Chapter 16
“Miss, isn’t it nice to be outside for a change?”
“Mm. Yeah. It’s nice.”
Eyla took a deep breath. The subtle scent of paint drifting through the air on the breeze was surprisingly pleasant. It was a scent that lifted her mood naturally.
She also found it fun to see all the paintings and art supplies lining the street. Every building on either side was either an art supply store or a gallery, and even the rows of street vendors offered plenty to see.
“You look like you’re in a good mood, Miss.”
“Do I?”
“Yes. You seem happier than usual.”
Eyla nodded in agreement to Betty’s words.
“Maybe I am. I’m really excited right now. What should I do? I can’t control my expression at all.”
Eyla’s lips were lifted so high it looked like her smile could reach her ears. Seeing how genuinely happy she looked made Betty smile as well.
“But I’m still a bit disappointed.”
“Hmm? About what?”
“It’s been so long since your last outing. It would’ve been nice if you’d dressed up a little…”
“No, Betty. I’m so comfortable right now. I don’t have to worry about stepping on a dress or getting sore feet from high heels. If I wore the shoes I usually do, I wouldn’t last long walking around.”
Seeing Betty’s regretful expression, Eyla smiled to reassure her.
“Still… unlike Miss Louisa, you know exactly how to make yourself look plain. Ah! I didn’t mean you’re not pretty—you’re beautiful no matter what.”
Betty was truly disheartened. Just a little effort in dressing up would make Eyla stunning, yet she had no interest in such things. Betty had learned the latest hair trends, only to find them unused. It was frustrating.
In the end, she taught some of the styles to Louisa’s maid, and one day when she saw Louisa looking beautiful with one of them, she felt a surprising pang of jealousy.
“It’s fine. I’ve got family who love me, and I’ve got you, Betty. That’s enough.”
Eyla consoled her with a guilty smile.
She wasn’t oblivious to Betty’s feelings. Betty was talented with her hands and loved anything to do with beauty, and Eyla always felt sorry for not sharing that interest.
Betty forced a smile as Eyla gently patted her head.
“If you dressed up even a little, Miss, you’d be just as lovely as Miss Louisa or Miss Ellen…”
“Haha. Don’t be ridiculous. You’re too sweet, Betty. Thank you.”
Eyla brushed it off with a laugh, clearly not believing a word. That, too, saddened Betty.
She remembered a day a few years ago, shortly after coming to the Clarence estate. She had followed the young lady to a tea house for an errand, and there, she saw noblewomen decked out in fancy clothes and makeup.
“Wow… So pretty…”
“They are, right?”
“Yes. They’re so beautiful.”
“You don’t need to envy that kind of pretense, Betty. What matters is having a beautiful heart like yours. That’s what makes a truly attractive woman.”
Those kind words, spoken with a gentle smile, had made Eyla glow brighter than all the heavily adorned noble ladies.
And Betty had felt ashamed. She had grumbled about serving a strange young lady who was more interested in dull books and drawing than fashion.
But that was the day she vowed to serve this kind-hearted lady faithfully for the rest of her life. Still, moments like this made her feel small again.
“Well, since we’re out after so long, just leave everything to me!”
Betty walked ahead confidently, guiding Eyla through the streets.
With bright expressions, the two entered Manchester Street.
But only moments later, those bright faces were clouded with disappointment.
“That’s twenty places already—nothing.”
“…”
The higher the expectations, the greater the disappointment. Eyla let out a deep sigh.
While there were portraits of Crown Prince Frederick from childhood to adulthood, there were none of Prince Franz past the age of twelve.
“Seriously? He’s in all those photographs, but not a single painting?”
To be fair, there were portraits of Franz—but they were all of him as a child.
Back then, Queen Elisabeth had insisted on them, but once he was old enough to decide for himself, he refused. Not that Eyla could have known that.
Even she had to admit that Franz’s childhood portraits were adorable. His chubby cheeks were cute and charming. Slightly older versions were also displayed side by side.
Some people’s features change drastically as they grow, but in Franz’s case, traces of his current face were already visible. It made comparing the paintings surprisingly fun.
“Oh dear. What should we do?”
“It can’t be helped. Since we’re already out, let’s stop by the art supply store.”
“The art supply store?”
“Yeah. I’m out of some paints, and I need a new sketchbook.”
“Okay!”
Not far away was a shop called Majello, which sold art supplies. Inside, the walls were lined with various paints, brushes, palettes, canvases, easels, and more.
A young clerk recognized them and greeted them warmly.
“It’s been a while! I almost didn’t recognize you. Haha.”
Usually, Betty came alone. Seeing both of them together was a surprise and a delight.
“How have you been? I had errands to run today and figured I’d stop by to pick up a few things.”
“Of course. Feel free to browse. We’ve just got some new paint in—check the sample swatches for a better look at the colors.”
“Thanks.”
Eyla placed her leather organizer with her sketch notebook on the large table in the center and began browsing leisurely. Before she knew it, she was completely absorbed, her face lit up with a happy smile.
In the middle of browsing, she vaguely heard someone at the entrance say, “Welcome!”—but she was too distracted to pay attention.
While looking through the supplies, a unique canvas caught her eye, and her eyes sparkled.
“Raphael, I haven’t seen this canvas before.”
“Oh! That’s made from wood found only in the Northern Continent. This easel here is from the same brand, made from the same wood. It’s strong, from trees grown in cold climates, and this line is a premium limited edition.”
Raphael pointed to a glossy, solid-looking easel.
“I see.”
“Being top-grade, I assume the price is just as high?”
At Betty’s innocent question, Raphael smiled and whispered the price.
“Gasp!”
Betty’s jaw dropped. She quickly rushed over to Eyla and whispered in her ear. Eyla looked equally shocked.
“That much?”
“Wood from the Northern Continent is famous for its quality. And this is the best of the best.”
“That makes sense…”
“It’s so expensive that even professional artists rarely buy it. Only a few who work for high-ranking nobles have taken one.”
“I see…”
As much as she admired it, Eyla knew it wasn’t something she should covet.
“These, please.”
Originally, she only intended to buy some yellow paint and a sketchbook, but in her hands were three slightly varied shades of blue, a turquoise, and a small canvas. There were so many things she wanted, but she chose only what she truly needed.
“Thank you! Come again!”
With her purchases wrapped, Eyla left the store with Betty as Raphael saw them out.
As they exited Manchester Street, Eyla glanced back with lingering regret. She had momentarily forgotten her original goal, which now weighed heavily on her.
“Cheer up, Miss. At least you can still see the prince sometimes, so there’s still hope, right?”
“Yeah… I guess so.”
But could she really do it? She didn’t feel confident. Her slumped shoulders reflected in a shop window.
“What a sight I am.”
She let out a sigh that was part laughter at herself.
“No. Don’t overthink it. The opportunity will come. Be brave!”
She straightened her shoulders, giving herself a little pep talk. Just as she was about to resume walking with renewed vigor, a familiar silhouette caught her eye.
“Gasp.”
She turned her head abruptly in shock. Hoping she wasn’t mistaken, she looked again—and there he was, Prince Franz, walking calmly down the street, basking in the attention of those around him.
“No way. It really is him…?”
She murmured in disbelief.
“Huh? M-Miss! Over there!”
Betty’s eyes nearly popped out of her head. To think she’d see Prince Franz in person after only seeing him in newspapers!
“Shh!”
Eyla pressed a finger to her lips.
“Y-Yes. Shhh.”
Betty mirrored the gesture.
“Let’s follow him.”
She had told herself the opportunity would come—but she hadn’t expected it to come this quickly.
“This is a chance from heaven! Thank you, God!”
