“Even so, it’s not allowed.”
“What the hell. Why do you keep saying that? Are you already the Duke? Because you’re this country’s dear Young Duke?”
Cairn raised his voice. Meanwhile, as the two brothers were in the middle of their squabble, Violet finished her breakfast and quietly set down her fork.
“Since your time is precious, Young Lord, I’ll keep this short.”
“……”
Feeling a lightning strike to the core, Roen closed his mouth and could say nothing. Cairn also looked astonished.
Are you really about to say that you’ll go out to play without me? was what he thought.
However, Violet ignored the betrayal in her younger brother’s eyes.
“Quite honestly, I’m taken aback by the degree in which you continue to pretend to care about me when you actually don’t, Young Lord. I shall endeavor to be understanding of your intentions, but please—refrain from such disgusting behavior.”
“D-Disgusting…”
“In addition, even if you are the Duke’s heir, I am not obliged to follow your orders. Have you forgotten that all final decisions are made by His Grace?”
“By, Vio—”
“I do hope you refrain from acting like a joke. I am capable enough of handling unplanned situations.”
“But what will you do if the Crown Prince approaches you again this time?”
“Then it is Your Lordship’s responsibility for not stopping your close friend from doing so.”
“……”
Roen clamped his mouth shut. This was an implicit declaration of surrender.
Cairn once again felt that it was unfair. He had raised his voice and tried to persuade his older brother all this time, but look at Roen now, shutting his mouth in an instant just like that.
It’s because Brother’s favorite is Sister, right?
The words lingered on the tip of his tongue, but he couldn’t say it out loud. Firstly, because it’s clearly true that such favoritism was there. And second, even if that was the case, he had nothing to say.
And so, that’s how Violet decided to go out. Roen let out a heavy sigh, worried about his sister who had been on an impulsive streak ever since she had died and revived once more.
Still though, no matter how impulsive she was, she’s better than Cairn.
* * *
The place Violet was headed towards today was the atelier.
This atelier was led by painters of notable renown, and portraits were often commissioned by high-ranking aristocrats here. It was a suitable place for Violet’s purpose today: to see other people’s artwork.
“Seeing her like this, isn’t she totally unrecognizable?”
“Right?”
Violet had requested the maids to dress her inconspicuously, with a hat to match, too. Her silver hair was all tucked under the wide-brimmed bonnet, and her dress was as plain as it could be, however…
“Umm. But she still has that certain atmosphere.”
“Does she?”
Apparently, ‘that certain atmosphere’ still couldn’t be hidden even after all that effort.
In the end, Violet just decided to push through her outing as it was. In the guise of guarding her today, Cairn followed her as well.
Violet had half a mind of stopping him from doing so, but she just decided to let him be. Considering what happened during her last outing, it wasn’t a bad idea to have someone with her.
“Why are those chumps following us? I’m here. Am I so unreliable?”
“Yes, you’re unreliable.”
Cairn had proudly declared that he would personally guard Violet today, but other escort knights had been added to the entourage anyway.
It was only natural, since Cairn was also in the kind of position to be guarded. Violet just looked at her younger brother, thinking that he really was relentlessly easy-going.
The atelier operated with a system of apprenticeship, and the place itself was cluttered in many ways. All of them had the singular goal of learning to paint, the apprentices of famous painters here all seemed busy and frantic.
Haphazard splotches of paint, wayward easels. Following behind Violet, Mary was stunned to see this sight.
“I thought it’s just Milady’s habit not to clean up, but I guess this is how it usually is.”
Mary just thought before that Violet tended to be untidy, but she couldn’t say anything as she looked around the atelier.
Perhaps it was because they were all busy, or perhaps because Violet didn’t look like a bigshot. Some pairs of eyes trailed after her, but most of them just didn’t care all that much.
In any case, the paintings hanging on the atelier’s walls were not as good as Violet was expecting them to be. Of course, it’s only natural since they’re either unfinished, painted by still-growing artists, or both.
On the other hand, the paintings that she had seen at the exhibition hall not too long ago were national treasures. It wouldn’t be fair to compare the works of unknown young artists with those distinguished pieces.
Nevertheless, they were fascinating to look at. The paintings were so vibrant with life.
“Wow.”
The atelier was quiet but lively. No, it would be right to say that it’s full of vitality.
This scene was so similar to what she once saw in her previous life. Reminiscing, Violet smiled softly.
‘It feels almost like they’re busy preparing for their graduation pieces.’
This tranquility and vitality were so characteristic of vigorous young painters.
Looking around with admiration from the side, Mary was evidently awestruck. This was because, unlike Violet who had some proficiency in this field, Mary was totally clueless. Everything was so fascinating and amazing.
“Have you come to look around, Lady?”
Right then, a boy began to guide Violet around. His eyes quickly scanned Violet and Mary’s attire. He also gave Cairn a brief scan, but it was difficult to judge them easily.
The young painter was quick to calculate, but he was still genuine. Since they were here, he decided to show them around first.
He put on a sociable smile and continued speaking.
“Are you perhaps here to request a portrait? It just so happens that here at our atelier…”
After all, most aristocratic young lords and young ladies paid a visit to the atelier for the purpose of requesting their portraits. The young painter simply surmised that these people were here for that reason as well.
