Chapter 4 (Part 6)

Memories should be cherished as memories. The more one reminisces, the more one dislikes the present.

Since David, who inspired and supported him, disappeared, Quini has lost his inspiration.

Especially since Meia left for the Mage Tower, he has increasingly found himself in a daze.

A painter who loves painting but lacks inspiration is bound to fall into ennui.

Meanwhile, the Grand Duke Florence of the Sirius Empire requested his transfer.

Along with a substantial transfer fee. But moving wasn’t easy.

He was waiting for Meia Hatzbellua to return. She would come back before her coming-of-age ceremony. As long as she was here, he had no intention of moving, even if it killed him.

But a reason to transfer arose.

<Do you know how annoying you are, Quini? Is this the best you can paint?>

<I’m sorry. I’ll redo it.>

Meryl approached Quini, threw the paint box at him, and tore up the painting.

<Get ready to be fired!>

<…….>

The paint box Meryl threw was a gift from Meia herself.

His most cherished possession was broken. Tears welled up in Quini’s eyes.

<Why are you crying? Where do you think you are, shedding those filthy tears? Get lost! I can’t stand the sight of you!>

Thud.

Crash!

<Ugh.>

Quini didn’t resist Meryl’s kicks; he just took them.

<I’m sorry, Lady Meryl.>

<Ah! Get lost!>

When Meryl threw a water bottle at him, Quini protected his hands by exposing his back or head.

For a painter, injuring their hands was a death sentence.

This time, the water bottle hit his head, causing blood to drip down. Helena and Yudy, who saw this, were extremely shocked and furious. Although he laughed it off, saying he was fine, Quini cried silently that night.

He feared that his hands would be ruined if he endured Meryl’s violence any longer. So he decided to leave the Hatzbellua Ducal residence temporarily.

But he had to take Lady Meia’s portrait with him. Fortunately, he managed to take it and left the residence without regret.

<Are you really leaving, Quini?>

Helena and Yudy worried about him as he left.

They knew well why he was leaving. They felt deeply sorry for not being able to protect him.

<Yes. They offer a lot of money, and looking at the beautiful southern sea might revive my inspiration! And it’s a one-year contract; I’ve arranged to return for the lady’s coming-of-age ceremony.>

<Alright.>

<Helena, please explain it well to our Lady Meia when she returns. Oh! Yudy, please stop crying.>

Nanny Yudy wiped her tears and grieved as Quini departed.

<I’m sorry for not being able to protect you…….>

<It’s no one’s fault. Please stop crying.>

<The older I get, the more I cry, Quini.>

<If the lady returns, please send me a letter. I’ll take leave and come running right away.>

Helena, Yudy, and many servants tearfully bid farewell to Quini.

<Thank you all. I’ll write to you!>

Quini had been loyal to the Hatzbellua family all his life.

Seeing him leave, the servants were deeply saddened, wondering what could have driven him to this.

The news of his departure from the Hatzbellua Ducal residence shocked the art community in the Carpen Empire, who were curious about who would replace him.

<Why on earth Quini left?>

<Is it because of Lady Meryl? The cousin who took Lady Meia’s place.>

<Yes.>

<I heard she tore up Quini’s painting.>

<Really? She tore up his painting?>

<There are rumors that he almost injured his hands because of Lady Meryl. Luckily, his hands are fine…….>

<They’re recruiting a painter at the Hatzbellua Ducal residence now, but no painter would want to go there.>

<Tearing up Quini’s painting? She must be out of her mind.>

Though he was of humble commoner origin, Quini was respected by many aspiring painters. He was highly sought after.

But everyone knew he belonged to the Hatzbellua Ducal residence. His transfer was shocking.

<If she tore up Quini’s painting, she’d tear up ours too.>

<No matter how prestigious the Hatzbellua Ducal residence is, I don’t want to go there.>

<He stayed there for so many years, and now he’s leaving… tsk tsk.>

After Quini left, there was no painter to replace him at the Hatzbellua Ducal residence.

* * *

Quini looked at the man sitting opposite him.

The man had black hair and black eyes. With broad shoulders, fair skin for a man, and a tall stature, he had a different feel from David, whom he served.

‘I heard he’s seventeen……’

He didn’t look as young as expected, and his cold demeanor made Quini nervous.

“Hello. I’m Theodore from the Florence family.”

Contrary to his cold first impression, his voice was warm like sunlight. Above all, he didn’t speak down to Quini, who was to be his servant.

Quini awkwardly smiled.

“I’m Quini.”

“Do you like strawberry tea?”

“Of course.”

