31: viola

---

A week later, the letter arrived.

Fantine was silently waiting behind the stone wall near the old library, under the shade of the trees, until nightfall. She slipped quietly inside, just as Irene had asked her, and entered the abandoned section where books had remained untouched for decades. She found the specific book, just as described in the letter, took it at once, and returned to her wing.

She tore out the pages and placed them into a small envelope, then sent it through the post.

Another week passed before the reply came.

Sally handed it immediately to Irene, who had been waiting anxiously.

She opened the envelope and carefully flipped through the pages, then reached for her own copy of the same book. She compared a few pages until her eyes landed on the difference.

The version Fantine had sent read:

> "The war began due to Valerian's greed and their pursuit of the northern gold mines."

But her own copy said:

> "The war began due to Iscard breaking the treaty and imprisoning Valerian's envoy, Cassir, without cause."

Irene stared at the two lines for a long time, anxiety rising in her chest. Both sentences appeared in the same font, the same formatting, the same language… but the content was completely different.

Which one was the truth?

Irene searched through the old archives, flipping through ancient records with trembling hands. But everything she found matched one of the versions… the other didn't exist.

The version she had read since childhood matched what was stored in Iscard's official archives.

But the one Fantine had sent… had no trace anywhere.

And then, a terrifying idea struck her:

Had Iscard been falsifying history from the very beginning?

Did that mean all the books published in schools, palaces, and churches were fabricated?

There had always been a deep-seated resentment between the two nations—especially in Iscard—so was that all based on a lie fed into people's minds?

If this was true, then what happened to her mother wasn't just a personal injustice… it was part of a larger system. A system built to silence victims, twist truths, and brainwash generations.

Another piece of evidence against the honesty of Iscard's rulers.

Irene's desire to meet Emilia grew stronger than ever.

Massacres, land pillaging in the south, and now—historical forgery.

There was only one person left who could confirm what really happened… Emilia. One of the few who had lived through the old era, before it was all erased and rewritten.

---

During this time…

Despite all expectations, Irene was beginning to adjust to the Valerian palace more than she had imagined.

True, the servants' stares and whispers hadn't vanished, but they had never escalated to direct harm.

Queen Elizabeth had issued strict orders since the announcement of the marriage.

But some people didn't fear punishment… or perhaps didn't care to begin with.

Rita.

From the very first day, she was the only one who didn't hide her disdain for Irene. She never dared confront her directly, but she would avoid dinners, dodge her in the halls, and leave any room Irene entered.

At first, Irene thought it was due to her being from Iscard, the country still riddled with centuries-old bitterness and hatred… or perhaps due to her reputation.

But what Irene didn't know was that the real reason… was something entirely different.

Elsewhere in the palace, the training grounds echoed with the clashing of swords.

Lucas was training enthusiastically with his close friend Louie, son of one of the wealthiest families in Valerian. The two shared many traits: pride, stubbornness, and a constant need to prove themselves.

After an intense sparring session, Louie handed Lucas a bottle of water and sat beside him, panting. He smiled and said:

— "You never go easy, even in practice."

Lucas, wiping sweat from his brow, replied:

— "That wasn't even my limit. Don't dream of beating me, even in training."

Louie chuckled and said sarcastically:

— "Annoying as always."

A brief silence followed before Louie casually asked:

— "How's your new marriage going?"

Lucas pursed his lips, then replied coldly:

— "I don't care. This whole charade means nothing to me."

Louie raised an eyebrow and said:

— "Don't be reckless. What if you suddenly decided to annul the marriage? You know that could spark a war."

Lucas replied with scorn:

— "Then I'll take up my sword and fight. I'm not one to fear wars."

Louie shook his head and said calmly:

— "You haven't changed a bit."

Lucas added:

— "We'll head to your place today."

Louie looked at him and replied:

— "Do you think my house is your private hotel, Your Highness?"

Lucas said:

— "Who said I need your permission? I've been coming there whenever I pleased since we were kids."

