Rarien walked along the beach alone.  The sound of her feet sinking into the sand and the sound of the waves crashing could be heard intermittently. 

 The sea was Rarien’s favorite place. Especially this place. Because she had met Nicholas again on this very beach while she was drawing. 

 She had deliberately left behind the sketchbook she always carried with her. 

 There was no particular reason; she just wanted to. 

 Nicholas had said he would follow her, but she refused, saying she wanted to take a walk alone.  Since purchasing the island, Nicholas had paid off all the troublesome people, so it was quite safe. 

 The old couple who had looked after Rarien were still here. Nicholas had hired them as caretakers of the villa. 

 Still, he was always worried about her, as if she were a child. Who was the real child these days?  The thought made her laugh.  Lately, her husband had been fussy, like a puppy with separation anxiety. 

 ‘Beautiful.’ 

 The sunset here was still beautiful.  The way the sun sank below the horizon, casting a red glow over the dusky darkness, was a spectacular sight. Rarien had always watched this sunset when she stayed here. 

 At that time, she had thought that she didn’t have much time left. She just liked the sunset because it colorfully painted the few remaining days. 

 And even though she knew it was a sight that would soon disappear, Rarien wanted to paint the beautiful sight, and she felt her hands itching. 

 She clenched and unclenched her small fists, naturally recalling what Nicholas had said to her earlier. 

 “Why do you paint, Rien?” 

 It was a simple question, but she couldn’t answer right away. 

 Come to think of it, she had scribbled countless pictures, even though they weren’t for anyone to see.

When she was young, her mother always scolded her whenever she was caught drawing. 

 Rarien remembered her mother’s reaction when she first drew her mother’s face and gave it to her as a present. 

 “You stupid girl. You’re wasting your time on useless scribbles again.” 

 She didn’t even look at it properly. Rarien realized that her mother hated her drawings when she found the picture in the fireplace. 

 She was always criticized for doing something insignificant, for her trivial scribbles. Since then, whenever Rarien was in a situation where she had to show her drawings to others, she felt a sense of dread. 

 Still, she kept scribbling away, hiding them secretly. 

 Why did she do that? 

 When she thought about it, she felt good when she was drawing, like she was doing something of her own. 

 In a life where she always had to yield to others, drawing was… the only thing that was hers. 

 Even when she thought about the things she had drawn, they were nothing special.  Drawing her favorite scenery, or drawing the people she loved.  It was all such a useless thing to do. 

 “I don’t want much. I just want to make you happy, Rien. That’s all I want, and that’s why I’m sponsoring you.” 

 And Nicholas supported that useless act with all his heart. He wanted to make his wife happy. For that simple reason, he gave her so many gifts and never stopped cheering her on. 

“Actually, whether it’s a great artist’s painting or a bunch of scribbles. Whether you’re copying something or not finishing it, what does it matter?” 

 It didn’t matter. It was okay if it was useless. 

 Those words from Nicholas were a great comfort to Rarien. 

 “I don’t care about other people. I only have you, Rien, so it’s fine as long as you are happy while you’re drawing. That’s all.” 

 That was enough. Why had she been thinking about it so much? 

 A light laugh escaped her lips.  Rarien, who had been fidgeting with her hands, picked up a small twig from nearby. 

 And she began to draw on the white sand as she pleased. Her mother’s face was soon completed on the sand. 

 “Mom, I love doing useless things like this.” 

 Rarien made an honest confession to her mother on the sand. 

 “And…… ” 

 She was at a loss for words as she looked at her mother.  Because she was looking at her with an impassive face, as always. 

 She was speechless for a moment. 

Rarien took a deep breath and continued. 

 “The one who makes me happy… He likes that I’m happy when I draw. That’s enough for me.” 

 So I’m so happy. So much so that I would have regretted it if I hadn’t been born. 

 Rarien muttered to herself. 

 “I will continue to… be happy doing this useless thing.” 

 Rarien, who made up her mind, lifted the corners of her mouth. And using the twig she was holding, she drew her mother’s closed lips upward, just like hers. 

 “So, Mom… I hope you were happy like me too.” 

 The corners of her mouth, which she had lifted, trembled, and her vision wavered like waves. 

 It must have been because her mother was unhappy. 

 She would have had nothing but her brother to hope for in her poor life. She wouldn’t have had the luxury of looking at someone who drew her because she was scared… and burdened. 

