Chapter 8
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Violet's First Words - Episode 8
* * *
First, I returned home. My family still hadn't come back from their travels, and only an empty house greeted me. 'Uncle Cyril was quite an odd person. But I didn't dislike him.' I gazed down at the book 【The Tale of Lady Rosenis】. 'If I were to disappear without a word to my family, would my heart find peace?' The more I mulled over it, the more I understood what Cyril was saying. Everything that had happened until now, the fact that I wasn't a bastard, all the contempt I'd endured.... What I needed was a fresh start.
* * *
The next morning, I opened my eyes quietly. I found food in the kitchen and ate. The provisions were nearly depleted now. I rationed the stale bread carefully. 'They said they'd return in about three days, didn't they?' Knock, knock. Then came a loud pounding at the door.
"Who is it?"
I went to the entrance and opened the door.
"Young Master Bludin wishes to see you. Come with me at once."
Bludin, my fiancé. He had always looked down on me. So his servants looked down on me too. Just like this servant speaking arrogantly with a contemptuous expression. In the past, I would have meekly followed the servant, but not anymore.
"If he has something to say, tell him to come himself."
"It seems your family isn't home, and you're saying you'd let an unrelated man into your house alone, even if he is your fiancé?"
The servant's tongue was particularly sharp today. 'I do need to see Bludin eventually, though.' Bludin was also on the mission list Cyril had given me—'people I need to speak to'. Bludin was the only son of the Capital Knight Commander. His residence was fortified with many knights, like a stronghold. 'Go there and lash out at him?' Even with just basic tactical knowledge, I knew that wasn't wise.
"Today I need to go to the Academy for independent training. I've reserved the Training Room. If it's that urgent, tell him to find me there."
"Ha, what...."
Perhaps because of my reputation for being docile, the servant's expression showed bewilderment.
"Shouldn't the proper answer be 'yes' rather than 'what'? I understand that Bludin places great importance on his reputation. What do you think he would say if he heard rumors being spread about his fiancée?"
The servant's expression shifted to one of sudden realization. I had done it! Violet felt a subtle thrill of satisfaction. Of course, I would be breaking the engagement with Bludin anyway, but there was no need to explain that to this servant.
"Ah, Miss, I believe I misspoke just now. Please, I beg you—don't mention this to the young master."
Violet quietly closed the door in front of the servant. 'I can tell my family the same thing. And Bludin as well....'
* * *
There was one advantage to not withdrawing from the Academy immediately, as Ash had advised. Violet had reserved a private Training Room at the Academy for the end of this break. The Training Room walls were embedded with expensive mana amplification stones. This made it ideal for practicing mana gathering more effectively than elsewhere. Only one or two people could enter at a time, and there was a four-hour time limit per session. Because of this, it was extremely popular and normally difficult to reserve. However, this was the season when most students were away on vacation.
Training Room Schedule
【9:00~11:00 - Violet Everdin】 【11:00~13:00 - Ash】
'Does a Sword Master really need to train?' Upon arriving at the Training Room, Violet caught sight of the schedule posted on the door and her expression grew pale. But she soon resigned herself to it and entered the Training Room. Violet first sat down and began her mental cultivation, gathering magical energy. Bang! She was quickly interrupted by the loud sound of the door bursting open. Violet opened her eyes. Her pale golden hair fluttered in the breeze.
"Violet."
The one who entered with an expressionless face was none other than her fiancé, Bludin.
"Bludin, what brings you here?"
Violet met his gaze. Bludin was objectively quite handsome. With black hair and gray eyes, he had the habit of always leaning against a wall with his arms crossed, looking down at people as if he were above them. He let out a short laugh, as he always did.
"I called for you and you ignored me—quite amusing. Setting aside how you treated my servant disrespectfully."
Violet forced the corners of her mouth upward. There was a time when Bludin, more cynical than his peers, had seemed impressive to her. There was even a time when she wanted to get along with him, despite knowing he treated her as nothing more than dirt beneath his feet.
"A servant is a servant."
"What?"
"A servant is a servant. Responding to a servant's rudeness with rudeness isn't amusing. In a sense, it's only natural."
Violet spoke calmly. Bludin straightened his posture. Then he looked at Violet as if she were mad.
"Are you ill? Or is this some desperate attempt to capture my attention?"
In truth, Bludin had repeatedly failed the Knight Division entrance exam. Eventually, his father used his connections to place him in the History Division instead of the Knight Division. Bludin couldn't bear that Violet, a failure, had been accepted into the Academy Knight Department—a place he himself couldn't even enter.
"I have no interest in that. Just say what you came to say. Then I can say what I need to say."
Violet spoke. Bludin clicked his tongue and raised both hands in a gesture of surrender.
"Fine then. There's something you need to do for me."
"...What is it?"
"You've been invited to the Crown Prince's Winter Queen Ball, haven't you? I heard all the nobles currently attending the Academy received invitations."
"I haven't checked the invitation, but I assume so."
"Since it's an official event, I'll have to take you as my partner whether I like it or not."
"...And?"
"Just accompany me for the entrance, then go straight to the powder room or the restroom."
"And do what there?"
"How can you be so oblivious? Sigh, if I attend the ball with you, what will become of my reputation?"
"..."
"Stay hidden throughout the ball so I can dance with your Younger Sister, Marigold. Just come out near the end and leave with me when we go."
My breath caught at the absurd request. 'What a pathetic man.' I already knew what kind of person he was, yet each encounter felt fresh with disappointment.
"So you want to dance with your fiancée's younger sister while telling your fiancée to hide away where no one can see her? That's a shocking notion."
I spoke with biting sarcasm.
"Well, you show up to every ball looking like a beggar. You should consider my reputation too."
"...."
"I'm quite irritated that you've dragged me all the way here, so you'd better answer with a simple yes. That's what a good future bride would do, isn't it?"
I could no longer contain my anger. The moment I stepped forward toward Bludin. Tick-tick-tick, tick-tick-tick.... 'What?' Another vision of the future had begun.
The Violet in this vision appeared even younger. Barely any different from now. I was dressed in a white wedding gown. Bludin stood looking down at me, his face twisted hideously with rage. 【What did you do with Colbera at the Winter Queen Ball? You were clinging to each other in an empty room?】 【I keep saying it, but that man forced himself on me...】 【Colbera testified that you two were together throughout your Academy days. If not for that contract with someone like you, there would be no need for this marriage. Why did Father make such a deal? Damn it!】 【...】 【You'll never see the world again!】 Bludin gripped my arm painfully as I stood in the wedding dress.
The vision of the future ended. 'So that's what happened with Colbera. And this bastard Bludin.' Even if I despised him, I was his wife. He never once believed in me or protected me, yet he says such things? Now was the moment to speak the words I had promised Cyril. I met Bludin's eyes directly. 'What should I say to him.'
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