Chapter 13

Following his answer, Lionel placed his large hand on Clarette’s shoulder. Rather than holding her as a lover, it was as if he was introducing her before others—his hand lightly resting there.

He declared to all the men present,  

“Clarette Sollier is my painter. You could say she’s the exclusive artist of the Valentin Duchy. She promised to paint anything I desire.”

Of course, she had never actually promised such a thing. But Clarette calmly kept silent, standing by the Duke’s side. For now, she needed to cooperate with him.

Lionel glanced at her, noticing how she adapted to the situation, and continued with confidence,  

“And there’s this rumor that I cut off her sponsorship, but that’s not true. It must be a misunderstanding—that instead of money, I’m supporting her with something even greater.”

Something greater than money. The artists, who had been silent, stirred at his meaningful words. Even Clarette turned her head to look at him, and Lionel said,  

“I plan to give Clarette the annex of the ducal residence. I’ll create a gallery filled with Sollier family paintings there, and provide everything she needs for her life. So she can focus solely on her art.”

With each word Lionel spoke, Clarette could hardly believe her ears. In fact, everyone present seemed to feel the same.

A ducal annex, as large as an entire mansion.

There, the well-trained staff of the Duchy would attend to her needs, everything would be prepared so she could consistently paint, and a gallery filled only with her works would be completed…

It was the kind of environment every painter in the world dreamed of. Across the entire Empire, only a handful of artists received such support.

The painters began to murmur at this outrageous privilege. Even Marquis Rembart, who had been arguing with Lionel, was so shocked he spoke up,  

“You’re going to bring a female painter into the ducal residence and raise her there? It’s possible maybe as a lover, but why do something so pointless…?”

“That’s obvious,”  

Lionel replied without a hint of doubt,  

“Because Clarette Sollier’s paintings are excellent.”

His unwavering declaration brought a brief silence. The male painters present all looked unconvinced, their eyes full of frustration.

Several jealous glances shot straight toward Clarette. She could easily read their thoughts.

‘What’s so special about your paintings that the Duke makes such a fuss?’

‘You’re getting a treatment none of us have ever received—why you?’

Marquis Rembart also shook his head at the Duke,  

“…You speak nonsense because you know nothing. To invest so much in a woman who can barely paint portraits is madness.”

“Well, we’ll see whether it’s madness or not. Now, Clarette,”  

The Duke turned his gaze to Clarette, who stood quietly.

“I’m thinking of heading back. Are you going to stay here? As for commissions, I doubt you have any more business with the Marquis.”

It seemed the Duke had been listening in on the conversation from the start. Clarette gladly accepted his offer of rescue.

“I’ll return as well, Your Grace. I’ve wasted enough time here.”

The two of them turned away without even a nod to the Marquis. It was practically an insult to the host of the party, but the Marquis only frowned and didn’t try to stop them.

However, the Marquis’s opinion of them spread quickly and found sympathy among many.

“An illegitimate Duke and a female painter—what a vulgar pair. The Valentin Duchy has truly lost its way. The son is destroying all the prestige the previous Duke built up.”

Even in the brief time Lionel and Clarette walked back to the carriage, rumors spread rapidly. Nobles stared at them as if they were oddities, and even the staff of the Marquis’s mansion whispered carefully.

But once the carriage door closed, all that vanished, and inside the quiet compartment, only the two of them remained.

As their eyes met across from each other, Clarette asked,  

“Why did you do that?”

The carriage began to move. Clarette waited for an answer, but Lionel only looked at her, not speaking right away.

Did he need time to gather his thoughts? The man who was always laughing and spoke lightly now kept a calm, silent face, making the atmosphere feel completely different.

Clarette, awkward yet curious, asked again,  

“I really appreciate your help. But why did you make such an enormous declaration? In front of all those people?”

“Did it bother you?”

“No. To be honest, it felt refreshing. Watching the Marquis and the other men’s faces every time youbspoke, Your Grace, was… rather amusing.”

Her response finally made Lionel smile with relief. Clarette, too, felt reassured seeing his smile.

“But the last part was too much. My art isn’t good enough for that kind of treatment.”

“Why? I was only telling the truth.”

His shameless reply made Clarette blush. It was nice to hear, but she felt she needed to remind him of reality.

“Your Grace, all the painters at that gathering are more famous and recognized than I am. I still have a lot to learn, so being praised in front of them…”

“It doesn’t matter what others think. What matters is what I think of you.”

Lionel’s tone was firmer than ever. He spoke clearly to the surprised Clarette.

“My evaluation may seem laughable to those who know art, but their opinions aren’t the only truth. If I want to support you because I like your work, no one else has the right to interfere.”

Clarette was at a loss for words, quietly gazing into Lionel’s blue eyes. His intense gaze was full of conviction.

“In the end, this is a matter between you and me, and I want you to keep painting. That’s why, instead of giving you money, I’m offering you a place at the ducal residence. It’s the best solution for both of us.”

“…You mean it. You really intend to bring me into the ducal residence.”

Clarette confirmed his sincerity and closed her eyes for a moment. She had thought it was just a bluff to put the Marquis in his place, but he truly meant to follow through. The sudden proposal overwhelmed her.

“What made you decide this? You were considering ending my sponsorship before…”

“My mind changed after visiting your atelier.”

Lionel recalled the day he visited her.

Her past, heard at an outdoor café; the empty, lonely atelier; the unfinished sketches hidden away.

“Clarette, I hate the thought of you being alone in that empty atelier.”

That wasn’t the only reason. He listed the thoughts that had crossed his mind.

“I hate worrying that someone else might open the same window I did. I hate the idea that you might stop painting because of money. I hate that you have to put up with men like that, chasing every commission just to get by.”

As he spoke, he realized there were endless things he disliked. He frowned, troubled, and continued,

“I came to this party to ask Marquis Rembart to sponsor you. I thought someone who understood art could help you better than I could. But… in the end, I realized I have to do it myself.”

Lionel spoke carefully, not wanting to hurt her feelings.

“After seeing how you’re treated in that world with my own eyes, I couldn’t stand by.”

Clarette quietly caught her breath. The Duke seemed to pity her. Not wanting to burden him with her troubles, Clarette gently pushed his concern away.

“I truly appreciate your kindness. But please don’t worry too much. I’ve gotten by on my own, and I’m used to being treated like this. I wasn’t even hurt today. So…”

“So you’re saying you’re fine?”

Lionel asked again, as if he couldn’t understand.

“I wasn’t fine watching it happen—how could you be?”

Why was he getting angry for her sake? Clarette was confused by the Duke’s attitude. If it was just pity, he would have been satisfied by offering help.

Maybe it wasn’t just pity.

“For the record, this isn’t an order or a demand. It’s just a request. Please come live at the ducal residence—for my peace of mind.”

“But…”

“Don’t refuse.”

Lionel quickly blocked her escape.

“Of course, it’s just a request.”

Clarette quietly looked up at the Duke. His handsome lips had lost their smile and were pressed together. His gaze was earnest, and his usual relaxed manner was gone.

He was serious. That was what touched her heart.

“…It would be foolish to refuse such a generous offer.”

After a long silence, Clarette murmured. He was waiting for her definite answer.

She hesitated a little longer, then made her decision.

“I accept your proposal, Your Grace.”

“Then…”

“Yes. I’ll live at the ducal residence and paint.”

Imagining that unreal future, Clarette smiled at Duke Valentin.

“If it’s a painting you desire, Your Grace, I’ll paint anything.”