If the air could have a taste, the current atmosphere would taste like sweet dessert.

On a day when a national holiday and festival were approaching, many people went about their daily lives, suppressing their excitement.

Roen’s day was no different. As he carried on as usual, he couldn’t resist his curiosity any longer and asked,

“Violet, did something happen between you and the Crown Prince?”

“He proposed to me, and I turned him down.”

“…What?”

“He even prepared a ring, so it seemed he was serious. I made sure to refuse clearly.”

Roen had noticed something strange these past few days, but it was only today that he found out why exactly Rajaden’s condition had visibly deteriorated. Through Violet, he finally understood the reason and asked again, doubting his ears.

“What did you just say?”

“…His Highness confessed his love and proposed to me. I asked if he loved me enough to give up the position of Crown Prince, and when he said no, I refused.”

Roen, who asked again and received the same answer, fell silent. The image of Rajaden he had seen at dawn kept replaying in his mind.

“I see…”

“Yes.”

Violet’s tone was as calm as if she were discussing the weather.

This made Roen have to rub his forehead.

‘That was rash.’

Marriage for a daughter from a prestigious family rarely includes her own will. It has been this way since ancient times.

There were occasional exceptions, but generally, this was the case here.

Therefore, Rajaden’s proposal was inappropriate for his position.

A pure proposal based on the feelings of the person involved.

Roen quickly thought through what should have happened for something like this, which should be achieved in the name of love.

Now was too soon for a proposal. Rajaden should have taken his time to win Violet’s heart gradually. If he had done so, there would have been more hope than there was now.

This was a fact that Roen, who had been by Violet’s side, knew best.

Rajaden must have known this too, so why was he in such a hurry? He seemed to have made some effort to win her heart, but the result was this.

It didn’t matter anyway. Roen liked Rajaden as a friend and a monarch, not as a brother-in-law.

“I looked into countries that are safe to seek asylum to. I’ll hand over the reports to you later.”

He respected his sister’s choice. However, if the imperial family formally sent a marriage proposal, Violet’s refusal would be nullified.

Roen, Violet, and Rajaden all knew this well.

Knowing Rajaden’s arrogance, Roen seriously shortlisted countries suitable to run away to. A mix of jokes and earnest suggestions was made once more in the midst of this situation.

Understanding the reason for the talk of seeking asylum, Violet thanked him.

“So, you’re not planning to attend the banquet from today onwards?”

“No. I’m not shameless enough to do that.”

“…I see.”

Though she was his sister, he couldn’t help but think she was quite cruel. With this, Roen looked at Violet with a gentle smile.

Of course, if she attended the ball with him after rejecting his proposal, she’d only give him a flicker of torturous hope. The other party might even prefer that torturous hope, but Violet decided to respect her own limits.

Roen only heard about the proposal through Violet and so he wouldn’t be able to read the many emotions that might have been there during the proposal itself. But still, he could vaguely understand Rajaden’s feelings.

And he muttered faintly.

“I guess it makes sense why he hurried…”

“What? I didn’t hear what you said.”

“Nothing, nothing. If you’re not going to the ball, do you have other plans?”

“There’s a festival starting this evening, so I plan to go see it.”

“Really?”

“Yes.”

“I see…”

Violet planned to visit the festival, accompanied by Cairn’s insistence. Roen sensed another companion from that statement.

Ah, that’s why Rajaden was in a hurry. He didn’t have time to wait when there’s a strong rival around.

Roen swallowed these thoughts instead of muttering them to himself.

Then he suddenly remembered and spoke lightly.

“Oh, by the way. The group that tried to kidnap you has been caught.”

“Really?”

“Yes, they’re being interrogated now.”

“That type of information shouldn’t be shared carelessly, should it?”

“It’s classified, of course. Even the fact that they were caught is a secret, but I’m telling you because you’re involved.”

“Isn’t it not supposed to be shared?”

“Haha, just keep it a secret.”

Violet briefly wondered if Roen was really fit to be a duke and the emperor’s aide.

Unaware of her thoughts, Roen pondered something before speaking again.

“And.”

“Yes.”

“No, never mind. Enjoy the festival.”

“You’re not planning to enjoy it, are you?”

“…If you would take over being the duke for me, I’d go out and have fun.”

“I’m rooting for you. Stay strong.”

“Heartless…”

Violet left Roen behind and stood up.

Though she felt a bit bothered about what he stopped himself from saying, if it were really important, he would have said it by now.

With a vaguely trusting belief, Violet began preparing in earnest for the festival.