Spoiler A Painting of the Villainess as a Young Lady / 악녀는 그림을 그린다

I guess according to the spoilers Violet has violet coloured eyes and Leon has green colored eyes

 

Are they real sibling?! Is violet really his sister with same father and mother?!
How can violet have different hair and eyes from her parent?

 

Yes, they are real sibling. Violet inherit more from her dead mother, while the brother look more like the father.

 

Just reading the spoilers i know I'm not gonna like the novel

 

What happened to Violets father? Did he ever apologized or admit to wrong doing?

 

I wish they didn't divide the translated chapters into two. It makes everything feel so drawn out but I keep reading immediately instead of letting them pile up. Curse my impatience.

 

Caught up the in the translated chap and now I am finding this MTL post you have here. Thank you for that!

Now i am looking forward to the rest of the story

 

The thing that ties the cousins actions in a nice little bow for me, is that there were 3 opportunities in which her behavior could have been curbed and her sociopathic tendencies could have been nipped in the bud. Had she been punished at least once her behavior could have if not been stopped then revealed, but people have a tendency to coddle those who come from bad situations so it didn't happen. I'm not saying those kids don't deserve sympathies but being sympathetic should never come between setting rules and boundaries or being fair to others. It really comes down to the nanny and the head maid since its really not the fathers role in that "era". (It REALLY wasn't. They didn't have much to do with their children until the kids were ready for their debut in society)

 

Spoiler: white lotus

Aileen's father is fls father's oldest brother who gave up his succession for love. He would bring Aileen to the mansion to play with her cousins. FL loved Aileen like a little sister. when fl was 8, aileen was adopted beacuse both her parents died in a carriage accident. around that time the duchess died as well and the household became dark and gloomy. Aileen became like a light to the brothers and they favored her. fl also liked aileen but was sad at how her brothers neglected her.

But one day Aileen said FL didn't look like the duke or duchess so she got mad and pushed her. Her brothers ignored her explanation. they were extremely harsh on fl who was only 8 years old. Aileen kept provoking FL and she would get angry and they all would blame fl. she would frame fl for bullying her as well. often times it lead to her older brothers hitting her. It got worse as they got older. fl felt that it would hurt less to be blamed for things she did than see how her family blindly believes Aileen and toss her aside. so fl started becoming a villainess.

However, When they were alone Aileen would take off her good girl mask and tell FL how stupid she is etc. FL was genuinely afraid of her. One day she decided to give up on life and attempted to kill herself by drowning in the lake. but her father jumped in and saved her. she then regains memories of her past life. she decides to stop trying to gain her family's approval and live quietly. she asks to be imprisoned in the annex away from everyone else.

Spoiler: First brother visits FL

after her imprisonment in the old annex, her oldest brother goes to visit her. Oldest brother Mikhail is the reason she harassed Aileen the most. He hates FL and even after she was imprisoned in the annex he went there and started scolding her and accusing her. In the past FL would have cared but now she's indifferent to it.

Spoiler: Request to be imprisoned

Her father initially refused her request to be imprisoned in the old annex. But she was so persistent he gave in. He doesn't seem to hate FL but he's so indifferent he couldn't care less. But he agreed to all her request including the one not to get married. Next her father visited her and ask why she wants to ban her brothers and Aileen from visiting the annex. They had a rough conversation and FL was showing signs of madness like laughing for no reason and the duke asked why she bullied Aileen, he said she was pitiful who lost her parents. FL siad she did it because she hated her. He shouted at her but was shocked to see that her eyes that were once full of light is now dull devoid of any emotion. FL was initially framed for bullying Aileen when she was young that's why she started harassing her. But no one believed her at that time. Because Aileen was a pitiful girl who lost her parents. Then FL asked the duke, "why did you treat me like that" then they ended their Convo and the duke left.

Spoiler: Life in the annex

FL spent most of her time sleeping and didn't bother to eat. She would sleep up to 17 hours. Usually regressors would want revenge but she doesn't want that. She's just tired (literally, she sleeps alot) and when her art supplies finally arrive she has a spirited look on her face for the first time in a long time. Although she was a painter in her part life, she was clumsy in painting in this life. But she enjoyed painting so much and expressed all her pent up feelings on the canvas.

Spoiler: Aileen visits fl

Aileen visits FL in the annex and refuses to leave till she meets her. FL ignores Aileen and refuses to meet her and the employees in the annex who thought FL changed reverted back to their old thinking that FL was evil letting the innocent Aileen shiver outside in the cold. FL gave in and Aileen acts concerned about FL showed her sketchbook. Aileen starts fake crying when FL refuses to show her what she painted. FL recalls how Aileen would always copy what FL did and do it better than her to get compliments from her brother. Then she poured tea on Aileen's sketchbook cos she wanted her to just leave. She thought Mary (the new maid who didn't avoid her) would avoid her but Mary brought snacks to FL worried about her. And FL asked why and she said it was Aileen who provoked FL first. FL was shocked. No one ever tried to understand FL and blindly fell for Aileen's tears. Fl thought she was fine with being alone and all her emotions became numb but she was so stunned that for the first time ever someone took her side. Mary was the first person she had a proper conversation with in a long time.

