Translator: Khan

Editor Group: Liber Reverie

"Yes, if you look closely. They resemble having a cute little spot on their earlobes. It's in Chloe's ears, too. Carin probably doesn't have it."

Aria's gaze continued on Violet's ears. Then she could really see a small dot on her earlobes. It was also in Aria's ears.

'They really look alike. I thought she is a woman with no ties with me.' Aria felt strange when she found it. She felt different when she had first seen Chloe. At a glance, he had looked really like herself, so she could accept him as a father without resistance but not Violet at all.

In addition, looking at Violet's face slowly, she felt like Violet resembles Chloe and herself. Once she found a resemblance, many things began to come into her sight.

"How can I not think of you as my alter ego or my child when we look so alike? No one wants any price from her alter ego or her child to be unhappy? I don't know what other people think, but... at least it's for me."

"... Is that so?"

"Yes, so I hope you don't feel too burdened by a free favor. That's what family does. But if you're still uncomfortable... I'll fix my behavior. You won't feel pressured."

It would be easier if she answered that Violet would do that. However, she couldn't do it because she felt that the smile of Violet, who was smiling softly and holding her hand, looked true. Violet's smile gave the illusion of seeing Sarah, who had been kind to her without any price.

Perhaps Sarah was also hoping for something from Aria, but so far, at least, Sarah, who had always been honest to her, was not the woman who wanted any price.

"... I'll stay a little longer and let you know if it's uncomfortable then. We still have a couple of days before the wedding, and I'll have to stay in the mansion until then."

"Thank you, Lady Aria."

* * *

From then on, Aria no longer confined herself to her room but went outside for a walk with the Marquise or had tea with her. Only Violet and Aria had time to spare, as Chloe and Carin prepared and were being educated on marriage, and Marquis Piast educated Chloe to pass on his title.

Violet, of course, also had to prepare to hand over the post of the Marquise, but she had little to tell Carin because she had not been involved in the family's affairs.

Aria had been visiting to attend the wedding ceremony and organize her family register, so she had nothing else to do, and she naturally spent more time with Violet and was able to treat Violet more comfortably than she did at first.

"... So you didn't attend parties or gatherings in the Imperial Castle, either?"

"Yes, it was uncomfortable to attend the place where only the nobles gathered, and I couldn't stand the meetings where the royals came and went."

"Did anything bad happen to you?"

"I couldn't stand the unique atmosphere rather than say yes. That sharp, tense atmosphere."

Violet, who answered so, looked more vulnerable than she thought. Originally, she did not seem to be able to withstand a war of nerves with others. 'Nevertheless, how did she secretly think of concealing and raising Chloe?' It must have been a once-in-a-lifetime resolution and adventure for her.

Aria, who realized she had nothing more to gain from Violet, consented and ended the conversation. "I see. Thank you for saying that."

"I'm afraid that I'm bothering you."

Violet's face darkened a little. This was because she had been expelled from the Imperial Castle after setting off a huge scandal that would go down for a long time in history. If it was known that Violet was her grandmother, she would certainly not hear a good word.

But Aria wasn't worried at all. In the past, she had been even insulted by what she couldn't contain something in her mouth. Besides, she hadn't even a feeble character. Moreover, unlike in the past when she was alone, she had now several strong allies.

Aria replied while smiling confidently, "Do I look so weak?"

It was a smile that someone might point a finger at her as arrogant if they met her for the first time. It was also an arrogant smile that she could overcome an imperial life Violet could not overcome.

Violet opened her eyes wide for a moment at Aria's unreserved answer, and Aria, facing her startled gaze, hardened her face. Maybe it was because Violet was too comfortable with her. She belatedly realized that she had expressed her secret character she had hidden, for a moment.

"No, I was just worried that Lady Aria would suffer the unpleasantness that you didn't have to suffer." However, contrary to Aria's worries, Violet replied with a smile, saying, "Even the arrogance of Aria, which she had hidden, was lovely."

Violet was so relieved that Aria was embarrassed for a moment.

"But I'm relieved Lady Aria seems to have a bold nature. That's enough to survive in the imperial family."

"…"

She was not even a maid who had something to gain from herself, but she looked happy even when she had mocked her. With Violet's reaction, Aria could not answer and just blinked her eyes, and Violet continued.

"I don't know if it's a shameless request, but will you be able to send me an invitation when you get married? Although I won't be able to attend, I'd like to keep it as a memorial."

"... Why can't you attend?"

"How can I attend if there are still people who remember my face? There will be criticism not only on me but also on you."

'But you're only going to take an invitation and keep it. If you want to attend, you can attend.' Aria frowned at the look on Violet's face that seemed to be filled with regret.

"But I'd say it's not worth it if you are worried about me and do that. As I said, I'm not that weak."

Perhaps she didn't know Aria would say such a thing, Violet was surprised with her eyes wide open.

"And since I don't intend to marry twice like my mother, you won't have another chance."

It must have been Violet to regret if she didn't attend, keeping her head down for fear of what didn't happen. Violet gave no answer, dangling her lips at Aria's words.

'Why am I saying this? It would be fine if I just ignore it. Perhaps there would not come out any gossip if she would not attend, as Violet said, but why am I saying this?'

But Aria couldn't ignore her considering as others as clean and neat as she thought. It was not a long time, but maybe it was because she had spent time together and talked.

"... I see."

Only then did Violet have a gentle smile on her face. It was a sharp accent, but it was thanks to a sense of Aria's innermost thoughts.

"As expected, you are such a lovely person."

'... Why did she come to such a conclusion?' No matter what she said, no matter what she did, Violet only smiled happily, and Aria frowned again on Violet. It was a strange and unseen reaction to Aria.

* * *

A few days later, at last, the wedding of Chloe, the heir to the Marquis family of Piast, and Carin, was held. All the nobles of the kingdom were highly delighted and attended to celebrate, saying that at last, the Marquis was able to rest.

Of course, there were some who did not attend simply to celebrate. Some people attended because they wondered who the heir was and who the Marquise was. They wanted to check that Violet, who had been driven out of the imperial palace, was the Marquise, and that Chloe, the heir, was the child she had through her extramarital affair. The nobles, who visited the Marquis family with that curiosity in their minds, were overwhelmed by an unexpected character they saw there.

"... Who was it?"

"The Star of the Empire…? Roscent Aria?"

"Where is she?"

"She is over there." A nobleman pointed to Aria with a fan.

There was the bright Aria, who was the main character of today, brightly decorated.

'Is she Roscent Aria of the rumor?'

In the Kingdom of Croa, only her name had been known, but her face had not been known, and they were fascinated by the appearance of Aria, whom everyone first met. Aria, who had already noticed their gazes, struggled to hide her disapproval but maintain her graceful posture. She seemed to be worried that Carin might get angry later.

"... The fame and beauty of Lady Aria captured the hearts of the nobles of Croa." Whether she knew it or not, Violet just whispered with a smile of joy and happiness.