LIGHTNOVELWORLD Chapter 15
“Ha! This is going to make things so much easier.”
Barrymore, perched on the easel, let out a loud laugh, immediately met with agreement.
“Exactly. They’re just siding with her because she’s a woman, right?”
“Ashley always plays the pity card better than anyone else. Honestly, she should’ve been kicked out ages ago based on her skills.”
“Just thinking about how our abilities were overlooked because of that terrible painter makes me furious even in my sleep!”
The apprentice painters, who had gradually gathered around Barrymore, took the opportunity to indulge in malicious gossip.
In truth, they were venting the frustrations of constant competition and being overshadowed by their mentor onto Ashley.
Barrymore, sensing the atmosphere, stoked the flames further, muttering with a grinding tone.
“The mentor has been too lenient with her.”
“Exactly! Honestly, I even wondered if she was some secret daughter or something.”
Amidst the laughter and mockery, an apprentice sitting beside Barrymore spoke up in a subtle tone.
“Well, that’s all over now. From now on, it’ll be all about skill and fair competition.”
The apprentices’ eyes lit with sparks at that remark.
Though they shared smiles now, they were very much rivals.
Barrymore, too, was not planning any collaboration; she simply took the lead in swaying public opinion.
“I think emphasizing the background here would be best.”
Seizing the chance, a painter skilled in landscapes chimed in.
“What? The figure is the most important. What use is the background alone?”
“Shouldn’t this figure be depicted more abstractly?”
“Ridiculous! It needs to be portrayed realistically to bring out the drama.”
As the debate grew heated, Barrymore stood up.
“Let’s each do what we’re best at. Everyone can take one cut they feel most confident about. I’ll handle this scene since I’m the best here.”
Barrymore chose what was arguably the most critical and significant scene.
The other apprentices looked displeased at losing the main cut but didn’t dare voice their complaints.
“Then I’ll take this part.”
“Wait a minute, I think I’d be better for—!”
While the apprentices bickered, Ashley, observing from a distance, silently turned away.
She hadn’t belonged there to begin with.
She had thought that, this time, she could compete with them on equal footing, but now she realized it had been her misconception.
As she stepped outside, a familiar figure awaited her at the door.
“Ah, Miss…!”
“Are you okay?”
“Pardon?”
April, standing with Bonita, frowned as if genuinely concerned.
The apprentices’ loud voices had been audible even to her in the hallway, filled with coarse insults.
“They seemed… intense. I figured it must be tough for you, Ashley.”
“I… I…”
Ashley couldn’t hide her embarrassment.
To be honest, every harsh word felt like it chipped away at her soul.
At the same time, she understood it was inevitable. She, too, had once blamed her lack of talent on the world and others.
But instead of lowering her head in defeat, Ashley recalled April’s earlier encouragement.
Her shoulders already felt lighter.
“I’m ready for it.”
She couldn’t let down the person who had first recognized her potential.
“I’ve thought a lot about what I’m good at and how I can make the most of my abilities. So I can do it.”
“I see.”
Hearing the resolute tone, April smiled brightly.
“That’s amazing.”
Though she meant it sincerely, Ashley jumped in surprise.
“Wha—what? Me?”
“I can’t do anything, nor do I have anything I want to do. I just lie in my room all day. That’s my favorite thing.”
April couldn’t help but recall her past self—crammed into a small space like a cog in a machine, living an endlessly busy life.
“But you, Ashley, have been pursuing your dream from such a young age. I respect you for that.”
“You—respect me? But I’ve achieved nothing so far.”
“Not at all. I’m sure that all your efforts will shine someday.”
“Ah…”
Seeing tears welling up in Ashley’s eyes, April gently clasped her hands, stained with graphite and paint.
It was the start of a friendship between the two.
* * *
“My lady, I see you in a new light today.”
“…?”
“Your words touched the heart of anyone who heard them. Surely, when I feel down, you’ll console me with such words, too? Ah, just thinking about it moves me to tears. I’m a bit emotional, you see.”
“Bonita…”
Please stop.
I buried my flushed face in both hands.
Caught up in the moment, I had spouted nonsense, and now the belated embarrassment hit hard.
‘Why did I say that…?’
I should have just given a simple cheer.
Bonita, who had been endlessly gushing, finally noticed my face and lowered her gaze apologetically.
“Forgive me, my lady. I may have gotten carried away. You must be tired… Shall we rest for a while?”
Having learned Bonita’s style by now, I shook my head instead of pointing out her small slip-up.
That wasn’t the issue. There was something much bigger on my mind.
‘How do I convince the Grand Duke?’
The terrifying man who had called me useless and made it clear he might kill me if I proved unnecessary.
And now, I had gone so far as to drag him into a frivolous bet.
It felt as though dark clouds were swirling above my head.
Perhaps that’s why, before I knew it, my aimless wandering brought me to the door of the Grand Duke’s office.
“What brings you here?”
I tried to slip away quickly, but it was too late.
Liam, who had just exited the office, caught me.
“Uh, well…”
“Do you have something to say to His Grace?”
Not ready to face the Grand Duke, I shook my head furiously.
“No, no! Nothing like that! I was just out for a walk and somehow ended up here. Weird, huh? Haha…”
“I see.”
“Eh?”
To my surprise, Liam seemed to accept my excuse readily.
Or so I thought until he pulled a move.
“Your Grace!!!”
Bang!
“Princess April is here to see you!!!”
Throwing the office door wide open, he bellowed, then gestured for me to enter with an exaggerated bow.
‘You lunatic!’
And, of course, the Grand Duke, sitting against the far window, locked eyes with me.
“Oh, it’s good to see you’re doing well. Well, I’ll just…”
“Come in.”
“Y-yes, sir.”
With no choice but to obey, I stepped into the office.
A quick glance back showed Liam had disappeared, leaving Bonita behind to mouth an encouraging “good luck” as the door closed.
Now, the office felt stiflingly small, with just me and the Grand Duke inside.
“What brings you here?”
“Well, um, you see…”
I couldn’t find the courage to confess that I had used his name in front of the painters.
Sensing my hesitation, the Grand Duke, his unnervingly handsome face still focused on his paperwork, spoke first.
“Why? Did you cause some kind of trouble?”
“What?”
How did he know?!