Spoiler: Mary

Mary then asks FL about rumours about her and FL said no one bothered to listen to her explanation. Mary started crying for FL when she realized how lonely she must've been. FL and Mary then had along conversation and became friends. They often would eat snacks together. Mary hated how the employees were hostile to FL so she took it upon herself to explain fls side of the story and although they didn't become close but they started being nicer to fl and understood that she wasn't evil to Aileen she just got angry. The servants became comfortable enough to share stories like how the dog of a cousin just gave birth, etc.

Spoiler: Duke and second brother visits

Roen the second older brother who's cunning and dislikes FL came to visit her ignoring the dukes order and gifted her an extravagant dress which was not comfortable. He also talked about Aileen crying and her drenched sketchbook. Unexpectedly the duke came as well as saw that roen ignored his orders of them being banned from the annex. He learns that Aileen visited too and says he'll send an escort knight to FL. It was a warning to Aileen and roen for disobeying his orders. The dad then asks to see her paintings. They saw how talented she was and were lost for words. The father asked if he could gift one of her paintings to the emperor. he also asked if he could visit FL and that she could come to the mansion, FL refused. The duke was shocked and how her temperament changed. Then he punished roen and Aileen. They were grounded to their rooms for a week.

Spoiler: Knights zylo and Alec

Duke sent them to be fls knights. Zylo was the best night in the duchy and close to Mikhail (fls oldest brother) Alec was a commoner knight with exceptional skills and a strong sense of justice. Mikhail would talk about how wicked FL was to zylo. Both were annoyed having to serve FL but they realized FL wasn't like the rumours and thought she was possessed. She was just indifferent and the employees would often have conversations with her. Zylo became the model for FL and he noticed how she was sincere when she said it was a pity he had to waste his skills serving her. He noticed how she called her father 'your grace' instead of father. While observing FL while she was painting painting, he realized that she was not an ice cold evil witch, but a 19 year old girl who was never acknowledged by her family. Zylo also realized that the rumour of FL wanting to be imprisoned willingly was tru e. He saw that she was not an extravagant aristocrat but an idle person. He thought she was poor and pitiful.

However Alec kept saying that she was witch and she shouldn't be able to live freely and happily while Aileen is crying. and was being plain disrespectful. Zylo realized why she was labeled as a villainess. If she were to give out a punishment to Alec no one would care about Alec's disrespect but automatically lable FL as a villainess. Zylo had enough of alec and decided to punish him. (Beat him up) but Alec refused to change his ways.

Zylo realized that FL has been facing such prejudice all her life. No matter what she did everyone called her evil. He saw how empty her fabricated smile was. She was broken by the malicious rumours and prejudice around her. He noticed how lonely FL looked.

Spoiler: Annoying alec

he became ostracized by the servants in the annex because he kept talking bad about FL. His hatred burned more towards her and he spread rumours that FL signed a contract with the devil and brainwashed the employees in the annex. More vicious rumours about FL were exchanged :< the duke then expelled Alec from the knights chivalry order.

Spoiler: Aileen mocking fl

"Sister, you brought it all onto yourself." "Sister, you will never be loved." "Sister, you know what? That place you think is yours has always been originally mine."

These were what Aileen told FL before she regained her past life memories. FL realized how futile her efforts were to be acknowledged by her family members, it was the day she wanted to die. But the duke rescued her and she regained her past life memories. Then she decided she wanted to live.

Spoiler: Aileen poisoned

Someone poisoned Aileen (lol obvsly she did it herself) and of course rumours that FL did it spread. Mikhail (oldest brother) straight away went to FL and shouted at her accusing her. FL just sipped on her tea like she expected it. The knight that replaced Alec snitched that she had been going out on outings twice a week. (She did cos she was bored) and the duke punishes her for it. But didn't accuse her for poisoning and mikahil is so angry. But the duke had a report of everything she did when she went out because he already knew she was going out. So it was clear she didnt do anything suspicious. The duke even had all her conversations recorded. So even when Mikhail kept accusing her and a maid said FL did the poisoning FL was proved innocent. Roen (second brother) said sorry to FL. It looks like his attitude towards FL changed after the first visit.

Spoiler: Roens pov

After the interrogation, roen realized it was just a show. He saw how people in the duchy treated her. They knew she was innocent from the start. He then recalled how in the past FL would always beg for him to believe her but he never would. She was a kind and happy child. He thought about how in the interrogation she didn't bother to defend herself like she gave up. He thought about their childhood and how she wasn't evil in the beginning. he thought that maybe she was pushed to the point she became evil. No one stood by fls side, no one believed her. "Who was it that forced her to give up on everything."

I just wanna say I love the angst in this novel so much. And the fact that FL doesn't care anymore to the point she doesn't even think of revenge is just perfect.

