Chapter 59
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Violet's First Words - Episode 59
"Or perhaps, if that young lady has feelings for her lord?"
Ash's eyes flinched.
"Marin has been filling your head with unnecessary thoughts."
"It's just... Miss Violet Everdin seems like a good person. That's why Marin likes her."
"Why does she seem like a good person? Tell me."
"Because she seems pure."
That was the problem.
Pure and upright, Violet Everdin—unaware of how remarkable she truly was.
A woman wrapped layer upon layer in the harsh treatment and bitter words she'd endured from her family for so long. Someone who didn't even know who she was.
The more I understood Violet's true nature, the more she shone—so brilliantly, so gently, so unwaveringly.
And that's when strange thoughts kept creeping in.
Until now, I could simply steal her heart and keep her by my side. But somehow, it no longer felt so simple.
"She's a woman who endured nothing but cruelty her whole life, yet speaks only kind words with such persistence."
"That is..."
"But you needn't concern yourself with it. Every single facet of her feels profane to me. Go offer two hours of prayer to the Divine and reflect on yourself."
"I am the High Priest. The spiritual pillar of the faithful. When great ceremonies are held in Kaizeria, I lead the worship before two thousand people."
"What of it?"
"You would have me, a High Priest, kneel and pray as punishment like a novice acolyte?"
"Three hours. Your lord commands you to crawl, you crawl; commands you to kneel, you kneel."
"..."
"Sitting quietly for two hours of prayer is rather generous, wouldn't you say?"
Gran's shoulders slumped.
"Yes, I understand."
Yet Gran showed no sign of regretting his remonstrance about Violet Everdin.
'Violet Everdin is certainly captivating.'
How irritating that expression was. How dare he speak of her so casually.
Gran left the terrace. Ash looked at the letter once more.
"She handled that well. A definitive engagement dissolution, no less. Is it because she's beautiful? She does beautiful things so well."
Ash murmured softly to himself.
Then he recalled the day he first saw Violet Everdin.
A delicate-looking blonde girl in a shirt and trousers was running near the outdoor Training Ground of the Academy.
It wasn't until several days later that I learned her name was Violet Everdin.
[Stupid girl. Run around like that all day. What makes her think she's a knight?]
[How did someone so incompetent even get into the Knight Division? Did her younger sister being that rare Spirit Mage make her so jealous she bought her way in with money?]
From my observations over time, Violet has lived her life with unwavering resolve.
Despite facing ridicule every single day, she attended the classes of the professor who mocked her and completed every absurd assignment without complaint.
Even when ordered to lap the Training Ground multiple times.
I approached her casually as she drank from the water fountain.
[Your professor is incompetent.]
[I know. But there are countless people in this world who can't even receive such inadequate guidance.]
The nape of her neck was pale as she drank. She glanced at Ash and spoke with quiet composure.
In that moment, Ash thought to himself.
Without reason, without cause, without excuse.
He wanted to save this woman's life.
He wanted to pull her essence—muddied and murky as if buried in soil—out into the light of the world, just once.
"It seems we really are destined for each other. Our paths truly align well, don't they?"
Now Violet's fate had become intertwined with Ash's to a considerable degree.
Ash understood what responsibility meant. Whether Violet became enchanted with him, or feared the Imperial Family, or grew confused by her suddenly transformed life.
So what if she tumbled into his embrace?
He could only embrace and cherish her.
Yet something felt strange. Nine-tenths of his emotions were clear, but that remaining tenth...
There was a part that remained unclear.
Even as he thought this, a faint smile played at the corners of Ash's lips.
He leaned back against the large chair and slowly closed his eyes.
The exhaustion around his eyes was evident from days without sleep.
* * *
"What did you say?"
Marin questioned Gran the moment he emerged. Gran raised both hands in exasperation.
"I told you. When he hasn't slept for days, don't interrogate him so sharply."
"Well, Ash's insomnia is certainly severe. But he's improved considerably lately, hasn't he? I thought he simply couldn't sleep because he's been busy?"
"He can't even manage a brief nap. At night, two or three hours is all he manages."
"Then why did you relay my message?"
"Since meeting Miss Violet, he's been sleeping well."
"Has he?"
"You really have no interest in anything but yourself, do you..."
