Some time in the middle, Violet even bought a flower crown made by a young commoner girl at a high price and placed it on the heads of the two men as a playful gesture.
It was a truly enjoyable day.
Despite being an autumn festival, the air was sweet, as if it carried the freshness of spring and the clarity of summer together.
Today would be an unforgettable day for someone.
Even while wandering around, Violet diligently teased Cairn.
She would buy him accessories that didn’t suit him, making him look ridiculous, or send him off to participate in small events, only to mock him afterward, saying, ‘Of course, fools are only good at using their bodies.’
If he happened to win a prize, she’d place it right on top of his head.
After enduring all the teasing, Cairn finally realized just how much his sister loved to torment others.
Well, with a personality like that, it made sense she had ruled over other people. If she had been weak, she would have run off to the countryside in fear long ago.
Suddenly, memories of the past came flooding back—when he had pressured her until she had no choice but to confine herself in the annex.Sometimes, when those memories resurfaced, he felt the urge to bury his face under a blanket in unbridled shame.
At a festival booth where they applied makeup for fun, Cairn, who had been made to look ridiculous, trembled and asked,
“Hey, you… No I mean, Sister, don’t you usually hate things like this?”
“You’re watching your tone, wow…”
“Why?! I’m asking seriously!”
“Tch.”
“Ugh, I’m working on it, okay? So could you just answer the question?”
Cairn, pleading in an unusually meek tone, was met with a smug response from Violet.
“Things like this?”
“Yes, exactly. You used to look down on commoners’ festivals and all that…”
“Oh.”
Rejecting the makeup but picking out a mask instead, Violet sighed briefly at Cairn’s words.
“Maybe my preferences have changed.”
“What does that even mean…”
It was an indifferent reply. Violet turned away from him, showing no further interest in the conversation.
Watching her back, Cairn was left bewildered.
Just then, Aldin returned with street snacks and paused twice—first at the sight of Cairn’s face, now painted bright red with lipstick, and second at the slightly heavy atmosphere between the siblings.
Violet mulled over the time Cairn had mentioned.
There had been such a time.
Out of mere defiance. Out of the sense of exclusion from not fitting in.
Violet had drawn a line by elevating herself above everyone else. She convinced herself they were fools, while she was the mature and elegant one.
It was all in the past. There was no point in bringing it up and ruining the fun atmosphere now.
Casting aside her complex thoughts, Violet continued to enjoy herself, wandering the streets. Without realizing it, she muttered under her breath.
“Will tomorrow be as fun as today?”
“Tomorrow is the main festival, so the scene will be different, but it should still be enjoyable.”
To her surprise, a serious answer came back to what she had thought was just idle musing.
Turning to the person who answered, Violet let out a small laugh.
“That’s true. There will be new things to see tomorrow, won’t there?”
Before Aldin could respond, Cairn broke in with a grumble.
“You never even liked festivals in the first place.”
Violet sighed and shot a sharp look at her brother. Startled by her familiar glare, Cairn flinched.
“W-What now?”
He asked, confused, but Violet’s gaze only grew colder.
Even Aldin sighed beside her, prompting Cairn to finally reflect on his words.
The time when Violet refused to go out was when Aileen was still beloved as the sweet princess of House Everett. Cairn, half-joking, had once suggested Violet go out with them and play, to which Violet had fiercely retorted, “No.”
It was before she had earned the title of a ‘villainess’, but that incident left a deep impression on Cairn’s subconscious.
Since then, Violet never attended festivals, and no one had suggested she go to one.
The topic, which Violet had brushed off, resurfaced thanks to Cairn.
Not realizing the sensitive nature of the subject, Cairn apologized weakly.
“…I’m sorry.”
Only then did Violet’s piercing gaze soften.
“Make it a habit to think before you speak.”
“…Okay.”
After her reprimand, Cairn’s voice lost even more strength. He now looked like a puppy anxiously watching its owner’s every move.
Watching the siblings, Aldin swallowed his awkwardness. This process of socialization was truly strange.
While it wouldn’t harm Cairn, the troublemaker of Everett, to remain as he was, it wouldn’t be a bad thing if he learned how to be considerate to others.
Thinking that it was better this way, Aldin spoke before the atmosphere grew more awkward.
“There’s supposed to be an illusion spell fireworks display tonight. Would you like to watch it? I know a great spot with a good view.”
“Illusion spell fireworks?”
“Yes, they are cast annually by the court mages…”
“That sounds nice, but I’m feeling a bit tired right now.”
“Ah, then I’ll find a place where you can rest.”
Aldin wasn’t exactly one to talk about lacking awareness either, but he was still better than Cairn.
‘Such poor stamina…’
Cairn, observing the exchange, muttered internally. The fact that he didn’t say it aloud was already a great improvement.
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