Chapter 156

Chapter 156

Even after all the conversations had ended, Violet couldn’t leave. She was detained by the princess, who appeared again as soon as the empress left the room.

“—Your Highness, are you giving this to me?”

The princess nodded, having picked flowers from the garden during the time. Even though it was clear that it was a carefully cultivated breed, the princess didn’t seem to mind and seemed to have roamed freely in the garden.

Violet looked at a maid as if asking for help, but the palace maids merely watched silently.

“I appreciate your gesture, but there’s no need to give it to me...”

“Please accept it. Celi seems to like you, Ducal Lady.”

“......?”

Although Violet directed her question to someone else, the answer came from an unexpected source.

Unconsciously, Violet dared to have been gently stroking the head of the imperial princess. She quickly withdrew her hand. The one who had witnessed the entire scene simply smiled.

“No need to worry. She’s lovely, isn’t she? She turned sixteen this year, but she’s still very much like a child. It’s not just a simple concern.”

Despite looking just a bit older than twelve, the princess seemed much older than Violet expected.

The child suddenly ran to her older brother and nestled into his embrace.

“Right. What have you been doing today?”

The princess didn’t respond. She couldn’t. Her repeated attempts to speak seemed to imply that she had something she wanted to say. Rajaden gently stroked his younger sister’s head.

It was a rare sight of affection between brother and sister.

Violet couldn’t help but ask,

“—Your Highness, why are you here?”

“That’s true. It’s quite a busy time for state affairs... I suppose there must be a reason for my visit.”

With an affectionate expression, Rajaden looked at the princess and then playfully placed his finger on his lips.

“The position of crown prince is indeed favorable, but sometimes it feels burdensome.”

Rajaden looked up at the sky and let out a deep breath. Today’s crown prince seemed a bit more human, unlike his usual confident self.

“If it’s alright with you, would you consider drawing my portrait too?”

“I’ve already declined earlier.”

“You’re harsh only towards me, Ducal Lady.”

“That is not the case.”

Such casual conversations continued.

Just like when the empress talked about her son, Violet maintained her composure when it came to the crown prince. Rajaden seemed to accept it willingly.

“Sometimes, moments like these when we can relax are truly precious.”

Above all, it was a sincere statement. This meeting between a noble lady of a prominent family and the crown prince of the empire... It wasn’t often they could be so at ease.

Violet refrained from pointing out this fact.

“Oh, I heard that you find men who cry attractive, Ducal Lady. But what about men who smile beautifully?”

“......”

“Hmm. I guess I’ll have to make an effort to become a man who cries beautifully.”

It was indeed a peaceful time.

* * *

The empress’s request couldn’t be handled carelessly.

Thanks to that, Violet had to visit the palace periodically from then on. More precisely, it was to get closer to the princess. Her initial actions to draw the princess’s portrait were part of this effort.

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