A Painting of the Villainess as a Young Lady

Although it was a hunting competition, this sort of concern was inevitable. The organizers wouldn’t have brought in any truly dangerous beasts, yet harm could still occur.

Subtly changing the direction of their walk back towards the tents, Alesia spoke with a contemplative tone.

“I couldn’t help but overhear earlier, but may I ask why you harbor such dislike for Lady Aileen?”

“…..”

Violet fixed Alesia with a penetrating gaze, under which Alesia inexplicably blushed and turned away with a cough.

“I assumed there’s a reason behind it so I just set the thought aside, but upon hearing it directly, I became curious.”

“It’s nothing, really. She dislikes me, too.”

“Pardon?”

“Do we need a grand reason to dislike each other? I remember it all started over something trivial.”

“But Lady Aileen doesn’t seem to show any signs of that…”

“That’s exactly why I dislike her even more. Ahh, I wish she would just disappear forever, but she keeps coming back.”

Violet lamented. Alesia, about to question whether Aileen truly detested Violet, closed her mouth.

It seemed like a question she shouldn’t ask.

“How about you, Lady Alesia? Have you ever disliked your older brother?”

“You can call me more casually, you know.”

“Only if you call me casually first. But really, have you never disliked him?”

It was quite an unexpected question. Thinking that there was not a single moment that Alec was not

“If you don’t declare that you wish to be your family’s successor, he will undoubtedly be the next head of the Leshan Marquisate. Despite his inadequacies, he’ll get that illustrious title simply because he was born first.”

“What does that have to do with anything…”

“Sometimes, one’s mere existence takes away what belongs to others.”

Alesia wore a bitter expression.

Alec Leshan, being the eldest son of the Leshan family, was unquestionably acknowledged as the Young Marquis, burdened with all sorts of expectations from the elders.

While she was treated as mere marriage fodder.

Was Violet implying that, like Alec, Aileen’s mere existence robbed Violet of something?

But the situations weren’t the same, were they? As Alesia tried to comprehend Violet’s words, Violet seemed somewhat relieved.

“I hate Aileen. I hate everyone who didn’t listen to me and sided with her. They all made my life miserable.”

“…I don’t quite understand.”

“Cairn was one of those people. He often pointed his sword at me, accusing me of tormenting that girl.”

The irony of him, really.

Of him expressing his hurt whenever she sent him cold looks… when he himself had drawn his sword in hostility at her—multiple times.

Laughable.

Alesia recalled something Violet had said at the prince’s birthday celebration.

Until their first meeting, Alesia thought she could never understand Violet, but surprisingly, she felt she could somewhat comprehend her now.

If the hatred was mutual between Aileen and Violet, then the story was more complicated than it seemed.

Not knowing why but feeling uneasy nonetheless, Alesia shook her head.

Violet observed her silently, she then asked,

“Could you stay with me all day, Lady Alesia?”

“I came here to participate in the hunting competition, you know.”

“I can follow you around.”

“There are dangerous beasts in the forest.”

“They’re probably just small rabbit monsters or a few wild wolves. I think you can handle them.”

Alesia felt flattered that Violet trusted her skills so much, even though they had never seen each other’s abilities.

She couldn’t refuse. After all, as Violet was wearing pants instead of a gown, she wouldn’t stand out too much here. That’s how she rationalized it.

Actually though, what Violet was asking of Alesia was no different from an unreasonable demand. Even if Alesia was skilled, a knight’s performance could be hindered when they had to protect someone.

And considering that Alesia was aiming for a top position in the hunt today, Violet was undoubtedly a hindrance.

Yet, Alesia agreed to Violet’s request, the reason for which Violet herself couldn’t fathom.

Though Violet was the one willingly following Alesia around, Violet remained reserved. Whether she disliked sharing personal feelings or didn’t want to divulge her family’s issues wasn’t clear. Alesia had no intention to pry unless Violet spoke first.

“Do you have a lot of issues with your family?”

“Sort of.”

Alesia’s response was plain, and it only added to the awkwardness between them.

To an outsider, Violet’s family relationship seemed one-sided, with the others clinging to her.

Alesia had witnessed Violet harshly rebuffing Cairn several times. But if others had treated her that way first, and that’s the reason she changed, it wouldn’t be an unjustified situation.

Still, it seemed one-sided.

Alesia hesitated before asking carefully,

“Have you considered talking it out?”

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