Chapter 39
His tone suggested that, while there were parts he didn’t like, he would magnanimously let it pass. He tore the drawing of himself out of the sketchbook and took it with him.
Watching her drawing get taken right before her eyes, Aniella stared blankly at his retreating back. Perhaps because the dark clouds had parted and the sun was out. The back of his head, bathed in sunlight, looked pleasantly content.
After that, whenever Paiki made eye contact with Aniella, he would openly curl the corners of his mouth into a smile.
“You can draw while looking at me.”
“Huh?”
“However skilled an artist may be, shouldn’t they draw while observing? So, I’m granting you permission to draw while looking.”
She hadn’t planned to draw Paiki again, but since he was willingly giving his permission…
One drawing, two drawings. The number of Paiki’s portraits increased. Thanks to that, the time they spent together became much greater than before, and they reached a point where they exchanged all sorts of trivial small talk.
“Did you always draw at home too?”
“No. I only drew when I was very young. I haven’t had the leisure to draw since then.”
A smile hung on Aniella’s lips as she diligently applied color with her pastels. Paiki, who was posing with his chin propped up so she could draw his profile, watched her out of the corner of his eye. Well-rested and well-fed, she had gained a pleasing plumpness, and her complexion was so translucent it seemed to glow.
Suddenly, as if remembering something, Aniella lifted her head. Paiki averted his gaze as if caught staring.
“Your Grace, why is it always either day or night here?”
“That’s a strange question. What else is there besides that?”
“A day isn’t just split into two, you know. For example, there are times when the sun gradually rises or sets.”
Although limited, since being allowed to go outside, she could draw more scenery. But it was always midday. The unchanging landscape felt somewhat monotonous.
If she could see a sunset, she could use more varied colors. Feeling regretful, Aniella broached the subject, hoping against hope.
Paiki untangled his hands and looked straight at her.
“Do you have any idea how many calculations are required to magically implement the slow passage of time?”
His tone was dripping with annoyance. Flustered, Aniella waved her hands dismissively. She had no way of knowing whether it was a troublesome task or not. He seemed to switch between day and night so effortlessly, so she had assumed it would be similar, but it seemed she was mistaken.
Aniella, who had been brightly and happily drawing, became dejected, her shoulders slumping.
“I’m sorry for saying something unnecessary. Please forgive me. I didn’t know.”
“If you want to see a sunset, don’t give up; find a way to persuade me.”
The man spoke arrogantly. She couldn’t tell if he was encouraging or scolding her, but Aniella felt it was closer to the latter. How was she supposed to persuade him? What could she possibly say?
Aniella could only apologize in a small voice. He let out a sigh and stood up. She didn’t even dare to look at Paiki. Fixing her gaze on the table and fidgeting with the innocent pastels, her surroundings suddenly changed.
It wasn’t that the objects had changed. The table and sketchbook were still there, but the light streaming in through the large window had changed. She lifted her head to check outside and broke into a wide smile.
As she approached the window next to Paiki and opened it, the sky, tinged with a red sunset over the forest, unfolded before her. It was beautiful. As if she were seeing a sunset for the first time in her life, she felt overwhelmed with emotion.
After gazing outside for a long while, Aniella temporarily tore her eyes from the scenery and looked back at him. The man standing beside her had his arms crossed, his fingers twitching incessantly as if performing calculations.
A sharply defined nose, and eyes that seemed to see right through everything. She had always thought he was very handsome, but carried a coldness that made it difficult to meet his gaze freely.
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