Episode 14
Because she had been busy the night before, Violet woke up later than usual.
After waking up, she sneaked into the servant’s bathroom to wash up and get ready to go out.
When she came down to the first-floor hall, she saw Siegfried talking with her stepmother.
He had said he was working all night at the office, but it looked like he came home early in the morning.
Violet silently looked at Siegfried.
His brows furrowed.
“You’re just as lazy as your lowly real mother. Marigold already had breakfast and went out for a walk.”
At those words, Violet’s eyes turned cold.
‘Don’t be ridiculous. My real mother was from a noble family. How dare someone like you insult her?’
Just then—
“Daddy!”
Marigold came running up happily.
As soon as Siegfried saw her, his face softened and his eyes were filled with affection.
“My pretty daughter, did you have a good walk?”
“Yes! The flowers bloomed so nicely. I picked some to decorate your study.”
“You’re so sweet and beautiful. You’ll be well loved when you get married someday.”
“Even today, during the festival, I keep getting letters from noblemen asking to watch the festival with me.”
Polah, who had been cranky earlier, was now smiling proudly.
“Festival? What festival?”
“You know. Watching the festival in public is one of the rare chances unmarried men and women can openly meet in society. It’s almost like the countdown to a proposal.”
“I see.”
“I mean, the letters I got are nothing new. They’re from people I’ve always known. But the letter Violet got is much more surprising. Don’t you remember us talking about it during breakfast?”
Marigold said this innocently.
Just hearing Violet’s name made Siegfried’s face fill with disgust again.
“Right. What kind of attitude have you been walking around with? I heard you got a letter from some amazing man again.”
He shook his head like he was disappointed.
“You must have heard from Marigold about the letter I received.”
Violet said calmly.
She hadn’t planned to accept the invitation anyway.
But seeing how much Marigold was fussing over Ash’s attention made Violet change her mind a bit.
“Hmph. Listening to both of you, I realize I’ve been far too generous.”
“Generous? You were generous to me, Father?”
Violet gave a short laugh.
“Yes! What do you think people would say if a bastard child like you goes out alone with a man, without even a chaperone?”
At that moment, Violet remembered something.
It was a small thing, but meaningful to her.
The big festivals that only happened once or twice a year—she had secretly looked forward to them.
She had no money and no one to go with.
But on that night, the streets would fill with people.
And for a while, she could forget she was an illegitimate daughter and just be herself.
‘I used to be so obedient. I never went out without the family’s permission.’
Siegfried only ever looked at Violet when he was trying to take something away from her.
He clearly knew how much she loved the festival.
“Violet, I won’t allow you to go out and behave foolishly. From this moment on, I forbid you to leave the house.”
Siegfried declared.
“No matter what, how can you stand someone up like that, Dad?”
Marigold’s lips twitched with joy.
“Exactly. Our family has a reputation to keep. Marigold, go in Violet’s place and tell Ash she won’t be coming. Serve him some tea to make up for it.”
Polah added, as if she were helping.
‘I knew it. Marigold, so that’s why you gave up so easily yesterday.’
Violet quietly watched the whole scene unfold.
She was curious how far they’d go with this act.
“Marigold, you’re so thoughtful. It can’t be helped. You’ll have to go instead.”
Siegfried said in an exaggerated voice.
“But Sister might get upset. She yelled at me yesterday like she was afraid I’d steal Ash’s attention.”
“She dared to yell at you?”
Polah clicked her tongue.
“Violet, ask Marigold yourself. You’re lacking, but you’re still my daughter. You should understand what’s right.”
Siegfried lowered his voice and suddenly spoke gently.
‘They’re so predictable.’
Violet thought.
They always insulted and pressured her—
Then pretended to be kind, only to control and brainwash her.
The old Violet would’ve quietly said, ‘Yes, Father. I’ll do as you say.’
But things had changed.
“No.”
“What?”
Siegfried froze, as if he couldn’t believe what he heard.
“I got the letter from Ash. Whether I accept or not, I’ll tell him myself.”
“You dare…!”
His voice trembled with rage.
“And there’s something I want to say. To you, Father. To you, Marigold. And to you, Stepmother.”
Violet said.
“What’s with that rude face? Just like your low-born mother—so arrogant.”
Polah snapped, her eyes fierce.
“Is that so? If I take after my real mother, then I must be acting like a true noble. After all, I’m not the daughter of a barmaid.”
Violet looked right at Polah.
“What nonsense is that!?”
Polah’s face twisted. Her eyes began to shake.
“You thought I’d never find out? About who has class and who doesn’t? About your real identity?”
“H-Honey!”
Polah gasped. The servants waiting nearby began to murmur.
Siegfried had also turned pale.
“This girl has lost her mind. Everyone leave! Go wait in the servant quarters!”
He yelled urgently, and the servants left.
“What did you just say? Say it again.”
Siegfried demanded.
“Well, let’s see. Maybe I said something like—
That your real family is from a ruined noble house?
That you committed fraud back in your hometown?
That all your bragging about being rich from birth is a lie?
Oh, and that your wife wasn’t really a noble’s daughter, but just a barmaid?”
“Are you crazy!?”
Marigold screamed.
“Dad, why is she saying this? Just because she’s jealous of me—how can she make up such things?”
“…”
“Dad?”
“She’s not making it up.”
Violet looked straight at Marigold and said calmly.
“The truth is, you’re the illegitimate child. I’m the legitimate daughter. And I’m the rightful heir to my mother’s property. Isn’t that right, Father?”
Siegfried stayed silent for a long moment.
Polah clenched her trembling hands.
“Do you have proof?”
Siegfried finally said.
“…What?”
“Proof. You don’t have any, do you?”
Violet felt breathless for a moment.
But she didn’t waver.
Twisting the truth and confusing people—that was Siegfried’s specialty. He’d done it to his own business staff too.
“Are you sure I don’t? The world still remembers what happened 18 years ago. Just because it’s been a long time doesn’t mean it didn’t happen. Do you think I can’t go public with this?”
“Why, you…!”
Siegfried’s face twisted.
Marigold had gone pale like a corpse.
“What are you talking about? Mom? Dad? I’m the illegitimate child? No way! I can’t be… like her, right?”
“…”
“Right, Mom? Please say something…”
Marigold’s voice was shaking.
