After three days, Richard finally went to the castle, and it was then that Lena was continuing to paint in Richard’s room.
Just as the outside of the room became noisy, suddenly, the door was forcefully thrown open.
The loud noise seemed to break Richard’s concentration, and he looked up in surprise.
Turning around, he saw a slender woman with elaborate blonde hair gathered high, standing with a piercing glare.
(What?! The Queen?!)
Even Lena, who rarely appears in social circles, knows what the Queen looks like.
Startled by the unexpected appearance, Lena hurriedly put down her brush, threw off her apron, and bowed deeply on the spot.
The Queen only glanced at Lena briefly before immediately shifting her gaze to Richard.
“Prince Richard, I hear that George was crying because you were mean to him. What is going on?”
Richard knit his brows and looked straight at the Queen, still holding his brush.
“Was this about the other day? He asked for a certain painting, and I told him I couldn’t give him that one. George was upset and started crying, but I didn’t do it out of meanness.”
“Oh! A small child wants it? Surely you can give him one of the many sketches?”
(Sketches?)
Lena was annoyed when the Queen called the carefully created painting a “sketch.” However, since she was speaking to the Queen, it was probably best not to speak up.
“Show him the painting that George wanted.”
The Queen ordered with an expression that clearly expected to be given. Richard laid down his brush and stood up.
“I cannot give it. Please leave.”
“What?!”
“If those in power believe that they can have everything they desire just because they want it, they should be corrected quickly. You, George, both of you.”
Richard responded coldly, with a face devoid of emotion. Lena was surprised and widened her eyes. His expression was unlike when he was before Lena or Klaus — it was astonishingly cold and intimidating.
(Is he really just a ten-year-old child…?)
It was hard to believe he could make such a face at only ten. It was cold, hard — an overwhelming, superior presence that made Lena’s spine tingle.
The Queen glared sharply at Richard.
“Just because you were favored by the late King doesn’t give you the right to be rude!”
As a Queen, she held a higher status than Richard. But Lena felt that it was actually the Queen, who declared Richard’s behavior “rude,” who was being disrespectful.
“I see. So, you barged into the room without permission. You’re quite rude.”
Richard’s sharp sarcasm made the Queen grit her teeth.
He was right. But Lena felt that pushing it any further would be dangerous. If it continued, Richard’s position might be at risk — that was the feeling she had.
“Um—!”
Just as Lena was about to intervene, a deep voice interrupted, saying, “What’s going on?”
(Your! The King?!)
The person who appeared with the door still wide open was King George III, and Lena nearly fainted at the sight. Even the Queen’s heart seemed to tighten in shock, and now the King was here too — what should she do?
“Stop that!”
The Queen quickly leaned toward George III.
Looking at Richard, her expression changed, and she looked somewhat unwell.
“What’s all this noise? Your voices are echoing down the hallway.”
“Prince Richard refuses to give Georges a painting! That kind and child wanted to give a picture to Henrietta, who is soon to be engaged, and he’s crying and crying… Please, say something to him too!”
“Richard, what’s this? Can’t you just give him a picture? You’ve given one to Clarence and Klaus, haven’t you? Why refuse Georges?”
“…The painting Georges wanted has a prior engagement.”
Richard answered in a flat, emotionless tone, as if he had forcibly suppressed his feelings.
“Then shouldn’t you just draw another one for that engagement?”
“That’s not the point…”
“It’s a child’s wish. Please grant it.”
Richard tightly pressed his lips together.
(Why do I feel like… I shouldn’t push any further?)
Lena sensed that Richard’s conversation with George III was a burden. His clenched fists were turning white.
She stepped in front of Richard to shield him.
“Your Majesty, if I may humbly say—The painting Georges wanted was actually one I was working on… and he declined because he was worried about offending me.”
“And you? … Ah, I see. I’ve heard from Klaus. You’re Richard’s art teacher, right? So, what about that painting?”
George III didn’t seem interested in Lena’s name. He stopped Lena from introducing herself and instead asked to see the painting Georges wanted.
“Please be careful, as the paint around here isn’t fully dry yet.”
Lena took the canvas from her tripod and held it out so George III could see.
“This one. Certainly looks like something a child would like. Is it finished?”
“Yes. I just completed the final touches a moment ago.”
“Then give it to Georges.”
“…Older brother.”
“Yes? It’s not your painting, so it’s fine, isn’t it?”
“But… there’s a prior engagement for that one.”
“You can just paint the same thing again.”
George III said that, called a servant, handed him the painting, and left the room with the Queen.
Elvis closed the door behind them, looking somewhat concerned as he glanced back at Richard.
Richard, with his fists clenched, looked down and softly muttered, “Sorry.”
“It’s a precious painting… and it’s been taken,” Lena knelt beside Richard, cupping his tightly clenched hands with both of hers.
“It’s okay. As you said, I’ll just paint another. Please don’t look so sad.”
“But… I really can’t paint the exact same picture again,” Richard said.
“It might be difficult, but if you try again, maybe you’ll be able to do even better next time.”
“Lena…”
Richard’s face twisted as if in pain, and hesitantly, he hugged Lena.
“Sorry… Lena…”
Lena wrapped her arms around Richard’s small back and smiled softly.
~·~·*· . ·**##^^##**· . ·*·~·~
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 November, 8.
See you then!!
