Chapter 262


    Banquets, feasts, and the whole festival thatsted for seven days. The nobles of the country used this asion as an excuse to enjoy the balls as they usually did.


    For themoners, however, the Founding Festival held a different meaning.


    It was a day tomemorate the founding of the nation and, at the same time, a harvest festival thatsted for three days.


    For those who worked, it was a public holiday, and for those who ran stalls, it was an opportunity to earn substantial ie.


    Thus, even though it wasn’t the actual day yet, the streets were bustling with activity.


    A sense of anticipation filled the air, and subtle tensions simmered among the nobles aiming for influence in the empire’s central politics.


    It was only natural since thergest banquet of the festival was held in the imperial pce.


    Some were eager to attend the banquet hosted by the imperial family, while others were worried about possible mishaps that might ur amidst all the excitement.


    Of course, there were those who remained unconcerned to all the hubaloo.Violet was one of them. She herself was too busy and preupied to think about any balls or festivals.


    The counseling she did for the youngdy a few days ago was giving her a bit of grief. Since then, she had been inundated with letters, likely due to yet another rumor spreading.


    At first, Violet was curious as to why she was receiving so many letters that weren’t even invitations, so she decided to read a few of them.


    The letters were mostly fan letters, requests for advice, or diary entries containing secrets that they couldn’t tell anyone else. What would they do if someone stole these letters and used them as leverage for ckmail?


    Although the content wasn’t significant enough to be considered exploitable weaknesses, the personal details were so thoroughly detailed that it was both startling and entertaining at once.


    Obviously enough, she didn’t reply to any of them… yet the letters kepting.


    She didn’t understand why and how she had amassed such followers. If it was purely based on her appearance, there were plenty of other beautiful people besides her.


    Meanwhile, as Violet’s confusion grew day after day, there were a few people who feltplicated watching this all y out.


    One of those people was Rajaden.


    “You’re quite popr, Ducal Lady.”


    “Does it seem that way to you?”


    “How popr must you be to reject my partnership request so often?”


    “…I don’t see how that rtes to my poprity, nor do I think I have any obligation to ept.”


    “…So you won’t even give me a chance now?”


    Rajaden’s wistful, resigned words made Violet frown. She knew her words might be considered disrespectful, but she didn’t hesitate.


    “I don’t quite have the supernatural ability of reading people’s minds, Your Highness. If you have something to say, please be clear about it.”


    “……”


    In other words, <i>Just blurt it out already.</i>


    Rajaden didn’t respond.


    Today, Rajaden was clearly agitated. There was no trace of his usual confident smile, joy, or arrogance.


    Reflecting on Violet’s words, Rajaden frowned and spoke in a low but firm tone.


    “What exactly is the problem? I told you I can adjust. I can give you all the love you want. I won’t look at anyone else, nor will I take any concubines. …If you just want it, you can ascend to the highest position. So why? Why can’t you at least… at least give me a chance!”


    In the end, his emotions got the better of him. With nothing to hold them back, his emotions nowy out in the open.


    The man who had everything was reacting like a child who just found out that there was something in this world that he couldn’t have for the first time in his life.


    Was the pain sharper because this was his first failure? Violet sighed softly as she continued painting his portrait.


    <i>This is why we don’t match.</i>


    When she quietly made eye contact, Rajaden’s face showed a mix of his hopes, his desperation not to miss any chance, and some calction.


    And also, the despair of that possibility.


    What if even <i>this</i> gets rejected?


    Violet smiled. She knew what she was about to say would be false hope.


    “If I were to be Your Highness’s partner, what would you do?”


    “Of course, I would…”


    Rajaden started to speak but then fell silent. Seeing his silence, the smile faded from Violet’s face.


    “Your Highness. You say you love me, but that is what <i>you </i>feel. That emotion can’t seem to respect me as an <i>individual.”</i>


    “……”


    Possession, monopoly, control, calction.


    These things were too dark and too oppressive to be called love.


    Rajaden said he loved Violet. And, indeed, that emotion was love.


    But the other desires hidden within that love were too obvious.


    Violet knew that she and Rajaden were fundamentally ipatible. Of course, if they loved each other, they could adapt and work through it together. They could suppress parts of themselves and dedicate themselves to each other.


    However, that process seemed much too excruciating.


    What she truly desired was something Rajaden couldn’t give.


    “You’ve mentioned meeting with Aileen frequentlytely. What do you talk about with her?”


    “…I cannot say.”


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