 As soon as that ridiculous thought crossed her mind, a wave came crashing in and swallowed her mother’s face. 

 Tears streamed down her cheeks as she looked at the ground where her mother had disappeared.  They weren’t tears of sadness. 

 As she let out everything that had been building up inside her, she felt strangely refreshed. The sunset deepened, and the surroundings became even redder. 

 “Rarien Reinhart.” 

 Along with the affectionate voice whispering her name, a cozy feeling settled on her shoulders. It was a large men’s jacket. Rarien’s eyes widened as she realized who it was. 

 It was the same situation as the day she met him again here. 

 “You’ve been crying.” 

 Shake, shake. 

 “Did you get something in your eye?” 

 Nod, nod. 

 Even though she was telling a blatant lie, Nicholas didn’t pry any further. 

 “I can’t put your glasses on like this. Let me see.” 

 And then he wiped away the tear stains on her face with his fingertips. As her vision cleared, Nicholas’s face filled her sight. His warm gaze and bright smile were just like sunshine. 

 “Why, hic, did you come?” 

 “You left something important behind because you were spacing out, Rien. I had no choice but to follow you, so don’t be mad.” 

Lying through his teeth. Shamelessly too.  His lying skills were top-notch. 

 When Rarien remained silent, Nicholas handed her something, looking a little embarrassed. 

 “This, and…” 

 It was the sketchbook and conté that Rarien always carried with her.  When Rarien hugged them in her arms and widened her eyes, he put his arms around her waist. 

 “And the most important… you’re husband.” 

 How cheesy.  A ticklish smile spread across Rarien’s face.

“Did you enjoy your walk alone?” 

 “Weren’t you following me and watching?” 

 “You caught me.  Let’s pretend you didn’t see me. I’m embarrassed.” 

 Nicholas responded playfully with a smirk. 

 “How are you, Rien?  Do you feel better after the walk?” 

 Nod, nod. 

 “Well, since we’re by the sea and you’re feeling better… how about a kiss?” 

 Rarien answered with a kiss, clinging to Nicholas’s neck. 

 And a while later, Rarien made an important announcement to her one and only sponsor. 

 “Um… I want to draw something.  Will you sponsor me, Nicki?” 

 “Gladly.  Shall we get your signature on the contract first?” 

 The term was indefinite.  The condition was to be happy by his side.  The signing would be in the bedroom, and he intended to receive the payment in the way he wanted, starting right now. 

 ***

Rarien entered her solitary cave.

While it wasn’t literally a cave, that’s exactly how it felt to Nicholas. At the Reinhart summer villa, Nicholas was anxiously waiting for her again today in front of the room designated as Rarien’s studio.

Nicholas Reinhart loved his wife like his own life and was prepared to do anything for her. However, there were things that were impossible. This was one of them.

This feeling was, well……

It was the first time he’d felt this way since the day Rarien gave birth to the twins.

Something he wanted to do for her but couldn’t.

Just like the pain of childbirth, creating artwork was solely Rarien’s responsibility.

She said she found something she wanted to draw for the first time. Since she even formally requested his sponsorship, this would officially become Rarien Reinhart’s first work.

“I really want to do this alone. You’ll trust me, right?”

He had to grant permission since he couldn’t ignore her desperate request to her patron, but……

For a week now, Rarien had been holed up in her cave, forgetting to even eat. What was she drawing? She was so immersed that he was even afraid to ask.

The studio had a small bed and a bathroom. Though he regularly provided meals and snacks so she wouldn’t skip eating, she asked not to be disturbed, so he could only leave them at the door.

Was she eating properly? Was she getting enough sleep? Since she never came out, he had no way of knowing.

What if she got sick like this? Though his worry as her husband and sole patron was immense, he decided not to disturb her. 

 Of course, in exchange for giving Rarien her alone time, Nicholas also secured several promises from her. 

 First, the ownership rights of Rarien Reinhart’s first work would be transferred to Nicholas Reinhart. Therefore, the rights of use would also belong to Nicholas Reinhart. 

 Second, regardless of the result, she wouldn’t be embarrassed and would show it first to Nicholas Reinhart, her patron. 

 Third, she would allow the work to be displayed as Rarien Reinhart’s first collection in their summer villa, their private hideaway. 

 These were the three conditions.