* * *

Aldin immediately responded to Violets letter. He said he would make time to meet her even if he didnt have any free days.

Violet couldnt help but laugh at the prompt reply, as if he had been waiting for it until now.

The letter was filled with questions about her well-being and concerns about whether anything else had happened since.

If you were so worried, you should have asked first.

Violet, somewhat upset, decided to set a date instead of responding sullenly. If she teased him, Aldin would be surprised to be teased.

Roens gift was rejected once. Persistent, Roen sent it again, this time with an even more lavish gift.

And it was rejected again.

Undeterred, Roen sent even more splendid gifts.

It was an unspoken threat. If Aldin wouldnt accept, he would send an even bigger gift.

Yet, it was rejected again. Thus, the fourth gift included a building, which was astonishingly lavish compared to the first gift, which was just a decorative sword. Still though, that decorative sword alone was worth as much as the building anyway.

Aldin eventually surrendered, agreeing to accept only the first gift.

Just like he said in the letter, that he would make time somehow, he quickly arranged a meeting with Violet.

The two of them, scions of great noble families and practically celebrity in their own right, surprisingly chose a peaceful and quiet street in the bustling area as their meeting place.

As always, the escort personnel were there but hidden among the crowd.

Violet dressed simply for their casual meeting. A simple dress that didnt hinder movement, a blue bonnet over her updo, light makeup, and no jewelry. She looked more like a noble lady out for a stroll than a daughter of this empires dukedom.

Despite her efforts to blend in, people glanced at her because of her innate aura, but no one gossiped.

Have you been waiting?

Even though she arrived early, Aldin had been waiting even earlier and hurried over when he saw her.

Violet, who had been waiting quietly in the shade, smiled broadly at Aldin, who rushed over with a worried expression.

Perhaps because of her simple attire, or maybe the shadow cast by her bonnet, Violet looked especially pure and innocent that day.

No, I just arrived too.

Nonetheless

His reply was formal. The knight frowned, apparently dissatisfied with such a formal response.

Violet looked at Aldin and smiled. Compared to people who always hide their expressions and have hidden agendas, he was easy to deal with.

Have you eaten?

Excuse me?

There was much she wanted to say, but it seemed she needed to feed him first.

And so, their ordinary date began.

.

.

.

The date, a mix of gratitude and consulting on worries, was composed of utterly ordinary activities.

Aldin was greatly surprised when Violet booked a restaurant they had visited before. Violet was nonchalant.

This is the least I could do.

With that one sentence, she dismissed any of his complaints and handed him a well-wrapped something after the meal.

It was a painting she had made herself.

Is it really okay to give this to me?

I painted it with the intention to give it to you.

During the slump when she couldnt draw well, she had taken the time to create this small painting.

Aldin, receiving the painting, looked as if he had found a treasure, overwhelmed with emotion.

For Aldin, the only regret was that he couldnt open Violets gift right there and then.

The painting Violet gave to Aldin depicted the night sky, transitioning from deep navy to silver-mixed blue, a scene where stars shone brighter than the moon.

Despite being filled with dark and gloomy colors, Violet was fond of the painting, especially the stars illuminating the pitch-black sky.

Aldin, having received a custom painting, which not even the crown prince could receive, carefully stored it away.

He would keep this painting for a lifetime.

After Violet gave him the painting and after they finished their meal, they took a casual stroll.

Walking through a well-landscaped park, Violet smiled.

Aldin, on the other hand, seemed to have had something to say throughout the meal, but he ended up not voicing his thoughts.

What did he want to say so badly? They had already exchanged many words through letters.

While waiting for him, Violet ended up speaking first.

I am grateful for what you did that day.

I just did what needed to be done.

Still, if it werent for you, I might not be here today.