A Painting of the Villainess as a Young Lady

Violet acted naturally. From behind, they looked like a couple who had just started dating.

Fortunately, they didn’t run into the noisy people from the arts social gathering.

If they had met, the next time it would be a long conversation starting with, ‘Oh, I also watched that play. It’s a pity we didn’t run into each other. It would have been nice to chat!’ —But that was for another time.

It wasn’t until they were completely out on the street that Violet let go of his arm.

“……”

“Oh, I’m sorry!”

By then, Aldin’s face was fully flushed. His expression was even more intense than when they danced together at the banquet, as if he was about to cry.

“No, it’s fine…”

Even if it’s someone you have a crush on, this kind of contact would be flustering, especially after confessing. It was the perfect situation for giving false hope since Violet hadn’t responded to his confession yet. Though Aldin might see it only as a vow of loyalty, it was still the same.

“…Alright.”

Violet looked up at Aldin. He couldn’t bring himself to meet her eyes and turned his head away.

Looking up at him, she suddenly felt the height difference acutely.

Violet slyly glanced down at Aldin’s hand. She wanted to compare their hand sizes but thought he might faint if she did, so she refrained.

“Sir?”

“Oh, yes!”

Even after a long time, he remained as flustered as ever, so she carefully called out to him, and only then did he respond properly. Violet smiled softly.

He clumsily led Violet to the next place.

“……”

“……”

However, the restaurant he led her to was closed for the day.

“Don’t people usually make reservations?”

“Well… it’s my first time at such a place. I’m sorry.”

Aldin looked like he wanted to hide in a hole. Violet, on the other hand, found it amusing.

“I’ll find another place.”

“Famous places are hard to get into without reservations, you know? Well, mentioning either of our family’s names might help…”

“I’m sorry……”

He wasn’t someone who had dated before, let alone made friends besides Cairn, so there was no one to advise him.

He did get some help from his sister, but only to the extent of location recommendations. Aldin was at a loss now that things had turned out this way.

Violet smiled and led him to the market street.

Although markets everywhere were similar, the bustling energy of the street markets had its own charm.

Of course, the market in the capital was harsher due to high water costs and it was hard to find generosity, but the lively haggling had its own appeal.

Seeing the busy market, Violet suggested they go to any restaurant. Aldin hesitated, but it seemed he had a favorite spot. Violet, laughing, assured him that any place would do.

They ended up having a simple meal at a shabby restaurant that Aldin led them to.

It wasn’t exactly a place suitable for a lady born and raised as a high noble.

Throughout the meal, Aldin seemed burdened with guilt, while Violet was quite satisfied.

The food here had a different taste compared to the dishes seasoned with rare spices.

“You two make such a lovely couple.”

The restaurant owner jokingly complimented them, saying they looked good together. Each time, Aldin’s expression subtly changed. Eventually, he closed his eyes and wore an expression that clearly said ‘Kill me now…’ which made Violet burst into laughter.

Walking around the marketplace after leaving the restaurant was truly enjoyable. When Violet tried to buy some street food and realized she only had gold coins, she was briefly disheartened. Seeing this, Aldin laughed and paid for her.

“Did you laugh just now?”

Violet questioned Aldin, asking if he found her lack of money amusing. While it was fine for her to tease him, being teased was unacceptable.

Aldin, flustered by her question, bowed his head deeply and apologized.

Violet brushed it off lightly and continued to lead Aldin.

She stopped in front of a jewelry stall.

“……”

“I’m really not teasing you.”

“…I know.”

“Really, I’m not.”

After buying a cute bunny-shaped pin and fastening it to Aldin’s hair, Violet spoke nonchalantly.

With his bangs, which had been slightly covering his eyes, now pinned up, his clear forehead was revealed.

Violet had bought the bunny pin purely to tease him, but it ended up suiting him so well that she couldn’t say anything more.

“How can one even look like this?”

“……”

Unaware of the glances from people around them, Violet continued to admire Aldin.

His forehead, eyebrows, and eyes were all beautiful.

His face, situated somewhere between ‘handsome’ and ‘pretty’, looked even more beautiful with his hair pushed back.

“…Do you like this pin that much?”

Violet was talking about Aldin, but he misunderstood her.

Not used to having his entire face exposed, he kept fidgeting with his hair.

Violet looked up at him, somewhat exasperated.

“You’re the one who’s beautiful, not the pin…”

Honestly, the pin was a cheap and crude accessory, making it hard to say it was harmonious. As Violet trailed off, Aldin’s mouth opened slightly.

“I knew it, you were t-teasing me after all…”

“Oh, look at that! They sell those too.”

Quickly changing the subject and walking away, Violet left Aldin with a bewildered expression. Not wanting to leave the lady alone, he hurriedly followed her.

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