Chapter 118

Chapter 118

Violet’s works, unfinished, had just been strewn out all over her studio, but they were soon collected and hung in the walls of the gallery. Despite being unfinished, they matched and harmonized with Violet’s art style, giving off a strange atmosphere, so they were still placed in the gallery.

Roen continued to be terribly busy, but he always made sure to make time for dinner. He was not technically the duke’s representative, but he was already being treated as such. His life was as hectic as the duke’s, but he always made time.

Roen finally realized. He came to understand why their father persistently continued having their desolate family dinners, and the reason behind why a family should gather and eat meals together.

Faint sympathy was formed within him for the duke, who remained at the duchy right now.

“Brother, you know you’re acting like an old geezer right now, yeah? You resemble Father like that.”

“Just sit down, will you.”

“Oh­h~ So you wanna be the next duke, huh?”

“......”

“Haa.”

Dinner usually never ended amicably. There was always something the brothers would squabble about, but Violet herself did not care about the brothers who were arguing half-heartedly.

She wondered why she was always being called here. However, the question would soon dissipate into the air because the next question after that would be, ‘Even if I’m being called here, why did I come?’

It was a peaceful time.

* * *

The crown prince had sent a formal request, asking Violet to be his partner.

The imperial family and a ducal household. It was an established fact that these two families had limitless power. If members from those families would appear at the crown prince’s birthday banquet as partners, it might cause a bigger stir than one could expect.

Violet ruminated over whether this move was politically motivated, but she soon banished the train of thought. She’d leave this matter to Roen.

In any case, the crown prince had already been turned down.

The formal request had been rejected from Roen’s side.

“Looks like they want to use you as a decoy.”

“Decoy?”

Violet wasn’t particularly curious, but Roen took the time to give her an answer.

“Everyone’s attention would be on you. What do you think would happen if ‘Violet S. Everett’ would become the Crown Prince’s partner in that ball?”

“I’ll be branded as the Crown Princess.”

“Exactly. And in high society, they’ll talk only about you. You know this too, don’t you?”

“How annoying.”

“I know.”

“Then, I don’t believe you should be with the same partner for all seven days, yes?”

“......”

Roen was whining.

At this, Violet narrowed her eyes. What did he mean by that.

In return, Roen smiled when Violet looked at him like that instead of answering.

“Won’t you allow me to accompany you for even just one day?”

“No thanks.”

“Just one day.”

“No.”

“Even if I just accompany you until the entrance...”

“I refuse.”

“...I can’t?”

“Yes. You can’t.”

“...Are you sure?”

His humble request was, naturally, shot down.

Anyway, Violet had no intention of participating in all seven days of the celebration. She’d have to put on different ball gowns on each day while dolling herself up to the point of perfection. Just thinking about it made her terribly annoyed.

If she’d have to go, her pride wouldn’t allow herself to show a less than stellar appearance. That’s why it’s best not to go each day.

“...Okay, I understand.”

“Young Lord, you must be very popular anyway.”

“No one in particular has shown such attention towards me though.”

“My, my.”

Roen was saying a lot of things that would make the young noble ladies cry. Roen, too, was quite dashing as he had inherited their mother’s beauty, so all the ladies were swooning over him.

And, apparently, they’re crushing on him because he seemed to be a very kind man.

With absolutely no intention of intervening in her older brother’s love life, Violet had no other comments.