The man, as radiant as the sun, smiled so brightly that it was almost blinding.

Violet subtly retreated behind the canvas.

She really didn’t think he was smiling out of genuine happiness. What odd scheme was he plotting now?

Thinking that Rajaden would sulk for days if he heard her thoughts, Violet resumed her painting.

“Well… I was hoping you could spare some time next week.”

“Why?”

Violet frowned again as the crown prince continued to talk, disrupting her focus on the painting.

Unaware of her irritation, Rajaden’s voice was filled with excitement.

“There’s a beautiful lake behind the crown prince’s palace. If you go there at noon, the sunlit ripples shatter like jewels. I’d like to go there with you.”

His voice carried a hint of awkward shyness.

Listening to him murmur that he would arrange everything and she just needed to come, Violet struggled to keep her brush steady.

Why was he acting like this…?

Violet began to tremble, not expecting a pure invitation to a date from him.

Something scary was happening. It really felt like that to her.

Could Roen have provoked the crown prince, possibly endangering their family with some nonsense talk? Was that why he’s doing this to her now?

Violet agonized internally several times.

She didn’t catch even a hint of shyness in Rajaden’s voice.

“I apologize, but I would have to decline.”

“…How come?”

His voice returned, sounding dejected. Violet looked at Rajaden, bewildered.

Why was he asking so seriously?

The very fact that he chose the lake already doomed the idea. Violet almost asked, ‘Of all places, why a lake?’ but stopped herself.

Luckily, she had a perfect excuse.

“I haven’t yet thanked Sir Aldin. I won’t be free next week.”

“Are you planning to meet him personally to express your gratitude?”

Rajaden’s voice and demeanor suddenly changed, subtly laced with jealousy. But again, Violet did not catch onto this. She narrowed her eyes.

If she had known, she would have thought of him as being ridiculously possessive.

Unaware that she considered his behavior pitiful, Rajaden asked again,

“Are you that close to him that you need to meet and talk?”

“He saved my life. It is only natural that I need to express my gratitude.”

“…Right, of course. So it’s not possible then…”

His voice trailed off into gloom. Violet decided she really needed to ask Roen what might have happened.

Unaware of her thoughts, Rajaden smiled bitterly.

He remembered the day Violet’s blood flowed freely from her neck.

Even while acknowledging it was natural for her to thank her savior, he couldn’t help but feel a gut-wrenching sensation.

Imagining their conversation, Rajaden inadvertently frowned. The change in his demeanor was so distinct that even the princess looked up at him in question.

Even someone who had just drunk unsweetened coffee concentrate wouldn’t make such a bitter face.

It’s said that love drives people mad; he was the epitome of that.

The man, who had never lost even once in his life, thought of the cliché.

‘The one who loves more loses’.

He asked cautiously.

“Then, is there another day when you’re free?”

“I don’t understand why you’re asking me this.”

Violet’s response was utterly indifferent.

It made sense that Violet couldn’t really figure out Rajaden’s intentions. He was a man who could get whatever he wanted without resorting to such tactics.

As she pondered, Violet realized something.

‘He’s changed his strategy!’

She thought he had chosen ‘a bitter expression’ as a tactic to place her in the position of the crown princess. Ridiculous.

It seemed he had taken on some of the miserable traits of his friend.

Violet decided. Rather than witnessing more of this pathetic act, it was better to agree.

“Then, I’ll send a letter when I am available.”

“Really?”

Rajaden’s face brightened again.

On the other hand, Violet remained expressionless, thinking how utterly unfortunate it was to deal with someone like Rajaden, who seemed to be acting from start to finish, unlike Roen who at least had a spoonful of sincerity.

Unaware of her thoughts, the crown prince spoke like an excited boy.

“Great. Then on that day— Ah, do you have any favorite foods? I’ll tell them to prepare it all.”

“Just prepare something comfortable.”

Her answer was dry. The crown prince asked again about what she might like to eat, but Violet just responded with ‘anything is fine’.

Thinking about how this would add more fodder to the rumors circulating in high society, she inwardly clicked her tongue. Their different thoughts clashed.

Only the princess, oblivious to what was happening, looked on curiously at the two.