Chapter 52

I nodded in agreement, putting on a face of understanding.

"I have a precious painting too, so I can relate."

I clasped my hands together and blinked my eyes innocently.

"What kind of painting could be precious to someone as discerning as you?"

Despite his affectionate words, his eyes did not show much curiosity.

But I pretended not to notice, nodding vigorously.

"Yes! I'm glad you asked."

And you'll be even happier.

I blushed and vividly described the painting.

"It's a painting of a girl hanging by a window at sunset. Looking at it makes me feel nostalgic and warm, which makes me feel good."

"…!"

The Empress Dowager's face stiffened.

I pretended not to know, and explained how I came to possess the painting.

"It was a bit expensive for me, but it was the first time I fell in love with a painting at first sight. So I saved up my allowance and bought it! It's my treasure."

"What… kind of painting could it be? It might be a painting by an artist I know… Could you describe it in more detail?"

Unlike before, when she didn't seem very curious, the Empress Dowager now showed signs of anxiety.

I nodded vigorously, as if excited to show off my treasure.

"The sunset outside the window is a beautiful beach. The girl looking outside has brown hair, tied in a single braid. Just by looking at her back, you can tell she's happy."

I smiled brightly.

"The artist must have loved the girl very much. Looking at the painting, I can feel the love for the girl, which makes my heart warm."

I looked up and met the Empress Dowager's gaze.

"I don't have a mother. Is this what it feels like to receive a mother's love?"

The Empress Dowager stopped in her tracks at my last words.

The smile on her face had disappeared.

She didn't even have the composure to put on a smile.

Her dry lips trembled as she spoke.

"Could you… show me the painting?"

'Of course, Your Majesty.'

Because it will be a bribe.

"Yes!"

I hid my true intentions and smiled innocently.

A smile slowly returned to the Empress Dowager's face.

She then asked my name, as if just remembering.

"What is the name of our lady?"

Indeed. Despite her affectionate treatment, she hadn't been curious about my name until now.

I smiled.

"I'm Eryllot Astray."

"Astray?"

The Empress Dowager was surprised and looked at my face.

* * *

The next day.

After carefully wrapping the painting, I got into the carriage with my grandfather.

My grandfather, sitting next to me, frowned disapprovingly.

"You met the Empress Dowager at the art gallery?"

"Yes!"

I nodded vigorously, but the frown on my grandfather's forehead only deepened.

He had been like this ever since he heard what happened at the art gallery yesterday.

It seemed my grandfather didn't like the idea of me meeting the Empress Dowager alone.

"Why would she call you?"

Tsk, my grandfather clicked his tongue.

By the time the carriage arrived at the palace, I was already jumping out, excited to reach my goal.

My grandfather caught me and warned me.

"If that old lion makes any unreasonable demands, tell me immediately."

"Yes!"

I answered confidently, but I had no intention of telling him.

'The Empress Dowager will be my client.'

I hid my thoughts and responded energetically.

My grandfather looked at my face several times with a disapproving gaze before heading to the main hall.

I went straight to the Empress Dowager's palace.

The Empress Dowager's palace was beautifully decorated with pure white marble, which shimmered with a subtle light depending on the angle.

It was an incredibly luxurious palace, symbolizing the Empress Dowager's high status.

But to me, it was just a treasure mine.

"Welcome, my lady. We have been waiting for you."

A close attendant of the Empress Dowager greeted me at the entrance.

'Usually, one would wait for hours in the waiting room.'

Clearly, the Empress Dowager was eager to see me.

I was led directly to the audience chamber without going through the waiting room.

The Empress Dowager, already waiting in the audience chamber, stood up as soon as I entered.

"Welcome."

"I greet Your Majesty, the Empress Dowager."

The Empress Dowager welcomed me with a kind face.

"Now that I see you, you resemble your grandfather. You are the famous granddaughter of Duke Astray."

"At home, I often hear that I resemble my grandfather."

We exchanged some trivial conversation.

It was a rule in society not to get straight to the point.

However, even while chatting, the Empress Dowager's gaze never left the painting.

'She's really eager to see it.'

I pretended not to notice and said,

"My grandfather didn't believe I met the Empress Dowager, so he brought me here just now."

