A Painting of the Villainess as a Young Lady

“…I thought you were enjoying your time with the other young ladies.”

“But I couldn’t dance with the one who wanted to dance the most, could I?”

“With all due respect, this isn’t the first time you’re dancing with me.”

“Since we shared the first dance together, I’ve been hoping that we could have the last dance as well. Why can’t you see these poignant feelings?”

Rajaden’s guiding touch was tender. His words and actions were those that one would expect from a lover, and his demeanor surpassed anyone else’s.

Violet knew that all of this was an act, but she decided to play along.

“If Your Highness wishes, I’d gladly comply.”

“…I wish that you wouldn’t suddenly smile like that, Ducal Lady.”

“But didn’t you want to see me smile?”

“It leaves me speechless. I wanted to see a genuine smile rather than a fake one…”

“Does a fake smile leave you in unrest, Your Highness?”

“…Teasing people seems to run in your family, just like your older brother.”contemporary romance

Rajaden grumbled. He was acting as a lover while being an actor himself.

“You and Sir Aldin seem to be quite close.”

“…He’s my younger brother’s friend.”

“Your younger brother? Hmm. I’ve heard that you two aren’t particularly close.”

“Is that what Lord Roen said?”

“I also heard that you had quite a friendly conversation with Lord Ruben.”

“You’re changing the subject… And I don’t even remember what we talked about.”

“Haha, Lady Violet, you’re the most interesting when you’re honest! In times like these, you should use a man’s jealousy to your advantage.”

Violet’s expression crumpled. She debated whether to point out the ‘man’s jealousy’ first or express her disdain for the cliché, ‘You’re quite interesting compared to the other young ladies!’

As if being ‘interesting’ could lead to ‘love’.

She decided to divert the conversation instead.

“If Your Highness wishes to become closer to me, I can adjust to your preferences. What would you like?”

“…I’m starting to think that you might want to hit me, Ducal Lady. Is it just a misunderstanding?”

“Surely, I wouldn’t dare do such a thing to Your Highness.”

“You’re really Roen’s younger sister.”

“……”

“And you seem uncomfortable again. Could it be that you dislike being compared to your older brother?”

“Rather than that, I can tell you that I don’t particularly like Lord Roen.”

“Oh, really? I suppose I should be careful about that to win your favor.”

As the music played on, Violet’s gaze caught someone approaching the empress.

And when the empress left her seat, a frown on her face after receiving a report, Rajaden chuckled, seemingly unbothered by it.

“Oh, don’t worry about Mother. It happens all the time.”

“All the time?”

“It can’t be helped. I have a cute little sister.”

“……”

Unexpectedly, a forbidden word slipped out. If Rajaden was referring to his younger sister, it would be clear that he meant the imperial princess.

However, information about the princess was shrouded in secrecy. All that was known was her birth.

There was no information about her growth, and she had never made any public appearances in high society. Consequently, some people even doubted the existence of a princess in this country.

Violet was taken aback when he mentioned the princess. Her surprise didn’t go unnoticed by Rajaden, who smiled slyly and gently tugged her hand.

“Oh dear, I wish you’d focus on me for now.”

“…I’m not sure what you want me to focus on.”

“You were thinking about something else, weren’t you? In this situation where we’re dancing together, you should only be thinking about me.”

“……”

“Haha, shall we chat briefly?”

“We’re already chatting, aren’t we? Aren’t you tired?”

“Well, you don’t seem tired either, Ducal Lady.”

Flutter, flutter.

Once again, the atmosphere in the banquet hall blossomed. Even after the empress suddenly left her seat, the atmosphere at the banquet remained unchanged.

Normally, one wouldn’t engage in such extensive conversations while dancing. Violet considered whether to stop responding, sensing that this unusual conversation wouldn’t end easily.

“What kind of man do you prefer, Ducal Lady?”

“…Why are you suddenly asking me that?”

“Just because. I thought it might help us get closer.”

The conversation took an odd turn. Rajaden’s attitude was quite self-assured. However, he didn’t display the typical provoking demeanor, so

Violet dismissed the premise that he was trying to charm her.

“…A man who looks charming when he cries?”

“…I’ll be sure to keep that as reference.”

Violet just gave the first answer that came to mind.

Rajaden’s expression subtly changed. Did you always have such a preference, Ducal Lady? His expression led her to believe that there might have been words he wanted to say but couldn’t find a way to express them.

Violet ended the dance by stepping on Rajaden’s foot lightly.

“To think that the last birthday gift I received is this pain… Anything that you give is a delight to receive, Ducal Lady, but it still hurts. I’ll keep this pain in my heart forever.”

“Could I dare leave a scar on the body of His Highness the Crown Prince? It was an accident.”

“I know. I’m not finding fault in you.”

“……”

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