrounding guests followed suit with their laughter....
"Ahahaha, look at that fool!"
"Isn't she mad? No wonder she stole someone else's husband."
Sudden laughter rippled through the Hall. I observed them. A sigh escaped me naturally. 'That's right—my Stepmother is nothing but a laughingstock.' Paula had always been a source of terror for me. The mistress of the Everdin Residence commanded everything—meals, clothing, all of it. At Paula's whim, I could suddenly find myself stripped of both garments and sustenance. That is what it meant to be the mistress of a household. I had always been less than a servant. I had always feared her. But not anymore. She truly was insignificant. A petty, sordid creature employing contemptible methods—base by her own nature. A woman whose very soul was degraded. My eyes met Ash's. He seemed composed. I regarded him quietly, then turned my steps toward the Garden. I drew in the crisp night air and slowly cleared my mind. I placed my hands upon the railing. 'Compose yourself. I must go see Carita's coffin....' From within the Banquet Hall, raucous sounds began anew. 'The Emperor left the Ball Hall in fury, yet the party continues.' In any case, it was the Crown Prince who had hosted this event. But it seemed people would not cease their revelry so long as Ash remained. In that moment, I realized that Ash had seized the party itself from Edgar. 'That's right—before the Emperor and Empress departed, the Crown Prince left first. So where is he now?' Could he be near Carita's coffin? The thought sent a chill down my spine. Then it happened. Ting, ting. That crystalline sound rang in my ears once more. 'Another vision of the future?' My eyes widened.
【Violet, is the reason Carita's coffin was unsealed because the Crown Prince and Marigold did something unspeakable upon it?】 The Veiled Girl asked me—the future version of myself. I shook my head. 【It is true they broke the seal in their madness. But that alone was not the cause. Beneath Carita's coffin lay a calamity left behind by the demon race—one of the Seven Calamities known as the Sins of Depravity. Lust slumbered there. The Crown Prince was enthralled by it. That is why he ultimately broke the seal.】 【Why was the seal broken so easily?】 【The seal of Lust can only be broken by one who carries the blood of the Imperial Family. Someone profited from its unsealing. Someone like Ash Ravens.】
The Crown Prince would break the seal tonight. Regardless of what lay within, the future visions I had glimpsed before suggested it was far from ordinary danger. 'I couldn't afford to waste another moment!' I bolted forward without hesitation. The grand Ball Hall and the Small Library were connected directly to one another. Today was the first time I discovered I could run this fast even while wearing shoes. 'There it is!' The Small Library—at the far end of the room stood a fireplace, and beneath it lay a hidden staircase descending into darkness. Someone had already passed through; the entrance hung open. I descended the stairs with desperate speed. 'Damn it, that mad bastard!' Edgar stood transfixed before the coffin, his eyes vacant and glassy.
"Beautiful woman, my Winter Queen.... I need a Winter Queen...."
He muttered incoherently to himself. Through the slightly ajar coffin lid, a dazzling violet light spilled forth. Merely observing it for a moment filled me with an unsettling sensation. Saliva pooled in my mouth, and an overwhelming hunger consumed me. There was something within that radiance. Something powerful and beautiful, something mesmerizing—a pull I could not resist. 'No, I can't afford to be enchanted now.' I barely managed to regain my composure. Whatever was sealed within that coffin clearly possessed a malevolent nature—something designed to strip away human reason.
"Step away from it, Your Highness."
I glanced toward one wall of the library. Several unnamed swords hung there as decoration. I drew one of them.
"You...."
Edgar turned his head slowly to face me. His eyes hadn't blinked once since earlier. A grotesque smile spread across his lips as he spoke.
"Welcome, beautiful woman. Gaze upon this coffin. Is it not magnificent? Behold this light with me."
In that instant, a small, round orb rose from within the coffin. Edgar immediately pressed both hands against it. My eyes widened in shock. Something dark and sinister slashed viciously across Edgar's hands.
"Argh!"
Edgar's blood sprayed across the orb.
"No!"
I cried out. Characters inscribed within the small orb flared with light, now stained with Edgar's blood. Edgar trembled violently, yet moved as though possessed, thrusting his hands deeper into the luminous orb. Near Edgar's hands, glowing characters became visible. At first glance, they read "Release."
A dark, murky light began to surge forth from the orb. Edgar had broken the seal.
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