Spoiler: FL opens up to mary

Mary told FL that she wanted to know what happened between her and Aileen. FL was shocked because no one ever asked. So she opened up and zylo was there as well. Zylo wanted to clear the misunderstandings on what happened in the interrogation room so he told the servants that she was innocent anwas being accused, they public view of FL in the main mansion became better.

Spoiler: Reon tryna apologize

reon visited FL and asked why she changed, what happened etc. He asked what did they do that pushed her to the corner. Fl was shaken by that question. She sent him away. He kept sending FL gifts but she ignored it. When FL was out on her usual outing (she draws portraits of people for fun and sells it to them) reon came and asked for a portrait and FL drew him with anger. (Her peaceful time being disturbed) reon looked at the drawing and wondered if he looked that mean in fls eyes.

He forced her to talk to him and rented out a cafe. He apologized to FL. FL didn't want the apology. She didn't know how to react. She just wants to never see her family again. She feels like his apology is stupid compared to the hell she was out through. FL then said the words he said to him when she confided in him last time. Reon was guilt stricken.

He also investigated the misdeeds FL did when she punished servants. And realized they all did something deserving punishment. He now knew how he destroyed FL.
But FL doesn't deny that people have been hurt because of her actions so she believes she's a bad person as well.

In the end she said she doesn't forgive him, she hates him and doesn't want to see him again. When FL was a child she believed in reon the most and hoped that he would believe her. But he abandoned her for Aileen. She then punched reon in the face (⁠~⁠‾⁠▿⁠‾⁠)⁠~

But he continued visiting FL.

Spoiler: Reon putting the puzzles together

reon decided to investigate on Aileen. He quotes Aileen as the "fox who reigned as king while imitating a rabbit" he found out that the maids who were close to Aileen in her old home were hired around the time fls close maids left the mansion. He found out about the schemes Aileen did against FL. It was so well crafted but she left evidence behind.

Reon tried to talk to mikahil about it. But Mikahil was the most stubborn he believed Aileen blindly and even when there was evidence she didn't poison Aileen he believed she did. He hated FL to the core. Reon realized how suffocating it must've been for fl trying to prover her innocence to them after hearing how mikahil talked about FL. It was like talking to a wall.

Spoiler: Aileen wakes up (ew)

Aileen woke up after the poisoning. She was pissed to hear that FL wasn't punished. She's also Mad that when FL drowned the duke called bunch of priest to heal her but only sent a doctor for Aileen. Reon comes to visit her and she says how she thinks it was FL who did it then reon just smiles and say no it wasn't her, and that if someone went to the extent of poisoning her it must have been because she did something. Aileen was shocked. Then she says that FL hated her since they first met then Reon just smiles and say she should think about it. He told Aileen that if she acted right FL wouldn't hate her. Aileen is speechless now, no one ever suspected her before.

Reon is annoyed at how Aileen who can't even control her facial expression was able to control the family for years. He then says he will interrogate the suspect but Aileen shouts no. He just cunningly tells her to not worry and that her big brother will handle it. In his head he's thinking that a fox pretending to be a rabbit can't defeat a snake.


When they ate dinner he realized how suffocating it must have been. All Eileen talked about was how she was no as good as FL etc. And Mikhail would comfort her while badmouthing FL. The duke just watches in indifference. He felt like vomiting from indigestion and recalled how he caught FL vomiting after dinner.

Can we just appreciate the fact how FL doesn't even do anything and Aileen is already starting to face the consequences of her actions.

Spoiler: FL meets Mikhail

During one of her outings she bumps into mikahil (he was drunk) and he starts cursing as her and reveals to the public that she's the evil dukes daughter. Says she's a witch etc. (FL paints for people for fun so she didn't want them to know)

He then accuses her of bad mouthing him to their father because he was not the definite heir anymore. He tries to slap FL but Mary stepped in and she bled from the slap. He continues to curse FL. Reon stepped in.

Reon ask the duke to remove mikahil as the heir and he agreed. He went to talk to leon about FL but he started rampaging and was adamant that FL was wicked. There was no guilt or remorse. Mikhail doesn't want to admit he was wrong (he's super self righteous with a hero complex) And it's also revealed that he hit FL several times.

Spoiler: moving to the capital

The crown prince showed interest in fls painting after the duke gifted one to the emperor. He wants to meet FL.
Reon asks if FL to move to their mansion in the capital, she didn't want to but when she heard her youngest brother karn was coming back from the academy she decided to leave. Karn would beat FL more than Mikhail. She didn't want to face him.

Reon asks FL if she wants to be duke so she can get revenge. She tells him how there was a time she wanted to kill Aileen, and to make her family grovel at her feet. But she says its useless. She just wants to be happy and forget about them.

The night before she leaves, Aileen confronts her and break down saying she hates FL etc. FL just smiles and says she brought everything upon herself.

On the day she leaves to the capital Mikhail confronts her and tries to slap her. He was subdued by knights. and she slaps him. She tells him she hopes he dies miserably.

Spoiler: Reon meeting crown prince

When FL and him arrived at the capital, reon was summoned by the prince. They are seen as friends but the reon doesn't like him. The prince has golden hair and golden eyes. He's extremely arrogant and cunning. Similar to reon. Reon doesn't like talking to him and finds him annoying. He asks reon about Mikhail being dethroned as the next duke etc. And then says he needs a crown princess and wants FL.

