“…What? Why her?”

Without thinking, Violet mentioned Aileen’s name and immediately regretted it. Cairn’s expression darkened ominously.

Still just a child, Cairn had only learned how to lower his voice. He asked again.

“Why did you bring up her name here?”

“…Forget I said anything.”

Currently, Roen was wary of Aileen and supported Violet. He had always been someone who only cared for those close to him and had little sympathy for others, so his sudden change in sides wasn’t surprising.

However, Cairn was naturally affectionate. Despite his fiery temper, once he gave his heart, he couldn’t easily detach from it.

This trait was bound to affect his relationships with others as well. His simple, black-and-white thinking divided the world into good and bad. After labeling Violet as the victim, he deemed Aileen to be bad. But who knows what might happen.

There hadn’t been any clear incident to drive a wedge between Cairn and Aileen. In other words, it was too soon to talk about Aileen to him.

Violet glanced at Cairn. Though he was often angry, this time his expression was different.

“…You always leave me out of the conversation.”

His gritting teeth were an unusual reaction. Violet lowered her eyes and sighed.

“Fine. If you don’t want to talk to me, then don’t.”

Cairn, who always wore an angry face, now showed an uncharacteristically cold demeanor. His anger, contrary to Violet’s expectations, had another source she didn’t foresee.

It seemed his frustration stemmed from being left out of important conversations because he was the youngest—or simply considered a fool.

Though she was still uncertain of how he might react, Violet tried to keep her mind occupied. She went to choose an outfit for watching the play.

* * *

Violet picked a light dress in a fresh, bright color. She wore a wide-brimmed hat to shield her face from the light, looking like a young lady out for a stroll.

When she arrived at the meeting place, Aldin, who had arrived first, smiled brightly as soon as he saw her.

Even though she had experienced someone smiling brightly at her before, Violet hesitated at his smile.

Numerous gazes followed them. His tall stature and undeniably beautiful face attracted attention, but Violet felt uncomfortable.

“Have you been well?”

“We saw each other just the other day.”

“Oh, right. That’s true…”

Her reply came out coldly without her intending it.

Aldin was flustered by her unexpectedly sharp response. Violet laughed aloud at his reaction.

“I’m just joking. Cairn is returning to the academy soon, so it’s been a bit noisy at home.”

“…Finally, that idiot is going back.”

As soon as the conversation shifted to Cairn, Aldin’s expression turned serious. It might have been a reaction from a friend, but Violet, who had few friends, found it hard to understand.

“You’re particularly harsh on Cairn.”

“…Am I? I thought this was being friendly…”

“……”

For a brief moment, Violet reflected on her own friendships. Mary felt more like a younger sister than a friend, and she didn’t have this kind of relationship with Alesia, who she considered a friend. Wasn’t he treating Cairn more like a younger brother than a friend too? Her eyes narrowed slightly.

“Come to think of it, I haven’t heard much about you. Do you have any friends besides Cairn?”

“……”

Her question was met with silence. Just as Violet was contemplating asking again, Aldin finally responded.

“…I have no intention of associating with people who aren’t worthwhile.”

“Ah…”

So he’s the type of person who’d isolate himself from the world. Violet suddenly realized that all her friends were also people who isolated themselves and walked alone. Despite her similar circumstances, Violet firmly believed she maintained normal relationships. She asked quietly again.

“Then what about me?”

“Pardon?”

“Am I someone worth talking to?”

“Well, that is… I mean…”

It was mischievous to ask such a question just days after being confessed to. Violet chuckled softly. Aldin’s face turned bright red.

He was amusing, reacting just as expected when teased.

“Even so, it’s not good to be overly selective about who you associate with.”

“…It’s all the same in the end. Fools who think there’s superiority among people when the blood running through their veins is all the same red.”

“Ah.”

Violet let out a short reply and, after a brief contemplation, asked again.

“Doesn’t that include me as well?”

“Pardon?”

“Not now, but in the past. I don’t think I had a particularly good personality.”

“……”

Nobles are a breed that firmly believes a person’s value is determined by their lineage. In the past, she likely thought the same way, which is why she found it surprising that Aldin treated her like this.

“…You were different.”