Chapter 46

The first time for everything is always the hardest.

As Clarette watched the Duke sit on the sofa and undress, she realized that his demeanor had become much more comfortable than before.

“Is it alright if I pose the same way as last time?”

“Yes, just drape your arm over the backrest, please.”

With just a few words exchanged, he soon struck the same pose as when she first sketched him. Clarette’s gaze lingered for a moment on Lionel’s firm upper arms and straight collarbone. His body was still as beautiful and impressive as ever.

“I’ll start drawing now, Your Grace. Please stay just as you are.”

After that, a quiet silence filled the room. Only the sound of Clarette drawing lines with charcoal and rubbing the paper echoed between them.

She focused calmly, but still listened closely, wondering if he might speak to her.

However, the Duke, unlike usual, kept his mouth shut and merely lowered his gaze.

‘Strange. For His Grace not to say a single word.’

It seemed his mind was elsewhere. Whenever Clarette glanced at his indifferent face, she felt a little disappointed.

‘It must be because I called him out when he’s busy. He probably wants to return to the study.’

Since his visit to the mines, it seemed he was seriously pushing ahead with some business.

Clarette thought about the enormous debts the Duke had to repay. She began to feel guilty, as if she had made an unreasonable request.

“Your Grace, aren’t you tired?”

When she finally spoke, the Duke looked up at her. He had been lost in thought, but he smiled awkwardly and replied.

“Sorry, Clarette. Is my posture too sloppy?”

“No, your pose is fine. That’s not what I meant…. I just wondered if today’s session was too much.”

“Why?”

“It’s just, you seem a bit different than usual. Do you have something important on your mind?”

Clarette secretly hoped the Duke would say no. She felt childish for having such hopes. As she quickly regretted her words, Lionel, who had watched her quietly, answered in a soft voice.

“Yes, there is something important. Lately, I’ve been so focused on that I haven’t managed anything else. All sorts of gatherings, and even my promises to you.”

“Then maybe we should stop here for today….”

“Don’t feel sorry for me.”

Lionel firmly interrupted her. He turned to Clarette, who had stopped drawing, and spoke clearly.

“Don’t worry about me. Do whatever you want. If there’s something you want, ask for it boldly.”

“But….”

“This is an equal contract, Clarette. If there’s something you need from me, speak up and take what you want.”

Lionel looked into Clarette’s green eyes and added,

“After all, I’ll insist on what I want until the end too. Isn’t that only fair?”

He always made his desires clear. Realizing this again, Clarette blushed and turned her head.

Take what she wanted? She mulled over his words as she looked at her sketches so far.

The Duke of Valentin she drew today was deep in thought, gaze lowered. His bare body was as magnificent as before, but in the picture, he seemed troubled.

Clarette gently furrowed her brow.

‘I… didn’t want to draw His Grace like this.’

With resolve, she set aside her sketchbook. She immediately got up and returned with a large canvas.

Placing the pristine canvas on the easel, she looked at the Duke.

“Your Grace, then please let me draw for even longer tonight. I want to finish the sketch now. It might go past midnight.”

“Alright. I can hold this pose as long as you need.”

Lionel readily agreed to her request. Settling comfortably on the sofa, Clarette spoke to him in a clear voice.

“And please keep your face turned toward me. You can think about whatever you want, but keep your gaze on me.”

“Like now?”

Meeting Lionel’s blue eyes, Clarette finally felt everything was just right.

“Yes, just like now.”

She nodded and adjusted her grip on the charcoal. She intended to do as he said and take what she wanted.

No matter how busy the Duke was, or how great his debts, those were not her first concern.

As the painter of the Valentin Duchy, her foremost goal was to create a great painting.

That was all she needed to focus on.

Clarette began to draw the Duke’s perfect body and face with increasing speed. Once she cleared her mind of complicated thoughts, her heart and hands felt lighter.

As the night deepened, and she finally faced the Duke reborn on the canvas, she realized something.

Clarette liked the way the Duke looked at her. That joyful, relaxed gaze. And the subtle desire shining in his honest eyes.

She liked it even more than the body she had so desperately wanted at first.

She finished her sketch around 1 a.m.

“Thank you, Your Grace. It’s done now.”

When she finally put down the charcoal, the Duke relaxed and let out a long breath. Clarette wiped her hands with a handkerchief she had prepared and looked at him.

Six whole hours. She had stubbornly held onto him tonight, knowing it would be hard for him. Seeing his drowsy eyes, Clarette felt a pang of guilt.

“Your Grace, I’m sorry. I kept you for too long….”

“Clarette, please.”

The Duke, tired but amused, shook his head gently.

“I told you not to apologize. If it was really too much, I would’ve given up long ago.”

He cracked his arms and massaged them, glancing at her.

“So don’t apologize—just praise me. Tell me I did well.”

Seeing his usual relaxed demeanor, Clarette couldn’t help but smile.

“You did well, Your Grace. You really did.”

Lionel smiled contentedly and stretched his stiff body. He thought he should get back to exercising—horse riding, boxing, swimming, anything.

If his body looked even better, Clarette would become even more obsessed with him.

“From now on, I’ll be making paint for coloring. Since the sketch is done.”

Meanwhile, Clarette tidied up and spoke cheerfully. Her gaze was now fixed on the Duke in her canvas.

“I have to make paint every day to color it properly. Of course, I’ll need your help too. I won’t need to work for so long when coloring, since the paint is limited anyway.”

“Oh, do you need me for the coloring too?”

“Yes, it’s better to paint while looking at you.”

Lionel recalled that she had to mix pigment and oil herself to make oil paint. Since it was hard to store, and to avoid wasting what she made, he realized he’d have to spend every night with her from now on.

Happily so.

“Clarette, I’m curious about one thing.”

“Yes, what is it?”

“I wonder how I’m being drawn.”

As soon as he said that, Clarette’s face grew tense. Lionel realized his mistake, but carefully continued.

“That sketch—can I see it?”

Clarette couldn’t answer right away and just stared at the canvas. Lionel saw a familiar look in her wavering eyes.

Her expression was like the day he’d unexpectedly entered her house: uncertain, embarrassed, even a bit anxious.

Just as Lionel suspected, she hesitated before finally answering.

“I’m sorry, Your Grace. I plan to touch up the sketch before coloring. So, I’ll show you just before coloring… or after I’ve finished everything. So, if you could wait just a little longer….”

“That’s fine, Clarette. It doesn’t have to be now. Just show me someday.”

Lionel was reminded once again of how meticulous she was about her art. Unlike him, who acted on impulse, Clarette was almost a perfectionist.

She always wanted to do better and was strict with herself.

In the past, Lionel might have found that tiresome. But now, he admired her pursuit of perfection.

That’s how she had come so far.

“Then, Clarette.”

After putting on his trousers, Lionel called her. When their eyes met, he playfully gestured to the sofa as he put on his shirt.

“Now, will you come here?”