He starts provoking Reon by saying how he used to love Aileen and brag about her and now he's close to FL. Reon is already annoyed at this point. reon refuses to make FL crown princess and says how FL was framed for bullying Aileen and how she endured years of malicious accusations. She could have gotten married abd left him far away but she chose to isolate herself. Crown prince knows all this because he planted a spy in their mansion. Even after everything reon said, the crown prince says he will send a marriage proposal.

Reon gets angry as the prince says how she's the perfect fit for empress, and that she'll survive in the palace of wolves. He talks about how he won't love her but will be a good husband. Reon gets angry as he recalls fls face as she said she just wanted to be happy.

Reon leaves saying he won't accept the marriage ebut the crown prince says he'll send one to FL.

(Annoyingly persistent)

Spoiler: Adin (ml)

He has black hair and pale purple eyes which accentuates his pale white skin.
Has a melancholic atmosphere which many women find attractive.
Skillful knight with many achievements making people respect him even though they talk about his lineage.
He's the illegitimate son of Duke Ashir.



While FL was out for a stroll escort knights, she got lost. A man tries to take advantage of her and an imperial knight saves her. He asks if she remembers him she says no and he looks sad. He escorts her back to the mansion. He asks if he could visit her, FL says okay and tells him he can ask for any reward for saving her. He looks sad that FL misunderstood why he wanted to meet her.

He arrives to her mansion and he asks if he could see her paintings. He was in awe when he saw them, as her paintings contained raw emotions of sadness and melancholy. In his monologue I can guess he and FL had an encounter which impacted him alot. He is fond of FL and has feelings for her.

Spoiler: Karn - youngest brother

Karn barges in to the mansion while FL and adin are at the studio room. He starts saying it was fls fault that Mikhail was deprived of his status as the next duke and Aileen was sent abroad to study. He grabs her collar and shouts at her.
Calls her a witch etc. Adin points a sword at karn and he lets go of her. Adin and karn duels each other. (They also were classmates at the academy) After the duel, FL could sense a deep bond of friendship between them.

After karn cooled down he properly asked FL for a explanation. So she explained her side of the story and how Aileen treated her. And told him that's why Mikhail was dethroned and Aileen was sent abroad. (Adin was there as he refused to leave her alone with karn) karn started asking why she didn't tell him earlier. She said if she did, would he have believed her. He kept defending himself and explaining why he didn't believe her last time but she got angry and just asked him to leave.

A Convo between Adin and karn after this:

Adin: "in this world there are some apologies better off not being made."

Karn: "If I did something wrong, shouldn't I apologize?"

Adin: "those who have never been unfairly treated can easily say that. Karn, anyone can apologize with words."

After this karn stayed outside the mansion till reon came back. He will be staying with them until his schools semester starts. Reon shows him evidence of how Aileen and her maid have been scheming against fl. He's trying to get violets forgiveness. But he's still immature and simple minded so when reon scolds him for pointing a sword at her last time, he defends himself saying it was because he thought she hit Aileen first.

Spoiler: Karn trying to apologize

during mealtime fl told him to back home and not to appear infront of her. he just kept saying sorry but his apology was loosely thrown at her. Fl asked him what he was apologizing for? He was speechless. She told him how he would point a sword at her and never listened to his explanation. He would immediately attack her.

Convo between FL and karn
Violet: "okay. You can stay here. I can give you a chance. If I don't, someone will look at me and call me 'the villainess who won't accept my brother's apology'"

Karn: "sister I -"

FL: "Do whatever you want. You won't listen to anything I say anyway"

Karn decided to be her escort knight to be closer to her. He realized he knew nothing about FL. He thought she was always angry but in reality she's a calm person and only gets angry when someone provokes her first. His attitude toward fl is still rude but it's not because he hates FL, that's just his personality. He'd still call her a witch, poisonous etc.

Spoiler: Violet's silver hair

FL had a complex about her hair because of what Aileen said when they were young. it was nothing like the duke or duchess.

Marquis Leshan invited FL for tea, she was close to fl's late mother. She told her that she inherited her beautiful silver hair and features it from her great grandmother, (from her mother's side), who was empress. She too was a stunning beauty like violet.

Spoiler: Before the banquet

Adin escorts FL to an art exhibition.The crown prince approaches FL. (His name is lahaden) he joins FL along with Karen, Adin and mary. FL said she didn't want him to come lest her maid who was a commoner would feel uncomfortable (Mary was uncomfortable and didn't know how to act) the crown prince being persistent joined them. The prince kept striking conversations with her but she just dryly replied him. He brought her to a high end restaurant, trying to gain her favor by inviting Mary as well.

