“That matter is not within my purview, so I’ll ask my father.”

It was his way of saying he didn’t want to take her. What kind of commotion might Aileen cause if she were brought to the townhouse in the capital?

“Heh, is that so?”

Even if Rajaden were to send a message to the duke as quickly as possible, it would take at least two days to receive a response. Naturally, if Roen expressed his preference, the duke would likely acquiesce to his wishes.

Essentially, his statement about consulting his father was merely an excuse. Vaughn understood this and smiled with a knowing glint in his eye.

“Ah, that reminds me.”

Vaughn, now as unsettling to Roen as Rajaden was to him, spoke with a laugh.

“It’s truly astonishing. I’ve often heard His Highness the Crown Prince is an incarnation of the Sun God, but to witness such a mighty blessing. The next era of the empire will surely be a golden age.”

“I’ll take that as a compliment.”

“Blessed in the name of the Tree God.”

Vaughn provocatively invoked his own country’s deity in a land devoted to the Sun God. Rajaden’s expression tightened once again.

The conversation, teetering on the edge of a theological clash, thus concluded.

* * *

Stepping out from under the shade and walking aimlessly, Violet closed her eyes to gather her thoughts.

The more she mulled over it, the more irritated she became. She suppressed the impulse to confront the royal prince and vent her anger. Violet exhaled slowly.

Returning to the tent now would mean encountering Aileen. Though she could hear the distant sounds of the hunting competition beginning, she had no desire whatsoever to go back.

Nor was it feasible to continue wandering without purpose.

A part of her wondered, Why should I have to avoid Aileen?

Another part answered, Not because it’s frightening, but because it’s nasty.

As Violet considered how to resolve the current situation most effectively, someone approached her.

“What are you doing here?”

It was Cairn. Violet didn’t reply.

His rapid approach only worsened her scowl.

“…You.”

“Don’t come any closer.”

Her response was sharply defensive.

Those eyes held the same look Cairn had seen from Violet when they were still staying at the Everett estate.

Contempt, fear, anger, annoyance.

A complex mix of negative emotions.

Feeling a surge of his own emotions, Cairn stepped closer.

Whoosh.

His grab for her wrist was almost violent. Cairn, the third son of House Everett, still oblivious to the root of the problem, was easily swayed by his feelings.

“How dare you…!”

At that moment, someone stepped between them. Cairn grimaced as his hand was knocked away.

“Blood relation or not, your current behavior is inappropriate.”

It was Alesia. Both the ducal lady and the ducal lord looked surprised at her sudden appearance. She even had a sword neatly strapped at her waist.

Her intention to participate in the hunting competition and capture a beast was clear.

“Lady Leshan?”

“It’s dangerous to wander like this with monsters about, Ducal Lady.”

With her short hair and the sword at her waist, her appearance was undeniably impressive. Anyone could see she was formidable.

It now made sense why Alesia Leshan hadn’t been seen in the tent. She was preparing to participate.

Noticing Violet’s gaze, Alesia appeared somewhat embarrassed.

“There’s no rule against women participating.”

“Ah.”

“Thanks to that, I haven’t received a single handkerchief.”

It’s not likely she didn’t receive any. Someone must have been about to offer her a handkerchief when she left without realizing it. Violet didn’t point that out.

The fact that Alesia was here and raring to go for a confrontation, and the fact that she was boldly pursuing what she wanted to do with confidence, seeing this, Violet felt somewhat appeased.

Suddenly feeling excluded by the arrival of the marquisate’s esteemed daughter, Cairn wore a bewildered expression.

“What were you two doing here, then?”

“I was just walking and thinking for a bit.”

“…That’s the problem! Even so, there’s a limit!”

Calm due to Alesia’s presence, Violet looked at Cairn with a more settled expression. Was there a chance that Cairn would suddenly revert to his old ways because of Aileen’s reappearance?

She honestly thought it was possible, but she also knew that he couldn’t act recklessly as before.

Cairn wore a wounded look.

But what right does he have to feel hurt? Violet thought, but nevertheless, that was how he felt.

As ridiculous as she found it, she had to attempt a conversation.

“Cairn.”

“…What?”

“You do realize that you can’t always act like a child, right?”

However, her attempt at dialogue was feeble. Confused by her cryptic words, Cairn’s expression twisted.

There’s a limit to how much one can simply and foolishly push through.

Every action has its cause and effect. The current state of their relationship was a clear result of specific causes, and not just one.

But they couldn’t keep ignoring their relationship and pretending nothing was wrong indefinitely.