It was quite extreme.

So, the solution is not to see each other? To stay silent until it doesn’t affect her anymore, is that it?

Cairn swallowed his question, torn between rationalizing his actions as not that bad and being more understanding.

“Yeah, that’s fair.”

Watching him silently, Aldin threw in,

“That’s what I would do anyway. It’s up to you to figure out what you want to do.”

They had such a conversation around last week.

Since then, Cairn seemed to have kept to himself.

As Violet said, Cairn still hadn’t returned to the academy, likely still contemplating what he needed to do next.

The man, who was infinitely gentle and tender in the presence of his beloved but cold in the presence of a friend, quickly dismissed Cairn from his thoughts.

Having received that much advice, Cairn should figure it out on his own.

Violet, unaware of these details, suggested,

“Why don’t you encourage him? Suggest he finishes graduating from the academy. Since you’re friends, at least that much…”

“He’s too stubborn to go just because I might say so. It seems he’s thinking about something, so don’t worry too much.”

Aldin had already suggested the same thing before, but he pretended it was not his place to say.

Violet sighed softly, knowing better than to overstep her bounds.

Though she tried to put it out of her mind, if she were to cross paths again with him, the encounter would inevitably bring it all back.

Just today, she ran into him as she was leaving. Perhaps he was deliberately lingering in front of her.

Violet pondered whether past coincidences were actually intentional. Aldin, too, found himself in a different kind of dilemma.

“Um, Your Ladyship…”

“Ah, we’ve arrived.”

Just as he mustered the courage to ask her on a date, they arrived at the venue of the art enthusiasts’ gathering.

“Huh? Were you about to say something?”

“…It’s nothing.”

It was a remarkably sullen reply for ‘nothing’. Violet tried to gauge Aldin’s mood. She’d have to ask him again after the gathering.

Inside, Aldin struggled with how to seize the missed opportunity.

Amidst their mixed feelings, the two entered the building amiably.

* * *

“Ah, the guest of honor has arrived!”

As expected, the atmosphere of this gathering, befitting a meeting of middle-aged and elderly folks, was markedly different from previous tea parties.

Those who were discussing the artists they were supporting and the future of the art world welcomed Violet. Among them were those interested in visual arts and others who preferred music or theater, but they all greeted her with courtesy.

Since everyone supported or was interested in different fields, the groups conversing were quite distinct. Still, overall, they blended well and the mood was serene.

Both Violet and Aldin were used to being the blatant topics of conversation—the former for all the rumors surrounding her, and the latter for being a widely-gossiped illegitimate child of a high noble family—there were no pointed murmurs going their way this time.

Fitting for people who had stepped back from the political sphere, there were no power struggles over political issues in this place.

The closest thing to a power struggle was ‘My taste is superior’, or ‘The artist I support is more successful’.

“Arcandro’s reputation has skyrocketed these days, hasn’t it?”

“Well, he has been shining since his days as an unknown actor, so it’s only natural.”

Of course, these were people of experience, so it was hard to discern their true intentions.

“Now now, let me introduce you. This is Lady Violet of the Everett Duchy.”

Violet, being a painter, was invited to the gathering, and Count Larsen, the organizer, had a particular interest in art. So naturally, Violet found herself among this group.

“It’s nice to meet you. I’ve heard a lot about you recently, but unfortunately, I couldn’t see your paintings at the banquet due to other commitments. Do you have any plans to exhibit them separately, maybe at an auction…?”

“My skills are still too lacking to consider auctioning them off.”

With Violet at the center, people gradually began to discuss new topics.

“Oh, about the painter, Leonardo.”

However, the topic happened to be about Leonardo, so Violet just smiled and began to drift on the edges of the conversation.

Even those who noticed her reaction soon got engrossed in the new topic. Perhaps because it was their field of expertise, everyone quickly dove into the discussion.

“It’s a shame what happened this time, considering he was a talented person.”

“What’s the use of talent? Art is supposed to reflect a person’s character.”

“What! There have been many painters who eventually became such terrible people, but still produced magnificent art!”

“Weren’t those people only recognized after their death?”

The general consensus was that what happened to Leonardo was ‘karma’. A few defended him, saying ‘But he was talented,’ but their comments were quickly buried.

Perhaps because Violet did not actively join the conversation, it smoothly continued.

“It’s still regrettable, though. He had the talent to go far…”

“It’s better to take this chance to discover new talents. I already have my eye on someone.”

Even with the person who trampled over Leonardo right there, they spoke freely.

Violet, the person in question, sipped her drink and observed the situation without a word.