Family Portrait.

Chapter 18: Family Portrait.

Kein's POV

"Duchess Viviana, can you move a little to the left..."

"Oh of course!" (Duchess Viviana)

Duchess Viviana happily moves a little to the left while clinging to her husband. Duke Wolford looked seriously while his wife affectionately snuggled with him. It was like he was ready to bash someone's head with that stare. It's really making my hands stiff as I work through my brush-

Yikes, his face really seemed tense uhh... I should tell him..."Um... And Duke Tristan can you relax your body a little? It's a little stiff, don't worry we're only here for a few minutes."

Duke Tristan nods, "A-Apologies. I'm just quite nervous."

"No need to be nervous, my lord. Look at Lord Vincent he seems calm and all creating the perfect pose for painting." I look at Vincent with his pose. Hands at the back, chest puffed out, and his face neutral. Reminds me of those paintings back on earth.

"Father, if you need to take a break we can have a few minutes of time for it." (Lord Vincent) said worriedly looking at his father.

"N-No it's fine. We should continue." (Duke Tristan) stubbornly refused as I sighed looking at this adorable family.

"My dear! Why are you so nervous all of a sudden? I thought you were excited to get this portrait!" (Duchess Viviana)

Ahaha... He's really nothing like Vincent at the present but mostly because of what happened a few minutes ago.

I was sitting peacefully on the couch with Vincent when suddenly his parents Duchess Viviana and Duke Tristan barged in the room being all affectionate with each other.

I suppose Duke Tristan didn't like showing affection with anyone else in the room and he's more of a reserved person.

And by affection I meant that they almost kissed in front of us.

Honestly it was adorable of how these two were clearly in love.

"Ah. I'm really envious of your parents Vincent." I muttered to myself making sure only I could hear.

It's perhaps rare to expect nobles being this affectionate with each other. I sort of just got into the conclusion of arranged marriages and how they won't always be happy.

I smiled at the awkwardness Duke Tristan displayed. "Please take it to no mind. I've seen worse."

Definitely I've seen worse than kissing in my past life and heck I mean I've been in one of those intense relationships as well.

"Lady Kein, please let us continue. My husband is just being shy. Honey! Rest your shoulders!" (Duchess Viviana)

"O-Of course. Apologies, my love." (Duke Tristan)

Argh I can't take the sweetness of these cute hetero couples. It's making me envious! "A-Alright then please just be yourself and pose like I'm not even here. This will only take a few minutes of sketching then sorting out the details."

I took out my pencil for the outlines and did them carefully. After about almost an hour already finding that I was completely satisfied with my current work for the day I decided I'll continue this in the guest room they'll provide me. "Thank you for your time and since I'll be staying here for the next two weeks or so I'll be in your care while I work on your family portrait."

Duchess Viviana was first to break from all the tiring posing and leaned in closer to me. "Oh! You're very much welcome! If you don't mind if you need to rest or need some tea and company I'm happily free for any chit chat or gossip to tell!" (Duchess Viviana)

I feel like she's just made of pure energy. I hope I can keep up with her enthusiasm.

Duke Tristan shakes his head softly while looking at his wife. "My love, please do not put the traveling artist into one of your long hour rides." (Duke Tristan)

"But I'm in need of someone to talk to! The noble ladies are certainly a bore at tea parties! And you're not always home and I miss you ever so dearly." (Duchess Viviana) hugs the Duke surprisingly as I cover my grin with my hand while watching these two.

Duchess Viviana's emerald eyes stare deeply into the Duke's brown ones dilating, intimately I can feel the heat coming from over here.

Oh my ghod. Get a room y'all be spreading your PDA.

"N-Not in front of the kids." (Duke Tristan)

Duchess Viviana pouts which made Duke Tristan weak his eyes not meeting hers in shame! Ah yes, those are the gaze of a love-smitten man. Huh you know he reminds me of someone.

Well, in retrospect it was just someone who was definitely in love before his wife died. Poor Baron Hills...

