That the painting Rarien Reinhart created resonated deeply not just with herself but with others as well. 

 “I-I’m sorry for suddenly cry-crying……” 

 “There’s nothing to be embarrassed about. I did the same after all.” 

 He whispered in Rarien’s ear as if telling a secret. 

 “The paint didn’t actually sting my eyes.” 

 “What do you mean?” 

 “It’s a secret, but back then. I wasn’t crying because my eyes stung—I really cried.” 

 “What?”

“It was my first time experiencing something like that too. I don’t really remember crying except when I was born.” 

 She knew this because the previous Grand Duchess had mentioned it many times. That he rarely cried and was mature even as a child. That he was like a finished product from birth. 

 “But why did you cry?” 

 “Well. Even I wasn’t sure of the reason then. But thinking about it now, I think I know. It was probably……” 

 Nicholas smiled with gentle eyes. 

 “Because it was salvation.” 

 And to this man, that resonance was salvation. 

 Soft, affectionate kisses landed on her bright red earlobes. 

“Because Rarien is <My Own Salvation>.”

 Rarien Claude is Nicholas Reinhart’s only flaw. 

 She made Nicholas realize that he couldn’t be perfect alone. The imperfection could only become complete when the puzzle piece named Rarien Claude fit into that flaw. 

 Nicholas Reinhart is Rarien Reinhart’s only hope. 

 He became the final dream and milestone for her who had been given a death sentence, and now, and in the future, they would walk together. Sometimes he would secretly cheer her on while watching from behind like monitoring a toddler’s first steps, making sure she was doing well on her own. 

 The selfish man who only knew himself met a woman and now had someone precious he cherished more than himself. The pitiful woman who didn’t know how to care for herself met a man and now loved and cherished herself more than anyone. 

He gently lifted her chin with his long fingers, and the tears that had gathered in her eyes slipped down her cheeks once more. He kissed her tear-stained cheeks and reddened, wet eyes, wiping away the moisture. 

 Where the tears disappeared, Rarien Reinhart’s one and only savior, Nicholas Reinhart, filled her vision. 

 “So what about the contract? I’m not fond of begging, but I’d hate to let such talent slip away. Tell me if you have any conditions you want.” 

 Nicholas pressed for an answer. 

 Eyes warmer than the sunset. The way he looked at her was exactly like in the painting. 

 Could there be a more reliable patron than this? 

 “For the contract conditions……” 

 Wiping her tears with the back of her hand, Rarien clung to Nicholas’s neck just like she did in the painting. 

 “Stay by my side forever. My one and only patron.” 

 “Gladly.” 

 …Please take care of me too. 

 My only salvation, my person. Rarien Reinhart. 

 Nicholas whispered in response as he captured Rarien’s lips with his own.

***

With Reinhart’s strong support, Rarien completed her works bit by bit. Several years later, after collecting enough pieces, she was able to hold <Rarien Reinhart’s Solo Exhibition> at the Central Art Gallery’s exhibition hall. 

 “Mom, are you nervous?” 

 Jeremy, nestled in Rarien’s arms, asked with round eyes. 

 “Yes, Jeremy. Actually, Mommy is…… today’s main character. That’s why I’m very nervous.” 

 “Should I help you?” 

 Well. They say blood will tell. 

 Jeremy was repeating the exact words Rarien always used to say. 

 “How will you help?” 

 When Rarien asked with an expression of overwhelming love, Jeremy wiggled his maple leaf-sized hand and borrowed his mother’s ear. 

 Wonder what he’s going to say. The moment she quickly brought her ear close—

 Chu. 

 He kissed her cheek with a chu sound. 

 “Huh?” 

 “Good luck kiss. Don’t be nervous. Mommy.” 

 “Where did you learn this?” 

 “Saw it in a fairy tale book. The prince kisses the princess.” 

 “Is Mommy a princess?” 

 “Uh-huh, Mommy’s cuter than a princess. Rarien is the cutest in the world.” 

 He must have inherited his father’s talent for saying ticklish things. Who’s cute now. Who’s calling who cute. 

 Her husband must have taught him these strange things. 

 Though being called cute wasn’t really the issue. 

 “Our Jeremy is cuter.” 

 Rarien smiled contentedly and placed a long kiss on Jeremy’s head. 

 “Mommy!” 

 This time Charlotte tugged at Rarien’s skirt hem. 

 “What is it, Charlotte?” 

 “Grandmother’s here.” 

 “Grandmother?” 

 “Uh-huh.” 

 Of course she would come. The previous Grand Duchess had just arrived with the twins from Reinhart. She said she was busy having many things to boast about to her old friends she hadn’t seen in a while — about her son, daughter-in-law, and grandchildren… 

 Rarien tilted her head at Charlotte making such frivolous remarks. 

 It wasn’t like the usual Charlotte. With a neat personality similar to Nicholas’s, she never made unnecessary comments. 

