42. Subtle Currents
Artemisia, who visited Daphne's room for her education, tilted her head. It was because the guest had arrived first. No, to be exact, the guest and the host.
The Emperor was here.
Artemisia rolled her eyes and looked at the two. A dreamlike scene unfolded before her eyes in the room, brightly lit by sunlight.
The subtle current in between.
Asherad was staring at Daphne, and Daphne was staring at the canvas. It was unclear what Daphne was drawing. She didn't sketch, but literally drew anything with a brush.
Artemisia was overcome by the urge to capture the two people on canvas.
Artemisia looked at Asherad again. The young Emperor, who had only recently ascended to the throne. No one in this empire did not know how popular Askelad was.
Especially, all women of marriageable age dreamed of a romance with Asherad. He was a hero who brought an end to the Hundred Years War, and his handsome appearance and dignified manners were famous since he was the Crown Prince.
He had a picturesque charm, no matter what he wore.
But to Artemisia, the Crown Prince was just one of many poor models.
He was so painted that he had no charm for Artemisia. A measured smile. So predictable.
What an unattractive creature to Artemisia, who loved the weak, deficient, and ugly 'human' itself.
However, Artemisia withdrew her thoughts on Asherad. The Asherad in front of Daphne was different. He was overflowing with humanity.
As Asherad looked at Artemisia, she quickly grabbed the hem of her skirt and greeted her.
“I am the daughter of Leschi, the master of Peneus.”
“Welcome.”
Asherad smiled broadly and put on a friendly expression. But Artemisia felt a strange distortion inside him.
Her heart pounded. She could feel the killing intent of a beast that wanted to bite her neck to death in that neat and affectionate smile...
“Miss Leschi, what happened to the painting I asked for?”
“I came to ask for your understanding because of that. I think Miss Daphne won’t be able to attend class today because there’s a painting you’d like me to do.”
It would be best to get out of here. Artemisia smiled skillfully and decided to avoid this place.
“Daphne, see you tomorrow.”
Daphne made a regretful expression. However, after looking at Asherad's expression, she nodded slightly.
Artemisia looked at the Emperor with a bright smile and made an uneasy expression.
The Emperor is so well-informed that he knows that she is the painter Arete. Daphne somehow feels awkward around the Emperor. It is right to be interested, but what can you do if you are curious?
Artemisia looked back as she walked down the hall. When she reached her room, she also had a guest in her room.
“When on earth are you coming back?”
It was Count Leschi. He whined as if he was about to burst into tears. He really looked like a strong brother.
“You’re not finished drawing? Not yet?”
“It’s been a long time since I drew it.”
“Then just come back quickly. It’s hard for me to lead the family alone. Please.”
Artemisia looked at her pitiful brother. He was not a blood relative, but just a mother's son. Artemisia tried to suppress her swearing and asked.
“What on earth is the relationship between Miss Daphne and His Majesty?”
“You still don’t listen to what others say...”
“Wasn’t she the woman His Majesty the Emperor loved so much?”
Count Leschi sighed as usual when his words were completely ignored.
“Do you know that woman is the daughter of a witch? The witch who lied and claimed to be the offspring of His Majesty the Emperor?”
“Oh, I’ve heard of that witch. She was that woman’s daughter.”
Artemisia was a person who was interested in others, but also not interested in others.
“Yes, because of that witch, Her Majesty the late Empress and His Majesty’s position were in danger.”
The Count nodded at Artemisia's words. It was a well-known fact that the late Emperor secretly wanted to oust the Empress, even though he had not taken any official action.
He was ignored at official events, and although he was referred to as Crown Prince Asherad, he was never given any important duties.
Not once did he ever officially praise Asherad.
“Yes. But that’s that, why did His Majesty take Miss Daphne as his lover?”
What Artemisia was curious about was not whether she was the daughter of a concubine, but why the Emperor took her as his lover.
“If she were the seed of the previous Majesty, she might have been his half-sister. Before that, she was someone who threatened his position.”
"I know?"
Ah, she wants to smash that stupid face. Artemisia sighed as she watched Count Leschi, who could not answer the important question.
“The Emperor said, It’s strange.”
"Why?"
Count Leschi said with a puzzled look. Artemisia frowned and turned her head away.
“There’s something a little strange.”
“He is the hero of Peneus. Even when he was Crown Prince, his reputation was not bad. He is a man without any flaws, but what did he do?”
“You can’t trust men, you know.”
Count Leschi did not offer any rebuttal to Artemisia's words this time.
It was true that the current situation had some strange aspects. The former Emperor, who was displeased with Asherad, suddenly collapsed.
And soon after, Asherad went into battle, and the Empress Dowager Kalista and Duke Turbol took control of the government. They crowned the Crown Prince, who had returned as a hero, with the glorious crown of an Emperor as if they had been waiting for him.
“I feel sorry for Miss Daphne.”
“Daphne? Is that the name of the witch’s daughter?”
Artemisia thought of Daphne, who looked helpless. She didn't know what she was thinking or what the situation was.
However, even though she was the daughter of a court lady, she did not flirt with the Emperor or arrogantly trample on anyone.
