Chapter 223

Rajaden, with his ever-sunny smile, laughed with his eyes as he spoke, not bothering to conceal it.

As they stood side by side, anyone could see that Violet was wearing a rather dark attire, yet it was of no concern.

To any onlooker, Rajaden's gaze towards Violet was so fervent, it screamed of unrequited love.

Fortunately, or unfortunately, there were people around. The maids and servants, now aware of what had changed Rajaden, hastened their steps.

The crown prince seemed to have no intention of hiding his feelings.

Violet, avoiding his gaze, failed to see the burdensome affection in his eyes.

"Today, I will escort you with all my heart and soul, Ducal Lady─"

With an innocent and boyish smile rather than one filled with arrogance, Rajaden extended his hand to Violet.

His gaze and touch were tender. Yet, to Violet, it was merely burdensome.

She wondered why he had to be so overwhelmingly attentive, beyond just a change in tactics.

Remembering Roen's words about how the crown prince had become strange, Violet sighed and took Rajaden's hand.

Rajaden smiled again, as if he found everything delightful.

"It's the lake that the Fourth Emperor made for the woman he loved most. Thanks to the beautifully maintained landscape, it remains a renowned spot to this day."

Violet did not respond much, but Rajaden talked incessantly as he escorted her.

Both wore gloves, so there was no actual skin contact, yet he smiled like a boy experiencing his first love.

At this point, Violet could no longer just smile.

She still believed there was no chance Rajaden liked her, thinking he had merely 'changed his tactics'.

Thus, she arrived at a single conclusion.

'Repulsive...'

What was merely annoying before now seemed utterly repulsive. By a long mile, she would have preferred to endure Roen's unbearable roleplay of a caring older brother.

"I hope you like it."

Rajaden smiled again, unaware of Violet's feelings.

The place Rajaden had led her to was indeed worthy of being called a scenic spot.

Under the bright sun, the water's surface glittered like jewels.

The water, through some enchantment, was incredibly clear and boasted a vivid emerald hue. The surrounding landscape was perfect, and it would surely be packed if it were open to everyone.

"It's beautiful."

Violet's response was calm, despite her inner admiration.

She had several reasons to suspect Rajaden was toying with her emotions.

And choosing a lake, of all places, as their meeting place contributed to that belief.

If he had chosen the place to mock her, it was indeed the perfect choice.

Having almost drowned in a lake before didn't mean she feared water or disliked lakes. At least, that's what Violet believed.

Nonetheless, she couldn't help but admire this person's audacity of bringing someone who had experienced such an accident to a lake.

Rajaden led Violet towards a small boat.

Prepared in advance, the gondola-like boat was as intricately beautiful as the lake itself.

"This way."

Rajaden extended his hand. Violet took it.

"Ducal Lady, you have such small hands."

He made a comment that seemed out of the blue, causing Violet's expression to sour immediately. The shadow cast by her hat blocking the sunlight probably hid her scowl.

Violet was taller than the average imperial woman, and accordingly, her hands were slightly larger.

It wasn't right to compare her hands with Rajaden's, who towered over her height, but they were by no means small.

This must have been why Roen went on and on about how strange the crown prince had become.

Seated in the gondola, Violet kept her gaze outward. The light reflecting from the lake's surface was hurting her eyes.

"Flavius II, the Fourth Emperor of this Empire, is said to have loved only one person throughout his life and never took a concubine. This has led him to be remembered as a tyrant by posterity, though there's much to tell of his tragic love."

Rajaden started a well-known tale among the citizens of the empire, following Violet's gaze to the lake.

Since history was one of the subjects Violet had studied diligently, she wore an unimpressed expression.

Can a life spent blindly in love, only to be remembered as a tyrant in the history books and leaving no heirs, be spoken of positively? Still, it's hard to label him simply as a tyrant given his contributions to the renaissance of art.

"If possible, I'd like to watch a play with you..."

Violet then realized why Rajaden had brought up the old emperor.

He had previously asked her to see a play with him and been turned down.

"It is 'The Crimson Tragedy', a story inspired by the Fourth Emperor."

But she soon replied, her tone even.

"I've already promised to watch it with someone else."