A Painting of the Villainess as a Young Lady

Roen had called the best of the best in each field. And he paid a great deal of money to get them here, too.

“I want to rest.”

“Come now, you can do it.”

As Violet voiced out her fatigue, Roen only smiled and ignored her words.

What would be the point of a fitting for clothes, accessories and shoes if the person involved wasn’t present?

The artisans, puzzled by the situation, soon discussed the new designs with enthusiasm and earnestness with the young seamstress.

‘Do all artisans really tend to be strange?’

Actually, as a ‘painter’, Violet did not deviate all that much from the scope of an artisan either, but still, she was sincerely concerned.

Three artisans here did not wish to miss out on the opportunity to set their artistic spirits ablaze, and this one merchant over there did not wish to miss out on the opportunity to make some money. They all discussed fervently.

The only dress she really needed to get from this fitting was a dress for a party, but it’s not needed right away. So, it was decided that she’d get fitted for her daily wear first, along with some pairs of shoes.

Thus, the four people left the drawing room only after sunset.

Just like that, Violet’s tiring day drew to a close.

* * *

An invitation came from the Leshan Marquisate.

Under normal circumstances, the invitation would have been rejected before Violet could even see it. But this time, on a rare occasion, the invitation reached Violet’s hands.

As she read through the invitation, which had a respectable introduction, Violet narrowed her eyes.

Roen had asked her to accept the marquisate’s invitation, and there was a reason behind this.

Nonetheless, Violet wrote back, saying that she would attend the tea party that the marchioness would be holding—just in time for the necessary clothes to be completed.

* * *

Meanwhile, the black-haired man who had helped Violet sent a letter as well.

The man’s letter almost got sorted through by the other maids, but fortunately, it was thanks to Mary’s sharp eyes that the letter reached Violet safely.

As addressed in the letter, the knight’s full name was ‘Aldin Aesir’.

Faced with a name that she wasn’t expecting, Violet even checked who the letter’s sender was one more time.

Aldin Aesir. That man was the illegitimate son of Duke Aesir, and he was famous for a reason different from Violet.

The Aesir Duchy was just as prestigious as the Everett Duchy, but although he was a child of that household, there was not a single person in the whole empire who did not know that he’s an illegitimate child.

He and the current duke were fifteen years apart from age, but no—Aldin was the illegitimate son of the previous duke, and he was the evidence of the household’s shame.

After the mysterious death of the previous Duke Aesir, Aldin’s half-brother became the household head and was now the current duke. Even so, the current duke could not erase the name of his younger brother—the family’s disgrace—from their registry.

Violet started to mull over why Aldin didn’t put his last name in his identification card, but she banished the thought.

‘Have I ever met him before?’

Violet rummaged through her memories, trying to recall if she had ever met anyone before who had lavender eyes.

Before she had plunged into the lake, she attended numerous banquets. It wouldn’t be strange to think that she might have met him in one of those events.

She’d be able to recall someday. Violet thought about it simply and soon wrote her reply to the letter. She did promise that she would welcome him and give him any reward he wanted.

Then, Violet wondered. He was a young lord of a duchy, and he was also a knight of the imperial guard. Was there anything he wanted to get from Everett?

But, well, as long as she could compensate him, Violet did not need to mull over it anymore.

She didn’t want her peaceful time to be disturbed by complicated thoughts.

* * *

Aldin sent another letter informing her that he would visit the ducal residence at the soonest possible time. Then, just as he said, he visited the mansion soon after, alone.

After finding out that, of all days, he would not be there when the guest would arrive, Roen tearfully begged Violet.

Although Aldin was an illegitimate child, he was still a member of a ducal household. It was quite a huge deal for a duke’s son and a duke’s daughter to meet like this.

Roen’s worries were valid, but since Violet had no intention of getting married anyway, she just brushed off those worries as inconsequential.

Given that Aldin was a member of a high noble household and a son of a duke, he was indeed an important guest. However, he acted as if he did not want to reveal his surname.

Violet decided not to touch the guy’s painful wounds. Since he looked like he really didn’t want to be connected to his family name, she was willing to respect his wishes as much as he wanted.

“I did not expect you to come alone. Did you run into any inconveniences on your way here?”

“It was alright. I am humbled that you have invited me to your abode.”

“It’s no trouble. House Everett does not treat its guests poorly. Please come this way.”

As the formal greetings were over, Violet led her guest inside.

Momentarily hesitating at the sight of Violet in a light indoor dress, Aldin quickly composed himself and followed her.

He didn’t know that the ducal lady would welcome him personally, so because of this, he was rather flustered. However, since most of the people here couldn’t decode his monochromatic expressions because he was so terse, nobody noticed.

“I didn’t get the chance to introduce myself and apologize to you properly that day because of how hectic the situation had been. In the name of Violet S. Everett, I once again thank you for coming to my rescue, and I apologize for the rudeness that my household’s knights had shown you.”

“Well, it’s fine. I, too, understand that they were only performing their duties as knights.”

In the dining hall, a splendid dinner was prepared, and the hospitable treatment of the guest ensued.

The sound of their silverware did not echo. Neither Violet nor Aldin spoke, so the dining hall held only silence.

“Have you thought of what you’d like to ask of me?”

“Painting…”

The person who finished their meal first was Violet, and she went straight to the point as she asked him.

At Violet’s question, Aldin carefully opened his lips to speak.

“Even if just once, I would like to see your paintings.”