The sun was unusually bright today.

The violets basking in the light by the window also wore radiant smiles.

“Would you like to stay here, Your Highness?”

“For me, it’s nice to chat freely with Violet when His Majesty isn’t around.”

After Serdis left, I enjoyed some tea time alone with Violet. Although the day was cold, making us merely gaze at the scenery outside, the warm sunlight and the soothing aroma of tea brought us relaxation.

“This Blanche region is so beautiful, I never knew. The snow doesn’t melt all year round and glitters in the sunlight. It’s quite pretty.”

“It looks beautiful, but it’s a pity we can’t enjoy tea outdoors.”

“Let’s have tea together at our mansion when you visit the capital later.”

“Sure.”

I answered with a bright smile. Violet was sipping her tea and admiring the view for a while before she suddenly approached me and asked,

“Is it livable here?”

It seemed she was curious about how I managed to live alone in a foreign land, leaving my family in the capital.

“It’s quite livable, except for a bit of cold. The people are nice too.”

She heaved a sigh of relief and cautiously continued,

“That’s good to hear. But it seems you and Lily don’t get along well… Should I talk to Lily for you?”

“No, it’s not that. Lily just finds it awkward since a new sisterinlaw appeared all of a sudden.”

Maybe.

I don’t understand the minds of adolescent girls either.

“I see.”

“How are you acquainted with Lily, Your Highness?”

“We met in the ballroom before she moved to the duchy. She followed me around since the beginning.”

Typical Violet.

She had a mysteriously appealing charm. Only Serdis didn’t realize that.

Especially those cheeks. Each time I looked at those white, rice cakelike cheeks, a desire to touch them surged within me. I must try that once we get a little closer.

“Your home looks a bit plain for newlyweds. When I return to my mansion, I’ll send you decorations that will bring out the newlywed atmosphere.”

Violet looked around and spoke cheerfully.

The duchy did appear a bit dull. The previous duke couldn’t properly manage the place since he had no wife.

“The castle feels a bit empty, doesn’t it?”

“Yes. I expected a bit more… something, since you said you fell in love at first sight.”

She twisted her body as if she wanted something more. The marriage to her firstsight love must have seemed like a fantasy.

‘If Your Highness wishes, I have no choice but to live up to your expectations.’

I chuckled and took her hand.

“Come this way, Your Highness.”

I then led her to a cabinet in the parlor.

“This is a place where guests frequently come and go, so we couldn’t overtly display these. But I’ll show them especially to you, Your Highness.”

I opened the tightly shut cabinet doors wide. At the same time, Violet’s eyes widened like full moons.

“What is all this!”

“Objects we use when we chat in the parlor.”

Two cups with the same pattern.

Two spoons.

Two feather pens.

.

.

.

Lastly, a pair of matching figurines were placed.

These were couple items.

I had prepared these things before coming to the duchy. From the bathroom to the dining room, and the bedroom, there were plenty of objects that screamed ‘We’re newlyweds.’

To leave no room for doubt when our parents or other family members visited.

“I’m showing these to you first, Your Highness.”

I whispered softly into her ear.

“The underwear I’m wearing now also has the same pattern.”

“Oh my… How embarrassing.”

Violet’s face turned bashfully red.

She looked at the items with admiration and a tinge of jealousy.

“When you marry Serdis, Your Highness, I’ll gift these to you.”

“Really? I’m so happy.”

Just as Violet’s face began to flush with joy,

“Your Highness!”

The parlor door swung open, and Lily burst in, completely ignoring me and running straight towards Violet.

“Lily? What brings you here?”

“Your Highness, play with Lily!”
Seeing that sight, I sighed briefly.

“Liri, aren’t you going to greet your stepsister?”

Liri glanced at me briefly before reluctantly offering a greeting. It had been like this since the day we had a spat.

“Good afternoon, stepsister.”

Other than the greeting, she didn’t say another word. Despite my attempts to reconcile by extending a hand first, she did not respond. After several attempts, I slipped into ‘stepmother mode’.

“Liri, you mustn’t be rude to Princess Vi.”

Unable to hold back, Vi added a comment.

“Understood. I’ll behave properly from now on. But, Princess, come hunting with me!”

“Oh, hunting?”

The mention of hunting caught Vi’s interest.

“The castle has plenty of bows. You’re good with a bow, Princess. Show off your skills, will you?”

“But hunting grounds near the capital are different from the ones in the North, both in terrain and climate. We don’t have rabbits or deer suitable for hunting.”

“Instead, there are other small magical beasts. Some have soft fur. They’re so cute!”

Liri excitedly tried to pull Vi along, but I stopped her.

“No.”

“I didn’t ask stepsister to come.”