A Painting of the Villainess as a Young Lady

A few years ago, there was an incident where House Everett’s daughter and youngest son both disappeared.

At the time, very few people knew the circumstances behind her sudden departure. However, those in the know were also aware that the youngest son of the Everett family, Cairn, had disappeared from the academy around the same time.

The relationship between Cairn and Violet was far from that of typical siblings. They weren’t close enough to be called family, yet they didn’t harbor enough hatred to be enemies. Nor were they so distant as to be considered strangers.

The remnants of past emotions still lingered between them, as some things couldn’t be cleared away with just a few words.

So, who would have thought that the two would run away together and travel?

Despite their complicated relationship, it was Violet who sought Cairn out first. She made a request—she wanted to see how Mikhail was doing.

Cairn had heard bits and pieces about what had happened with Mikhail, but he couldn’t erase his fond memories of their eldest brother. After days of deliberation, Cairn accepted Violet’s proposal of a trip.

Although Violet had suggested they go together once the school holidays started, Cairn packed his things that very day. His decisiveness was remarkable.

From the beginning, Violet hadn’t intended for it to be a ‘runaway’. She had framed it as a ‘trip’, but their family opposed the idea.

It was too dangerous to travel during the ongoing war, they said. If she waited a few more years, they would assemble an elite knight guard for her, they promised. The reasons for refusal were varied.

But nothing was going according to her will, and Violet couldn’t resist the impulse any longer. She felt that if she didn’t leave now, she’d never have the chance again.

And so, the ‘trip’ became a ‘runaway’.

Throughout their journey, Violet and Cairn fought frequently. Most of their arguments were over trivial matters, but in those moments, they shed their status as high nobles and bickered like ordinary siblings.

Usually, Violet would have been in the right, but surprisingly, many things turned out the way Cairn had predicted.

As Violet had been trapped in the memories of her previous life and considered herself ordinary, she realized that this was a misconception.

They disguised themselves as a pair of commoner siblings on a journey, with Violet cutting her hair and dyeing it blonde. But neither of them had a ‘normal’ appearance, so they encountered many challenges along the way.

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They were frequently attacked. On one occasion, more than thirty enemies charged at them. Before that, Violet had doubted whether a single person could really take on dozens of foes, but she soon learned it was indeed possible.

Violet came to truly appreciate her younger brother’s skills. Cairn, for his part, tried to teach her swordsmanship, insisting that she had the talent for it and shouldn’t let it go to waste. But since there’s a difference between talent and personal interest, Violet declined.

And so, at the end of their journey, they finally found Mikhail.

“Do you even know who I am?! How dare you—ugh! After doing this to me…”

It was truly a sight to behold.

Watching from afar, they saw that Mikhail looked much older than his years. He spent his days drinking heavily, causing disturbances, only to be dragged away by the guards. Then, as if nothing had happened, he would return to the tavern with a clear head, order more drinks, get drunk, and cause trouble again…

Everyone simply saw him as a troublesome drunk.

Cairn had once idolized his older brother, yet was now struck silent, unable to speak about it for days.

No one would ever believe that Mikhail had once been at the cusp of becoming the Duke of Everett.

They say people can’t be changed…

Perhaps, if Mikhail had been given a proper chance, he could have changed. If he had realized his mistakes and made efforts to change himself.

Even though he was treated as a drunk in this place, if he had at least tried to do what he could, if he had made any effort to change…

What would Violet have said to him then?

Regardless, it wasn’t Violet’s responsibility to consider that Mikhail had ruined his own life.

And so, Violet quietly observed Mikhail for a few days. When she finally felt there was nothing more to see and decided it was time to leave, it happened.

For a brief moment, their eyes met through her hood.

Violet couldn’t understand why, after their eyes met, Mikhail pretended not to see her and continued to silently sip his drink.

Whatever inner turmoil he may have been experiencing, and whatever Cairn may have thought upon seeing him, it was simply the end of their emotions and the conclusion of their connection.

With that, Violet had quietly completed her personal revenge.

.

.

Though her goal had been achieved, Violet did not return to where she was supposed to be.

There were many reasons she could have used as an excuse, but in the end, it was because her heart didn’t want to go back.

Cairn, now thoroughly deflated, still followed Violet’s wishes.

The place where they had stayed after visiting Mikhail was a small village nestled between the mountains and the sea.

There, she not only observed Mikhail but also witnessed the lives of ordinary people.

Naturally, her attention shifted elsewhere.

To the war.

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