“Your Grace, the painter has arrived.”
The chief attendant, who had just entered, announced the painter’s arrival.
A few days earlier, as they cleared out the secret room, Daymond had refused to dispose of the painting. Instead, he had suggested they have a portrait painted together.
“It would have been nice if Eariel could join us too.”
Daymond muttered to himself, seemingly disappointed.
“It will take a long time to complete, so it might be hard for Eariel to sit still. We’ll have the painting again when the child is a little older.”
As the child grew, Daymond would also age. Anne had resolved to capture the changes that came with time, cherishing each moment with her family.
“Please sit in the designated spot inside, assuming your posture.”
As Anne took her place, Daymond, who had been conversing with the chief attendant by the doorway, stood next to her. For some reason, there was a smile on his lips.
“Why are you suddenly in such a good mood?”
“Salton is getting married.”
“Marquis Whitmore? It’s finally happening.”
Salton had recently inherited the title and had already had an engagement ceremony.
“You’re not worried because he was your fiance before, right?”
As Anne was lost in thought, Daymond suddenly asked this question. He was particularly concerned about Salton.
“That’s not it. It’s just that it bothers me a little that they didn’t send us an invitation even though they got married.”
Anne’s words caused Daymond’s firm lips to curl up.
“About that… I set fire to it as soon as it arrived, so there’s no need to worry.”
When he mentioned that he had burned the invitation, Anne’s head whipped around. Daymond’s straight dark eyebrows were slightly lowered and he wore a casual smile.
“Your Grace, please look directly at me.”
She was about to say something, but the painter’s commanding voice. Anne, with no choice, turned her head to face him and smiled brightly.
“Still, you should apologize to Marquis Whitmore.”
“I should apologize even though I didn’t kill him?”
Anne sighed and tried not to move anything but his lips, as he gave the same answer he always gave when asked to apologize.
“Still, you should.”
“…I suppose so.’
After the sullen response, his finger lightly brushed against Anne’s forehead. The painter, pretending not to notice, moved his brush quickly.
With narrowed eyes, Anne glared at him and brought her index finger to her forehead. Suddenly, he grabbed her wrist firmly.
“Don’t wipe it off.”
“I’m not wiping it off. I’m checking if my makeup got smudged.”
“You’re still beautiful, so there’s no need for that.”
Saying so, he enveloped Anne’s shoulders with his large arms, making sure she couldn’t move recklessly.
Leaning her head on his chest, Anne subtly stretched her lips. His possessiveness, filled with jealousy, was something that wouldn’t soften even if he became human.
“Very good. Since you get along well, it seems a splendid painting will come out.”
As their bickering conversation came to a complete stop, the painter, with one eye closed, once again positioned the brush vertically to set the composition. The graceful figures of Daymond and Anne began to take form on the canvas.
A skilled artist indeed, the completed painting pleased their hearts. Hanging above the main staircase, directly visible when opening the main gate, was the affectionate portrait of the Grand Duke and Grand Duchess.
Anne looked at the painting with a contented face. Finally, it looked quite like a normal noble house. Daymond, facing his first proper portrait, awkwardly brushed his chin in an awkward feeling.
“The painting doesn’t capture your beauty, it seems. But is that really how I look?”
“Hmm. It seems no matter how you look at it, the painting can’t handle your surreal appearance.”
Leaning against Daymond’s shoulder, Anne gazed at their portrait for quite some time. Unlike the previous painting, which had depicted her sitting alone in solitude, seeing them both smiling together made her appreciate their ordinary life even more.
“And, Eariel looks good, doesn’t he?”
“Kyaah…”
Anne affectionately planted a kiss on Eariel’s chubby cheeks as he burst into laughter.
“Grow up quickly, so we can put your portrait up there too.”
“Gaahh.”
Eariel shook his chubby arms as if he understood, beaming with a big smile.
*
The festival of this year was a great success.
Despite not being heavily advertised, many people flocked to the North due to word of mouth. The new image of the once secretive North was spreading throughout the capital and beyond.
Since then, Anne had been actively assisting Daymond in the North’s development. With active communication and trade with other regions, business grew substantially, naturally fostering lively exchanges among the people.
The Grand Duke’s palace became even busier. The flower business, previously considered a specialty of the South, flourished in the North as well. The bustling was due to the research team actively developing new varieties of flowers for use in other products.
Furthermore, Grand Duchy Cromund had abandoned the tradition of employing only those of the Wald and had expanded opportunities. They actively nurtured and employed bright talents like Ashton and invested directly in their education.
As a result, many individuals who did not wish to be bound by lineage or status flocked to the North. Anyone with the ability could seize opportunities in what became known as the land of opportunities. As a result, rumors about Grand Duke Cromund naturally faded over time.
And the main building continued its peaceful daily life as usual. The warm sunlight gently poured onto the balcony.
“Bababububububu….”
The baby’s lips trembled vigorously as if trying to say ‘Dad’. As drool appeared on the corners of his mouth, Daymond gently patted his son’s mouth with a handkerchief.
“Is it still a long way to go before he can talk?”
Despite spending all day in front of the baby, urging him to say ‘dad’ and ‘mom’, it seemed like it was still beyond his capability as he only knew how to coo.
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