Chapter 4 (Part 5)

Painter Quini had lost the desire to stay at the Hatzbellua Ducal family after Lady Meia left. The scout offer from the Grand Ducal residence, though surprising, was welcome.

The conditions in the scout offer given by someone named Herold were very good… but he was still concerned about Meia, who had not yet returned from the Mage Tower.

Nevertheless, he came to the Grand Duke Florence’s territory. No, he had no choice but to come.

“Who should I paint?”

“Sir Quini, let me explain.”

Quini took a sip of the tea in front of him and waited for Venable to speak.

“Does the strawberry tea suit your taste?”

“Yes, it’s delicious. It’s a favorite of the person I serve. Does Grand Duke Theodore also like strawberry tea?”

“Yes, it’s his favorite tea.”

Hearing this, Quini’s face was filled with longing.

“Your expression looks very sad. Did something happen to the person you served?”

“Yes, something did. And it’s the reason why I came here.”

“Could you tell me about it?”

“It’s no secret.”

Quini explained what had happened at the Ducal family in great detail.

Venable listened with empathy and understanding, sharing in Quini’s pain.

“That’s too much. No wonder you left the Ducal family.”

“Lady Meia is currently at the Mage Tower, but Prince Demian visited the Ducal residence and declared to Duke Luman that he would take Lady Meia as his consort. He even said he would chase her to the Mage Tower. I quickly sent her a letter, but I don’t know if she read it.”

Quini, feeling heated, gulped down the cold strawberry tea and continued.

“You would understand if you saw the way Prince Demian looks at our Lady Meia.”

“From what you say, it seems Lady Meia dislikes Prince Demian.”

“It’s not just dislike; she doesn’t want to meet him at all. Lady Meia has no feelings for him, but he keeps coming and obsessing over her, so she avoids him.”

Venable thought about the content of Meia’s letter. It said she couldn’t reply for a while due to work, but he guessed it might be an excuse to avoid Demian.

“From what you say, it seems you care deeply for Lady Meia.”

“I wanted to live in the Carpen Empire, ruled by her as Empress. But now she’s gone.”

Venable comforted the sorrowful Quini and cautiously asked.

“Did you bring Lady Meia’s portrait rights when you left the Hatzbellua family?”

“I did. Duke Luman didn’t care whether I painted Lady Meia elsewhere or not!”

When a family painter leaves, they sign a contract to prevent their portraits from being sold elsewhere.

Even knowing that portraits can make one a target for crime, Luman didn’t care.

This indifference, implying he didn’t care if Meia was in danger, spread anger among the Hatzbellua Ducal house staff.

“Lady Meia’s nanny, Yudy, was furious, but she was somewhat relieved when I assured her I wouldn’t sell the portraits. Still, it’s infuriating.”

Hearing Quini’s words, Venable paused before speaking calmly.

“What I am about to say relates to Lady Meia’s portrait rights.”

“What do you mean?”

“Our Grand Duke is ill… with an incurable disease.”

Quini was shocked to hear that the head of the household he had joined was suffering from an incurable disease.

But why ask about Meia’s portrait rights?

“What does an incurable disease have to do with Lady Meia’s portrait rights?”

“Our master is seventeen and has yet to undergo his coming-of-age ceremony, but it is scheduled soon.”

“He’s young. But what does his age have to do with Lady Meia’s portrait rights?”

“Our master is excellent in swordsmanship, kind-hearted, wealthy, and powerful. The Grand Duke Florence can inherit the imperial power of the Sirius Empire, haha.”

“Yes, he seems like a good master. But what does that have to do with Lady Meia’s portrait rights?”

Quini began to think hard to understand Venable’s words.

“What illness does he have?”

“Our master is in the terminal stage of lovesickness. His life is in danger. Painter Quini, please help us!”

Venable stood up and bowed deeply.

“Only you can save our master.”

“But what does that have to do with Lady Meia’s portrait rights? Please explain clearly.”

Venable pleaded earnestly.

“If you have a portrait of Lady Meia, just showing it to our master will suffice. Of course, we would appreciate it even more if you could lend or give us the portrait.”

Quini pondered Venable’s words.

And only one thing came to mind. Nothing made sense.

“Could it be that the object of Grand Duke Florence’s lovesickness is Lady Meia?”

Quini had been puzzled by the Grand Duke Florence staff’s eagerness to bring him over with so much money. Now he understood the real reason.

