“But, Miss Violet, are you sure you want to reveal your family affairs in such a crowded place?”
—…That worries me a little, but I think it will be fine.
It's something I have to do.
Violet nodded.
—Violet, if something goes wrong, your reputation could be damaged.
After all, it's not good to be involved in a commotion.
Marin asked Violet, examining her.
—But if I do, I will be able to break the engagement with Bluideen for real.
Bluideen's father, the leader of the Camberlain Knights, cares deeply about his image.
It's something I also want.
Hearing that, Ash looked at Violet a little longer.
Violet looked him in the eyes.
—Did I say something strange?
Violet cocked her head.
-Interesting.
I think it's okay to make a bigger fuss.
I like the side effects too.
Brown and Gran also had a strange look.
-Good.
The side effects, huh?
Brown said.
—We have to do everything the honorable person wants.
Yes, after all, a woman who has a fiancé would be a problem.
Violet cocked her head at Gran's words.
—What problem?
—Oh, wow.
We are in trouble.
She is a formidable opponent.
Gran said in a carefree voice.
—Everyone, be careful with what you say, with what you do, and behave well, okay?
Isn't it inappropriate to talk about the private lives of others?
Ash said without smiling.
At that, everyone fell silent, which was strange.
Ash, for a moment, sounded like someone very… important.
Violet thought.
—Noisy events like dances are not to my taste, but it seems that the conclusion is made.
Brown adjusted his glasses once.
—Marin, what exactly is that Winter Queen doing?
Ash asked, resting his chin on his hand.
—She dances with the young member of the imperial family who organizes the ball and becomes the main guest.
Afterwards, he has the right to have a personal relationship with the imperial family.
—Can you reject all that?
For example, dancing.
This time, Brown responded instead of Marin.
—Legally, there is enough room for rejection.
Dancing is simply an extension of social conventions and etiquette.
No one can be forced.
-I see.
Ash touched his chin.
"Ash?"
Violet blinked.
At that moment, Marin's eyes widened.
He was clearly expecting something.
What does Marin expect and predict?
Soon, Ash dropped a bombshell, as usual.
—Looks like you're going to have to be the Winter Queen, Violet.
-…That?
—We said we would take the most precious thing from Marigold.
The most precious thing she hopes to have in the future is the position of Winter Queen, right?
—Yes, but…
Marin looked so happy she looked like she was going to jump.
—I'm going to design the Winter Queen's dress!
This is great!
Now, there's no time to waste, come on, Violet.
We don't have enough time to refine you!
Had these people set aside the position of Winter Queen somewhere?
Violet's confusion only grew.
—Wait, I still have something to say.
—Please, I beg you!
Let me fix you!
Marin even put on a pitiful expression.
Violet was weak towards small and fragile things.
And Marin seemed quite fragile at that moment.
—Then, we're leaving.
—I'm going to go to work.
Gran and Brown left in a hurry.
Ash had gotten up from his seat and was looking at Violet with an amused expression.
—He's asking you, Violet.
Marin is quite persistent.
—…
"I'll see you in a bit, Violet."
Ash said with a cute smile.
I feel like a vixen is putting a spell on me.
Violet thought as she was dragged by Marin's hand.
──── ∗ ⋅◈⋅ ∗ ────
—Beautiful blue eyes like the autumn sky.
Hmm, it's not an ordinary blue.
They make you want to fix them.
A flower wet from the rain, a sad plant.
No, a willow on the shore of a lake that hides infinite charm in a deep forest.
Yes, that's it.
The image has emerged.
I don't know why I didn't notice it at first.
Behind the small chair, there was a screen that divided the room in half.
Marin pushed Violet behind the screen and insisted she change her clothes.
Violet, wearing only a robe and a thin underdress, sat on the chair.
Marin, who was examining her face back and forth, quickly fixed Violet's eyebrows.
Then, she began curling her eyelashes with a small heated brush.
—Marin, what are you doing?
—We have to start with the face.
Then I'll finish all the way to the tip of my toes.
I will fix you from head to toe.
—Marin, what is your true identity?
—I'm just someone who is obsessed with beauty.
My favorite thing is to polish rough gems until they are beautiful.
Marin said while humming.
With one hand, she was painting Violet's lips with a transparent lipstick.
It's no use for you to so proudly reveal that you're a lunatic!
—Oh, your skin looks better on platinum than gold, eh?
The diamond also looks good on you.
All these people were missing something important.
—Marin, the Winter Queen is chosen by vote!
Those attending the dance vote with flowers.
—Isn't it a childish but fun method?
A dance where many people are dressed to the nines.
And a young woman in my dress who shines brighter than anyone else.
Just when he let his guard down, the conversation with Marin went off the rails.
—You know my reputation well.
People are not going to vote for me.
I don't want to be humiliated.
I don't want to make a fool of myself either.
Marigold was already a beauty known throughout the capital.
Furthermore, she was an elementalist, something very rare.
His image constantly appeared in magazines and newspapers.
—Ash suggested the position of Winter Queen to you, right?
Marin looked at Violet, as if she didn't understand.
-…AND?
—If Ash said it, it's going to be you.
If it doesn't happen, something is wrong, something is not right.
At this moment, Violet saw Marin's look.
It was the look of someone who was almost in a cult.
Who is Ash that the people around him follow him in this fanatical way?
The more she got to know him, the stranger Ash's world seemed to her.
—There is no limit to revenge.
How do you think Marigold would feel if you stole her position as Winter Queen?
Violet remembered Marigold the day she left the house, her eyes full of mischief, asking her about the inheritance.
"He would probably be very angry." She would see me differently and feel so humiliated that she would never forget it for the rest of her life.
"Then you'd give him the worst day of his life."
Marin said while humming.
Violet almost lets herself be convinced.
—I want to talk to Ash.
—First change your clothes.
I tried so hard to make this, couldn't you wear it just once?
She put on the new dress, did her hair and makeup.
—Look in the mirror.
Don't you look beautiful?
Marin said confidently.
He then walked out, saying he would call Ash.
Violet stood in front of the full-length mirror.
She was wearing a white dress with daisy embroidery all over it.
It had no sleeves, and the neckline was square.
The skirt fell in a straight line, accentuating the waist.
Wow, the dress is beautiful.
It's also cute...
The awkward situation had not paralyzed his sense of aesthetics.
At that moment, Ash's voice was heard from behind the screen.
—Violet, do you miss me already?
—I'm leaving.
When Marin left, she had taken Violet's shoes without permission.
The only thing in front of her was a high-heeled mule, made of soft silk and looking very expensive.
Violet had small feet.
He carefully put on the mule, pushed the screen and left.
Ash was standing in the doorway, his hand resting on the frame.
At that moment, their eyes met.
The curtains in the room were drawn, and caramel-colored sunlight filtered through the cracks.
…To be continued