Episode 8
Violet went back home.
Her family was still away on their trip, and only the empty house greeted her.
“Uncle Cyril is really a strange person. But I don’t hate him.”
Violet quietly looked down at the book Lady Roseneath’s Tale.
“If I disappeared without saying anything to my family, would I feel better?”
The more she thought about it, the more she understood what Cyril had said.
Everything that had happened… learning she wasn’t an illegitimate child… all the humiliation she had endured…
What she needed now was some “seda”.
The next morning, Violet quietly opened her eyes. She went to the kitchen to find food and eat.
Her food supply was running low. She ate the dry bread slowly, trying to make it last.
“They said they’ll be back in about three days, right?”
Knock, knock! Suddenly, someone banged hard on the door.
“Who is it?”
Violet walked to the front door and opened it.
“Young Master Blue Dean wants to see you. Come with me right now.”
Blue Dean, her fiancé, often treated her like she was nothing. So did his servants—like the one standing in front of her with a smug look.
In the past, Violet would’ve followed quietly, feeling intimidated. But not today.
“If he has something to say, tell him to come here himself.”
“Looks like your family’s not home. You’re alone in the house, and even if he’s your fiancé, isn’t it a bit much to invite a man in?”
Today, the servant was being unusually mouthy.
“Well, I have to meet Blue Dean anyway.”
Cyril’s mission had included Blue Dean on the “people to say something to” list.
Blue Dean was the only son of the commander of the Capital Knights. His house was like a fortress, filled with knights.
“So I’m supposed to go there and tell him off?”
Even basic strategy training would say that’s a bad idea.
“I have to go to the academy today for free training. I already booked a room. If it’s that urgent, tell him to come find me there.”
“What the…?”
The servant looked confused. Maybe because Violet was known for being quiet and obedient.
“Instead of saying ‘What,’ shouldn’t you be saying ‘Yes, ma’am’? I heard Blue Dean cares a lot about his reputation. I wonder what he’d say if he heard his servant was gossiping about his fiancée.”
The servant’s face froze.
She did it!
Violet felt a quiet thrill of satisfaction.
Of course, she was going to break off the engagement with Blue Dean, but there was no reason to explain that to this guy.
“I-I think I made a mistake, miss. Please don’t tell the young master…”
Violet calmly shut the door in his face.
“That’s how I should talk to my family too. And to Blue Dean…”
Thanks to Ash’s advice, not quitting the academy right away had one benefit.
Violet had booked a private training room near the end of the break.
The walls of the training room were lined with expensive magic-enhancing stones.
That made it the best place to focus and gather magical power.
Only one or two people could use it at a time, and each session was limited to four hours.
So it was usually very hard to book. But now, most students were away on vacation.
Training Room Schedule
<9 AM – 11 AM: Violet Everdeen>
<11 AM – 1 PM: Ash Defendail>
“Why would a Sword Master need to train?”
Violet frowned as she saw the schedule posted outside the room.
But she quickly shrugged and went in.
She sat down first and began meditating to gather her magical power.
Bang! The door flew open loudly, interrupting her focus.
Violet opened her eyes. Her light blonde hair fluttered in the breeze from the open door.
“Violet.”
The one who walked in with a blank expression was her fiancé, Blue Dean.
“Blue Dean, what is it?”
Violet looked straight into his eyes.
Objectively, Blue Dean was quite handsome—black hair, gray eyes, always leaning against a wall with his arms crossed like he was posing.
As usual, he gave a mocking smirk.
“You ignored me when I called. That’s funny. I won’t even mention how rude you were to my servant.”
Violet forced a smile.
She used to think his cold attitude made him look cool.
Even when he treated her like garbage, there was a time she still wanted to get along with him.
“He’s just a servant.”
“What?”
“A servant is a servant. If he was rude, then it’s only right to respond the same way. That’s not funny—it’s common sense.”
Violet spoke calmly.
Blue Dean shifted his stance and stared at her like she was crazy.
“Are you sick? Or is this just a dramatic act to get my attention?”
The truth was, Blue Dean had failed the knight faculty exam many times.
In the end, his father had to use his connections to get him into the history department instead.
And Violet—who he thought was useless—had been accepted into the academy’s knight faculty. That really got under his skin.
“I don’t care about your attention. Just say what you came here to say, so I can say what I need to say too.”
Violet looked determined.
Blue Dean clicked his tongue and raised his hands.
“Fine. There’s something I need you to do.”
“…What is it?”
“You’ve probably been invited to the Crown Prince’s Winter Queen Ball, right? I heard all nobles currently attending the academy were invited.”
“I haven’t checked the invitation yet, but probably.”
“It’s an official event, so even if I don’t want to, I have to bring my fiancée. That’s you.”
“…So?”
“Just come in with me at the entrance, then go straight to the powder room or the bathroom.”
“And do what there?”
“Don’t be so clueless. Ugh. If I show up at the ball with you, what’ll that do to my reputation?”
“…”
“I want to dance with your younger sister, Marigold. So just hide somewhere during the ball and only come out at the end when we leave together.”
Violet was so shocked, she couldn’t even breathe.
“What a pathetic guy.”
She already knew he was trash, but every encounter still managed to surprise her.
“You’re telling your fiancée to stay hidden so you can dance with her little sister? That’s… wow. That’s some next-level thinking.”
Violet spoke sarcastically.
“You always show up at balls looking like a beggar. At least think about my image.”
“…”
“I’m already pissed off you made me come all the way here. You’d better just say yes and act like a good future wife.”
Violet couldn’t hold back her anger anymore.
She took a step toward Blue Dean.
Crackle, crackle…
“Huh?”
Another vision of the future had started.
In the vision, Violet looked even younger.
About the same as now. She was wearing a white wedding dress.
Blue Dean was looking down at her with an angry, twisted face.
“What did you do with Colvera at the Winter Queen Ball? I heard you two were hugging in an empty room!”
“I told you, he did that on his own…”
“Colvera said you two were dating the whole time you were at the academy. If it weren’t for this damn engagement, I’d never have married you! Why did Father agree to such a deal? Damn it!”
“…”
“You’re never going to see the outside world again!”
Blue Dean violently grabbed Violet’s arm in her wedding dress.
The vision ended.
“So it was about Colvera. And Blue Dean, that bastard…”
Even if he hated her, she was his wife. Not once did he believe her or try to protect her?
Now was the perfect time for the words she had promised Cyril.
Violet stared straight into Blue Dean’s eyes.
“What should I say to him?”