“Please, it’s a matter of life and death for our master.”

Venable earnestly persuaded.

Quini decided to meet Theodore before making a decision, and only then did Venable straighten up and leave. Venable went to see the ailing Theodore.

Theodore woke up every day feeling empty. In his dreams, he met the one he missed and spent happy times, not realizing it was a dream. When he opened his eyes and realized it was just a dream, his longing for Meia grew.

He closed his eyes, hoping to see her again in his dreams.

He remembered her smile, her delicate gestures, her hair blowing in the wind.

Just imagining her made him smile, and his heart raced.

Theodore lay on the bed, pulling the blanket up to his chest.

Clutching his left chest where the pain persisted, he curled up.

If he closed his eyes tightly, he might meet her.

Theodore repeatedly closed and opened his eyes, recalling her voice.

Hoping to meet her in his dreams again today…

He kept waking up and tossing and turning. Unable to fall asleep, he threw off the blanket and sat up.

He read the letters she had sent from the magical space. He read them over and over, trying to soothe his longing. But the frustration only grew. Drinking water didn’t quench his thirst. He lay down again.

Every time he imagined her, waves of regret washed over him. He blamed himself for avoiding her out of embarrassment. Liking a woman wasn’t something to be ashamed of, but it was his first time feeling such unfamiliar emotions, and he regretted leaving it to instinct.

Hearing someone wake him, he looked up to see Venable.

“Ah, Venable, what’s the matter?”

“Master, please get up. I have something to tell you.”

Venable spoke to Theodore, glancing at the untouched food on the table.

“You didn’t eat again.”

Swallowing a small sigh, Venable approached and helped Theodore sit up against the headboard. Theodore, sitting weakly on the bed, spoke with difficulty.

“Venable, what is it you need to tell me?”

Venable wiped the tears from his eyes and showed him a document.

“A new painter has been hired. Please read this report.”

Theodore’s eyes widened as he read the report. Then he smiled brightly.

“Is this true?”

Seeing Theodore smile brightly, Butler Venable responded with a satisfied smile.

“Yes, the painter’s name is Quini. He previously worked for the Hatzbellua family in the Carpen Empire and holds the portrait rights of Lady Meia.”

“Venable…”

“Yes, Master.”

“You are the best butler.”

“Thank you for the compliment.”

“I’m serious.”

The thought of seeing Meia’s portrait filled Theodore with joy. He suddenly felt energized.

Theodore jumped out of bed.

“I want to meet this painter Quini immediately.”

Seeing Theodore regain his strength after so long, Venable was overjoyed.

Venable dispatched Herold to the Mage Tower to bring Meia to the Grand Ducal residence.

<I, Venable, will surely bring Lady Meia for the sake of our master.>

Venable’s resolve grew stronger by the minute.

The Hatzbellua Ducal house had three renowned and capable staff members who had served the family for a long time.

The first was Meia’s nanny, Yudy.

The second was the gardener and lower earth spiritist, Helena.

The third was the painter, Quini.

These three had pledged their loyalty to David Hatzbellua even before he became the Duke.

Especially Quini, who, despite being a poor commoner, was nurtured for his talent as a painter by David and followed him devotedly.

<Quini, don’t you want to go to a bigger place to paint? And you should find a good woman to marry.>

<Then, will you paint our dear Mei a lot?>

The only daughter of the Hatzbellua Ducal family, who was born not long ago, was loved by her family and the staff.

When Helena, the gardener, made beautiful flowers bloom, nanny Yudy would take Meia for a walk.

Then, painter Quini would quickly capture the scene with his brush.

Quini’s paintings were displayed like a gallery throughout the Ducal residence, delighting everyone who passed by. David’s order to hang more paintings of the lovely Meia all over the mansion also played a part. He wanted everyone to know about the empire’s most cherished person and asked Quini to put all his effort into his paintings.

David and Violet loved all of Quini’s paintings and cherished the completed portraits of Meia.

Painter Quini missed those times dearly. The Hatzbellua Ducal family, filled with happy laughter.

The warm-hearted Duke and Duchess, and Meia’s bright smile. The loyal staff.

Arguing with Helena about which flowers to plant in the garden.

Discussing with Yudy, the nanny, about the color of the dress that suits Lady Meia.

‘I miss all of it.’