In any case, she half-ignored his answer.

“Oh. You don’t want to talk to me?”

“Nothing like that. I just didn’t answer because it was disturbing my concentration.”

“Haha, such professional dedication.”

“Thank you for the compliment.”

With Violet’s reply, the sound of the brush on the canvas resumed.

The yellow paint shone brightly on the canvas, layered several times.

Violet, who had been purposely leaving a rough texture, suddenly felt a gaze and looked up.

“……?”

Rajaden was staring at her, very intently.

Feeling uncomfortable under his gaze, Violet subtly hid behind the canvas. A soft sigh echoed.

“Why are you staring like that?”

“Because you’re pretty.”

“……”

“Really. I was looking because you’re pretty.”

“You’re also handsome, Your Highness.”

“I know it’s just flattery, but it’s nice to hear from you, Ducal Lady.”

Caught off guard by his unexpected response to her perfunctory compliment, Violet’s eyes narrowed. Of course, as she was hidden behind the large canvas, Rajaden couldn’t see her narrowed eyes.

He kept talking, seemingly enjoying the conversation.

“What have you been up to?”

“…I need to concentrate, Your Highness. You’re disturbing me.”

“I’ll have to leave soon anyway, so just keep me company for a bit. Celi’s also getting a bit bored.”

“…I’ve been resting comfortably.”

“Really? I heard that. I wish you had come back sooner. I missed you.”

Clack.

Finally unable to bear it, Violet put down her brush.

Her fingertips were trembling slightly. How could she handle this without being rude to a member of the imperial family?

After a long pause, Violet took a deep breath and asked.

“Pardon me, Your Highness, May I ask if you had perhaps eaten something bad for breakfast?”

But her attempt at answering without being rude ended up failing.

Nevertheless, the response to that was unexpectedly positive.

Rajaden, with a face as beautifully depicted as in a novel, burst into grand laughter and wore a look that said he found her endearing.

In other words, it felt a bit cheesy.

“I did eat a little less than usual. Why, are you concerned?”

“No, just wondering if you ate too many butter-soaked dishes.”

“If you want, I can treat you at the crown prince’s palace.”

“I’ll have to decline. Aren’t you busy?”

“I am, but I have to make time to see you, Ducal Lady. It’s good to see you again.”

“……”

Are you out of your mind?

Violet nearly blurted out something disrespectful but managed to swallow it.

Her eyes betrayed her though.

‘Are you insane?’

Despite her disrespectful gaze, Rajaden just laughed.

“Is the portrait going well?”

“…Yes.”

If only someone wouldn’t disturb me. Violet swallowed such words once more. Despite her insolent gaze, Rahaden seemed only pleased, his voice light.

“I’d like to commission you for my portrait once this is done.”

“…I don’t think it’s necessary for you to request me specifically.”

“But I like your paintings. They capture fantasy, not just reality.”

“……”

About to resume painting, Violet looked at the crown prince with an incredulous expression.

Stepping out from behind the canvas, she saw his face still shining brightly, which only baffled her more.

But suddenly, a sense of bitterness crept onto Rajaden’s face, perhaps a hint of autumnal melancholy.

Violet marveled internally. Such remarkable acting skills. Better than Mary’s.

“You really don’t want to?”

Rajaden, who had been feigning sadness, asked. Violet admired again. His acting could put the most famous theater’s lead actor to shame.

“…If you command it.”

As she conceded, a spark of interest flashed in the crown prince’s eyes. He was smiling again.

“Then you would dislike it.”

“What?”

“I don’t want to be disliked anymore. I don’t want to do things you’d hate.”

“…Really?”

Confused by his playful smile, Violet was puzzled.

Watching her, Rajaden simply stroked his sister’s hair.

“You… care about such things?”

“What do you think of me? Normally, I wouldn’t bother. But for you, I do.”

“……”

No matter how dumbfounded Violet was, the crown prince did his best to express himself.

However, Violet found it difficult to understand his intentions.

‘I should ask Roen if the crown prince has lost his mind.’

She suspected that the crown prince, craftier than Roen, must have some ulterior motive.

It was a moment of reckoning for Rajaden.

“So, would you paint me? …Is it not possible?”

Unaware of her thoughts, Rajaden asked again. He looked like a dog waiting for a walk.

Violet touched her forehead.

Thinking it best not to offend him, she sighed and replied,

“I’m currently painting Her Highness’s portrait, so it’s not possible right now.”

“So, you’ll do it after you’re done?”

“…Yes.”

When Violet agreed, the crown prince smiled.

It was a different smile from his usual arrogant one—a genuinely happy and radiant smile.