Masterpiece - Chapter 8 - Belle Reservoir

Chapter 8

Translator: Yonnee

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“Please have a seat.”

After the ducal lady released the handshake, she gestured for the man to sit down.

“You didn’t seem to have finished your tea. How about having another cup while we chat?”

“Ah… yes.”

Couven answered hesitantly and sat on the sofa.

Upon Vessia’s gesture, the handmaid who had come out of the room together with her moved. The servant neatly combed the young lady’s disheveled hair with a brush. She wet a towel and carefully wiped away the smudged lipstick from Vessia’s lips.

The handmaid holding a silver tray placed teacups in front of the ducal lady. She then filled their empty cups with tea from the teapot on the table.

Couven stared absently at the process of the cups being filled, and Vessia observed him.

He had a robust frame and sharp features, giving him the appearance of a dangerous rebel rather than a handsome prince.

His hair, as red as a pomegranate, was untamed, and the hand he had used to shake hands was considerably larger than her own.

Moreover, there was a distinct scent of oil emanating about him.

The maid who had served the black tea then retreated to a corner of the parlor.

Couven still seemed to be feeling some discomfort in his throat, as he would occasionally clear it.

“Please, have a drink.”

“Thank you.”

When the ducal lady herself picked up her cup, the artist followed suit and took a sip. With her lips moistened by the tea, Vessia split a butter cookie in half.

With no conversation to fill the silence, the man’s attention was focused on the teacup as if it were the only thing in the room. He also appeared to be eyeing the sugar bowl next to it.

After finishing the cookie, it was the ducal lady who broke the silence.

“I apologize for earlier. Were you very surprised?”

“No, not at all. It’s alright. Isn’t it a common occurrence when a man and a woman love each other?”

“Yes, that’s…”

Ah, she said the wrong thing. She should have instead said, ‘Be careful with your words. Speaking out of turn could lead to trouble. Mind your own business.’

Wasn’t that what she said to the dimwits in Baltinglass?

Ducal Lady Vessia smoothed a hand over her shoulder, where marks had been left clearly visible. She suppressed a sigh and spoke,

“You came to paint the portrait of the Quixote family, right?”

“Yes, that’s correct.”

The man raised his head to meet her gaze.

Vessia’s visage was reflected in his deep eyes, but she did not divert her gaze from the artist.

Her hair, reminiscent of a forest, cascaded smoothly down her shoulders.

Her lips, once stained with rouge, were now clean.

For a moment, the artist considered capturing the ducal lady’s unadorned appearance in a portrait.

Their eyes met, but neither exchanged any words. He looked straight at her, yet his eyes betrayed no hidden agenda.

Taking that as a sign of the man’s sincerity, Vessia softened her tone and spoke.

“It’s our first meeting. Such a passionate gaze puts me in a difficult spot.”

What an unexpected thing to say. Couven was dazed, as if struck on the head by a heavy rock. His vision became hazy. To justify himself, Couven hastily blurted out.

“That’s just… I didn’t have such thoughts—”

“Pfft, hahaha! It’s just a joke!”

Although his defense was interrupted and incomplete, Vessia found his bewildered expression amusing, so she burst into laughter.

She covered her mouth with her hand to hide the wide smile that had brought a curve to her lips, and her crescent moon-like eyes, due to her hearty laughter, sparkled.

What’s even more interesting was how a bright smile like that instead gave her a quiet and gentle impression. These thoughts swirled in the artist’s mind.

“Alright.”

Vessia felt a sense of relief as the tense atmosphere seemed to ease.

She smiled genuinely, gently blowing on her tea to disperse the rising steam before taking a sip.

“You’ve come for the commission of a noble family portrait, yet you didn’t even think of bringing a bouquet for the lady.”

“That, um…”

It didn’t even cross his mind.

Even if he were to say, ‘I got the invitation from His Grace only last night, and I woke up to the carriage to take me here as soon as I woke up,’ it would only sound like an excuse.

He had enough time and opportunity to stop the carriage for a brief moment to pick up a bouquet for the lady.

“I’ll make sure to bring some flowers on my next visit. I won’t forget.”

“Promise me then. I’m looking forward to it.”

Vessia extended her pinky. Couven was averse to the idea of besmirching the fair lady’s clean skin with his dirty hands. He furrowed his brows.

But he couldn’t dare to leave her hanging either. As such, Couven lightly clasped her waiting little finger with his own pinky. With how delicate she was, it felt as if her finger could be broken at any moment.

“I didn’t bring my drawing tools with me today, so I’ll be leaving shortly, Your Ladyship. But I’ll visit you again soon to start the portrait. Do you have any specific composition or location in mind?”

After releasing her pinky, Couven asked the question, aligning his gaze with Vessia’s. This time, he lifted the teacup first.

“Hmm… I’m not sure about the composition, but I’ll find a discreet place for just the two of us.”

“Milady!”

Without even the chance to ask, ‘I beg your pardon?’, Couven’s coughing fit started anew.

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