73

Leabrick slowly sorted it out in her mind. L entrusted a major construction project to an unproven architect. In the process, they applied a unique construction method to carry out the civil work, which caused a great deal of concern at the site. Although the purchase of natural marble would be an immediate loss, it was worth bearing in mind that the loss suffered by L was greater than the loss suffered by the Grand Duke. This is because unless their capital is unlimited, they will never be able to overtake the Grand Duke in the battle for capital.

Furthermore, as reported by Artil and Luminus, the large-scale building was not an easy construction that an unknown architect could build. Ten to one, there was a high possibility of problems at the scene.

'It's better to let it collapse on its own.'

She felt like she wanted to risk every business that L does and destroy it, but now was the time to focus all her capabilities on the Noblesse Street business. As long as time was favorable to the Grand Duke, it didn't look bad to see L digging their own grave and floundering in the abyss.

"Get the natural marble."

***

"It's done."

Raphael's gaze never left the portrait as he dabbed at the brush. He was deeply moved because there was a time when he had fallen into a slump and lost confidence in his ability to paint again.

"Would you like to come and see?"

Elena nodded, rose from the seat and stood behind Raphael.

The feeling of seeing the portrait of herself was mysterious.

"It's weird."

"What? What's wrong with it?"

"… That's it. The feeling is different from when I look in the mirror. I look like this. I'm smiling like that. Do you want that kind of atmosphere?"

Elena couldn't take her eyes off the portrait for a while. It was excellent enough to lack the word perfection.

'I can assure you. A famous painting representing the times has been born.'

Elena felt proud when she saw the finished portrait. Not only did she help Raphael overcome the slump, but she was overwhelmed by the fact that she was the model of a famous painting that would decorate a page of history.

"I tried to capture the mystery of Miss Lucia, how does it look?"

"If I say yes here, it's shameless, right?"

When Elena responded tactfully, Raphael laughed without a word.

"This is cheap. Is this a scam? She's not the one in the picture."

"…"

Ren, who had been sitting cross-legged and dozing, brusquely dumped cold water. Elena looked up at Ren, unhappy with his action of interrupting the historical event.

"I didn't ask senior?"

"What kind of art is this. So insincere. Painter friend, do you like her? Even if you lie, you hit it too hard."

"Ah, really."

It was time for Elena to look at Ren, who was openly arguing, to look bitter.

"That's what art is. You see as much as you know, you empathize as much as you know, and you understand as much as you know."

"Are you lecturing me?"

Raphael responded with a vague answer as Ren answered.

"When you grow up, this picture will look different."

"What?"

Ren looked ridiculous after the blow. Elena, who was next to him, burst into laughter. As she always felt, Raphael made fun of Ren with a clever way of speaking. From Elena's point of view, it was refreshing.

"Oh! Senior, did you apply for the art festival?"

"Do I have to do that?"

Raphael asked back with a close look, as if he had heard it for the first time in his life.

"I knew this would happen. If you don't sign up for the art festival by today, you can't sign up at all!"

"Because I'm not so interested in it…"

Elena flipped her head and looked at Ren.

"What time is it now?"

"Why do you ask me that?"

"I know you have a watch?"

Ren grumbled.

"I do. I have one. Could you ask me kindly?"

"What time is it, senior? Like this?"

Elena grudgingly smoothed her accent and forced the time.

"Let's see, huh? It's almost time for the academy to close, isn't it? About 15 minutes left?"

"W-what?"

""Wow! I guess this exhibit is going to go down the drain."

Ren seemed to be enjoying himself more than usual, as he enjoyed being impersonal. Elena grew impatient as she faced the danger of the collapse of her plan to make Raphael a master of the art world's attention at once through the art festival.

"I'll go, senior. If I run now, I can make it in time."

"It's my fault for being so complacent. I'll go."

As if sorry Elena had to step up as if it were her job, Raphael tried to get up by unwinding his apron.

"No! You have to stay here no matter what. I can go to the academy."

"It's not necessary to do that… It's enough for me to go."

"You can't because of someone. Who knows if they're going to ruin a masterpiece that will vibrate the times?"

