Just when Violet thought everything had finally come to an end, Vaughn showed up to see her again.

Violet, having nothing left to discuss with him, refused the meeting, but Vaughn was persistent. He kept bringing up the matter of debt, and in the end, Violet had no choice but to see him.

“……”

“……”

Yet, there he was, sitting in silence, only drinking his tea, which was utterly infuriating.

Narrowing her eyes, Violet mentally ran through the possible things Vaughn might ask of her.

“The tea has a lovely aroma.”

“It’s a special import.”

“Haha, I suppose it must be expensive.”

Indeed, it was expensive. After all, it was tea imported from his home country, Liran.

Feigning ignorance to this extent was a crime in itself. Violet’s eyes narrowed further.

Rather than letting herself get caught up in his pace again and waste time, she decided to get straight to the point.

Putting down her cup, she asked,

“Why did you want to see me again?”

“I simply wanted to meet you one last time. I’ll be returning to my home country soon.”

“…I see.”

“If I had been born in this country, I might have genuinely fallen for you.”

“That’s a funny joke, Your Highness.”

“Hmm? It’s not a joke—I’m serious.”

“……”

Either way, she was getting caught up in his words again. Violet thought it was a deplorable joke, but she stared directly at him.

“Well, it seems the situation didn’t turn out as you feared. I suppose that’s a relief.”

“Feared?”

“I’m talking about you and the crown prince of this country.”

Violet debated whether to dismiss his unnecessary concern or to scold him for speaking about the crown prince without proper respect.

Before she could decide, Vaughn spoke again.

“I’m thinking of taking your sister with me. Given her rare bloodline, we should at least explore the possibilities.”

Was it the nature of leaders to exploit everything they could? Violet sighed, thinking of Rajaden as she responded.

“…You’re eerily similar to him.”

“Haha, is that a compliment?”

“It’s an insult.”

“I see. So, would it be all right for me to take her?”

Unlike his usual self, Vaughn didn’t ask who this ‘disgusting man’ was. Violet clicked her tongue internally and maintained her poker face.

“I don’t understand why you’re asking me of all people.”

“Because you want Aileen to be ruined, don’t you?”

“…As long as she doesn’t show up in front of me again, I don’t care.”

“Of course, I’ll be sure to uphold that condition. Who knows, if she grows up properly, she might even come back to sincerely apologize to you someday.”

Violet honestly didn’t want to give Aileen that chance. She tilted her head to the side, considering whether to reject Vaughn’s request.

“And if I refuse?”

“Hmm, I suppose that means you don’t want an apology. If that’s the case, Aileen Everett will be exiled and live a miserable life, likely dying from illness.”

“Is that a joke?”

“I’m just stating the facts.”

“……”

“……”

“And the chance that you’ll get caught up in her problems and break the promise you’re making to me now?”

“Oh? Are you suggesting that I might fall for Aileen? Now that would certainly be interesting, huh?”

“……”

“I’m joking, so please drop that menacing glare.”

Could something as unpleasant as that really be a joke? Instead of pointing it out, Violet simply looked at him silently. Meeting her cold purple eyes, Vaughn shook his head with a soft laugh.

“It seems I made quite the unpleasant comment. I apologize.”

“…So, what’s your answer?”

“There’s no chance of that happening. I can’t fall in love—literally.”

What kind of joke was this now? Seeing Violet’s puzzled expression, he added with a grin.

“Oh, I don’t mean it in any other way. I just meant I’m incapable of feeling romantic emotions. Though I suppose I can feel interest.”

In some ways or another, he was worse than Rajaden.

‘So when he said he might have fallen for me, that was just nonsense.’

With that cold conclusion, Violet opened her mouth to rid herself of this unwelcome guest.

“Do as you like. Let’s consider the debt repaid with this.”

“Isn’t that too easy a decision?”

“In exchange, if you show up in front of me again, I’ll use everything in my power to crush you.”

“…Doesn’t sound like a joke. But don’t worry, that won’t happen, so there’s no need for such a scary face.”

“……”

“Haha, even I know how to value my life, despite seeking entertainment.”

“Goodbye. Fair travels.”

Vaughn seemed like he wanted to continue the conversation, but Violet had already dismissed him. As she quickly headed up to her room, she heard him call out belatedly, “What about the exhibition invitation…?”