~Chapter 99~
The day of the award ceremony came quickly.
‘I shouldn’t be this nervous… but I am.’
I felt almost as nervous as on my wedding day when I stepped into the carriage.
“Ruby, are you nervous?”
“Yes…”
“Oh dear.”
Damien squeezed my hand tightly, trying to reassure me.
“There’s no need to be so nervous. Today is simply the day you present to the world everything you’ve built up until now.”
“But so many people will be there… and many of them are famous in the art world…”
And most of all—
“I have to reveal a new painting too. That makes me even more nervous.”
If I were just there to receive an award, it wouldn’t have been so bad.
But to present a brand new painting in front of everyone for the first time… that thought made me tremble even more.
‘Unlike the contest, the evaluation will happen right there, in the moment.’
That’s why this felt far scarier than simply submitting a painting before.
“It’ll be fine. Truly. Everyone will love your painting, Ruby.”
“I hope so.”
I gave a weak laugh, and Damien smiled softly.
“At the very least, I will always love your paintings.”
His violet eyes sparkled gently.
“I love all your works, because you always put affection into them.”
Those heartfelt words melted my heart, and the tension in my body eased.
“Yes. Even if there’s only one person in the audience, it’s still reason enough to paint.”
“And to be that one person—it’s an honor for me. Though of course, you’ll gain many more admirers.”
It still didn’t feel real that so many people would see my art today.
‘Today… I take one step forward.’
Carrying my hopes and nerves, I headed to the Academy’s banquet hall.
At the Banquet Hall
The organizers and judges greeted me warmly.
“Ah, Your Grace, you’ve arrived.”
“We were worried you might not come, since revealing your real name seemed like a burden…”
“I’m fine now. I plan to work under my true name.”
“That’s a relief.”
Professor Hiraeono looked especially pleased.
“It would’ve been such a waste to keep hiding behind a pen name. The world deserves to know the person who paints such works.”
I gave a modest smile and went to wait in the preparation room with the other winners.
Damien asked the staff if he could stay with me until the ceremony began. They agreed.
“Good. I would’ve been uneasy otherwise,” Damien said, sitting beside me.
But the real reason I wanted him in the audience during the ceremony… was something only I knew.
Meeting Another Winner
A young man entered the waiting room. Damien looked at him warily.
“Another award winner?”
“Yes,” the man nodded.
“My name is Michael Coni. I won second place.”
“Nice to meet you. I entered under the name Gustav Milleono.”
“Oh—you’re the grand prize winner! Congratulations!”
Michael beamed and offered sincere congratulations.
Then he tilted his head at my name. It was a strange name for a young woman, more like something an old farmer might use.
“It was a pen name.”
“Ah, I see.”
Since the winners list had been made public, he knew “Gustav Milleono,” but not my true identity. He didn’t even recognize Damien’s face.
That actually made things easier—we could talk freely.
Michael and I happily chatted about art supplies, brushes, and shops. For once, it felt like a normal conversation between colleagues, not like being judged.
Eventually, his mother called him out.
During all this time, Damien hadn’t spoken a single word. When Michael left, Damien finally muttered:
“…You seemed to enjoy that conversation.”
His lips drooped slightly. It was almost cute.
“I even thought… maybe I should learn painting too.”
“Damien.”
I laughed softly.
“If you want to, I’d love it. But you don’t need to force yourself.”
“…I see.”
“Besides, Damien, you and I already share a special hobby.”
His eyes widened slightly.
“The horror mania hobby. That’s something I can only share with you.”
“…!”
Damien’s sulky look instantly vanished, his face brightening again.
The Ceremony Begins
Soon, the staff called us to get ready. Damien left the waiting room, and I confirmed with the staff that my painting had arrived safely.
The winners sat together at a special table until the end of the ceremony.
“Now, let us begin the award ceremony!”
The national anthem played, then the host called forward the Academy’s director, Professor Cedric Felix.
“Second place, Michael Coni.”
Michael, red with excitement, walked up to the stage. The audience applauded warmly as he accepted his award.
“Grand Prize, Gustav Milleono.”
I walked up when my pen name was called.
People whispered:
“Ah, must be a pen name.”
“Wait—that’s the Duchess Maledictus, isn’t it?”
But I ignored it. My eyes searched the audience.
There—Damien, smiling kindly, clapping just for me.
‘Found you.’
Professor Felix congratulated me warmly, and the applause thundered.
Revealing the Paintings
The finalists’ works were shown one by one. My piece—the self-portrait—was revealed last.
The audience murmured in surprise.
“So large… and yet each small part is detailed.”
“The skulls are eerie, but together they form a calm, harmonious woman’s face.”
“Look—part of it is clearly the Grand Duke’s portrait.”
“The Duchess must truly love her husband. The affection shows in the painting.”
Whispers of admiration spread.
Finally, it was time for the special new painting, the one to commemorate my grand prize.
Holding the white cloth, I looked toward Damien’s amethyst eyes shining in the audience.
‘I want you to see this. Because this painting is for you, and you alone.’
“Please unveil the painting!” the host announced.
I pulled away the cloth.
“The title is A Beautiful Moment.”
Gasps filled the hall.
And Damien—
“…!”
He sat frozen, eyes wide in disbelief, staring at the painting as if the world around him had disappeared.
