Chapter 26
“Yes, that’s right. I went all the way to Bonhart Village to look for it. Truly countryside. Fortunately, I managed to take the gates well, so I wrapped things up in just a few days.”
Gran said.
“Bonhart Village… How did you know that’s where the wedding took place?”
“Cyril Cole Everdeen was quite well-known. It was easy to look up information on someone like that. We found Cyril’s hometown and sent High Priest Gran to the provincial temple.”
Brown looked at Violet’s shocked face and spoke in a slightly softer tone.
“It’s too early to be surprised. A man who brings only one present isn’t charming.”
Ash said as Gran handed over a bundle of papers.
“These are oral statements from the village elders who attended the wedding back then. Simply put, testimonies. They swore that there was a wedding and that they attended it as guests.”
“It’s amazing the people of Bonhart Village willingly gave this, and that they still kept it until now.”
Violet said to Gran.
“Consider it proof of your mother’s kindness.”
Ash said.
“…Kindness?”
“They remembered. Even though it was so long ago, they remembered the poor young bride.”
At Ash’s words, Violet nodded. Emotions surged inside her.
As she thought—Cyril hadn’t lied about anything.
“And although Bonhart Village was poor, the villagers had strong faith. When we asked in the name of God, they gladly helped.”
Gran clasped his hands in mock prayer, joking lightly.
The High Priest was a very high-ranking position. If the villagers’ faith was strong, they wouldn’t have been able to refuse his request.
“Ah yes, Gran, you said you’re a High Priest…”
“Yes. And according to our investigation, it seems Lady Violet’s father deceived your birth mother by holding the wedding but not submitting the marriage oath to the authorities afterward.”
He held a ceremony, but never legally registered the marriage.
Violet wasn’t surprised. If it was her father, he absolutely would pull off such a cowardly trick.
Violet first looked at Ash.
“Ash, thank you. And Gran, thank you so much too. Really… thank you, everyone.”
“This marriage oath is important proof that you’re not an illegitimate child. To us, whether someone is legitimate or not is trivial, but for the Empire’s nobles it’s a very serious matter.”
Marin said.
“Marin, honor is important to everyone. Especially when it concerns one’s parents’ honor—people would even kill over it and still feel it’s not enough.”
Ash replied calmly. Marin nodded obediently.
“So, Violet, feeling up to playing the game now?”
Ash smiled slightly at Violet.
“…It’s already fun.”
Violet replied, realizing she had acquired far stronger allies than she expected.
“It’s only going to get more fun. Now—basic hunting rule: you start with the weakest prey, right? Who’s the weakest on your ‘sharp-tongue list’?”
Marin asked.
“Probably Marigold. If not, then Blue Dean.”
Violet answered quietly.
“Hm, from the sound of it they’re both just dumb rich brats. Then Marigold seems easier to start with. Shall we give her a hard time first?”
Gran grinned.
“I heard Marigold is famous. A lady known throughout the capital.”
Marin said.
“Right, Marigold is famous for her beauty. She’s already been in magazines several times…”
Violet replied.
“So what do we do?”
Brown, who had been silently listening, clicked his pen and spoke.
“Think about the situation that would make this greenhouse princess feel the most disgusted, humiliated, and miserable.”
Marin answered instead.
“Preferably staying within legal boundaries. If we’re going to do something illegal—violence, murder—then do it without getting caught. If you get caught, my workload increases.”
Brown said.
“Courts, lawsuits—he loses his mind over those.”
Gran clicked his tongue.
“First rule of hurting someone: base it on what they value most.”
Ash said elegantly.
“What do you mean by ‘what they value’…?”
“The value they place above all else. Take it away, or make them feel inferior through it.”
“Marigold obsesses over beauty, and… upward social status, I think.”
Violet said.
“Doesn’t she already have everything?”
Gran asked.
“Yeah, but apparently it’s still not enough for her.”
“Oh, I love it when the person we’re bullying is shallow. Makes the impact so much better.”
Marin murmured happily.
“So Violet, when do you think Marigold would suffer the most?”
Ash asked, looking into Violet’s eyes despite appearing indifferent.
“Probably when she loses something she desperately wanted.”
“And then?”
“And when the truth is revealed. That I’m not an illegitimate child—and Marigold actually is. Preferably on the day she’s at her most glamorous and happiest.”
If on such a day Marigold were to hear “one word” from Violet…
It would become an unforgettable nightmare.
“Huh…”
Everyone went silent at once. Violet flinched.
“W-what…?”
“Wow, this girl is a bit more ruthless than she looks, huh?”
Gran said.
“Unexpectedly wicked. I like it. You’re my type. Now I actually want to get closer to you.”
Marin said mischievously.
“That’s unfortunate.”
Gran and Brown both looked at Violet with pitying eyes.
“…What’s happening right now…?”
Violet asked nervously.
“If Marin takes a liking to you, you become her human mannequin. We’ve all suffered through it. The only upside is you don’t have to buy clothes.”
Gran said.
“Anyway, I’ve got 25 minutes left.”
Brown absentmindedly clicked his pen again.
“So, tell us. When is this day you’re thinking of?”
Ash asked.
Violet stayed silent for a moment.
“You may not believe it, but Marigold seriously wants to marry into the royal family. So she wants to be chosen as the ‘Winter Queen’ at the Crown Prince’s ball.”
“What’s a Winter Queen?”
Brown frowned.
“A ridiculous royal tradition. They hold a grand ball every year. And in winter, they choose one debutante noble lady as the Queen and have her dance with the male royals. But here’s the interesting part.”
Marin explained.
Ash simply nodded, as if already knowing.
“I’m bored already. Make it interesting.”
Gran said.
“Over generations, many Winter Queens became lovers to young royals. And a lucky few even married them—though those were cases where the woman’s family was already powerful.”
In short, the Winter Queen event was basically a way for the royals to mark who they thought was the most beautiful woman in the capital.
“And this year’s host is the Crown Prince himself.”
Marin continued.
“Isn’t he married? Didn’t he have a political marriage recently? Ugh, why do I even know this kind of stuff…”
Gran said in disgust.
“So Lady Marigold is dreaming of soaring overnight.”
Ash said.
“Now that you say it, you’re right. Seriously? Marigold dreams of becoming the Crown Prince’s mistress?”
“…No. Marigold seriously dreams… of becoming Crown Princess.”
Violet replied, wondering why she felt secondhand embarrassment.
“Wow. Big dreamer, huh?”
“But she might actually pull it off.”
“Why? What makes you think that?”
“My family… they’re basically con artists. And incredibly persistent. They’ll do anything to make Marigold’s dream come true. They might even force the already-married Crown Prince into a divorce.”
Violet said.
“If Marigold’s secret birth is exposed at the ball, her dream of becoming Crown Princess disappears. Your plan is quite a cute idea. Well done.”
Ash said casually.
“…Thanks, Ash.”
Violet, still dazed, couldn’t help feeling a bit happy at the praise.
