Chapter 10

“Could it be… Clarette Sollier?”

“It really is you? What brings you here?”

They were disciples of Arno Sollier, and were already acquainted with Clarette. Since her father’s death, she had grown distant from them, and now she offered them a formal greeting.

“It’s been a while. You’re all here for the Marquis’s commission, right?”

“Of course. But what about you? Are you…?”

“Yes. I’m interested in the mural commission for Marquis Rembart’s theater as well.”

When she spoke calmly, the men looked at each other, as if they’d heard something surprising. The oldest among them stepped forward with a smile.

“Clarette, you do have some talent for painting, just like Master. Well, none of us think you’re bad at it, but…”

He glanced behind him, as if seeking agreement, then looked down at her.

“But this isn’t really the place for you. Wouldn’t it be better to give up? There’s no chance.”

It was a rude remark, but Clarette responded calmly.

“On what grounds do you think that? I’m qualified. I have a letter of recommendation from a famous gallery, and I have over ten years of experience. Isn’t that enough?”

“That’s not the issue. You just… You don’t look like a painter.”

“Why is that?”

“‘Flower in a Frame’. That’s you.”

The moment that nickname was mentioned, Clarette hesitated. The man continued speaking to her, who was left speechless.

“Portraits of you are far more famous than the ones you’ve painted. Your face is hanging in the Rosenta Art Museum. Anyone with even a slight interest in art may not know your name, but they can’t help but know your face.”

“…That’s just a painting. It’s not really me.”

“But anyone who sees you will think of that portrait first. Who would imagine you’re a painter? If I were you, I’d get famous as a model instead…”

“No, I’m someone who paints. That’s why I’m here today. As a painter.”

When Clarette firmly cut him off, the man finally closed his mouth. The other men looked at her with pity, as if she was being stubborn for no reason.

But Clarette rejected their unnecessary sympathy and turned her back on them coldly. She had dealt with this tiresome routine for a long time.

‘Even when Father was alive, everyone told me that. To pick up a needle instead of a brush, to learn cooking instead of painting.’

Despite spending years together in the atelier, they still saw her as a woman, not a painter. Some had even confessed to her and, after being rejected, held a grudge.

‘Let them think whatever they want. I’m sick of being told to give up.’

Thinking only of the mural commission, Clarette resolutely entered the party hall.

From far away, a noisy commotion could be heard. When she turned her head, she saw someone she never expected.

“Duke Valentin…?”

Under a distant tree, Duke Valentin was surrounded by many people, chatting with them.

With his characteristic relaxed smile, he looked dignified, like a born noble.

‘Why is Duke Valentin here? The funeral ended only recently.’

Seeing him at the party was both surprising and pleasant. Clarette kept glancing in his direction, watching the atmosphere.

‘Is the Duke acquainted with the Marquis? Or did he come simply for social purposes?’

She wanted to approach and ask him various things. But Lionel was surrounded by numerous nobles, as if he were the host of the party.

“Oh my, look over there. The rumors were true, the new Duke Valentin.”

“Really, he’s incredibly handsome, just as they said.”

“They say clothes make the man, but it’s rare to see a suit look so good on someone. Maybe it’s because he’s a former soldier, his body is…”

The ladies gathered nearby admired Lionel’s appearance from afar, enjoying themselves. Clarette casually picked up a champagne glass and listened to their conversation.

“They say he played around with a lot of women, a notorious playboy.”

“That’s good news to hear. He’s still single, so I bet he hasn’t changed his ways. Now that he’s a Duke, it’ll only get worse.”

“My goodness, how can you say that’s good news, Madame!”

The women laughed as they chatted. Clarette sipped her drink and watched Lionel.

‘…He really is handsome.’

She observed his face carefully, as if he were a subject for painting.

Luxurious golden hair, elegantly combed back. Clear blue eyes sparkling like crystals in the sunlight. A strong nose and sharply defined jawline. Lips perfectly suited to his pleasant smile.

He was so attractive that his looks alone drew people’s attention. With his tall stature and excellent physique, he would be welcomed and popular wherever he went.

<I’m much more interested in something else than your painting.>

Recalling the day she first met him, Clarette gave a small laugh. That had been an utterly ridiculous joke.

A man with nothing to envy in the world wouldn’t possibly be interested in her.

No matter how much people praised her, Clarette never thought highly of her own appearance.

She rarely smiled, often wore an indifferent expression, and was told her personality was too serious and frustrating.

‘But Duke Valentin was different.’

He had smiled throughout their conversation, always relaxed. Not because he was a noble, but because that was simply his nature.

Even when she firmly turned down his request, even when she acted distant, he never showed any displeasure.

‘Talking with him felt strangely comfortable.’

Perhaps it was because he treated her without formality? Clarette slowly recalled her previous meeting with the Duke.

That quiet atelier. The midday sunlight pouring in from the high windows. His gaze as he looked at her.

His low voice, saying he liked her painting.

‘…But now, I can’t talk to him.’

There were only nobles around him, not a single painter. Duke Valentin was such a high-ranking man that even famous artists found it hard to approach him first.

Clarette watched to see if there would be a chance to approach, but eventually looked away.

‘I should give up. If a commoner like me tries to speak to him, it’ll just look strange. It might even start bad rumors.’

Perhaps, watching from a distance was the right thing to do for both him and herself. She reminded herself of the difference in their status and turned away from Duke Valentin.

Her goal today was to meet Marquis Rembart and win the mural commission. She had to focus on that.

* * *

At the dinner after the funeral, the Valentin Duchy’s retainers all advised Lionel.

<You’ve spent so long in the military, you should actively participate in society. You need to make your presence known to the nobles.>

<For your debut, Marquis Rembart’s party is perfect. The Marquis was close to the late Duke and enjoys the arts. He’ll treat you favorably, as the Duke’s son.>

‘Well, is that really the case?’

Lionel had followed their advice, but he had no expectations for today’s party. Having lived his whole life as an illegitimate child, he knew the nobles wouldn’t welcome him just because he’d become a Duke overnight.

Still, he had come here for Clarette’s sake. After visiting her atelier, Lionel had made up his mind.

If he couldn’t support her from the Duchy, he absolutely had to find her a suitable patron.

Clarette said she would find a lover, but she wasn’t the type to rely on a man. And even if she did, it was unlikely her partner would be wealthy enough to support her livelihood.

At this rate, Clarette would soon face poverty. If that happened, she might even give up her beloved painting.

Would Clarette, having quit painting, really be as radiant and beautiful as she was now? Lionel couldn’t imagine her living as an ordinary woman.

Now, when he thought of her, the first thing that came to mind was her bright smile—the one she’d shown him for the first time.

The expression he’d only seen when he praised her artwork.

So he wanted her to keep painting. She was at her best that way.

That was why she needed a patron. Since he couldn’t afford it due to his debts, she needed a strong supporter for her dreams.

Marquis Rembart liked the arts and was wealthy. By all accounts, he was a suitable candidate to be her patron.

However, despite the many guests, the Marquis had yet to appear. Because of this, Lionel found himself surrounded by nobles looking for entertainment, receiving more attention than even the host.

The unfamiliar nobles encircled him, each making comments and laughing merrily.