Violet’s gaze drifted downwards.

Though caught in between the fight of whales, Roen wasn’t a shrimp that was getting its back broken. Still, he was indeed the one who suffered the most in these delicate situations.

Yet, this was already a long stretch of patience, having watched uncontrollable situations unfold from up close for so long.

“Well…”

Violet started to answer in a non-committal manner. Knowing well how she felt, Roen did not press for a more definite answer.

“Maybe it’d be better not to see each other for a few years.”

At her response, Roen looked down and smiled bitterly. The white table had not a single stain.

“Maybe that would be for the best. You two are just too different in personality.”

Violet preferred to calmly organize her thoughts before discussing when upset, whereas Cairn wanted to resolve things on the spot.

This was something even Roen had only recently come to realize. The Violet of the past would express her anger immediately, whether by breaking objects or attacking the person in front of her.

In any case, it was true that their temperaments didn’t match.

Roen had expected things to explode much sooner. Violet’s patience was longer than he thought.

“That guy has his thoughts too, so maybe he’ll have changed a lot in a few years.”

“…Was he ever someone with thoughts?”

Violet looked incredulous at the suggestion that Cairn might develop more consideration after maturing a bit. That’s how disastrous Cairn’s actions had been in the past.

If Cairn had been born to another family, he would have been branded a troublemaker and cast out from the household long ago. If not for Violet’s notoriety overshadowing him, his infamy might have been even greater.

Knowing how much Cairn has matured recently, Roen smiled subtly. The process was rough, and he even got seriously injured, but it was something that had to be experienced at least once.

“It’s not unreasonable to say that, but just wait a bit longer. If you really can’t stand it, I’ll send him back to the academy soon. Then you won’t have to see him for at least a year.”

“……”

Violet didn’t respond to Roen’s words.

Even if he was sent away, whether he would obediently return to the academy was secondary… she doubted whether it would really mean not seeing him for a whole year.

Violet disliked Cairn, but Roen had a soft spot for him in his own way. Cairn was the youngest among the siblings, and Roen had no reason to hate or despise him.

Violet knew that Cairn sometimes sought late-night conversations with Roen. She could only remain silent.

If there was a problem with him though, it would be simple to kick Roen over to the countryside during the holidays.

Quietly thinking of kicking out the duchy’s heir himself, Violet put down her empty cup.

Teatime came to an end.

* * *

The princess’s portrait was nearing completion.

Even as it entered the final stages, the most crucial aspect of a painting was enhancing its finish. Violet’s contemplation deepened day by day.

She pondered how to achieve an appropriate level of completion that would befit the princess.

She was troubled by how she couldn’t seem to make a significant difference between a personal project and a commissioned work, so the completion of this painting in particular was dragging on.

While looking at the nearly finished painting, the maids of the princess’s palace expressed their doubts. But since the artist herself declared it unfinished, they accepted it as such.

Violet entered the palace as usual.

The palace servants, now accustomed to her presence, paid her no mind.

If today’s visit was revealed not to be for the portrait commission but for a personal visit to the crown prince, the social circles would be abuzz for at least a month.

Given that she had no intention of impressing the crown prince, Violet dressed simply and modestly. Of course, by her standards, it wasn’t shabby enough that she’d be criticized by others.

Who would think, seeing Violet’s current attire, that she came to meet the crown prince?

The person in question, Violet, had no particular thoughts. Precisely, she was more concerned about how to depict ‘the portrait of the crown prince’ with the right feel.

“─Ducal Lady Violet.”

The crown prince greeted her with a bright smile.

Passersby, regardless of age or gender, couldn’t help but admire his beauty as he expressed a sincere and clear smile.

The recipient of that smile, Violet, said,

“Greetings to the Empire’s small sun. You must have been waiting. Were you unable to sleep last night?”

“I was up early today to put some thought into my outfit. Do I look okay?”

“It suits you.”

She responded flatly.

The sun was already glaringly bright out right now, and the crown prince being so dazzling as he was made this place excessively brilliant.

Unlike Violet, who dressed just enough to fit the occasion, Rajaden had chosen his outfit deliberately.

With his hair and eye color, face, physique, and the time put into his look today, he wore clothes that would make him shine brightest. Who wouldn’t be charmed by such a person as he was smiling brightly?

Therefore, Violet discreetly shifted her gaze elsewhere.

Something ‘dazzling’ could also hurt someone’s eyes.

Looking directly at the sun could damage the eyes, too. And Violet, maintaining her usual expressionless demeanor, removed her gaze from Rajaden.

“You also look beautiful today, Ducal Lady.”