Chapter 111

“Oh my, why paint the portrait horizontally? To emphasize the rifle like that…”

“You mean this is a portrait? I thought it was a scene from the Flandor Battle.”

The nobles entering the main residence of the Valentin Duchy always paused in front of the Duke’s portrait.

Those who knew nothing about art offered only perfunctory comments. But most were genuinely surprised, their eyes wide as they looked up at the large portrait

Captain Lionel de Valentin, leaning against the shadowed stone wall of the ruins, seemed both weary and strangely hopeful.

Perhaps it was because his gaze was directed toward the distant sky. Or maybe it was the summer wildflowers blooming at his feet.

The military rifle standing like a tombstone and the sparkling silver dog tags naturally sparked curiosity in the minds of viewers.

What was Captain Lionel thinking in the painting?

Was he missing his comrades? Was he waiting only for the day he could leave the battlefield? Was he dreaming of a happy life after the war? What lay at the end of his gaze?

‘It’s a peculiar painting. The more you look at it, the deeper your thoughts grow.’

‘I’ve never seen a portrait painted like this. There are so many unconventional elements.’

‘The Duke Valentin’s portrait is an odd work that breaks the usual mold.’ Such rumors quietly spread among the nobles.

Meanwhile, the most passionate reaction to the portrait came from Melanie Bouvier, Moerven’s top art dealer. She showed enormous interest in Clarette’s new work, which she hadn’t seen in a long time.

“My goodness! I really do have an eye for people! I knew you’d make a splash someday!”

Melanie had come to report the sales status of the paints to Lionel, but stopped in front of his portrait. She called Clarette over and showered the painting with praise.

“Miss Sollier, this is an amazing piece! You’ve captured the beauty of nature and architecture, included a message about war, and it’s superb as a portrait as well!”

“Thank you, Ms. Bouvier. The location was fortunate, the materials were excellent, and above all, the model was wonderful…”

Clarette modestly gave credit to others. Melanie, observing the portrait, tilted her head.

“But what is this coloring technique? You painted it during the day, right?”

“Yes, during the day. But there are dark areas mixed in. I painted what I saw across different times of day.”

“No, even I’ve never heard of such a technique! That’s why the painting has such a dreamy atmosphere. It’s as if the Duke is somewhere outside this world. Hmmm…”

After admiring the painting for a while, Melanie returned to the ducal residence a few days later with a proposal.

Lionel and Clarette read Melanie’s proposal carefully in the drawing room.

“You want to exhibit my portrait in a museum…?”

“Yes, Your Grace! It would be wonderful to take it straight to a major museum in the capital, but that’s not easily accessible. Why not try the Moerven City Art Museum first? There’s an upcoming exhibition for emerging artists—how about displaying it for a month?”

A museum debut. The unexpected suggestion made Clarette’s heart race.

But Lionel, watching the sparkle in her eyes, didn’t answer immediately. Melanie tried hard to persuade the Duke.

“Of course, you must have concerns. It’s your personal collection, and it might give people a reason to gossip about you. But, Your Grace…”

Melanie grasped Clarette’s hand and spoke sincerely.

“As you know, Miss Sollier’s reputation as an artist is still low, and normally she wouldn’t even dream of exhibiting in a museum. But the fact that she painted you is hugely significant in the art world. It’s the first time in Rosenta’s history!”

“The first time? In what way?”

“Miss Sollier, a commoner woman artist, painted a man of your high rank. There’s no precedent for this! It’ll draw tremendous attention, especially since the painting itself is so excellent. Someone might even record it in history books!”

Melanie’s passionate argument surprised Clarette. Melanie’s purpose now was not money, but persuading the Duke for Clarette’s sake.

“Your Grace, I’ve run a gallery for nearly twenty years, but I never imagined something like this. A painting by a woman in a museum—it’s a truly remarkable first step. Please, I hope you’ll consider it positively.”

“Ms. Bouvier…”

Clarette was deeply moved by Melanie’s passion, remembering the advice Melanie gave when her patronage ended.

<You know how limited women are in this field.>

<If I were you, Miss Sollier, I’d hold a memorial exhibition for your father’s paintings, sell them for the highest price possible, and use that money as a dowry to marry into a good family.>

‘She wasn’t just trying to discourage me. Ms. Bouvier really cared for me.’

Back then, Melanie hadn’t looked down on Clarette. She simply pointed out the easier path.

Clarette looked at Lionel with Melanie. He felt their gaze and spoke.

“I’ll send my answer later, by letter.”

Lionel’s attitude was still cautious. Melanie didn’t press further and stood up briskly.

“Yes, Your Grace. Then I’ll take my leave. The emerging artists’ exhibition starts in ten days, so please decide before then.”

After Melanie left, only Clarette and Lionel remained in the drawing room. She carefully spoke to the still thoughtful Lionel.

“Lionel, is something bothering you?”

Was he worried the painting wasn’t good enough to be shown publicly? Was there something lacking in the artwork?

As Clarette grew anxious, Lionel quietly murmured, as if reading her mind,

“The painting is excellent.”

He gazed at Clarette and added,

“But I just can’t predict what will happen if the portrait is widely exhibited. For example… the portrait of you as a model. Thiago Salto surely didn’t intend that nickname from the start, either.”

‘Flower in a Frame.’ Clarette recalled the tiresome nickname and bit her lip. She tried to see things from Lionel’s perspective.

Lionel had inherited the dukedom only five months ago. In that short time, he had worked hard to fit into the ducal residence and noble society.

His first paint business succeeded, and after winning the hunting tournament in Earl Crowley’s domain, he began to make a name as Duke Valentin.

If a portrait reminiscent of his days as a captain were shown to many, Lionel’s hard-won reputation might fade.

“Lionel, you’re worried, aren’t you? That the portrait will make your image as Captain Lionel stronger than that of Duke Valentin.”

But contrary to her expectation, he shook his head lightly.

“No, I don’t care about my reputation. What I’m worried about is you, Clarette.”

Lionel looked down at the proposal Melanie had left.

“I love the painting. I think others will, too. What concerns me… is what Ms. Bouvier said, that this is unprecedented in history.”

Clarette Sollier, a woman artist, painting Duke Valentin’s portrait and exhibiting it in a museum.

It was an exciting prospect, so she hadn’t thought at all about the aftermath.

Not until Lionel pointed it out.

“…I’ll be attacked, somehow.”