—Ash, at first you advised me to become the Winter Queen.
Do you still think the same?
—Remember Marin.
How did he treat you at first?
—…He acted like he didn't like it.
But then he suddenly said that I was more to his taste than I thought and wanted to dress me.
—What moves people is the story behind it.
Silly, foolish Marin, who had only heard bad things about you at first, judged you based on what she had been told.
—But then I told my story to Marin…
—A regrettable story is a special packaging.
It only took one cup of tea for Marin to judge you again.
—…
—How long do you think it will take for the public to see you differently?
It was time for handsome man hypnosis again.
The problem was that it always felt sweet and plausible.
But this time, Violet wasn't going to make a decision because of Ash's enchantment.
She had to decide for herself.
—If I become the Winter Queen, what do you gain, Ash?
—It's fun.
I like chaos and I enjoy ruining lives.
Another lie.
But Ash had some hidden agenda.
I knew it instinctively.
According to the vision of the future, in the future where Marigold becomes the Winter Queen, a great catastrophe occurs.
In that case, it would be good for that future to be diverted.
—There is only one thing that separates you from Marigold: reputation.
I want to change your reputation completely.
And there is also something else.
—…
—If you become the Winter Queen, you will have the opportunity to speak in front of influential people.
Thank you speeches, boring stuff like that.
The secret of his birth.
And the fact that he had done the academy work for Marigold.
—Anything that is announced at a public and ostentatious event gains credibility, Violet.
Violet didn't want Marigold to be happy for even a second.
He longed for the moment to be his worst nightmare, the moment to say something.
Because in the future, you will blame me for something, Marigold.
Violet looked into Ash's eyes.
—I don't want to give the position of Winter Queen to Marigold.
If necessary, I will make a fool of myself.
Violet added:
—And I also sincerely detest the crown prince.
Doing something so ugly in the temple...
Although he had only seen a glimpse of the future, he had a strange aversion towards the crown prince.
-I agree.
I like your words more and more.
Ash said softly.
At this moment, a knock was heard on the door.
—Is anyone coming today?
—The last person we will see today.
Ash motioned for Violet to sit down and walked out to open the door.
Behind the door, there was a woman with a tall and straight nose, accompanied by an entourage.
His olive, sun-tanned skin looked quite healthy and attractive.
That person…isn't she the crown princess?
Violet thought.
I had definitely seen it in the newspaper.
—This is the first time I have the honor of seeing you in person, Your Highness.
"Sit down," Ash said, greeting her politely.
The crown princess raised her eyebrows.
He didn't seem to be in a good mood.
It was to be expected.
If what Ash had told her was true, she had just found out about her husband's infidelity.
Those women who entered the room earlier were those close to the crown princess.
She was going to get up, but the crown princess sat up faster.
She put her hands on the table.
And he opened his mouth to speak quickly.
She seemed very angry, stamping her feet on the ground and shouting expletives at the top of her lungs.
It's another language.
The common language of the continent of Kaol, where the Empire was located, was the imperial language.
But people from other continents had their own common language.
At this moment, Ash said a few words in the foreign language kindly.
It seemed like he was telling her to calm down.
—Crown prince, bastard.
“Marigold, I just learned the name, but she is a bastard bitch,” Huria said in the imperial language.
Their imperial language was much clumsier than it appeared.
—He says he thanks you for informing him about the crown prince's infidelity and who the other person is.
“Understood,” Ash replied.
-And you?
The crown princess looked at Violet this time.
—My name is Violet Everdeen, Your Highness.
—Everdeen?
His face was instantly ruined.
It was the same last name as Marigold.
—I'm Marigold's older sister.
But I hate her more than anyone.
I also hate infidelity.
He seemed to understand her even though she didn't speak well.
She moved her eyes and said:
—I remember, young master and young lady.
I'm Huria.
I am in debt.
What do you want?
—His Highness Huria.
Violet nodded in affirmation.
Young lady, what an undeserved title.
Although he thought the young master one was obvious.
—If you are aware of your gratitude, there is something you can help us with immediately.
Ash approached and whispered a few words in her ear.
Huria seemed to understand what Ash was saying without difficulty.
Immediately, a smile of interest appeared on his lips.
──── ∗ ⋅◈⋅ ∗ ────
—Ash, a day with you seems like a year.
Violet, who was riding the carriage back home, was already completely exhausted.
I would rather fight dozens of people.
But she wasn't used to meeting new people and discovering shocking secrets.
Ash, as always, smiled enigmatically.
—Don't you think it will be more fun from now on?
—It's not fun at all, it's an excess of stimuli.
In my life, the only stimuli have been the sweets I eat when I'm lucky and Seda's novels.
She resented having lived as a sinner, while her only sister had an affair with the crown prince.
—Think that this is the moment you were waiting for for a new life.
—Thinking about it like that, it's not that bad.
Anyway, I didn't think that Her Highness, the Crown Princess, would meet with me so easily just because we informed her about the infidelity.
—The country of Huria greatly reveres the strong.
—Did they contact you from their native country?
-Before.
I met her in the process of recruiting me and shortly after she became the crown princess.
Of course, if you are a sword master, it is easy to come into contact with high-ranking people.
The carriage stopped.
They were already in front of his house.
“Today is the day my uncle returns,” Violet said without thinking.
—Even better.
Then go and ask your uncle for permission.
-…So that?
—To ask him if he's okay with you becoming famous.
Oh, and…
—…
—To ask him if he's okay with you having a social boyfriend.
Violet knew that wasn't what he meant.
But Ash expressed himself in a way that could be misinterpreted.
—You mean a fake boyfriend, right?
—It depends on how you interpret it.
-Alright.
I will explain it well.
I think he's pretty open about those matters, so he'll be fine.
Anyway, strict homeschooling is something only noble families do.
—An open person?
It seems to me that you are wrong.
—My uncle is too busy to worry about my private life.
Although we live in the same house, I have almost never seen him.
—There are eyes everywhere, you shouldn't talk like that.
-…That?
—Goodbye, Violet.
See you tomorrow.
Ash reached out to Violet's side and gently opened the carriage door.
──── ∗ ⋅◈⋅ ∗ ────
—Welcome, miss.
Mr.
Cyril will be back soon, so change and get ready for dinner.
Olive opened the door for him as usual.
Violet greeted her and headed to her room.
He put on everyday clothes and looked out the window.
Cyril's carriage was approaching.
I like my uncle Cyril, but I don't know him well yet.
It was hard to feel comfortable with a guy she had known as an adult.
Violet made a point to talk to him today and went downstairs.
—Uncle, welcome home.
Cyril seemed a little tired after his long journey.
He wore a leather cape over his broad shoulders and a very small silver earring in his ear.
Won't my uncle sometimes be mistaken for a handsome street bum?
Violet suddenly thought.
…To be continued