HINT:

Rot! Curtailed, the self has joyous season (7)

Ignore the punctuation. I’m being sneaky.

WORDPLAY

[charade][indicator:deletion][charade]
[DEFINITION]

_ e _ _ i _ _

Yes.

Rot! Curtailed, the self has joyous season (7)

WORDPLAY

   rot [charade] = fester

   curtailed [indicator:deletion] final letter/s removed = fest

   the self has [charade] I’ve

         fest + ive
[DEFINITION]

     joyous season = festive

May the spirit of cryptic clues be upon you, nfs.

nicotine.

Absurd acts led to protected ruler. (7 words)

Ugh!  7 letters.

Exactly.

Absurd acts led to protected ruler. (7)

WORDPLAY

   absurd [indicator:anagram] acts led = castled

DEFINITION

   protected ruler = the chess move that protects the king = castled

Over to you, veiled-lady.