Chapter 15
Even though I'm a homebody, I ended up reincarnated into a dark confinement novel
Episode 15
“Puhahat, this will make things so much easier.”
As Bermore rested his foot on the easel and burst into loud laughter, a chorus of agreement immediately followed.
“Exactly. They must have favored her just because she's a woman, right?”
“That Ashley girl is the best at playing the victim. Based on her skills alone, she should have been kicked out long ago.”
“To think our skills are being belittled because of that girl who can't even draw properly, it makes me so angry I could kick the covers in my sleep!”
At some point, the apprentice painters who had gathered around Bermore seized the moment to vent their grievances.
In truth, they were taking out their stress from constantly competing under the shadow of their master on Ashley.
Bermore, as if to fuel the atmosphere further, gritted his teeth and murmured.
“Master must have been very lenient with her all this time.”
“That's what I'm saying. It was to the point where I wondered if she was some kind of secret daughter.”
As they all laughed and chimed in with their mockery, one apprentice sitting beside Bermore spoke in a subtle tone.
“But that’s all over now. We’ll have to compete fairly based on skill from now on.”
Instantly, sparks flew from the eyes of the apprentice painters.
Though they were smiling and facing each other now, they were, in fact, fierce rivals.
Bermore himself had only stepped forward as a representative to sway public opinion; he had no intention of collaborating with anyone in particular.
“I think we should emphasize the background here.”
Seizing the opportunity, a painter talented in landscapes chimed in.
“What are you talking about? The most important thing is the figure. What good is the background?”
“Shouldn't the depiction of this figure be a bit more abstract?”
“That’s ridiculous. It needs to be depicted realistically to be more dramatic.”
Watching the situation escalate, Bermore stood up.
“Let’s each do what we’re good at. We can each take on a cut we’re most confident in and draw it, right? Since I’m the best painter here, I’ll take this scene.”
Bermore chose the main scene, which could be considered the most crucial part.
The apprentice painters, whose most important cut had been snatched away, wore displeased expressions, but none dared to complain first.
“Then I’ll be in charge of this part.”
“Wait a minute, I’m better at…!”
Ashley, watching the squabbling apprentices from a distance, turned away without a word.
There was no place for her there in the first place.
Perhaps she had thought this was finally her chance to compete fairly with them. But she had just realized that was her delusion.
Stepping outside, a familiar figure was waiting by the door.
“Ah, Young Lady…!”
“Are you alright?”
“Yes?”
April, who was standing with Bonita, furrowed her brow with apparent concern.
The apprentice painters’ voices were so loud that even from the hallway, she could hear their harsh criticisms.
“They all have quite the personalities. I naturally assumed Ashley would have a hard time.”
“I, I….”
Ashley couldn’t hide her flustered expression.
To be honest, every time she heard them speaking ill of her, she felt as though her soul was being chipped away.
At the same time, she thought it was unavoidable. Ashley, too, had once wanted to blame the world and others for her lack of talent.
However, instead of lowering her head dejectedly, Ashley recalled the encouragement April had given her.
Her shoulders already felt lighter.
“I’ve made up my mind.”
She couldn’t disappoint the person who had acknowledged her potential for the first time.
“I’ve thought about what I’m good at, and I’ve also thought a lot about how I can utilize my talent going forward. So, I can do it.”
“I see.”
April smiled brightly at the voice that conveyed such firm resolve.
“That’s amazing.”
Despite it being a simple truth, Ashley jumped in surprise.
“Wh-what? Me?”
“I don’t know what I can do or what I want to do, so my favorite thing is lying in my room.”
April couldn’t help but recall her past self.
And her busy life, lived like a tiny cog, constantly working without rest in a confined space.
“But Ashley, you’ve been running towards your dream since you were young until now. I admire someone like you.”
“If you admire someone like me… I haven’t achieved anything yet.”
“Not at all. I believe your efforts will shine through.”
“Ah….”
Seeing tears welling up in Ashley’s eyes, April gently squeezed Ashley’s hands, stained with graphite and paint.
It was the moment their friendship was forged.
\ \ \
“Young Lady, I saw you in a new light today.”
“…….”
“Truly, your words touched the listener’s heart. You would comfort me with such words when I was struggling, wouldn’t you? Ah, just thinking about it makes me emotional. I’m a bit of a sentimental person.”
“Um, excuse me, Bonita….”
Please stop.
I covered my burning face with both hands.
A wave of belated embarrassment washed over me, feeling like I had blabbered uselessly, caught up in the moment.
What did I even say…
I should have just offered simple encouragement.
Bonita, who had been showering me with effusive praise, looked at my face a beat later and lowered her eyes apologetically.
“I’m sorry, Young Lady, I think I got too carried away. You must be tired… would you like to go rest for a bit?”
Now that I had a grasp of Bonita’s style, I shook my head instead of pointing out her minor slip-up.
That wasn’t the important thing. I still had a crucial dilemma to resolve.
How do I persuade the Grand Duke?
He was a terrifying man who had called me useless chaff and clearly stated he could kill me if I became a nuisance.
But now, I had even dragged him into this bothersome bet…
It felt as if dark clouds were gathering above my head.
Perhaps it was due to this feeling? My aimless steps had somehow led me to the Grand Duke’s office.
“What brings you here?”
I tried to quickly turn and flee, but it was too late.
Liam, whom I hadn’t seen in a while, was holding the doorknob, as if he had just come out of the office.
“Th-that’s….”
“Do you have something to say to the Grand Duke?”
Since I wasn’t ready to see the Grand Duke immediately, I shook my head vigorously.
“No, no, it’s not that. I was just going for a walk and somehow ended up here? How strange? Hahaha….”
“I see.”
“Huh?”
Surprisingly, Liam seemed to accept my explanation readily.
…No, he was pretending to accept it while feeding me a huge load of BS.
“Grand Duke!!!”
Creeaak!
“Princess April has arrived!!!”
He flung open the office door and shouted, then bowed exaggeratedly, gesturing for me to enter.
You crazy bastard!
And of all things, my eyes met the Grand Duke’s, who was sitting with his back to the window, some distance away.
“Ah, it seems you are doing well, thankfully. Then I shall be going…”
“Come in.”
“Yes, understood.”
In any case, I had something to discuss with the Grand Duke, so I reluctantly walked into the office.
Glancing back, Liam had vanished, and only Bonita remained, giving me a thumbs-up with her mouth.
As the door closed, leaving only the Grand Duke and me alone in the office that suddenly felt cramped.
“What brings you here?”
“Uh, well, you see….”
I couldn’t easily open my mouth. How could I confidently tell him I had used his name in front of the painters?
Then, the Grand Duke, his terrifyingly handsome face still fixed on his documents, spoke first.
“Why, did you get into some trouble?”
“Huh?”
Gasp, how did he know?*