Is that why she was a little, no, a little more interested in it? She thought it was like a baby animal picked up in the mountains.
Daphne was looking at Artemisia's paintings. When asked if she wanted to see them, she gladly brought over the ones she was working on.
The paintings were varied: lotus flowers in a pond, holy paintings, etc.
“What is this? Wow.”
Daphne was purely amazed at the picture of the sunset over the sea and the field of wild flowers in the forest. Her once listless blue eyes began to sparkle with life.
All of these were places Daphne had never seen before. Daphne looked at another picture. This time, it was a peaceful scene of a house.
“Did you see it yourself and draw it?”
Artemisia looked at that and smiled bitterly.
“No, I just imagined it.”
“...”
“They say the sea is blue, but I don’t know what the difference is between it and a lake... I don’t know if sunlight in the forest is supposed to look like this, or if it’s supposed to reflect the color of the forest leaves and make the shade look green.”
There was a clear sense of regret in Artemisia's words.
When Daphne looked up and saw her, she smiled and said,
“I’m also a daughter of a noble family, so I’ve never really gone out.”
"Me too."
Daphne covered her mouth as she clapped her hands together. She might not like being tied down to her.
But Artemisia stared at Daphne's face. It felt like a strange kinship. Artemisia said excitedly.
“That’s why I liked painting.”
"Is it so?"
“I can draw whatever I want to imagine. Whether it’s a story from a myth, or a story about heroes. Or a forest I’ve never been to, or that blue sea.”
“...”
“When I draw it, my frustration is relieved. I can create the scenery in my mind with my own hands. That’s why I like drawing it.”
“...”
“What about Daphne? Is there anything you want to do?”
Daphne pondered the question. And what did she want to do? She snickered. At that moment, Artemisia approached the painting that had been covered with a black cloth earlier.
“I drew it.”
Artemisia spoke softly. At this moment, she felt that Daphne would understand her. Even her mother could not understand her feelings.
“Daphne. What is your relationship with His Majesty?”
“...”
“Are you in love with His Majesty?”
Artemisia untied the cloth in the painting. It felt like the first time she saw Artemisia. The painting was hidden by her.
“I couldn’t tell anyone, but I thought Daphne would understand.”
She stepped back from where she had been covering the painting. The moment she saw the canvas, Daphne looked at it with a hardened expression.
“That’s the painting, Judith Beheading the Enemy General.”
It was a shocking picture. Artemisia brought her face close to Daphne's ear as she stared blankly at the sight.
“Try drawing Daphne too.”
Artemisia whispered like a demon. It was a picture of anger and hatred.
Artemisia, who visited Daphne's room for her education, tilted her head. It was because the guest had arrived first. No, to be exact, the guest and the host.
The Emperor was here.
Artemisia rolled her eyes and looked at the two. A dreamlike scene unfolded before her eyes in the room, brightly lit by sunlight.
The subtle current in between.
Asherad was staring at Daphne, and Daphne was staring at the canvas. It was unclear what Daphne was drawing. She didn't sketch, but literally drew anything with a brush.
Artemisia was overcome by the urge to capture the two people on canvas.
Artemisia looked at Asherad again. The young Emperor, who had only recently ascended to the throne. No one in this empire did not know how popular Askelad was.
Especially, all women of marriageable age dreamed of a romance with Asherad. He was a hero who brought an end to the Hundred Years War, and his handsome appearance and dignified manners were famous since he was the Crown Prince.
He had a picturesque charm, no matter what he wore.
But to Artemisia, the Crown Prince was just one of many poor models.
He was so painted that he had no charm for Artemisia. A measured smile. So predictable.
What an unattractive creature to Artemisia, who loved the weak, deficient, and ugly 'human' itself.
However, Artemisia withdrew her thoughts on Asherad. The Asherad in front of Daphne was different. He was overflowing with humanity.
As Asherad looked at Artemisia, she quickly grabbed the hem of her skirt and greeted her.
“I am the daughter of Leschi, the master of Peneus.”
“Welcome.”
Asherad smiled broadly and put on a friendly expression. But Artemisia felt a strange distortion inside him.
Her heart pounded. She could feel the killing intent of a beast that wanted to bite her neck to death in that neat and affectionate smile...
“Miss Leschi, what happened to the painting I asked for?”
“I came to ask for your understanding because of that. I think Miss Daphne won’t be able to attend class today because there’s a painting you’d like me to do.”
It would be best to get out of here. Artemisia smiled skillfully and decided to avoid this place.
“Daphne, see you tomorrow.”
Daphne made a regretful expression. However, after looking at Asherad's expression, she nodded slightly.
Artemisia looked at the Emperor with a bright smile and made an uneasy expression.
The Emperor is so well-informed that he knows that she is the painter Arete. Daphne somehow feels awkward around the Emperor. It is right to be interested, but what can you do if you are curious?
Artemisia looked back as she walked down the hall. When she reached her room, she also had a guest in her room.
“When on earth are you coming back?”
It was Count Leschi. He whined as if he was about to burst into tears. He really looked like a strong brother.
“You’re not finished drawing? Not yet?”
“It’s been a long time since I drew it.”
