“…Why do you keep visiting me?”

“Is there a reason I should come?”

“This place is too full, obviously.”

But Roen just went on to answer with nonchalance.

All this time, this person had been keeping his distance and was just sending gifts as tokens of his apology and sincerity towards her. However, this changed a few days ago when he started to come visit her often.

Violet did not know what to do with this man in front of her.

She refused to accept Roen’s apology. The wounds she suffered through were much to painful and much too deep for her to accept him easily.

Even if her anger burned to the point that only ashes were left, the pain would still not disappear.

What had her life been like thus far? Would that come to a close with only a mere apology?

To his credit, Roen also did not force his intentions onto Violet. He was very well aware of the extent of her pain.

At least, he should be, but it was getting ambiguous in Violet’s perspective.

“Clingy men aren’t very popular.”

“Really? But I’m actually quite popular, if I do say so myself.”

Violet spoke out to him first, but she ended up getting rendered speechless. Even when she let out a low sigh, Roen just chattered on regardless.

“The new chef worked at the Imperial Palace before, you know. Maybe it’s because of that, but his skills are top notch. And I thought of you, so I asked him to make a blueberry pie I could give you.”

“You didn’t even bake it yourself, but you’re so proud of it anyway.”

“Would you rather that I baked for you personally?”

“…Would you like to see the kitchen employees faint, Young Lord?”

“Cold as ever, I see.”

Violet’s mind spun with many questions. She and Roen were not close enough with each other. Because of this fact, the atmosphere between them was quite odd.

“So, what’s the matter?”

Unable to stand the awkwardness of it all, Violet was the first to show her feelings about it.

And, seeing this, Roen grinned.

“I know. Surely were not close enough and we should only meet when there’s official business that needs to be—”

“You’re right, Young Lord. So, if you have nothing to do here, I ask that you please go back.”

“…You really are still uncomfortable with me, huh.”

“……”

It’s impossible for her to be comfortable around him. Violet’s mind quickly went on to analyze the situation.

However, it’s hardly easy to guess what Roen was up to.

“Right, it’s not like I came here for nothing at all.”

“……”

“You said that you’ll be sending a painting to Father, right?”

“I never confirmed such a thing…”

“If you don’t mind, I’d like to ask for one as well—as a gift. I’d very much like to lord it over that punk, the Crown Prince.”

Just what in the world were this duke and duke’s son doing now.

The duke was asking for a painting to allegedly make the emperor jealous, and here was the duke’s son asking for a painting as well, but for the express purpose of lording it over the imperial crown prince.

While trying to recall what she could remember about the crown prince, with memories buried deeply, Violet visibly looked annoyed.

Violet had lived as a high noble for all her life, so she might not feel the same way; however, the version of Violet with Yeon Ha-Yoon’s personality inside her was not a fan of talking in a roundabout manner.

So, she decided to be frank.

“I don’t have any desire to give away my paintings as gifts to people I’m uncomfortable with. I refuse your suggestion.”

“…As expected. I understand.”

Roen propped his chin on one hand. Violet said it so straightforwardly without any hint of trying to keep up decorum. A scowl even flashed across her features briefly.

“Do you remember, Vee? When we were kids, you made a coronet out of violets for me before.”

“……”

Roen brought up the story out of the blue.

And hearing that nickname, which she couldn’t even remember until now, made her grimace. She sipped her tea with pursed lips.

“I’m just saying, you know. There was a time like that. Elder Brother also adored you, and Cairn… Um. Well, that kid’s the same then and now.”

“What are you getting at.”

Suddenly hearing a story about their childhood made Violet’s voice tremble.

“I told you. It’s only right for me to try when rebuilding a broken relationship.”

“……”

“You… You tried to keep our relationship intact, but you eventually had to give up. You rather chose that there should be nothing between us. You resented us to the point that you kept it all buried—so much so that it seemed as if there were no feelings of hatred and anger at all.”

As Roen continued to speak in a relaxed manner, Violet’s expression distorted more and more.

What should she do to prevent herself from shedding any tears.

Her tenacious pride remained firm within her, and it was the very part of her that did not want to show any weaknesses to others.

She made sure to cease the trembling of her voice before she answered briefly.

“I see.”

The monotonous response made Roen smile again.

“Since you’ve already given up, it’s my turn to try.”

“……”

“I’m going to try and try until the day comes that you can accept my apology. That you can consider me your family again.”

Roen said so while maintaining that same smile, which looked rather awkward. For someone who was good at hiding his emotions, his expression was notably out of place.

Was this a mask, too? If so, then what a competent man he truly was.

Violet held back these bitter words inwardly.

“…I don’t want it.”

“I know. It’s simply a wish of mine that we can be close again.”

“Why?”

Violet could press down on those bitter words, but not her emotions.

She would not have been able to continue living until now if even her emotions were suppressed.

As he noticed that Violet’s voice had started trembling again, Roen smiled tenderly.

It was not a smile that contained pretense and hypocrisy, but a smile that was full of sincerity.