Chapter 60
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Violet's First Words - Episode 60
"—So, Ash and I have both become incredibly famous lately, right? Ash didn't attend the Academy much before and didn't build connections, so he was less well-known. But now he's enjoying explosive popularity...."
"...."
"I thought you probably wanted a romantic love story that people would enjoy. I knew you pursued things like fame and honor. So I figured next time you'd want me as a bride candidate."
"—Why did you think that?"
"Well... I knew Ash was using me. Long before the Ball. And I'd already noticed that Ash is someone who gathered together every precious bloodline in the world."
Violet spoke shyly.
This felt like being struck from behind. Ash felt a dull ache creeping up the back of his neck.
"How?"
It was strange.
Usually it was Violet's role to ask questions. There was a certain joy in answering, given how she'd ask about this and that with such curiosity.
Now that Ash found himself in the position of asking, his mouth had gone dry with anxiety.
"I'm sorry—Olive was following you. You know our house steward, right?"
"I was aware."
"Right, so when Olive said you seemed to have noticed being followed, he got frustrated and swore he absolutely wouldn't be caught this time."
Violet continued calmly.
"And Olive said he saw you staying at a mansion on Latier Street. To be precise...."
Suddenly Violet's cheeks flushed crimson.
"Why—tell me honestly, Violet."
"He said there's a small swimming pool in that mansion's garden."
"And?"
"He saw you lying there wearing only trousers. Um...."
[Ash Defendale is a nobleman. Given that he's staying in a mansion owned by someone from the Imperial Family, he might be a hidden member of the Royal Family. However, it turned out to be a mansion owned by Rivan Fatherfall, who's been missing for quite some time. And.]
[And?]
[He seems to have many subordinates, and his abdominal muscles are excellent. His shoulders are broad, and the muscles throughout his body are firm and well-developed. Particularly his pectoral muscles and the distinct abdominal definition are remarkable.]
[...Pardon?]
[While other aspects are concerning, I judge there are no physical flaws or risks for him to serve as a genuine boyfriend candidate. To be certain, I would need to see him naked....]
[Olive, that's enough!]
[Lord Cyril instructed me to investigate whether Ash Defendale is suitable as a fake boyfriend both physically and mentally.]
[Uncle didn't mean it that way!]
"...Roughly, that's what it felt like."
Violet spoke softly.
"Why would you bring that up?"
"To apologize. I actually imagined your body."
Ash looked at Violet.
He couldn't decide whether to laugh or be angry.
How could such a creature exist in this world? Was she mocking him now? Or was she seducing him?
What exactly was Violet Everdin?
Ash felt his expectations crumble entirely. Yet he wasn't angry.
What mattered was that she had no intention of marrying him.
"Should I ask if you enjoyed imagining it?"
"I wanted to tell you it happened unintentionally. Anyway, because of that house, I first began to suspect you might be from the Imperial Family."
"That house was my late father's property, but the deed is registered under someone else's name."
"Right. I know. It's registered under the name of a private company that my father used to represent—one that no longer conducts business. Cyril Uncle helped me figure that out.... I'm sorry about that too. No matter how I think about it, Uncle seemed suspicious of you as a fake boyfriend...."
"...."
"I told him that since it's a fake relationship, not a real one, such verification wasn't necessary."
"Is that so?"
"Yes. I told Uncle there would be no development or change beyond the fake relationship, but it seems he didn't understand. Well, normally there wouldn't be a fake boyfriend in the first place."
I'd always thought Violet spoke with remarkably beautiful language.
So pure, as if she'd never needed to learn harsh words from anyone.
But today, even that beautiful way of speaking—especially the phrase "fake boyfriend"—irritated me deeply.
"It's fine. Investigating people and manipulating information are everyday matters for me. I should be prepared to be on the receiving end as well."
"Really! I'm relieved."
"...So?"
"From the way you know the Temple's structure and secrets, and how you move Prophet Gillit, who has an enormous status, I figured you were connected to the Temple. But something told me there was more to it."
"...."
"Actually, I got a hint from somewhere, but you wouldn't believe me if I told you, and I can't tell you anyway. Hmm...."
Ash leaned in close to Violet.
"You said you trusted me."
"Yes, I did trust you. That you needed me. And that you wouldn't betray me or back me into a corner. More precisely, I trusted your need for my usefulness."
"What if that hadn't been the case? You would've already been marked in the Imperial Family as someone close to me. I could've put you in an even worse situation."
"I thought about that too. Your goal was to make the Crown Prince unseal his lust seal, right?"
Another bullseye.
Ash affirmed it with silence.
"I read an article analyzed by experts. There's this magazine that only Barrier Masters share in secret, and the Crown Prince was trapped by his lust seal, so he became obsessed with beautiful women. I thought the Winter Queen was the concrete manifestation of that desire."
"So when you became the Winter Queen, he immediately wanted you."
"In that sense, wouldn't it have been more advantageous for you to let me stay with the Crown Prince? For example, you could've eliminated everything right before they spent time together in secret. There were methods like that available."
"...."
"But you didn't. And even if you had, I would've forgiven you. I'm strong enough to subdue even the Crown Prince."
This time, Ash was genuinely irritated. So much so that he couldn't even speak.
"I made it abundantly clear that you should never allow anyone to treat you that way. Are you telling me you've forgotten?"
"It's not everyone. It's only you, Ash. You were the one who reached out to me on the worst day of my life, when I'd left home and was drowning in despair."
Ash recalled Violet trembling alone beneath the eaves of an unfamiliar house in the rain, her lips drained of color.
That day, he had wrapped his arms around her shaking shoulders and brought her home.
"And if you wanted to move freely, it would have been better to stay away from Cyril Uncle. But you helped me live with him instead."
He had sought out Violet, buried beneath the mud of her past, and tried to restore her to her true self.
But the woman he had found proved far more resilient and formidable than he had imagined.
"So... honestly, there were moments of anger and resentment, but I've resolved them. Because I have so much to be grateful for. Because my trust in you has never wavered. If forgiveness is what you need, then I forgive you."
It was not naïveté.
It was not blind faith in others.
Ash had never enchanted or manipulated Violet.
She had simply allowed it all.
Brought to you by Valir Scans! To support our team and enjoy the latest releases, please read directly on our official site: valirscans.org