“It’s already been a month…”
Chancellor Duke Klaus Adelbard looked at the calendar and let out a sigh. All the past dates on the calendar had been marked with an “X,” and today marked the thirtieth day.
“Send this to His Majesty. Today’s work is done.”
After handing the documents to his aide and checking his schedule for the rest of the day, the aide responded that he had free time afterward. Klaus nodded, stood up from his desk, and headed straight to his youngest brother’s room.
“Richard, I’m coming in.”
He knocked on the door of his 10-year-old brother’s room, which was fifteen years his junior, but received no answer. Klaus hesitated for a moment and then opened the door after giving a polite warning.
Inside, his younger brother, Richard, stood by the window leaning against a canvas, completely absorbed in painting. The smell of oil paints filled the room, and scattered around were completed paintings.
(As focused as ever…)
When Richard was deeply engrossed, no matter how much Klaus tried to speak to him, he received no reaction at all. Reluctantly, Klaus sat on the sofa and watched his brother’s profile as he painted.
Elvis, Richard’s aide, called a maid to prepare a tea set for Klaus. Knowing that once Richard started painting, he would remain absorbed for a while, Klaus wore a faint, wry smile.
His gaze fell on the scattered paintings on the floor, and he furrowed his brow slightly. The delicate, beautiful paintings, which didn’t seem like they were made by a 10-year-old child, were impressive. Among them was a landscape of the castle’s garden viewed from a window, but for some reason, Richard’s paintings made it look many times more beautiful and vibrant than when he saw it with his own eyes.
(So this is how he perceives it… This child truly has a rich sensitivity. Too rich, even…)
He was delicate and perceptive of the subtle nuances of human emotion, making him easily hurt. But Klaus knew that Richard also had a fierce, passionate side. He was so intelligent and talented that even Klaus himself was in awe.
If only Richard had the same thick skin as George, he might have become a great king.
Among the four brothers, Richard was the most suited for kingship. His father, Ernesto, a renowned ruler who abdicated, once called Richard the best among his sons. However, at some point, Richard withdrew into his shell.
Klaus, knowing the cause, felt ashamed that he hadn’t been able to protect his brother’s heart. He regretted it deeply and wished he could heal Richard’s emotional wounds. But he also understood that, no matter how much he tried, it would be difficult as long as Richard remained in the castle.
(He’s painting abstract art now…)
It was unusual for Richard, who mostly painted landscapes. Curious, Klaus peeked at the canvas from a distance, and suddenly Richard put down his brush and let out a melancholic sigh.
“Are you stuck?”
Klaus asked, and Richard turned around as if surprised.
“Big brother? You’re here?”
“Not long ago.”
Richard had the same silver hair as Klaus but, unlike Klaus’s blue eyes, his were a beautiful navy. His eyes widened in surprise, and he walked over to the sofa, sitting down across from Klaus.
“You could have said something if you wanted to talk.”
“I did. You just didn’t notice.”
“Sorry about that…”
Richard shrugged, perhaps aware that when he was focused, he couldn’t see what was around him. Elvis then prepared a tea set for Richard. After wiping his hands with a damp towel, Richard took a cookie and put it in his mouth.
“Is something the matter?”
“No, not really… it’s just…”
It had been a month since Richard secluded himself in his room. Though he rarely went outside, Klaus thought it would be good to come up with some excuse to take him out, but no good reason came to mind. Richard was staring intently at Klaus’s face, then suddenly smiled softly.
“Thank you for worrying about me, big brother.”
“Yeah…”
Klaus, unable to express himself well, had made his younger brother worry. Feeling self-disgust and regret, he decided to cut straight to the point without beating around the bush.
“Richard, is there anywhere you want to go? I have free time this afternoon. If there’s a place you want to visit, I’ll take you.”
“Hmmm… not particularly…”
“Sometimes, a little outing can help you draw better pictures.”
“Maybe so…”
Richard glanced back at the half-finished canvas.
“Honestly, the painting I’m working on doesn’t feel quite right…”
“In that case, you should go outside more,”
Klaus, who was usually unsuccessful in getting Richard out, noticed a glimmer of hesitation. This time, he sensed a real opportunity. If he played his cards right, Richard might agree.
“Anywhere is fine. A park, a theater—anywhere you like.”
“Hmmm…”
Richard briefly looked back at the painting.
“I suppose the picture I’m working on isn’t quite right…”
“Then it’s even more reason to get outside,”
Klaus saw Richard’s small hesitation and didn’t miss it. This was more promising than usual. If he persuaded him well, he might get a positive response.
“Anywhere you want. I’ll take you to the park, the theater, anywhere.”
“The south river in the capital is probably passing by some migrating birds soon.”
“Fufu, big brother, you love birds, don’t you? Since you finally have some free time, don’t worry about me—go see them.”
Oh no, I messed up the way I invited him. Klaus internally groaned but knew he couldn’t back down now. Sitting in his room for an entire month was too unhealthy, and today he was determined to get Richard out no matter what.
As Klaus was panicking inwardly, Elvis, sensing the urgency, cut in.
“By the way, the new artist contest exhibition at the museum has started, right?”
Richard suddenly looked up with a start.
(Elvis, as always, is sharp!)
It was a bit frustrating that Klaus’s aide knew Richard’s tastes better than he did, but Klaus figured he’d better go along with it.
“The exhibition lasts for a month. We’d better go soon or we’ll miss it. You wanted to see it, right?”
“Yeah…”
For the first time, hesitation appeared on Richard’s face. It was clear he was wavering. Just a little more now.
“While we’re at it, let’s buy some paints from the art supplies store near the museum. I want that blue-green color made from a certain mineral…”
Malachite, I have some, but it’s running low.
“Alright, let’s buy it. And if there’s anything else you want, I’ll get that too.”
“Maybe I’d like some new brushes as well.”
“Got it.”
Klaus silently cheered inwardly. At last, Richard was willing to go outside after a whole month.
“Then, let’s change into your clothes. They’re stained with paint, after all.”
Elvis chuckled softly as he helped Richard get dressed. Klaus, watching his younger brother, who was busy slipping into a new shirt, thought to himself that no one would ever guess he was struggling with his little brother, who was feared as the “Ice Chancellor.”
~·~·* . * . *·~·~
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, 16.
See you then!!
