Chapter 15
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A villainess locked away in a desolate tower—I had possessed her body.
Chapter 15
"Hah, this work is going to become so much easier."
As Berymore, who had propped his foot up on the Easel Area, burst into loud laughter, immediate agreement echoed back.
"Exactly. She wasn't taking her side just because they're both women, was she?"
"Ashley's always been best at playing the victim anyway. Based on skill alone, she should have been thrown out long ago."
"That girl who can't even draw properly—thinking about how our own reputation got dragged down because of her makes me so angry I grind my teeth even in my sleep!"
The Apprentice Painters gathered around Berymore seized the moment and threw themselves into malicious gossip with fervor.
In truth, they were simply venting the stress of endless competition while languishing in their master's shadow onto Ashley.
Berymore, as if stoking the flames of this atmosphere, ground his teeth and spoke in a low voice.
"Our master has certainly shown her considerable favor."
"That's what I'm saying. I even wondered if she might be some hidden daughter of his."
As everyone laughed and joined in the ridicule, one apprentice sitting beside Berymore spoke with a subtle tone.
"But that's all over now, I suppose. Now she'll have to compete fairly on skill alone."
In that instant, sparks of ambition flashed in the apprentices' eyes.
Though they faced each other with smiling faces now, they were in fact fierce competitors with one another.
Berymore too had stepped forward merely to sway public opinion—he harbored no genuine intention to cooperate with anyone.
"I think emphasizing the background would work best here."
A painter with talent for landscapes seized the moment to speak up.
"What are you talking about? The most important thing is the subject. What good would focusing on the background do?"
"Shouldn't the figure be depicted somewhat more abstractly?"
"That's nonsense. Above all, realistic expression would make it more dramatic."
Berymore, watching the situation grow heated, rose to his feet.
"Let's each do what we do best. Why don't we each take one scene we're most confident about and paint it? Since I'm the best painter here, I'll take this key scene."
The scene Berymore had chosen was arguably the most crucial one.
The apprentices, robbed of the most important cut, wore expressions of discontent, but none dared voice their complaints first.
"Then I'll handle this part."
"Wait, I'm better at that—!"
Ashley, watching the apprentices bicker from a distance, silently turned away.
There had never been a place for her there to begin with.
She had thought that perhaps this time she could compete with them confidently. But she had just realized that was her delusion.
As she stepped outside, a familiar silhouette was waiting before the door.
"Oh, Miss—!"
"Are you alright?"
"I'm sorry?"
April Salt, standing beside Bonita, furrowed her brow as if genuinely concerned.
The apprentices' voices had been so loud that the harsh gossip had reached her ears even from where she stood in the Corridor.
"They all have quite the temperament. I naturally thought Ashley must be struggling."
"I, I am...."
Ashley could not hide her bewildered expression.
To be honest, every cruel word directed at her felt like it was chipping away at my very soul.
At the same time, I understood it was inevitable. Ashley herself had once wanted to blame the world and others for her lack of talent.
But instead of hanging her head in dejection, Ashley recalled the encouragement April Salt had offered her.
Her shoulders had already grown considerably lighter.
"I've made up my mind."
I couldn't disappoint the first person who had ever believed in my potential.
"I've thought carefully about what I'm good at, and I've spent a lot of time considering how to nurture my talents going forward. So I can do this."
"I see."
At the resolute tone in her voice, April Salt broke into a bright smile.
"That's remarkable."
Though it was nothing but honest truth, Ashley jumped to her feet.
"Me? Really?"
"I don't know how to do anything and don't want to do anything, so I prefer to just lie in my chamber all day."
April Salt found herself recalling her past self without realizing it.
The frenetic life she'd lived, squeezing her body into narrow spaces like a tiny cog, never pausing for rest.
"But you've been running toward your dreams since childhood until now. I truly admire that about you, Ashley."
"Me? Someone like me? But I haven't accomplished anything yet..."
"That's not true at all. I believe you'll shine as brightly as the effort you've put in."
"Ah..."
Seeing tears welling up in Ashley's eyes, April Salt gently squeezed her hand, smudged with graphite and paint.
It was the moment their friendship was born.
* * *
"Miss, I saw you again today."
...
"Your words were truly moving, touching the hearts of all who heard them. You'll comfort me with such kind words when I'm struggling too, won't you? Oh, just thinking about it makes me emotional. I'm quite a sentimental person, you see."
"Um, well, Bonita..."
Please, stop.
I covered my burning face with both hands.
Embarrassment washed over me belatedly, realizing I'd gotten caught up in the moment and spouted unnecessary sentiments.
'What was I even saying...'
I should have just offered simple encouragement.
Bonita, who had been gushing with emotion, finally noticed my face and lowered her eyes apologetically.
"I'm sorry, Miss. I think I got a bit carried away. You must be tired... would you like to rest for a while?"
Having grown somewhat accustomed to Bonita's style by now, I shook my head instead of pointing out her small mistake.
That wasn't what mattered. I still had an important problem to solve.
'How am I going to persuade the Grand Duke?'
That terrifying man who had called me worthless chaff and made it abundantly clear he could kill me if I became unnecessary.
But now I'd even dragged him into this troublesome wager...
A sensation like dark clouds gathering overhead washed over me.
Perhaps because of such worries, my aimless footsteps had somehow brought me to the Grand Duke's Office.
"What brings you to this part of the tower?"
I'd tried to spin around and slip away, but it was already too late.
Liam, whom I hadn't seen in some time, stood with his hand still gripping the Office door handle, as if he'd just emerged from within.
"I, well...."
"Did you have something to discuss with the Grand Duke?"
Since I wasn't mentally prepared to face the Grand Duke just yet, I shook my head vigorously.
"No, no, it's nothing like that. I simply thought I'd take a stroll, and somehow I ended up here. Quite strange, isn't it? Haha...."
"I see."
"Huh?"
Surprisingly, Liam seemed to accept my explanation readily.
...Or rather, he pretended to accept it while serving me a massive helping of betrayal.
"Your Grace the Grand Duke!!!"
The door flew open.
"Princess April Salt has come to visit!!!"
He threw the Office door wide and bellowed the announcement, then bowed with exaggerated courtesy as if urging me to enter.
'That... that lunatic!'
And of course, the Grand Duke happened to be sitting with his back to the distant window, which meant our eyes met instantly.
"Ah, you seem to be doing well. How fortunate. Then I shall take my leave...."
"Come in."
"Yes, understood."
Since I did have matters to discuss with the Grand Duke, I reluctantly walked into the Office.
When I glanced back, Liam had vanished, leaving only Bonita behind, who was silently cheering me on with her fist.
As the door closed, the Office suddenly felt cramped with just the Grand Duke and me alone inside.
"What brings you here?"
"Well, you see...."
I couldn't bring myself to speak easily. How could I boldly admit that I'd sold his name to the painters?
The Grand Duke, his devastatingly handsome face still fixed on his documents, beat me to it.
"Why? Did you cause some trouble?"
"Pardon?"
How did he know?
Brought to you by Valir Scans! To support our team and enjoy the latest releases, please read directly on our official site: valirscans.org