(Although I managed to win a prize, it’s not the grand prize, so getting hired as a painter will be difficult…)
Lena propped her chin on the windowsill and let out a deep sigh.
She had entered an art contest, but her result was an honorable mention. She was grateful for the hundred silver coins in prize money, but unlike the grand prize—which guaranteed her a year of her paintings being displayed at the museum and the promise of purchasing five of her paintings—honorable mention winners had their artworks returned after the exhibition period ended.
If a buyer was found during the exhibition, that was different, but even then, no promise was made for her future success.
I was quite confident about this. The path to becoming a painter still feels so distant…
It seems that the road to becoming an artist is steeper and more difficult than I thought.
But I can’t give up now. I must become a painter by any means necessary, so I can support myself until Alex inherits the count’s estate.
“Perhaps I should bring my paintings directly to someone?”
If she took her paintings to the museum, maybe she could get a spot in the corner of the exhibit space for emerging artists. Since they also sell artworks in that space, repeated exhibitions might attract buyers, and among those buyers, someone might offer to hire her exclusively as a painter. …Is that being too naive?
As Lena looked out the window, pondering her next move, she saw a carriage unlike any she had seen before pull up in front of the house. It was a glossy black carriage, clearly of high quality.
Did any of my father’s guests use such an expensive carriage?
She wondered vaguely, but her father was someone who held the title of count, so he probably had a wealthy friend or two. Probably.
Anyway, what should she do next? Now that she had the prize money, she could buy art supplies, but using expensive paints without a purpose would be a waste.
If she kept painting freely, even with a hundred silver coins, it wouldn’t last long.
She wondered if, by some stroke of luck, someone might see her work and approach her.
Suddenly, there was a knock at the door, and a flustered Catherine burst in.
“Miss! Something terrible has happened!”
“What is it? Did your father slip and get hurt?”
“No, but he looks like he might faint at any moment!”
“Huh? No way?”
Could it be that her usually lively father had fallen ill?
“Is something wrong with your father?”
“No, it’s not that…! Anyway, miss, please get ready quickly!”
“Get ready?”
While Lena was still puzzled, Catherine yanked off her house dress and swiftly dressed her in what was the most expensive gown she had.
“Wait a moment, just what is going on…”
“Th-The messenger from the castle, from His Royal Highness the Crown Prince, is here!”
“Huh?”
“He wants to see you! Hurry up and do your makeup!”
“E-eh?!”
Surely this must be some mistake.
Why would a messenger from the Crown Prince come to see Lena?
“Who exactly is the messenger from the Crown Prince?”
Catherine gripped her makeup brush tightly, her breathing shallow from nervousness, and shouted.
“He is a messenger from His Highness Prince Klaus!”
“…What did you say?”
Lena’s mouth fell open in shock.
~·~·* . *^.^* . *·~·~
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 August, 30.
See you then!!
