A Painting of the Villainess as a Young Lady

Chapter 281

The three of them found a place to rest. Luckily, the second floor of a teahouse was available. It was an expensive place to rent just to take a break on the first day of the festival, but money was no issue for them.

Violet spent generously to rest without any interruptions.

From the terrace, she looked down at the bustling streets, which were filled with people. Each person had a different expression, but their faces were all lit with joy as they went about their activities.

“You came all this way just to sit? That place over there looks fun, let’s go together.”

“If you want to play, go ahead and do it.”

“What? Are you really going to just sit here?”

“…Go have fun by yourself.”

“But it’s boring alone!”

“Then go with Sir Aldin.”

“How could I have fun with a stiff board like this guy? I’m asking you to come with me!”

“I’m tired…”

“D-Don’t mind me…”

As Cairn pouted, Violet’s expression grew weary. Caught in the middle of their sibling squabble, Aldin awkwardly excused himself by offering to order snacks.

Realizing that Violet had no intention of doing anything but sitting, Cairn quickly gave up and settled quietly in his seat.

He sighed, wondering what was so fun about just sitting and watching people.

Following Violet’s lead, he observed the streets below, but soon let out a sigh. His body practically itched to move.

Violet, on the other hand, found herself studying Cairn’s face rather than the people in the street. His delicate features, inherited from their father, twisted into a scowl with every moment, which she found amusing.

If he wanted to play so badly, why didn’t he just go? What was keeping him glued to his seat?

Pondering this, Violet eventually turned her gaze away from him.

To Cairn, Violet now seemed like a child left unsupervised by the water’s edge. Curiously poking around everywhere, potentially getting involved in any number of incidents.

If something were to happen to Violet, the person most troubled by it would be none other than him. That was why, despite his obvious annoyance, Cairn couldn’t bring himself to leave her side.

On the other hand, Violet thought Cairn was just being dumb.

Soon, Aldin returned, having placed the order for tea and desserts. He said nothing, merely sitting quietly between them.

Time passed by slowly after that.

Cairn alternated between looking at Aldin and following Violet’s gaze outside.

To him, it was a familiar scene. People enjoying themselves, the festival streets bustling with activity, and various incidents unfolding.

Yet, despite the familiarity, it wasn’t entirely boring to watch. People were excited by the festival, but others were also getting into fights after bumping into each other. There were public confessions of love, and then scenes of someone leading away the girl who had received the confession—evidently caught in a love triangle.

“Hey, that person’s crying.”

“Guess he got rejected in the end.”

“…That’s unfortunate.”

Cairn spoke first, followed by Violet, with Aldin adding his comment belatedly.

The drama unfolding on the street, more riveting than any play, ended when the man who had made a public confession was rejected. Both Violet and Cairn clicked their tongues.

Soon, the sun began to set, painting the sky in shades of twilight.

Suddenly, Cairn seemed to have an idea and spoke up.

“I just remembered something I need to check out. You two stay right there!”

Before they could ask what he was up to, Cairn had already disappeared.

Violet’s expression clearly said, ‘Up to no good again, I see,’ her annoyance apparent. In contrast, Aldin appeared unfazed.

“……”

“……”

An awkward silence settled between them. The absence of just one person made the quiet suddenly noticeable.

It was then that Violet realized Cairn had played a role in maintaining the flow of conversation between them. She sighed inwardly, but it was too late now.

Aldin, who had been silently watching until then, tried to break the silence.

“So… Did you, um, enjoy the last banquet?”

The awkward silence continued. Of all the things to ask, he had stepped on a landmine.

Violet wondered whether she should mention that she had turned down the Crown Prince’s proposal so bluntly that she was now considering exile as an option.

“…It was fine, I suppose.”

“My older sister mentioned that during the banquet…”

Unaware that he had touched a sore spot, Aldin fumbled through the conversation, trying his best to keep it going despite his lack of skill.

Violet briefly considered changing the topic but found his efforts somewhat amusing, so she decided to let it continue.

Even as he spoke, Aldin kept glancing at her, nervously gauging her reaction.

The picturesque sunset didn’t last long before disappearing. Soon, the stars began to appear in the sky.

“So, uh, the captain of the knights…”

Before she knew it, Aldin continued the story he heard from his older sister. Apparently, the knight captain had fallen in love for the first time. It was quite late considering his age.

In many ways, Aldin was clumsy. Normally, he didn’t talk much, but today, he was clearly making an effort to bring up every possible topic, hoping to keep Violet engaged.

It wasn’t bad. In fact, the way he tried so hard was almost endearing.

As Violet listened to his stories while glancing at his face, she suddenly interrupted with a nonchalant remark.

“Aren’t we going to see the illusion spell fireworks?”

“……!”

Aldin, who had been babbling without even realizing what he was saying, looked startled. Then he quickly answered.

“I’ll take you there.”

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