The crown prince asks FL to be his partner for his banquet. But she says she already has a partner. He tries flirting with her knowing that he's handsome, calls her a moon goddess etc. He was so overconfident. But FL was expressionless. He tells her he hopes to be her partner next time. (Crown prince personality is similar to roen. Calculative, cunning and has the potential to be tyrannical leader)

Adin says he didn't expect FL to refuse the prince as her partner. And he smiled. The novel quotes: "If Lahaden was a man like the shining sun, Adin was a man like a miserable night. And Violets taste was closer to Adin than Lahaden."

(So I'm 100% sure Adin is the ml.)

Spoiler: Minor spoiler

- after FL regained memories of her past life, she started getting disoriented with so many years of memories that she forgot alot of things. She doesn't seem to remember people she met in the past (adin for example)

- after going to the art exhibition (FL was in a slump unable to draw) FL saw the paintings of the many struggling artists. She realized she had been focusing on her pitiful past instead of looking at how much she was blessed. She did not have to worry about money, roof over her head and could paint as she pleased. She started to have a new view of her life and decided to focus on what she has. (I love that for her)

- while FL, karn and reon are staying together at the capital, she finds herself less uncomfortable having conversations with them. (It's not the matter of forgiving and becoming a happy family but more of moving on. initially she couldn't have normal conversations with them without feeling deep anger and sadness in her heart.)

- however after her past life self's personality blended with her present life's personality, she felt like a stranger in this world. Like she didn't belong and was falling into an abyss of loneliness.

as far as I've read, this novel is not about FL getting revenge. It's so good but might be disappointing to those who expected revenge.

Spoiler: day of the banquet

- FL arrives with adin and everyone is shocked. The villainess and illegitimate son together became a commotion. Also they were criticizing fls dress which didn't have a corset, which countess tolopia set it as a trend in high society.

** Count tolopia - high society's flower popular in the social world. Pink hair, turquoise eyes. People believe she would marry the crown prince. That is, until FL appeared in the social world again. ( the women who brought corsets back in fashion)

Count tolopia's friends tried to mess with FL, tried to pour wine on her but she dodged, tried to insult her but FL was better in talking so she humiliated them instead.

- crown prince arrives and FL had to introduce herself to him. He complimented fls beauty and unique dress. He asked her for the first dance. Everyone was in awe at the two dancing. They looked like the sun and the moon.

Spoiler: Adin's pov

Adin being the illegitimate son of Duke Ashir, was treated as a tool to be used and discarded by his family. In the past he was at his limit but he met Fl. he refers to her as a god that saved his life. She told him that where he came from didn't matter as long as he rose to a position where no one could take him down. So he rose to the position of the next knight commander in the 1st knights chivalric order.

He didn't mind that FL didn't remember their encounter. The mere fact that he was able to breathe in the same room as FL was enough for him. He felt guilty for harbouring such feelings of love towards FL.

As he escorted FL to the banquet and was able to catch all the bad things said about her due to his sharp senses. He felt guilty and blames himself thinking they wouldn't have talked about her this bad if he didn't escort her.

Adins self esteem wasn't that low, it was only Infront of FL that he felt like he had to become better to be able to stand beside her. He held FL in such a high position in his heart.

Due to his sharp senses he was able to hear whatever the crown prince talked about to FL. He immediately understood that he wanted her to be the crown princess. He was in pain as he watched the two dance together. They looked like a beautiful couple.

He drank a few glasses of wine and got a little tipsy. He left the hall and went out to the garden. FL went to search for him and asked for a dance. They danced under the moon.

Spoiler: Day 2 banquet

adin did not attend so FL went with karn. As usual, countess Tolopia's followers tried provoking her. But one of them crossed the line so FL poured wine on her. FL acted ignorant and because she was of higher status they couldn't say anything. Count tolopia broke her mask and got angry asking how long can she stay arrogant, suggesting that one day she will have a higher status than fl. FL sarcastically asked "do you plan on seducing my brother, or becoming crown princess? Even then you'll still be below me"

Reon gifted on of fls paintings to the crown prince without her permission thinking it was okay.

Spoiler: day 3 banquet

Reon and FL gets into an argument because he gave her painting to the crown prince without her permission. Reon regrets it, he didn't understand why she wanted to hide her paintings when everyone else were eager to gain fake through their own art. The crown prince displayed her painting and people looked at the unique art that was way ahead of it's time and started calling FL the devil, witch etc.
Reon gets an idea on why she didn't want her paintings to be known yet. To FL, her paintings were everything to her.

Crown prince invites FL for tea and apologizes for displaying her painting without permission since he got scolded by reon. He noticed how FL was always expressionless talking to him and asked it he was not handsome. FL asked what his intentions were. He told her how he's bored that he can get everything he wants easily so he's interested in FL who shows no interest in him. (He's so annoying tbh.) Violet skipped the day 3 of the banquet. She's just annoyed with everything.

Magazines were published saying that she had brainwashed the prince and how she was a witch etc.

Spoiler: Last day of banquet

FL and adin attended together.
Some nobles who were genuinely interested in art were in awe of fls paintings and talked to her. FL was shy meeting people who didn't care about her status or rumours but were passionate about art. FL was teasing adin and his ears was so red, she thought he would look pretty if he cried.

