It was past two o'clock when the succession ceremony ended. And from that moment on, the party to celebrate the new Count of Heston began in earnest.
To open up the relatively dark auditorium, Violet and the Hestons came up with the idea of leaving all the doors and windows open. As they had expected, they opened all the doors leading outside, and the moonlight reflecting on the lake and the stars pouring down in the clear sky created a wonderful atmosphere.
Winter said to Violet after seeing the party guests gathered outside after all the doors were open.
"Wow. I didn't know it was such a popular event."
"I didn't know it would become such a big event. After all, succession ceremonies don't happen very often."
"Well, someone has to die for a title to be created."
"... Do you really have to say that?"
It was while Violet was sighing and nagging.
As Ash approached with an annoyed look on his face, Marianne Heston, who had been nearby, approached him first.
He is the daughter of Karzan Heston, who inherited the title today, and the younger brother of Giannis Heston, who visited last time and returned drunk. Marianne, who had just turned sixteen and was attending only her second ball, greeted them both.
"Hello. My name is Marianne Heston, and I have something to tell you."
Then Winter gestured as if he was annoyed.
"Go away, little miss."
"Not a kid."
As expected of a daughter of a knightly family, Marianne was full of spirit and was not easily discouraged by Winter like her brother was. Violet asked her in a soft tone.
"What's the matter, Miss Marianne?"
Then Marianne lowered her voice and said.
"I would like Lord Winter to take an interest in the forestry of the North, for I have Important information to give you. I heard he is winding down his southern operations."
Violet looked interested, while Winter, on the other hand, seemed completely uninterested.
"The little girl brought important information."
"Listen and then judge?"
Marianne continued calmly.
"His Highness Ash."
Violet looked at her quietly as the unexpected name came out. Marianne continued speaking secretly.
"He bought Sir Carlson, right?"
"How do you know that?"
When Violet asked in surprise, Marianne flinched and spoke in a small voice.
"... Because I'm a fan."
"Ah..."
Violet nodded her head belatedly. Somehow, she felt that the unpleasantness in Marianne's eyes as she looked at her might have been related to the person who had engaged her favorite singer.
Marianne continued.
"There is a story among fans that the reason he bought it... is because His Highness Ash is turning a blind eye to Sir Carlson's drug procurement. That is why Sir Carlson has no choice but to do whatever His Highness Ash tells him to do."
Violet's eyes widened at her words. Marianne continued calmly.
"I think His Highness Ash has ruined my singer."
"I see."
"I heard that you two have a grudge against His Highness Ash. What do you think? Should I bring you some evidence?"
Violet looked embarrassed at Marianne's question, while the corners of Winter's mouth went up in pleasure.
"That sounds really tempting."
At those words, Marianne's face brightened and she said.
"Right? It's not a bad suggestion at all."
"When the little girl comes back with the evidence, then we'll make a deal."
"Then... please write me a certificate or something."
"Here's the proof, my wife is listening."
When Violet turned to Winter as if asking what he meant, Marianne nodded.
"Well. I heard from Giannis that Lord Winter is the kind of person who would even bring the moon to you if it was his wife's word."
"Oh, it's not that bad, Miss Marianne."
"Yes, the moon is physically impossible. But isn't it the business of finding a way to do that? I need that ability."
Winter smiled with pleasure at Marianne's words.
"That's pretty good. Let's leave out the word 'kid'."
"Wow, really? No, that's not something I'd like to do..."
Suddenly, Marianne left the place, saying she would look for evidence. Then, Winter made a pleasant expression.
"I really wish she would come and find some evidence."
"I know, right."
"Come on, let's go watch the party."
Violet nodded. Winter continued, taking her hand as he walked away.
"Things are going well today."
"That's true. Your position as successor will be confirmed, and if you find Ash's weaknesses... Things are going well today."
The two walked into the garden talking. When they went outside, they saw musicians playing lively music to signal the start of the party. People in colorful attire were already dancing in excitement. The summer night party held in the not-so-hot north had everyone excited. After the musician's performance, Carlson, who was dragged out by the crowd's cheers, started singing.
Winter frowned at Carlson, who had a pretty face and a voice that melted women's hearts.
Violet also looked in his direction. He was still good, but not as good as before. It seemed like he was deliberately avoiding high notes because he couldn't sing well.
Violet, looking at him so thin that he was almost staggering, suddenly remembered Carlson from her childhood.
***
Carlson's father was in charge of all the music used in the palace.
Carlson, who followed his father's hand, often ate and played with Violet, who was his peer.
Then, when Violet was ten years old, her older brother Wayne passed away. Violet spent every day crying in bed, and Carlson visited her every day to comfort his friend. Then one day, a boy came to her carrying a flower basket as big as her body.
"Violet, look at this. I brought you your favorite flower."
But as Violet continued to cry, Carlson started to panic and pace around the bed, then he had no choice but to take off his shoes and jump onto the bed.
"Violet, do you want to go see the flowers?"
"Later..."
