Chapter 115

"Take this as a form of sponsorship."

"P-Pardon?"

"Ah. I guess you don't want to just receive it? Then, let me buy that painting."

"I beg your pardon?"

The boy's eyes became as wide as saucers as Violet handed him a gold coin. As he looked up, the young painter inevitably made eye contact with the young woman wearing a hat. He gawked.

An appearance known to many upon the young woman's aloof expression—like the reincarnation of the goddess of the moon.

And, gem-like purple eyes.

"Du... D-D-D-D-D-Ducal Lady?"

"Shh."

Because of the boy's excessive stuttering, the title couldn't be heard properly. The ducal lady's gloved pointer finger found its way to the boy's lips to shush him, and realizing just what was happening, the boy became completely pale.

Violet gave him a faint smile.

"To be honest, I came here to observe because I've been having many worries lately. But since my concerns are my own concerns, I should think about it more... Still, it was fun listening to someone else's stories."

Nod, nod. The boy vigorously nodded up and down.

This gold coin was too much for him. He wouldn't have to worry about money for the time being, he could just buy canvases and paint all he wanted.

To receive sponsorship like this felt too easy and sudden, so it was natural that the young painter was shocked.

"The Du... I mean, Her Ladyship bought my painting."

The young painter, still in somewhat of a daze, went on to report to his peers. It's likely that portions of his newly acquired sponsorship would be taken away by his seniors not long later.

'I'll have to secretly give him another gold coin.'

Violet smiled and appreciated the painting once more.

Art didn't have to be perfect in order to be appreciated. If one's expectations were much too high, they would never be reached. It was enough to just enjoy the moment to the fullest and be satisfied with what's here and now.

She was not obligated to paint, so there was no need to be weighed down by such. Up until now, Violet only ever thought of painting as a 'duty'.

That feeling of being a stranger to herself, sleeping deep in her subconscious, had made her cling to painting.

Even though, in the first place, she didn't have to do that.

'Have fun. As much as I want.'

Violet eventually reached this conclusion with the simplest, most fundamental basics. She smiled lightly.

"T-Thank you so very much for today!"

"It's nothing. I just bought it because I was impressed by a young artist's work. I'll come back next time, if I may."

"It would be an honor, Your Ladyship..."

After she secretly gave him another gold coin, the other painters in the atelier snuck glances at her. They seemed to be wondering if they would be able to receive sponsorship from her as well, or at least receive a request for a portrait.

But since the other apprentices of this atelier had already missed the chance with her, Violet smiled only at the young painter in front of her, who was bowing.

"I had a great time. I'll come again."

"Y-Yes. Please do..."

It was a bit comical to see him naively imitating etiquette. Fleetingly, Violet thought that money really was everything in the world.

"Ah, right. Yellow and red... You tend to use those two a lot, but you seem to prefer conveying a cold atmospheric tone in your paintings, so it would be better to reduce your use of those colors. Would it be unpleasant to hear this from a stranger?"

"N-Not at all! I'm grateful for the advice."

"......?"

Only the politely answering boy was the one who had discovered Violet's identity.

But with others, they would think, 'Who are you to point out what's supposed to be done in a painting?' Pairs of eyes started turning toward her.

And with this, they too noticed Violet's identity, and their gazes were all full of dissatisfaction. Naturally, she was the topic of gossip, but was there a point in talking behind someone's back when she herself didn't think much of it?

Besides, in the future, this boy would become a great master of art history, recounting the time when he found his muse, who was 'the most beautiful person' he ever met.

But of course, that would be much later.

* * *

Red fruits were shining covetously over a layer of soft, whipped cream. Perhaps because of the honey atop it, but the strawberries were shining so lusciously that they captivated all that saw them.

"Wooooow! I can't believe that there's food as delicious as this in the world..."

After accomplishing her main goal for the day, Violet took Mary to a famous dessert shop. Cairn, who was considered no more than goldfish crap, followed after them while looking unhappy. Still, he watched how his older sister behaved without considering otherwise.

"You can eat something like that as much as you want back at home anyway."

"But it tastes even better when Milady gives it as a treat like this!"

Mary bravely answered back. Violet chuckled.

Only high-ranking people of the mansion and workers of the kitchen had access to such desserts.

It's well known that Mary was close to Violet, but given that she was still technically a low-ranking maid, there's no way for her to easily get something like this.

"Just tell me if you want to eat it. I can say that I want to eat some, but I'll give it to you."

"I'm really fine though— ah! These strawberries are so good!"

Mary laughed again, refusing Violet's offer. She didn't insist after that.

Silently, she recalled the girl who was afraid of her back then, yet still offered a very sweet dessert to her lady.

The smile on Violet's lips did not disappear easily.