Deciding it was time to broach the topic she had been contemplating, Violet opened the conversation.

Looking to shift the topic, she felt it was easier to just ask directly.

Your Majesty?

Hm?

How do you find the portrait of Her Highness the Princess?

At Violets words, a spark of interest flashed in the empresss eyes. She smiled back at Violet.

It seemed you had something you wanted to discuss, was it about that?

You hadnt said anything.

As Violet looked down and spoke, the empress laughed heartily again.

Somehow, that laughter felt mocking, causing Violets ears to redden.

Had she not learned to keep a neutral expression, her face would surely have contorted significantly.

Regardless of Violets embarrassment, the empress only looked amused.

I thought it wasnt my place to comment on an unfinished work.

I see.

But it seems you were curious about my feedback. Yes, to be honest, it intrigues me.

The empresss expression softened again. In her laughing eyes, Violet saw genuine affection.

There was a time when it was said that your paintings capture not reality but fantasy. Thats why I commissioned you to paint Celis portrait, not another artist.

Yes, thats right.

I was curious. How Celi appears through your eyes, and how she looks to you.

Unconcealable affection seeped through the empresss gaze.

It was an affection that was neither worried nor sad but purely loving.

Even though its an unfinished painting, the child you see is like the languid afternoon sun. Like this garden, sparkling under sunlight.

She extended her hand, and shards of light settled upon it.

The garden, mixing shades of yellow and light green, was a painting in itself.

Within it, the scene of the empress and Violet, enjoying their tea, was picturesque.

Because she resembles the light.

Violet replied with a soft smile.

Both the princess and the crown prince resembled the light, being descendants of the Sun God.

Yet, their atmospheres were quite different.

If the crown prince was like the harsh noonday sun, the princess was the gentle light filtering through leaves on a lazy afternoon.

Thats why Violet used a lot of yellow when painting the princesss portrait.

Thinking of the warm sunlight from spring to early summer.

So, Im really looking forward to the completion. I didnt want to pressure you by saying anything, but it seems my silence did just that.

The empress laughed out loud. Violet felt she somewhat understood what the empress was thinking.

The lazy afternoon sunlight bathed the garden.

* * *

The empress was swift in her actions. The tea party was quickly scheduled and announced to the noble houses.

Those invited were high nobility, and even if they had other plans, the invitation was made in such a way that not attending would be a loss. It was a tea party that necessitated the cancellation of any prior engagements.

Being a gathering of the daughters of noble houses, it was somewhat fortunate. Even if they had to cancel existing plans, it wouldnt turn their houses upside down.

Violet honestly found it bothersome.

There was no explicit requirement to attend, so for a few seconds, she considered making an excuse so she could just stay home.

But she couldnt really skip it, especially since the empress had personally expressed her desire for Violets attendance.

Unlike the usual evening banquets, a tea party was to start in the afternoon, meaning she had to wake up at dawn to prepare.

Do we really have to do it this way?

Yes, of course. Please bear with it just a little more.

The news of the tea party hosted by the empress herself sent the household staff of the Everrett residence into a frenzy.

The Everett name was on the line.

Bound by a sense of competition and unwilling to be outdone, together, they attempted to dress Violet in only the finest. This was against Violets preference for comfort over extravagance.

Nevertheless, Violet emerged as the winner of this intense silent battle.

Still, even if she was in the most comfortable attire, the cost of her clothes was anything but ordinary. It was the lack of discernment in the observer, not Violet, who might find fault in her attire.

Dressed in a shirt that shimmered like ground pearls, Violet pondered if there was a kind of paint that could capture this imagery.

Opting for trousers once again, the ducal lady tied her hair back and added a final touch with a splendid purple brooch.

She intuitively knew that her attire would stand out at the tea party, yet she remained undeterred.

Accompanied by Roen for escort, as he too had business at the palace, he complimented her outfit with a simple, It suits you, much to the dismay of the hopeful servants.

Regardless of his comment, Violet wouldnt have changed her clothes anyway.