43. Breathing hole
Daphne looked up at the sky. The weather was clear. She smiled and looked at the things at her feet.
The yellow flowers were perfect for drawing. How would you express such a cluster of flowers? Daphne blinked.
Since she took up drawing as a hobby, everything seemed to be made up of drawings.
Daphne absentmindedly recalled yesterday's events. The image of Artemisia kept lingering in her mind. The raw, emotional face of a woman beheading. The dying man.
Artemisia was truly a genius.
"Daphne?"
Daphne raised her head at the sound of the voice. Asherad was sitting there. They were enjoying teatime.
Tea time.
It was a strange feeling. Asherad never let her into his old 'high-class' world. Daphne didn't even dare to enter it.
But now that she's drinking tea and looking at his face, why now?
Wasn't she just a doll to be desired?
Daphne knew her subject well. Could it be that he was trying to fill the void left by Kalista's tea drinking with her?
“What were you thinking?”
“I thought of a painting.”
Daphne answered. Asherad seemed pleased that Daphne was showing interest in something and nodded to some extent when talking about the picture.
"Painting?"
“Oh, I thought it would be pretty if I drew this garden.”
Daphne avoided the gaze she had met with Asherad and turned her gaze back to the yellow rose bushes. The yellow waves contrasting with the blue sky would certainly be fun to express.
“I bought you some clothes. It’s fall now.”
“Yes, I received it.”
Are there any new colors of paint? According to Artemisia, some countries produce blue paints that are really pretty. There are also purple paints that are really strangely colored.
“You didn’t wear any of the necklaces I gave you as a gift?”
Daphne was shocked at that question. Now that she thought about it, Asherad had given her not only clothes but also accessories. The accessories were pretty, but she didn’t feel like they were hers anyway, and it was burdensome for a maid to wear them.
And above all, what if the paint gets on the jewelry? She thought about the painting she was drying.
She started drawing impulsively, following Artemisia's advice, and she liked it quite a bit. She'll have to draw again after this teatime.
She picked up the cookies on the plate with a rather pleasant expression. She quite liked the soft buttery scent and unique nutty flavor.
“It brings back old memories.”
Daphne turned her head in wonder. What old memories could he be recalling?
“You used to like getting those cookies, too.”
“...”
“Sit on my lap.”
“...”
“It was quite cute how your eyes lit up as you ate the cookie I offered you.”
Daphne opened her eyes wide. She suddenly remembered the past. She sat on Asherad's lap and read books to him in return for cookies and biscuits. That was the only happiness for young Daphne.
Asherad occasionally stroked Daphne's head. That false happy time. That time when she was treated with care, like a dog being trained.
Daphne unconsciously put down the cookie she was biting into. Asherad raised his eyebrows and stared at Daphne’s face. His warm green eyes turned cold. His eyes, hard as ice, did not know how to leave her still hand and her downcast eyes. Daphne was staring at the cookie without even realizing it.
Asherad, that's a memory.
Daphne, who knew nothing, was acting cute, which was a memory.
That was the memory of 'dog'.
“It’s so sad.”
Asherad spoke in an exaggeratedly friendly tone. When Daphne raised her head, Asherad, who looked as kind as ever, spoke.
“How about we stop learning how to draw now?”
“...”
“You’ve been learning for four months already. Let’s learn something else.”
If it had been before she started drawing, Daphne would have nodded. It wouldn't have mattered what she learned.
“Why don’t you just learn how to draw? With Countess Leschi’s daughter...”
“With the Young Lady?”
Asherad's question made him bite his lips.
“Have you become close friends?”
Daphne's eyes widened at that question. Suddenly, a red-haired man came to mind. The man who had been tied to a chair, bleeding and slowly dying... Why did he come to mind?
For a moment, her heart pounded. Daphne shook her head.
“Just, just, I wanted to draw!”
“...”
“I want to know more about the painting.”
“...”
“Well, then. Just let me draw a picture.”
Asherad nodded mercifully to Daphne's plea.
“But please draw in moderation. I hate the smell of paint.”
She wants to say goodbye to Artemisia. But she can't. Daphne looked at Asherad.
“Then let’s go in now.”
Daphne nodded and followed Asherad's hand. Her heart, which had been filled with a little bit of colorful paint, seemed to slowly drain away. It felt like all the strength in her body was draining away.
It was when Daphne entered her room, which had become both a studio and a bedroom.
"Oh!"
The canvases in the room were all torn apart. Daphne was startled and looked at the paintings she had painted. The paintings that had clearly been hanging on the easel to dry were all torn apart. The paintings that Daphne had first painted, the ones she had painted out of boredom, had all disappeared without a trace.
Even the things she drew all night long without even realizing she was falling asleep...
Daphne's heart was broken. In her listless life, it was the only act that could restore her energy. She didn't paint particularly beautiful pictures, but she still felt very happy when she painted with colorful paints.
