I Will Save The Princess - Chapter 34

Submission (4)

“Normally, it’s difficult to hunt them, but they are vulnerable when they first wake up from hibernation. You can easily lure them with bait and shoot them down from a tree.”

“Ah, yes. I’ve read about that in a book. In the northern regions, they gather people from the village to go bear hunting during winter…”

“Usually, they move in groups of five, but I find it easier to hunt alone. Unfortunately, it’s impossible in the capital.”

‘…I had forgotten. This polite and composed man was the strongest soldier in the Empire.’

Could a bear really be captured alone? No, could it be taken down with just one stroke of a sword?

Looking up, Vincent’s face was as calm as usual, and Hannah realised that his words were no joke.

As Vincent averted his gaze to the side, he stopped his steps. There, a narrow path leading to the concubine’s palace was seen.

“We’ve arrived already.”

Vincent maintained his dry expression as he looked down at Hannah. His white face, uncharacteristic of a soldier, contrasted beautifully with his pitch-black eyes.

In the passing breeze, a faint scent of mint lingered. Hannah smiled playfully and averted her gaze.

“Then, until we meet again. Whenever you have time, please visit the palace. The Princess would love to see you.”

With a slight nod, Vincent raised his head and looked at the concubine’s palace. The exterior of the concubine’s palace was reflected in the black eyes.

“Lately, Lady Adeline’s health doesn’t seem to be good. Princess Cordelia seems quite worried about her.”

“She has had a persistent cough… Although they said it’s not a serious illness. Is she alright?”

Her illness, thought to be a mild cold, lasted for over half a year.

Every time Hannah asked if she was okay, Adeline said she was fine, and aside from looking a little pale, there seemed to be nothing unusual. At least, that’s what Hannah thought. But to Vincent, it seemed different.

“Long-lasting poor health is not a good sign. Anyway… she only has one friend. It’s you, Hannah. Please keep an eye on her. Well then…”

With a slight bow of his head, Vincent turned away without waiting for a response. Before he turned around completely, Hannah caught a glimpse of his brow slightly furrowing.

She thought it wouldn’t be a big deal, but when she heard him, she was worried. Shaking off the negative thoughts, Hannah turned her steps back towards the concubine’s palace.

***

After a long time, Adeline greeted Hannah with her usual cheerful smile. However, after hearing Vincent’s words, she seemed slightly off, and Hannah felt uneasy.

Trying to smile awkwardly, Hannah held little Cordelia in her arms and tried to sit still, but observant Adeline playfully opened her mouth.

“I heard you moved to the palace, and I thought you’d be happy… Hannah, why do you look upset?”

“Hannah, not happy? Why not happy?”

Cordelia, nestled in Hannah’s arms, echoed Adeline’s words. Hannah gently caressed her small hand and asked Cordelia.

“Princess Cordelia, does Lady Adeline still have a persistent cough?”

“Uh-uh… Mommy coughs every day. She even coughed up blood, but she says she’s fine. Cody brought water for her.”

Blood?

Hannah looked at Adeline’s face with a serious expression. Just as she was about to say something, Adeline smiled brightly and cut her off.

“They said my lungs might not be in great condition, so they want to keep an eye on it for now. I’m waiting to see how it goes.”

“But you said it was nothing serious before.”

“Oh, it really is nothing. It won’t get worse, they said.”

Adelin replied in a light tone, as if talking about the weather tomorrow.

With her characteristic gentle smile, she gazed at Hannah. Under her slightly drooping eyelashes, her ocean-like blue eyes shimmered like jewels.

“Enough of the gloomy talk. I wanted to meet you today because I have an important matter to discuss. Do you remember our conversation about the Yendil Art Festival?”

“Yes, I remember. You said you were going to submit Ophelia’s painting to the festival.”

‘The Duke of Yendil personally sponsored a large-scale art exhibition. He said he would submit the painting under a pseudonym… I wonder how it turned out.’

Adeline hesitated, contemplating whether to speak or not, then clasped her hands tightly and replied.

“Well, the thing is, that painting… won’t be able to hang in the art gallery.”

…Well, that’s to be expected. It probably didn’t make it through.

With the Duke of Yendil, known as the patron of arts, most talented artists must have submitted their works right away.

Hannah nodded without showing any signs of disappointment. It was the expected outcome.

But Adeline was looking at her with a strange smile. As Hannah diverted her puzzled gaze, Adeline whispered in a low voice.

“Before Hannah arrived, a guest came to see me. He said he would inform me about the art exhibition results.”

“Is that so?”

“Duke Yendil himself came and told me.”

Unexpected words made Hannah’s eyes widen.

“Duke Yendil? Personally? About the results?”

“He said the painting was too precious to be displayed in the art exhibition. So, he asked if I wanted to auction it at Enycam Auction House.”

To her surprise, Hannah almost dropped the teacup.

Duke Yendil personally saw the painting? No. Then, did he come to the palace to tell Adeline about this?

That Duke Yendil? The Torneus Yendil?

Hannah asked incredulously.

“Enycam Auction House… It’s not the same Enycam I know, is it? Is there another one?”

“No, it’s that Enycam Auction House. The high-priced art auction house. The founder was Duke Yendil’s maternal grandfather, and the Yendil family still sponsors it.”

Though Hannah heard all the words clearly, her head couldn’t process them.

Ophelia’s talent is remarkable. Of course, Hannah knew that. But…

“That place only exhibits recognised artists’ works. Princess Ophelia’s, well, of course, I know her painting skills are exceptional, but most of the time, only masterpieces like Tor Caberna Nania’s from renowned artists are displayed there.”

“According to the Duke, he said the painting is valuable enough to stand shoulder to shoulder with those masterpieces.”

“…”

“That painting was submitted under a pseudonym. We didn’t mention our family’s sponsorship. But Duke Yendil wanted to meet the painter in person, so he came to find me at the palace. Isn’t it incredible?”

Adeline finished her words and stirred her teacup with a teaspoon. Her beautiful face shimmered through the transparent golden liquid.

Hannah paused momentarily before Adelin picked up Cordelia and patted her on the back. Perhaps she was sleepy, Cordelia gave a small yawn, and leaned her cheek against Adeline’s shoulder.

Between her bright red hair, her crimson eyes blinked a few times before her eyelids slowly closed.

“Hannah, you shouldn’t be modest here. Princess Ophelia’s talent is different from others. You know that, too.”

“Is Princess Ophelia’s painting really worth that much? It sounds too far-fetched, and I can’t believe it.”

“It is. Absolutely.”

‘If Adeline’s words are true…’

Hannah quietly turned her gaze to the teacup and got lost in thought.

‘I know best that Ophelia has an extraordinary talent for painting.’

But she never expected it to bloom so quickly and significantly.

…No.

Maybe this was an opportunity.

It could be a foundation for her to leave the palace and step into a bigger world, her future cornerstone.

‘Perhaps it was not Ophelia who put limits on her talent, but me. As a parent’s desire to keep her as a cherished child in my arms rather than standing out among people with her dazzling talent.’

‘Ophelia has always yearned for recognition from someone, and now that she has a chance, I shouldn’t hesitate like an indecisive squirrel. As a parent and a maid, I am not qualified.’

“Lady Adeline.”

Hannah stopped her thoughts and raised her head to speak to Adeline.

“Is there any chance I can meet Duke Yendil in person?”

***