“Listen carefully, and make sure you don’t mess up. You’re surprisingly careless, after all.”
With those stern words from her father, Regina boarded the waiting carriage.
She was wearing a light green dress, a birthday gift from Betty, and around her neck was a lace ribbon, a present from Alex.
Her blond hair, tinged with a reddish hue, was styled in a half-updo and secured with a ruby hair ornament, a keepsake from her mother.
(Oh, I’m so nervous…)
Duke Klaus Adelbard, the Ice Chancellor.
His icy gaze, as sharp as icicles, and his words, cutting and relentless. His profile, never smiling, is rumored to resemble an exquisitely crafted plaster statue—cold and utterly unapproachable— the cold-hearted and unrivaled younger brother of the king.
This year, Klaus turns twenty-eight. Despite his remarkably handsome appearance, he remains single, feared by women due to his aloofness.
He is often compared to the cheerful third prince, Clarence, and called the smiling prince, while Klaus is known as the absolute zero noble.
(Just a little, even if it’s only a tiny bit, can’t you remember even a little of what happened six years ago…?)
She knows she just wants to meet the artist who drew the picture, but she can’t help but hold faint hopes — the girl’s heart is like that.
She doesn’t think she can become anything with Klaus, not in the slightest, but just for a moment, even a second, could there be something sweet and sour? Something like that?
(Hands washed thoroughly, perfume on, and cologne… If he even shakes my hand, I’ll keep today’s gloves framed and display them forever!)
As the castle drew nearer, her heart pounded impossibly loudly.
Finally, the carriage stopped in front of the castle. When she stepped out, a messenger from the Claymore family, who had visited the previous day, was waiting. Apparently, he is one of Klaus’s aides.
“We’ve been expecting you. I will guide you,” he said.
Led by the messenger, Regina headed toward Klaus’s room, where he was waiting.
His room was decorated in monochrome tones, with the only splash of color being a landscape painting hanging on the wall.
(What a delicate landscape painting…)
She often uses the phrase “a painting that captures the scene exactly as it is,” but this painting was different. It wasn’t just a realistic depiction; it was more delicate, graceful, and beautiful—almost as if it showed a view only someone who sees beyond the ordinary could perceive. At the same time, somehow, even though it was stunningly beautiful, it felt stark and somewhat cold—as if gazing at a jewel. Beautiful, yet unapproachable and icy to the touch.
When the messenger informed Klaus of Regina’s arrival and left, Klaus instructed her to sit on the sofa.
Feeling her tiny fingers tremble, Regina bowed slightly to Klaus and sat down as he had told her to.
A tea set was brought onto the low table, and Klaus sat across from her.
His cool, teal eyes fixed directly on Regina.
“I apologize for summoning you so suddenly,” he said.
His crisp voice made Regina’s heart race. It was the same as six years ago. He seemed not to remember her, but that was fine. Just seeing him again so close made her happy.
“You drew that sky painting exhibited at the museum, right?”
“Yes…”
Her voice wavered with nervousness.
She nodded quickly, and Klaus crossed his arms.
“I’ve looked into you a bit. Sorry for the intrusion, but why did you enter the museum contest? Most noble women your age are probably married and raising children by now. But you’re still single. No fiancé, it seems. Are you seriously aiming to be a painter, Countess?”
Klaus’s question was perfectly reasonable. Noble women’s role is to marry for the family’s sake. Of course, noble men marry to preserve their house, but noble women’s prime marrying age is shorter. In that sense, Regina was approaching the age of marriage delay.
The Claymore family wasn’t wealthy, but as a daughter of a count, she could find a husband if she wasn’t too picky. Yet she hadn’t, and it might seem like she was just playing around.
(He’s done his homework, so I can’t lie easily…)
And honestly, she didn’t think her situation was something worth hiding.
Regina looked directly into Klaus’s eyes.
“You probably already know if you’ve researched me, but I am a woman who had her engagement broken once. No respectable match awaits someone like me. I have a younger brother who is much younger, and since my mother is gone, I decided it would be better to stay by my brother’s side as a substitute mother. When he inherits the family estate, I plan to leave home so as not to be a burden. That’s part of why I entered the contest. I’m quite clumsy, and outside of painting, I have no other skills.”
“…I see. Sorry for asking such a rude question,” Klaus said, looking somewhat uncomfortable, perhaps not expecting her to answer so seriously.
“Please don’t worry. It’s rare for a countess who’s not married at this age,” she replied.
Klaus sighed and rubbed his forehead.
“Actually, I called you here because my younger brother wanted to meet you. But he’s still young and very sensitive. I couldn’t let him get close to someone who might be unsuitable, so I just wanted to know more about you. It’s not that I look down on you for being unmarried.”
“I see,” Regina replied.
The younger brother he mentioned must be Richard, the youngest prince. Klaus wasn’t interested in her artwork, which was a bit disappointing, but just being able to meet him like this was enough.
