The most crucial advice was delivered.

And the most difficult thing was demanded of a man who had lived as the empire’s one and only crown prince.

A man who had been used to having his way without consideration for others barely opened his mouth.

Perhaps a relationship with clear mutual benefits would be easier.

Rajaden broke the silence after a short time.

“Can I win her heart that way?”

“No.”

It was important advice, and Rajaden was determined to follow it, but his expression fell.

The empress chuckled softly.

If winning someone’s heart were that easy, politics would be easy too.

A despondent voice came from the crown prince.

“Even without certainty, such…”

“Winning someone’s heart is the most difficult feat in this world. If it doesn’t work even after all that, it’s not meant to be. You’ll have to give up.”

“……”

Despite the importance of the content, the crown prince’s expression remained stubborn.

The empress internally clicked her tongue at her son, who still wore the expression he had in his youth.

He was well and truly hooked. She hoped Rajaden wouldn’t do anything more foolish.

There was also a rumor circulating. The empress gently asked,

“Do you wish to become a tyrant, Your Highness?”

“No. Not at all.”

Rajaden shook his head in dismay at her question.

No matter how tumultuous his emotions, becoming a tyrant was not an option.

He was born to be the emperor, with no other siblings.

Born solely to stand at the pinnacle of this nation, he had lived for that very purpose.

Rajaden was a man poised at the peak, and his duty was not to dally with women but to govern the empire steadily and prosperously.

He was well aware of this fact but chose to ignore his true feelings.

Intellectually, he understood this coldly, yet emotionally, it was hard to accept.

If it’s not meant to be, he must let go.

‘Is there anything in this country that isn’t mine?’

Confusing thoughts cluttered his mind.

He also thought,

‘Why do I have to worry about this?’

He was so struck by the fever of love that he was nearly losing his senses.

“Your Highness.”

“…Yes.”

“I trust you.”

As if reading his thoughts, the empress delivered a pointed remark.

Rajaden, understanding her words, smiled bitterly.

After all, his goal was to be a wise and just ruler, not to engage in foolish acts.

Several more discussions followed.

The advice from the empress was helpful but difficult for Rajaden to put into practice.

Determined to educate her son in character, the empress emphasized ‘consideration’ and ‘putting oneself in others’ shoes’ several times while smiling.

Given the crown prince’s nature, even if he took the advice, he was unlikely to become completely obedient to it.

He was skeptical about the usefulness of the advice but accepted it all the same.

Thereafter, they also discussed a portrait.

Once Violet completed the portrait of the princess, the crown prince’s portrait would also be scheduled, and this matter would be widely publicized.

For Rajaden, who had to impress Violet, this was good news.

Watching her son’s expression brighten at just a few words, the empress internally clicked her tongue.

The effort Rajaden would need to win over Violet, whose tastes in men didn’t quite line up with Rajaden himself, was likely greater than he would anticipate.

After that fruitful time, Rajaden left to resume his duties.

But then, he suddenly realized he hadn’t heard the answer to his earlier question about what Violet thought of him.

* * *

The portrait of the princess was nearing its completion.

Standing before the finished painting, Violet alternated her gaze between the princess and the canvas, a satisfied smile blooming on her face.

Although it wasn’t perfectly executed as she had envisioned, it was a fine result.

Of course, since the client was the empress, Violet would need to receive Her Majesty’s evaluation.

There was no guarantee that a piece appreciated by the empress would be well-received by others.

The empress said nothing but simply smiled.

Admiration instead flowed from the maids of the princess’s palace.

“Could this be what the land of fairies looks like?”

“How beautiful…”

Colors not seen in reality made the princess’s painting appear even more ethereal.

Like the beginning of spring, the princess in the painting smiled brilliantly, as beautiful as a fairy.

The young princess also seemed to love the painting, her eyes sparkling nonstop, unable to tear her gaze away.