Chapter 56
“Unnie, what are you thinking about so seriously?”
“Hm?”
“What are you thinking about that your face is all red and so serious?”
Iella jumped slightly, as if she had been caught doing something bad.
“Thinking? It’s nothing…!”
“No, you’ve been staring off into space a lot these days.”
“……”
“Is it something you can’t talk about?”
“No, it’s fine.”
Iella smiled casually as if nothing was wrong and answered lightly.
“Are you really sure it’s fine?”
Despite Louisa’s repeated question, Iella just kept saying it was fine. Honestly, it wasn’t really fine, but she didn’t voice that.
“Well, it’s true. Work’s been a bit hectic lately. And there’s been a lot of talking. That’s why the atmosphere at home has been a bit tense too.”
“Sorry.”
“Sorry? Why would you apologize? I’m actually happy about it. Honestly, when Mother kept pressuring you about marriage, I was always nervous, but these days she doesn’t say a word.”
Iella smiled faintly, thinking about her mother. It was true that the pressure to marry had lessened, but recently it seemed replaced by sharp looks instead.
‘Has Prince Franz said anything to you, Louisa?’
‘Not at all. He doesn’t even pay attention to me.’
After hearing about Prince Franz from Louisa, Iella had clung to hope, even while thinking it might be impossible. Even if it wasn’t the prince, the idea of finding a good match for Iella and seeing her happy made her feel good.
“‘They say Prince Franz was very kind to our Iella, darling.’”
“‘Ahem. Just be careful so no strange rumors spread.’”
“‘Strange rumors? Since that day, young men courting Iella have increased. That’s a good sign.’”
“‘Better to be careful than sorry. Iella, you understand what I mean, right?’”
“Yes, Father.”
Her father’s face, repeating caution, was gentler than usual. Not only family, but even the mansion’s staff, who usually considered Iella a quirky young lady, had begun to look at her differently. Betty even called her an idol.
Seeing Iella grow more beautiful day by day, Betty couldn’t help but feel both pride and joy.
Sometimes, no matter how much one tries, the heart doesn’t follow. That’s how human emotions work.
Even though she knew she should give up, it wasn’t easy. Her feelings for Franz grew stronger, something Iella had not expected as this was her first time liking someone.
Since becoming aware of her feelings, Iella started avoiding Franz. They were both too busy to see each other often anyway. As a result, on the days she went to Grenville, she often only had time to work on his portrait.
Despite her distracted mind, the portrait work was going smoothly. This was thanks to the wooden mannequin sitting in the wing chair in Franz’s place. On the first day, it perfectly replicated Franz’s appearance.
She had asked Hans for help to work efficiently, and he had prepared it by the next day, so she could work at any time comfortably.
One day, a large box arrived for Iella. The Rose Festival was nearing its end.
Reading in the small sitting room attached to her bedroom, Iella looked up at the knock.
“A delivery for the young lady. And these are today’s letters.”
The footman held a fairly large box, a blue one tied neatly with a silver ribbon. It looked lavish, suggesting an expensive item inside.
Curious, Iella spoke to the servant.
“Bring it here.”
After placing the box carefully, the footman left the room.
“Betty, was there a letter indicating who sent it?”
“No. Maybe it’s inside the box?”
“Hm… who could it be?”
Iella hesitated briefly, then untied the ribbon and opened the box.
Inside was a familiar dress from Madame de Dupont—an apricot-colored off-shoulder gown. She had been embarrassed the first time she tried it on, but now it looked beautiful.
Iella stared at the dress, too surprised to speak.
“Wow!”
Betty, full of anticipation, admired the gown.
“Miss, it’s beautiful! There are also shoes, a fan, and a reticule!”
While inspecting the box, Betty found a card.
“Ah! Miss, there’s a letter here.”
Iella took the letter and read the short note, written in neat, elegant handwriting:
Don’t be nervous, Iella.
You can do it.
Wishing for you to be more beautiful than anyone,
Franz Princeton
It felt like a stone had been placed on her chest, heavy and suffocating. She took a deep breath, hoping it would ease the fluttering in her heart.
“Phew.”
Repeating this a few times made her feel a bit better.
“Are you feeling unwell?”
“I’m fine.”
“You don’t look well. Shall I call a doctor?”
“No, I’ll be fine soon.”
“Who sent it? What gentleman would do this, Miss?”
“Betty.”
“Yes, Miss?”
“Could you put the box away?”
“Eh? Oh, yes. I’ll put it in the bedroom.”
“Good.”
Betty, still puzzled, didn’t ask anything further and moved the box.
Iella, unable to focus on her book and with her mind in turmoil, went to her bedroom to work on the portrait.
“I’ll help you.”
Betty helped her put on an apron and watched her carefully.
“You’re going to paint?”
“The paint dried, so I need to add more layers.”
“Oh…”
After hesitating for a moment, Betty spoke.
“Miss, I hope you don’t sell this portrait.”
“What?”
Startled, Iella turned around. It was as if Betty could read her thoughts—the growing attachment to the portrait.
“Why do you feel that way?”
“I don’t know. The previous paintings were great, but this one is so perfect… maybe because it’s Prince Franz. It feels too precious.”
She smiled awkwardly after speaking.
“Betty, you know that’s impossible.”
“Yes, I know. You didn’t originally plan to do this, but you had to for Miss Zieberman.”
“That’s right.”
“Miss, don’t worry about my words. It’s just that the prince in the painting is so perfect that it made me think that way.”
Iella smiled bitterly and gently patted Betty’s head.
“Thank you.”
“It’s an honor to be the first to see your painting, Miss. I’ll leave you to work. I’ll call you when it’s dinner time.”
“Alright.”
After Betty left, Iella stood before the easel.
Prince Franz, posed with his ceremonial sword, looked haughty yet elegant. Both portraits—one at Grenville and this one—captured Franz perfectly, yet seeing him here made her heart ache as if it weren’t right.
‘You have no right to hurt or like him. Once it’s finished, you’ll return to being alone. That’s enough.’
Throwing herself into work, she ignored all other thoughts. Soon, there were no sounds and no distractions.
Iella’s fast work pace ensured Franz’s image became more and more perfect with each layer.
“Miss, why do you look like this?”
Seeing Iella’s pale face, Betty asked worriedly.
Iella sat against the bed head, looking exhausted, as if she hadn’t slept.
“Did something trouble you?”
“No.”
“No! I know when you’re troubled, you can’t sleep a wink!”
Iella gave a faint smile, saying nothing. Betty had struck the truth.
“I shouldn’t be sitting here. You need to attend the festival ball tonight. I’ll go fetch a compress pack. Rest a bit in the meantime.”
As Betty fussed and left, Iella sighed again.
Attending the ball, being escorted by the prince, and watching fireworks would have consequences even greater than the previous class trip. And Allen Zieberman, who liked the prince, wouldn’t stay idle.
She had expected this, she had prepared for this, yet why did her heart ache so much? Her heart ached as if being torn out.
Closing her eyes, she thought of the days since realizing her feelings for Prince Franz—days filled with regret.
She had struggled all night deciding whether to keep her promise with him, ultimately deciding not to.
Her head understood, but her heart could not accept it. The pain kept her awake all night.
Can a person’s heart change so much?
Though she had initially approached him for selfish reasons, her feelings for the prince were genuine.
That was the real problem. Just as the portrait commissioned by Allen Zieberman was tainted, so too were her feelings—not entirely proper in front of the prince.