"Oh. Why wouldn't he believe such a clever granddaughter?"

Ha ha ha.

The conversation was pleasant, but as it went on, the Empress Dowager's anxiety reached its peak.

She couldn't hide her eagerness anymore.

'She must be dying to see it.'

But she couldn't act too impatiently for the sake of her dignity.

'I've made her wait long enough.'

Judging it was the optimal moment, I spoke first.

"Shall I show you the painting I mentioned yesterday?"

The Empress Dowager seemed ready to jump out of her seat.

"Of course! I can't wait to see it."

Rustle, rustle.

Even as I unwrapped the tightly wrapped package, her gaze never wavered.

Swoosh.

As the last wrapping fell to the ground, the painting was revealed.

"…"

The Empress Dowager's eyes trembled.

I looked at the painting and said dreamily,

"The girl is really beautiful, isn't she?"

"Is she…?"

"Yes. She looks pure. She must have been a good girl."

"…It seems she was."

The Empress Dowager's gaze remained on the painting.

But she was looking at something beyond the painting.

"The artist must have loved her deeply. The deep affection is evident in the painting. Don't you think so, Your Majesty?"

"Yes… That's right."

The Empress Dowager's eyes trembled, and her lips were tightly pressed.

She now stared at the painting without saying a word.

For a long time.

After a while, the Empress Dowager spoke carefully.

"Child. Could you possibly sell me this painting?"

"Huh?"

I pretended to be surprised, widening my eyes and looking troubled.

"Ah… But it's my favorite painting…"

"I will pay whatever price you ask."

"I—"

The Empress Dowager, unable to hide her anxiety, stared at my lips.

Her gaze suggested she would pay whatever I asked.

"—I don't need money."

It was an unexpected response, and the Empress Dowager gasped.

"You don't need money?"

I nodded.

In fact, I already had enough money, but that wasn't what I wanted from this painting.

'There's something else I want. Specifically…'

I need your love!

I maintained a solemn expression, suppressing the urge to shout.

The Empress Dowager, torn by her dignity, couldn't just take the painting from a child.

Her desire to possess it was evident.

But she couldn't just say it was painted by her deceased mother.

'Who would believe that? Such a coincidence.'

No one would believe it.

And it wasn't a coincidence.

'Because I made it happen.'

"Is that so…"

The Empress Dowager fell silent, deep in thought. Her expression was clearly not good.

I bit my nails, pretending to be in deep thought.

Then, as if making a decision, I sighed deeply.

"Your Majesty… Do you like this painting?"

"Yes."

"Then… I'll give it to you. Money is fine."

The Empress Dowager's eyes widened.

She had been prepared to pay any price, but now that money wasn't an issue, she was surprised.

"Why?"

"My grandfather said the palace has many difficulties."

I shook off my solemn expression and continued.

"This painting has given me great comfort during tough times. I imagine Your Majesty has even more difficulties than I do."

I smiled warmly at the Empress Dowager.

"I hope this painting brings you happiness, just as it does for me."

Ah…

The attendants around the Empress Dowager let out small gasps.

They all looked touched.

"…"

The Empress Dowager stared at me blankly, her eyes deep.

"Thank you. But I can't accept such a precious painting without giving you anything in return."

The Empress Dowager, after some thought, asked,

"Child, will you stay in the capital?"

"No. I'm going to the Astray manor today."

"You're leaving so soon."

"Father is very busy, so it's hard for him to find more time."

The Empress Dowager looked at me with a regretful expression.

I laughed awkwardly.

"Alright. I'll send you a gift when you're at the manor."

"A gift? You don't have to…"

"It's my heart. Please don't refuse."

In fact, I had no intention of refusing.

I chuckled to myself.

After that, the atmosphere became warm and friendly.

The attendants, who were already polite, became even more kind, offering me various things.

"Try this. It's a dessert specially made by the pastry chef for the Empress Dowager."

"Try this too. It's ice cream that even His Majesty the Emperor enjoys."

"Hee hee, the child is eating so happily. It's a pleasure to watch."

No, you're giving me too much!

I can't eat all of this—

'It's delicious.'

The pastry chef at the Empress Dowager's palace was truly excellent.

I was soon engrossed in eating the desserts.