Elena, who had a lot of blades, stared at Ren unconsciously and snapped at him. With just nuance and gaze, one can guess that the human being was Ren.

"I can't believe it. I'm the one who made this mess? Are you crazy?"

Leaving Ren, who was genuinely speechless, behind, Elena said goodbye.

"Did you understand me? I'll apply for the entry, so senior will keep the painting."

"I will."

Raphael turned around, staring at Ren in displeasure. Perhaps it was because of his regret for Elena, who had no choice but to take the place of such troubles, his gaze at Ren was more resentful than usual.

"Wow, this is the first time I've ever felt wronged about something like this?"

"I'm going, senior. It's not just a portrait of me, it's the best painting I've ever seen."

When Elena raised her thumbs with both hands, a smile spread around Raphael's mouth.

"Thank you."

When Elena ran out of the studio without looking back, Ren murmured as if he was dumbfounded.

"Look, you didn't say thank you to me for helping you."

"Are you not going?"

Raphael asked calmly.

"Why are you kicking me out?"

"You'll have to go, so I can follow Miss Lucia without hesitation."

Raphael wanted to go after Elena even now because he felt sorry for leaving his work to Elena. In that case, the order was to send the man who couldn't be controlled first.

"I'm going, but I'm going whenever I want, so don't interfere."

"…"

"She treated me like a villain, do you think I wanted to tell her the right time?"

"What?"

Ren was merrily grinning.

"She didn't have to run like that. We still have an hour left before the academy closes."

"Hah. Where is the bottom of a person like you?"

When Raphael looked up, wondering if there were any people like this, Ren smiled and got up as if he was enjoying the gaze.

"So you have to be nice. Do your best."

Ren waved his hand out of the studio. When he left, the face of Raphael, who was left alone in the studio, was full of anxiety.

"Lucia somehow got involved with such a human being…"

Raphael's view was too close between Ren and Elena. He was worried that Elena would be hurt someday by the thorn that Ren pricked.

"If I were a nobleman, if I had a reputation, I wouldn't have to watch Miss Lucia get away and be hurt."

It was not just Ren. There were many days when he was stuck in the studio, but Raphael also had ears to listen to as he attended major classes. The Duke of Reinhardt's Lady Avella publicly tormented Elena, and Crown Prince Sian rejected her, which was a famous episode that no one didn't know about.

"I hate it, I'm the only one who's stopped."

Looking back, he only received help from the beginning to the present, but there was nothing he did for Elena. He hated himself because he felt so pathetic.

"I want to succeed."

The reason for participating in the art festival was Elena's encouragement, but it was also Raphael's own desire to become famous. He wanted to make a name for himself, to become a master of the art world that the aristocrats couldn't ignore, and to be useful to Elena. And he wanted to be qualified. He'd like to be able to approach her as a man, not as a senior or a junior.

Raphael's eyes over the portrait of Lucia were more affectionate than ever. She had already taken up so much of his life as if she were all part of his life.

The door that Ren had left was opened. There stood Sian. Raphael rose from his chair and paid a silent tribute.

"Greetings to Your Highness."

"Is it just you?"

Sian looked around the studio and asked.

"… Miss Lucia just left."

"I see."

Raphael did not miss the disappointment that lay in Sian's grave answer.

"Is the painting complete?"

"Yes."

Sian opened his mouth after a long period of appreciation of the portrait.

"That's how you see Lady Lucia. The more I look at her, the more mysterious she seems."

"It sounds like Your Highness has seen her differently."

"The Lady Lucia I've seen is a very strange woman. She's the woman that comes to mind because I'm curious about her again."

Raphael looked at the portrait and looked at the face of Sian talking about Elena. Raphael was able to notice the profound gaze and the calm, but the tenderness of Sian.

'Your Highness, also, to Miss Lucia?'

Because he also saw the portrait with that expression and eyes.

Raphael bit his lip.

"Your Highness, do you have Miss Lucia in mind?"

"…"

When Sian was silent, Raphael felt his heart empty.

"I like her. If my work is recognized by the public, I want to confess my feelings to Miss Lucia."

"Why are you telling me that?"

It was Raphael's heart and choice to like and confess to Elena. Strictly speaking, there was no need to say this to Sian.