Chapter 14
I'm a Homebody, But I Possessed a Dark Confinement Story
Episode 14
Lunchtime lasted much longer than initially expected.
Ashley, who had been crossing the hallway, wiped away the tears still welling up in her eyes.
The damp handkerchief was incredibly soft, as if revealing its owner April's warm disposition.
'You're the first person who's ever said something like that to me.'
Ashley looked down at her dirty, stained hands. Had there ever been a day when paint hadn't dried on these hands?
After 18 years of apprenticeship under Sir Rovid, she had unknowingly become someone more accustomed to neglect than recognition.
Every year, the young apprentices who joined were all more talented than her, and as if by agreement, they would laugh at the results of her work.
She had wondered if she would have to give up her dream of becoming a painter, but...
'I couldn't give up.'
The moment she faced a blank canvas, all those thoughts vanished, and her fading passion would repeatedly reignite.
Though it was presumptuous, perhaps the reason she was accompanying the Grand Duke of Bleil was the vain hope of catching the eye of a noble and receiving patronage.
"I was captivated by your amazing 'direction skills,' Ashley."
April's words pricked at her like thorns.
It was the realization that perhaps she herself had been the one who didn't believe in 'Ashley Vance' until now.
"Sob, sob..."
Her tears stopped, and she carefully tucked the handkerchief into her bosom before walking into the Atelier designated for apprentice painters.
And as expected. She encountered the person she least wanted to see at the entrance.
"What did you talk about?"
A man who approached with a delighted expression, as if he had been waiting, gave Ashley a strange look.
"...Bermore."
Ashley avoided his eyes and stared at the floor.
Bermore possessed the most outstanding skills among the apprentices, a prodigy who had been called a genius since his academy days.
He remained an apprentice only because of his young age, but he lived in a completely different world from Ashley, who had been a perpetual apprentice for 18 years.
"I asked what you talked about."
Bermore's quiet voice held a subtle malice.
In truth, he couldn't understand why Sir Rovid still kept a failure like Ashley as his student.
He believed Ashley's very existence, so far behind everyone else, tarnished the reputation of a great painter like Sir Rovid, and he had been at the forefront of tormenting her for quite some time.
Perhaps because of that? Ashley invariably felt intimidated whenever she stood before Bermore, but she managed to open her mouth.
"They asked me to handle the direction."
"Ah, really? I thought..."
Hmph.
An overt sneer followed, and his next words boomed loud enough for everyone to hear.
"I was worried if that kind-hearted young lady would actually sponsor you."
"......"
Ashley squeezed her eyes shut.
For any artist, the most crucial thing was the presence of a patron to support them.
The greater the influence and wealth of the sponsoring noble, the smoother the painter's path became. Conversely, if patronage ceased, they would be ignored, never seeing the light of day.
In fact, all the apprentice painters gathered here were also eager to hook the formidable patron, the Grand Duke of Bleil.
Hearing that Ashley had been separately summoned by a young lady connected to the Grand Duke of Bleil, she could somewhat understand the caution she was facing.
When Ashley remained silent for a long time, Bermore let out a vile chuckle.
"Anyway... direction? Congratulations. It seems like the perfect job for you."
"Uh, uh-huh. Thanks."
Ashley, wanting to exchange no more words with Bermore, who was openly belittling her, passed him with a forced smile.
And towards her retreating back, sharp mockery continued to rain down until the very end.
"Cheer up, Ashley! If you endure for 20 or 30 years, maybe you'll have an exhibition once. Perhaps in some rural village market."
Hahahaha!
A clamorous laughter erupted even from the apprentices who had been quietly observing the situation.
'No.'
But as Ashley walked away, her eyes hardened with determination.
'You don't know, but I'm going to do what I'm good at.'
Her steps, moving forward, were unswerving, unlike her usual gait.
My days became unprecedentedly busy.
Having become fully involved in the manga production, the time spent in meetings now exceeded the time I spent holed up in my room.
Hiding my tired face, I focused my gaze and slowly looked around.
Not only the three master painters and Ashley, but all the apprentices summoned to the Grand Duke's residence were gathered in one place.
"The reason I've called you all here today is to elect a representative for the apprentices."
At my words, Ashley's head drooped towards the floor. She seemed more burdened, having been tipped off that I would support her.
However, the more I met with her, the more I found myself making a positive assessment of her meticulous and delicate nature.
Hoo. Taking a deep breath, I raised my voice again.
"I would like to recommend Ashley for the role of leading the overall adaptation and direction, alongside Sir Brown, Sir Rovid, and Sir Cedric who are present."
As soon as I finished speaking, dissatisfied murmurs erupted among the apprentice painters.
"Young Lady, I have an objection."
Finally, a man with a sour expression raised his hand and stood up.
As everyone's attention focused, I recalled his name was Bermore and nodded.
"Yes, please speak."
He immediately pointed at Ashley, who stood awkwardly, and began.
"There seems to be some misunderstanding... Ashley is an amateur who has never even completed a proper painting. How can she lead a group superior to her? That's simply not how it works."
It was public humiliation.
Of course, the three masters, considering the Grand Duke Blale behind me, would grant most requests, but they could offer no rebuttal regarding skill, only clearing their throats repeatedly.
And Ashley... her tightly clenched fists trembled pitifully.
Murmur, murmur.
As the voices of the whispering painters grew louder.
Clap!* I clapped my hands together to focus their scattered attention.
"Come to think of it, that point has merit."
Looking at the atmosphere, it was clear that if I pushed this forcefully, Ashley would receive no cooperation. In fact, she would be further ignored.
In that case, I had no choice but to create an opportunity for her to prove her abilities herself.
Bermore's face brightened, misunderstanding my words.
"Then, it would be better to change the representative..."
"Yes, I want to incorporate your suggestion. But before that..."
I surveyed the room once more and then looked directly at Ashley.
"We will have His Highness the Grand Duke evaluate which manga is better: the one Ashley drew alone, or the one you drew together. The apprentice representative will be decided based on that result."
"Y-Young Lady!"
Ashley, who had been silent until now, cried out in a shrill voice.
But even that was dismissed by Bermore, who cut in.
"Very well! I actually think that would be fairer."
For him, this was a golden opportunity.
A rare chance to present his artwork directly before the Grand Duke, without going through the three famous painters.
Glancing at Bermore, who had an exceptionally confident demeanor, I sternly announced for all to hear.
"However, once the results are out, you must accept them cleanly. If there are any further complaints, you will be expelled from the Grand Duchy."
A silence as heavy as a dead mouse fell.
But it meant everyone, except for the flustered Ashley, had agreed.
