“…Your Ladyship’s paintings are truly magnificent, but… I feel strange now that everyone knows about them.”
“Would you like a glass of champagne, perhaps?”
“……”
Their intentions crossed. Aldin looked like there were many things he wanted to say, but he quickly lowered his head.
Violet interpreted this as a positive response.
“When is your birthday?”
“…That’s…”
“Ah, I see. If it’s difficult to answer, you don’t have to tell me.”
Violet realized her mistake belatedly and tried to take back her words. Considering the process of how he had officially entered the ranks of the nobility, his actual birthday was probably irrelevant.
In an atmosphere that matured like a well-aged wine, Violet tilted her champagne glass. She didn’t have any thoughts about any incidents happening today. The notion that incidents wouldn’t happen while she was around didn’t even exist within her.
Soon, as befitting the grandeur of the final day of the imperial palace’s banquet, magnificent music filled the hall. There were whispers that Their Imperial Majesties, the Emperor and Empress, were also attending today.
Meanwhile, Prince Rajaden, already mingling among the people, had captured their attention with his characteristic arrogant smile.
With the resounding blast of trumpets, the emperor’s arrival was announced.
The music abruptly ceased, as the entrance of the most powerful figure in the country brought with it an overwhelming presence.
His appearance, even at a glance, made one think that he was unmistakably related to Rajaden by blood.
Violet maintained her composure, her head slightly bowed as she observed.
A man who had once killed his father and all his brothers ascended to the position of the sun’s representative. Though now, more than twenty years later, the political situation had stabilized, there was a time when he was known as a bloodthirsty tyrant.
The music began again. The emperor offered his congratulations to his son, and the atmosphere grew lively once more.
Bathed in dazzling lights, the crown prince standing there was undoubtedly the ‘protagonist’. And it was not merely in the limited sense of being the host of today’s birthday celebration, but in the broader sense of being the protagonist of this world.
Violet felt a sense of distance from them. Even though she had lived a more extravagant life than anyone and was as noble as a noble could be, she felt that way.
She suddenly turned her head to look at the man sitting beside her. His gloomy, subdued eyes were simply quiet.
Someone who had never been the protagonist, not even on his own birthday, versus someone who was the protagonist of the entire world. The gap between them was as vast as the heavens and the earth.
“Sir Aldin—” Violet began.
“Yes?” he replied.
“You seem to be lost in thought for some reason.”
“…Ah.”
“Are you tired?”
“No, it’s just…”
“Just?”
“……”
She wasn’t the only one who was taking a glimpse into another world.
The air grew warm. Basking in the radiant light of the chandeliers, people paired off and began to dance.
The music was grand yet gentle. Enchanting. There was no shortage of opulence for this occasion, fitting for the sun that had risen victorious.
Those adorned in gold and silver danced to the rhythm, a spectacle to behold.
The people gathered here had come to celebrate the next emperor’s birthday. Some already held power, while others sought to make themselves known to those in power. Some participated to increase their value in the marriage market, while others were purely here for socializing.
It was a truly diverse gathering.
What must the man at the pinnacle of it all be feeling?
Rajaden was a man born to become emperor. He was born with more power than anyone, but at the same time, he carried the weight of expectations and responsibilities that were nearly unbearable for an ordinary person.
What did he truly desire?
Rajaden had approached Violet to become acquainted, but she had declined, stating that she was not in a suitable position for such associations.
Rajaden also accepted her refusal as a matter of course. But was it really that simple? Could someone in such a high position truly not feel lonely?
Violet, hiding from the expectations of people. And the crown prince, burdened by countless expectations.
Perhaps both sides experienced a form of solitude.
She closed her eyes, having captured the image of the handsome, golden-haired man in her gaze. Since she had chosen this position herself, she had nothing to worry about now.
Instead, she extended her hand to the man on the sidelines next to her.
“Shall we dance too?”
“…You’re asking me?”
“We came as partners, didn’t we?”
Aldin reluctantly took Violet’s hand. She smiled and led him to the dance floor. They let themselves go to the music, allowing the complex thoughts to sink beyond their subconscious and simply enjoyed the moment.
The rustling sound of silk and chiffon was heard. Violet’s attire wasn’t a gown, so that sound must have come from someone else’s attire. The musicians played their hearts out. Even the sweetest desserts couldn’t produce a sound as sweet as this.
