“Is the princess doing well?”

Did she say she’ll fall to the terrace?

Is this the behavior of someone doing well?

I stared at Havel with a complicated look. Just like in the original work, Violet turned away from her family and the person she loved. She endured with strong determination. Even when leaving her family, who she once loved, she didn’t lose her smile.

But who said what and did what?

“Surely you didn’t hear about Lady Cercis’s duel and react like this?”

Could it be because of me? Anxiety surged.

“It happened before I heard about the duel.”

“Then why? What happened in the family after I left?”

“Nothing unusual. Father was very concerned about Violet when he saw her unwell.”

Havel seemed to have difficulty accepting Violet’s behavior. I felt the same way.

“Now is not the time for this. I should go and check her condition.”

I tried to organize the documents and get up immediately, but Havel stopped me.

“Violet doesn’t remember that day. Even if you ask her, she probably won’t answer. It was another shocking story.”

“…She doesn’t remember?”

“I’m also puzzled. After causing a commotion, Father went to see her, and Violet behaved as usual, saying nothing happened. That’s why Father even called a healer, but it had no effect. Since then, Violet hasn’t shown any abnormal behavior, so I can say she’s doing well.”

Can this be considered doing well?

Rather than saying Violet, who exhibits impulsive behavior, is doing well, she seemed to need rest.

“I’m worried.”

“So these days, she goes out without any reason. I’m afraid to ask what she’s doing, in case it disturbs her peace of mind.”

He genuinely worried about Violet. Yet, he also seemed afraid. Whether it was because Violet’s heart was now closed, despite Havel’s attempts to approach her, I couldn’t say.

‘Maybe regret has already begun.’

Havel sighed endlessly.

“Are you okay?”

“I’m not okay.”

“You’re honest.”

“To be more honest, I think I got close to Violet too late.”

I couldn’t keep my mouth shut in the face of his sincere words, devoid of any falsehood.

Accepting Violet as family as usual. I couldn’t say such things.

“Family sometimes feels distant, and sometimes feels like an ally who is endlessly on my side.”

I, too, sometimes feel that way about the Marquis’s people.

I understand that getting closer doesn’t necessarily mean wanting to get close.

‘So, I hoped we wouldn’t create more things to regret for each other.’

A silence mixed with contemplation followed.

I could only hope that Violet’s heart would open while standing behind her.

“I’ll often come to meet the princess while I’m here. Please don’t let go of the princess.”

Havel chuckled slightly.

“It’s fortunate that you’re not the Grand Duchess’s envoy.”

Pfft.

I laughed to break the tension with the sudden remark.

“I guess I have a bad personality.”

Who would like a woman who doesn’t give in even when her younger brother doesn’t support her?

If it were her younger sister, she might have given her a hard time.

“Oh, I didn’t expect it to sound like that. You really don’t seem to have a sense of direction towards me, then or now.”

Havel scratched the back of his head, looking embarrassed.

“Have you met me before?”

I tried to recall if I had seen Havel again, but he wasn’t in my memory.

Havel smiled with a slightly softened face compared to before.

“We met at the academy. Since you don’t remember the Grand Duchess’s envoy, let’s just say you saw only me.”

“You’re from the Markaba Academy.”

I awkwardly laughed.

I had no recollection at all.

“Is Hertian treating you well?”

Havel suddenly asked.
Seeing him casually calling her name, I chuckled while answering.

“Are you on familiar terms with the Grand Duke?”

It was right before hearing the answer to my question.

“Lady.”

The door opened, and Hertian entered with a smiling face. Seeing only Havel and me, he smirked slightly, then quickly approached.

“Grand Duke? How did you find out about this place?”

“Lady said you couldn’t have lunch and were busy with work.”

In his hand, he carried a picnic basket. It seemed like he brought lunch himself. The Grand Duke carrying such a picnic basket from the palace was unexpected. Nevertheless, I managed to hold back the laughter that was about to burst out.

“I was about to leave soon anyway. Why did you come?”

I stood up from my seat and approached him. Naturally, Havel also stood up.

Then, recalling the conversation from earlier, I looked back and forth between the two.

“You said you know each other, right?”

Hertian stared at Havel. Then he replied shortly and firmly.

“I don’t know him.”

“Havel knew alone?”

But is that why he called him so casually?

“Did he talk about me?”

Contrary to his words, Hertian also pointed at Havel casually. Havel, feeling the intense gaze, twitched slightly.

“Not yet. He called me by name, so I thought he knew.”

“Just an acquaintance.”

As Havel was about to say something more, Hertian draped a shawl over my shoulders and led me outside. Then, Havel blocked our way.

“The work isn’t finished yet.”