While Mary was happily eating her dessert and while Cairn was just poking at the cake with his fork—he didn’t even like sweets—Violet was deep in thought.
And the main subject of those thoughts was a certain man who shone like gold despite being seriously troublesome to interact with. There’s nothing else Violet could do but sigh.
Rajaden and Violet’s meeting was quite obviously contrived. If Violet had not visited the exhibit, then it’s no question that Rajaden wouldn’t have gone there either.
However, while thinking about whether he really wanted to meet her or not, Violet thought that this part was ambiguous, too. If the crown prince truly wanted to meet her, he could just make an imperial order to summon her to him. Even if she was a member of the Everett Duchy, she wouldn’t be able to refuse an imperial family member’s invitation.
She recalled the conversation she had with the crown prince as they were walking through the exhibition hall.
“You paint as well, don’t you?”
“I enjoy it as a hobby even though I’m not very good at it.”
“Haha, from what I heard, it’s not enough to use just the label of a ‘hobby’ for what you do. The Duke seems to have told Father many stories.”
While the crown prince informed her of this indifferently, Violet recalled the stoic duke. Somehow, the images didn’t match in her head.
“Sooner or later, an invitation will be sent to you, Ducal Lady.”
“Pardon—?”
“It’s just, I’m telling you in advance so that you won’t be taken by surprise. And, just in case.”
In the end, the crown prince kept it vague. Violet waited calmly, thinking about what kind of bombshell would explode next from his words.
“If you happen to meet my younger sister, don’t hate that child too much.”
“……?”
What followed was quite out of the blue. However, since the crown prince had an expression that looked somewhat bitter, Violet nearly replied, ‘Of course’.
“Ah, I mean to say, please just be nice. It would be nice if you both get along with each other.”
The crown prince soon returned to his usual expression and let out a laugh. Violet wasn’t planning on dwelling on Rajaden’s words too deeply.
The emperor and empress had sired two children between them. The country was now relatively in an era of peace, but the emperor had once been known as a bloodthirsty man who killed all of his brothers—his entire family—so that he could take the throne.
Now on this throne, that cold-blooded man loved only one woman, and two beautiful children were born between the two.
However, no one knew much about the imperial princess. All that’s known about her was that she had, in fact, been born, but her exact age, birthday, appearance and name were all unknown.
And this was all due to how the imperial family practically blotted out the princess’s existence.
Because of this, many malicious rumors started spreading. She must be a child born after the empress had an affair with another man. If not, something must be wrong with that child, and they’re hiding her existence because she might hinder the crown prince from taking the throne.
All these speculations were put to rest quickly under the emperor’s influence, but much about the imperial princess still remained a mystery.
Due to all this, it was only natural that Violet felt a bit confused after hearing what Rajaden just said.
He’s asking her not to hate his younger sister, but if it’s like that, did the emperor truly hide that child out of hatred?
While Violet was lost in thought…
“Oh my, what’s this. I came here because I heard that this is a high-class and luxurious place, but…”
“Goodness me. I’ve been hearing that the nouveau riche are acting without any sense of shame these days, but I can’t believe I’m seeing it with my own eyes today. How did pebbles even enter a place like this.”
“I don’t believe that’s the case. If they actually had money, they would have at least dressed more splendidly. Isn’t that right, ladies?”
…such voices reached her ears.
They were whispering amongst themselves, but they weren’t exactly making an effort to lower their voices. They could be heard all the same.
Not caring at all, Mary scraped the last cream of the last remaining bite of the cake with her fork. Seeing what she just did, someone spoke up yet again.
“How vulgar. As I thought, uneducated.”
With thoughts of Rajaden completely erased from her thoughts, Violet glanced sideways by moving only her eyes. She soon caught a glimpse of some young ladies wearing extravagant clothes, chatting and drinking tea together.
“Lady Meriel, it’s quite rude to say that.”
“Ahh, how can you have such a kind heart, Lady Tolofia? Huu. I heard that the desserts in this place are very delicious, that’s why I chose it as our meeting place today. I truly do apologize, everyone.”
If Mary didn’t care about the things those people were saying, then Violet was also willing to ignore it. However, a certain name unexpectedly popped up.
Violet slightly raised her head.
“I’m fine with it, really. It’s not a crime to want to eat delicious food, yes?”
“Oh, speaking of which, I just remembered my maid. I’ll have to buy some dessert for her today as well.”
The young lady of the Tolofia County.
The fox who was reigning like the queen of high society, re-popularizing the corset that had disappeared from fashion trends centuries ago.
The woman who was called the flower of high society.
Violet glanced over that way furtively. Her bonnet was blocking half of her view, but at the same time, it was preventing others from realizing who she was.
Deep strawberry blond hair, turquoise eyes. That was all that Violet could confirm, but it was enough to put her in a terrible mood.
‘She looks like that girl.’
Reminded of the person she loathed, Violet let out a deep sigh. She made a mental note to remember this young lady as someone to watch out for.
In the meantime, Mary just smiled brightly, savoring the sweet cream without knowing that there were people talking behind her back.