“Daphne. You got paint on you.”
Asherad grabbed Daphne's hand and stopped her. Why is this happening...?
Daphne looked towards Asherad and flinched.
“Are you sure that’s you?”
Even Daphne used the word 'you' instead of the honorific title 'Your Majesty'. Daphne looked at him with trembling eyes. Asherad's face hardened with a strange shock.
Come to think of it, Asherad was displeased with Daphne's drawing. He even declared that she would stop the drawing class today.
He also said he hated the smell of paint. If that's true, then it makes sense that he tore up the painting.
"Then?"
Asherad, who had a hardened face, raised the corners of his mouth. Her eyes burned hotly, but for a moment, her heart pounded and she felt as if something had collapsed.
“You know, I was having fun drawing it.”
“...”
“It was the only place I could put my heart.”
At Daphne's trembling voice, Asherad grabbed Daphne's hand and placed it against his chest.
“You should put your heart here, not on that piece of cloth.”
She felt a warmth and a disgusting heartbeat. What, is that the reason you did this? Just because you didn't like it?
It wasn't just a piece of cloth. It was the only shelter Daphne could find and smile at. Was that so unpleasant?
'The Crown Prince has given the order. He says that all those who are close to you will leave you.'
Fabian's voice rang out.
That's right. This person liked this kind of thing. Because he didn't think they were the same person in the first place... So he killed Fabian, who had been dedicated to giving her freedom... He killed her ego...
This is what blocks even the breathing hole.
There is only one reason.
It's just because things like this are fun. It's like when you treat your puppy badly and it reacts cutely.
“Go away!”
Daphne screamed, this time tears streaming down her face.
“Go away!”
Daphne pushed Asherad's chest with all her might. Was this guy going to keep, keep, keep tormenting her?
She felt a sense of despair.
“Why? Can’t I do that?”
Asherad whispered sweetly. He held Daphne's wrist and did not let go.
“I was left behind in the momentary pleasures. Right?”
Asherad's words were soft, but a rough breath came out of his mouth. Daphne did not know that it was anger born of discontent.
“You were so distracted by that stuff that you didn’t even look at me. Yeah, I guess it would be better to just burn them all.”
“Just kill me! Kill me instead!”
Daphne screamed. She cried, not knowing what to do. Why not just let her learn how to draw? Why is he ruining her like this?
“Why should I kill you?”
Daphne lost her reason at Asherad's words.
“Oh, right! It’s a great way to satisfy your needs, so why would you kill me?!”
Daphne looked up at the sky. The weather was clear. She smiled and looked at the things at her feet.
The yellow flowers were perfect for drawing. How would you express such a cluster of flowers? Daphne blinked.
Since she took up drawing as a hobby, everything seemed to be made up of drawings.
Daphne absentmindedly recalled yesterday's events. The image of Artemisia kept lingering in her mind. The raw, emotional face of a woman beheading. The dying man.
Artemisia was truly a genius.
"Daphne?"
Daphne raised her head at the sound of the voice. Asherad was sitting there. They were enjoying teatime.
Tea time.
It was a strange feeling. Asherad never let her into his old 'high-class' world. Daphne didn't even dare to enter it.
But now that she's drinking tea and looking at his face, why now?
Wasn't she just a doll to be desired?
Daphne knew her subject well. Could it be that he was trying to fill the void left by Kalista's tea drinking with her?
“What were you thinking?”
“I thought of a painting.”
Daphne answered. Asherad seemed pleased that Daphne was showing interest in something and nodded to some extent when talking about the picture.
"Painting?"
“Oh, I thought it would be pretty if I drew this garden.”
Daphne avoided the gaze she had met with Asherad and turned her gaze back to the yellow rose bushes. The yellow waves contrasting with the blue sky would certainly be fun to express.
“I bought you some clothes. It’s fall now.”
“Yes, I received it.”
Are there any new colors of paint? According to Artemisia, some countries produce blue paints that are really pretty. There are also purple paints that are really strangely colored.
“You didn’t wear any of the necklaces I gave you as a gift?”
Daphne was shocked at that question. Now that she thought about it, Asherad had given her not only clothes but also accessories. The accessories were pretty, but she didn’t feel like they were hers anyway, and it was burdensome for a maid to wear them.
And above all, what if the paint gets on the jewelry? She thought about the painting she was drying.
She started drawing impulsively, following Artemisia's advice, and she liked it quite a bit. She'll have to draw again after this teatime.
She picked up the cookies on the plate with a rather pleasant expression. She quite liked the soft buttery scent and unique nutty flavor.
“It brings back old memories.”
Daphne turned her head in wonder. What old memories could he be recalling?
“You used to like getting those cookies, too.”
“...”
“Sit on my lap.”
“...”
“It was quite cute how your eyes lit up as you ate the cookie I offered you.”
Daphne opened her eyes wide. She suddenly remembered the past. She sat on Asherad's lap and read books to him in return for cookies and biscuits. That was the only happiness for young Daphne.