After such a happy tea time,

"Today was really enjoyable!"

As I was about to leave the audience chamber, the Empress Dowager stood up to see me off.

She smiled and said,

"Tell your grandfather that I have never envied Duke Astray, but today I have one thing to envy."

I clenched my fists in my heart.

'Yes! Success!'

I smiled so widely my eyes were almost closed.

"Yes!"

* * *

When I returned from the palace, Father was coming out of the mansion.

Since my luggage was already packed, there was nothing more for me to pack.

Dodo also ran to Father.

"Are we leaving now?"

"Yes."

Father ruffled my hair with a smile.

Behind Father, Uncle Grimm came out to see us off.

Uncle Grimm, with a grateful expression, said to Father,

"Thanks to you, we overcame a major crisis. Thank you, Daemon."

Father only nodded without a word of modesty.

'He's really cool, you know.'

As we got into the carriage, Father looked at my hands, which were full.

He seemed curious about what I was holding.

"What's that?"

"The Empress Dowager gave it to me. She said to be happy with these until the real gift arrives."

What I held were the desserts and pastries the attendants had fed me.

The pastries from the palace pastry chef.

They were given to me so I wouldn't leave empty-handed.

Of course, the pastries were very delicious, but I was more interested in the real gift.

'What could it be?'

Thump, thump.

The anticipation of a gift is always the best part before opening it.

"What do you mean by the real gift?"

The events happened so quickly that I didn't have time to explain to Father.

'Since even Grandfather would be disappointed if he didn't know, I'll explain quickly.'

I explained what had happened between the Empress Dowager and me, leaving out the part about deliberately acquiring the painting to approach her.

Father nodded.

"Maybe you are as lucky as people say. Well done. Your grandfather will be pleased."

I looked at my innocent Father and thought to myself,

'Father, there are no coincidences. Everything is inevitable.'

* * *

The next day, at the ducal manor.

It just so happened that the day after returning from the capital was the day of the exam.

I shared the desserts I received from the Empress Dowager's palace with the other children rather than eating them alone.

The children savored the desserts, one bite at a time, in amazement.

"What? It's so delicious…!"

"I thought our manor's pastry chef was the best. There's a whole new world out there!"

Seeing the children's joy, I felt proud.

While the children were engrossed in eating the desserts, I slipped away.

'With the bait set, they won't look for me for a while.'

I went to the back garden, avoiding others' gazes.

There was something I needed to check.

'Good.'

I nodded and returned to the children.

Sure enough, no one noticed my absence.

They were so engrossed in the desserts that they were exclaiming with each bite.

'Is it that good?'

Maybe I should have offered more.

* * *

Everyone gathered at the training ground for the exam.

It was a practical training session for the advanced class.

Liangtin sighed, looking dejected.

His guardian blessing was weak, so he always got beaten by the other direct descendants in practical sessions.

On the other hand, Dione was flying high.

Dione's guardian blessing was <Brute Strength>.

In close combat, anyone could have their skull cracked by Dione.

However, Dione… couldn't study. At all.

Beep!

The whistle blew, and the match began.

It was a match between Balzac and Geoffrey.

Bang!

Boom!

Balzac, with a guardian blessing of physical power, attacked Geoffrey with a bored expression.

'This is a no-brainer.'

In the blink of an eye, Balzac had taken down Geoffrey.

"Ouch! I'm bleeding, bleeding!"

Geoffrey screamed, pointing to his wound with his fingers.

'Oh, come on.'

He was really making a fuss over a minor injury.

'Overacting.'

If he got that injured from a match with Balzac, how much did Balzac hold back?

He would be more injured if he just fell.

Because Geoffrey was making such a fuss, his servant came to carry him away.

'Who's next for Balzac?'

It's not Joshua.

Joshua doesn't participate in practical training at the training ground.

Joshua's guardian blessing is <Compression>.

<Compression> is a wide-area skill that compresses the surrounding space, so using it would inevitably destroy the training ground.

Since he can't do practical training, he's exempted.

When it was my turn, my name was called.

"Next is Lady Loreina and Lady Eryllot!"

Loreina, standing on the opposite side, smirked.

It was a mocking smile, not a positive one.

It made sense.

'She's Geoffrey's sister.'