“Oh, it suddenly became so bright. It’s Ducal Lady Everett. I…”
“Ducal Lady Everett, you must also be participating in the hunting competition. Oh, I apologize for the late greeting. I am…”
Insults were insults, but popularity was popularity. Just like at the banquet, numerous people approached Violet.
Even though she wasn’t in a dress, young noblemen, with eyes filled with personal motives, approached Violet, asking her to be their escort.
“Apologies, but I have a prior commitment.”
She questioned all those men with just one short sentence. It was tiresome, but she couldn’t show it.
However, being from prestigious families, they were persistent, and even if there was a prior commitment, they didn’t easily step back. Just as Violet was about to express her displeasure at their behavior, an unwelcome voice interrupted.
“Sister!”
When Everett’s third son, also known as a troublemaker, appeared, the entourage that had stubbornly clung to Violet started discreetly looking around.
“What’s this? Do you know them?”
“I, uh, ahaha. I’m Otrey from House Ritaun. Oh, now that I think about it, our group is over there, so see you!”
A useless troublemaker turned out to be helpful for the first time. Violet sighed inwardly.
Though attention shifted back to Cairn’s entrance, it was better than being surrounded by flatterers.
Violet briefly considered whether it would have been better if she had come with Cairn from the beginning but abandoned that thought in less than a second. She had no intention of voluntarily going around with Cairn from now on.
“Sir Aldin, it’s been a while.”
As Violet greeted him, Aldin gave her a smile. He seemed a bit awkward.
Aldin, dressed in the official uniform of the First Knight Order, looked truly splendid. His tall stature and good proportions were enough to make the hearts of many young ladies flutter.
Indeed, among those looking in his direction, there were quite a few young girls blushing and giggling.
Once his still youthful face would mature completely, he’d become even more handsome. Without realizing it, Violet found herself imagining Aldin’s mature voice and cleared her throat.
“It’s a gift.”
When Violet handed Aldin the handkerchief, Cairn jumped up beside her. His behavior resembled that of a spoiled brat, really.
‘Why give it to him?’, ‘Is there nothing for me? Seriously? Is it really nothing?!’, ‘Sis, do you really have feelings for him?’—Cairn’s childish exclamations were completely ignored by Violet, who smiled.
“I severely lack any skill in embroidery, so I painted instead. Is it okay?”
“Is this really for me?”
“I painted this with you in mind, Sir.”
The handkerchief Violet drew featured light lavender colors and butterflies. It was a genuinely pure depiction of Aldin as seen through Violet’s eyes.
“Oh, because it’s not embroidery…”
“No! I, I’m so very grateful.”
Aldin brought the handkerchief to his chest like it was a precious treasure, as if he had obtained a once-in-a-lifetime gem. Not even a child receiving a birthday present would hold onto a present so dearly.
Watching him, Violet smiled.
“Seriously? There’s nothing for me?”
Cairn already knew that Violet had drawn several handkerchiefs as a practice, and so he looked forlorn as he asked this. Violet answered with a gentle smile.
“Do you have no conscience?”
“……”
His greed exceeded the boundaries, considering he hadn’t apologized properly or received forgiveness. Violet still harbored some resentment towards Cairn.
Aldin, looking at the handkerchief with a determined gaze as if it were a priceless treasure, made a pledge.
“I will definitely offer my victory today to you, as my tribute.”
“Oh my, do you believe in the legend too?”
“H-Huh?!”
Aldin’s face turned red at Violet’s playful response. Perhaps due to his fair skin, the color was vivid.
“N-No, it’s not that… I just meant it as a token of gratitude…”
“I know. In fact, I brought a few more handkerchiefs to give to others as a gesture of appreciation.”
As Violet smiled and took out another handkerchief, Aldin looked suddenly dejected. His expression resembled a disappointed puppy. In that moment, Violet felt a pang of curiosity when Cairn expressed his unfairness.
“Even though it’s a failure, give it to me!”
“Do you really have no conscience?”
“Nope, I don’t, so give one to me too!”
“……”
Not even a three-year-old child would behave like this. Violet, tongue-clicking in mock disapproval, tossed a handkerchief to Cairn. She gave him a comically failed piece.
“You haven’t given one Brother yet, right?”
“Does no one in House Everett have a conscience at all…”
Even though it was a painting of a red rose where the colors bled and the form was distorted, Cairn beamed as if he was endlessly pleased.
Violet clicked her tongue disapprovingly.
“A friendship handkerchief…”
Meanwhile, Aldin muttered quietly while watching the siblings. It was said that amongst the commoners, there was a day when people encouraged confessions by giving sweet treats, and for those who didn’t receive anything on that day, they would give out ‘friendship desserts’… and it’s similar to the handkerchiefs that Violet was giving out.
Nevertheless, it was the first time he had received something, so he carefully put the handkerchief away.
As the event hosted by the imperial family was scheduled to start soon, the waiting lodge for the hunting event was vibrant.
Those with friendships already formed gathered in groups, exchanging various conversations. Discussions revolved around who would be the winner of this hunting competition, who they wanted to give their handkerchiefs to, or who they hoped to receive handkerchiefs from.
Violet, receiving both admiration and criticism simultaneously, was once again the subject of discussion when it came to her handkerchiefs.
“Hello, everyone!”
As bright as springtime, a cheerful girl with a bell-like voice spoke up.
