—I had forgotten…
Now that Marigold was in this state...
Violet had become the only candidate for the dance.
Suddenly, Violet had become the Winter Queen, the greatest beauty in the capital.
I want to escape!
But Ash had told him to meet in the ballroom.
Violet reluctantly entered the room.
"Where is Marigold Everdeen?"
—Did only the older sister come?
Didn't the younger sister come?
People began to murmur.
But they soon realized that Marigold was missing.
Violet looked for Ash carefully.
But I didn't see it.
Soon, the crown prince, Edgar, appeared among the people.
He had entered through the door opposite Violet's, so they were separated.
From afar, he saw her and murmured something.
At the end of the stage, there were two beautiful stone bowls.
Inside were the paper flowers that people had voted for, along with the names of the two candidates.
At first glance, the amount seemed to be the same.
The crown prince's subordinates approached Marigold's bowl and removed it.
Then, the murmurs of the people increased.
And one of the crown prince's subordinates shouted loudly:
—This year's Winter Queen is Violet Everdeen!
The people's gazes slowly and orderly turned to Violet.
"I gave my flower to you, Violet Everdeen." I voted for you.
—Congratulations on becoming Winter Queen!
—She really is beautiful.
Marin had said it clearly.
If the Winter Queen was some kind of clown, then let her be the one to win.
Violet thought as she looked at the anonymous people who greeted her happily:
If I win, it just gives me chills.
Violet could barely contain her displeased expression and just waved with her eyes.
—Violet Averdeen, is it true that you are the possessor of the talent that even the prophet recognized?
—Do you remember me?
We worked on a task together once.
TRUE?
People kept coming to her.
There were a few familiar faces, but most were people I had never met.
—I always thought you were pretty.
Today you look really beautiful.
Haven't I offended you before?
This was said by one of Marigold's followers, whom she only knew by name.
How can people's attitudes change so quickly?
She had spent her life seeking praise and recognition from others, but now that she had it, she felt...
empty and strange.
At that moment, Violet felt an intense gaze on her.
It was chilling.
The crown prince, Edgar, had been eyeing her maliciously for some time now.
—Winter Queen, come closer.
Why didn't I know before about the existence of such a beautiful young woman around me?
Edgar gladly approached and extended his hand to Violet.
The people who led the way looked at them askance, but then immersed themselves in their own conversations.
The party had just started.
Violet looked at Edgar, who was standing under the party lights.
I was stunned.
Even Violet, who was oblivious to this, could notice it.
She'd be an idiot if she didn't realize he was hitting on her.
—Do you know me?
Violet asked without smiling.
—Of course, I know you well.
The famous beauty…
He was about to say Marigold's name, but he turned pale and changed the subject.
—I knew from rumors that the sisters of the Everdeen family are beauties.
And besides, you're the girl from the prophecy!
—Rumors fly fast.
Only a few days ago he had gained 'reputation', and now even royalty knew his name.
Violet had said it sarcastically, but the crown prince was still smiling.
—Well, of course.
Now everything will change.
You will be known as the greatest beauty in the capital who danced with me… It will be recorded forever.
—That remains to be seen.
Dance with who?
Violet was already disgusted by talking to the crown prince.
That the prince rejected her?
He wasn't afraid.
When he stopped worrying, he felt better.
For a life that had already decided to ruin its reputation, what did royalty matter?
—Oh, I see that you are more haughty than I thought when you spoke.
This kind of young man is also fine.
I like it a lot…
Edgar looked at Violet as if she was drooling.
Leaving aside the fact that I don't like the crown prince, there is something...
strange about him.
Is he flirting with me like he's completely forgotten what happened with Marigold just now?
Violet decided to question him some more.
—It seems like he has a favorite type of woman.
—Of course yes.
A powerful man like me likes things that are exciting and special.
—When you say exciting, do you mean things that are scary?
For example, someone's death, solemn things, secrets, that kind of thing.
Edgar's smile disappeared from his face.
He took a step towards Violet.
—It seems that the young woman knows what she is talking about.
—Other examples are the death of a saint, a coffin, a funeral.
That's all interesting, right?
And sometimes it can be described as 'exciting'.
Sometimes it can make a person's heart beat very fast.
It was the first time Violet had tried to get information out of someone.
But it was easier than he thought.
Edgar's gaze was blurry and he smiled at whatever she said.
At first I thought he was just a womanizer, but is he on drugs?
He seems possessed by something.
Edgar approached Violet and whispered in her ear.
—Now that I see it, you seem to have similar taste to me.
We'll get along well.
…Get along?
If I hadn't been born with the privilege of being the crown prince, I would have punched you by now.
Violet thought.
But soon his eyes widened.
Edgar approached him and whispered in his ear:
—Saint Carita's coffin is kept in the basement of this records room.
Behind a small library after this room.
I left the hidden door open.
It's an easy place to find.
-…I see.
She was grateful for the information, but she was finding it increasingly difficult to maintain her composure.
—See you there after our first dance.
Because Edgar made a fatal expression and winked at Violet secretly.
—Oh, really, how annoying...
Violet instinctively took a step back.
Edgar, who interpreted that attitude in some way, smiled widely and looked at the orchestra.
The orchestra began to play slowly.
—Winter Queen, Violet Everdeen.
Would you grant me this first dance?
Edgar said politely, with a hand on his chest.
Small applause was heard among the people.
Violet could no longer contain her disgusted expression.
—I'm sorry, but I have to reject it.
-…Hey?
Edgar had an expression of disbelief.
The people around him too.
"Don't you think the Winter Queen also has someone she wants to have the first dance with?" My first dance today is already booked.
The corners of Edgar's eyes rose.
—The first dance with the Winter Queen is the exclusive right of royalty.
—I know, but I also have the right to refuse a dance.
Violet said.
For a moment, the place was silent.
The orchestra's music also stopped.
A savage fury spread across Edgar's face.
But the atmosphere changed a little.
People were murmuring in low voices, looking at someone else instead of Edgar.
…To be continued