Unaware of Violet’s inner thoughts, Mary chattered away while tidying up the table next to her.

“Even in the provinces, they used to imitate the Imperial Family’s events and have hunting competitions, but the original is still the royal family. Oh, it’s such a romantic event. Wishing for the safety of knights with a noble lady’s handkerchief. Surely, Milady will embroider a beautiful handkerchief, especially since you’re so good at drawing. It will undoubtedly be more beautiful than others!”

“……”

Remembering how she had been greatly compared to Aileen in the past in terms of embroidery skills, Violet fell silent. While she was immersed in memories of her hands being plagued by a spider’s web, Mary continued to talk cheerfully.

“Who are you giving your handkerchief to? Perhaps a certain handsome knight with black hair? Or His Highness the Crown Prince? Heavens, our dear lady is so popular, what if everyone gathers around?”

Shattering Mary’s dream, Violet bluntly retorted,

“It’s bothersome.”

“But you’re going to participate, right?”

“Embroidery doesn’t suit me.”

“My oh my, our young lady is so delicate. I’m sure your embroidery would be unique and beautiful.”

“Assuming that I can embroider well just because I draw well is a bias.”

“Trust me, Milady!”

Violet’s dilemma deepened. She couldn’t ignore tradition, and as Mary suggested, she had to participate. It would be better to find something to replace embroidery.

‘If I’m not participating in the hunting competition, I’ll probably just spend time indoors. Should I bring a book?’

As Violet had this thought, Mary, who noticed it like a hawk, interjected,

“This time, please be sure to make friends.”

“Friends, all of a sudden?”

“It’s because of those nasty misunderstandings that Milady couldn’t make friends well. Use this opportunity to meet good people. Okay?”

“Mary? I’m fine with just you though.”

“Eyy. But still, you must make friends. It worries me… What if Milady won’t ever have any friends?”

Violet made a bewildered expression. Whether she said anything or not, Mary, who had finished tidying up, moved briskly with her belongings.

It was true that Violet had no friends, but no one had pointed out this fact until now. In the first place, making genuine friends in high society was difficult. The friendship that had bloomed between Marchioness Leshan and the late Duchess Everett was unique case.

Unaware of this, Mary continued to chatter while organizing the easel.

“Since Milady is a good person, everyone will surely think highly of you. Do you know? My friend Rina said that. Oh, Rina’s a friend I met not long ago.”

Once Mary’s mouth opened and she’d start talking, there was no end to her chatter.

She shared details about the friends she met at the hair salon, their skills, rumors about the ducal lady that they discussed, the reactions when she clarified things, and so on. It seemed endless.

This friendly girl had many friends.

“Milady should make friends soon…”

“Mary, I’ll handle my own affairs, so don’t worry.”

“If you make friends, you can chat and have fun together when you go out! I’ll make your hair pretty, so make sure to come back with new friends!”

“……”

Unable to resist the affectionate and caring tone, Violet couldn’t say anything to her. It was an undeniable fact that she had no friends, after all.

Unintentionally, the dilemma of whether to participate in the hunting competition turned into a dilemma of how to make friends.

When Violet realized that she had been drawn into Mary’s chatter, it was already evening, and now it was time to think about how to prepare the handkerchief.

* * *

“Which gentleman will Your Ladyship hand a handkerchief to at this coming hunting competition?”

During the process of sketching for the imperial princess’s portrait for a long time, Rajaden suddenly asked.

Violet was gradually getting annoyed with Rajaden’s incessant interruptions.

Aside from never missing out on the ducal lady’s regular sketching sessions of the princess, he just kept asking so, so, so many questions. Each time, she’d be nearly overcome by the rude urge to ask back, ‘Are you talking to me because you don’t have any friends?’

Honestly, even if she didn’t ask that, she already knew that Roen was the crown prince’s only friend in this entire empire.

“I don’t intend to cheer for only one participant.”

“Really?”

“Yes.”

“Not anyone at all?”

“No.”

The crown prince was persistent during his inquisition. Violet, in turn, replied only half-heartedly.

There were quite a few people who were curious to whom she would bestow her especially embroidered handkerchief.

Violet’s response remained consistent. The same question being posed to her was really starting to grate on her nerves already, but it was still true that she wasn’t thinking of giving a handkerchief to anyone.

“I knew that Your Ladyship wasn’t close to your brothers. So, I thought there wouldn’t be a reason to give it to Sir Cairn.”

“Nope.”

Rajaden sighed at Violet’s concise answer. He seemed to be pondering.

Even if it were the first time she was doing this, Violet wouldn’t give a handkerchief to Cairn—not at all. Cairn also didn’t express any particular expectations of her, since he already knew Violet’s intentions.

Above all, the sons of House Everett were well aware of Violet’s destructive embroidery skills.

“What about someone else?”

“I beg your pardon, Your Highness, but I don’t understand the purpose of this little inquisition.”

“I’m just trying to figure out if I’ve got a rival in love. Haven’t you noticed?”

“……”

These nonsensical words were delivered with such confidence. When Violet gave a serious look, the crown prince just shrugged.

“It makes me feel a bit sad that you dismissed my feelings as a mere joke. Well anyway, it’s fortunate to hear that you won’t be giving a handkerchief to anyone else.”

Violet was now quite accustomed to that smile of his.

Then, he added with a playful tone,

“It probably means you won’t give it to Sir Aldin either.”

“…Why are you suddenly bringing up Sir Aldin?”

That name came up out of the blue. Suddenly, Aldin had been named as a candidate to receive her embroidered handkerchief.

When Violet asked about it calmly, Rajaden only smiled meaningfully.

In the midst of their casual conversation, the princess in her older brother’s arms struggled and whined.

Sure, sure, you’re a good girl. Rajaden, who comforted his younger sister well, adjusted his posture and looked at Violet.

“There’s a myth saying that the knight who receives a handkerchief presents the winner’s trophy back to the lady, the two will be happy together for thousands of years.”

It was a myth.

And, yet another story about love.