Louie gave a half-smile, but his eyes remained serious:

— "You've been at our house a lot lately. Even on the night your wife arrived… you were there. Do you hate her that much?"

Lucas snapped:

— "I told you I don't care about her. Interpret it however you like. What—my visits bother you now?"

Louie quickly said:

— "That's not what I meant. But… you're married now. Things have changed. Viola… you're making it harder for her."

Lucas paused, then narrowed his eyes and said tightly:

— "Are you speaking on behalf of your sister now? If my presence is bothersome, she can tell me herself. Enough of this nonsense."

Then, with clear frustration in his voice, he added:

— "My marriage to the daughter of Iscard is nothing but ink on paper. And Viola… she knows that better than anyone."

He stood abruptly, leaving Louie behind, lost in silence and concern.

Louie quickly got up and jumped on Lucas's back, saying:

— "Okay, okay, I'm sorry. Why'd you get mad so fast? You've become so sensitive since you got married!"

---

Near Lucas's home, just a few steps from the main road, stood the Salvarin estate — one of the wealthiest and most influential families in Valerian.

An ancient family, composed of a father, a mother, and three children, with a long history in trade and politics. But their fame wasn't limited to their wealth… it centered on the woman who runs the estate today.

Viola Salvarin.

Everything changed after the tragic death of her parents.

During a winter visit to the mountains, a sudden landslide crushed the carriage they were riding in, burying them under the rocks before a cry or plea for help could even be uttered.

They both died instantly… leaving Viola orphaned and facing a horde of greedy uncles who used every bit of influence to seize the family inheritance.

But Viola, only fifteen years old at the time, wasn't the weak girl they assumed.

She stood tall in the High Court, dressed in mourning black, addressing the judges with unexpected boldness. She presented her evidence, faced her opponents without flinching, and proved her rightful claim to inherit and manage the family as the eldest daughter of the original heirs.

And from that moment, she took over the affairs of the Salvarin family — while still a teenager.

Years passed, and the girl grew up… yet she remained the talk of the kingdom for her intelligence and wisdom.

Today, at twenty-six, Viola Salvarin is still considered one of the most influential women in Valerian — a woman not easily challenged, nor easily read… even by those closest to her.

And according to the estate's agreements, her younger brother Louie will inherit leadership after her marriage.

Alongside her strict and efficient management of the family, Viola never neglected her other responsibilities. She was always the eldest sister and the substitute mother to her two younger siblings: Louie and Myrna.

To them, she wasn't just a sister… she was their father, protector, and safe haven. That's why their bond with her was unbreakable.

Despite her well-known calm and composed nature, Viola possessed a warm heart and a gentle presence. This made her extremely close to both Anita and Violette since childhood.

But the relationship she shared with Lucas… was something entirely different.

It wasn't friendship… nor a childhood fondness.

It was something else—deeper, truer… a bond unlike any other.

Lucas, who grew up under a harsh father, would often escape his family's palace to seek refuge in the Salvarin home.

He didn't go there for food or warmth… he went for Viola.

She was the only one who knew how to calm him down.

With her words, her calmness, and her eyes that didn't fear his anger nor stare at his wounds… but understood them.

Since childhood, he felt something special toward her… an emotion he couldn't explain, but that grew stronger over the years.

Lucas always respected Viola, but eventually… he couldn't hide his feelings anymore.

Over time, that childish affection evolved into sincere, one-sided love.

And though Viola was surprised by his words and actions, she never hurt him, never ran from him… instead, she accepted his love with patience, until she, too, began to feel something new—something different.

Everything changed the moment Lucas stood before her, with sincere eyes, and confessed his love.

He was twenty-three then.

He said it clearly, with a tone she had never heard from him before:

> "I love you. And I want you as my wife."

Viola didn't hesitate. She agreed immediately.

She was happy, overwhelmed… as if the entire world had stopped at the sound of those words.

Lucas informed his parents—Richard and Elizabeth—of his desire to marry her. They welcomed the idea, and he officially proposed at age twenty-four.

Everyone knew about their love story. Everyone had been waiting for this day.

But their joy… didn't last long.

---