Violet’s statement was concise. These words were deliberately phrased to provoke.

She was hoping that he would not become a tyrant like the rumors suggested. Her intent was straightforward yet irrelevant.

Watching Violet stop speaking mid-sentence, Rajaden wore a visibly displeased expression. She didn’t care.

Telling the truth was out of the question.

From everyone’s perspective, the imperial family had marked Ducal Lady Violet S. Everett as the next crown princess. But the crown prince is said to be meeting the second Ducal Lady of Everett.

So, in the eyes of others, he was weighing between the two sisters.

Unless the imperial family intended to be at odds with House Everett, such behavior was unlikely. Yet, the rumors spread quickly.

People chattered daily about others’ gossip and love triangles for amusement alone.

The content, being lowbrow, circulated only among certain people.

Even Mary was hesitant to speak of it without being pressed.

If the crown prince was indeed meeting Aileen, there must be another motive.

Violet knew the fact, but the very act of being discussed alongside Aileen in public was displeasing.

No matter the motive, if the rumor was intentional, it could only be more displeasing.

Using rumors in such a low manner was not the behavior of a wise and just emperor.

Unaware of Violet’s thoughts, Rajaden stroked his chin. Some time later, the words he uttered were not an explanation prompted by her request to ‘be a wise ruler’.

“Tell me about yourself.”

His response was equally irrelevant.

“About me?”

“…Yes.”

The change in topic was jarring. It was baffling how his line of thought had reached this point. Astonished, Violet was speechless, while Rajaden, closing his eyes languidly, continued speaking.

“Just, anything is fine…. Talk about the commoner child you’ve been looking after, or… I’d even like to hear some old stories. How you’ve been and such.”

Violet was reflexively about to refuse, but she closed her mouth.

The sunlight poured down, scattering light over the two of them.

The light made his blond hair sparkle like jewels. With his eyes closed, Rajaden looked particularly tired.

Though it was a blatant change of subject, Violet decided to respond.

Though countless complex thoughts flitted through her mind, she chose to speak of anything.

The ensuing topics she could included tales not befitting a highborn ducal lady, the kind you might hear in a marketplace.

They were not the usual rumors or information common in high society, just really trivial everyday chitchat.

Of course, Violet wasn’t particularly adept at maintaining such light topics, so the conversation ended quickly.

Even though Rajaden didn’t get the story he wanted or wished to know, his eyes gleamed with apparent enjoyment.

The day’s portrait session ended without significant progress.

* * *

As planned, the three Everett siblings were to leave for Blaise’s invitation in the early evening.

Amidst this, there was one unusual detail.

‘Aldin Aesir’ had been invited.

Since he was neither a blood relative nor related to the Blaise family, Violet found this puzzling and asked Roen, who replied,

“Perhaps they’re curious because he graduated as valedictorian, surpassing Cairn. The current Margrave Blaise is also a powerful figure in our empire, so…”

Though she was a relative, Violet had almost no information about House Blaise, knowing only what was commonly known.

As they were about to depart together…

“Sorry, I have urgent matters to attend to, so I need to bow out. I’ve sent the gifts ahead, so go and enjoy yourself without worry.”

Roen declared his absence, leaving Violet flabbergasted and speechless, yet Roen faced her with a consistently mild and gentle smile.

The thought of going alone with Cairn, with whom she had not reconciled, was far from pleasant. Uncharacteristically, Violet grabbed onto Roen, but was rejected.

“…Sorry, I really am busy.”

His ability to sneak away was so adept that, indeed, Roen was genuinely busy.

Of course, he also didn’t want to be singled out as a scholar among warriors.

Ultimately, Violet was left to accompany Cairn, who only emitted a gloomy aura. The entire ride ensued in complete silence.

“……”

“……”

The silence wasn’t awkward or uncomfortable.

However, Cairn’s attitude was.

He would try to gauge Violet’s mood, but would soon quickly shut his mouth in a sullen manner. It was rather irritating. If there was something to say, he should speak up directly instead of walking on eggshells like that.

With Cairn acting as such, Violet just left him to his own devices.

The Blaise family’s townhouse was not as large as she had expected. While it was indeed a luxuriously large mansion, it was smaller than Violet had anticipated.

As they were guided into the mansion by the butler, Violet saw Aldin who had just arrived and greeted him warmly.

Startled at the sight of her, Aldin stumbled over his words.

“I-It’s been a while…”

It was a rather abrupt change in demeanor.