Chapter 360 : Duchess Arnett and Miss Violetta part 3

"This is the end for you," Duchess Arnett said in a flat tone.

Miss Violetta, currently pierced by Duchess Arnett's whip, continued to smile just as she had before.

"It is indeed the end, but not for me, Mother," Miss Violetta said.

Miss Violetta then grasped the extended whip which had pierced her chest with her left hand, while her right hand still held her own sword. The whip was studded with numerous large, sharp thorns; consequently, as she gripped it, the thorns immediately pierced her left palm, driving all the way through. Yet, Miss Violetta showed no sign of pain, maintaining a vice-like grip on the weapon.

"I actually wanted to keep fighting you, Mother. Battling you brings back memories of our sparring sessions in the past. But I realize I must fulfill my duty. I have to save and liberate you, so let us bring this to an end, Mother," Miss Violetta said.

She spoke these words with a smile directed at Duchess Arnett. A small trickle of blood was still running from her mouth. Then, Miss Violetta channeled a significant amount of Mana into her left hand. Once her hand was infused with that power, she suddenly yanked the whip she was holding. She pulled it with tremendous speed and strength. Duchess Arnett, who was still holding the other end of the whip, was instantly jerked forward, hurtling rapidly toward Miss Violetta. Seeing Duchess Arnett rushing toward her, Miss Violetta prepared to strike with her sword. Just as she readied her attack, a memory involving Duchess Arnett suddenly came back to her.

-

~Miss Violetta's Flashback~

Five years ago, at the Duke San Quentine’s residencd

Miss Violetta, Duchess Arnett, and Duke Remy were conversing in one of the residence's rooms.

"I told you, Father, I do not want an arranged marriage," Miss Violetta said.

"But this proposal comes from an acquaintance of mine. He wishes to arrange a marriage between you and one of his sons. He has helped me greatly, so I cannot possibly refuse his offer to unite his son with you," Duke Remy replied.

"I do not care whether the person proposing the marriage is an acquaintance of yours or not; I still refuse to be part of an arranged marriage, as I have no interest in political unions. If I am to marry, I will choose my own partner," Miss Violetta declared.

"Violetta, you are a noble. For a noble, political marriage is inevitable; one cannot simply choose one's own partner. Your mother and I married for political reasons, yet we came to love one another deeply. You need not worry that your partner won't love you simply because it is an arranged marriage. I am certain he will come to love you."

"If you accept this proposal, your future will undoubtedly be prosperous, for your prospective partner is the son of a distinguished figure holding a high-ranking position in the Ozgur Kingdom—a small kingdom situated far to the north of the Orokho Mountains. Though small, it is a wealthy kingdom. You really must accept this match, Violetta," Duke Remy said.

"I have already told you that I refuse to accept this proposal. I do not care if he is the son of a nobleman, a head of state, or a foreign ruler; I simply will not agree to a political marriage. If Father insists on forcing this match upon me, then I would rather leave this residence. I will sever ties with the San Quentine family so that I am never again forced into a political union," Miss Violetta declared.

Duke Remy looked utterly shocked by Miss Violetta's words. Moreover, he appeared furious.

"What do you mean, Violetta? You want to leave the San Quentine family? Don't be ridiculous!" Duke Remy exclaimed.

Miss Violetta ignored Duke Remy's words and chose to walk straight out of the room.

"Wait, Violetta! Explain what you just said!" Duke Remy shouted.

Yet, Miss Violetta still did not respond to him and continued walking out of the room. Meanwhile, Duchess Arnett watched as Miss Violetta walked away.

"Violetta......," Duchess Arnett said.

-

A few minutes later, in a room that appeared to be a private bedchamber.

Miss Violetta sat on the edge of the bed.

"A political marriage... it is absolutely sickening," Miss Violetta murmured.

Suddenly, a sound came from the doorway.

*Knock, knock, knock.*

It was the sound of someone knocking, signaling a visitor.

"Who is there?" Miss Violetta asked.

"V-Violetta, it's me," said Duchess Arnett.

"Mother? What brings you here?" asked Miss Violetta.

"T-there is something I want to discuss with you. M-may I come in?" asked Duchess Arnett.

Miss Violetta fell silent for a moment, then soon responded to Duchess Arnett.

"Please come in, Mother. The door isn't locked," said Miss Violetta.

With that, the door opened, revealing Duchess Arnett. She had come alone; no one else was with her. After opening the door, Duchess Arnett stepped inside and closed it behind her. She then approached Miss Violetta.

"D-do you really want to leave this family, Violetta?" asked Duchess Arnett.

"Yes, because I can't stand it anymore, Mother. If I stay in this family, I’ll constantly be betrothed and married off to someone for Father's political gain. So, it is better for me to leave and cut all ties with this family," said Miss Violetta.

Duchess Arnett looked saddened upon hearing Miss Violetta's words.

"A-are you certain about your decision? If you leave, Amelia might be heartbroken," said Duchess Arnett.

"I am certain of my decision, Mother. As for Amelia, I will speak with her before I leave," said Miss Violetta.

"I-if you leave this residence, where will you go, Violetta?" asked Duchess Arnett.

"I'm not sure; perhaps I'll go to another kingdom. I won't stay in this one," said Miss Violetta.

"I-I see," said Duchess Arnett.

"You've seemed nervous while speaking to me; do you intend to stop me from leaving the family?" asked Miss Violetta.

