Chapter 27
“But is it really okay to expose Miss Violet’s family matters in such a crowded place?”
“…That part worries me a little, but I think it’ll be fine. It’s something that needs to be done anyway.”
Violet nodded.
“Violet, if things go wrong, your reputation could suffer too. Being involved in a scandal never leads to anything good.”
Marine looked at Violet with concern and asked.
“But if we do this, you’ll be able to break off your engagement with Bluedean cleanly. And Bluedean’s father, Captain Camelain of the Knights, cares a great deal about his reputation. That’s something we can use.”
At those words, Ash looked at Violet for a bit longer.
Violet met Ash’s gaze.
“Did I say something weird?”
Violet tilted her head.
“Interesting. I think it’ll be fine even if things get big. I like the side effects too.”
Brown and Gran also had curious expressions.
“Side effects, huh. I like that.”
Brown said.
“If a noble lady wishes it, we have to make it happen. Besides, it’ll definitely be troublesome if a woman with a fiancé gets involved.”
At Gran’s words, Violet tilted her head again.
“Why would it be troublesome?”
“Wow, this is serious. She’s a formidable opponent.”
Gran said calmly.
“Everyone, watch your mouths, be careful what you say, and behave yourselves. Who are you to meddle in someone else’s private life?”
Ash spoke with smiling eyes that somehow weren’t smiling at all.
Strangely enough, everyone fell silent.
Ash, you just felt… incredibly authoritative just now.
Violet thought.
“I’m not really fond of noisy events like balls, but it seems we’ve reached a conclusion.”
Brown pushed up his glasses.
“Marine, what exactly does this ‘Winter Queen’ do?”
Ash asked, resting his chin on his hand.
“She dances with the young royal hosting the ball, becomes the main guest of the event, and afterward she gains the right to have personal interactions with that royal.”
“Can she refuse any of that? For example, the dance at the ball?”
This time, Brown answered instead of Marine.
“Legally speaking, there’s definitely room for refusal. A ball dance is only an extension of social custom and courtesy. No one can force it.”
“I see.”
Ash stroked his chin.
“Ash?”
Violet blinked.
At that moment, Marine’s eyes widened. She was clearly expecting something.
Just what is Marine imagining?
Soon enough, Ash dropped his usual bomb.
“I guess you’ll just have to become the Winter Queen, Violet.”
“…What?”
“You said we’d take away Marygold’s most precious thing. The most precious thing she’ll have in the future, or expects to have. Isn’t that the Winter Queen title?”
“Well, yes, but…”
Marine almost jumped in excitement.
“I get to design the Winter Queen’s dress?! This is amazing! Come on, there’s no time. Let’s go, Violet. We don’t have enough time to polish everything!”
Had these people already decided to hand the Winter Queen seat to someone?
Violet’s confusion only grew.
“Wait a minute, I still have something to say.”
“Please, I’m begging you. Let me dress you up!”
Marine even made a pitiful face.
Violet was weak to small and fragile things. And right now, Marine truly looked like one.
“Then, we’ll be going.”
“We’ll move on to the next task.”
Gran and Brown slipped out like arrows. At some point, Ash had already stood up, watching Violet with amused interest.
“Please, Violet. Marine’s pretty persistent.”
“……”
“See you in a bit, Violet.”
Ash smiled beautifully with his eyes.
I feel like I’ve been bewitched by a fox.
Dragged along by Marine, Violet thought so.
“Beautiful blue eyes like the autumn sky. Hm, not an ordinary shade of blue. This is worth decorating. A flower soaked in water, a plant steeped in sorrow. No… a willow tree by a lakeside, hiding the boundless charm of a deep forest. Yes, that’s it. The image is coming together. How did I not notice earlier?”
A partition hung behind a small chair, dividing the room in half.
Marine pushed Violet inside the partition and hurried her to change clothes.
Violet, wearing only a gown and thin slip dress, sat on the small chair.
Marine examined her face from every angle before quickly trimming Violet’s eyebrows. Then, she heated a small brush over fire and started curling Violet’s eyelashes.
“Marine, what are you trying to do?”
“Start with the face. Then I’ll work my way down to your toes. I’ll polish everything, one thing at a time.”
“Marine, seriously, what are you?”
“I’m just someone obsessed with beautiful things. What I love most is polishing raw gemstones until they shine.”
Marine hummed as she spoke.
With one hand, she applied a clear tint to Violet’s lips.
“And even if I proudly declare that I’m a crazy person like that!”
“Oh my, platinum suits your skin better than gold. Diamonds look good on you too.”
They were all overlooking something very important.
“Marine, the Winter Queen is chosen by voting! On the day of the ball, the attendees vote using flowers.”
“It’s childish but kind of fun, isn’t it? A ball where everyone comes dressed magnificently. And among them all, the lady wearing my most dazzling dress.”
If she let her guard down even a little, conversations with Marine would veer wildly off track.
“You know my reputation. There’s no way people will vote for me. I don’t want to humiliate myself. I don’t want to play the clown.”
Marygold was already a famed beauty throughout the capital. On top of that, she was a spirit user, something incredibly rare.
She often appeared in magazines and newspapers.
“Ash suggested you become the Winter Queen, didn’t he?”
Marine looked at Violet as if she couldn’t understand her hesitation.
“…Yes, but?”
“If Ash said it, then it’ll happen. If it doesn’t, then something’s wrong with the world.”
At that moment, Violet looked into Marine’s eyes. They were practically glowing with blind faith.
What on earth is Ash, that everyone around him follows him so fanatically?
The more she learned, the stranger Ash’s world became.
“There’s no such thing as ‘too much’ when it comes to revenge. If Marygold loses the Winter Queen title to you, how do you think she’ll react?”
Violet remembered Marygold’s venomous glare that day she stormed out after fighting with her family, demanding her share of inheritance.
“She’ll probably be furious. She’ll come at me again, and she’ll be humiliated so badly she’ll never forget it.”
“You’ll be able to give her the worst day of her life.”
Marine hummed cheerfully.
Violet almost wavered.
“I want to talk to Ash.”
“Change clothes first. This is something I poured my heart into making. Can’t you wear it just once?”
Everything afterward felt like she was under a spell again—wearing the new dress, brushing her hair, putting on makeup.
“Look in the mirror. Isn’t it pretty?”
Marine said confidently, then went out saying she’d bring Ash.
Violet stood in front of a full-length mirror.
She was wearing a white dress embroidered all over with daisy patterns.
It had no sleeves, a square neckline at the chest, a long straight skirt, and a cinched waist.
Wow… the dress is beautiful. Cute too…
Even this overwhelming situation couldn’t numb her sense of aesthetics.
At that moment, Ash’s voice came from beyond the partition.
“Violet, did you already start missing me?”
“I’m coming out now.”
When Marine left, she had taken Violet’s shoes without asking.
The only thing in front of her now was an elegant, high-heeled pair of silk mules that looked expensive.
Violet had small feet. She carefully slipped them on and pushed aside the partition to step out.
Ash was standing at the doorway with his hand on the frame.
At that moment, their eyes met. Curtains were drawn across the room, and caramel-colored sunlight flowed softly through the gaps.
