Episode 16
While Marin was busy working with fabric, the doorbell rang.
“Is that Ash?”
She looked out the window. Ash was coming in, carefully covering someone with his coat.
“He picked something up again.”
Last time, he brought home a puppy.
“Ash?”
Marin quickly walked downstairs. Ash looked at her while taking off his coat.
“Where are the others?”
The other subordinates were at a different “house.” Marin glanced at the girl Ash brought in.
‘I knew it—it’s Violet Everdeen.’
Marin kept her face calm and replied to Ash.
“The others… well, they’re wherever they need to be. The servants went out to watch the festival.”
Violet glanced at Marin and quickly looked away. That shy behavior made Marin like her even less.
After all, Violet Everdeen didn’t have a good reputation—people said she was gloomy, awkward, and had no talent.
‘Seriously? I thought he went out to find a ball partner or something. What would Madam say if she found out Ash is hanging around with a girl like her? I’m supposed to manage things well for him.’
Marin glared at Violet even more.
“Show respect to my guest. That look on your face is out of line.”
Ash spoke sharply.
Only then did Marin change her expression.
“…Yes.”
“Go prepare some tea.”
Marin pouted a little.
She was planning to bring refreshments anyway. She wasn’t going to be rude to someone who looked that pale.
She just wanted to act territorial and a little mean.
“Ash, we don’t need tea,” Violet said, flustered.
“Just drink it,” Ash replied. “My time is precious. You humans waste too much of it hesitating and refusing. If you’re going to drink it anyway, just do it.”
Marin turned away.
“Violet, this way.”
Ash naturally placed his hand on Violet’s back and led her to the dining room.
‘Now that I look at her… her face is actually kind of cute. Hmph. Still not good enough. Our master doesn’t even have enough room beside him for truly talented people!’
Marin made a firm decision again.
‘Even if she’s just his friend or whatever, I won’t make it easy for her. I’m not someone you can win over that easily. Think I’ll just let this go? Ha!’
Marin filled a tray with food while thinking that.
30 minutes later…
“Hic… Huu… How could a real father do that? A monster in human skin?! That’s insane! Even if she’s illegitimate, she’s still his child! Poor Violet…”
Marin was wiping away her tears over and over again.
What happened was simple: Ash and Violet had sat at the table. Violet barely touched the refreshments and sipped her tea. Then she quietly said:
“Ash, I have a favor to ask.”
Ash said before even hearing it:
“If you tell me the honest truth, I’ll consider it.”
So Violet thought for a moment… and then started sharing her story.
The one most shocked by Violet’s secret about her birth was Marin.
“You suddenly seem to like Violet now, Marin.”
Ash clicked his tongue, amused.
“Well, how can I not?! I don’t know which noble family her mom was from, but she clearly suffered a lot. Honestly, man or woman, your life can fall apart just by meeting the wrong person.”
Marin was very soft-hearted about things like this, so she had already opened her heart to Violet.
“Come to think of it, remember when I brought home that black dog? You threw a fit at first, but later you couldn’t live without it.”
Ash added.
“You did? You guys raised a dog together?” Violet asked, surprised.
“The dog is at another place now.”
“Oh, did you already find someone to adopt it?”
“No, I mean a different house.”
Ash meant one of his many homes in the capital.
“I see. But this place feels like a boarding house. Is it okay to keep a dog without asking the landlord?”
Violet asked innocently.
Marin paused, unsure how to answer.
This wasn’t a boarding house. It was one of Ash’s properties.
‘But Violet probably thinks Ash is just a genius scholarship student.’
Marin rolled her eyes.
“It’s fine to keep pets here.”
“Who owns the house?”
“Marin. I just rent a room here.”
Ash lied smoothly with a sweet smile. Marin quickly nodded.
“Y-Yeah! It’s my house!”
“Wow. You own a place like this at your age? That’s amazing.”
Violet looked at Marin with pure admiration.
“Marin studies costume history at the Academy’s history department and works at the same time.”
“Yeah, I’m also a professional tailor.”
“That’s so cool. You’re a tailor, a student, and a landlord? Doing three things at once! I can’t believe I didn’t notice how great you are before. Everyone at the Academy should know about you.”
Violet said it without a single hint of flattery.
Marin’s ears perked up. Her shoulders shifted, and she couldn’t hide the smile twitching at her lips.
“I’m not that amazing… Ahem. Want more tea? Anything else to eat?”
“This is more than enough. Thanks.”
Violet replied.
“In any case, it’s awful you had to live in that house. You need to leave as soon as possible.”
Marin added.
“One of my relatives said I can stay with them.”
Violet said.
“Oh, you have a relative who offered to help? That’s great, right Ash?”
“What kind of relative?” Ash asked.
“My uncle. He’s a bit older than my dad and has a reputation for being eccentric. But he gave me one condition.”
Violet calmly explained that her uncle’s condition was for her to “say a few words” to her family.
“That’s kind of weird. Do people usually ask for that?” Marin asked, puzzled.
“If he means well, it’s simple,” Ash said. “He probably wants to make sure you don’t come running back, saying you miss your family. He wants to check your resolve before helping you.”
“How do you know that? That’s exactly what he said!”
Violet looked at Ash in awe.
“That makes sense,” Marin added. “Otherwise, he might be blamed for turning you against your family. Worst case, he could get in legal trouble.”
“…Could my uncle get in legal trouble because of me?”
“You turned 18 recently, right Violet?”
“Yeah.”
“Then you’re an adult. As long as you say it was your choice, it should be fine.”
Ash said casually. Violet looked relieved.
“So, did you say your piece?” Marin asked.
“I told my father what I needed to, but I haven’t properly said anything to Marigold or my stepmother yet. Honestly, I feel like what I told my dad didn’t really count. I didn’t do it well.”
Violet said, licking her lips nervously.
“That’s why, Ash, I have a favor.”
“…Go on.”
Ash sat up straighter, his eyes filled with quiet interest.
“This might sound strange… but could you teach me how to say really mean and sharp things? The kind of words that hurt and stick with you forever.”
“You want me to go yell at your dad for you?”
“No. I want to go say it myself. But every time I try, I get so mad my mind goes blank. I want to be able to say something powerful and clear. But all I’ve done so far isn’t much.”
“Like what?” Marin asked out of curiosity.
“Breaking my fiancé’s nose, collecting evidence of my dad’s secret ledgers, calling him a hypocrite to his face, stopping him from hitting me by twisting his arm, and messing with a homework assignment my sister gave me…”
“…”
“That’s it. Just small stuff like that.”
Violet said, a little embarrassed.
‘You’re doing great.’
Marin thought at that moment.
She was already standing up for herself better than most heroines in stories.
“You’re handling things just fine, Violet Everdeen,” Ash said.
