Violet froze. She had maintained a similar expression throughout, but now her disapproval was clearly visible.

Anticipating such a reaction, the empress laughed out loud.

It would be quite interesting, dont you think? Given my sons character, if a competition were held, he might end up choosing between you and Aileen Everett.

Violet managed to maintain her composure and put down her teacup.

She nearly made a spectacle of herself in front of the empress by laughing inappropriately.

She looked at the empress with a calm smile.

I have no intention of participating.

I thought youd say that. Even if that child were to hold it, I planned to stop it.

The empress smiled gently at Violets response. It was a question with a predetermined answer from the start.

One must only tease so much. Violet dared to look at the empress with a hint of irreverence in her gaze.

The empress simply laughed, amused.

Its not for nothing shes the empress. Violet had to constantly keep her composure in check. She could see just how much a certain insufferable man resembled the woman in front of her now.

Its really just a joke. Besides, my son has been quite unusual lately, so I think there will be enough entertainment without having to hold such a competition.

I see.

The empress said with a laughter-infused voice. Violets response was calm.

The empress widened her eyes at the younger womans return to the previous calm response. Despite being so taken aback just moments before, Violet paid no mind as she looked down and drank her tea.

The more indifferent Violet appeared, the more the empress was filled with astonishment.

Perhaps you dont know?

I am aware that something has been going on with His Highness recently I dont know the details, but I guessed something had happened from the stories Ive heard.

The empress laughed out loud at her candid response. Now, Violets face was filled with questions. Why was she laughing?

Regardless of Violets confusion, the empress laughed heartily, finding something very amusing. Violet decided to just go along with it.

Hahahaha! Seeing you ask like that, it seems you really dont know. Well, this is going to be even more interesting.

The empresss eyes sparkled as she spoke.

It seemed like she was taking a break and having a good time laughing, but she was, after all, the empressthe mother of a nation.

Even if she spoke lightly and pleasantly, it couldnt be completely transparent without any ulterior motives.

Violet knew this.

She had some guesses but decided not to get deeply involved. Above all, love didnt suit that crown prince.

Seeing Violets unaffected reaction, the empress, still amused, set down her cup.

Anyway, yes. Holding a competition to find the Crown Princess might be too much, but I was thinking of having a small tea party.

A tea party, Your Majesty?

I havent paid much attention to such matters as the Empress, trusting that those below would handle them well. But I thought it might be nice to hold a tea party in the name of the imperial family for once. You will accept the invitation, wont you?

Of course, Your Majesty.

Violet accepted the empresss verbal invitation.

Even if Violet had declined almost every invitation until now, she couldnt easily refuse an invitation from the empress.

It was hard to grasp the empresss intentions precisely, but it was possible to read into them to some extent.

Until now, Lady Tolofia had held the top rank in the capitals social circle.

However, Violets appearance had toppled her status, and the emergence of Aileen had been causing turmoil as well.

The first Ducal Lady of Everett, who declined all banquet invitations. The second Ducal Lady of Everett, who came as a foreign envoy and attended every social gathering for diplomatic purposes.

The queen of the existing social circle. And many other noble ladies.

The intention behind this tea party was clearly to re-establish relationships among them. Violet inwardly clicked her tongue.

How much dignity must be shown to satisfy the empress was uncertain.

Theyre not even children, so what was this about sorting ranks? To Violet, it seemed like a needless power struggle.

Whether the power struggle was needless or not, she had to attend.

Aileen would surely be there. Anticipating this, Violet sighed inwardly.

She hadnt even faced her directly yet and already felt a headache coming on.

Ill prepare for it earnestly, so you can look forward to it.

The empress smiled. Her smile was strikingly similar to the crown princes. And, truly, beautiful.

Violet fiddled with her teacup.

She had something else she wanted to say, but got swept up in the empresss pace. In the end, she didnt get to bring it up.