 Charlotte was a proper young lady who wouldn’t allow even a single flyaway hair in her neatly braided twin plaits. 

 “Mommy, my legs hurt. Carry me too.”

 Seeing her wiggling her hands and whining to be carried, she still hadn’t lost her baby-like qualities. Rarien lifted Charlotte with her empty arm. Though heavy, having both arms full like this gave her quite a reassuring feeling. 

 “Mommy, that’s Mommy over there.” 

 “That’s right. Our Mommy.” 

 The main piece of today hung where the twins were pointing. 

-`♡´- click to view illustration

 It was Rarien’s self-portrait. 

 ‘Did I manage to capture my likeness? They recognized it right away.’ 

 Though it wasn’t much, she felt proud. They say children are the most honest, and perhaps the wisest beings. 

 So, Rarien decided to hear these ‘young critics” review of her work. 

 “Jeremy. How does Mommy in that painting look?” 

 “Cute.” 

 …He’s been completely brainwashed by his dad.

Really, the Reinhart men had their incorrigible sides. 

 “What about Charlotte? How does Mommy in there look to you?” 

 “She looks the happiest in the world.” 

 “Really?” 

 “Uh-huh.” 

 Charlotte met Rarien’s eyes and smiled broadly. 

 “When I grow up, I want to become a happy person like Mommy.” 

 She looks happy, she says. Thank goodness. The tip of her nose stung for no reason. 

 How silly. Is this something to cry about? Rarien held back her tears from her overwhelming emotions and kissed Charlotte’s cheek. 

 “Our Charlotte will definitely become like that.” 

 “What about me?” 

 Jeremy cut in hastily. 

 “Of course Jeremy will too.” 

 Mommy will make sure of it, Rarien whispered sweetly as she hugged the twins tightly. 

 When would Nicholas arrive? He said he had an errand to run and would come right after…… Was he still far away? 

 As Rarien looked around scanning the crowd, the twins greeted some people approaching from behind. 

 “Dad!” 

 “Grandmother!” 

 She naturally assumed it would be Nicholas and the former Grand Duchess…… 

 She was half right and half wrong. 

 Rarien’s eyes widened as she encountered an unexpected figure. 

 The person the children called grandmother wasn’t the former Grand Duchess, but Rarien’s birth mother, Baroness Claude. 

 “It’s been a while, Rarien.” 

 Baroness Claude greeted her somewhat stiffly with an awkward expression. And beside her, Rarien Reinhart’s eternal supporter and savior, Nicholas Reinhart, was smiling faintly. 

 “Mother, how did you come here……” 

 “Well… His Grace the Grand Duke insisted I attend. He personally came to pick me up by carriage this morning.” 

 So that was the errand he had since morning. 

 There was a time when she had honestly confessed to Nicholas about her childhood memories. 

 “When I was young, I was always scolded for wasting time doing useless doodles as a girl.” 

 “Was that so?” 

 “Yes, Mother hated me drawing pictures.” 

 “That must have hurt.” 

 Had there been any reward for raising and teaching her diligently? 

The man, who had always been weak in her empathy for others and never saw it as a flaw, offered a brief yet surprisingly skilled comfort.

 “Still, someday…… I want to show Mother the pictures I drew. Not ones drawn in hiding, but pictures I drew while being truly happy.” 

 Then maybe Mother would be happy too, even if just for a moment. They say emotions are contagious after all. 

 Even now, it seemed like such a foolish wish. 

 She had only said it in passing, and since she didn’t have the courage, she hesitated and didn’t send an invitation. She never expected him to actually bring her mother. 

 They say married couples grow distant as time passes, but Nicholas showed more surprising aspects as time went on. 

 When Rarien looked at Nicholas in bewilderment, he smiled brightly and planted a loud kiss on his wife’s cheek. 

 “What’s that for?” 

 “They say it’s a lucky kiss. From a prince to a princess.” 

 He playfully whispered near her ear. 

 “I learned it from Jeremy. Don’t be nervous, Rarien.” 

 “Thank you.” 

 “Don’t mention it.” 

 Having received the best support from her husband, Rarien clenched her trembling fists and lifted the corners of her mouth. 

 Then she carefully linked arms with Baroness Claude. 

 “Let’s go together. These are things I drew. I’d really like you to see them, Mother.” 

 She didn’t expect much. 

 She just hoped that someone would smile, even if just for a moment, because of her. Like how she had become a little, no, very much happier after meeting Nicholas. That was all Rarien Reinhart wished for. 

 Rarien’s wish would probably, no, definitely come true. 

 Because she always had her reliable supporter and savior by her side. 

 Rarien Reinhart’s person. 

 Nicholas Reinhart would be with her. 

 The title of Rarien’s self-portrait was <Eternal Happiness>.

 Wish you hell, Wish you well and Wish you always heaven. 

 Nicholas Reinhart and Rarien Reinhart — 

 <The Tempted Priest Is Going To Hell! First Side Story Complete>