“Then just come back quickly. It’s hard for me to lead the family alone. Please.”
Artemisia looked at her pitiful brother. He was not a blood relative, but just a mother's son. Artemisia tried to suppress her swearing and asked.
“What on earth is the relationship between Miss Daphne and His Majesty?”
“You still don’t listen to what others say...”
“Wasn’t she the woman His Majesty the Emperor loved so much?”
Count Leschi sighed as usual when his words were completely ignored.
“Do you know that woman is the daughter of a witch? The witch who lied and claimed to be the offspring of His Majesty the Emperor?”
“Oh, I’ve heard of that witch. She was that woman’s daughter.”
Artemisia was a person who was interested in others, but also not interested in others.
“Yes, because of that witch, Her Majesty the late Empress and His Majesty’s position were in danger.”
The Count nodded at Artemisia's words. It was a well-known fact that the late Emperor secretly wanted to oust the Empress, even though he had not taken any official action.
He was ignored at official events, and although he was referred to as Crown Prince Asherad, he was never given any important duties.
Not once did he ever officially praise Asherad.
“Yes. But that’s that, why did His Majesty take Miss Daphne as his lover?”
What Artemisia was curious about was not whether she was the daughter of a concubine, but why the Emperor took her as his lover.
“If she were the seed of the previous Majesty, she might have been his half-sister. Before that, she was someone who threatened his position.”
"I know?"
Ah, she wants to smash that stupid face. Artemisia sighed as she watched Count Leschi, who could not answer the important question.
“The Emperor said, It’s strange.”
"Why?"
Count Leschi said with a puzzled look. Artemisia frowned and turned her head away.
“There’s something a little strange.”
“He is the hero of Peneus. Even when he was Crown Prince, his reputation was not bad. He is a man without any flaws, but what did he do?”
“You can’t trust men, you know.”
Count Leschi did not offer any rebuttal to Artemisia's words this time.
It was true that the current situation had some strange aspects. The former Emperor, who was displeased with Asherad, suddenly collapsed.
And soon after, Asherad went into battle, and the Empress Dowager Kalista and Duke Turbol took control of the government. They crowned the Crown Prince, who had returned as a hero, with the glorious crown of an Emperor as if they had been waiting for him.
“I feel sorry for Miss Daphne.”
“Daphne? Is that the name of the witch’s daughter?”
Artemisia thought of Daphne, who looked helpless. She didn't know what she was thinking or what the situation was.
However, even though she was the daughter of a court lady, she did not flirt with the Emperor or arrogantly trample on anyone.
Is that why she was a little, no, a little more interested in it? She thought it was like a baby animal picked up in the mountains.
***
Daphne was looking at Artemisia's paintings. When asked if she wanted to see them, she gladly brought over the ones she was working on.
The paintings were varied: lotus flowers in a pond, holy paintings, etc.
“What is this? Wow.”
Daphne was purely amazed at the picture of the sunset over the sea and the field of wild flowers in the forest. Her once listless blue eyes began to sparkle with life.
All of these were places Daphne had never seen before. Daphne looked at another picture. This time, it was a peaceful scene of a house.
“Did you see it yourself and draw it?”
Artemisia looked at that and smiled bitterly.
“No, I just imagined it.”
“...”
“They say the sea is blue, but I don’t know what the difference is between it and a lake... I don’t know if sunlight in the forest is supposed to look like this, or if it’s supposed to reflect the color of the forest leaves and make the shade look green.”
There was a clear sense of regret in Artemisia's words.
When Daphne looked up and saw her, she smiled and said,
“I’m also a daughter of a noble family, so I’ve never really gone out.”
"Me too."
Daphne covered her mouth as she clapped her hands together. She might not like being tied down to her.
But Artemisia stared at Daphne's face. It felt like a strange kinship. Artemisia said excitedly.
“That’s why I liked painting.”
"Is it so?"
“I can draw whatever I want to imagine. Whether it’s a story from a myth, or a story about heroes. Or a forest I’ve never been to, or that blue sea.”
“...”
“When I draw it, my frustration is relieved. I can create the scenery in my mind with my own hands. That’s why I like drawing it.”
“...”
“What about Daphne? Is there anything you want to do?”
Daphne pondered the question. And what did she want to do? She snickered. At that moment, Artemisia approached the painting that had been covered with a black cloth earlier.
“I drew it.”
Artemisia spoke softly. At this moment, she felt that Daphne would understand her. Even her mother could not understand her feelings.
“Daphne. What is your relationship with His Majesty?”
“...”
“Are you in love with His Majesty?”
Artemisia untied the cloth in the painting. It felt like the first time she saw Artemisia. The painting was hidden by her.
“I couldn’t tell anyone, but I thought Daphne would understand.”
She stepped back from where she had been covering the painting. The moment she saw the canvas, Daphne looked at it with a hardened expression.
“That’s the painting, Judith Beheading the Enemy General.”
It was a shocking picture. Artemisia brought her face close to Daphne's ear as she stared blankly at the sight.
“Try drawing Daphne too.”
Artemisia whispered like a demon. It was a picture of anger and hatred.
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