What’s this now. As Violet’s hand had been playfully toying with the pencil until now, unknowingly on her part, it stopped as she continued to listen to the next words that the crown prince uttered.

“Come to think of it, about thirty years ago, the current Duke of Everett also dedicated his victory in a hunting competition to the late Duchess.”

As fate would have it, Violet’s grip on the pencil tightened involuntarily as the topic hit a nerve. If her hand had a bit more strength, she could have broken the pencil and more. With closed eyes, Violet, suppressing her annoyance, looked directly at Rajaden.

“What exactly are you trying to say.”

“Oh, I wanted to share an interesting story, but it seems I’ve offended you. My apologies.”

Rajaden swiftly adjusted his tone, even offering an apology. With the sight of this man, quickly acquiescing to her, made Violet unable to get angrier. Somehow, she decided to let him off easily, as this arrogant man seemed to

Rajaden swiftly adjusted his tone, even going as far as to offer an apology. Though Violet viewed him to be frustratingly unbearable until now, she couldn’t stay mad. This highborn man, who looked like he had never once uttered the word ‘sorry’ before, had acquiesced to her.

Still, Violet pondered. The marchioness, Mary, and even the crown prince of this nation—why did people of this country love tales of romance so much? Given the multitude of popular bestsellers mostly revolving around love, it wasn’t surprising.

As Violet reflected on this fact, she let out an audible sigh. At the sound of the lady’s sigh, the crown prince flinched briefly.

“Beating around the bush wouldn’t be fruitful, it seems, so I’ll speak directly. I’m participating in the hunting competition that day as well.”

“Sure…”

“The results will, in no way, be manipulated. I am participating purely with my own skills,” Rajaden stated.

Well, it wasn’t very surprising that the crown prince was going to participate in an event sponsored by the imperial family, was it?

By now, Rajaden must already know Violet well, or at least well enough to be aware of her unyielding nature. Nevertheless, Rajaden pursued the matter.

“I see…”

The crown prince directly spoke his mind in such a way, and yet Violet’s reaction remained unchanged.

Violet, aware that the golden-eyed gaze persistently followed her, sighed once again.

“Are you not busy, Your Highness?”

“I am, but it’s not to the extent that I can’t spare some time. Besides, wouldn’t you want me to set aside time just for you, Ducal Lady?”

It was a clumsy attempt at flirting. Despite his previous experiences of people flocking to him without him trying, Rajaden was subtly inexperienced in wooing someone.

Moreover, he didn’t even seem to realize this fact. He seemed to think that anyone, especially a future emperor such as himself, would be grateful by his very presence alone if he set aside time for them.

Without taking her gaze off the canvas, Violet responded.

“If you use that time for state affairs, Lord Roen would appreciate it more.”

“Well, I have nothing to say.”

Rajaden knew that trying to manipulate a friend like Roen would be fruitless, and he reluctantly conceded. Ultimately, having failed to secure Violet’s handkerchief, he pouted and spoke with a lowered voice.

“To trample on the crown prince’s innocence like this.”

“Innocence? Do you genuinely think that?”

“Do I have any reason to think otherwise? Cruel. So cruel.”

“Think it over yourself. Well, let’s end the session here for today.”

All throughout, Violet never once gave Rajaden a single glance. She started tidying up her art supplies. The disappointed prince laughed it off, appearing nonchalant.

As Violet finished organizing her workspace, the princess, aware that it was time to part, leaped down from her older brother’s lap and, with a cheerful skip in her step, ran towards Violet.

Violet welcomed the girl, who looked much younger than her age, into her embrace, smiling as she gently patted her head. Despite Rajaden’s bewildered smile at the clear difference in attitudes, neither of the girls paid him any attention.

“Fare thee well to Your Highnesses, stars of the Empire.”

After doting on the princess for a bit, Violet, with proper etiquette, bid her farewell. Watching her retreat, Rajaden chuckled with a bitter smile.

“Indeed, it’s not innocence.”

His muttered words echoed. The princess giggled at the incomprehensible remark.

No, it can’t be. Repeating it to himself like a mantra, he murmured incessantly.

As Rajaden erased the shimmering figure before him, he admonished his sister and urged her to behave. The prince, who had gone out of his way to set aside time for the lady, now had to attend to state affairs.

* * *

“So, about the upcoming hunt.”

As dinner was coming to a close, Roen of course brought up the topic. Violet furrowed her brows. Roen, however, looked at his sister’s expression and wondered, ‘What did I do wrong this time?’

From Violet’s side, she’d been incessantly tormented by hunting competition stories all day, and thus simply expressed her annoyance reflexively. However, from Roen’s perspective, who felt unjustly accused, he could only feel a sense of impending doom.

Roen pouted as if to say, ‘What did I do wrong?’ Violet, whether she said anything or not, moved her fork and knife gracefully.

“Ahem, ahem. It’s just that, in every hunting competition, it’s a trend to hand over a handkerchief. Anyway, the contract with the Perun Firm this time…”

Violet was already anticipating that Roen would clamor for a handkerchief from her as well, but she had to swallow those words this time. This guy was talking about politics and business instead.

The fragile scholar born in a family of knightly background seemed unlikely to personally engage in hunting, even if he participated in the competition nominally. Moreover, even if it wasn’t Violet, there was a plethora of other women who wanted to give him a handkerchief. Therefore, he seemed to have no regrets in not being able to receive his sister’s handkerchief.

“So, for your handkerchief, if you use the cloth I obtained this time…”

Even if Violet was only half-listening, Roen stubbornly continued. Since there was no request she couldn’t turn down, she responded appropriately.

And, when the atmosphere had somewhat thawed.

“More importantly, Violet, are you going to give your handkerchief to Sir Aldin?”

Cough—