Gran said.
Marin shrugged.
"Anyway, am I allowed to see Violet now?"
"Have you two become friends? Really, you're something."
"We're not friends. If she marries Ash, she'll become my lord's wife. But I could make her clothes for life! The Winter Queen I've worked so hard to create."
"You'll have to ask her about that yourself. He hasn't even broached the subject."
Gran said.
Marin craned her neck long to peer through the glass doors of the closed terrace, trying to gauge Ash's mood.
"Ah."
"What is it, Marin?"
"...He's sleeping?"
Gran blinked.
"He's managed a brief nap for the first time in five days?"
"So it seems. What could be the reason?"
The letter from Violet.
Gran immediately recalled it. Marin tilted her head in confusion.
"He did receive a letter from Miss Violet."
"Why, did that uncle of Violet's send another check? Ash tore up that check and threw it away."
"It wasn't that sort of thing. It seems to have been a pleasant letter."
"That's a relief, at least."
Marin murmured, adding her thoughts.
"Violet probably doesn't know about Ash's true nature. Being discussed as a political marriage candidate and all. She likely has no idea what kind of person he is. She's so innocent..."
"Why do you say such things?"
"My lord sees through everyone's hearts and plays with them. But he's somewhat dull about his own. He lost part of his heart when we suffered together as children. The Emperor himself said so. He worries about Ash..."
Gran offered no response to Marin's words.
* * *
Two nights later, under the cover of darkness.
Ash made his way toward the Plaza near Violet's residence.
This morning, he had sent her a note expressing his desire to meet in person.
Shortly after sending the note, Ash received word from his mother.
His father's funeral had been conducted quietly.
All this time, I had worked tirelessly to keep my father alive. It had cost me dearly. Yet I endured it all for this singular moment.
For the moment when I would return to the Capital as the son of Rivan Fatherfall.
As I thought of it, dark clouds seemed to gather in my mind.
The carriage came to a silent halt.
The Plaza at midnight was hushed, and save for the lamps illuminating the Capital, all seemed to sleep.
Violet sat upon the fountain's railing, dressed as always in modest attire.
The moment I saw her, my mind cleared.
In that instant, I found myself unable to tear my gaze from her.
"Ash."
It was always I who greeted first. Violet, who had been cautiously surveying her surroundings as if waiting for me, spotted me and smiled.
Blue moonlight scattered across her golden hair.
I approached her. Without a word, I settled beside her on the railing.
"It's been a while."
"Yes, I have something to tell you."
Violet spoke with some hesitation.
In that moment, I felt genuinely delighted.
Whatever she said, I would be satisfied.
Whether she reproached me for ignoring her all this time, or for hiding my identity.
Or if she said she had missed me.
Or asked me to help her further, to give her direction.
When a heart that has once shattered is mended, it naturally seeks to lean on someone.
I was utterly certain that Violet would come to depend on me.
Because Violet Everdin was kind.
Too pure to face this world head-on.
Just as she had shown such thoughtful concern that night at the Ball, worried about my father's passing from the very start.
"Whatever it is, if you have something to say, I should listen."
I smiled gently. Violet gazed at me with dreamy eyes.
"Have you been well?"
"Of course."
"Your story has been all over the newspapers, so there's little need to wonder about your wellbeing. So much has changed overnight. To think you were the Grand Duke of Kaizeria and Imperial royalty."
"—And so?"
"Well, so... the weather is lovely today. The moon is especially full."
"Thanks to that, I get to meet you on such a beautiful night with the moon."
A smile bloomed across Violet's face.
"They say you talk about the weather when you meet a friend."
"Where from?"
"...From a novel I enjoy reading."
"Is that so?"
Ash looked at Violet.
Political calculation was as natural to him as breathing.
Though Cyril was wealthy, he was merely a self-made businessman—a man who could never penetrate the inner circles of power.
Cyril's protection had its limits.
So then, I should charm this girl well.
Using the beautiful face she inherited from her mother and father, the kind she would surely admire.
Breaking that innocent heart and making her love me, turning her into a strategic marriage partner—
"So let me get to the point. Ash, will you forgive me if I'm getting ahead of myself?"
"What do you mean?"
"I can't marry you, Ash."
"...What?"
Ash answered a moment too late.
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