Chapter 56

As I watched, the woman sat down in a chair and was drinking something that looked like water. ...Did she also feel unwell?

She looked somewhat tired, and her posture seemed a bit slumped. But, it was still incredibly beautiful. I couldn't help but think that her slightly languid appearance was perfect. I couldn't take my eyes off her as she gently brushed her slightly disheveled hair.

The woman seemed to shine more brightly than anyone else and looked special.

...Then, Faye poked me gently.

"...Why don't you just go up and talk to her directly? You know, you should."

"Yeah."

It would be rude. If this were a slave market, I would have bought her without hesitation and brought her home to draw her carefully... But she's not a model. She doesn't do that kind of work, so it would be inappropriate to ask her to model. So, I decided to just look at her without causing any trouble.

"Can you be satisfied with that?"

"No..."

Of course, I would like to draw her more carefully. I wouldn't ask for an hour, but even ten minutes to draw her up close would be great.

...But I know I shouldn't say that here.

This is a social gathering, Faye's battlefield. I shouldn't inconvenience Faye with my whims. If Faye were to inconvenience me, that would be a different story.

"Got it. Then it's easy!"

...But Faye said that and quickly drained her drink. Seeing that, I hurriedly finished the drink I had been given. The drink was thick, sweet and sour, with a slight bitterness, and it tasted very adult. ...I'm aware that this is a childish comment.

"Alright, Togo. Are you ready!?"

"Huh? Wait, wait."

I got up and followed Faye, who had started walking. The woman I had been watching was there where Faye went.

"Excuse me, miss. May I have a moment?"

Faye called out to the woman.

The woman looked up, looking curious at Faye.

"What is it?"

And the way she tilted her head was also beautiful. The way her hair flowed with the movement of her neck could fill an entire sketchbook.

"Well, you're so beautiful, I just had to say something. ...If it's okay, could I talk to you for a bit?"

As I thought how smart Faye was, the woman suddenly looked at me.

...Those emerald eyes captured me and wouldn't let go. It was a feeling like my head was getting warm. I wanted to draw her even more.

"Yes, for a little while."

The woman smiled and straightened her posture slightly on the sofa.

"...Well, good for you, Togo!"

Faye poked me and laughed. The woman looked a bit puzzled at this, but...

Yeah. It's time for me to talk.

Because I want to talk to this person. If I keep relying on Faye, I'll lose my manhood.

"Um, can I draw you?"

Good, I said it.

"...Draw? Huh?"

When I asked, the woman looked surprised. Then, the woman, who had seemed like a work of art, became a real person. Yeah, that expression is really good.

"...Togo, you're skipping a lot of steps..."

"I thought it was better to get straight to the point."

Faye looked a bit exasperated, but I should convey my feelings honestly. Yeah.

"Um, I'm Togo Kukou. I'm an artist working for the Redgard family."

I introduced myself first. ...Here, the benefit of being a house artist for the Redgard family comes into play.

Being a house artist for a noble family is more credible than just saying I draw as a hobby. Being a house artist was a good decision!

"You're an artist. You look so young..."

"Yeah, I may be young, but I'm skilled. I can draw well."

Faye added a compliment, which helped. Thank you. It made me happy to hear it.

"Earlier, I saw you getting a drink and thought you were incredibly beautiful."

"Oh, thank you."

She must be used to compliments, as she laughed and said this.

"I can't stop thinking about you. You shine more than anyone else, and my heart is pounding just looking at you."

Since she's probably used to it, I'll be honest and tell her what's on my mind.

"I could fill several sketchbooks with you. I could spend a whole day in the forest looking for the perfect paint to capture your eyes. ...It might be arrogant to want to draw someone who is already a work of art, but I can't help it..."

I looked into her emerald eyes, feeling like nothing else existed in the world, and told her.

"...I think I've fallen in love with you at first sight."

The woman blinked a few times. Then, she let out a shaky breath and started to giggle.

