Chapter 114

The Emerging Artists Exhibition at Moerven Art Museum recorded the greatest success in its history since opening.

“Hey, if you’ve seen enough, move forward!”

“Don’t make them queue, just let everyone in!”

The last room where Duke Valentin’s portrait was displayed was packed with people.

The rumored illegitimate child, the infamous handsome man, the famous hero of the Flandor Battle—everyone wanted to see what Duke Valentin, formerly Captain Lionel, looked like.

“Wow, he really looks like a soldier. His body’s solid, and he’s tall.”

“Isn’t he too handsome? Among the Valentin men, he’s the best looking. When is he getting married?”

“Surely, sons take after their mothers. Wasn’t it famous, the previous Duke’s blonde mistress…?”

Most visitors to the museum were commoners who’d never met Duke Valentin in person. Unlike nobles, they freely chatted about his birth and appearance.

“Director, is this alright? It’s like a marketplace in here.”

A young museum staff, who was busy lining up visitors, grumbled. The director just laughed.

“It’ll settle down in a few days. Let’s wait and see.”

As the director predicted, during the first week after Duke Valentin’s portrait was unveiled, the museum was packed with commoners eager to see his face.

But after about ten days, the commoner visitors gradually dwindled, like the tide receding. Just as Moerven Art Museum began to regain its usual quiet atmosphere—

Noble visitors seeking Duke Valentin’s portrait began to increase.

“My goodness, look at those subtle colors. The artist must have planned the palette from the start. Bright yet dark, the boundary between light and shadow is blurred.”

“You can feel it in the Duke’s clothes, too. That’s the Rosenta Imperial Army officer’s blue uniform, but the shadows make it look black—almost like mourning attire.”

“The placement of the rifle is surely meant to symbolize tragedy and death. The ownerless dog tags are too blatant to be just a metaphor.”

“The contradictory setting—a bright and sunny ruin—clearly reveals the work’s theme…”

Nobles showed off their knowledge and insight, debating in front of the portrait for over thirty minutes at a time.

High-ranking nobles, whom the director had to greet personally, often came to see the painting. Eventually, chairs were placed in the exhibition room so noble visitors could discuss comfortably.

But by the third week of the exhibition, staff had to remove all the chairs. Art-interested nobles from all over Rosenta flocked in.

* * *

“See, I told you! Word of mouth would spread and you’d become famous. The painting is amazing!”

Melanie, who had strongly recommended exhibiting Clarette’s painting, proudly visited the ducal residence. Lionel gladly served Moerven’s top art dealer the finest champagne.

“A connoisseur recognizes a masterpiece. When you first suggested the museum exhibition, I was worried, honestly.”

Lionel handed her the glass with a smiling face, and Melanie received it politely, laughing.

“Of course, I wasn’t without worries, but the reaction was much better than expected. I knew the commoners would love it, but the nobles are coming in droves. One marchioness even asked about buying it!”

Clarette, seated across from Melanie, let out a sigh of relief.

“I’m so glad. I was worried I’d cause trouble for the museum just because I’m a woman.”

Melanie looked at Clarette with a pleasant smile. Of course, even amid countless praises and popularity, there were those who slandered Clarette.

Anonymous letters claiming she got special treatment as the Duke’s woman, or that the selection process was unfair.

Complaints about Clarette’s painting taking the best spot in the exhibition thanks to Duke Valentin’s fame.

Some nobles openly said women’s paintings weren’t worth the time.

Melanie heard all these stories through her connections, but didn’t pass them on to Duke Valentin or Clarette. They only needed to see the bright and happy side.

Melanie smiled broadly and said to Clarette,

“The Moerven Museum Director wants to plan another special exhibition. The Emerging Artists Exhibition happens every year, but this time he wants something new.”

“What’s the theme? Can I participate?”

“It’s undecided, but I think it’ll be closely related to you, Miss Sollier. Thanks to that portrait, the museum’s summer income has soared.”

Lionel watched Clarette and Melanie’s lively conversation with satisfaction. Contrary to his worries, the museum exhibition was a huge success.

Since the exhibition began, the ducal residence received several commissions for Clarette Sollier every day. All the mail was handled by butler Oliver, so Lionel only watched Oliver deliver letters to the annex every afternoon.

Which commission would Clarette accept

Would she have to leave the ducal residence for a commission, as she did when painting Lady Jasmine, spending all day elsewhere?

<I’d been moving between noble houses. If I stayed only in the atelier, I’d miss out on good opportunities…>

Lionel recalled Thiago Salto’s words. On the day of the auction party, Thiago had boldly argued that to grow as an artist, one must actively take commissions from various nobles.

‘Maybe now is that time for Clarette.’

A time to spread her name, make connections, and jump into the industry.

Should he buy a townhouse in Genoa? At least 200,000 gold would be needed for a decent house.

Lionel felt the pinch of budget shortage for the first time in a while.

“But, Ms. Bouvier. There’s something I’d like to ask you.”

Clarette’s tone became suddenly cautious during their lively conversation.

“What is it, Miss Sollier? Is it a difficult request?”

“Well, maybe it’s not difficult for you… I’ve been getting a lot of requests from nobles to paint portraits lately.”

“Oh, that’s wonderful! Now’s the time for commissions. You should make good connections with people.”

“No.”

Clarette quietly shook her head. Lionel was surprised, but calmly sipped his champagne and listened.

“I won’t be painting other people’s portraits for a while. There are other projects I really want to do.”

“What? But, Miss Sollier! You might not get another chance like this. Even if you’re busy, shouldn’t you take a few commissions?”

“No, I have too many things I want to paint right now. I’m working on another portrait of Duke Valentin, and also…”

Clarette met Lionel’s eyes and spoke meaningfully.

“I have to paint a mythological piece. There’s a god I absolutely want to paint someday.”

Lionel smiled lightly and set down his glass. Melanie interpreted that smile as the satisfaction of a quick client. Clarette politely requested of Melanie,

“So, please spread the word. I’m busy with commissions for Duke Valentin, so I won’t be accepting outside requests for a while.”

“Spreading rumors is easy… but are you really going to do that, Miss Sollier? Wouldn’t it be better to secure your place as a portrait artist? Mythological painting, out of nowhere…?”

“I know, no woman has ever entered that field before.”

Clarette smiled brightly, as if to dispel the shadow on Melanie’s face.

“But I’ll paint it. If I keep working hard, I’ll be recognized someday—just like with the Duke’s portrait.”

Her voice and attitude radiated confidence. Lionel realized he’d overlooked something again.

A townhouse wasn’t important.

What mattered was Clarette’s goal and determination to paint great works, her tireless passion.

* * *

The month-long Emerging Artists Exhibition ended successfully. Nobles who attended discussed the portrait at all sorts of gatherings.

“It was more Captain Lionel than Duke Valentin.”

“The style was so fresh. I thought it was a history painting. That painter, Clarette Sollier, made a bold choice for a woman.”

“It could be seen as both a portrait and a history painting. When Duke Valentin was in the army, he was treated like a hero. He’s the seventh in imperial history to receive the Imperial Military Medal.”

“The Marchioness of Batis wanted to buy the painting. She cried in the exhibition room.”

“Well, that makes sense. The Batis family lost a well-raised heir to the war…”

“That painting really moves the heart. Sometimes I remember the names shining at the end of the rifle.”

In Genoa, many stories spread about Captain Lionel’s unconventional portrait.