“Ah, Milady!”

As soon as she returned to her room, her personal maid, Mary, greeted her brightly.

She had just finished drawing the curtains. Violet, standing in her now-brightened room, was about to say something but quickly closed her mouth.

“A letter arrived for you, Milady. I haven’t checked the contents, but judging by how it came, I think it’s safe!”

Violet often received various letters, including invitations. Recently, even anonymous letters filled with insults had arrived.

Briefly concerned it might contain something problematic, Violet soon had to smile faintly as she glimpsed the familiar handwriting.

[ Dear Ducal Lady,

I hope you are well and without any worries. As it’s difficult to see you in person, I write you this letter instead. ]

The handwriting was elegant, though there were many faint indents of crossed-out lines, showing how much the writer had agonized over the opening. Violet chuckled, imagining how many sheets of paper must have been wasted just to write that one sentence.

Despite being caught up in this unfortunate situation, the letter tried to maintain a composed tone, starting with small talk about daily life and training routines. It was just like Aldin.

As Violet turned to the second page, she thought about how much she wanted to see Aldin in person. She wanted to read the letter aloud in front of him and watch his face redden with embarrassment.

“I heard about recent events. I believe it will be resolved without issue…”

Violet began reading the letter aloud without realizing it.

By the third page, Aldin’s concerns for her were written in great detail. This, it seemed, was the real purpose of the letter.

At the very end, he wrote,

[ I swear to stand by you, no matter what happens. ]

The next line had been heavily crossed out, as if he’d written [ Even if it means… ] and then decided against it.

Violet wondered if the scratched-out part had said, ‘Even if it means committing treason.’ A knight pledging to follow her even as a rebel—it was quite romantic, wasn’t it?

The sentiment expressed in the letter stirred something deep inside her.

“…Ah.”

She had thought the letter was filled with mundane content.

Yet now, she longed to see him.

The feelings she had at that moment were indescribable.

Folding the letter neatly, Violet looked up at the sky beyond the window.

As long as there was someone like him who would say such things to her, everything would be alright.

* * *

The deteriorating situation was overturned by an unexpected figure.

Violet frowned slightly as she gazed at the person who had come to visit her, despite her confinement.

“Haha, it’s been a while. How have you been?”

“Do I look like I’ve been well?”

His smiling face was irritating. He knew all too well about her situation, yet still asked how she was. His transparent gaze was hard to read.

“You do look a little worn out. Shall I send you some tea with healing properties? It’s a famous type of floral tea from Liran—just one cup guarantees a peaceful night.”

“…Why did you want to see me?”

“Well, I wanted to discuss your beautiful artwork.”

Prince Vaughn of the Liran Kingdom, who was officially staying at the imperial palace as an envoy, was a shameless man. Violet’s expression naturally soured.

He had claimed to have important information, so she had let him in, but it didn’t seem like this conversation would be fruitful.

“I doubt you came all this way just to discuss my artwork while I’m under house arrest.”

“Of course that’s not the only reason, but it is true I’m curious about your paintings. They say they’re the work of a witch who made a pact with the devil, after all.”

“……”

“Oh, but don’t worry, I don’t believe the temple’s nonsense. I’m just intrigued.”

Violet suddenly wanted to walk out of the room. If he hadn’t mentioned having information that could turn the situation around, she would have left immediately.

“…Come to the exhibition when it opens.”

“I intend to. If I’m still in the country by then, that is.”

“……”

Vaughn just smiled, even as he noticed Violet’s expression darken. After some more trivial conversation, Vaughn’s smile never wavered, and Violet couldn’t help but think she wished she could learn his shamelessness.

“Well then, shall we move on to the secondary topic?”

After engaging in idle chatter for a while, Vaughn finally broached the main subject, casually referring to it as ‘secondary’.

“…Yes.”

“You don’t seem thrilled. In any case, could you take a look at this?”

He pulled out a small glass vial from his coat, its contents a clear liquid that shimmered as it sloshed inside.

“…What is this?”

Violet asked weakly. Her energy had been drained, and her voice lacked its usual sharpness.

Unbothered, Vaughn maintained his cheerful demeanor and pulled out some documents he had prepared.

“Please take a moment to read this.”

“I do hope that this is worth my time.”

Grumbling, Violet slowly scanned the papers he handed her.

As she read, her eyes widened in surprise.