Chapter 83
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Violet's First Words - Episode 83
"I'm truly sorry, Lady Everdin. I thought this hazing tradition had disappeared, but it seems nothing has changed since I left for Kaizeria years ago."
Bella apologized immediately. Violet felt a flash of irritation, but that was all.
She no longer blinked at such things. She had entered this place with suspicion from the start. With no great expectations, there was no real disappointment either. She merely found those who sought to torment her pathetic.
"It's fine. This isn't your fault, Knight Commander."
Violet replied.
"Thank you for understanding. I'm also sorry you had to witness such an unsightly display, Ravens Grand Duke."
"Don't worry about it. I knew Violet would handle it well."
Ash answered indifferently.
"You're as gracious as ever."
Bella gazed into Ash's eyes and spoke shyly.
'What is this atmosphere? I was the one nearly subjected to harassment, so why is she suddenly marveling at Ash's understanding?'
What were these two doing?
Violet found it absurd.
'Yes, looking at them again, they really do suit each other well.'
She even found herself thinking she should offer congratulations if he had met his destined one.
Of course, despite such thoughts, her eyebrows had drooped slightly.
"Then, you may leave for today. I'll officially add your name to the roster by day's end, so come by daily starting tomorrow for free practice. You'll be assigned your first mission soon."
Bella stared blankly at Ash for a moment before snapping back to attention and speaking to Violet.
"Understood."
Violet answered readily.
"Then, I'll be going now..."
Even as she said this, Ash did not move. He remained standing beside Bella.
"Violet."
"Yes?"
"My carriage should be ready, so take it. I have some more business here."
"I can go alone."
"Take the carriage."
Ash answered without even looking at Violet.
"Ravens Grand Duke, why don't you come inside with me so we can discuss the future of our Holy Knight Order together?"
Bella's expression was that of someone who had finally heard the words she'd been waiting for.
Violet was already out of her mind.
It was exactly like the image of lovers who had found their destined one that she'd seen in novels.
'But seeing this in reality feels a bit...'
Strange. It had felt warm and pleasant when she read it in a novel.
It was an eyesore, seeing such a display unfold in reality.
Violet felt an increasingly strange sensation washing over her.
Yet their affair was theirs alone, and I had joined the Knight Order to investigate matters concerning my Uncle.
I would simply let Ash act as he saw fit.
Violet decided it was time to depart.
"Then I'll take my leave now."
Violet bid them farewell and rose from her seat.
Until the very end, Ash did not so much as glance in her direction.
* * *
"Ravens Grand Duke, shall we perhaps have some tea while we talk?"
The moment Violet vanished, Ash ceased speaking to Bella entirely.
He turned silently and began walking away. Bella's expression froze before she hastily pursued him.
"Where are you going?"
Ash did not answer.
"—So that's the thing, it wasn't ordinary. Hah, that girl—we shouldn't underestimate her."
"But the Ravens Grand Duke, who's supposedly her boyfriend, is just standing by watching—"
The two men who had truly gotten under Ash's skin.
Juran and Kyle remained in the Training Ground, still debating Violet.
It seemed they were replaying the situation, troubled by the aura Violet had released.
As Ash slowly entered the Training Ground, the two men who had been lounging about hastily rose to their feet.
"Ravens Grand Duke."
Juran spoke, his bewilderment evident.
"Did that girl seem like my girlfriend to you?"
"Pardon?"
"If that girl were my girlfriend, would I have simply stood by watching?"
Ash spoke gently.
And he firmly locked the Training Ground's door.
Then, unarmed, he walked leisurely over and drew one of the swords hanging on the wall.
"Well, that is... we simply thought that lady would be capable of—"
Kyle said as much.
"Yes, I'm sure your intentions were good. In that spirit, come here."
"Sir?"
"Let's spar. As a superior, one must know how to guide subordinates with the blade and awaken them with discipline."
"...."
"It's a matter of fulfilling one's duty. Isn't it?"
Kyle laughed awkwardly, as if troubled. "You jest, sir. A sparring match? What if you were injured?"
Kyle spoke with evident discomfort.
"How crude. Your speech is as vulgar as your origins."
Ash's beautiful face turned as cold as ice crystallizing on winter branches.
"Come at me together. That's the only way I'll teach you properly."
* * *
When I returned home, I finished my usual training with Olive.
I had already asked Cyril to conduct a thorough investigation into the Shatra Holy Knight Order.
Cyril had extensive connections from his business ventures and was a capable Barrier Master, so he excelled at gathering information.
Yet the Shatra Holy Knight Order yielded nothing, no matter how deeply we dug.
It was a famous knight order known to everyone, with an excellent reputation.
There were a few rough-edged knights among them, but they were negligible. Everyone who had worked with them vouched that their skills were beyond question.
'What does Ash think of Bella?'
I bathed slowly that evening and retired to bed. Just before sleep claimed me, my thoughts drifted to Ash.
That night, I had a brief dream.
It was a dream from the night I met Ash in front of the Fountain after the Crown Prince's Ball.
[Ash.]
I kissed Ash's cheek. He gazed at me slowly, then gently grasped my wrist with one hand.
[Ah, Ash!]
In an instant, my body was laid upon the wide, flat railing of the Fountain. The Fountain had somehow dried completely.
Ash leaned down, his lips drawing near to mine. Hot breath mingled with hot breath.
[Why did you think I would only look at you forever? Did you not know I've always wanted to do this to you?]
Ash, his eyes smiling, pressed my trembling palm against his cheek as he spoke.
[This is a dream, isn't it, Ash?]
I asked with trembling eyes.
The next moment, Ash pulled away from me.
And there, suddenly appearing, was Bella, her arm linked through his.
[Still, you're not Lady Rosenis, so our relationship can only ever be a passing amusement. Isn't that right, Violet?]
Ash whispered the words.
"Gasp!"
I jolted awake at dawn. My entire body was drenched in sweat.
A burning sensation pierced through me from head to toe.
"What kind of nightmare was that—or was it an indecent dream?!"
I muttered in exasperation. My sleep had been restless.
That night, I could not fall back asleep and found myself gazing out the window repeatedly.
As dawn slowly broke, an unfamiliar carriage passed in front of Cyril's House.
I watched it intently, my fingers gripping the curtain.
Brought to you by Valir Scans! To support our team and enjoy the latest releases, please read directly on our official site: valirscans.org