Chapter 34 – He Did Not Want To

TL: Kay (kkrivulet)

“James.”

“Yes, my lady.”

Fortunately, she addressed him correctly this time.

Alicia breathed a sigh of relief and quickly revealed her purpose.

“I heard that you’re going to paint a new picture for me, but can you paint a portrait without actually seeing the subject?”

“Each painter has a different style, so it may be different from what you actually saw, but it is possible.”

“Then, even if there’s a rough sketch?”

Alicia pulled out a picture from the box the maid had brought and carefully presented it to James.

Alicia had no choice but to describe the level of the drawing as a shabby picture.

“If anyone is available to explain the appearance of the person in the portrait, it is possible. It’s mainly because this sketch has no colour. Without an explanation, it will not be possible to paint it in colour.”

“I can explain.”

“My lady?”

“Actually, this is my mother.”

A smile naturally spread on Alicia’s face.

“Oh, I see. No wonder I thought the lady looked so much like you.”

James smiled at Alicia, who looked at him with eyes full of expectation.

“Do we look alike?”

“Yes, so if you can help me as a model, I think I can work with ease.”

“I’ll help with anything I can. As long as the painting can be completed, anything will be fine.”

Alicia nodded hastily unknowingly and sneaked a glance at Mrs Morco.

Not surprisingly, Mrs Morco’s expression was not very good.

Alicia hurriedly suppressed her excitement and tried to smile elegantly.

Alicia had endured dozens of cramps in her mouth in order to complete a smile that looked elegant with only the corners of her mouth slightly raised.

“My lady, you don’t have to overdo it.”

Of course, apart from her efforts, she had not yet crossed the strict line of Mrs Morco.

Alicia felt a tinge of regret at the voice of Mrs Morco whispering quietly in her ear, relaxed her mouth and blinked reflexively at the gaze she encountered.

Silver eyes reminiscent of glass beads were looking at her.

“……Is there something on my face?”

“It’s because you are beautiful.”

“Pardon?”

She was so embarrassed that the honorific word popped out without her knowledge.

Alicia furrowed her brows.

“You don’t have to compliment me.”

“It’s not an empty compliment.”

[T/N: An “empty compliment” is a compliment that is fake or without meaning.]

James laughed one more time.

But again, he failed to gain Alicia’s trust.

The man who was beautiful enough to make her believe that the story of a fairy who lived in the woods was real was comparable to most beautiful women.

Hearing such a beautiful man’s words made her think that he was only trying to be polite.

“This picture was drawn by the lady, isn’t that right?”

“……How did you know that?”

“Because the picture contains the heart of the person who drew it. You must have missed her a lot.”

“…….”

Were such emotions visible in the eyes of a professional?

Alicia looked at the old portrait and pursed her lips.

She felt naked in the gaze that seemed to know everything.

“You don’t have to worry too much. It’s not that difficult to paint because it’s well-characterized, and the lady said that she’d even serve as a model.”

“But?”

“Why don’t you try to paint it yourself?”

“By myself?”

Alicia’s eyes widened like a rabbit.

“Yes.”

“If you like, I can paint it, but you’ll be much better at painting this picture.”

“I’ve never learned how to paint before…….”

“You’ve never learned anything, but if you can do this, it’s enough as you’re not without talent.”

“But I’ve never thought about such a thing…….”

At the sudden offer, Alicia reflexively looked at Mrs Morco.

“I don’t think it’ll be bad if my lady is okay with it. Art is also one of the qualities of a lady.”

Alicia thought she would say no, but Mrs Morco’s reaction was positive.

Alicia looked at James, feeling more bewildered.

“If you feel uncomfortable, you can refuse.”

“…….”

“However, paintings should be painted by people who really want to draw. Even if it might take more time, I’m sure that it will be a beautiful painting.”

“…….”

Alicia wiggled her fingers as she looked at James’s beautiful smile.

For Alicia, painting was a means to not forget.

