Chapter 45
“Well… I’ve never really thought about that part.”
Istin replied absentmindedly before quickly adding,
“Maybe it’s because of this—portraits usually get passed down to future generations, right? So maybe they just want to be remembered in a dignified way as ancestors. That’s just my guess though.”
“Hm, that does make sense when you put it that way.”
Miela seemed to be deep in thought before she suddenly made a solemn declaration in a determined voice.
“You know, but I don’t want to be left in a portrait with a blank expression.”
“Then how?”
“I want to be remembered with a smile. I want people in the future to see how happy I was today.”
Her tone was soft, but her expression was radiant, like warm sunshine lighting up everything around her.
“Oh, that’s a beautiful thought. Then I’ll ask to be painted smiling too—just like you, Miela.”
In the end, Istin was convinced by Miela’s sentiment.
And so, the two sat side by side on a bench in the back garden.
The lazy afternoon sunlight tickled their cheeks as it passed. The gentle and peaceful air around Miela naturally blended into the canvas.
“Haha, I’ve painted countless portraits as an artist… but this is the first time something like this has happened. It’s like my brush has a soul of its own—I can’t stop painting. I’m sure the result will be marvelous!”
Even the painter, who was tirelessly working, couldn’t help but admire the moment.
Not long after, at the end of a corridor in the Valruar Duke’s residence, a new portrait was hung. A girl with light brown hair and a boy with black hair sat smiling warmly side by side.
“Isn’t it strange? Just looking at the little lady in the portrait makes me feel better.”
“Oh my, same here!”
Indeed, it was a sign—a sign that Miela’s small presence was gradually leaving its traces in the once cold and desolate Valruar duchy.
＊ ＊ ＊
“Miela, now that the engagement ceremony is over, you are officially our family’s future lady. I’m truly happy to have you with us. I hope you and Istin will stand by this place for a long time.”
“Yes, I will!”
Miela nodded energetically at Yurhan’s words. Unlike when she first arrived at the duchy, she now brimmed with confidence.
Yurhan watched her silently, deep in thought. After helping resolve both Istin’s and the butler’s situations, she was clearly too talented to be kept confined to the duchy.
“So I was thinking… how about accompanying me on an estate inspection?”
“Estate inspection? What’s that?”
At the unfamiliar term, Miela tilted her head. Yurhan kindly explained.
“To put it simply, the land owned by the Valruar family is called an ‘estate.’”
“Oh! I know that part!”
“Good. Then what do you think an estate inspection means? Try guessing.”
“Hmmm…”
Caught off guard by the sudden pop quiz, Miela hummed as she pondered.
After about 10 seconds of silence, she offered her guess.
“Oh! I think I get it. An estate inspection is… like a patrol, right? To check if there are bad people causing trouble or stealing things. We don’t want that kind of stuff happening in Valruar.”
“Oh, that’s a thoughtful guess. But it’s wrong.”
“Huh? It’s not?”
Miela was sure she had guessed correctly, especially after seeing the duke’s smiling face. But as he shook his head firmly, her expression dropped.
“Patrolling the estate and handling small incidents is the job of the guards. The lord’s duty is to check that the estate’s facilities are functioning properly and that the people are living well.”
“Ah, I see! So instead of stepping in, you observe from nearby.”
Miela nodded, and Yurhan continued, pleased with her understanding.
“Very good. Now let me ask you another question. Why don’t we schedule estate inspections in advance?”
“Hmm…”
Miela tilted her head again, then suddenly exclaimed,
“I think I know! It’s because you don’t like planning in advance, right, Yurhan?”
“Haha, not at all. Wrong again, Miela. This old man is actually quite the planner.”
Yurhan felt a bit slighted. He wondered what had given her that impression.
“Gasp, I was wrong again? Then what’s the real reason…?”
“It’s because if we give advance notice, we can’t observe the estate’s daily life as it really is.”
When Yurhan gave her the correct answer, Miela clapped in realization.
“Oh! That makes sense. Everyone would prepare in advance. And they’d try to hide anything bad.”
“I’m glad you understood. Well then, let’s head out right away. Istin will come with us, of course.”
“Wait, what about Lady Regina? Isn’t she coming too?”
“Regina had to step out for an errand. I believe she told you this morning.”
“Oh no.”
Now that she thought about it, she did vaguely recall hearing Regina’s voice while half-asleep earlier…
‘Is Miela still asleep?’
‘Yes, my lady. She stayed up late doing her tutor’s assignments, so she hasn’t woken yet.’
‘I see. If she asks about me later, just say I stepped out for a bit.’
So it wasn’t a dream after all. She should’ve seen Regina off.
With a small sigh of regret, Miela hurried to get ready. This was her first official outing as the future lady of the duchy—and understandably, she felt a little nervous.
＊ ＊ ＊
With a maid’s help, Miela changed into a simpler dress than usual. To be honest, she preferred the slightly rougher fabric of this dress over the silky, clinging texture of high-end clothes.
When she stepped out, Yurhan and Istin were already ready.
‘Titi looks just like when we first met in the village!’
The three of them were all dressed modestly—so they could blend in naturally with the townspeople.
Seeing Istin like this made Miela feel nostalgic.
“Come to think of it, I almost forgot. Here, Istin, drink this.”
“Yes, Father.”
Without hesitation, Istin took the potion Yurhan handed him and drank it. And the moment he swallowed, something surprising happened.
His jet-black hair instantly turned brown! And his bright green eyes shifted to the same warm shade.
Miela, stunned, cried out.
“W-What is this?”
“It’s a magic potion. It temporarily alters a person’s appearance to help them avoid attention. The effect only lasts a few hours, though—it’ll wear off.”
As Yurhan explained, he drank his own potion as well. And just like Istin, his appearance transformed.
Now, all three of them—Yurhan, Istin, and Miela—looked like they could be one family. Not that it was intentional.
“Wow, that’s amazing!”
While marveling, Miela also felt a bit relieved. She had been worried that she wouldn’t get to see Istin’s sparkling green eyes again, even just for a while.
“Well then, shall we go? Oh, and Miela—don’t worry too much about the lack of visible guards. They’re all highly skilled and will be watching over us from the shadows.”
“Got it, I won’t worry!”
Honestly, she didn’t need guards anyway. She knew Yurhan was more than capable of protecting them himself.
Miela grinned as she began walking.
‘And if anything dangerous happens, Titi and I promised we’d protect each other!’
