LIGHTNOVELWORLD Chapter 14
Lunchtime turned out to be much longer than I had initially expected.
As Ashley walked down the hallway, she wiped away the tears still clinging to her eyes.
The damp handkerchief, belonging to April, felt incredibly soft, as if reflecting its owner’s warm hearted nature.
“No one has ever said that to me before.”
Ashley looked down at her messy, paint-stained hands. Had there ever been a day when these hands weren’t covered in dried paint?
For 18 years, she had been an apprentice under Lord Robide, and over time, she had become more accustomed to disregard than recognition.
Every year, new young apprentices joined, each more skilled than her, and as if by some unspoken agreement, they mocked the results of her work.
At times, she even considered giving up her dream of becoming an artist…
“But I couldn’t let it go.”
The moment she stood before an empty canvas, all such thoughts vanished, and her fading passion reignited, time and time again.
It might have been presumptuous, but perhaps agreeing to accompany the Duke of Blaire was fueled by the faint hope of catching the eye of a noble patron.
“I’m captivated by your incredible direction skills, Ashley.”
April’s words felt like thorns piercing her.
The realization struck her—perhaps the one who had doubted “Ashley Barnes” the most all along was none other than herself.
“Sniff… sob…”
Once her tears ceased, she carefully tucked the handkerchief away and made her way to the atelier designated for the apprentice painters.
And there he was—the person she least wanted to see, standing right at the entrance.
“What were you talking about just now?”
The man approached her with a peculiar expression, as if he had been waiting for her.
“…Barrymore.”
Ashley avoided his gaze, staring down at the floor instead.
Barrymore was the most talented among the apprentice painters. From his academy days, he had been labeled a prodigy, a genius.
Though he was still technically an apprentice due to his young age, he was worlds apart from someone like Ashley, who had been stuck in apprenticeship for 18 long years.
“I asked what you were talking about,” Barrymore repeated, his tone laced with subtle malice.
Truthfully, he couldn’t understand why Lord Robide still kept someone as hopeless as Ashley as his apprentice.
Ashley’s very presence, in his eyes, tarnished the reputation of a great painter like Lord Robide. For that reason, Barrymore had taken it upon himself to torment her over the years.
Perhaps that’s why, whenever Ashley faced him, she felt instinctively small. But this time, she managed to muster her courage and replied.
“He… asked me to handle the direction.”
“Oh, really? And here I thought…”
Barrymore let out a soft chuckle.
A blatant smirk followed, and his voice grew louder, as if to ensure everyone nearby could hear.
“I was worried that kind-hearted lady might actually sponsor you or something.”
“……”
Ashley clenched her eyes shut.
For every artist, the most important thing was the presence of a patron.
The more powerful or wealthier the sponsoring noble, the brighter the painter’s future. Conversely, without support, they would be cast aside, their work unseen.
It was no wonder all the apprentice painters here were desperate to catch the eye of Duke Blaire, a highly influential patron.
So when word got around that Ashley had been personally summoned by the lady with ties to the Duke, the jealousy and hostility were almost inevitable.
As Ashley stayed silent for a long moment, Barrymore sneered cruelly.
“Well, anyway… Direction, huh? Congrats. That sounds just right for you.”
“Uh, th-thank you.”
Not wanting to exchange another word with Barrymore, who openly ridiculed her, Ashley forced a smile and walked past him.
And as she turned her back, his sharp mockery followed her relentlessly.
“Good luck, Ashley! Keep at it for another 20 or 30 years, and you might even manage to hold an exhibition someday. Maybe in some backwater marketplace!”
“Haha!”
Laughter erupted from the other apprentices who had been watching the scene.
“No, that’s not true.”
But as Ashley walked away, her eyes hardened with determination.
“You don’t know this, but I’m going to focus on what I’m good at.”
Her steps, for once, didn’t falter as she moved forward.
* * *
My days became busier than ever.
Suddenly, I found myself deeply involved in the production of the comic book, spending more time in meetings than shut away in my room.
Hiding my exhaustion, I took a deep breath and surveyed the room.
Not only were the three master painters—Lord Brown, Lord Robide, and Lord Kedric—present, but also Ashley and all the apprentice painters summoned to the Duke’s estate.
“The reason I’ve gathered you all here today is to select a representative among the apprentices,” I began.
Ashley lowered her head. She must have felt burdened, having already been told that I intended to support her.
Yet the more I interacted with her, the more I recognized her meticulous and thoughtful nature, which only strengthened my resolve.
Taking a deep breath, I raised my voice again.
“I would like to recommend Ashley as the person to lead the adaptation and direction of this project, alongside Lords Brown, Robide, and Kedric.”
No sooner had I finished speaking than disgruntled murmurs erupted among the apprentices.
“Excuse me, my lady. I have an objection,” a man finally spoke up, his expression twisted as he rose from his seat.
As all eyes turned to him, I quickly recognized the man as Barrymore and nodded.
“Go ahead.”
He immediately pointed at Ashley, who stood awkwardly, and spoke.
“There must be some mistake. Ashley has never even completed a proper painting. How could someone like her lead a group of painters more skilled than herself? That’s simply impossible.”
It was outright humiliation in front of everyone.
Though the three master painters usually indulged my requests due to their respect for Duke Blaire, they seemed at a loss for words when it came to Ashley’s perceived lack of skill.
And Ashley… her clenched fists trembled pitifully.
As the murmurs among the painters grew louder, I clapped my hands sharply, drawing their attention.
“You do make a valid point,” I said, acknowledging Barrymore’s argument.
It was clear from the atmosphere that forcing Ashley into the position would only result in her being ostracized. Instead, she needed an opportunity to prove herself.
Barrymore’s face lit up as if he had already won.
“Then perhaps it would be better to change the representative—”
“Yes, I’d like to take your feedback into account. But first…”
I scanned the room before locking eyes with Ashley.
“Let’s have Ashley create a comic on her own, while the rest of you collaborate on one. We’ll present both to the Duke and let him decide which is better. The representative will be chosen based on the results.”
“M-my lady!”
Ashley’s panicked voice rang out.
But before she could say more, Barrymore interrupted with a triumphant grin.
“Sounds great! That seems far more fair.”
For him, this was a golden opportunity—a chance to showcase his skills directly to the Duke without interference.
Gazing at Barrymore’s confident demeanor, I spoke firmly for everyone to hear.
“However, once the results are decided, you must accept them without complaint. If anyone refuses, they’ll be asked to leave the Duke’s estate.”
A heavy silence fell over the room.
But it was clear, aside from Ashley, that everyone else agreed.