Asherad occasionally stroked Daphne's head. That false happy time. That time when she was treated with care, like a dog being trained.
Daphne unconsciously put down the cookie she was biting into. Asherad raised his eyebrows and stared at Daphne’s face. His warm green eyes turned cold. His eyes, hard as ice, did not know how to leave her still hand and her downcast eyes. Daphne was staring at the cookie without even realizing it.
Asherad, that's a memory.
Daphne, who knew nothing, was acting cute, which was a memory.
That was the memory of 'dog'.
“It’s so sad.”
Asherad spoke in an exaggeratedly friendly tone. When Daphne raised her head, Asherad, who looked as kind as ever, spoke.
“How about we stop learning how to draw now?”
“...”
“You’ve been learning for four months already. Let’s learn something else.”
If it had been before she started drawing, Daphne would have nodded. It wouldn't have mattered what she learned.
“Why don’t you just learn how to draw? With Countess Leschi’s daughter...”
“With the Young Lady?”
Asherad's question made him bite his lips.
“Have you become close friends?”
Daphne's eyes widened at that question. Suddenly, a red-haired man came to mind. The man who had been tied to a chair, bleeding and slowly dying... Why did he come to mind?
For a moment, her heart pounded. Daphne shook her head.
“Just, just, I wanted to draw!”
“...”
“I want to know more about the painting.”
“...”
“Well, then. Just let me draw a picture.”
Asherad nodded mercifully to Daphne's plea.
“But please draw in moderation. I hate the smell of paint.”
She wants to say goodbye to Artemisia. But she can't. Daphne looked at Asherad.
“Then let’s go in now.”
Daphne nodded and followed Asherad's hand. Her heart, which had been filled with a little bit of colorful paint, seemed to slowly drain away. It felt like all the strength in her body was draining away.
It was when Daphne entered her room, which had become both a studio and a bedroom.
"Oh!"
The canvases in the room were all torn apart. Daphne was startled and looked at the paintings she had painted. The paintings that had clearly been hanging on the easel to dry were all torn apart. The paintings that Daphne had first painted, the ones she had painted out of boredom, had all disappeared without a trace.
Even the things she drew all night long without even realizing she was falling asleep...
Daphne's heart was broken. In her listless life, it was the only act that could restore her energy. She didn't paint particularly beautiful pictures, but she still felt very happy when she painted with colorful paints.
“Daphne. You got paint on you.”
Asherad grabbed Daphne's hand and stopped her. Why is this happening...?
Daphne looked towards Asherad and flinched.
“Are you sure that’s you?”
Even Daphne used the word 'you' instead of the honorific title 'Your Majesty'. Daphne looked at him with trembling eyes. Asherad's face hardened with a strange shock.
Come to think of it, Asherad was displeased with Daphne's drawing. He even declared that she would stop the drawing class today.
He also said he hated the smell of paint. If that's true, then it makes sense that he tore up the painting.
"Then?"
Asherad, who had a hardened face, raised the corners of his mouth. Her eyes burned hotly, but for a moment, her heart pounded and she felt as if something had collapsed.
“You know, I was having fun drawing it.”
“...”
“It was the only place I could put my heart.”
At Daphne's trembling voice, Asherad grabbed Daphne's hand and placed it against his chest.
“You should put your heart here, not on that piece of cloth.”
She felt a warmth and a disgusting heartbeat. What, is that the reason you did this? Just because you didn't like it?
It wasn't just a piece of cloth. It was the only shelter Daphne could find and smile at. Was that so unpleasant?
'The Crown Prince has given the order. He says that all those who are close to you will leave you.'
Fabian's voice rang out.
That's right. This person liked this kind of thing. Because he didn't think they were the same person in the first place... So he killed Fabian, who had been dedicated to giving her freedom... He killed her ego...
This is what blocks even the breathing hole.
There is only one reason.
It's just because things like this are fun. It's like when you treat your puppy badly and it reacts cutely.
“Go away!”
Daphne screamed, this time tears streaming down her face.
“Go away!”
Daphne pushed Asherad's chest with all her might. Was this guy going to keep, keep, keep tormenting her?
She felt a sense of despair.
“Why? Can’t I do that?”
Asherad whispered sweetly. He held Daphne's wrist and did not let go.
“I was left behind in the momentary pleasures. Right?”
Asherad's words were soft, but a rough breath came out of his mouth. Daphne did not know that it was anger born of discontent.
“You were so distracted by that stuff that you didn’t even look at me. Yeah, I guess it would be better to just burn them all.”
“Just kill me! Kill me instead!”
Daphne screamed. She cried, not knowing what to do. Why not just let her learn how to draw? Why is he ruining her like this?
“Why should I kill you?”
Daphne lost her reason at Asherad's words.
“Oh, right! It’s a great way to satisfy your needs, so why would you kill me?!”
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