Violet tucked away these newly discovered secrets of the imperial family deep into her mind. The information was utterly useless and with no good reason to gossip about it.

In fact, it was safer not to know, or to pretend she knew nothing even if she did.

The empress and the princess appeared quite affectionate. Was this what a mother was like? How long would she continue to love and protect her child?

Violet couldn’t help but feel that these two existed in a different world from her own. The affection the empress showed her daughter was something Violet couldn’t quite fathom as herself.

And so, she felt a slight unease.

“So, do you know why I summoned you here, Ducal Lady?”

“…I am not quite sure.”

“If you think about it, you might figure it out.”

“…I really don’t know.”

She had to make an effort not to reveal the sinking feeling inside her. Why was she feeling so unsettled? Why was this melancholy seemingly boundless? She couldn’t dare to show this before the empress.

“Well, if you really don’t seem to know, I’ll just tell you. You’ve been dabbling in painting lately, yes?”

“It is only a hobby.”

“Then considering it’s just a hobby, it seems quite impressive, doesn’t it? Oh, my son brags about the paintings the Ducal Lady has done, saying we should see them.”

Rajaden had mentioned that he showed off the painting to his family. Given his position as the crown prince, it was only natural that his family referred to the emperor and the empress.

Violet forced a smile as she sipped her tea. Her mood had grown even gloomier with this newfound realization.

“So, I have a request. I’d like to commission a portrait of the Princess.”

“―Pardon?”

“Since it’s you, Ducal Lady, there’s no need to worry about baseless rumors spreading. I’m quite fond of you, too. And your art as well.”

A gentle smile graced Violet’s field of vision. She couldn’t let her guard down. Chills continued going down her spine.

“Your art is truly profound. You seem to depict a world different from reality, one that could show this child the countless worlds that exist.”

The empress, after patting the princess’s head once, spoke in a gentle voice.

“Above all, I appreciate your declaration that you don’t wish to marry. It seems to show there’s a different path for noblewomen born into this world.”

The woman speaking appeared more like a mother to a child than a queen. Violet gazed at her and slowly nodded.

“My skills may be lacking, but I will do my best.”

“Fufu, thank you. Now, Celi, what do you think?”

At those words, the princess glanced briefly at Violet. In that moment, as she saw the golden irises with vertically narrowed pupils, Violet once again realized that this child was a true, blue-blooded member of the imperial family.

Those eyes, so similar to Rajaden’s, scanned Violet for a brief moment before moving away.

“Celi likes you, too. They say children are drawn to pretty people, and it seems to be true.”

“…Her Highness… likes me?”

“She really does. Come on, Celi.”

The princess, having detached herself from the empress’s embrace, circled around Violet once before running off somewhere.

Violet was initially puzzled by this behavior but eventually accepted it as something the child enjoyed.

The question of whether she dared to paint the princess’s portrait still lingered within her, however.

“That child will undoubtedly disappear without a trace, leaving no name or any mark anywhere. So, I wanted to leave behind a single portrait as evidence that such a person once existed in this world.”

“…I will do as you wish.”

In truth, the empress’s desire was quite ambitious. Most people were born and would vanish without leaving a proper trace. It might not necessarily be an unhappy life. So, this might just be the ambition of a mother.

“Your art creates fantasies rather than reality, so in those paintings, that child might find her freedom.”

“I will do my best, Your Majesty.”

It was a warm affection—a proper one. Violet believed that the princess would undoubtedly be happy.

“Oh, and if you can, I’d like a portrait of Rajaden as well…”

“I must decline, Your Majesty.”

“You decline quickly. Wouldn’t it be nice for a young man and woman to spend time together, building affection?”

“……”

“You seem gentle but resolute.”

With a mischievous tone, the empress chuckled again. There were rumors that the current emperor was dominated by the empress. Was it true? Violet smiled as if guessing.

“Then, I’ll entrust this matter to you.”

Their teatime continued smoothly after that. It involved scheduling the portrait work, some casual conversations, the empress’s subtle nudging about her son, and Violet’s strong iron wall.