Cornered rat (10)
After arriving home, we visited Hugh's studio for the first time in a long time.
Hugh was painting a huge canvas as if possessed.
He was so focused that it seemed like he didn't even notice us.
Ellie, who discovered me, came running over to me with a big smile on her face.
It seems like she wasn't running this fast just a week ago, but she seems to be working hard consistently.
I was thankful and proud to see her still so bright, even though she must have had a hard time and been lonely living in an unfamiliar place.
"Sister!"
Ellie ran at full speed and grabbed my waist.
Ugh. Rahon caught me as I stumbled backward.
"Ellie, I told you not to hug her because I thought you were heavy."
"Isn't that too rude to a lady?"
"I heard it somewhere. You punk, can you get off quickly? It's hard for the lady."
"Huu..."
Ellie pouted and nuzzled her face against my stomach.
"Sister, why haven't you come for so long? I thought you forgot about me."
"I'm sorry, I was careless. I'll come here more often from now on."
"Hehe, it's okay. To be honest, I wasn't that bored. The other sisters played with me."
"Was it so?"
"Yesterday. I played in the maze garden with my sisters, and I was the first to escape."
"Wow, good job."
Ellie was excited and told stories about playing with the maids.
It seems like the employees took turns playing with her instead of me, who I called over but couldn't even see.
I'm sure the employees took special care of Ellie because she was my guest, but I was still grateful.
Only then did Hugh come to his senses and look back at us. He scratched his head with his paint-stained hand and nodded.
"Are you here, Miss?"
"Mr. Hugh, how's the work going?"
"I think it will be finished by tomorrow."
"That fast? You can do it while taking a break."
"Don't worry. I'm doing it because I like it."
"Can we have a meal together? I thought you might be busy, so I prepared some food in the studio cafeteria."
"Oh, you go first. I'll wash up and go."
"You can take it slow."
We headed to the cozy dining room attached to the studio.
There was a painting hanging in the dining room that I had never seen before.
This must be a painting Hugh drew during his free time. He was truly a natural artist.
As the servants left with the food, Nadia pulled my hand.
"Miss, please sit here."
"You sit down too, let's eat together."
"Is that so?"
Nadia took the chair without hesitation.
At that sight, Rahon snickered and took the chair next to me. Then, soon after, Ellie took the chair away from him and his face distorted.
"This is really..."
"It's ladies first."
Ellie blinked her eyes like a doll, her mouth trembling.
Rahon shook his head as if he couldn't stand it and sat down across from me.
"Millenia, ask Ellie what she's been doing."
"Didn't you argue hard?"
Ellie answered with a smug look on her face.
"I studied that too."
"What are you studying? Have you ever drawn a picture?"
Ellie, who had been in high spirits, suddenly became gloomy. Rahon burst into laughter.
"She's totally useless when it comes to art. She doesn't even resemble her brother."
"Ah...."
"But she's good at math. Is it because she's good at calculations?"
"Really? Ellie, did you learn math?"
"Rahon taught me."
"Wasn't it difficult?"
"Well, not really?"
"That's great. If studying is something that suits you, how about enrolling in an academy?"
"Isn't that the only place where nobles can enter?"
"Why are you worrying about that? Just think about whether you want to study or not."
"I would like to, but... Let's go back to Eldern now."
The academy was in the capital.
No matter how interested she was, it was just a picture of bread to Ellie, who was returning to Eldern.
"You can continue living in the capital. If you want."
"Um... Can I talk to you?"
"Then, feel free to discuss it."
"Wow, long live the rich sister!"
Ellie raised both her hands. Looking at her sparkling eyes, it was obvious what choice she would make.
Just then, Hugh came into the dining room.
"Ellie, what on earth were you talking about that you're cheering? Don't bother the young lady."
"Hey, that's not it. Just sit down. I'll tell you later."
Hugh sat down on the chair and unfolded his napkin.
When he left Eldern, he was awkward with table manners, but now it wasn't awkward at all.
'With this level of adaptability, you'll be able to live well in the capital.'
Hugh was already attracting attention as a painter who drew pictures of the future.
I think he'll make a name for himself if I just leave him alone, but if not, I'll just buy all of his work.
"Mr. Hugh, wasn't the second futureization a bit tricky to work on?"
"It was complicated, but that made it more fun."
"That's fortunate."
"Enjoy your meal, Miss."
"Mr. Hugh too."
Today too, there were a few different foods on my plate.
As I was about to scoop up some of the fish meat, which had been marinated in a sweet color, with a spoon, Rajon stopped spreading butter on the bread and spoke.
"Ellie, I need to approach a certain man right now. Think of a way to do it."
Huh? Isn't this something that should be brought up in a place like this?
Rahon handed me a piece of buttered bread while I was holding my breath in surprise.
"The fish meat is broken. I'll repackage it for you, so eat that."
"Ah... yes."
I hesitated and took a bite of the bread. Ellie pushed me some juice.
"Sister, here's some juice."
"Thank you."
Ellie, who had been watching me drink the juice, slurped down the soup.
"Please continue talking. What is that man's personality like?"
"He is authoritarian and calculating. He is also very vigilant, so he only entrusts medical treatment to doctors he trusts."
"Can't I do it even if Rahon examines me?"
"I'm a Shancressian. I guess they'll consider it a sign of weakness and reject me."
"How tricky. What kind of person are you to be so strict? Are you the Emperor? Why are you arguing about the country?"
"Cough."
The juice suddenly got stuck in my throat. Nadia handed me a handkerchief as I coughed softly.
"That old man doesn't have any children?"
"Yes."
"Then, try approaching him subtly using his child as an excuse. Which parent would refuse to check on their child to see if he or she is sick?"
The Emperor has three sons.
However, the reason why only 1st Prince Kalit and 3rd Prince Oslo were mentioned as successors is because the 2nd Prince's body is very weak.
As a 'savior', Rahon's expression brightened as he knew about these circumstances.
"Oh, that's a good idea, isn't it?"
"Heh, ask more. Ellie will take care of everything."
"Wipe your mouth. You got soup on it."
"..."
The cozy meal ended late in the evening.
***
Three days have passed since then.
Today, too, the attendees engaged in a heated debate from the morning.
Everyone looked like a mess because they had stayed up all night for several days. The area under their eyes was hollow, but their eyes were strangely gleaming, and they looked almost like they were full of evil.
Rahon and I sneaked out of the main library while listening to the participants' discussions.
A few days ago, I had requested to the Emperor that I and Rahon be allowed to meet the Second Prince, but today, permission was finally granted.
The Second Prince's palace was the most beautiful of all the buildings in the palace.
The sprawling Zelkova forest behind was magnificent, and the pond in front gave off a tranquil atmosphere.
The Emperor was standing on the arched bridge spanning the pond. He raised his head from his expressionless gaze into the pond.
"You came."
I could hear his soft soliloquy faintly. Soon he crossed the bridge and approached us.
Rahon greeted first.
"Thank you for allowing me to meet you."
"Don't think that a father will carelessly intervene in a gathering of adults. The second Prince is so weak that his entry and exit are strictly controlled."
"I understand."
"Then let's go in."
Rahon and I followed the Emperor and reconfirmed our goals.
Contact the Emperor and check on his physical condition.
But without the Emperor's knowledge.
'Is it possible?'
Support Novellate!
Comments
Post a Comment