“So, I hate to ask, but could you meet my brother? He’s quite taken with your paintings, and I’d like you to meet him if you’re willing.”
“Yes, of course…”
“Good. Well then, I apologize for the sudden request, but please come with me now. I don’t have much time myself.”
Klaus, being in a high position as a chancellor, was busy. Yet he took the time to fulfill his brother’s wish.
(Six years ago, I thought the same… He’s really kind.)
He doesn’t smile much and is said to have a sharp personality, but Klaus is actually very gentle deep down. If he weren’t, he wouldn’t bother helping a girl he doesn’t even know—who had her engagement broken six years ago.
He led Regina to a room slightly apart from his, where he knocked softly on the door. No reply came, and Klaus shrugged with a sigh.
“Richard, come in.”
When Klaus opened the door without waiting for a response, a remarkably beautiful boy with shoulder-length silver hair was intensely focused on painting on his canvas.
(This is Lord Richard…)
Few nobles have seen his face because he barely leaves the estate.
He resembled Klaus but was more delicate—like a piece of glass art, making her feel as if she were gazing at something fragile and exquisite.
“Please, sit down. Richard gets so absorbed that he doesn’t notice his surroundings… and Elvis isn’t here either,” Klaus said, gazing around.
Regina sat on the sofa at his invitation, and surprisingly, Klaus sat down beside her.
(So close…!)
Startled, Regina stiffened and straightened her posture. Noticing her reaction, Klaus slightly lowered his eyebrows and made a small, “Oh” sound.
“Sorry. I seem to scare women sometimes. If you’re uncomfortable, I can step back…”
“N-No! It’s not that! Just a little surprise,” Regina hurriedly replied, hoping he would stay.
Honestly, she hoped he would stay like this. She’d been expecting a little sweet and sour feeling—something memorable.
“I see. Well, I hate to ask, but until Richard notices you, could you wait here a little longer? Elvis—well, Richard’s aide—usually helps to keep his attention by making noise at a good moment, but he’s out somewhere now, so I can’t say how long you’ll have to wait…”
Richard apparently gets so immersed in his painting that he tunes out everything else.
(I understand that feeling a little. Though, I don’t have quite as much focus as Lord Richard…)
He becomes entirely absorbed in what he’s painting, blocking out everything else—like a trance. Regina sometimes experiences this state when she’s deeply focused, as if something is descending upon her.
“Richard is fond of both painting and music, but he especially loves painting. It’s not rare for him to spend entire days in front of a canvas,” Klaus explained.
“Prince Klaus also paints and plays music?”
“I? No, I’m hopeless at those. I like watching and listening, but I don’t have the skill to boast about. Both my brother and Richard are like that—perhaps they’re blessed by the gods of art. Richard has always been naturally talented in those areas,” Klaus said.
“I think I understand. …Prince Richard looks very happy.”
“Happy?”
“Yes. The way he holds his brush—he seems driven by something… like he’s rushing to bring his imagination to life. He’s eager to see his ideas take shape,” Regina replied.
“I’ve never thought about it that way. That boy… he doesn’t smile much, after all,” Klaus said.
His expression rarely shows his feelings, making his joy or sadness hard to read. But Regina could tell that Richard truly enjoyed painting.
“Does he? …That’s good then.”
Klaus looked at Richard and slightly raised the corner of his mouth.
(Smiled!)
Richard never smiles, and that’s why he’s called the Ice Chancellor. But right now, Klaus had actually smiled.
(No way!! He smiled…! What should I do? I think I’m going to get nosebleed…!)
What a rare sight to witness. Regina instinctively clasped her hands together, awestruck.
“If he’s happy, that’s all that matters. Just knowing that makes calling you here worthwhile,” Klaus said softly.
“Th-Thank you…” Regina’s cheeks flushed intensely. Klaus might not have intended it, but somehow, having been needed by him made her feel so happy, embarrassed, and excited that her heart was racing.
As they watched Richard together, a servant gently knocked and peeked inside.
“Your Grace, it’s about time for the meeting,” he said.
“Oh, is it? Alright, I’ll go right away,” Klaus replied, frowning slightly.
He looked back at Richard once more, then stood up reluctantly.
“Please wait here a little longer. I’ll be back as soon as the meeting’s over. If anything happens, just say you’re my guest. I haven’t told Richard you’re coming, but if you mention my name, he’ll understand immediately. He’s a clever boy,” Klaus said.
“Y-Yes,” Regina replied.
He then told his aide to wait outside the room, in case anything happened, and hurried out.
Left alone, Regina watched Richard absorbed in his painting and gently narrowed her eyes with a soft smile.
(Heh, he looks just like little Lord Klaus… So adorable…)
~·~·*· . ·**##^^##**· . ·*·~·~
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, 13.
See you then!!
