When Klaus was scheming something.
Lena was excitedly talking with Richard about the museum.
“Last month, there was a really wonderful painting in the young artists’ corner! It was a mirror image painting, but it was so mesmerizingly mysterious and beautiful, I felt like I could be drawn right into it!”
“Wow, that sounds great! I wanted to see it too!”
Richard’s eyes sparkled as he slightly pouted his lips. His gesture was so adorable that Lena felt her heart tighten.
Richard noticed Lena’s presence about fifteen minutes after Klaus left the room for a meeting.
At first, Richard was surprised to see Lena sitting on the sofa, but once Lena explained her name and situation, he nodded as if he understood immediately.
—Sorry for causing trouble for you, brother.
With a somewhat troubled expression, Richard looked more mature than his ten years, which made Lena feel a strange sense of dissonance.
However, as soon as the topic shifted to paintings, he became completely absorbed, and his previously guarded expression softened into one that was more childlike and innocent, which Lena found adorable.
Richard listened intently, not missing even the smallest detail of Lena’s words, as if he loved painting that much.
The conversation moved to Lena’s own artwork, and Richard asked where she had seen that sky.
“It was in our territory. It was during the transition from autumn to winter, and it was so beautiful that I decided I’d try to paint it someday. But my memory is a bit fuzzy, so it might be a little different from the actual sky.”
“But I think that’s what made it such a lovely painting! It feels like the real sky, but also like you’re looking at a different world—such a mysterious feeling.”
“Really? Sometimes my hopeless memory is useful after all!”
Lena chuckled softly, and Richard replied seriously, “It’s rude to call yourself hopeless,” then suddenly broke into a cheerful smile.
“What other kinds of paintings have you done?”
“Well… I sketched several pictures of our carriage horses. Our horses are handsome, you know. Very sharp-looking.”
“I’ve never heard of a handsome horse before!”
“It’s true. Their eyes are sharp, their manes are fluffy, and they’re really popular with the other horses!”
“Wow, I want to see that!”
“Please do! Come anytime! Our horses would be happy too!”
“Really? Well, I think I’ll go then!”
At that moment, the door to Richard’s room was quietly opened.
“Richard,” called Klaus.
When Klaus’s face appeared, Richard’s cheerful expression slightly changed. Lena immediately recognized that it was a deliberate act.
(Mysterious… Even though they’re siblings, there’s a bit of distance between them.)
Klaus clearly cared about Richard. It was obvious that he treasured him. But somehow, he also felt somewhat formal—like he was treating him like a stranger—and Lena wondered if it was because Richard’s expression lacked the usual childlike innocence.
Klaus seemed to notice this too, and with a subtle, almost imperceptible change in his expression, he entered the room.
“It looks like you’re having a good time.”
“Yes. Thank you for bringing Lena, brother.”
“You’re welcome. I need to talk with Lena for a moment. Can I borrow her?”
“Of course.”
Richard nodded obediently, exemplary of a well-behaved child, and Klaus told Lena to leave the room.
Feeling puzzled about what was happening, Lena was led back to Klaus’s room.
“Sorry to interrupt during your conversation. I have a favor to discuss with you,” Klaus said.
“A favor?”
It was strange—what could a noble like Klaus, from a family that wasn’t even particularly prestigious, want with a daughter of a count’s family?
“Some paperwork.”
Klaus called out, and his attendant brought over a document. It was placed on the table and Lena glanced at it casually—it was an employment contract.
“I want to hire you. Yes, how about as a teacher for my brother’s art lessons? I understand you’re busy, so the work would be twice a week, about three hours in the afternoon.”
“I don’t have the skill to teach others,” Lena replied.
Actually, she thought Richard was far more talented at painting. There was nothing she could teach him.
“It’s not about teaching technical skills. I just want you to spend time with Richard and paint together—that’s all.”
“Uh… I see…”
Lena wondered what exactly made her a suitable teacher. She still didn’t understand, but Klaus didn’t seem to be joking.
“As compensation, how about one gold coin per day?”
“One gold coin?!”
“Is that cheap?”
“No way!”
In fact, it was way too high. Who in their right mind would pay a gold coin just for three hours of painting?
Lena was stunned, but Klaus seemed to have judged that the amount was acceptable, and his attendant prepared a pen and ink.
“Sign here if you agree.”
“Eh, wait a minute…”
She hadn’t even agreed to take the job yet, but Klaus seemed determined to hire Lena no matter what.
(What is this? Is this a dream? There’s no way such an ideal situation could happen…)
Lena wanted a job. And the job offered was unbelievably well-paid and favorable, and the client was the prince himself. Lena couldn’t understand what was happening.
“Please, I need your help,” Klaus pressed on.
Unable to refuse, Lena’s trembling hand grasped the pen.
(What is this… Today is definitely the best day of my life, even if only by a little!)
Meeting her admired Klaus, finding a job, and that job having the best conditions she’d ever seen—Lena, somewhat dazed, signed her name tremblingly on the contract, her signature slightly crooked.
~·~·*· . ·**##^^##**· . ·*·~·~
Hey there, It’s Green Rose 😉
Since I human I might have make some mistakes while translating so please if you find them let me know here in the comments or in the Discord group so I can correct them and be careful in the future so they do not repeat.
Thank you so much for reading, I hope you enjoyed this chapter.
~~~Next Chapter~~~
Next chapter will be released on September, 27.
See you then!!