At the very least, it was an effort to remember her mother more.

Even when she received the offer to learn to paint, she was in a daze as if she had heard ridiculous news.

Nevertheless, she did not want to say no.

Alicia swallowed dry saliva and clenched her fists.

* * *

“What brings you here?”

「It’s because I’ve been sending you letter correspondences, but disappointingly, my brother hasn’t contacted me once.」

Gerpenus crossed his arms as he spoke spitefully.

Even though he was prepared to communicate at any time, his indifferent younger brother always made him contact him first.

“I’ve already heard that the envoys are coming, and we’re smoothly making preparations accordingly, so you don’t have to worry about it.”

「Even if you know what the purpose of the envoys are, you are so calm.」

“Whatever meaning it contains, if I don’t feel it, it’s only meaningless.”

「Judging from the way you’re speaking, it seems that you still have the same ridiculous thoughts. My little brother is not cute at all.」

Gerpenus held his chin and clicked his tongue.

He didn’t think that Cabellenus would change in a short time, but he thought there might have been a slight chance, but the stubborn brother didn’t even show any signs of it.

Cabellenus was sincere.

For Gerpenus, who had watched his younger brother for a long time, the point was so clear that it became more difficult.

“That’s a story that does not require further discussion. I’ve already made my decision, and I have no intention of reversing it.”

「That may be the case, but if you say it like that, I can’t help it.」

Gerpenus shook his head at his brother, who he could not communicate to.

There was something wrong with their veins – the Blanche lineage had always been stubborn for generations.

Even with great effort, it was difficult to break the resolve.

「I was informed that the envoys have departed. They should arrive in Schwarhan as early as next week, or at the latest, the week after.」

“I will do my best to serve them.”

It was clear that the line was drawn as Cabellenus answered with a dull expression.

[T/N: To ‘draw the line’ means to put a limit on what you will do or allow to happen. I.e. to set boundaries.]

Gerpenus clicked his tongue and leaned his torso against the chair.

「And, among the envoys, there will be a young lady who I consider as suitable to accompany you. As per our bet.」

“…….”

「Her name is Veloa Christie. She is the youngest princess of the Christie Kingdom. She’s not a princess of a ruined country whose name can’t even be found anymore, but a princess of a real kingdom who lacks nothing. Besides, she’s a great beauty. In many ways, she’s on a different dimension from the slave woman who has nothing to see.」

“I don’t like vulgar expressions.”

Cabellenus slightly frowned.

「I’m confused whether the reason you’re offended is just because I used vulgar expressions or because I looked down on her.」

“…….“

「I think they’re both the same. Besides, I think the latter makes me look worse.」

“…….“

「Ahhh. In that case, you should learn to hide your emotions more reliably. If you continuously put on airs like that, you might offend me. That woman’s existence will end up getting on my nerves.」

[T/N: To ‘put on airs’ means to act in a way that shows one thinks one is better than other people.]

Gerpenus spoke in an amused voice, but his eyes, visible through his curved eyes, weren’t smiling at all.

「I believe in you. You’re still rational, so you will be able to think enough to determine what is the correct judgment.」

“Is that why you chose the Kingdom of Christie?”

「Yes. It was a decision I made because I thought you would understand the benefits for Schwarhan to be in a relationship with the Kingdom of Christie.」

A slight smile spread on Gerpenus’s lips.

He was confident that he knew his younger brother better than anyone else.

If a remnant of rationality still remained in Cabellenus, he would not refuse Gerpenus’s offer.

「I wish it were just a matter that could be solved with a beautiful or high-ranking woman, but you are not that kind of guy. If you were fascinated by such things, you would have fallen in love with a woman a long time ago.」

“…….“

「The woman I chose is the one who has what you want. She’s the one who Schwarhan needs the most. Well, even if I don’t say this, you know this better than anyone else.」

“That’s my choice.”

「The choice is yours, but I can give you an option.」

Gerpenus cunningly raised the corners of his mouth.

