—I don't know what you mean by accomplice.
But is he from the academy?
I only know one person named Ash.
Could it be… a letter from Ash Defendale?
—Marigold's expression changed again when she saw the return address on the envelope.
—...It's not something that concerns you, Marigold.
—And if I don't care, who cares?
I knew it was him!
—Marigold snatched the letter from his hands.
"Give me the letter back, Marigold."
-Because?
You have nothing to hide, right, sister?
—Marigold ignored Violet's words and opened the letter immediately.
⌜To be friends, I would like to invite her to take a ride at the wine god's birthday festival in two days.
If you don't send me a rejection response, I will look for you at the front door of the Everdeen house at three.⌟
Marigold's expression became strange after reading the letter.
—Did Ash Defendale ask you on a date?
-Appointment?
What nonsense!
Marigold was silent for a moment.
Then, he smiled widely.
-Excellent!
Sister, Ash Defendale needs someone like us.
Violet frowned slightly.
—What do you mean by that?
—Ash is very talented, but he is a poor commoner.
—…
—That's why nobles like us should be kind to him, right?
Violet was dumbfounded.
—Ash is a Sword Master, but he is a commoner.
I sent him several letters to introduce him to people and to make friends with him, but he never responded.
—…
—Of course, sister!
Were you helping me be friends with Ash?
Aren't they both in the knight academy?
Marigold's eyes shone with greed.
Violet didn't recognize her.
"I don't think Ash wants that kind of attention."
-Of course!
All people are equal.
If you are kind and treat them well, they will open their hearts to you.
Marigold now had an ecstatic expression.
"So what do you want?"
—You are engaged to Bluideen.
And one day they will get married and have a beautiful family.
But if they are seen together at the festival and rumors start to spread...
—So?
Do you want to go to the festival with Ash instead of me?
—Of course, if my sister wants it.
What is family for, if not to help each other?
Violet didn't even have sarcasm anymore.
Even with everything you have, isn't it enough for you?
Now you want Ash's attention?
I felt like I was finally seeing the real Marigold.
I don't have to take their nonsense seriously.
Violet snatched the letter from Marigold's hand.
—I take care of my affairs.
And my friends too.
Thanks for caring, but Ash didn't send the letter to you.
Marigold didn't seem to understand what was happening.
—Sister...
do you know what you're saying?
-I know.
—What will Bluideen think…?
—You know Bluideen doesn't care what I do.
It's no use pretending not to know.
—Why are you talking to me like that all of a sudden?
You weren't like that before...
—Marigold shrugged her shoulders, as if she were hurt.
If it had been before, Violet would have been fooled, but not anymore.
—That's not the point of this conversation, Marigold.
You and Bluideen are very close, right?
What does Bluideen say about me?
—Violet knew very well that Bluideen was also one of Marigold's admirers.
At that moment, for the first time, Violet was curious about what Marigold would say.
Marigold's mouth dropped open.
And then, like a fish, her jaw dropped open.
—Oh, how naughty!
Why are you asking me something like that?
You have to go ask your fiancé directly.
Oh, sister...
—she smiled shyly, pretending that she didn't know anything.
You are amazing.
Violet felt a little sad.
There was a time when he loved his stepsister, even if it was just a little.
That persistent feeling made her feel pain.
Maybe Violet's unhappiness was nothing to Marigold.
-Alright!
I won't say anything about Ash.
But Bluideen is your fiancé, and he is also my friend.
Don't make me keep these secrets, okay?
—Marigold said, laughing.
Violet shook her head.
-What do you want?
—Eh, yeah?
—Don't beat me up and tell me what you want.
You have something to ask me, right?
—At Violet's cold words, Marigold frowned.
But then he gathered his courage and spoke.
—Sister, do you still have it in your room?
The one I gave you for your birthday last year…
Then, Marigold rummaged through Violet's room without permission.
Violet's room didn't even have a bookcase.
The only piece of furniture was a small old closet that not even the servants wanted.
From that cabinet, Marigold took out a thin metal panel.
—Why do you take out the practice magic circuit panel?
We only use it in the first or second year of the knight academy.
The magic circuit panel was a thin panel made of iron mixed with a magic stone.
It had an intricate circuit of magic inside it.
When the magic user injected magic into it, the circuit changed color or created a certain shape.
And if the user injected the magic more precisely, they could create an image.
In short, it was like embroidering with magic.
The knights who trained with aura, the spirits, the healers and the magicians.
Everyone had to be able to control magic precisely.
That's why they practiced creating detailed images with magic circuits.
"Well, it's because those of us in the special magic academy have to do this as homework until we graduate," Marigold said, with a charming expression.
—I had a great idea, sister.
Isn't drawing with magic circuits your specialty?
People said that the useless Violet had been accepted into the academy because of her father's money.
But in reality it was not like that.
In addition to the fencing tests, Violet had instantly created a work of art with the magic circuit in the talent test.
Therefore, the admissions examiners at that time had praised her, saying that she would become a talented knight.
That's why it was a big surprise to them when they realized their useless constitution.
—…If I remember correctly, last year I also did your homework for you.
I know that this magic circuit, which is a holiday assignment and the first assignment of the semester, has a great impact on the exam grades.
—Yes, you remember that.
Ho, ho, the rose-shaped flower you made gave me a very good grade.
—…
"So, you'll help me again, right, sister?"
He had forgotten that Marigold asked him to do her homework every year.
Violet laughed.
—Then I will help you, literally.
Do what you can and bring it to me.
It doesn't seem right to me that I do it from the beginning.
—…
—That's cheating.
Marigold's face completely collapsed.
—What's wrong with you today?
What would dad say if he saw me doing this?
He has always taught me with love!
At that moment, Violet's pure anger towards Marigold increased.
At the same time, a strange thought came to mind.
How would Ash react to this absurd situation?
And an idea occurred to him.
…To be continued