The crown prince danced with countess tolopia.
FL asked adin for a dance. FL resembled the moon and adin resembled the veil of the night sky. Crown prince tried to provoke FL by flirting with countess tolopia (she almost fell and he grabbed her) but FL had no feelings for him so she didn't care.

Crown prince asked FL for the next dance. And he keeps flirting with her. FL cringes that he has the 'not like other girls' thought about her. He asked what's fls type, and she said a man who looks pretty when he cries.

After the dance she goes to the terrace and sees adin. They chat over a few drinks, FL asked adin If he wanted to cry. (this girl....) Adin just doubted his ears thinking he had too much to drink. Then they admired the milky way in the night sky.

As violet got more tipsy, she suddenly said

FL: "It was so easy, why didn't I know it before?"

Adin: " I don't know what you're referring to but it certainly must not have been easy for you to say it like that."

Violet is referring to how much she struggled in the past. Now that she chose to give up on trying to win the favor of her family, she found peace. He too worked hard to gain the recognition of his family. Although their situations were different, Adin understood FL's feelings perfectly. Both FL and violet understood each other the way no one else could. The words violet had buried deep within her heart unable to say it to anyone else, she was easily able to reveal it to Adin.


Chapter 75 quotes, "Violet laughed at the strange feeling"
She probably started to develop feelings for him here.

Spoiler: Meeting the empress

The empress invited FL for tea. She wanted to know what kind of person violet was since her son keeps associating with her. She asked Violet why she rejected her son. Violet said he was not her type. The empress told FL a story about fl's parents. How her mother rejected her father once but she fell in love with him when he cried. (Lol like mother like daughter)

Then the empress introduced her daughter to her. (The princess was hidden away from the social world so no one knows anything about her). The 12 year old princess had golden hair and golden eyes, she doesn't know how to talk thus she was not introduced to the public. In the imperial family, sometimes cursed children are born. Usually the firstborn gets it but instead of the crown prince, his sister got the curse. The emperor did not allow her in public because he loved her so much. He wanted to protect her and so that no rumours about her would reach her ears. The empress expresses her concerns. She's afraid that one day they won't be there to protect her anymore.

FL looked at the affectionate mother and daughter, and felt like she was in a different world from them. The affection the empress showed her daughter was something she could not understand. Her mood sank, but she hid her expression from the empress. The empress complimented her painting and said she wanted to FL to paint the princess.

The empress said the fls paintings resembled a world other than reality and she wanted to show the princess that the world is so much more beautiful than what she sees. She also liked the declaration FL made that she won't be getting married. It was as if she was showing the princess that there were other ways for a noble woman to live. The empress says that no one will remember the princess and one day she'll die without a trace. So she wanted FL to leave a trace of her through her painting.

The empress then left after conversing with FL, then the prince appeared with the princess. FL saw how tender his gaze towards his sister was, unlike her brothers gaze towards her. The prince asked to have tea with FL, and they sat down to talk. FL thought it was the first time she saw the prince look human. He asked if she could draw him too, she declined.

Spoiler: FL and the princess

In order to paint the princess better, FL decided to get to know the princess. Even though she was quiet she was an energetic child. The princess liked FL from the start and would follow her around and gifted her a flower. They ate snacks together, read fairy tales and walked in the garden. Violet liked the princess as she was a kind and pure child. The prince would try to escape working to meet with his sister and FL but reon would catch him. The servants of the princess came to like FL very much.

Fl started painting the princess. Unlike her usual paintings which gave off the mood of melancholy she wanted to paint the painting of the princess to resemble mid-day spring.

Spoiler: Minor spoilers pt 2

- rumours about FL didn't get better. Painters published articles saying her work was an ugly waste of paint. (This made FL sad Abit) FL went to the painter who said her paintings were ugly and accused him of trespassing the dukes mansion and imperial palace. Because only people who had been there could've seen her painting. He had no choice but to admit he was jealous of her popularity and bad mouthed her work without seeing it in person.

- Rumours spread that reon would only love her now, use her and throw her away. They called her a card to be used and discarded

- Adin becomes a model for violet while she paints. Hes so cute and he always blushes around her.

Spoiler: Cute moment

adin asked Violet about the rumour of her painting the crown prince, she denied it saying that she got a commission from the empress but not for the prince. Adin was relieved. He then said he heard rumours that she will be the next crown princess. FL was never bothered by rumours but this time she felt bothered. She said the crown prince was not her her type. Then she proceeds to say

"if I had to talk about my taste in men, it would be Sir Adin"

Spoiler: Hunting competition

FL is bad at embroidery so she uses fabric paint to paint on a handkerchief instead. She gave it to Adin. (Butterfly with a pale lavender flower the colour of Adin's eyes) Adin looked at it like it was treasure (hwjsjs cuteee)

!!!AILEEN APPEARS AGAIN IN THE HUNTING COMPETITION!!!

She goes to FL acts kindly and pitifully saying FL hates her. But FL comes back saying

"why would I hate you? You'd better be careful with your words. You don't want to discredit Everett in front of everyone here, do you?"