In any case I stood up from my seat and walked up to Vincent who was smiling faintly looking at his mother and father. "You know I expected more... Somehow a strict father with ice cold stares and stuff. Lots of expectations, huge burdens, you know all that stuff."

I don't know something similar to an Asian dad who's really strict but is actually a huge softy but he's just giving you tough love? Well I was sort of close.

He looks at me understandingly, "We do give off that sort of first impression don't we?" (Lord Vincent)

"Yes, you kind of do but I guess don't be early to judge a person just by their kids act. Your dad seems like a really cool person. He's also pretty shy when it comes to your mom." I told him and he laughed.

"If you only see him at work. Head General of the Royal Knight Ministry. I doubt you'll ever think of him as well... at his present situation." (Lord Vincent) gave his father some words of admiration and it has come to my attention that he might actually be a scary person when provoked.

"Whoah your dad is a Duke and head general of the royal knights?"

"Yes, that he is. Another reason why perhaps we were recognized by all in the capital. I've made a few public appearances as well." (Lord Vincent)

Wow who knew Vincent was such an actual big shot. No wonder they're really popular huh and definitely I get the feeling that Vincent could be really a lonely person who doesn't have much... real friends per se.

"I didn't knew I was well acquainted with Mr. Big hot shot." I nudge him a little for a tease.

"As always, sometimes I don't understand some words you speak off. Big hot shot? Does that mean I am on fire?" (Lord Vincent) asked.

Oh right. I keep forgetting that some earth slang doesn't exist here, "You're close but it means popular or important like you know it's hot nowadays."

Hopefully that's enough for an explanation for Vincent to understand.

He placed his head down into his hands, "I suppose I understand it a little but I wonder where you get these terms."

"From a dream... I guess?" I replied.

"...I see. Well, a butler will fetch you soon into your room as well as accompanying the canvas. We have already informed you that you will be staying at the Wolford Estate as an esteemed guest so please if you need anything just tell us." (Lord Vincent)

"Yeah I definitely feel out of place getting all this fancy treatment you sure it's okay? Even if I ask for breakfast in bed?" I told him teasingly.

Vincent nods, answering seriously, "Yes, anything that you'd like it will be done. So please do not hesitate. If you'd like I can go order a maid for breakfast in bed right now-"

Ah shoot no! He thought my joke was serious. It's not even breakfast time! It should already be nearing dinner! "I-I was just joking! I don't want to trouble anyone here, I'm just a commoner-!"

Right, I don't have the right to even order something scrumptious or fancy or something luxurious but I am curious about what do rich nobles eat in this world and are they really fancy as well? Ugh! Kein no! Don't be tempted!

It's been a while since I've eaten something decent... It's really painful. Back at the Yulien Mansion they've all been giving me scraps barely enough to get me by. The only reason why I'm even alive and can move my body well is from the rations that I've brought before when I had my first paintings sold.

"You are not just a commoner. You are my guest and you are to be treated as such. Well then, Lady Kein, if you'll excuse me I will leave you in someone's care for I have some business to attend to." (Vincent) bows and he walks away slowly without waiting for my reply.

"Oh and perhaps write a letter to Lenard before you rest for the night. We will have it sent to him because I know he will be worried about you."

"Oh my god you're right!" Who knows what he's even thinking right now! I have to write to him soon!

A butler bows next to me suddenly as he motioned his hand to follow him, "Um right thank you."

"You're welcome, young miss." The butler replied smiling. It feels like I can never get used to the special treatment they give me here. They actually respect me and it's scaring me. Perhaps the traumas from the mansion and how the other maids and butlers treated me like shit did not leave my mind.

Not one bit. I became skeptical of maids and butlers since then but... Vincent's staff have no malice or ill intentions in them so... I followed obediently until we stopped at a fashionable oak door with gold lines at the sides having adorable flower designs. "This must be Duchess Viviana's doing huh?"

