Violetâs eyes fluttered in astonishment.
This is what happens when a clueless person acts so boldly.
Moreover, Alesia remembered exactly what Violet said that day, word for word.
As Alesiaâs eyes seemed to seek validation, Violet inadvertently stroked the other girlâs head.
âDucal Lady Violet?â
âAh, sorry. Itâs a habit.â
ââŠItâs okay.â
Violet, startled, quickly withdrew her hand as Alesiaâs ears turned red.
âUh, um. You did well⊠But try a different approach next time.â
âWhy?â
âIf you keep talking like that, youâll become the next target.â
âI donât care. Such gossip isnât new, and I canât ignore the situation in front of me just because Iâm afraid of what theyâll say about me. Ah, but I always think about whether my actions and words are right.â
Alesia added hastily.
Violet burst out laughing at that.
She had been concerned all along. Truly a righteous person.
There should indeed be such people in the world.
With the comforting thought that she had made a good friend, Violet laughed again.
Alesia hastily averted her gaze at Violetâs genuinely heartfelt smile.
Of course, Violet would not have stayed silent in such a situation either.
She would have boldly played the villainess, pouring tea on the instigatorâs face and asking, âIs this fun?â
All the while crushing their self-esteem and sanity with just her words.
Underestimating herself, Violet was internally clapping and pleased that her newly made friend was so righteous.
However, she still advised Alesia not to step forward recklessly, but Alesiaâs will was strong.
Since then, sheâs been outright rejecting most invitations, but she said she would speak up without hesitation if such a situation arose again.
Violet thought she would check Alesiaâs reputation once she returned.
She didnât care about her own bad reputation, but she disliked hearing her friend spoken ill of.
They went on to have a more pleasant chat while enjoying some tasty treats, and Violet also encouraged Alesia to model for a sketch.
Then, Alesia suddenly brought up a topic.
âThereâs a rumor going around that Margrave Blaise has come to the capital. Do you know anything about it?â
âWhat? Margrave Blaise?â
âHmm. If you are not aware, it must be just a rumorâŠâ
The news from her maternal home, known as the guardians of the borders, instantly hardened Violetâs expression.
If even the socially oblivious and secluded Alesia knew about it, it meant the news was quite widespread.
But why was this the first time she was hearing of it? Violet became visibly upset.
Unaware of Violetâs feelings, Alesia cheerfully offered her snacks.
* * *
The first thing Violet did when she got home after ending her peaceful day was to confront Roen.
âTell me. Now.â
âW-What?â
âEverything youâre hiding.â
âUm, Violet?â
Roen, mentally exhausted from dealing with many concerns, froze upon as his younger sisterâemanating a dark auraâstarted confronting him at home.
Being asked to reveal everything he was hiding was too much⊠He didnât even know where to begin.
It took a while before he realized what Violet was talking about. Almost spilling trivial gossip, Roen sighed softly and explained the situation.
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âI only found out today too. Itâs true that Margrave Blaise is staying in the capital, but this is confidential information.â
âWhy is that?â
âWho benefits if the Margrave is away from his post?â
ââŠâŠâ
Any unguarded border was ripe for an attack. It made sense to keep it confidential.
Nonetheless, something didnât sit right with Violet, and her brow furrowed.
Roen smiled tiredly, trying to hide his fatigue.
ââŠYouâre not hiding anything else, are you?â
âHuh? Oh. Haha, there wouldnât be anything like that.â
Roenâs response was too natural, almost unnaturally so. Violetâs eyes narrowed.
âMargrave Blaise will be returning soon. Before that, it seems heâll only call us⊠You, me, and Cairn.â
âIs that so?â
âIt seems the cousins will stay in the capital for a while once the Margrave returns and makes the announcement⊠Violet?â
âIâm listening.â
âYou look tired?â
âThe same goes for you.â
âAre you worried about me?â
ââŠYou think weâre friends?â
âViolet?â
âWhatever.â Æreewebηoveâ.com
It was often said, âWhen you lie down with dogs, you get up with fleas,â and Roen had a knack for resembling Rajaden in peculiar ways.
For example, trying to elicit sympathy by playing the victim.
Roen, younger but more adept at hiding his expressions than most, now wore a dejected look.
Knowing even that expression was an act, Violet clicked her tongue. She warned him in a low voice.
âI only hope youâre not hiding anything I need to know about.â
ââŠOf course.â
After a brief pause in response to Violetâs question, Roen gave her a refreshing smile. Go up and rest if youâre tired. Violet did not decline.
âHiding somethingâ and âhiding something you need to knowâ were two different matters.
Well aware of Aileenâs behavior, Roen sighed as he roughly swept a hand over his face.
Did it really have to come to this?
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