Aileen's expression crumbles and she feels frightened. And she immediately started crying. FL just chose to ignore her and walked away. As usual the nobles came to Aileen and even though they would talk behind her back about her lineage they wouldn't say it to her because she was cute and invoked sympathy. They start cursing FL to make Aileen feel better.

FL was able to be resolute Infront of Aileen but after she walked away, she lost composure and she couldn't control her emotions to the point karn shut up when he tried to say something after seeing her face. She left to find her roen (prince was there as well) thinking he or the duke let her come but found out Aileen acted on her own.

The prince of liran, ban (light purple hair close to silver) also arrived and Aileen works as his lady in waiting. He bumps into FL. He notices fls peculiar soul and calls it broken saying it's hard for it to regain its shape. Violet understood what he was saying. He takes interest in FL saying that her broken soul shines brighter than an unbroken soul.

Ban went to Aileen and introduced himself to her new friends. After he left she started blushing and boasting on how he insisted to come to the capital with her, etc.

Spoiler: Hunting competition pt 2

Karn followed FL and tried to talk to her but FL became afraid. She looked at him in fear, contempt anger etc. She was afraid that he would go back to his old self now that Aileen had come back.

Karn became hurt and told FL that he's trying so hard why does she still hate him the most and that he's hurt. FL just scoffed at him saying "are you hurt by something this small?" She gets angrier and says,
"Yes you will get hurt staying with me, so go to your sister's side (Aileen) whom you love, cherish and protect."
Karn is just lost for words, he still couldn't understand why FL was reacting so sensitively.

Alesha who was with them the whole time decided not to support karn, she didn't want to make the same mistake of acting on her own justice and followed FL. She noticed something was up with Aileen for FL to keep mentioning her. (We love a smart queen) she tells FL that she's not obligated to accept someone's apology (she's clumsy but tries to comfort fl)

FL gifts her a handkerchief she painted. (Yellow lily) it was the first handkerchief she received so she was very happy. She decided to ask FL why she hated her family. And FL opened up to her. Alesha felt like she could relate to FL because of the relationship she had with her family.

** See spoiler thread: family progress, under karn chapter 95 for his character development & thought process here

Spoiler: Hunting competition pt 3 (kidnapping)

FL follows Alesha but they find themselves getting attacked by assassins. Karn comes in and blocks a dagger from hitting FL, injuring his shoulder blade. Alesha and karn starts fighting off assasins. But the assassin knocked FL out and kidnapped her. FL tried to fight them off to no avail, but then she realized they needed her unharmed so she threatened to kill herself with her dagger against her neck till it bled.

Adin is furious that they dared touch FL. Seeing the blood on fls neck he immediately started attacking all of them without hesitation. Then he approaches FL looking like he's about to cry (so cute) then she passes out. She is treated at the imperial palace.

The prince goes to visit FL after she wakes up. FL only answered his questions out of politeness. But it started to bother him. He realized there was no chance for him to court FL from the beginning. Unlike before, where he only wanted FL as empress because of her skills, he actually loves FL. He asked if if she really doesn't want to be empress even if he can give her love. She says no.

When he saw FL bleeding he felt his heart stop. It was the first time he felt something like this. And when he saw adin carrying FL, he felt jealousy for the first time. When he saw a handkerchief painted on, he knew FL gifted it to Adin, he felt angry.

Spoiler: Empress tea party

Empress told FL she will hold a tea party to choose the crown princess. FL says shes not interested but empress tells her to come. (They have a somewhat good relationship, empress likes teasing FL).

In the tea party Aileen starts her usual tactic trying to piss FL off acting innocent and countess tolopia joins in. FL wins and Aileen is embarrassed because she wore similar clothing to fl's own design but FL made it look like aileen was wearing low quality clothes compared to hers. Some noble ladies started asking why Aileen wore similar clothes to FL. FL said it was because Aileen loves her so much (lol, aileen was dumbfounded) FL turns the table around and now it looks like she's the kind caring older sister unlike the past where Aileen would succeed in making FL slap her in public. Countess tolopia and Aileen continued to provoke FL but got angry when she would only just laugh.

Alesha and violet just stuck together and took a walk and talked, but they gained a fan base by many noble ladies who admired both of them, especially violet. Aileen was super jealous noticing this.

FL was able to leave the tea party early thanks to reon.

Spoiler: Crown prince+ Violet boating

crown prince invited FL on a date after she met the princess to paint her. he brought her to the lake. FL wonders if he was mocking her since she drowned in the lake once.

Cp has been keeping adin in check and tracking fls movements. Rather than love he had become obsessive over FL. Again he told FL if he truly loved her would she become his empress. FL got tired of it and asked for his true intentions. He tells her she doesn't have to know and she gets annoyed and tells him that's she's not a property or chess piece but a human being. He couldn't refute her question because he had feelings to own and possess violet as well as love. He considered making it an imperial order to forcibly make FL empress but than he'd just make Duke Everett against the imperial family.

He then hugged her, FL feeling uncomfortable stood up quickly but because they were on a boat she fell into the lake. Cp saved her. He then apologized. Seeing FL fall into the lake, he felt deep fear.

