Chapter 80
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Violet's First Words - Episode 80
"My name is Rosebella Elsha. Though I rarely use Rosebella—everyone calls me Bella. So please feel free to call me Bella as well, Your Grace."
Bella smiled warmly, her gaze soft as she looked at Ash.
'Her name is Rosebella too?!'
Rosebella, Rosenis.
She brushed her silken hair back from her ear, then rubbed her thumb and forefinger together once.
It was a habit of Lady Rosenis that had been described multiple times in the novel.
I didn't know what to say. Then I looked at Ash.
Ash was staring intently at Bella.
Slowly, the corners of Ash's mouth began to rise.
"Pleased to meet you. I'm Ash Ravens—feel free to call me Ash."
"I've heard much of Your Grace's reputation. It's an honor to welcome you to our Holy Knight Order."
Ash nodded without any particular change in expression.
But if I had noticed something, there was no way Ash wouldn't have. He must have sensed something from her as well.
"And you must be Miss Violet Everdin?"
Only then did Bella turn her gaze toward me. She wasn't smiling, but her expression was gentle.
"Yes, Knight Commander. It's a pleasure to meet you."
I barely managed to answer calmly.
"Your appearance is somewhat different from what I expected. If you become a talented member of our Holy Knight Order, I'm already looking forward to how best to nurture you and what support I might provide."
Bella rang a bell. Soon servants brought refreshments, and the three of us settled around a table in one corner of the office.
"Ah, I understand your surprise. I'm the commander of that famous Shatra Holy Knight Order, so it must have been shocking to meet someone unfamiliar."
To be honest, I knew that all members of the Shatra Holy Knight Order were quite renowned.
But I was rather ignorant of worldly affairs, and while I held a vague reverence for the Shatra Holy Knight Order, that was all. I didn't know the individual members' names.
"I wasn't particularly curious, but since you've brought it up, I suppose I'd like to hear."
Ash spoke.
"I became Knight Commander less than a year ago. Before that, I was in Kaizeria. I'm originally from Kaizeria, you see."
Marin had told me that Ash's future bride was from Kaizeria.
'Ash, could you be meeting your destined partner right now?'
Perhaps that was why.
Ash continued to watch her with evident interest.
My heart ached a little. Even though I had decided to keep my distance from Ash, all my feelings hadn't vanished in a single night.
'But... if the Shatra Holy Knight Order truly fell to corruption, how much is this woman involved?'
I recalled the contents of the future vision. But just because most people fell to corruption didn't mean everyone did.
If I was lucky, if Bella truly was Ash's future bride?
'Then Bella is innocent?'
Prophecies were far too complex and difficult to comprehend.
'Regardless, I must uncover the truth about the Shatra Holy Knight Order. For Ash's sake, if nothing else.'
Violet steeled her resolve.
"The Shatra Holy Knight Order is known to publicize their regular knights while concealing their leadership. They've been erasing their traces starting years before appointments to executive positions."
"That's correct. Advisors, the Knight Commander, and the Vice Commander—they avoid disclosing personal information as much as possible. Only those who serve as the public face, the knights who step forward, are limited to non-executive members. In my case, I spent several years training through expeditions to the Kaizeria Ruins."
"I'm curious what kind of ruins those are. Very curious, in fact."
Ash opened his mouth, speaking a moment later.
"There is a reason we brought the Grand Duke here. The seals of the Seven Calamities—the seven disasters of the demon race. I'm aware that the Kaizerian Theocracy is currently maintaining the seal of 'Lust' among them."
Bella smiled shyly.
"Thanks to Miss Violet Everdin here, and because she grasped the situation beforehand, we were able to suppress it immediately and proceed with repairs without difficulty."
"Lust represents an emotion one cannot sever, an instinct that grows without bound. Beneath the seal of Lust were countless shadow demons sealed away. Had we not subdued them in time, they were cursed creatures whose numbers would multiply infinitely."
"You've done quite thorough research. I'll give you credit for that. But such analysis has already been completed by every media outlet in the Empire."
Because Ash's side had leaked the information, details about the seal of Lust had already spread far and wide. It was a method to discredit the Crown Prince.
Bella didn't even bat an eye at Ash's words.
"Well, I apologize for arranging this meeting, but I need to have a private conversation with Grand Duke Ravens. Miss Violet, would you understand?"
Bella looked at Violet and sought her understanding.
"I don't conduct secret talks just anywhere. If you have something to say, say it here. Miss Violet here has considerable expertise regarding seals."
Ash kept his gaze fixed on Bella as he spoke.
Bella bit her lip slightly and looked at Violet as if pondering. Soon she adjusted her expression and nodded.
"In truth, you likely already suspect why we've taken Grand Duke Ravens on as a special advisor. Our Holy Knight Order wishes to work together in protecting the seals."
The seals were created roughly a thousand years ago by great high priests and mages of ancient times.
To seal away seven traps that the demon race had set and left behind.
But now the power of the seals was slowly weakening. A thousand years is that kind of span of time.
If fortune favored them, no seal would break. But if fortune turned against them, all seals could shatter at once.
That was the current situation. Through the Grand Temple's announcement, the people of the Empire had come to understand this fact well.
"So ultimately, you want the information I possess about the seals."
"If you trace our lineage back, the Holy Knight Order itself was founded to fight against the demon race. In the meantime, our name has changed dozens of times, and we've been dissolved and re-established repeatedly, but our fundamental purpose remains unchanged. I believe protecting the seals must become our highest priority."
"Didn't you say you wouldn't meddle in politics?"
"Yes, so this matter is merely—"
"That's laughable. I am politics itself. Anyone who draws close to me gets dragged into the bloodshed of political struggle."
"...."
"Are you prepared for that?"
Ash asked with cold mockery.
"You have a sharp tongue. You needn't frighten us. We need the information about the seals that you possess. After all, the Kaizerian Temple originally created those seals. We lack sufficient information."
Bella answered without showing the slightest fear.
That was why they had proposed the position of special advisor to Ash in the first place.
'So it all circles back to the Seven Calamities in the end.'
Violet thought to herself.
"I have one question. You already knew I was connected to Ash—or rather, to Grand Duke Ravens, didn't you? Is it possible you're drawing me in to bring Grand Duke Ravens into this?"
At Violet's words, Bella's gaze turned toward her.
She simply laughed as though amused.
"Surely not. The answer lies in what I just said. We extended the recruitment offer to Violet because she played a crucial role in protecting the Seal of Lust. Since we too wish to safeguard the seal, there is no talent quite like Violet's."
It was a flawless argument. Though I harbored some lingering doubts, I nodded in acknowledgment.
"I see."
"Besides, why should we be swayed by mere rumors? The gossip about Violet and Duke Ravens being lovers—I don't believe a word of it. You're both exemplary knights; it would be unlike either of you to act so rashly."
Rosebella Elsha spoke with disarming cheerfulness.
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