Chapter 58
People were gathering throughout the capital, chattering about this and that.
“The ill-fated crown prince—Prince Riban’s son has returned.”
“Believe in the Lord God! The people of the Kaizeria city-state are helping us!”
“Protection from the Seven Ultimates!”
The people of the Empire, whose faith had nearly vanished, were now gathering in small groups to pray.
It was a common sight in the capital these days.
On the other hand, there were those who fell overnight.
“Depose the Crown Prince!”
“Hold him accountable for endangering the capital!”
Across from the people praying to the Lord God, a group that looked like students had gathered to protest.
They said Crown Prince Edgar had lost his mind. In any case, public sentiment was so hostile that he would likely be unable to appear publicly for the foreseeable future.
“If they notice you, Miss, it will become troublesome.”
“I know, Olive.”
Violet pulled her hood down further and lowered her head. Fortunately, no one noticed them.
The people praying held Ash’s portrait high in the air.
Seeing that made her feel strange.
“The fact that you’re feeling conflicted right now is proof that your heart is functioning normally. Duke Ravens used you, Miss, and as a result, public sentiment has turned out like this.”
Olive said to Violet.
“……Earlier too, but Olive—are counseling sessions part of a butler’s duties as well?”
“It is my duty as a butler to care for the minds and bodies of family members so that they remain in optimal condition.”
“Ah, of course.”
Violet nodded in understanding.
By now, my message should have reached him. What is Ash doing?
Violet thought.
Everything Ash had done for her—was it all intentional?
Did he know all along that Marigold was having an affair with the Crown Prince?
Perhaps even the fact that the Crown Prince was captivated by the Seal of Lust—was that, too, a stage Ash had prepared?
Where did the pretense end, and where did the truth begin?
Still, there are parts I’m grateful for—am I right to doubt Ash completely?
Unresolved relationships and emotions always weighed on the mind.
She just wanted to see him. Whether out of anger, resentment, or simply because she wanted to—she wanted to see him.
“In any case, Sir Cyril is not someone who would neglect a family member’s worries. No matter how many times you seek counsel, he won’t get angry. Of course, neither will I.”
Before she knew it, spring was approaching. The sunlight was dazzling.
Hesitating, Violet asked,
“What if… I don’t hate Ash even a little? Does that mean I’m foolish? Uncle Cyril said it too—that there were parts where Ash used me.”
“No. That simply means you are that kind of person. One might also call it being generous.”
“Then what if Ash has done so much for me, but I’m not grateful for any of it and I absolutely hate him?”
“That, too, is just as it is. You don’t need to make excuses to yourself about what kind of person you are. Your feelings belong to you alone, Miss.”
“……Olive, you’re not just a simple martial arts instructor. You’re a wonderful adult with so much to learn from.”
Olive looked at Violet for a moment.
“If it were someone else, I wouldn’t have said such things.”
“……Why?”
“You make people generous. You are a family member worth taking care of.”
Violet felt her heart grow a little warmer.
That night, as Violet changed into her nightclothes, she recalled Pola’s pathetic appearance.
The refreshing sense of liberation still lingered in her heart.
Ash said it, didn’t he—that only after saying a word to each family member would I find my true self.
He had clearly said he would make her anew. Those words felt almost magical.
Focusing on the turmoil in her heart, Violet slowly lay down on the bed. By the time she fell asleep, her mind had grown calm.
I guess I’m not the type to agonize over things for long.
Wasn’t that fortunate? If one lived their entire life lost in worries, they might end up becoming a once-in-a-generation villainess. Living brightly and simply seemed nice.
That way, she could become a better person.
Ash owned three residences in the capital.
The first was a two-story house with a blue roof, where Ash’s close friends, such as Marin, lived.
The second was a quiet mansion on Latier Street, an inheritance from his deceased father.
The third was a place called the Bluehill Estate, owned by the Grand Temple of the capital and located in the city center.
In spring, the branches at the Bluehill Estate drooped beneath the blue roof, creating a magnificent sight.
The estate, prepared solely for distinguished guests, was exceedingly beautiful.
Ash was sitting on a chair placed on the terrace of the Bluehill Estate, reading documents.
“A letter has arrived from Miss Violet.”
Soon, Gran entered and handed him a single letter.
“Did you read what it says?”
“How could I dare read Miss Violet’s letter?”
“Wasn’t it ‘Lady Violet’ before?”
“When circumstances change, forms of address change as well.”
Gran shrugged and smiled. Only then did Ash lift his head to look at him.
After spending days busy with countless matters, Ash hadn’t had a moment to sleep through the night.
Ash slowly opened the letter.
“So what circumstances have changed?”
“Are you going to propose?”
At Gran’s sudden question, Ash’s hand holding the letter paused. The expression disappeared from his face, then a smile emerged.
“Did Marin say that? Is she desperate to make Violet’s wedding dress or something?”
“Everyone in the world, really. To put it extremely, it’s an atmosphere where the whole world is saying, ‘Just date already.’ A beautiful young woman and a beautiful young man who saved the nation—it would be strange if that combination didn’t thrive.”
“So you’re foolishly getting swept up in the chatter of the masses and letting your tongue run loose toward your master?”
Ash’s eyes sharpened. Gran rolled his eyes and replied,
“No, it’s because I know my lord. That young lady is the kind of bride any powerful person would desire. She’ll likely become a Sword Master, and on a human level, she possesses tremendous charm.”
“I am not a beast that can be grafted onto just anyone. If I followed anyone who seemed acceptable and proposed, that wouldn’t be a person—it would be a beast.”
Ash thought. But if I were a beast, would that make Violet Everdeen a beast as well?
Not a beast, but a spiritual creature. Like a small, pretty puppy. Yet with eyes that are very firm and strong…
Ash stopped his thoughts. Lately, he found himself falling into unnecessary musings.
After reading the letter, a smile settled on Ash’s lips.
“She says she sent a notice of annulment to Bludin. Now she officially has no fiancé.”
Though it was hardly any different from before.
“You succeeded in the push and pull.”
“……Do you think your lord is dating that woman?”
“You lavished so much attention on her and treated her well, then suddenly cut off contact—it could certainly look that way.”
A cruel, sharp smile etched itself onto Ash’s lips as he rested his chin on his hand and looked at Gran.
“Violet became famous through this incident, but she swallowed both the flower and the poison.”
“The flower being fame, and the poison being getting marked by the imperial family, correct? Yes. The imperial family will remember Miss Violet.”
“Unless she lives as quietly as if dead, her life will become difficult from now on. The imperial family is petty and persistent.”
Gran nodded as if he understood everything.
“Which is why Violet has no choice but to rely on me from now on. The easiest way to make her mine is to simply leave her alone.”
Then Violet would act first.
Whether she approached him—or ran away. If she tried to flee, he would follow and tend to her heart.
If she took even a single step toward him, that would be best of all. He would propose. He would make her his wife.