"That's... quite a passionate declaration. I've never met anyone like you."

She giggled, her cheeks slightly red. Wow, this expression is also beautiful...

The woman laughed for a moment, then... gently took my hand.

"But I'm sorry. I can't decide on my own."

That's... um?

"I'm sorry. Are you married to someone?"

"Hehe, do I look like a married woman?"

"You don't look old enough. But, someone as charming as you might have a special someone."

Listening to the conversation between Faye and the woman, my head was a bit confused.

Um, this woman can't model without someone's permission, but she's not married...?

"Are you someone's exclusive model?"

If that's the case, it would be bad, I thought, but the woman laughed like a bell.

"Hehe, no! You're the first person to say you want to draw me! I am..."

After laughing for a while, the woman... looked at the door.

The person who opened the door and came in was a man.

"I'm Clio Schere... the daughter of the Schere family."

The man who came in looked at us and Clio, and gave a small bow.

"Let me introduce you. This is Trifan Schere. He works as a civil servant at the royal castle and is my adoptive father."

Adoptive father... So, they're not biological father and daughter. Yeah, that makes sense. Because Trifan Schere and Clio don't look alike at all.

"Nice to meet you. I'm Schere. I work as a civil servant and manage ceremonies and rituals."

The civil servant Schere said this, shook my and Faye's hands, and then turned to Clio with a friendly smile.

"I was surprised to hear you weren't feeling well. Are you okay now?"

"Yes, Father. I'm completely fine now."

Come to think of it, Clio looked tired earlier... I hope she's okay. Maybe we interrupted her rest.

"I was talking to this person, and my fatigue just disappeared."

...But when Clio looked at me and giggled, I just thought... what a beautiful person.

"I see. Thank you. By the way, may I ask your name...?"

"I'm Faye Blad Redgard. And this is... our house artist, Togo Uesora."

Faye introduced me, and I bowed.

The civil servant Schere's eyes sparkled.

"Ah, the Redgard family. I've heard a lot about you. I hear you summoned a Red Dragon?"

"Hehe, no, we didn't summon it. We just happened to meet a Red Dragon and got along well."

Faye said this with a slightly troubled look. Yeah. She probably doesn't want to talk about the Red Dragon.

...I can't get sick here, so I thought I should at least change the topic, when...

"Father, this Togo Uesora wants to draw me."

Clio brought up the topic.

"Um, Mr. Trifan Schere, please let me draw your daughter."

I quickly added my request.

When Clio said she couldn't decide on her own, she meant she needed her adoptive father's permission.

Even if she weren't, I should ask her father.

"Hmm. Draw Clio?"

"Yes, please."

When I said this, Schere looked at me intently...

"Father, I also ask you. This person's enthusiasm is incredible. I really want to fulfill his wish if I can."

"Um, I see. Alright then."

With Clio's support, Schere nodded.

"Please draw Clio. She seems to want it too."

Yes!

I can draw! This living work of art, this beautiful person who looks like she belongs in a myth! I'm so happy. So, so happy! It feels like a dream!

"Thank you!"

When I thanked him, Schere smiled and said...

"But, you see... If you could accept a commission from me and draw one piece, I'll lend you Clio for two months. How about that?"

...Huh.

If I accept a commission, I can have Clio for two months.

...Two months.

"Can I draw her as much as I want during that time!?"

"Hahaha. You're a funny one. Yes, you can draw her as much as you like."

That's... that's amazing!

Two months of drawing! Two months of drawing this work of art! Incredible! Is this really happening!?

...No. I shouldn't be too happy. I shouldn't get carried away.

I still don't know what the 'commission' is.

...It's a very tempting offer, but if the commission is something like 'summon a Red Dragon,' I have to turn it down.

"So... what's the commission?"

Please, please, let it not be related to the Red Dragon.

With a prayerful heart, I asked...

"Yes. One nude painting."

When he said that.

"Can I think about it for a moment?"

I was very, very troubled.