He thought that violet would accept him as her husband in the end. He was complacent but he realized FL was not simple. She didn't care about his looks and status which he relied on to get whatever he wanted.

Part of him wanted to own violet but part of him wanted to have a romantic relationship without any calculations with her. For the first time in his life he was afraid about what someone might think about him, he didn't want FL to think he brought her to the lake to mock her.

 

I had a feeling that she was the type to break once confronted! Also I'm Roen is trying to apologize. Yes there are absolutely times characters can't be forgiven! But if they never attempt to make amends it never lets the victim get to choose whether they should be forgiven. Like the father and brother in "When a Villainess Loves". The brother seeks her out while he never apologizes he accepts her attempts to help him and they begin to get closer. The dad does nothing and so he's more of a prop then anything else.

 

Mikhail is disgusting

Thanks for spoilers, more please

 

Yess, I'll be updating as I read the novel ‎♡.

 

Thank you, you are an angel for sharing

 

She inherited her silver hair from her great grandmother

 

This brat

 

Yes, he's really rude and temperamental. He also got close to fl's maid and they would often bicker amongst each other. Mary was even able to tame him with pudding. They have a funny relationship.

 

Spoiler: Family progress

Duke Everett, Father - He's indifferent but he loves his daughter. He doesn't step in to help violet but covers up all her misdeeds. He grants her all her wishes. He spent a lot of money and called many healers for violet when she fell into the pond. Compared to when Aileen was poisoned, he only sent his personal doctor. everyone notices that he favors FL the most and he agrees. but he never showed warm fatherly love. He too never believed FL when she was a child. Their relationship is estranged and they haven't talked since FL moved to the capital. But when he found out FL was kidnapped (ch 95~) he was livid and didn't trust the imperial family to investigate so he sent his own people to investigate the perpetrator. He would occasionally send letters to Reon to check on violets wellbeing.

The feeling the duke had for Aileen wasn't love but guilt because of his older brother. So he sent her abroad but let her live a luxurious life there. He didn't punish Aileen for her misdeeds towards FL but he was tired of her manipulation and lies.

Mikhail, oldest brother- most obstinate single-minded fool. Doesn't want to believe FL was a victim and he was wrong. Enraged that Aileen was sent overseas and still blames it on FL. After being demoted from the position of the next duke he spends his time getting drunk.

Reon, 2nd oldest brother- the only one who made genuine effort to make it up to FL. He understands that it was his and his family's fault that made FL become a villainess. FL prefers him most among her brothers. This doesn't mean she likes him.

However FL has trust issues whenever he shows concern or is nice to her because he's very cunning. FL has past trauma involving his snake like personality. So she never opened up to him thinking all his affection was fake.

Karn, younger brother- initially he didn't understand why FL still hated him after he apologized. his apology was more like, I'm sorry I hit you, but you were wrong as well' He makes effort to be close to her and treat her well. But FL is annoyed because he treats her pain like it was something simple and easy to take away. FL hates Karn. She remembers how he hit her and point a sword at her. She would flinch if he raised his hands or walked toward her with a serious expression. The fear karn instilled in her didn't easily go away.

"Karn does not know how to be considerate of others. He is clumsy in human emotions and relationships. It was partly because of his wild personality, but also because he had never been treated unfairly. Unless you have experienced it, you cannot easily fathom the pain of others. Karn didn't understand Violet's thorns. the reason he apologized was because he just perceived his actions as wrong. He did not fully understand what had hurt her."
(Quote from chapter 84)

Chapter 95 onwards: karn starts to understand FL more and why she doesn't accept his apology. He looks back to how he never believed her and ignored her cries. He realizes he was loosely throwing his apology around and was only apologizing for his sake. He stops meeting FL and spends time reflecting on himself. In the past, he would've forced FL to accept his apology but he started to realize what he did was very wrong. For the first time, karn felt depressed.

Aileen, cousin and step-sister - jealous of FL because. Hates that her mother is of low blood. gets sent abroad early in the story when reon found out about her schemes against FL. Comes back during the hunting competition and is still doing the same tactic but is annoyed that it doesn't work on FL anymore

 

Spoiler: Side characters

Marquis Leshan - Fls late mother's close friend. Fond of FL and knows that FL had her reasons becoming a villainess. She's happy FL found peace and has developed a closed relationship with her.

Alec - marquis lashan 1st son. Complacent and proud thinking he's gonna inherit the title. Tell FL he doesn't mind her bad reputation since she has a good body. Absolute trash.

Alesha - marquis lashan daughter. She aims to be a knight. Disliked FL at first because of how she treated Aileen but came to realize that she had been single minded after getting to know FL more. She became inspired by FL to be bold and inherit the marquis title. She started being true to herself, cut her hair and trained more.

Countess tolopia - flower of high society. Wants to be the crown princess and hates FL. Gets her followers to provoke FL but fails miserably.

 

Awwww
I like that you're broken
Broken like me
Maybe that makes me a fool

Loving Alesha