A Painting of the Villainess as a Young Lady

She had lived in this mansion for three years before, too, but it was impossible for her to have missed it. Even so, a wave of nostalgia hit Violet as she raised, but at that moment—

“Milady!”

With a loud voice, someone came running to her.

It was a terribly rude act to appear in such a way in front of a high noble, even more so because the person who called Violet was of a significantly lower status.

However, Violet did not reproach the maid for her self-indulgence. The only reaction Violet had was that of surprise.

“……”

“Heavens, it’s really you, Milady. A-Ack. I’m so sorry!”

The newcomer maid, after realizing her mistake, let out a gasp and stopped herself from talking.

When the butler quietly gave her a look, the maid stepped back and maintained proper courtesy.

Violet tried to recall who she was, but there was no name that came to mind.

Still, Violet could remember this maid from before. Mikhail had scolded Violet at that time, making her cry, and the maid had come to her secretly with a snack. The maid was all grown up now.

The girl back then, who consoled the young ducal lady and told her she did nothing wrong, still had a little of her old self now.

Ten years had passed since then. Violet looked around the mansion again, marveling at the memory.

She couldn’t remember all of them, but she found a few familiar faces.

There were also people who just did their job, harboring not a single grain of hostility or malice for her.

Gauging Violet’s response, Roen smiled softly.

“Do you like it?”

“…Like what?”

It’s not like she didn’t know what exactly Roen had prepared, but she pretended not to have noticed anyway. Seeing his younger sister’s coy reaction, Roen just laughed.

“I made sure that you’d be as comfortable as possible with the people here. It would be awkward if they’re frightened by your notoriety, right?”

“You did something useless.”

“But you’re not saying that you hate it.”

“……”

Of course, it’s just that. She didn’t say she hated it.

But Violet was touched. It’s an emotion as small as a fingernail, but nonetheless poignant.

But she didn’t want to answer honestly, so she just stayed quiet.

Roen’s eyes curved softly, knowing that her response was not a rejection.

.

.

.

The attendant who was guiding the ducal lady’s group quickly realized how tired Violet was, and so he recommended that she should rest.

According to the itinerary, she was scheduled for a long tour around the mansion. However, Violet willingly accepted the attendant’s suggestion.

Soon, she was shown to a room that she had never been in before.

Apparently, Roen had already decided to take Violet with him to the capital long before he even asked her about it, and he had ordered for a large-scale renovation of the townhouse to prepare for their arrival.

Did he even have money left to have taken up such a project, really.

Violet was about to comment on it, but considering the duchy’s money, of course there would still be a lot left over.

Roen chattered on about the townhouse’s new studio and gallery, but he was promptly kicked out of the room.

Violet was so exhausted that she couldn’t even talk. This was another reason she diligently had to build her stamina.

It’s true that mental fatigue wasn’t directly connected to physical fatigue, but her poor stamina was something she inwardly resented.

All she wanted right here and now was to rest. Violet’s wish was quite momentary.

Violet brought with her only the barest of belongings, and since the trends changed quickly, she didn’t bring much clothes. That’s why her closet was empty right now.

With a pleasant expression, Roen suggested to Violet that, after the long nap she’d have now, she should get fitted for her new clothes.

Violet had a hunch that if she were to go clothes shopping with that fellow, she’d essentially just be a dress-up doll.

“I’m not here to attend social events, so I don’t need such clothes.”

“But Violet, you at least need a few dresses that follow the current trend…”

“Then I’ll just buy clothes when I need them. I won’t go out right now either way, so it’ll just be a waste.”

“But the Crown Prince’s birthday banquet is right around the corner next month?”

“…Do I really have to go?”

“Mmh, well attendance isn’t mandatory per se… Unless the Imperial Family directly sends you an invitation.”

“Then, I refuse to go. I’m tired, so I want to take a rest now.”

“Alright.”

Roen was sad to receive Violet’s refusal. Surely she’d have to get fitted for clothes sooner or later, but she had just gotten off a long carriage ride.

Not wanting to be pestered any more, Violet let out a slow sigh.

She had come to the capital now, but one after another, signs were cropping up that her life wouldn’t change immediately. Perhaps there was nothing she could do about this.

In the end, she was a ducal lady and, all the more, she was obligated to carry with her the status of her father and brothers.

Socializing was terribly exhausting, and so she hated it.

Whether it was an internal feud or a political fight, she didn’t need to know. There were enough women out there who could be the flower of high society. It’s just such a tiring thing.

Thereafter, Violet decided not to do anything for a week straight.

* * *

Roen was a busy man. He was already busy before he came to the capital, and he became even busier the moment he stepped foot into this place.

Since he had been named as the next duke, many people wanted to meet with him.

That aside, he was originally a close friend of the crown prince, but he’s been ignoring the crown prince’s invitation because the prince was ‘tiresome’.

As Roen had come to the capital, it’s only natural that he was so busy.

Inevitably, Roen could no longer ignore the invitations of the imperial family and the other noble households, and while Roen was away, numerous invitations arrived for Violet as well.

t/n: my laptop survived, thank goodness!! there weren’t any major problems, it was just being a drama queen >.>