I point at the flower designs that didn't really fit well with the other door designs. It was really intricate, pink and it was just too cute. The butler glances down at me, "Yes, young miss Kein. You have a keen eye. After all, the Duchess prepared this room for you herself." (Butler)

Wait what? She did?! "Um, isn't Duchess Viviana a noble?! Why did she prepare this room all on her own?! Isn't she a you know um noble?"

The Butler smiles, "I quote from the Duchess. 'It must be the first time Vincent has brought home a girl just in case I must treat her well if she will bear my grandchildren!', is what she said, young miss Kein." (Butler)

"Oh."

I glanced away from the butler before facepalming myself. Is anyone going to tell her I don't bend that way? No offense Duchess Viviana you're a great mother figure and all but you suck at matchmaking and you have no gaydar at all but I have to let her pass. She's a noble after all so surely she can't be all too knowing about these sorts of things.

Duchess Viviana is not even well aware that her son might be well... I actually don't know in which part Vincent is.

There are some cases where people just cross-dress because it feels comfortable and fun to be in but there are also a part percent they were born in the wrong body and need to change that. I don't know which one he is- I never asked if he ever wanted to-

I looked back at the pink flower designs, "This is definitely something... Vincent would like." I muttered to myself quietly opening the door to my room and entering inside.

The butler that led me here bows, "I hope the room is to your liking, young miss Kein."

The rooms inside were definitely lavish, soft pillows, a queen size bed, expensive trinkets I know that's worth more than my life, a palette and an easel nearby. They've thought of everything that I would need. It's definitely in here as well as an expensive looking bathrobe in the corner.

"Thank you for leading me here. Please also just put the canvas right over at the corner right there. I'll work on it right now."

"Certainly," The butler held the painting carefully on the side as he placed it where I asked. Wow that went smoother than expected, I was expecting chaos or something but this is a nice change of pace.

You know this is the first time I'm noticing this but isn't this butler also handsome? Like Alfred? Baron Hill's butler? Damn, this world has some fine butlers. Alfred had black hair, and brown eyes clearly. His figure was definitely chiseled I can tell even when he's wearing his uniform.

"May I also know your name?" I asked the other hot butler.

"It is Nigel Burns, young miss Kein." (Nigel) gave me his name.

I nodded in response. Well at least if I have any other single hetero friends I'll push them onto you Nigel, "A pleasure to meet you. I'll be in your care in the next two weeks, Nigel."

"To you as well." (Nigel)

He closes the door to my room as I slowly hear his footsteps fading away as the seconds pass. "Well I guess I'm alone in this room then. Might as well pull up an all nighter and continue working on the painting."

I took a seat again where the canvas stood, I picked up the brush Duchess Viviana must've prepared for me and honestly it's nice and all but my equipment from before should be alright.

I looked at the line art that I've drawn. Showing three familiar figures, the first is Duke Tristan, father of Vincent and the Royal Knight General meaning he handles the military affairs in all of [Puronia]. It is a respectable role, everyone in the capital knows the Wolford family thanks to their military prowess.

I've never talked to him but he seems like a father who would give you both tough love and soft love. As well as a lover who would do everything his wife tells him to.

Duchess Viviana... I don't know what kind of power she holds but I know she must be at least powerful. She also misunderstood me as Vincent's possible lover- which was annoying but anything other than that she's definitely a top tier mom. Just a bit worried about how overly enthusiastic she is. It made me realize Vincent might be more closer to his father the Duke, than the Duchess.

"Ah this is definitely a nice family you have here Vincent but I do understand the fear of you... hiding." I stroke my brush carefully adding details to Vincent's eye color.

"Emerald green eyes suit him. He got that from the Duchess from what I could see but he's definitely more like his father."

A mother who thinks she knows what is best for her child and a father who's wise, respectable but when it comes to family. That's his weakest spot you could ever hit.

I'll just enjoy my time here and treat it like a needed vacation indeed.