Chapter 176
“Macy’s landscape paintings have more charm in the brushstrokes than the portraits. They show a unique emotional depth that only a painter like you could convey. So, for the remaining piece, would it be possible to submit a landscape painting?”
“Yes, of course. I think I can manage to paint one new piece, given the schedule.”
So, Macy decided to create a new landscape painting.
Prince Benedict said he wanted to personally oversee the process of the painting, from the sketch to the final completion. Macy readily agreed.
If she was to pursue an artistic career in Ciseina, she knew it was important that her reputation was favorable, regardless of how well-known she was in Obelit.
To get ahead, no one could be better suited than Prince Benedict.
However, to continue meeting with him and showing her work, she would need Morgan’s help. To leave the cabin, she had to travel by his carriage.
‘This is the last time, so I’ve got to make sure I do it right…’
As she made her way back to the cabin, Macy spent the entire journey pondering. Finally, she spoke to Morgan, telling him about Prince Benedict’s offer and asking for his help.
“Is it really possible to become the court painter of Ciseina?”
“Yes. Prince Benedict himself said so! He’s the head of the Royal Academy of Art!”
Morgan was initially taken aback but then looked slightly suspicious.
“I knew Prince Benedict was the head of the Royal Academy of Art, but asking you to keep it a secret from the Duke makes me uneasy.”
“Well, the thing is…”
If Morgan didn’t know about what had happened with Eren, it was understandable to feel that way. Macy hesitated for a moment but eventually confessed everything to him.
“So, this time, I want to tell the Duke when the results come in. Otherwise, I feel like I won’t be able to do anything at all…”
“Ugh, the Duke… really.”
After hearing her out, Morgan sighed with regret and said:
“Alright. You haven’t done anything wrong. I’ll help you.”
“Thank you so much, Morgan! I really appreciate it!”
“But remember, you can only meet with the Prince in an official capacity. If anything happens between you two, it’s over for me with the Duke—over!”
“That won’t happen. You know how much I care about the Duke.”
“That’s true.”
With a helper by her side and an idea of what to paint for the new landscape, everything seemed to fall into place.
Macy, excited, painted all through the night. It was the thrill of creating again after such a long time. By the next day, she had completed the sketch and went to meet Prince Benedict first thing in the morning, claiming she was going for early mass.
“Already finished the sketch? I’ve heard you’re fast, but this is incredible.”.
“I’m not always this quick… only when things are going well!”
Macy was a bit shy from the compliment and responded modestly.
“Well, shall I see the painting you did when things were going well?”
Benedict, with a soft smile, began to unwrap the cloth that covered the painting.
No matter how confident one was in their work, showing it to someone always made them nervous. Macy swallowed a dry gulp as she watched him.
As the cloth slowly peeled back, he could see the painting more clearly, and Benedict’s hands slowed. His expression seemed a little uncertain.
“Could you briefly explain what you’ve painted?”
“Um, well… it’s the most famous thing in Leden—”
“Oh, no, that’s not what I meant. What were you thinking when you painted it?”
Macy was caught off guard, not used to explaining her work, and fell into thought for a moment. Then, in a serious voice, she replied.
“It was the happiest memory I’ve had recently.”
“Ah…”
“It might even be just a happy imagination. It was something that only existed in my head at the time.”
Macy gazed quietly at her painting, feeling the warmth of the memory from that day come flooding back. The wind, the temperature, the sounds, and the face of that person, all vividly etched into her mind.
“I see. I understand…”
“Is it… not very good?”
Macy asked nervously, sensing an ambiguity in his reaction.
“No, not at all. The composition and the subject are great. It could help establish you as a painter from Obelit. You’ve done well.”
Benedict’s smile felt oddly bitter to Macy. He stared at one part of the painting for a long while before wrapping it up again.
‘He must have noticed something, even though I thought I hid it well.’
Macy felt as though she’d unintentionally done something wrong.
‘But, I guess it’s okay to draw lines where needed.’
Not wanting to acknowledge Benedict’s somewhat bitter expression, Macy quickly grabbed the painting and left the carriage.
* * *
“Brr, it’s cold.”
“Yeah, it’s even colder since the sun hasn’t come up yet.”
Macy entered the cabin shivering, with Morgan carrying her painting right behind her.
“You’re back.”
Dia came out of the kitchen, drying her hands on her apron.
“Yes, it’s freezing outside. I think winter is coming.”
“You two should warm yourselves by the fireplace.”
“Yes.”
“Oh, and by the way, the Duke arrived earlier.”
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