Chapter 95
“This is the most beautiful mural I’ve ever seen.”
“How can someone paint with such delicacy?”
The admiration from the crowd was neither exaggerated nor false.
Belois’s mural, being a work in a temple honoring the Goddess of Stars, contained the mythology of Rosiante.
In her myth, stars and the Milky Way always appear, and Belois had expressed those two symbols with a shimmering, breathtaking beauty.
“All thanks to my angel, Lady Danae, who trusts and supports me.”
Belois spoke shyly amidst the murmuring crowd.
His eyes were clearly fixed on me.
“So everyone, direct your praise not to me, but to my angel.”
Following Belois’s gaze, all eyes turned toward me.
When Belois, who had approached me through the crowd, kissed the back of my hand, sounds of awe rose from every direction.
‘From today, the rumors that Belois and I are ‘close’ will spread definitively.’
Ever since news spread that I was actively supporting Belois, many nobles had taken a keen interest in our relationship.
A young artist chooses a young lady as his muse, and the young lady actively supports the artist.
And that young lady just happens to be Lady Asinov!
It was a topic rich enough to fuel social gossip.
The rumors had spread so widely that Roaz, who occasionally sent letters, had even asked if they were true.
‘Well, I did pour an enormous amount of money in, enough to cause such a misunderstanding.’
During the mural project, Belois had spent an astronomical sum.
Following my request, he used only the finest materials and even had three assistants, ensuring the money was splendidly wasted.
That it resulted in such a masterpiece was beyond expectation.
Thanks to Belois’s praise, the admiration that had been focused on the mural now turned toward me.
“By the way, Lady Asinov’s taste has always been famous, right?”
“I’ve heard that every business she touches succeeds.”
“That’s right. Even Devon became such an impressive city; it was astonishing.”
Hearing the continuing admiration, it felt as if tears were streaming from deep inside me.
No, everyone, I didn’t mean for that to happen. I actually intended for it to fail… but it didn’t.
Of course, that was something I could never say out loud.
It was only after listening to the crowd’s praises for quite some time that I was able to leave the temple.
At the entrance, Baratheon was waiting for me, looking bored.
Within the Coral Mansion, he didn’t usually serve as my bodyguard, but today, with so many visitors from outside, he had accompanied me.
‘Cishe dislikes noise, and Hedin has been busy with military training lately.’
That left only Baratheon.
‘It’s a bit funny that the one left behind to escort me is the Sword Master.’
Finding the situation amusing, I stifled a laugh, and Baratheon, noticing me, came over.
“Finished?”
“No, everyone is still absorbed in the paintings. I just came out first.”
“Ugh, I don’t get it. It’s just a painting, what’s so great that everyone swarms around to look at it?”
Three years had passed and I was now twenty-two, but Baratheon’s appearance hadn’t changed much.
It seemed his adult frame had been complete by eighteen.
‘Well, his personality hasn’t changed either.’
Compared to him, I had changed a lot.
I had grown to 165 cm—and was still growing—and my weight—exact numbers are absolutely classified—had increased so much that it was hard to recognize my former self.
If Roaz or Iela, who hadn’t seen me in a long time, saw me now, they might fall backward in shock.
Since they must have grown as well, my reaction to seeing them probably wouldn’t be much different.
Despite all the changes in me, Baratheon’s attitude toward me hadn’t changed much.
“Milord.”
He naturally reached out to pick me up, but when Marina shot him a cold glare, he forced an awkward smile.
“You should be careful. People might think something if you pick up a grown lady like that.”
“Oh, it’s just a habit. I knew I shouldn’t, of course.”
Brushing off Marina’s advice, Baratheon took off his coat and draped it over my shoulders.
Although spring was approaching, the air still held winter’s chill.
Baratheon’s coat perfectly blocked the cold.
I looked at him in admiration.
“Teon, when did you learn to do all this?”
“Well, I’m a man who evolves too.”
“Really?”
“I said I am.”
“That’s surprising.”
Seeing Baratheon proudly lift his chin, both Marina and I chuckled softly.
It was so typical of him to boast after doing something good.
We slowly crossed the garden, heading back to the mansion.
Lately, the Coral Mansion had been unusually lively for the season.
After all the major New Year events had passed, it would normally have been quiet.
‘But we’re expecting a very important guest, so it can’t be helped.’
A letter with the royal seal arrived shortly after the New Year holidays.
The seal wasn’t Iela’s or Roaz’s as usual, but the imperial seal used for official documents from the central government.
The short letter informed us that the second prince, Roaz, would be visiting Devon.
It was a notification, not a request.
The letter explained it as a routine provincial inspection…
‘Cishe scoffed at such a ridiculous explanation.’
The emperor sent his children to powerful noble families every year for provincial inspections.
It was both a check on loyalty to the throne and a political maneuver to pull the nobility to his side.
But in history, the Asinov family had never been the target of such an inspection.
‘Because it’s Asinov, right?’
The family of heroes who had defended the continent from the Demon King—symbols of loyalty even the emperor dared not challenge.
‘So instead of Asinov, they chose Devon.’
It was a clever move, albeit a sneaky one.
But when the one employing the trick is the emperor, there’s no saying, “Oh, how unfair!”
“Besides, their motives are so obvious, it’s annoying.”
“Motives?”
“Why send the second prince instead of the first? You’ve been busy with estate matters and haven’t been appearing in the capital, so they sent the prince here instead.”
Cishe grumbled in discontent, but I wasn’t particularly bothered by the emperor’s intent.
‘The emperor can’t force things anyway. He just wants to lure me out.’
If he could have forced the engagement or marriage, I would already be in the capital as a princess.
But over three years, the emperor hadn’t been able to do anything in the capital.
It was strong evidence that this matter would not be decided according to the emperor’s will.
Thanks to that, I could comfortably wait for Roaz’s visit.
It was actually pleasant that a friend I found hard to meet was coming directly.
Of course, Cishe still grumbled, “Why are you so carefree?”
“Danae.”
“Lord.”
As soon as I returned to the mansion, Dane and Lucas greeted me.
Lucas took the coat from my shoulders and handed it to Dane with a smile.
“Teon showed some unexpected consideration.”
“Why is everyone so surprised? Is it so amazing that I consider others?”
Baratheon grumbled, and Lucas and I answered in unison.
“Yes.”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
Baratheon exclaimed indignantly. Lucas and I shrugged at each other.
“You lack subtlety.”
“Consideration comes from subtlety.”
“I’m subtle enough.”
“Hmm. Clearly, your standard is far too low.”
Baratheon blinked blankly and glanced at me, seemingly unable to understand Lucas’s roundabout way of saying, ‘You’re not subtle.’
‘What is my brother even saying?’ his eyes seemed to ask.
Of course, I was on Lucas’s side.
“That’s a compliment.”
“Really? Is that so?”
Baratheon smiled widely, without a hint of doubt, and puffed out his chest. Lucas and I struggled to suppress our laughter.
After a few coughs, Lucas finally managed to quiet the laughter and changed the subject to address me.
“By the way, Danae. A report has come in.”
“…A report?”
I had only heard the word report.
‘Why does that sound so ominous…?’
