A Painting of the Villainess as a Young Lady

“I was half joking, so don’t take offense. There was no other meaning.”

“I… I see.”

The knight with low self-esteem muttered with a sullen expression. Cairn jumped again. If it’s half a joke, then it means she’s half serious! It was a suppressed scream that couldn’t make it out of his mouth.

“By the way, the hunting competition is coming up. Will you also be participating, Sir?”

“Oh, I’ll participate in name only…”

“Do you lack confidence in your skills?”

The topic naturally shifted.

The annual hunting competition, officially hosted by the imperial family, was an event to commemorate the founding of the empire by the first emperor, marking the end of the dark ages. It was a good place to showcase one’s various talents.

“Do you want me to win?”

“Well, I’m not sure about that.”

“…I’ll do my best.”

Cairn, seeing the conversation smoothly continue, gave up and focused on munching on his cookies.

After the hunting competition, there would be the National Foundation Festival, and after that, a commemorative day to honor the first emperor again. There were quite a few national celebrations in the country.

“Why does this damn country have so many festivals?”

Cairn grumbled to himself.

It was a peaceful day.

* * *

“I have come to draw a portrait of Her Highness the Imperial Princess.”

“What a coincidence. I came to hang out with my sister too.”

“……”

The crown prince’s schedule was hectic. There was no way someone responsible for countless lives wouldn’t be busy.

However, amidst the mountain of tasks, he came to play with his sister, claiming he had nothing to do.

Violet sighed, looking down at the ground, not buying into the apparent lie.

The crown prince, seemingly blind to Violet’s exasperation, smiled skillfully and patted his sister on the head.

“Yeah, I heard you had a clash with the painter Leonardo this time.”

“It was mere standard procedure.”

“Indeed, you handled it quite neatly. Inducing self-destruction, that’s the best way to go about it.”

After the crown prince fed snacks to his sister, he chuckled with his chin in hand. And as Violet couldn’t really kick him out despite the interruption, she just replied vaguely, “Yeah.”

“But what if I had actually shown your art to that painter?”

“In that case, I would have used a different method.”

When the crown prince asked the obvious question, Violet just casually replied with an air of annoyance as she muttered disdainfully, ‘Knowing this guy’s personality, he certainly didn’t.’

Regardless of Violet’s reaction, Rajaden was consistently amused, laughing to himself.

“What? You don’t think I would have shown your painting to other people, with my personality?”

“Not at all.”

“Certainly. I’m not particularly fond of casually sharing what’s mine with others. Except for family, I haven’t shown it to anyone since the banquet.”

Violet fixed her gaze on her sketchbook. She didn’t want to see that unfortunate face anymore. The innocent princess mumbled as she fed her older brother candy.

“Hahaha! Anyway, it was interesting. Leonard had skill, but he wasn’t good enough to become an official court painter. And he had too much pride, frequently restricting other art salons and artists. He made things a bit difficult.”

“Yes…”

“Even though it might seem so, I’m quite interested in the art world. How about joining me to watch a play when we have time—”

“With all due respect, Your Highness, you are disturbing us.”

“Hmm?”

“I am having difficulty drawing when Your Highness insists on covering Her Highness’s figure.”

“Oh…”

Rajaden, rejected before even asking for a date, was taken aback. He was amazed at how she was just consistently dismissing him. It’s the first time anyone’s ever treated him like this.

“You never back down even when faced with the prince of a nation.”

“I’ll take that as a compliment.”

“Aren’t you afraid of the power against you, Ducal Lady? Even with just one word from me, your family could be wiped out.”

“What would you gain by destroying House Everett?”

“…Really, it feels like I’m the only one taking a hit.”

Rajaden distanced himself from the imperial princess. When her beloved older brother moved away however, the princess frowned.

In the end, he had to put his sister on his lap in a quiet pose to avoid disturbing the painting.

Violet had hoped that he would leave completely, but this was enough. It is what it is. She remained engrossed in her sketch. Still, meanwhile, various thoughts swirled through her mind.

In any case, this guy was annoying, Violet concluded succinctly. Watching her, the crown prince clicked his tongue.

“I can’t understand how you and your brother view the Imperial Family. Even the current Duke of Everett…”

There was a long-standing bad relationship between the two families, spanning two generations. Unaware that the duke also had disagreements with the emperor, Violet casually pressed her pencil.

“But Celi, as I thought, you’re really really fond of me, hm?”

“……”

Feeling exasperated, Violet finally stopped and looked at Rajaden.

Why on earth was he suddenly, proudly claiming that the imperial princess liked him? Was this a veiled declaration that he would keep coming back during Violet and the princess’s sessions?

Feeling an oncoming headache, Violet pressed her temples. At this, Rajaden laughed. She wasn’t even trying to hide her annoyance at him.

“…Of all people, why does it have to be me?”

Violet asked bluntly. Two pairs of eyes met. The golden eyes softened gently.

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