—Why are you looking at me like that?
Violet asked, feeling a strange tension.
—It's the first time I've seen you with a color like that.
-…Oh really?
Students of the cavalry faculty rarely dressed extravagantly.
Since they always sweated during training, they usually wore the same shirt.
—You have become very beautiful.
Ash walked over and looked at Violet's face.
Violet looked away.
It was another strange phenomenon.
A feeling that your blood was flowing faster and your heart was pounding.
—Or perhaps, were you always beautiful, Violet Everdeen?
Ash smiled sweetly.
—…Thank you for the compliment.
Uhm, anyway… leaving that aside, the story of the Winter Queen doesn't seem very realistic to me.
—Does it seem like a waste of time to you?
—The plan is good.
But...
I think that revealing the truth at the dance will be enough.
Violet had already prepared a little revenge related to Marigold.
Maybe on the first day of the semester, Marigold would get into big trouble.
She could even be expelled from the academy.
Maybe she'll even lose the right to be the Winter Queen.
In the end, the Winter Queen decides on reputation.
Violet thought.
On the other hand, Marigold would attend the crown prince's ball with all her tenacity.
That was the reason why Violet had decided to make the revelation that day.
—If that's what you think.
You don't have to do it if you don't want to.
—Thank you, Ash.
"So, you're going to the crown prince's ball?"
-Clear.
—Come here, Violet.
Ash waved his hand at him.
As she walked through Ash's large house in shoes she wasn't used to, Violet had a strange feeling.
She felt like an upper-class young woman in a novel.
Ash led Violet to the second floor balcony.
On the balcony there was a table with a white tablecloth and a couple of chairs.
And on the table, there was a small box and a vase with a rose.
With a light movement, Ash took the stem of the rose, from which he had removed the thorns, and handed it to Violet.
—Violet Everdeen, do you want to go to the dance with me?
Only then did Violet remember the imperial etiquette.
Before going to an important dance, the man used to ask the woman out on a date.
For example, to see the festival.
Afterwards, he would give her a small gift such as flowers, candy or chocolates, and invite her to the dance.
He had never imagined that he would receive such a formal invitation.
—It wasn't necessary that much.
But… it makes me happy, Ash.
Violet replied.
He took the rose and examined it.
She was very beautiful.
"It should make you happy." Open the envelope that is on the table.
Violet opened the envelope Ash had given her.
—How did you know this?
It was a short note, with information about Bluideen.
Bluideen's family was rich and powerful.
But his father, Marlon Camberlain, was extremely stingy.
Therefore, he did not allow Bluideen any luxury.
However, the fool Bluideen had gone to the black market to buy cheap jewelry to gain Marigold's favor.
As it turns out, it was a scam.
Bluideen had purchased fake jewelry at an inflated price.
But Bluideen couldn't even report it.
If he did, his father, the leader of the Imperial Knights, would find out immediately.
—I told you, you can't give just one gift.
There is no gift sweeter than the weakness of others.
—Yes, but I also like chocolate.
—I imagined it.
Ash said.
Under the envelope was a small box.
Violet opened it.
There were several beautiful chocolates inside.
Godfrey always told her that a bastard was someone who had to atone for her sins just by being born, and that sweets corrupted the soul, so Violet should not eat luxurious foods.
He remembered that when she was eight years old, Marigold received a box of chocolates for dessert.
He remembered seeing her happily eating them at that moment, swallowing hard.
But the chocolates he had just received were just for Violet.
—They are very beautiful and look delicious.
—Try them now.
Violet popped a chocolate in her mouth.
A small smile bloomed on his face.
"Ash?"
Suddenly, he felt Ash's gaze.
—No, it's nothing.
Ash said quietly.
Violet suddenly looked at Ash.
—I think I've been very lucky lately.
I have never been so lucky in my life.
-Oh really?
—Yes, I live with my uncle now and I met someone like you, Ash.
I guess my long-ago prayers finally worked.
When I was very little, I once prayed for a friend to be given to me.
Marin was a little strange, but she didn't seem like a bad person.
Given how nice they were to her, Violet was sure they were her friends.
Violet thought Ash would smile sweetly back at her, as usual.
But this time, Ash didn't smile.
He looked her in the eyes and said:
—Are we friends?
—Eh, aren't we?
Ash shook his head.
—For now, let's say yes.
—Sometimes, Ash… your way of speaking is very difficult.
—Enough, let's talk about Bluideen.
What do you think of that guy?
Violet thought about it for a moment.
—I hate him and I detest him.
It's like a cockroach.
What he had just said seemed to please Ash.
Ash smiled, as if he found it funny.
—And what else can you think of?
—Unlike the other members of my family, who make me feel pain, hatred and resentment, my anger towards Bluideen causes me a little shame.
It was, to be precise, shame towards herself.
There was a time when he admired Bluideen.
For a bastard girl with nothing, Bluideen seemed pretty cool.
But it didn't take long for that fantasy to be shattered.
—Bluideen likes Marigold.
She told me she wishes I was like her.
The fact that I liked a guy like that, even for a moment...
embarrasses me.
—How pathetic.
—Yes, it's pathetic.
—So, are we going to witness that pathetic shame?
—…Do you have any good ideas?
—There is no need to think.
The pathetic live off their pride, so when their pride is shattered, they die or become useless.
—Pride, that word is too much for Bluideen.
—So, let's call it arrogance.
That was much better.
But there was something strange.
Ash seemed like a person for whom everything was easy.
However, in the matter of Bluideen, he became a little childish, like a boy his age.
Oh, maybe Ash also hates insufferable guys like Bluideen.
Violet understood.
—And one more thing, Violet.
It would be nice if you became friends with Marin.
You will need their help to give Bluideen a word.
Ash said softly.
It was getting harder and harder to understand.
—What does Marin like?
To be her friend, I have to know her, right?
-Nothing.
Just speak honestly and sweetly, like you normally do.
That's enough.
Ash said softly.
…To be continued