Chapter 74
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Violet's First Words - Episode 74
I received not only the Everdin Residence but also a substantial alimony settlement in cash.
"Brown, that was truly remarkable... I'm genuinely impressed."
"You're too kind. I always win. After all, I serve Ash."
Brown's expression shifted to something businesslike as he adjusted his glasses.
Geoffrey, his eyes bloodshot with rage, approached from behind as I turned to leave the Court with a sense of relief.
"Violet, hear me out. This entire situation is your fault and your biological mother's fault."
"Why are you bringing up my mother? She's been nothing but a victim from beginning to end."
"You're destined to never receive a single drop of love in your entire life. Eventually, you'll be abandoned by everyone and live a worthless existence. Even that Grand Duke Ravens will discard you like a worn-out rag the moment he realizes all you have is your body."
I laughed bitterly.
'So this is who you are. Of course.'
I opened my mouth to respond, but Brown stopped me.
"Say nothing now. His words hold no value. If you must respond, do it outside. Think of the people around us. A quarrel within the Court is unwise."
After all, there were still many ongoing lawsuits. Creating a disturbance today could jeopardize the additional cases.
"I swear I'll watch you fall with my own eyes, you wretched thing."
Geoffrey spat out curses. Then he disappeared, speaking quietly with his lawyer.
"Did you know? If a person is too healthy, they can actually die."
Brown spoke with an expressionless face.
"What do you mean by that?"
"The body's circulation and metabolism, so to speak. If you accelerate those processes to an excessive state and leave it alone, natural death occurs. It's an assassination method used by high-ranking priests with healing powers in Kaizeria."
"How intriguing."
"If you ask Gran, he'll accept a contract at a discount rate. It's the closest thing to a perfect crime among existing assassination methods."
At those words, I couldn't help but laugh.
"If you mention that curse he just spoke to Ash's subordinates, or to Ash himself, they'll take care of him without you lifting a finger. That is, after the most important 'marriage recognition lawsuit' concludes."
At least now there were many people concerned for me.
I had once been nothing. Such things no longer affected me.
"Honestly, it doesn't feel good. But I think of it as similar to being struck by a madman passing by. The fact that he's my father doesn't give him the power to wound me further."
"...."
"He's simply a despicable and worthless human being."
"Admirable. This is precisely why Ash holds you in such high regard."
Brown said.
I fell silent in thought for a moment.
"But we still need to win the next lawsuit, don't we? Even though we settled today, the most important issue remains unresolved."
Today we concluded the lawsuit regarding my biological mother's property distribution through settlement.
'The marriage recognition lawsuit between my mother and father still awaits.'
A lawsuit involving Ash as well. That would become a far more significant case.
"Indeed. We will win that one too."
"But if Father ultimately has to accept defeat in the lawsuit, won't it be a problem that we took so much money today? What if he harbors resentment and refuses to budge?"
"Miss Violet Everdin, you still have an innocent side to you. If we had lost today or compromised too readily, they would have seen us as fools. Such cunning people believe they don't owe fools a single coin."
Now that I thought about it, his words rang true.
Weak against the strong, strong against the weak. My father was precisely that kind of person.
I nodded in acknowledgment.
"Brown, I learned something today. Your courtroom demeanor was unexpected."
"You are too kind."
* * *
"Miss Violet Everdin, please say a few words about the settlement!"
The same scene greeted us as we emerged from the Court's main entrance. Journalists who had been lying in wait swarmed toward me.
I had no intention of saying anything in particular. If there was a statement to be made regarding the lawsuit, Brown would handle it.
At that moment, another commotion erupted from the opposite direction.
'Right, there's only one entrance to the Court.'
The one who had brought the crowd was Geoffrey.
Geoffrey was handsome and lean for his age.
It was impossible to imagine this was the same man who had just been hurling every insult imaginable at his own daughter.
People naturally stepped aside. The journalists wanted to capture a scene of Geoffrey and me together.
Geoffrey's face was deathly pale now, a stark contrast to before. Upon seeing me, he seemed at a loss for words.
"Violet, my poor daughter."
Geoffrey approached and tried to take my hand.
I reflexively stepped back. Brown extended his hand, positioning himself between us.
'What is this madman doing?'
He nodded with exaggerated solemnity.
"I am truly sorry for being such a worthless father."
"...."
"Thank you for accepting the settlement. As your eldest daughter, I have burdened you with far too much through my expectations. Someday, the truth will surely come to light."
"The truth, you say?"
I could no longer hold back and spoke.
'Is this even human?'
That was my honest assessment. Geoffrey was performing the role of a pitiful father before the journalists.
"Yes, the truth! My sincere heart as your father. Now that we have reached a settlement today, I have no doubt that our relationship will be restored someday."
I wanted to curse.
He was probably calculating how to make me the villain in front of everyone right now.
It was so utterly Geoffrey.
"You feel hopeful because I agreed to the settlement, is that it?"
"...."
