Hours later.
Ash was sitting reclining in a long armchair in a luxurious room, turning the pages of a book.
Marin came in with a pile of papers and cloths and put them on the table.
"Ash, aren't you going to tell this subordinate anything about your visit to the academy today?"
—What do you want me to tell you?
—Suddenly he asked me to reserve the training room at the academy for him.
And I saw the schedule and the person who booked it before you was Miss Everdeen, the ugly one, right?
—Be careful what you say, Marin.
I know your life is about looking for pretty things, like dresses and jewelry, but you've crossed the line.
—Ash's voice subtly lowered a tone.
Marin was startled.
—Well, I didn't give him that nickname.
The truth is that I should have seen that Miss Violet's face in more detail...
"Didn't I tell you that Violet Everdeen is a proper woman?" Plus, his personality and actions are pretty cute.
Marin looked at Ash silently.
—What's up with that face?
—Could it be that our teacher, obsessed with talents, noticed that young lady's talent and became obsessed?
—I don't obsess over talents.
—Think of all the talents you got from the academy.
Once he notices someone, he pursues them until they become his person.
And then he puts it in a jewelry box and never lets it out into the world again.
"Everyone's fine now, right?" Thanks to me.
I put them in a good position.
—But he didn't tell any of them that they were cute.
And this is the first time he has recruited a young woman his age.
—The first thing always has a great meaning, don't you think?
—The first… ugly… no, the first talented and correct woman, who uses a sword?
Is it a new form of admission?
—Let's say it's a new type.
—Ash smiled.
He turned the page of the book he was reading calmly.
"Then why are you chasing her?"
—A great sovereign befriends talents and takes care of them.
Violet is the most special person I have seen lately, so I have to reach out to her with all my heart and soul until she opens her heart to me.
Ash smiled as beautiful as a painting.
Marin shrugged, looking at his master, whose insides were a mystery.
—Our teacher is too difficult to understand.
—Simple men are no fun, Marin.
A man who wants to make a woman happy must show his hidden side.
It's obvious that our teacher likes that book too.
—...Could you stop making fun of me with that book?
—Ash looked away from the book.
-Alright.
Let's talk about the crown prince's Winter Queen's Ball.
Are you going?
Which lady are you taking?
Is she pretty?
Pretty?
Elegant?
With curves?
Slim?
—How noisy.
I wonder what's faster, shut your mouth or change rooms.
—It's because I have to prepare a very elegant uniform that matches the lady who will be your partner.
Tell me quickly!
—What a bad joke.
Me dating a woman in the empire...
—It's not a joke.
The day after tomorrow is the night market festival.
You can't just stay here doing nothing!
-…Festival?
—Yes, the countdown.
The Winter Queen's Ball is the most important event for high society in the capital.
Everyone is calculating who they will go with.
Therefore, under the pretext of going to the festival, men and women go out, and then become couples for the dance.
—Marin.
—…Why did he lower his voice suddenly?
Ash stood up slightly.
He looked Marin in the eyes and said seriously.
—I'll give you a job so you can become useful.
Go get a pen and paper.
The high quality ones.
—Who are you going to write a letter to…?
—Sometimes you are very slow.
Obviously Violet Everdeen.
—Ash said softly.
──── ∗ ⋅◈⋅ ∗ ────
After training and returning home, Violet realized something when she saw the carriages parked in a row in front of her house.
Ah, my family is back.
The servants moved busily, moving suitcases without stopping.
Some servants saw Violet, but ignored her.
—If you make a single scratch on a suitcase, I will deduct it from your salary.
Do you understand?!
In the center of the living room, a petite woman stood, speaking in a brutal voice that did not suit her figure.
It was Paula, Violet's stepmother.
-That?
Did you just arrive?
—Paula looked Violet up and down, contemptuously.
It seems that the news that I hit Bluideen has not reached the family yet.
Violet thought.
Maybe Bluideen was embarrassed that he had been beaten by his fiancée and had not told the truth.
It would be nice if it were, but it didn't matter if it wasn't.
In any case, Paula was the same as always.
With an expression that gave off contempt towards Violet.
—I don't know where you spend it.
We are too lenient with the bastard.
Even though you're an adult, we let you do what you want and eat what you want.
—…
—Be grateful to have a family as generous as ours.
A cold smile appeared on Violet's face.
How can you say that?
If she thought about it, Paula had deceived her father, and the bastard was not her, but her stepsister Marigold.
And her biological mother had been deceived by her father and was eventually abandoned.
They say there are no good or bad jobs, but you were a bar waitress.
And he lied to me, telling me that he was from a renowned family.
Violet felt sad thinking about her.
Once, just once, I held on to her.
It was when I was about ten years old and I was sick with a fever.
He didn't remember it very well, but he thinks he went out into the hallway because he was delusional.
The maids took care of her as an obligation, but the girl longed for her stepmother's care.
So he went out into the hallway to look for Paula.
—What are the maids doing who let this girl walk around?
Paula looked very upset.
And reluctantly, he took care of Violet.
Violet was very grateful for that care.
But she also felt embarrassed, as if she were a nuisance.
After that day, he always prayed.
If my existence is a stain, I hope I am no longer a nuisance to my family.
Thinking about it now, it was absurd.
After that day, there was nothing more to be thankful for.
Violet wasn't a bastard.
So there was no need to apologize.
She was just a victim.
The little gratitude I felt vanished.
You lied to me.
This big house, the luxurious dress her stepmother wore.
In reality, everything had been built with the fortune of Violet's biological mother, Deborah.
Violet stared at Paula.
—What's up with that face?
Do you have something to say?
—Paula's face reflected her annoyance.
—Yes, I have something to say —Violet looked Paula in the eyes and began to speak calmly.
…To be continued