Thats the reason?

Yes, thats the reason. Since Your Highness has planted a spy in our home, you should know that she was only framed. It wasnt true that she was an older sister who only harasses her adoptive younger sister, and nor is she truly what people call her Everetts wicked woman.

Roen explained one after another.

All this time, that child had endured years of humiliation for all the things she was unwarrantedly blamed for. In the middle of suffocating throughout all this, the only thing she barely asked for was to honor her wish of not getting married. If this wish would not be honored, she would undoubtedly leave this all behind and disappear.

But as far as I know, not all of her actions were false charges

Her reputation has changed now, but I dont know how things will turn out. She is still notoriously known as a villainess here in the capital, but if she becomes a member of the imperial family No, even if she wont become part of the imperial family Even if she is taken in as a bride in any other noble household, she will still suffer from all those sharp gazes and negative rumors. If she is to be married, I wont be able to protect her.

Still, even within your own household, she doesnt seem to be free from all the gazes and rumors you speak of.

If possible, I only wish for her to act however she wants.

As Roen was explaining calmly, Rajaden tried to interrupt him. However, Roen firmly continued speaking his mind.

In any case, as Roen managed to convey all that he wanted to convey, Rajaden soon understood.

Anyway, I quite understand what youre trying to say.

Then

Ill be sending a formal proposal.

Did you or did you not understand a single word I said just now?

Rajaden gave Roen a stunning smile. All Roen wanted right now was for this damn crown prince to direct that smile not on him, but on the young ladies who tend to flock around him.

Thats why I want her to be my consort. Shes a ducal lady who, despite all false accusations, just wishes to be left alone. She has the ability to reverse her notoriety, and she even managed to get you on her side. I also know the first ducal lady of House Everett because weve met before. Contrary to the rumors, shes got quite the elegant image.

The imperial family attracts quite a few jackals. If one of those jackals takes hold of even a single member of the imperial family, that jackal would not anymore know its place and would proceed to go wild. In that respect, isnt the esteemed daughter of House Everett the perfect candidate with her ability to control the people below her?

No, shes not as outstanding as you paint her out to be.

Youre disparaging your younger sister too much now. Really, my proposal isnt that out of the blue.

Though their interests once intersected, they now drew two parallel lines.

Roen was firm in his conviction that this was not the way to go, but Rajaden continued to insist that it was.

Not knowing why the crown prince was so persistent about this, Roen looked at the guy with annoyance.

So, youre telling me to put Violet in the loneliest throne just because she is the most worthy of the title of your consort.

While it is the loneliest, it is also the throne that holds the highest power.

There is no way that she wishes to attain that power.

Why do you think so? I know that there arent many young ladies who can be deemed worthy as the next empress, but there wont be many of them wholl reject the position either.

If she truly wishes to have power, then she will have taken the dukes seat, not the empresss throne.

It was an undeniable fact. The current Duke Everett had a particularly soft spot for his daughter, so if Violet were to mention that she wanted to become the next duke, then he would have willingly given her the position.

Rajaden could understand what his friend was saying, but it was not enough to break his obstinately one-track mind.

Becoming the empress or the duke are two separate things. Are you worried because the imperial family is full of jackals roaming around? There are a lot of old fogeys who wish to make their daughters my consort. However, I have no intention of bringing in a wife whos no different from an outsiders puppet. I dont want to take in any concubines either. Its not good to see the imperial familys blood being spilled elsewhere for no reason.

Rajaden.

You know about that, dont you? Back when the empress dowager of a few generations ago had seized the country. Or, that time when emperors of the old killed off all their siblings and their own fathers just to take the throne. Such incidents frequently appear in our history books. Thats why, currently, my father has taken such actions.

It was for this reason that the current emperor had taken in only one empress, and they sired only one crown prince and one imperial princess.

Rajaden also had a full mind to follow after his fathers example.

Even if I cant give her my love, I can be a good husband. I can even pretend to love her, if thats what she wants.

Rajaden!

Right now, all she wanted was to stop everything and just live a normal, comfortable life. All she wanted was to be happy.

As Violets eyes flashed before Roens gaze, he glared at the golden eyes of the crown prince.

Green eyes met with those golden eyes that resembled that of a beast.

I

It hadnt been that long since Roen had admitted his guilt and had apologized to his younger sister.

I dont want to incur any more sins against her.

That answer is no fun at all.

I will pretend I didnt hear about any of this. Please note that even if you send a formal proposal letter, it shall be returned to the sender.

Thank you for the tea.

Roen got up from his seat on his own despite the crown prince not giving a go-ahead. Seeing this, Rajaden clicked his tongue.

Its not as if Rajaden didnt expect to get this reaction at all, but he was nonetheless surprised to receive such a staunch refusal. In all honesty, he was quite taken aback.

In that case

This means that Her Ladyship can give me her permission, yes?

Roen was almost out the door at this point, but the moment he heard the crown princes words, he stopped in his tracks.