Fish Don't Know About Water - Chapter 53

“Th-This week?”

“Yes. They need to show evidence quickly to those who doubt the marriage.”

Esca shrugged and scoffed.

“Even though the novel details the marriage process, they think it’s all a fake act? People are so suspicious.”

“Th-Then we have to f-finish the portrait t-today.”

“Yes. Then we can send the portrait on the train to Westenia early tomorrow morning.”

“F-Finding a painter immediately is i-impossible.”

“Don’t worry, Your Highness.”

Esca smiled meaningfully and patted Corporal Donion’s shoulder.

“Corporal Donion majored in art at the Royal Academy.”

“Leave it to me!”

Corporal Donion clenched his fist with a determined face. Viett alternately looked at the two excited men and furrowed his brows slightly. He wasn’t pleased with the sudden situation. Because of this portrait, his entire morning training was about to be wasted.

It was fortunate that Esca had preselected and brought a painter. Without his help, he would have had to miss the afternoon training as well to search for a painter.

Viett thought of Phenelity, who had gone to the field hospital at dawn. He heard that all nursing staff were summoned due to the influx of wounded soldiers the night before. Even a newlywed like Phenelity couldn’t avoid the call.

‘She’ll surely be angry if I call her in the middle of her busy schedule…’

He sighed and dialed the field hospital through magical communication. Fortunately, Tenessa, the head of the field hospital, answered immediately.

“Yes? Prince?”

Behind Tenessa’s loud answer, there was constant noise, screams, and shouts. Imagining the chaotic scene at the field hospital, Viett spoke.

“Please s-send Phenelity b-back to the residence.”

“What nonsense is this? We’re not in a situation to accommodate your burning newlywed life! No matter how much your lower half is throbbing, a gentleman should know when to…”

“Who are you calling a h-horny bastard?”

Viett cut her off irritably and explained the situation. After listening quietly, Tenessa spoke in a softened voice.

“I don’t like formalities, but if it’s Your Majesty’s order, there’s no choice.”

She ended the communication, saying she would send Phenelity immediately. Viett sent a car to the field hospital. While waiting for his wife to return, he changed out of his military uniform and into the royal formal attire.

Meanwhile, Corporal Donion prepared an easel and painting tools in the living room. When Viett, dressed in formal attire, returned to the living room, he frowned at the sight of Esca loitering in front of the sofa.

“What about your t-training?”

“I’m skipping it.”

“Y-You’re the c-commander, aren’t you?”

“I handed over command to my deputy before coming here.”

Esca chuckled as he sprawled out on the sofa.

“Watching the grumpy prince and the Little Lady getting their portrait done. I’d regret missing such a good show for the rest of my life.”

Since both of them were missing training as commanders, Viett couldn’t bring himself to verbally criticize his friend and sat down at the table. Corporal Donion, who had finished his preparations, rubbed his palms together and approached cautiously.

“Um, Commander. How should we set up the composition for the portrait?”

“…Do it the way y-you’ve planned.”

“Yes. Then I’ll draw it in the composition I’m most confident in.”

Viett closed his tired eyes, leaving the eager corporal to his task. Considering the limited space, they had to embellish the portrait with lies. Corporal Donion planned to transform the modest living room into a luxurious royal palace and add non-existent props. So, Viett trusted him to handle the composition well.

At that moment, the front door burst open. Viett’s eyes snapped open. Phenelity walked briskly into the living room, wearing a heavily wrinkled nurse’s uniform.

“I was in the middle of an amputation surgery! How could you call me out suddenly?”

She sat down heavily in the chair opposite Viett, crossing her arms with a sulky expression.

“We need to finish quickly because I don’t have much time.”

“Yes… Yes! I’ll hurry!”

Corporal Donion quickly grabbed a pencil and stood before the easel. Viett smiled faintly at his fuming wife.

“A-Aren’t you going to greet me?”

“I’m not in the mood for greetings!”

He looked at her disheveled appearance with a troubled gaze. Her nurse’s uniform was a mess, her hair was untidy, and her face was gaunt from working since early morning. She didn’t look like a princess posing for a portrait at all.

“Shouldn’t you at least change your clothes?”

Esca asked, wide-eyed at Phenelity’s attire. She checked her appearance and shook her head firmly.

“I don’t have time to change. We’re short-handed, so I need to get back to the hospital as soon as the sketch is done.”

She looked at Viett as if asking for his approval. Viett wore a conflicted expression. It wasn’t okay at all. Even though the portrait would be full of lies, the only real part should be the people in it. That’s why Viett had bothered to change into his formal attire.

“D-Do as you like.”

But Viett’s resolve weakened under her earnest gaze, and he nodded. Phenelity finally relaxed, uncrossing her arms and folding her hands neatly. Corporal Donion started sketching, glancing at Viett for approval. Esca, who had moved next to the easel, mumbled as he watched the sketch take shape.

“Viett, if His Majesty gets angry, don’t blame me…”

Viett shrugged, imagining his father’s thunderous wrath. He endured the tedious time by smoking a cigar. After a while, Corporal Donion’s face brightened as he wiped away his sweat.

“The sketch is complete!”

“I’m off then!”

Phenelity jumped up from her chair as if she had been waiting for this moment. She bent down to plant a loud kiss on Viett’s cheek and hurriedly turned away.

“See you tonight!”

She ran out, her teal skirt fluttering behind her. As soon as she disappeared like the wind, an awkward silence fell over the living room. Corporal Donion looked at Viett with pleading eyes.

“Commander, could you stay while I lay down the base colors? The royal formal attire is much more complex than the nurse’s uniform…”

Viett touched his cheek, still warm from the kiss, and nodded blankly. Esca chuckled at his dazed expression, but Viett didn’t mind.

The portrait was almost complete after a long while. Viett stood up and checked the painting on the easel.

Seeing his own face in the painting, his eyes filled with confusion. Esca snickered as he looked at Viett’s expression.

“Why that face?”

“D-Did I really look th-this… s-stupid?”

Viett stared at the painting of himself in disbelief. The face that couldn’t take its eyes off his wife looked so foolish it was embarrassing to see. Corporal Donion carefully asked, gauging Viett’s reaction.

“Though it goes against the principles… should I adjust the corners of your mouth a bit…?”

“Yes. It’d be better to lower them slightly.”

Esca said, trying hard to stifle his laughter. Viett quietly shook his head. He didn’t want to pathetically alter the painting. Now, the three men’s awkward gazes turned to the painting of Phenelity.

In the painting, she wasn’t smiling at all. The cold, expressionless face she occasionally shows was captured exactly in the portrait. It contrasted sharply with the gentle smiles in other royal women’s portraits. Her unconventional attire and expressionless face were sure to shock the king and the royal family.

Thinking that way, he started to like the painting more. Upon closer inspection, he appreciated the realistic depiction of his wife. It was even better than a black-and-white photograph. Satisfied, Viett looked at Corporal Donion.

“Can you m-make a smaller c-copy of the p-portrait? I’ll make sure you’re w-well compensated.”

“Yes. I’ll have it ready by tomorrow.”

“Donion, your skill exceeds expectations. I’d like you to do a portrait of my family later.”

Esca also looked at the portrait with satisfaction and made his request. Corporal Donion nodded quickly with a bright smile.

“It would be an honor!”

The next day, the corporal delivered a small-sized portrait to Viett. The portrait, along with a black-and-white photo from the wedding, found a cherished place in Viett’s military notebook.

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