I stared at Theo's face in the painting to my heart's content before finally examining my own. Since my most distinctive features were my silver hair and eyes, the artists seemed to have used special paints to emphasize them, making them sparkle all over.
It was almost blindingly bright, which was a bit funny. Seriously, how am I supposed to even look at this painting…? To put it mildly, it was hard to make out my features.
Meanwhile, Roman's painting stood out again. It was a simple silver that shimmered subtly in the sunlight, resembling my actual appearance the most. Did he use a different paint all by himself?
"Roman, did you use a different paint for my hair and eyes than the others?"
He replied with a hint of embarrassment and awkwardness.
"Ah… the others used paints made by wizards. They're usually used to add a shimmering effect to the jewelry worn by nobles in their portraits. Even if they're not artifacts, items with magical effects are quite expensive. So, I made my own by grinding dried seashells and fish scales."
In the end, Roman, being an unknown artist, couldn't afford the magically enhanced paints, so he made his own. He seemed embarrassed, but I actually liked the natural feel of it, which wasn't overdone.
Without further ado, I chose Roman's painting without hesitation.
"I like this one. Theo?"
Theo, who also agreed, was clearly already satisfied with having a painting with me, so he didn't seem to care what I chose.
When I chose Roman's painting, the other artists looked disappointed and tried to promote their paintings further, but Liam quickly kicked them out, leaving only Roman in the drawing room.
I liked Roman's painting more than I expected, so I subtly mentioned it to Theo. There was one more thing I wanted to have.
A few days later, the empty space in the Second Prince's palace lobby was filled with our two paintings, and Roman's new paintings were hung in the bedroom and study as well.
There was even a painting of me and Theo leaning against a tree in the greenhouse, with me, the eagle, resting comfortably.
It was more of an idealized image, but it was a peaceful and beautiful scene that seemed to come straight out of a dream.
***
"Then we will purchase the island you mentioned. Building the villa will take some time. The atmosphere is tense these days due to the Erebus Order and black magicians, so there are no workers willing to go to the island to work."
"Those gloomy things are bothering us in many ways. Are you sure it's uninhabited?"
"Yes. Just in case, we will put up a barrier to prevent anyone from approaching."
After finishing the report, Orca's gaze fell on Roman's painting. The divine beast and the prince, sitting against a tree and seemingly talking, looked quite peaceful.
He hadn't expected much since Roman had little experience painting portraits, but the result was quite good.
"I didn't think the other artists would change His Highness's hair and eye color."
"Because it's called a cursed color. They probably thought they'd be in trouble if they painted it as it is."
In that respect, Roman's lack of experience painting portraits of nobles was actually fortunate for him.
"Shuian likes my hair and eye color, though."
It wasn't like Theo, who had never had a positive opinion of his appearance, to say such a thing, so Orca looked genuinely surprised.
"Shuian-nim likes everything about Your Highness. Anyway, that guy is going to make a fortune. Nobles are already lining up to commission portraits, and they're even offering extra money to get them done sooner."
Theodore also spoke with a look of disdain at Orca's almost mocking tone.
"What will change if they commission the same artist who painted the prince and the divine beast to paint their portraits? It's not a big deal."
"It seems that when life is peaceful, people become greedy for such things."
Theodore chuckled and looked down at the report Liam had made again.
"It seems Liam is adapting well."
"Yes, although his weakness is that he is faint-hearted."
"It seems so."
"But he's not useless."
Orca, who had mentioned a shortcoming based on rational judgment, defended him again, as if worried. He was just like a mother bird, as Shuian had said.
"Are you two really falling for each other?"
"Ha, why are even you doing this, Your Highness?"
"You ought to get married eventually.”
"If Liam is the partner, how can that be marriage… Ah, I got caught up in it. Anyway, no."
With such a reaction, he couldn't help but tease him. Theodore suppressed a smile and returned to the main topic.
"What about the spirit stone?"
