“…Could it be?”

Roen’s face turned pale as he guessed why Violet was upset. Cairn interjected.

“Are you saying Aileen is the Liran prince’s attendant?”

Cairn, who usually kept a casual tone, hesitated first and then spoke, his expression uneasy under Roen’s gaze. It was as grim as Violet’s.

“It seems likely. Hasn’t the Everett estate sent any news?”

“…No, there hasn’t been any. If we had known, we would have dealt with it earlier.”

“Even Father only found out last night. Since we couldn’t ignore the Liran prince, we sent an invitation, but the fact that I wasn’t informed first of such news…”

“……”

It’s such a mess that the country was all shaken up.

Roen clenched his fists, and Rajaden gave him a glance. Go after her. Understanding the look, Roen nodded and excused himself.

“This being an international situation is not good at all.”

Cairn hung his head at Rajaden’s clucking tongue.

Now left alone with the empire’s crown prince, Cairn, the third son of the Everett family, snuck a glance at Rajaden and prepared to make his exit.

* * *

The man had a very gentle demeanor. Violet, who initially thought he might be a snake like Roen, looked at him with suspicion.

If he was someone important enough to be invited to the imperial hunting competition, Violet should have known him, but she didn’t recognize the man before her.

“Indeed, I had high expectations for the land blessed by the Sun God, and it is indeed magnificent.”

“…If it’s not too much trouble, may I ask for your introduction?”

“I apologize. I have no grand titles in this country. Please, call me Vaughn.”

“Are you from another country?”

“Indeed, in Liran, I am undeservedly called a prince.”

It was suspicious and even more so. How many could introduce themselves as a prince from another country?

Violet, well-versed in domestic affairs but less so in foreign matters, struggled to recall.

Liran, also known as the land of fairies, had a royal family but was governed by a parliament. And she remembered hearing that the current king of Liran had three children, so trying to recall the name ‘Vaughn’ was not difficult.

“I apologize for my rudeness to a foreign prince. I am Violet S. Everett of the Everett Duchy.”

Vaughn smiled at Violet, who displayed impeccable imperial etiquette.

“Indeed, I have heard a lot about you.”

“What do you mean by that?”

“There is a girl travelling with me. We met by chance, and I liked her, so she’s been accompanying me.”

Upon hearing those words, Violet, who had figured out the full story behind Aileen’s appearance, swallowed her irritation inwardly.

There must be a multitude of stories hidden behind that ‘chance’.

Not intending to ask further, Violet looked at Ban expressionlessly.

“You must be talking about Aileen Everett.”

“She’s an interesting child. Full of ambitions that exceed her station.”

“……”

Violet remained silent in response, anxious about what Vaughn might say next.

Something about the situation was off.

Even if Liran was a small kingdom, the arrival of its royalty, especially for a significant event like the hunting competition, should have caused a stir in the nation.

Yet, neither Violet nor Roen had received any news.

She knew there’s something wrong here.

“Once again, I apologize for the rudeness. I didn’t expect to see a prince from another country at the hunting competition.”

“That’s okay. The customs here are quite different from Liran.”

Instead of explaining why he was here, Ban offered another answer. Violet, not expecting a straightforward response, met Vaughn’s gaze.

“I’ll ask directly. What brings you here?”

“Hmm. Let’s say it’s a study tour or educational visit.”

“And your reason for being with Aileen Everett?”

“She knows this country well. I asked her to be my guide.”

It sounded plausible but didn’t quite fit. Why would a prince from another country bring along someone from the Everett family?

House Everett, a ducal house in the empire, held power comparable to the kings of smaller nations.

Violet slightly furrowed her brow. Did Duke Everett know about this?

Vaughn chuckled upon seeing her expression.

“Fortunate, I must say, to see a ‘unique soul’ like yours. I didn’t expect that.”

“What do you mean?”

“Just as I said. You have quite unusual eyes. Patched up as they are, it’s hard for a soul once shattered to regain its original form. A sign usually only visible to those who have returned from death.”

“This is not Liran.”

“Oh, was I rude? My apologies.”

Violet understood only half of what Vaughn said. She retorted sharply, yet he smiled calmly.

He was even more unpleasant than Roen.

“I was curious what made her so obsessed. But seeing a soul that still shines even when fragmented, it’s no wonder that place is coveted.”