Marriage was another matter, but this was a matter of putting Cabellenus’s life on the line.

[T/N: To put (one’s) life on the line means to put oneself in harm’s way to achieve something.]

For this matter, Gerpenus had no intention of behaving like a generous older brother.

「You have a strong sense of responsibility. For those who you regard as your own people, you will try to protect them no matter what. Your people follow you like a god because, after all, they know you’re that kind of person.」

“…….“

「Can you really miss this opportunity that I’m offering you? 」

Luckily, the discovery of the spirit stones prolonged the lifespan, but Schwarhan’s endemic problems remained.

To solve the problem, Cabellenus had to make a choice, and Gerpenus knew it better than anyone else.

It would be all okay if he chose to abandon the land of death, but Cabellenus wasn’t such a person.

Gerpenus had always disliked that trait, but now he was grateful for it.

People with a lot of things to protect had a lot of gaps.

「Oh, let the heat cool down for a while and think carefully. Feelings last once, while profits last forever. If you choose that woman, there is nothing you will gain.」

“It’s not a decision that is made to gain a benefit.”

「In that case, we need to reconsider it more. A marriage where nothing’s gained is just a stupid choice for a nobleman.」

“…….“

「Have an ordinary marriage. Brother. Don’t get caught up in a moment of emotion and dirty your veins.」

Gerpenus stared straight at Cabellenus with an unsmiling face.

The half-brother, who was born with flawless veins, did not know how great it was.

It was the virtue of elders to awaken the reality to such a brother.

“What is an ordinary marriage?”

「It is a marriage of ordinary nobles who exchange a reasonable price with a woman who has reasonable conditions.」

“…….“

「If you really like her, keep her by your side. I won’t stop you from doing that. My younger brother is not an insignificant guy where having a lover would destroy his authority. I can close my eyes as much as I can.」

“I didn’t know Your Majesty would say that.”

「I can do it.」

Gerpenus nodded nonchalantly.

It wasn’t that he didn’t sympathise with the life of his mother, who lived as the emperor’s lover, but rather, it was because he was the emperor.

When it came to choices, it was right to make decisions based on reason, not emotion.

“I will not live the same life as His Majesty the Emperor.”

「You are still stuck in the past.」

“Isn’t that the same with you?”

「…….」

It was easy to get married and take Alicia as a lover.

But in the end, that would mean he would be going down the same path as his father.

Cabellenus remembered his mother, who swallowed tears alone in the room without anyone knowing.

As long as he remembered her look, he couldn’t do such a thing.

That was the least respect Cabellenus could do for his mother.

“No matter how much you say that, it’s useless. Your Majesty has already made a bet with me, and I have no intention of losing. Everything is only a matter of time.”

「It’s only a matter of time?」

Gerpenus exhaled roughly.

“Schwarhan’s duchess has already been decided, and nothing shall change. That’s the only thing I can tell you.”

Cabellenus kept a calm expression without avoiding Gerpenus’s gaze.

Gerpenus said that if he met the women Gerpenus had chosen for a year and remained unshaken by them, Gerpenus would accept his marriage with Alicia.

The young emperor was adept at weighing values.

And he knew exactly what kind of wife Cabellenus needed.

The marriage arranged by Gerpenus was definitely not a losing deal.

It was the best offer that a brother who knew Cabellenus well could think of, and it would have been enough for the old Cabellenus.

In the past, Cabellenus believed that marriage was possible as long as the necessary conditions were satisfied.

If one marriage could solve Schwarhan’s long-standing problems, it was definitely a good deal.

But he did not want to.

Cabellenus could no longer let go of Alicia.

The rustling warmth in his arms was now so natural that he could not imagine it disappearing.

「Didn’t I tell you? The same is true for me. I have no intentions of losing, either.」

At all costs.

Gerpenus laughed leisurely, concealing his innermost thoughts.

He knew his brother well, but he still did not know to what extent his younger brother would go.