A Painting of the Villainess as a Young Lady

“Why does she treat her older brother worse than an insect? Just meeting each other leads to a growling match, and Alec also goes ahead and keeps getting a rise out of his younger sister… Heavens.”

In summary, the marchioness lamented about how the colt had become a crazy colt, and while she was trying her best to understand, it’s just that Alesia was looking down on her older brother a little too much. The marchioness also worried about how her daughter’s attitude would impede the search for a good match in holy matrimony. This was her dilemma.

Listening to the concerns of Marchioness Leshan, Violet tilted her head, feeling a certain discomfort.

“Does Alec have to inherit the title of Marquis?”

“It’s the norm. Once I marry off Alesia, it would bring me peace of mind.”

“But didn’t you tell me to do as I please?”

“……”

Violet’s question hit the nail on the head. Marchioness Leshan froze up, as if she hadn’t even considered it.

Why must the eldest son inherit the title? Would a daughter become a burden if she doesn’t marry? Violet’s observation was valid. Marchioness Leshan personally advised Violet to act as she pleased, but her current stance towards her children contradicted her own words.

The marchioness remained silent for a short time. While Violet waited for her, she slowly sipped her tea.

“…Ducal Lady, you have the name ‘Everett,’ don’t you?”

“The Leshan name is not exactly inconsequential either.”

“But a relationship as bad as theirs, protecting my son under the name of Leshan would be difficult…”

“Were you happy after your marriage, Madam?”

At Violet’s repeated question, Marchioness Leshan smiled bitterly.

Happiness and unhappiness couldn’t be neatly divided like separating ashes from embers. Happy and unhappy moments could coexist, and love and happiness weren’t directly proportional.

Knowing this fact, Marchioness Leshan couldn’t easily find an answer.

For noblewomen, marriage was often considered the ultimate goal in life. However, it was not the only answer.

Marchioness Leshan was well aware of this fact, having experienced it firsthand.

After resolving her dilemma, Marchioness Leshan asked,

“Then, Ducal Lady, what do you think I should do?”

“I think it would be best to trust your daughter, Lady Alesia, a bit more.”

If what Alesia truly desired was to become the future Marquis, or the household head, she should strive for it now. Gaining support from those around her might be a challenge for her, but with Marchioness Leshan’s backing, many things could change.

There’s a difference between the situation in which one could hope and strive to achieve one’s goal, and the situation in which, even with effort, opportunities would never be given.

“I’ll believe in her then, as you said.”

“It might be better to intensify her education.”

If Alesia remained as she was now and would later become the Marquis, it would be troublesome. She needed to learn self-restraint. Marchioness Leshan, seemingly deciding after listening to Violet’s roundabout words, smiled gently.

“Yes, indeed. I had concerns about putting forward Alec as the successor. Maybe it’s because he thinks it’s only natural that he would become the next marquis, but that child sometimes lacks self-awareness.”

It wasn’t sometimes but always, Violet thought, but she didn’t point it out.

“Yes, yes. Competing might benefit them both. Thank you.”

Marchioness Leshan expressed her gratitude gracefully with a smile.

Violet replied, “No problem.”

The time they spent sharing their concerns and offering advice was truly beneficial.

After such a rewarding consultation, someone approached Violet as she was about to return home.

“Ducal Lady Everett.”

It was Alesia Leshan, one of the individuals discussed in their conversation.

Alesia, dressed more casually than when they first met, had a stern expression on her face. Though Violet couldn’t really guess why she was being called now, she nodded in response.

“Yes, Lady Leshan.”

“I would like to apologize.”

It was out of the blue that Alesia approached Violet, and she was here to express her apologies. With Violet having no pleasant memories of receiving apologies, she furrowed her brows.

Alesia lifted her head briefly and continued speaking.

“I behaved rudely before, judged you arbitrarily, and spoke thoughtlessly because of my misconceptions. I would like to apologize for everything. I’m sorry.”

“……”

“And I also want to express my gratitude.”

Having said that, Alesia took a bow, emphasizing her sincerity. In this unexpected situation, Violet looked down at her.

Alesia, lowering her body, spoke with a relaxed expression as if saying it didn’t matter.

“In all honesty, I got caught up in my own thoughts, misunderstood you, and judged you unfairly. While I can’t claim your past actions were entirely without fault, I, too, behaved rudely. I did not consider your circumstances and came to my own conclusions in a one-sided manner.”

“Is that so?”

“You didn’t necessarily correct the misunderstanding, Ducal Lady, but that doesn’t make my actions justified.”

Violet thought as she looked at her. Much better than Cairn.

However, admitting that she didn’t correct the misunderstanding was an admission of fault. As the one offering the apology, it was her responsibility to address that point. Violet considered pointing it out but refrained from doing so.

The person offering the apology seemed relieved, but the one receiving it appeared somewhat awkward. Alesia paid no attention to Violet’s reaction.

“Thanks to you, Ducal Lady, I’ve found a goal. I thought it was distant and impossible, so I gave up all too easily.”

“A goal?”

“I will become a knight.”

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