A Painting of the Villainess as a Young Lady

Chapter 126

Absolutely still as he was leaning against the balcony’s railing, the man continued to listen to the stories swirling all around the hall. He closed his eyes quietly.

For some reason, Violet seemed different. The ferocious, sharp aura emanating from her had eased significantly, and her attitude of sticking to absolute principle had mellowed out to be more flexible.

With no words of exaggeration, it was as if the thorns had disappeared from the flower.

“Goodness. I apologize for the condition of your clothes. This incident would fill you with only sad and painful memories on this good day, wouldn’t it? Do allow me to purchase you a new dress in the name of my household.”

Ah. It’s still there. Still the same.

Actually, it would be right to say that she had not changed. She had learned how to communicate more effectively with people, yet even if her blade was nowhere to be seen right now, it didn’t mean that she had changed completely into a different person.

The very essence of her had not changed.

“Climbing higher to a position no one could ever undermine would be enough.”“Both you and me, understand? We don’t have to accede to those idiots.”“I will decide my own worth.”

She was the one who said these striking words, but in any case, Violet herself wouldn’t remember them.

Aldin had risen to a position that no one could ever undermine, yet he was still at the bottom because his own essence had not changed.

‘No, I could have at least left House Aesir. Things might have gone differently.’

Aldin thought that he had grown into his own position. Much had changed in his life ever since he met Violet.

In truth, Aldin’s self-esteem was not very low.

He had graduated at the top of his class. He entered the first chivalric order at a young age, and he was to become a knight captain soon enough.

Who could say anything against him when he had achieved these things? What would their words matter?

After all, it was through his own grit and ability that he had clinched the position of knight captain. And even if other people would undermine his efforts, the fact that he had achieved such things would not change.

It was only ever in front of Violet that Aldin’s self-esteem and dignity would waver and plummet.

It’s something that he could do nothing about. It’s that kind of feeling.

He would treat Cairn like a pebble on the roadside even as they were from the same station—as the sons of dukes—though Aldin could perhaps sympathize with that guy.

“Entering, His Highness the Crown Prince!”

The crown prince had appeared in the banquet hall.

The air had changed. Though Aldin was outside on a balcony, he could feel it.

Awe. Admiration. Longing for the man who would soon be the ruler of all.

He dominated the chaotic atmosphere of the entire hall with just his very presence. He was suited to be the next emperor.

As Aldin had been looking up at the night sky until now, he suddenly paused. The crown prince. The Everett Duchy’s esteemed daughter. And the Young Duke of Everett, who was a close friend of the crown prince.

He did not mean to eavesdrop.

“Haha, but isn’t this a good day? That is, a good day for me to meet my friend’s younger sister.”