Chapter 24: Painting IV

"This is not a show, you know?"

"Are you finished?"

"No."

"When are you going to finish it?"

"I don't know."

"Are you leaving it unfinished?"

"Yes."

"I didn't know that you can paint."

"No."

"Really? It's too bad you don't think so, since you're so good at it."

"Is that a compliment?"

"Maybe. Do you think you're not good enough because you feel like you can't properly paint this blonde woman?"

At those words, Herbert felt a chill run up his spine. How could he not know what those words meant? He was currently in his own room, and a big thing about the original Albert was his obsessiveness towards Princess Amelia. The muscle memory that he had developed for painting was purely based on his diligence in trying to capture Amelia in all her glory when he was younger. This meant that there had been a lot of practice and this results in having a lot of artwork that are scattered on every corner.

In an instant, he realized the difference between what he had currently drawn and what he had used to and he felt his blood freeze. He was already an adult and would not make the silly and childish mistake of freaking out and being awkward, so, in the most natural of movements, he started to pack up his things and tried cleaning up.

"Do you know that you look a lot better with your mouth closed?"

"Don't worry, I know I'm pretty."

"Don't flatter yourself."

Herbert almost rolled his eyes. She seemed to be getting a lot more comfortable with him lately and it has been a bother.

"Is that me?"

Herbert felt all the hair in his body stand up, she really dared to ask the obvious.

"You think?"

Ingrid just smiled and told him her honest opinions.

"I think it looks good. Can I have it after you finish it?"

Herbert momentarily stopped what he was doing. He was stunned by her sudden and honest sincerity. He didn't understand how her brain works nor how what she was currently thinking of, but if he were to be completely honest, hearing her words didn't feel as annoying as it did just a few minutes ago.

"No. I don't think I can finish it."

"That is unfortunate. Well, it's not like I don't understand why you don't want to give it to me."

Herbert raised an eyebrow at her and waited for her continuation.

"What? Why are you still ogling at me? Did you seriously fall in love with me to the point that you would not only want to paint a picture of me, but also have the desire to keep it for yourself so you can admire me whenever, and wherever you like? Oh my, did you perhaps also decide to replace your collection of paintings about Goldie and put on mine to-"

On second thought, Herbert still finds her mouth as annoying as always. It was a good thing that he had finally finished cleaning up since it would be easier to do what he had been planning to do for a long time, now. Because Ingrid has made her way to where he was, he could easily grab a hold of her mouth with one reach, and so, he did.

"I wonder, is this the mouth that's been spouting nothing but nonsense since a while ago?"

Seeing that she wasn't apologetic and was instead trying to pull away his hand, Herbert finally decided to let go and leave.

After this incident, another day has gone by. This time, there was something that Herbert had never anticipated awaiting him for lunch. Once he had finished his meal, he was once again called to enter Herman's office. This time, he was given a letter that was addressed to the duke of Ravenmoon. The letter had the seal of the royal family which had a golden lion standing on a mountain as the design.

Upon receiving this letter, Herbert had an unpleasant hunch and as he continued to read the letter, he only felt worse since his hunch was on point.

"Why… What's she doing… No."

After hearing his son's whisper, Herman scoffed at him.

"This is all on you. Get this over with and settle everything cleanly. Do as you see fit, I'll coincidentally be leaving today so you can arrange for everything on your own."

"Yes, father. I won't be letting you down for a second time."

When Herbert had left the room, he felt that this small deviation might be already causing a huge snowball in turning things awry. According to the letter, a certain princess would be making her way to the Ravenmoons, and what's more, is that she would be arriving by tonight.

According to the procedure, he had first instructed the servants in the house to prepare for welcoming a royal guest. Once he had finished doing so, he had someone call for Ingrid and had her prepared for the incoming trouble.

As the original heroine of the story, Amelia should be a caged bird who was figuratively imprisoned in the Royal Capital. This should also be the kickstart of her meeting with the protagonist, but since he had pulled out from the capital this early, he had unknowingly set the caged bird free.

The situation was messy and troublesome, to say the least. He didn't want anything to do with her at the moment, this is especially since he had been able to slowly merge well with his current identity as the Albert playing as Herbert. Back then, he had been able to make an unbiased decision to get away from the princess because he hadn't fully synchronized with his memories which meant that the personality from Earth was far dominant during that time.

However, he was afraid that the current him might rekindle his obsessiveness towards Amelia once he sees her so close again. He had been feeling it for a while now, but he never really did anything to satiate his strange impulses and had kept on bottling it in. He also wondered if him being annoyed with Ingrid's close proximity to him was also because of his other personality not being able to get over from thinking that only Amelia is the one for him.

Nevertheless, he needed to compose himself. What he needed was a game plan to prevent anything that might trigger him further.

Soon, the time came and he had been notified of the arrival of Amelia's carriage. As he momentarily took over his father's position, he had been the one in charge of welcoming the guest.

With Ingrid beside him, Herbert stood tall and saw the carriage bearing the crest of the royal family. When the carriage made its way past the entrance, Herbert felt his heartbeat quicken, but he didn't let it show on his face. He had his poker face on and retained his cold and aloof demeanor.

As Amelia alighted from her carriage, Herbert together with his mother and Ingrid made a bow and followed proper etiquette. Along with Amelia was her attendant, Lady Elena. With just one look, Herbert knew that she was still upset with him but is trying her best to prevent it from showing on her face.

At this thought, Herbert felt reassured and calmed down a lot more. The initiative was with him and he did need to panic. They were here because they wanted something from him and he was willing to entertain them, of course, this was from a proper distance.