* * *

The plan to get rid of Mikhail was postponed for the meantime, and this was only because Roen had come forward to the duke and asked for the right to dispose of Mikhail himself. The duke allowed it.

The second son did not hand down punishment to the first. Instead, he visited his older brother and had a conversation alone with him.

Just the two of them.

Ever since Violet and Cairn had been born, they rarely had any reason to be alone together.

Mikhail glared at his younger brother. Albeit weak, hostility was evident.

Roen said nothing. Hes the one who initiated this conversation, yet he was just maintaining this dreadful silence. Thanks to this, the air in the drawing room had become endlessly heavy.

Silence, stillness. Tempered hostility and a low sigh.

In the room where even the faintest sound of a droplet could be heard, it was Mikhail who broke the silence first.

If you have something to say, then just say it already. I am in no mood to listen to your unpleasant word games.

A punishment would soon be imposed upon him, yet he still carried himself with the confidence of an innocent man.

Yes. As a matter of fact, Mikhail thought that he was not at fault in any way at all.

Brother.

Sure, carrying yourself in such sanctimony now, arent you? You must be here for quite an important talk.

Stop it with the bullshit, Roen said with a smile.

At this, Mikhails expression hardened.

Watching the older brother who he once looked up to in admiration, Roen swallowed a sardonic smile.

Bullshit?

Yeah. Bullshit. Without any of the unpleasant wordplay you dislike, Im asking you directly, Brother. Do you truly not know what situation youre in right now? Why arent you aware? Unless youre quite literally a halfwit, theres no way that you wouldnt know. I cant believe I have a fool for an older brother

You atrocious!

However, regardless of Mikhails furious outburst, Roen quickly cut him off.

How can you be so blind and senseless? Ah. No, thats not what Im here to say.

Then if youre here to say something, just do it right! If you dont want me to hit you, just

Alright, then let me be straight. Theres no way a fool like you would ever apologize or reflect on your actions. Just keep this in mind. Do not show yourself in front of Violet anymore. Dont talk to her. Dont touch her. Just consider her as someone who doesnt exist. And above all

Do not hurt her.

Clatter His teacup was brought down upon its saucer.

Mikhail looked at Roen with a more incredulous expression than when he was called a halfwit. He could not believe his own ears.

I did say that I will refrain from the word games you revile.

Though Roen spoke in a seemingly nonchalant tone, his voice conveyed his seething anger.

Do you hate that child that much?

Roen.

Do you truly hate her? So much so that youd blame her even when shes done nothing wrong?

Roen E. Everett!

Bang!

His fist hit the table. At the roaring noise, Roen looked at Mikhail as he sipped his tea.

As the man who lived as a knight displayed a frightening amount of rage, the man who lived as a scholar only laughed.

You know, Brother.

Shut your trap.

This time, its not Violets fault.

I told you to shut up!

And even all those times before Many of them were just pinned on her. No, even if she hadnt been framed, none of those actions were deserving of such criticism.

BANG!

He hit the table once more. The teacups shook, and the tea spilled on the flat surface.

So.

So are you saying that I should have just stayed still and watched everything, you damn punk?!

Mikhails blazing green eyes were completely filled with rage. His words were directed at Roen, but his anger wasalways, alwaysdirected at Violet, even at this moment.

Even to the bitter end, you keep hating that child.

Roen smiled.

Seemingly, Mikhails anger was justified. However, that was not true.

The one and only target of his hatred and derision was always just Violet.

Because Violet S. Everett was a villainess. Because she was a bad child.

However, right here and now, Mikhail had no right to be angry at Violet.

Its your fault that you were deprived of your status as the Dukes heir.

No, in some way, you could blame me for that. Im the one who officially asked Father for the position of his heir.

You, right now

But then, why are you angry at Violet and Violet alone? As if she was the only one in this world whos evil.

What stood against evil was justice.

And justice could be served when a righteous man were to punish an evil woman.

Thus, Mikhail was a righteous man.

You know what? In the old days, I used to look up to you, Brother. You were kind, admirable and righteous.

Have you seriously gone mad after falling for that wicked womans sweet talk?!

How did you end up like this There was once a time when you cared for Violet, when you didnt hate her this much. Why did you become a person who just keeps blaming her for anything and everything?

ROEN!

The malice in the knights voice was not something that a weak scholar could endure.

Roens fingertips trembled. However, without showing any sight of this, he laughed.

How did this happen? When did their relationship start deteriorating so horrifically?

Roen considered himself to be smart, and yet what was it that had been blocking his view? What was it that made him blind to all of this?

There was only one answer.

And Roen agonized over that fixed answer.

Just as Violet was Roens younger sister, so too was Mikhail Roens older brother.