Chapter 9
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Violet's First Words - Episode 9
'I'm ashamed of myself for breathing the same air as someone like you. In that sense, take the hit first and apologize.'
Rosenis had once hurled those words at her unfaithful ex-boyfriend.
'I should say something like that too....'
But looking at Bludin, it proved far more difficult than expected.
The anger was simply too immense.
'I really want to unleash something truly cutting. Words that would lodge themselves in his heart.'
Considering the future where I would suffer abuse as his wife, anything less would be insufficient.
"I have no intention of becoming your obedient fiancée. So that entire premise is flawed."
Violet spoke first, her words measured and deliberate.
"If you possessed Marigold's wisdom and kindness, you might have earned my affection. Alas, one's nature is immutable, it seems."
I could restrain myself no longer.
'Cutting words, cutting words.'
But what exactly constituted cutting words? When it came down to it, nothing came to mind.
What I'd said to the servant earlier was hardly cutting—merely pointing out his verbal misstep.
Besides, he was just a servant. Someone whose name I couldn't even recall.
Bludin, by contrast, was nothing short of an enemy.
Violet decided she had no choice but to respond with a method she trusted more than words.
Crack!
Bludin's nose made a peculiar snapping sound as Violet's fist connected squarely with it.
Blood immediately streamed from both nostrils in twin rivulets.
"You—you, what are you—"
Bludin stared at her in disbelief, one hand clamped over his face.
"Get out. Now."
Violet met his gaze and spoke in a low, measured tone.
"This way, our relationship—do you understand what will happen?"
"The engagement will be broken. That's what I want."
"...."
"And I'm not finished speaking yet, so come back next time to hear the rest. I need to give serious thought to exactly what I should say to you."
Violet picked up the practice sword lying on the ground.
"Father will never forgive this. Never!"
Bludin clutched his nose and scrambled to turn and flee.
'Those clichés I read in the Seda novels I was perusing.... They seemed trite, but they weren't. Delivering a proper rebuke to someone was far more difficult than I'd imagined.'
Violet felt her spirits dampen slightly.
The path to becoming as eloquent as Rosenis was long and arduous!
'Next time, I'll do better. I won't let this one slip by with just a few words.'
Recalling Cyril's mission, I steeled my resolve.
Indeed, one must strive in many directions.
That was when it happened.
Bludin, attempting his escape, nearly collided with someone who burst through the door.
"Damn it, what—!"
The figure regarding Bludin with a frown was none other than an unexpected person.
'Ash.'
Someone I'd been seeing with unsettling frequency lately.
"Your expression is rather amusing."
Ash's lips and eyes curved into a smile. That hauntingly beautiful face broke into a subtle grin.
"Are you mocking me right now?"
Bludin was the son of the Knight Commander, while Ash was a commoner.
Yet despite this, Bludin spoke cautiously, watching Ash's expression.
No one at the Academy dared treat Ash carelessly.
Sometimes a strong fist mattered more than noble birth. Ash, a Sword Master, was rumored to wield aura so powerfully he could destroy buildings. Some said he could face an entire army alone.
'Ash is taller than I expected... or rather, is he extraordinarily tall?'
Even so, I found myself thinking. Bludin was hardly short, yet he appeared diminished in Ash's presence.
Ash leaned forward slightly.
"How could I not laugh? Watching you get beaten by your own fiancée for your misdeeds, then whimpering about it right before my eyes."
"...."
"Holding back here isn't courtesy—it's cowardice. Wouldn't you agree?"
I was startled by Ash's words. He delivered such biting sarcasm without so much as a blink.
'This is true eloquence—words honed to a razor's edge. How is this even possible...'
I was deeply impressed by Ash's words.
Meanwhile, Bludin, having received the insult, trembled violently.
"My father is the Knight Commander. One day he'll be your superior. And you dare speak to me like this, knowing that?"
"Is that so? Then be sure to tell him every word you just heard. That his son was mocked by a passing Sword Master. Make sure it troubles him deeply. Understood? That's your homework for today. Come see me for a sword examination later."
Now I was certain. Ash was a master of cutting remarks.
"I—uh—uh!"
Bludin could only sputter, unable to muster a proper retort. He eventually fled the Training Room like a coward.
"Hello, Violet Everdin."
Ash observed me for a moment, then smiled with honeyed warmth.
"Hello. What brings you here?"
"I have the next Training Room reservation."
"Isn't that several hours from now?"
"I came early. I was excited."
"Excited about training?"
"Yes, today especially."
Ash approached and spoke.
"Finished your training?"
"Huh? No. I just arrived myself...."
"Is that so? Then shall we train together?"
"...You and me?"
It was like watching the village fool and the nation's top scholar form a study group.
'Is this because he saw me knock Colbera down last time?'
There were too many inconsistencies for that to be the reason.
"I prefer to train alone."
I answered quickly. If I spent the entire training session with Ash, the "temporary intelligence reduction effect caused by handsome men" would ruin today's session entirely.
'Besides, it's somewhat... embarrassing, this situation.'
Regardless of reality, Bludin was nominally my fiancé. Being humiliated in front of my fiancé was my shame as well.
"What a shame. It would have been an enjoyable time if it were just the two of us."
Ash drawled lazily.
I felt another strange sensation creeping in and hastily changed the subject.
"If you need to use this Training Room right now, I can clean up and leave first."
"It's fine. I just wanted to see your face and say hello after so long."
"...After so long?"
Only a few days had passed since the Colbera incident?
Ash spoke casually.
"Time is subjective, after all."
"I suppose so."
Ash certainly had a rather unique way of treating friends.
"So, is there nothing I can help you with today?"
I tried to swallow the question that had risen to my throat in that moment.
'Asking how to become as sharp-tongued as you would truly be quite rude.'
After all, being called a cynic wasn't a compliment.
"I'll tell you if I think of anything. And thank you for saying something to Bludin today...."
I spoke quietly. Ash nodded slightly.
"We'll see each other again soon, Violet Everdin."
Ash turned and walked out with an unhurried gait.
I watched the Training Room door close heavily.
Was it because of the premonition? Strange things had been happening lately.
Brought to you by Valir Scans! To support our team and enjoy the latest releases, please read directly on our official site: valirscans.org