"Then I suppose I was wrong. Should I apologize?"
Geoffrey's eyebrows twitched. Had there been no one around, he would have struck Violet's cheek without hesitation.
As he had done countless times before.
"Even if there were misunderstandings between us, what sin between parent and child could be unforgivable? How could a child draw tears from their father's eyes!"
"You wept?"
"Yes, thinking of you who abandoned me, I spend each day in tears."
Violet smiled faintly.
I had intended to let this pass today, but....
'This man truly won't do.'
Now I could only think that much of him.
"Father, your mention of tears reminds me of something."
I thought of Ash. What would Ash have said?
Those around held their breath, listening intently to my words.
"When I was eight, I was very ill. Grieving my sickness, I begged for just one day to eat the same food as Marigold, and I was punished for it. The reason was that a bastard must always be reflective, and thus could not eat luxurious food. I wept that day too."
Thinking back now, it was absurd. I had genuinely believed those words and lived by them.
"I also wept on the days I went hungry for three days because I disobeyed Paula's words. When I asked Father for help, he brushed away my hand and cursed at me."
"...Violet, you."
"I still remember all those countless tears. Yet you shed but a single tear for me."
"...."
"I'm truly grateful. So Father has finally come to understand my tears. For a moment, it felt as though Father's heart and mine were connected!"
"Violet, you're mistaken about something right now. You're lying."
"Lying?"
I stepped closer to Geoffrey and whispered softly, shaping my words with my lips alone.
"Like the double ledgers of lies Father keeps?"
Geoffrey fell silent.
"And I never agreed to keep all the secrets I know. I'll pay my respects another time, Father."
At this point, I could have called myself Ash's protégé.
The journalists clicked their tongues. Those who had heard my words hurled curses at Geoffrey.
"To treat the young lady who will become the Empire's treasure so!"
"Tormenting the eldest daughter because of the worthless second!"
"Trash! Vermin!"
I glanced briefly at Geoffrey, surrounded and bewildered by the crowd, then walked away without hesitation.
Strangely, the more harsh words I spoke, the more I sensed I would spend the rest of my life speaking only kind ones.
It was baseless, yet the feeling was oddly pleasant.
I left the Court under Brown's escort. Brown whispered quickly.
"If you wish, I can read the diary aloud before them as well."
"Thank you, but that won't be necessary. I don't want those around me knowing the diary's contents."
If Ash were to read that diary, my heart would ache.
Brown understood.
"That said, you learn remarkably fast. Your emotional performance in court was no less than mine."
"Ah, I suppose lying and acting are two different things. I'm not very good at lying, after all...."
Whatever I attempt ends up being rooted in truth, doesn't it?
And so Violet succeeded in acquiring a home of her own—something I'd thought nearly impossible.
A residence, no less, in the most coveted district at the heart of the Capital.
* * *
"Then, please enter carefully. I have other matters to attend to."
"Yes, thank you."
Violet bowed her head. Brown secured the carriage door one final time and gave the driver strict instructions to see her safely home.
Once Violet had departed, Brown made his way toward the carriage station, briefcase in hand.
As he approached the carriage, the window rolled down, and a pair of elegant, long-fingered hands emerged.
"That seemed excessive. Placing your hand on Violet's shoulder like that. Isn't that overprotective?"
Ash leaned his head out, his expression languid. Brown flinched.
"The situation was urgent, so it couldn't be helped."
"Be careful. I'm tempted to break those hands of yours out of affection."
"Yes, I made a mistake."
Brown replied. Ash cherished his subordinates dearly, but when they didn't listen, he could be ruthlessly harsh.
Ash laughed.
"Still, you did well. Violet is becoming quite capable."
"She's pure-hearted. Yet she's not foolishly naive either."
"High praise, or a generous assessment?"
"An objective one."
Ash nodded.
"I need to head to the Imperial Palace now."
"That must be exhausting."
"Exhausting? It's a family gathering. I'm trying to spend time so familial that no one would notice if someone died."
Brown let out a short laugh at the jest.
"I understand you care for Violet deeply enough to appear in person before the Court on such an important day. Rather than helping her indirectly through me, showing yourself directly would—"
"She's started to be wary of me. I must have made a misstep from the beginning."
"You can still correct it at any time."
"Of course I must. But I shouldn't frighten her—I need to loosen the buttons gradually. Then I'll fasten them properly. That way, this time she'll enter my garden completely willingly."
Ash said.
"Still, she seemed curious about you."
"I shouldn't show my face too often. One must step back so that the next appearance is welcomed."
"But you said you wouldn't play such push-and-pull games. Or so Gran told me."
"That was about not playing power games to control her. But a man can certainly employ push-and-pull to win a woman's affection."
Ash spoke languidly.
Brown bowed respectfully in silence.
Only when Ash's carriage had vanished from sight did he raise his head.
Brought to you by Valir Scans! To support our team and enjoy the latest releases, please read directly on our official site: valirscans.org