Violet sighed upon hearing Roen’s somewhat abridged explanation.

Margrave Blaise. Some uncouth nobles dismiss him as merely a lord of the hinterlands, but it was a position that should not be overlooked.

Located on the border and responsible for warding off enemy invasions, the margraviate held substantial autonomy and military power that could not be ignored.

A true guardian of the borders. The atmosphere was elevated with the margrave’s visit to the capital.

He entered the imperial city with his immediate family. The imperial family openly welcomed their visit.

Meanwhile, among the nobility, there was a prevalent attitude of disregard. The guardian who should be most respected quickly became mere gossip fodder.

Just a noble from the countryside. What power could a lord governing barren lands possibly hold?

A noble without influence in central politics—what could be remarkable about him? The atmosphere of belittling the margrave’s stature spread not only through social circles but also throughout the political arena.

In the midst of this, Violet received an invitation.

“…Hmm.”

The late Duchess Everett had been Margrave Blaise’s daughter. The grandfather had sent a request wanting to see his grandchildren—how could that be ignored?

It was an invitation from the maternal side of the family, with whom Violet had no contact except for some forgotten childhood memories, but she accepted it.

Three people were invited. Mikhail was out of the question, so only Roen, Violet, and Cairn were invited to the Blaise family’s townhouse.

Aileen, though she bore the Everett name, was excluded from the invitation.

Not being of the Blaise bloodline was the reason given for her exclusion, but being called merely ‘Lady Aileen’ instead of properly being treated as a ducal lady stirred strange feelings within Violet.

It was a thoroughly external treatment. And that treatment was also what Violet had once experienced within the Everett household.

Regardless, the telegram was quite sudden. And it was also disconcerting.

Violet was not close to her siblings.

To put it simply as ‘not close’ was an understatement. They were not the type to casually go out together under the guise of family.

Even if she ended up going with Roen, going with Cairn was a bit much.

“……”

An indescribable uneasy feeling swept over Violet. She became lost in thought, not even sure what was bothering her.

Before visiting the Blaise family’s townhouse, work on the crown prince’s portrait proceeded as usual.

With one less nuisance, it was quite peaceful. Surprisingly, Rajaden was very well-behaved too.

It was unfamiliar for him to be quiet when he was usually noisy. Precisely, it was Rajaden that was unfamiliar. He was being weirdly subdued.

After finishing the greeting and meticulously adjusting her sketch, Violet glanced at Rajaden.

He was absorbed in his own thoughts, like a statue lost in thought.

Scratch, scratch.

The sound of the pencil crossing the canvas softly echoed.

After focusing on her painting for a long time in silence, Violet suddenly looked up to find Rajaden watching her.

There was no sound, but his gaze was incredibly intense.

Violet spoke nonchalantly.

“Is there something you’d like to say?”

“Only now do you speak to me first.”

“I believe I greeted you earlier, Your Highness.”

“That’s not what I’m talking about.”

A bitter smile circled Rajaden’s face.

What was he thinking to make such an expression? Violet slightly furrowed her brow.

“I heard you met Aileen.”

She had merely asked quietly. It was a casual inquiry in her usual tone, yet what returned was silence.

Puzzled by this, Violet looked up at Rajaden, from whom a menacing aura was emanating.

Their eyes met, and he spoke in a low, resonant voice.

“…Who did you hear that from?”

“I just heard it in passing. Seeing your reaction, it seems to be true.”

“……”

Hearing her mention of the rumor, Rajaden considered other possibilities.

If Roen had deliberately informed her… Thirty-eight ways to torment Roen surged in his mind.

A crooked smile appeared on Rajaden’s face. Violet quietly observed him, measuring something.

“Do you have an intention?”

“Intention?”

“You wouldn’t have met that child without a reason.”

“‘That child’?”

His voice was noticeably displeased.

“You speak quite affectionately of her. I was under the impression you weren’t close.”

Rajaden asked this then turned his gaze away as if he didn’t expect an answer.

Violet’s face was etched with confusion at his absurd question.

“Aren’t you jealous?”

“…Jealous?”

“If you were jealous, I could gladly look only at you, Violet.”

“……”

An outrageous statement was made. Violet sighed softly.

“Your Highness.”

“―I’m listening. Continue speaking.”

“Do you know what rumors are currently circulating about you?”

Violet’s words, nothing like what Rajaden wanted to hear, made his eyebrows rise.

Before he could ask, she continued.

“Well, I hope you will be a wise and just emperor.”

“……”