Upon hearing their conversation, Venable quickly set the table with strawberry tea and various snacks.

“Please, help yourself.”

“Yes.”

Theodore awkwardly smiled and offered the snacks.

“I heard you know our Lady Meia.”

“Yes, we are close enough to call each other by name.”

Theodore’s shy demeanor seemed pure to Quini.

More than anything, he appreciated Theodore’s politeness and consideration, which were more evident than the arrogance often felt from nobles.

“What do you think of our Lady Meia?”

“She is strong and admirable.”

He spoke with an excited expression, his eyes smiling.

“Not beautiful?”

“Of course, she’s beautiful. But I thought you were asking for my personal opinion. So I told you exactly what I think.”

“Haha, most young men only praise her looks, but you, Grand Duke, praised her differently.”

There are many adjectives for Meia, but most people think of her as extremely beautiful.

“Why do you think she’s admirable?”

“There are too many reasons why. That’s why I fell for her.”

Theodore recalled the time when she used magic to fling a drunk nobleman of Zentas far away.

Her sharp, blue eyes instantly dominated the atmosphere.

When she smiled with one corner of her lips raised, it wasn’t just his gaze but his heart that was captured.

“Even saying she’s admirable isn’t enough.”

Quini blinked and looked at him. Contrary to his cold first impression, every time he mentioned Meia, his eyes softened with warmth.

The reason he wanted to meet and decide was because of Prince Demian.

Demian had constantly asked, requested, and even threatened Quini for Meia’s portrait. He was worried that Theodore might be like Demian, so he told Venable he would decide after meeting him.

Fortunately, Theodore didn’t show the same madness as Demian.

Watching him, Quini smiled and took a small frame from his bag to show Theodore.

“Do you recognize this?”

“……Yes.”

What Quini showed was a portrait of Meia as a child.

“It’s a portrait of Lady Meia when she was five. She was so cute then. I drew her playing hide-and-seek with the servants.”

Theodore, with his cheeks flushed, stared intently at the frame and nodded at Quini’s words.

“Please tell me more. Even if it’s not about Lady Meia’s childhood. Have you had lunch?”

“Not yet.”

“What do you like to eat?”

“I eat anything that’s given. By the way, I’d appreciate it if you spoke informally to me.”

“Alright.”

“I’m a subordinate, aren’t I? Please speak to me like you do with other servants.”

“I will.”

“Yes, Your Grace.”

“Are you there? Venable!”

Venable, who was waiting outside, quickly opened the door and entered at Theodore’s call.

“Yes, Master.”

“Prepare a meal. I’ll eat with Quini.”

At his words, Venable’s eyes reddened.

Theodore, who had been suffering from lovesickness and couldn’t eat properly, was now going to have a meal just because he saw a portrait of Meia!

Venable, overwhelmed with emotion, turned around while pressing a handkerchief to his eyes, asking them to wait a moment before leaving the room.

The atmosphere of the Grand Duke’s residence was similar to that of the Hatzbellua Ducal residence. Quini had a strong feeling that he might find the inspiration he lost at the Hatzbellua house here.

“Could you show me another portrait?”

“Of course.”

Theodore’s deep black eyes filled with joy, looking pure and clear.

Quini now believed that Theodore cherished and loved Meia dearly.

“This is a portrait of Lady Meia when she was eighteen.”

Theodore, mesmerized by the portrait of Meia, looked like a man deeply in love.

Quini liked his smile, which showed how much he adored her.

“She’s beautiful…….”

If he loved Meia enough to suffer from lovesickness.

‘Being the Grand Duchess of the Sirius Empire is much better than being the Empress of the Carpen Empire.’

Venable returned, saying the meal was ready.

As they walked down the corridor, Venable whispered softly to Quini, thanking him and saying he wanted to repay the favor someday.

“It’s nothing. I showed the portrait because the Grand Duke sincerely thinks of Lady Meia.”

In truth, Quini was surprised when the Grand Duke asked to see Meia’s portrait right after he signed the contract. He could have lied about not having the portrait, but he didn’t want to hide it. After talking with Theodore, he realized that even if he didn’t show the portrait, Theodore would never harm Meia. Unlike Demian, Theodore’s feelings seemed pure.

“Quini, I look forward to working with you.”

Everyone at the Grand Duke’s residence was delighted that Theodore was finally eating.

“Thank you, God.”

Quini found this scene familiar.

A master loved by his servants. The inspiration for his art came from such beautiful emotions, just like at the Hatzbellua Ducal residence.

‘It was a good decision to come to the Grand Duke Florence’s residence.’