“Ha…”

Violet laughed as if she was astonished.

Her laughter drew everyone’s attention.

The woman who was labeled a villainess.

And her adopted sister, who was oppressed by her.

The situation was undoubtedly suffocating, yet at the same time, there couldn’t be a more entertaining spectacle.

Violet quickly composed the menacing aura she had been emitting and smiled kindly—a smile she had never shown to Aileen before. As Violet reached out her hand, Aileen flinched. However, Violet merely caressed Aileen’s cheek gently.

“You still have the habit of saying only what you want, not answering the questions asked. Such petulance.”

“But, Sister, you hate me… I came here because I wanted to see you…”

“Why would I hate you? You should be more careful with your words. You don’t want to tarnish the Everett name in front of everyone here, do you?”

“……”

Her voice was terribly tender, and the stroke on the cheek seemed like a gesture of concern for a beloved sister. Yet, Aileen felt a chill at this façade.

Aileen, sensing the eyes on her, hurriedly began to sob.

It was not a behavior fitting for a noble gathering, where everyone was taught to restrain their emotions.

Even here, she acts on a whim, seeking the sympathy of others. Violet’s gaze narrowed as she observed Aileen.

“Pardon the spectacle. This child has always been willful and petulant… If she behaves rudely, come to me directly. I will apologize on her behalf.”

Violet declared this loudly.

The murmuring resumed at her words. Among them, someone bravely spoke up.

“Who is this?”

“Aileen Everett. As you all know, she is my younger sister.”

“Ah, I see.”

The atmosphere was superficially warm and cheerful, but there was a sense of walking on thin ice. Violet glanced at Aileen and then smiled again.

“I need to check on something, so I must leave. Please take good care of my troublesome sister.”

“There’s nothing troublesome about her. Such a lovely lady.”

With those words, Violet swiftly moved away.

Cairn, who had been standing like a statue, unable to comprehend the situation, hurriedly followed Violet, fearing to catch someone’s eye. Aldin remained, observing the situation.

Especially since it was just before the start of the hunting competition, this incident drew more attention. All were from distinguished families worthy of receiving an invitation from the imperial family.

Amidst them, Aileen let out a tear, like a bead.

“Ah, Sister really does hate me…”

“Yeees? What are you talking about? She took such good care of you.”

“No, it’s okay. I understand. I must try hard not to be a burden to the family, right? I can’t have my older sister apologizing because of me.”

“Hm, a-hem. Don’t worry about that.”

“Hehe. Then, may I ask everyone for introductions?”

The girl, who was just admonished for her manners, now beamed a smile as bright as spring. It was impossible to ridicule her in public, especially with such an endearing smile. Thus, no one else raised any objections to her manners.

* * *

“Hey, are you okay?”

“……”

“I mean it. Are you okay? Do you have any idea what’s going on?”

Cairn followed Violet, peppering her with questions. Violet didn’t respond.

He would have normally exploded at Violet when she’s ignoring him, but he quickly shut his mouth upon seeing her furiously contorted face.

Each of Violet’s steps was heavy with anger.

Cairn couldn’t understand what was upsetting Violet so much.

When he first heard Aileen’s voice, he thought it was a hallucination. He was surprised once by seeing Aileen, and twice by her talking only to Violet and ignoring him.

Simple-minded as he was, he couldn’t grasp the subtle barbs hidden in their words but sensed the uncomfortable atmosphere.

Aileen Everett was supposed to be studying abroad in Liran. Why then was she here, at a hunting competition hosted by their own imperial family?

His thoughts, slow to turn, churned with confusion.

Aileen hadn’t noticed him yet. So, he pretended not to exist, muting his presence.

“Are you not leaving.”

“What?”

“She’s your beloved sister, isn’t she? Go away then.”

Violet spoke up when Cairn remained silent. He was about to retort to her sudden provocation but closed his mouth upon seeing her expression.

Violet’s confrontation was abrupt, but her anger was not.

This relationship, which had been superficially maintained as issues were merely swept under the rug, was finally revealing its true nature.

Cairn knew something was wrong, but he could not understand what exactly. He came to a halt.

It was too wrong to complain, yet too unfair to stay silent.

Violet swiftly walked past her indecisive younger brother, heading to a separate tent where the Crown Prince and his close friend Roen were engaged in conversation.