If she was still the old Violet, she would have found a way to blame someone, whether by covering it up or even ordering to cut someone’s tongue or wrist. Bringing someone’s life to the brink was remarkably easy.

However, such malice no longer existed in her heart. Violet quietly placed her utensils down and spoke.

“Still, I’d like to meet and have a conversation with them at least once.”

“But make sure it’s within the bounds of the law.”

“…I’m not planning on killing anyone.”

“Don’t even think about cutting anything.”

“You’re just urging me to be cruel now.”

“That’ll at least give me something to do.”

“……”

Roen’s words were a bit unclear, whether they were serious or just a joke. Violet let out another quiet sigh. She had been speaking calmly, but her mood was quite low. After all, revenge was like that, wasn’t it?

As Roen was not unaware of this fact, he decided to respect Violet’s wishes for now.

* * *

Even if she had made up her mind to do so, a master was still a master. Indeed, a master tended to be proud and indulged in their own ways. It was a challenging task to be on the same page with them, to say the least.

Instead of rushing, Violet decided to continue her usual daily routine. Lately, she had been receiving anonymous gifts quite often, which quite reminded her of how Roen had been before.

Some were of low quality, and some were rare items that only a noble would be able to obtain. She wondered if they were imitating the actions of friends, so she stored all the gifts in the warehouse. It was an act born of laziness—it was bothersome to even go through the trouble of returning them.

She soon found it enjoyable to visit the palace twice a week. Still, whether it was due to the princess acting willfully or because she couldn’t speak, she was treated like a child by everyone.

Sometimes, it seemed like she harbored dissatisfaction with this fact, but for the most part, she seemed to enjoy it to the fullest. And since she couldn’t express herself directly, it was hard to determine which side of the matter she leaned towards.

Born in the cursed lineage of the imperial family, she was a child regarded to have the blood of the Sun God flowing in her veins.

The surviving scions of the imperial family carried this heavy burden. If anyone dared to challenge this fact, there would surely be bloodshed in the imperial capital.

Violet gently stroked the young princess’s head.

If the characteristics of the imperial family hadn’t manifested in the child, it might have raised questions about the empress’s fidelity.

Violet suddenly wondered how the emperor, not the empress or the crown prince, viewed the princess.

The empress claimed he was overprotective, but the truth remained unknown. Violet decided not to involve herself any further in the affairs of the imperial family.

Meanwhile, the palace maids in the palace greatly appreciated Violet’s care for the princess. Lady Marcela, the current chief lady-in-waiting, even said something like this to her.

“Do you have any intention of becoming a lady-in-waiting to Her Highness the Princess?”

“…No, I don’t.”

“People who become aware of Her Highness tend to avoid serving her, but this place is not for those who have fallen out of favor. You can still earn the favor of His Highness the Crown Prince and Her Majesty the Empress…”

“No thank you.”

With a somewhat disappointed expression, Lady Marcela looked at Violet. It was said that she was notorious for being strict with young servants in her youth. Should Violet be glad to have caught her eye?

Well, Violet nodded slightly and began her official duties.

“Now then, is it alright if you stay still for just a moment?”

“……”

Her main task had begun.

Violet knew that her skills were still lacking. Her current skill in painting was based on memories from her previous life, not built on a solid foundation in this world. Therefore, her hand was still unsteady, and she struggled with trembling lines.

After several attempts and corrections, she finally achieved somewhat satisfactory results.

The young princess, who had to stay still for a while, seemed quite bored. To pass the remaining time, Violet the young princess if she wanted a snack. The princess requested pudding, and as she was eating it, she accidentally spilled some.

“Come now, don’t spill it. You should eat it.”

“…As expected of the future chief lady-in-waiting…”

As someone muttered to herself from behind, Violet pretended not to hear.

The princess was not only cute but also objectively beautiful. Her striking resemblance to the crown prince sometimes made her look like a doll. Of course, there couldn’t be a doll as lively as her.

The atmosphere of the paintings Violet had been creating so far could be described as night, close to winter in terms of seasons. Evenings, nights, dawns, autumn, winter, cold and lonely hours.

But when it came to the portrait of the princess, she decided to paint her to resemble a bright spring day.

She had such a desire because the princess truly resembled spring.

“Thank you again for today.”

“Well then, I’ll see you again next week.”

As it was time to part, the princess waved her hand. Her face was smeared with a lot of cream, causing Countess Halsella, the chief lady-in-waiting, to be a little flustered. The princess paid no mind to it.

Outside the palace, a carriage was waiting. Violet usually rode this carriage to go home, but today she had a different destination in mind.

The palace was truly vast. The wide spaces between buildings meant that even within the palace, one had to ride a carriage to reach their desired destination. Violet smiled as she looked at the refreshments she had prepared in advance.

The palace guards accompanying her were taken aback when they heard Violet’s destination.

“I wish to watch the knights’ training.”