Unable to say anything to the crown prince, she just blinked.

But still, despite her unchanged expression, Rajaden noticed this shift in mood and smiled.

“I apologize once again for today’s incident.”

“It wasn’t intentional, so it doesn’t matter. As for Lord Roen… you’ll have to sort that out yourself.”

“That’s not what I meant. If possible, I would like to have the chance to make it up to you.”

“……”

Violet remained silent as Rajaden said that, implying she would decline if it meant meeting alone again.

However, he paid no heed and took a step closer to Violet.

It was a similar situation to the one on the boat, but this time he maintained a respectful distance.

Violet reflexively tensed at his reaching hand, slightly furrowing her brow.

“But rather than Roen, I want to earn a chance to make it up to you.”

Rajaden carefully grasped her long silver hair and gently pressed his lips to it.

It was a scene of devout beauty, literally like something out of a painting.

“I’m not in a position to answer that.”

Violet’s response was vague. Rajaden smiled bitterly.

Attendants from the imperial palace rushed from afar to manage the situation. Since the conversation could not continue in this state, today’s meeting ended there.

* * *

Just as they had expected, Roen was furious.

It’s almost like he was about to start a rebellion to bring the crown prince to his knees.

Violet thought about whether Roen’s anger was a mere act, or if it stemmed from familial affection. In the end though, she decided it didn’t matter.

She had already received an excessively apologetic response from the crown prince.

It was up to Roen to escalate the matter, but she had no intention of further discussing that day’s events.

“That guy seems to have an ulterior motive. But will things really go that punk Rajaden’s way? Hah.”

Leaving behind a sinisterly laughing Roen, she went up to her room.

* * *

If there was a piece of news that could be considered regrettable for Rajaden, it would be about only one person—the object of his affection, ‘Violet S. Everett’.

And if it had been anyone else, they might have been swayed by either his looks or his status rather quickly.

Unfortunately for him, his charm did not work on Violet at all.

It wasn’t that she hadn’t pondered over his actions. It’s just that her thoughts simply lay elsewhere.

The radiant sunshine, a man forged from molten gold by the sun itself.

Devout gestures beneath the light. A scenery more beautiful than any painting.

Everything seemed just like a painting.

Yes, just like a painting.

Thus, Violet’s mind was filled with thoughts on how to capture the crown prince’s image in a portrait.

The composition needed to be caught at the right moment.

Rajaden’s face was as beautiful as he was confident in himself.

It was so splendid it could captivate anyone at a glance, to say the least.

There was a bit of pressure on whether she could encapsulate his beauty within the confines of a canvas.

Violet spent the entire night producing several sketches.

While Rajaden wasn’t exactly a ‘muse’ that endlessly provided inspiration, he did influence her.

Though even if Violet thought this way, in Rajaden’s perspective, it wouldn’t exactly be beneficial.

.

.

.

Days passed.

Inspiration and translating it credibly into a painting were two different matters.

She excused herself for a few days, claiming to be unwell. Since the portrait of the princess was nearly finished, the empress pardoned her easily.

The incident of Violet falling into the lake was not discussed. Even though rumors spread of her and the crown prince meeting alone, nothing was said about the accident.

Whether Roen worked some magic, or he found the day’s apologies lacking, Rajaden sent a lengthy letter along with gifts.

Inevitably marked with the imperial family’s crest, Violet couldn’t ignore it and scoffed after reading the letter.

To summarize, it read, ‘I’m truly sorry about that day. Therefore, I hope we can meet again so I can make it up to you.’

Perhaps because they could be called friends, given how they shared many unnecessary similarities.

The gifts sent by the crown prince were primarily clothes and accessories, with a clear intention of ‘I’m sorry your clothes were ruined because of me.’

Additionally, Violet’s known unique taste made the variety of designs quite apparent.

It was obvious how much trouble he must have gone through with the designers and seamstresses over such a matter.

Regardless, rumors about her spread rapidly.

That the eldest lady of House Everett is predestined to be the Crown Princess.

That this was the reason why she’s so arrogant.

That she’s manipulating His Highness the Crown Prince like a villainess.

That she must be using her beauty to seduce His Highness. Or that she might be casting wicked spells to keep him from regaining his senses.

So on and so forth.