"There are no records of it being taken out, and there are no records of its use at all. Just in case, I even inquired with the blacksmiths in the Duke's territory, but no one had received a request related to the spirit stone. Unless the First Prince decorated his room with it to commemorate his achievements, it must have been used in a dishonest place."
"The Empress and the Duke aren't that sentimental."
"I'll investigate further."
"And we should hold a banquet."
Orca frowned at the sudden remark. Had he misheard? He doubted it for a moment, but seeing that shameless face, he was sure he had heard correctly. Unable to bear it any longer, Orca retorted irritably.
"What brought this on so suddenly… have you finally gone mad?”
"I need to show off the paintings, but there's no other way, is there?"
"…If it's a banquet to welcome the divine beast, everyone will be eager to attend. Even those in their sickbeds will rush to see the rumored divine beast in person."
"I should also show off the gift Shuian gave me at this opportunity."
It would be a lot of work and very annoying, but it wouldn't be bad in terms of the meaning and effect of the banquet. Orca sighed and said.
"Can I entrust the preparation of the banquet to Liam? He was a high-ranking noble, so he'll be better than me."
Preparing banquets or tea parties was the domain of the mistress of the house, and Orca and Theodore had only attended banquets, never hosting them themselves.
There were no long-serving butlers or head maids because they were constantly being replaced, so they were both in trouble.
"Tell him to prepare it simply, like a tea party. Everyone will understand if you say that the divine beast doesn't cherish humans other than the Second Prince and doesn't like being flashy. In the first place, the invitees' only interest will be in the divine beast, so what's there to be burdened about."
"That won't reassure Liam… but I'll tell him. I'm really glad that Liam joined us and relieved some of the work. Anyway, if you don't have any more orders, I'll be on my way. I need to deliver this sad news to Liam quickly."
Theodore called out to Orca, who was about to turn around and leave.
"Orca."
"Yes."
"…Do you think Shuian might leave me someday? For example, because he misses his family or his original home."
"Well… leaving is up to him, so I can't say for sure… but to be honest, I don't think so. Besides, even if there were reasons like the ones Your Highness mentioned, I think he would stay by your side at least while Your Highness is alive. And if he really tries to leave, you can just grab him and tell him not to go, right?"
Shuian-nim is someone who would let Your Highness hold onto him as much as you want. Why are you suddenly asking about something you know so well? Theodore shook his head, saying it was nothing, and sent Orca away.
Even though he had confirmed something he already knew in his head with someone else, Theodore was still surprised that he didn't feel any better.
'Why would I leave Theo?'
Even if that murmur, as if he had heard the most absurd thing in the world, was the utmost sincerity, he was most afraid that it might change someday. Whether gently or harshly… even if he could physically hold onto him, how could he hold onto his heart?
If only he could hold onto a departing heart with a single word. Then he would beg him any number of times. Theodore raised the corners of his lips as he heard approaching footsteps. He had to quickly hide his uneasy face because his bird was coming.
Soon, the closed door opened slightly, and the beautiful face he had been waiting for peeked out through the gap.
"Theo, are you busy? Can I read a book next to you?"
"Of course. Come in and show me your beautiful face."
The way he smiled brightly and ran to hug him tightly before going to sit in his seat quickly relieved his troubled heart as if it had never been there.
"The painting was drawn so beautifully that it would be a waste for only us to see it, so I'm going to hold a banquet to show it off to people. What does Shuian think?"
"Gasp, like Ricardo's birthday banquet?"
"The timing is chaotic, and Shuian wouldn't like too many people, so I'm thinking of holding it on a small scale."
"Ah, I think that's better. I'm glad."
"If there were a lot of people, Shuian would act even cuter, but I'll have to endure it this time, right?"
"…You're so mean."
Seeing his lips pouting so quickly made him laugh, and he immediately lowered his lips to Shuian's forehead. Even the way he grumbled was incredibly adorable.
The words he had jokingly said to Shuian a few days ago, wishing he was a little less beautiful, were the utmost sincerity. Then he wouldn't be so anxious and tormented by his loveliness.
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