"Or, Violet, should I sing you a song?"
"...Sing?"
Carlson's expression brightened as Violet reacted for the first time, sobbing.
"Yeah, I'm really good at singing! All the adults praised me."
"Really?"
"Really."
Then he got down from the bed again, dragged a chair over, stood on it as if it were a stage, and began to sing a line from the opera. It was the first time that Violet, who had been crying nonstop since Wayne left, stopped crying for a moment.
As he said, Carlson sang very well.
***
Winter said, wrapping his arm around Violet's.
"Violet."
"Oh, I'm sorry. I just remembered something from when I was little."
Winter asked as Violet soon began to forget.
"When you were young?"
"Yes, when Carlson was a naive and kind child."
Winter clicked his tongue at her words without realizing it. He didn't know how he ended up like that after growing up so comfortably.
All the boats were dragged onto the lake in front of the auditorium and lanterns were placed on top of them.
Violet found her mother Ella nearby and told Winter.
"Winter, I'm going to go talk to my mother. We haven't had much to talk about since our last fight."
"Okay, then I'll be with the staff for a bit."
As he spoke and gestured to the Kanik staff members who had come to the party, Violet nodded.
Ella approached Violet as their eyes met. Winter greeted Ella first and asked her a question.
"Are you experiencing any inconvenience these days?"
"Not yet. You're already doing so well."
As she said, Winter was still treating Ella the way she would treat a mother-in-law. However, Ella's gaze toward Winter still contained resentment toward a stranger. Winter knew it, but he didn't really care because it wasn't just Ella, she was Violet's mother too.
"No problem. I'll go and see."
"I'm sorry."
Winter said and walked towards his staff.
Violet's gaze followed his back. He was uncomfortable with Violet talking to other men, but Violet also felt uncomfortable with her husband walking around parties with such a pretty face. He was already noticeable because his neck was bigger than everyone else's. As he walked away, even the women who had been engrossed in Carlson's song glanced at Winter.
Violet looked back at her mother, feeling pitiful as she wondered why she was so jealous.
"I'm sorry I haven't contacted you in a while. I was really angry when you brought up the topic of marriage with the Hestons."
"No. As things turned out, I think I was too much for you."
Ella also forced a bright smile, perhaps feeling bad about being too harsh on her daughter that day. Violet asked.
"Would you like to take a quick boat ride and chat?"
"I guess so. That's good, for once."
After Ella gave her permission, the mother and daughter immediately boarded the boat.
Flip, who had been waiting nearby, took over the oars of the boat the two were riding on. As the boat glided across the beautiful lake, Ella opened her mouth.
"I'm glad you're doing well. At least one of the two children is happy."
"Yes, I'm happy these days."
Violet thought back to Enna's words from a while ago. She had told Violet that she wanted her to be happy. On the other hand, her mother had already decided that Violet was happy. It was strange. Violet thought that loving others was easier than loving all of her children equally.
The boat moved slowly along the lakeshore. Violet said.
"I have something to tell you, Mother."
"I know even without hearing it. I am also against Ash's plan regarding this national policy."
Violet's eyes widened at Ella's unexpectedly cooperative words.
"Are you sure?"
Winter said things would go well today, and they really did. Ella nodded.
"But it is a law that your father and my husband pushed forward while suffering from illnesses in body and mind. I have no intention of making it in vain."
Her words made Violet feel as if a heavy burden had been lifted from her mind.
"Thank God."
"So, do you have a plan?"
"Yes, first of all, I would like to see the three seats held by the Lawrence family in Congress converted to elected office."
"Yes, that would be necessary. That would require a meeting of the Lawrence family. I will organize that soon."
"Are you sure?"
Violet's expression brightened at her mother's unprecedented cooperation. Ella nodded.
"Okay. But can I ask you a favor?"
"Yes, of course. What do you want?"
When Violet asked with an excited face, Ella opened her mouth with a sad face.
"Ash... Why would he be like that? He should have been King originally. But now he has nothing."
"... Mother, don't even think about asking my husband for help anymore."
"Why would you go to your husband? I heard that some of the royal land has come into your possession. How about... handing it over to Ash? You don't really need it. It was originally Ash's."
At those words, Flip, who was rowing, glanced at the two people.
Then Ella said with a frown.
"Where are you looking, you dare?"
"Sorry."
Violet smiled as Flip bowed his head in apology.
"You don't have to worry about me."
But there was a sadness on Violet's face that she couldn't hide, and it broke Flip's heart very much.
He, who had been quiet, opened his mouth.
"I've been worried ever since I heard what the little lady said this morning."
"Flip, keep it a secret..."
When Violet asked, Flip closed his mouth and nodded. Then Ella asked.
"What secret are you talking about?"
"It's nothing."
"It's nothing. You, tell me."
Flip hesitated when Ella urged him.
"Tell me."
As Ella's voice rose slightly, Flip opened his mouth again.
"The young lady was once locked in a closet. By order of His Highness Ash."
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