A Painting of the Villainess as a Young Lady

Although she didn’t know their exact purpose, Violet was aware that Rajaden and Aileen had met not just once or twice before.

She could only guess that Rajaden had some hidden motive.

However, witnessing them conversing peacefully like this was bewildering.

“But I want to give the first dance to my partner. Is that alright?”

“Geez, I heard you danced with Sister yesterday! How about dancing with me today?”

Violet, who had been excluded from the conversation despite being present, slowly looked over the two of them.

As always, Aileen’s innocent smile was present. She naturally asked for a dance, not caring a bit about her surroundings, nor the shock she elicited. It was a lovely sight, but her attitude towards the crown prince of the empire was undeniably rude.

Aileen deserved to be reprimanded for that fact alone. However, if Rajaden took her words in stride, there would be no reason to reproach her further.

Rajaden smiled and overlooked the rudeness. Thus, Aileen could not be reproached.

The moment she met his brightly shining golden eyes, Violet couldn’t help but let out a faint laugh.

After begging for her love, what was he doing now?

“It’s alright with me,” Violet said with a gentle smile.

At that moment, the golden eyes searched for her true intentions.

“Truly? You’re alright with it?”

Violet smiled without answering. Aileen chattered about this and that next to her, but it didn’t reach her ears.

The look Rajaden gave Aileen was kind but lacked any real human emotion.

That was an act. A mask solely to lure the girl. Whether Aileen knew this or not, she remained cheerful.

“Then, please take care of me!”

Aileen said with a spirited smile. She, too, was looking at Rajaden, but it was clear she was conscious of Violet out of the corner of her eye.

‘I won!’

Aileen’s blatant thoughts showed through her deep smile. Violet clicked her tongue.

The music soon reached its peak. Trying hard not to react to Aileen’s provocation, Violet couldn’t help but take a few sips of champagne to swallow her annoyance.

Until yesterday, those who praised the beauty of the Lady of the Everett Duchy and the Crown Prince now uttered exclamations towards the lovely girl.

The spring and the sun—they considered it a fitting combination.

Of course, there were more people who were displeased, but no one directly caused a fuss.

Probably because they didn’t want to play the villain at this banquet.

They seemed to hope that Violet would do the honors and drive the uninvited guest away like the villainess she’d once been labeled.

But Violet just held her champagne flute and smiled without taking any other action.

After finishing their dance, the two approached Violet and started chatting quietly.

“So, when I greeted the rabbit, it handed me a little piece of grass! It was really cute, you know?”

“The rabbits in the palace are wary, but you managed to tame one.”

Aileen, seemingly without other companions, stuck to Rajaden’s side, chattering away. When the silent Violet subtly asked if she didn’t have a partner, she only received the answer that she came alone.

“Choosing just one among so many… I can’t do such a thing.”

Aileen’s answer was so cheerful that it was rather bewildering.

Rajaden didn’t rebuke Aileen at all. Violet decided to observe this ridiculous spectacle a little longer.

When Violet responded indifferently, Aileen subtly tried to provoke her with topics only she would know.

For example—

“I lost the doll I received as a gift that time. It was really, really precious to me, and I really, really wanted to find it… So, I asked for help, but the doll…”

It was like this. It was absurd to even mention childhood matters.

Violet did not react to Aileen’s provocations. She now knew well that not reacting was the best way to irritate this girl.

“Sister, does my outfit suit me today? I took to heart what you said last time and prepared accordingly…”

Although it was a question directed at Violet, the answer came from Rajaden.

“It certainly suits you. I heard the Prince of Liran was concerned, but it feels like flowers have bloomed even though it’s not spring.”

“Really?”

Violet felt a sense of incongruity in the current situation.

Even though deception and hypocrisy were rampant, a scene like this was just too much of a farce.

Whenever Aileen said something, the crown prince would respond first. Violet was thoroughly excluded from the conversation, yet ironically, she remained at the center of it.

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