Placing Paula in front of her, Violet felt anger rise within her.
How should I express this feeling?
It was the same thing he had felt with Bluideen.
Should I tell him that I know his secret?
Or should I question her about her attitude towards me?
Or should I threaten her with revenge?
I had so many things to say that I didn't know where to start.
-Sister!
—Marigold's voice was heard.
He was at the top of the stairs and when he saw Violet, he ran down.
-How have you been?
Why didn't you go to my room first?
I brought you a gift.
Marigold approached smiling and hugged her arm.
—I only have one sister, and I miss her so much that she doesn't even come looking for me.
Paula, with a displeased expression, clicked her tongue and headed to her study.
Violet felt chills when Marigold touched her.
Violet silently withdrew her arm.
—I'm going to my room.
—I'm going with you.
The weather at the vacation spot was very good.
I think all the great nobles of the academy gathered there.
I had a lot of fun because I saw a lot of familiar faces!
If you hadn't had remedial classes, you would have come too.
Violet did not answer him and quickened her step in silence.
Marigold, my stepsister, who always held out her hand to me…
With Cyril's mission to tell each member of the family something, he thought he would have to tell Marigold too.
At least he got along well with her.
But thinking about it, it was strange.
Marigold had never mentioned the discrimination she suffered.
Violet entered her room.
Marigold, who had followed her, opened a small bag in her hand.
—Look, it's a gift.
Violet took the bag reluctantly.
Inside was a bracelet made of cheap shells.
An absurd smile spread across Violet's face.
A gift that wasn't worth a penny.
That was the value Marigold gave to Violet after a luxurious vacation.
At the same time, Violet remembered all the expensive things Marigold had bought in the boutiques at the vacation spot.
—It's a good gift.
"It's just like you," Violet said, without any emotion.
-TRUE?
I knew you were going to like it.
"And that's all you have to tell me?" Don't you have anything else?
Marigold seemed to notice that Violet wasn't acting like usual.
Marigold stared at her.
Violet could read his intentions.
It was exactly the face of someone who thinks: What's wrong with this one?
—Sister, is something wrong with you?
—Violet interrupted her and asked her.
—And my father?
—Ah, my father went to his office as soon as we returned to the capital.
Do you know what he told me as a joke?
My dear Marigold, this father has to work hard today to pay for your dresses and jewelry.
He tells me this as a joke.
Anyway, today he will work all night and sleep in the office room.
—…
Violet remained silent.
Marigold looked at her cautiously and began to speak.
He was smiling, but his eyes weren't.
—What's wrong, sister?
Are you mad at me?
—It just seemed strange to me.
Bluideen told me I always go to dances looking miserable.
As if she didn't have a decent dress.
—Hojoho, you just don't get ready.
TRUE?
-I don't know.
I wonder why I don't have dresses, Marigold.
—Hmm… Just ask dad for one.
You don't know how to ask for things, sister!
—said Marigold, with an innocent smile.
They had never had a conversation like this before.
Because?
Every time you talk like you know nothing, I convince myself that you know everything.
Or perhaps, do you enjoy this discrimination?
In reality, she knew that Marigold treated her like a fool.
But he had clung to the existence of the only person in that house who extended a hand to him.
Therefore, he had simply ignored the truth.
—Changing the subject, let's talk about something fun.
Did you hear the Colbert news?
—…Colbert?
—He had a big problem at a party where all the senior officials of the academy were there, including the dean.
—Why was Colbert there?
—I found out from some colleagues that I met by chance.
Colbert was drunk and fell asleep snoring in the garden of the dean's house, with half his head shaved and in his underwear.
And that was three days ago!
Just when the academy board members were having tea, so everyone saw it.
Three days ago…it was the day Violet had thrown her resignation letter at Colbert.
That day, Ash told me that he would rescue Colbert.
No, Ash said he would 'take care of' the paralyzed Colbert.
But that...did that mean he was going to leave Colbert in the garden of the dean's house?
It didn't matter if it was Colbert's fault or not.
Anyway, he had made a fool of himself in front of the dean of the academy, so he was done for.
—Why would something like this happen?
—Violet said quietly.
—Who knows.
Colbert is rumored to frequent strange shops.
You know… illegal stores.
Where they sell strange drugs and there are women.
—…Oh, yes?
—Yes, everyone says that he got drunk in one of those stores and crawled to the dean's house.
—…
—Do you know what the funniest thing is?
That Colbert doesn't remember anything.
Although everyone was laughing at that story, Violet couldn't laugh.
How should he take his partner Ash, who had done something so big?
—I see you a little strange today, sister.
Did something happen to you?
Violet stared at Marigold in silence.
"I have something to tell you, Marigold."
—Why are you making that face?
You're not trying to scare me, are you?
said Marigold, smiling softly.
—Marigold, I…
Knock, knock.
At this moment, someone knocked on the door.
No one comes to my room, Violet thought.
None of the servants even cleaned her room, so she did everything on her own.
Also, no one from her family, except Marigold, came to her room.
Violet didn't know who it was, so she opened the door.
A servant, whom he only knew by sight, bowed politely.
—A letter has arrived for Miss Violet.
The servant handed him a tray with the letter.
Could this be a trap?
Servants often follow the behavior of their masters.
Considering how she was normally treated, it would be lucky if they hadn't thrown away the letter.
Marigold seemed surprised too.
—Thank you —Violet took the letter.
—Whose is it?
—Marigold stuck her head out.
Could it be Uncle Cyril?
Violet got excited.
But the letters on the envelope were different from what I expected.
⌜Your future accomplice, Ash.⌟
…Why are you sending me a letter?
Violet thought.
At that moment, he realized that Ash had very beautiful handwriting.
Also, what kind of magic did he use to make the servant in my house hand the letter to me in such a respectful manner?
Violet was starting to get scared of Ash.
…To be continued