"N-no, that’s not it; I-I had no intention of forbidding you. I-I felt nervous because it seemed like you were in a bad mood after speaking with your father earlier. I was afraid of saying the wrong thing, which is why I was so nervous," said Duchess Arnett.

"I see. Please forgive me for misjudging you, Mother," said Miss Violetta.

"I-it’s alright, Violetta. You don’t need to apologize," said Duchess Arnett.

Afterward, Duchess Arnett gently stroked Miss Violetta's head.

"I-I will not stop you if you wish to leave this estate. You are an adult now, so you ought to be free to make your own choices. It is up to you whether you wish to refuse that marriage proposal. It is also up to you if you want to leave this residence. However, please do not think of leaving this family, Violetta. Even if you leave this estate, you remain a part of the San Quentine family," said Duchess Arnett.

"If I do not leave this family, I will continue to be subjected to arranged marriages, Mother. The only way out is to leave the family entirely. If I am no longer part of the San Quentine family, I will not be forced into a marriage. Besides, Father would surely cast me out of the family anyway once I leave this residencd," said Miss Violetta.

Duchess Arnett remained silent after hearing Miss Violetta's words. Yet, even in her silence, she continued to stroke Miss Violetta's hair. Before long, Duchess Arnett spoke again.

"V-very well. If you truly wish to leave this family, then go ahead. I will not stop you, Violetta," said Duchess Arnett.

"Are you certain, Mother?" asked Miss Violetta.

"Y-yes. But once you leave this residence and this family, I want you to always remember that you remain my daughter,"

"I will continue to regard you as my daughter, even though you are no longer part of the San Quentine family, Violetta," said Duchess Arnett with a smile.

-

Two years ago, at the San Quentine residencd

Miss Violetta, having just arrived from the Holy Kingdom Svetais, decided to stop by the San Quentine residence before heading to San Fulgen Academy, her next post.

She was currently in the estate's drawing room, accompanied by Duke Remy.

"What business does someone who is no longer part of the San Quentine family have setting foot in this residence again?" Duke Remy asked.

"I am only stopping by briefly. I won't stay long, so you need not worry," Miss Violetta replied.

Duke Remy fell silent for a moment before speaking again.

"Make sure you leave immediately once your business here is concluded, and never return. I have no desire to deal with someone who has disappointed me so deeply," Duke Remy said.

"Don't worry, I did intend to leave immediately after my business was concluded," said Miss Violetta.

With that, Duke Remy promptly left the room. About two minutes after his departure, Duchess Arnett arrived.

"V-Violetta?!" Duchess Arnett exclaimed, startled to see her.

"Yes, it is me, Mother," Miss Violetta replied.

Duchess Arnett suddenly embraced Miss Violetta. Miss Violetta accepted the embrace and hugged her back.

"Welcome back, my daughter," Duchess Arnett said, tears welling up.

"I am home, Mother," Miss Violetta said.

~End of flashback~

-

Back to the present, where Miss Violetta stood.

She was preparing to launch a thrusting attack against Duchess Arnett, who was currently hurtling toward her. Duchess Arnett was moving so rapidly toward Miss Violetta that she was unable to take any action; she did not even appear to be attempting an attack of her own.

Admittedly, Duchess Arnett could not use her whip, as Miss Violetta was holding it. Miss Violetta was pulling the whip, dragging Duchess Arnett along and causing her to rush forward. Even so, she could have attacked Miss Violetta using other means, yet she did not. She simply remained passive, allowing her body to be pulled toward Miss Violetta.

The distance between them closed rapidly. Miss Violetta then launched her attack against the oncoming Duchess Arnett. Tears began to stream from Miss Violetta's eyes as she executed the strike.

~Flower Sword Art: Red Rose Thorn Thrust~

Miss Violetta swiftly launched a thrusting attack toward Duchess Arnett's left chest. Duchess Arnett made no move to react, allowing the strike to land squarely; the attack pierced through her left chest, exiting out her back. Immediately after being struck by Miss Violetta, Duchess Arnett vomited a large amount of blood.

"This should be enough, right? Even though you’ve turned into a demon under someone else's control, you’ll still die if your heart is pierced, won't you?" Miss Violetta asked Duchess Arnett.

Duchess Arnett did not respond to Miss Violetta’s words; she simply stared back with a blank expression, even though her heart had been pierced. Meanwhile, Miss Violetta kept gazing at Duchess Arnett, tears streaming down her face.

Moments later, Miss Violetta withdrew the sword that had been thrust into Duchess Arnett’s left chest. As the sword was pulled out, blood gushed heavily from the wound. Blood also continued to flow from her mouth. Duchess Arnett’s body was visibly weakening, and her eyes slowly began to close. Seeing her condition, Miss Violetta spoke to her.

"Mother, thank you for always loving and cherishing me. Thank you for still regarding me as your daughter, even after I left our family. Thank you for everything you’ve done for me all this time," Miss Violetta said.

She spoke these words while tears continued to stream from her eyes.

"Goodbye, Mother," Miss Violetta added.

Meanwhile, Duchess Arnett, her body growing weaker, suddenly smiled upon hearing Lady Violetta’s words. Miss Violetta was startled to see that smile.

"Goodbye, Violetta. Thank you for setting me free."

"I will always love you, Violetta," Duchess Arnett said.

She spoke with a smile on her face. Having said that, Duchess Arnett let her body fall to the ground, which was now carpeted with white lilies.

-To be continued