Chapter 41

41

Sure enough, there was a guest in the reception room. It was someone I had never seen before, with a gentle and warm appearance, much like a village grandmother. However, her attire was more elegant than what one would typically see in the village.

"Duchess Valentino, it is an honor to meet you. My name is Cecil Phaneux."

"Phaneux... from the Ales region?"

"Yes, I'm glad you recognize me."

As we talked, I learned that this guest was the mother of Baron Phaneux, the lord of the Ales region, and she had come to teach me painting.

The one who invited her was none other than Theodore. He had apparently been planning this for a week.

"…Why didn't you give me a heads-up?"

"I'm sorry. I wanted to surprise you."

"…."

I wanted to ask why he went to such lengths, but I held my tongue in front of the guest. And since we still had to maintain the appearance of a happy couple, I forced a smile.

It wasn't difficult to put on a natural smile. A smile devoid of genuine emotion was much easier to feign.

"I am known as the Dowager Baroness Phaneux, but I actually have a different name as a painter."

"Ah… what…?"

I asked, puzzled by Cecil Phaneux's words. She smiled and whispered the answer as if sharing a secret.

"George Renier is my name as a painter."

I was taken aback, my eyes widening in surprise. …I had let my guard down and was genuinely shocked. George Renier, a very famous painter who had been active for the past 20 years, was also a painter whose style I admired.

Could Theodore have known all this and invited her? …But how?

‘We've never talked about him.’

…Putting my questions aside for the moment, I decided to focus on the conversation at hand. If I was really curious, I could always ask Theodore later.

"You seem surprised. Of course, you would be. After all, the painter George Renier is known to be a man."

Cecil Phaneux smiled kindly. As she said, George Renier was known to be a male painter. I had heard that he appeared as a man in his studio and at various salons.

To think that his true identity was such a kind and distinguished lady… I couldn't hide my surprise.

"It's difficult for female painters to succeed. That's why many female painters disguise themselves as men. I did the same."

Indeed. Even now, the art world, especially painting, was still considered the domain of male artists, making it hard for women to showcase their talent.

Parents wanted their daughters to cultivate the refinement needed to be a good housewife, not artistic ability.

"I still disguise myself as a man when I engage in public activities. Perhaps George Renier will always be remembered as a man."

"…."

Although she spoke with a bittersweet smile, there was a sense of dignity in her that came from a life well-lived. She had accepted the things in life that couldn't be changed but didn't confine herself in despair. It was a grace that only a mature adult could possess.

"I was very surprised to hear that the Duchess Valentino is skilled in painting. May I see a painting you have done?"

"…Of course. But my skills aren't that great. I just paint as a hobby…."

At my words, Cecil Phaneux chuckled softly.

"Many great works in the world start as hobbies."

* * *

Cecil Phaneux commented on my paintings and, naturally, our painting lessons began. I ended up learning a lot from her.

She left for her estate around 5 PM. It was then that I learned that the magician Derrick had helped her travel comfortably.

The next lesson was scheduled for three days later. Cecil had agreed to come to the Valentino Castle every three days to teach me.

Theodore, who had planned all of this, looked very pleased.

"…How did you know?"

"Know what?"

"That Cecil Phaneux is George Renier."

Theodore smiled and gently fixed my slightly disheveled hair. I bit my lip, suppressing the urge to push his hand away.

"Long ago, my grandparents supported her. I found out by chance from the records in the Valentino family ledger."

"…I see."

If it was from the time of Theodore's grandparents, it was indeed a long time ago… I was impressed by Cecil's magnanimity for remembering that connection and agreeing to Theodore's request.

After a moment's hesitation, I asked another question.

"Then… how did you know about the other thing?"

"Other thing?"

"…That I personally admire George Renier."

Theodore shrugged and asked back.

"Is that so? What a remarkable coincidence."

"…."

It was suspicious, but I decided not to press further. I didn't want to waste my energy. And upon reflection, I had a hunch…

‘Theodore had gone through my room before.’

He might have found out about George Renier while looking through my notebook. …The thought that he had remembered it all this time and used it like this was strange…

"And, Lily, I have a gift for you."

"…A gift?"

Theodore chuckled and took my hand. …The warmth of his touch was comforting. I realized I had adapted to his warmth without even noticing, and my heart sank. My head felt dizzy, and a ringing echoed in my ears.

By the time my heart started pounding with fear, the scene had changed.

"…This is…"

"This is my gift. Do you like it?"

…What lay before me was a spacious and clean studio. Sunlight poured in through the large windows, and various art supplies, canvases, still-life models, and plaster casts were beautifully arranged.

It was, in every sense, a studio any painter would dream of… a studio of breathtaking beauty.

"Come in and take a closer look. It's all for you."

Theodore led me into the studio, holding my hand. I followed him in a daze, looking around. …I couldn't even lie and say I didn't like it. It was a perfect studio that matched my tastes.

"…How long have you been preparing this?"

"Quite a while. I thought about what kind of gift would make you happy and suddenly thought of a studio."

Theodore looked at me with his clear, transparent blue eyes. It was as if he was asking if the studio made me happy.

…I had received very few sincere gifts. The gifts I received as Lily Everett at the Everett Castle were all formalities.

When I was very young, my mother had given me a doll made from scraps of fabric. Did that doll have any genuine affection? The memory was too old, like a faded and worn-out picture.

After meeting Charlotte, she often gave me flowers she had picked, lace she had knitted with care, and handkerchiefs with embroidery. Those gifts were undoubtedly filled with genuine affection.

So, in my memory, Charlotte was the only one who had ever given me a sincere gift.

But now…

"…"

The emotion I felt now was similar to when I received a gift from Charlotte. It wasn't exactly the same, but there was no doubt that I was deeply moved by Theodore's gift.

I couldn't believe it.

I had never expected a day like this… I had lived without such expectations.

I didn't know what to say. Of course, the overwhelming emotion wasn't just one. Various emotions were mixed together, and fear always shook me the most.

My breathing was unstable. I clenched my hands together and said in a trembling voice,

"You'll regret this when your memory returns. Treating me so well…"

"No, I won't regret it at all."

Theodore said without a hint of hesitation. His straightforward gaze met mine. At that moment, I suddenly remembered how much I had longed for that gaze. His clear, unwavering, and honest eyes were… like the ideal I had dreamed of as a young Lily Everett.

When I was young, I used to dream of someone with such eyes coming to save me.

"…"

Deep, buried memories resurfaced. The times I was locked in a rat-infested storage room for upsetting Owen, the time Hessen cut my hair short with scissors, the first time I was slapped by my father…

The countless nightmares and the times I huddled in them, desperately hoping someone would save me.

That 'me' had gradually worn down over time and eventually became the 'me' I am now, but after meeting Theodore Valentino, I started to come alive again.

The young Lily Everett who had hoped for salvation.

That's why I reached out to you.

A person with such eyes seemed certain to save me.

"…Lily?"

…Only then did I realize that my eyes were stinging and wet. Hot tears streamed down my cheeks. It was all too sudden, and I was completely unprepared for this gift.

I felt like I was about to crumble, having held on while giving up.