It all boiled down to one thing.

Everything was the dukes fault.

The duke had always kept an unchanging attitude. This was true to both before and after the death of his beloved wife.

He pressured his eldest son, Mikhail, while he was indifferent to his second and third sons. Some might say that his favorite was Violet, but even the favor he held for her was mired with indifference.

Human beings did not change easily.

Do you really not want to go to the capital with me?

Youve been talking circles for a while now.

I believe Ive explained my cause well enough.

As Roen said this, Violet paused.

The duke was not a good father. His negligence, under the pretense of love, was what ruined this family.

A man who was regarded as His Grace by his own children could not be a loving father.

He could never be a good father.

Honesty was a virtue that could sometimes be so frustrating.

Even though the duke had realized his mistakes and was trying to change, both the past and the dukes nature could not be changed.

As for Violet, all she wished for was to be able to live quietly while painting, then she would die.

But right now, because of Duke Everettwho was only a duke to hershe couldnt fulfill that wish.

Ill think about it.

Then, Ill be hoping for a positive answer.

How could a person change.

After finally receiving the answer he wanted to hear, Roen grinned broadly.

* * *

Violets trip to the capital was quickly decided.

After days and days of contemplation, she gave her reply to Roen. Cairn would be returning from the academy soon, and as soon as she heard about this, she acquiesced and said that she would be heading to the duchys townhouse in the capital.

Mikhail was a miscreant, but at the very least, he was mindful about losing face. Of course, hed been hellbent on criticizing Violet as of late, to the point that it didnt look like he cared about the households dignity anymore, but that was beside the point.

Compared to Mikhail, Cairn didnt care about the consequences of his actions at all.

The abuse that Violet had received all these years was mostly psychological, but physical violence was also thrown into the mix sometimes.

Mikhail accounted for thirty percent of said physical abuse, while Cairn accounted for seventy percent. The times that Cairn had attacked Violet, without any self-restraint, was more than ten times in total.

Once Cairn was home, how would he react the moment hed take a look at the current situation?

Roen gazed at Violet with an elatedthough slightly mixedgaze.

He was well aware of Cairns actions towards Violet as well. He knew about it all, but he had turned a blind eye.

Violet.

If youre done with your business here, I suggest that you please go back.

Um, this much can perhaps be called teatime between a brother and sister, so

However, as he was subjected to Violets contemptuous gaze, Roen wilted.

Though he hadnt been formally appointed yet, House Everetts second son was now the dukes heir.

Even so, he asked Violet carefully.

Dont you want to be the next head of the household?

Is that supposed to be a joke?

No, Im serious here.

Youre capable enough. Why arent you aiming for the position?

Roen asked the question. In response, Violet glared at him ever deplorably.

A sullen, puppy-like gaze met with Violets glare. It truly seemed like she was absolutely disgusted by him.

Just as Roen said, Violet was also qualified enough to be the next duke. Of course, with the exception of her reputation.

Throughout the years, she did everything she could just so she could receive her familys recognition, and in doing so, she had accumulated countless qualities and capabilities.

The duke gave his four children equal education. The young siblings thought that the matter of succession would follow primogeniture, thus naturally surmising that Mikhail would be the next duke. Even so, they all received the same education that the heir required.

Aileen, however, did not receive this equal education. She had been given the opportunity to take it, but she had not been able to keep up with the rigorous lessons. And so, the duke took the initiative to make the order of changing Aileens curriculum.

On the other hand, Cairn declared that he wasnt suited to just sitting around at a table while studying all day, so he went on the skip class.

Thanks to this, only Mikhail, Roen and Violet had received an heirs education.

And now that Mikhail had been deprived of his right to inherit the duchy, only two candidates were left.

If Violet were to have both Roen and the dukes support, she could very well be the next head of the household. In this era, while its certainly rare for women to take up leadership positions in the government, it was not unheard of.

Besides that, becoming the next duke was her surest path to revenge.

The utter sweetness that power could bring was beyond imagination.

However, even during the time that Violet had been acting as a wicked woman, she had never once tried to covet the position of heir.

A glacial air settled upon Violets demeanor.

She had wondered the same thing long ago, but Roens question now was nothing but thoughtless.

Young Lord, do you want me to be the next head of House Everett?

A little.

Thats quite the statement from the very person who asked His Grace the Duke that he be given the position of heir.

Its just, to protect you

Please. Refrain from uttering such nauseating things.

Okay

Roens heart sank.

And Violet didnt care.

Sure, if I take up the position of the next duke, I will most certainly be able to enact my revenge. With only the Imperial Family above me in terms of power, I can do whatever I please.

But then, whats the point?

The point?

Once upon a time, I wished for revenge. I wanted you all to kneel before me, to apologize and beg me for all the wrongs youve done unto me. In my head, Ive already executed every single one of you over and over and over again.

Even if Roen had a hundred mouths, he would not be able to say anything back.