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nSurprisingly, it was filled only with circles, and even at the top remained the assessment of ‘Great!’

n“T-there’s no way!”

nNoel looked at Rieta and the test paper and shouted.

n“That’s mean. I studied hard.”

n“Then why won’t you go into the office?”

n“That’s…”

nRieta pointed to “Vase”, “Portrait” and “Painting” which were presented as test questions.

nConsidering the damage she caused the Duke in order to learn this word, she was so sorry that she couldn’t show him this test paper.

n“Don’t worry. My father doesn’t talk twice about an issue, once he has punished someone.”

nNoel brought up the topic as if to comfort Rieta.

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n

nBut his words were not convincing at all.

n“……why are you saying that while running away?”

n“R-run away! Do you think such a thing would be fitting of a gentleman and a genius?”

nHe insisted, but he kept backing away.

nRieta laughed and knocked on the door of the Duke’s office.

nFortunately, the Duke did not mention the previous incident when he looked at her test paper.

nQuite the opposite, he even praised her saying, “You worked hard.”

n“Then, I’ll sign as your guardian.”

nHe actually gave a nice autograph on the box that said ‘guardian.’

nHe seemed to be happy for some reason.

n‘Am I mistaken…?’

nWhen Rieta came out with the test paper, Noel, who had fled before,had returned and was waiting for her.

nHowever, he still kept an eye on the door.

n“Noel?”

nMaybe it’s because he had been caught listening secretly to the situation inside.

nHis face quickly turned red like an apple.

n“Were you worried about me?”

n“N-no way, don’t say something so ridiculous!”

n“I’ll never help you with your exams from now onward!”

nHe continued, before turning around and running again.

nRieta looked from her test paper, which had a perfect score, to Noel and slightly fiddled with her hair.

n“….Is he jealous because the Duke praised me?”

nNoel seemed to like the Duke very much.

nIt was very cute to watch.

nDuring snack time that day, there was a cute apple specially trimmed in the shape of a rabbit.

nRieta’s head, which had been having a hard time due to the exam, was delighted at once.

nA few days later, a guest arrived at the Ducal residence, one who Rieta and Noel had been expecting for a while.

n“Ah, this painting…”

nPrecisely, he was a painter.

n“It’s the legendary portrait that the Princess and Young Master have glued.”

nA travelling artist sponsored by the Duke, he occasionally returned to the residence at the Duke’s requests.

n“Well.. This is good enough.”

nGently removing the portrait from its spot, he smiled softly, carting the painting away to a separate studio.

nRieta and Noel followed the painter there.

n“It’s been a while. I used to come here almost every day.”

nHe smiled almost bitterly, putting the key in the old lock.

n“Then where do you paint now?”

n“I travel. I was in Dalton just last week, princess.”

nWith a click, the door was unlocked. As it opened, the painter grinned and looked back at the two.

n“Are you going to watch?”

n“Is that okay?”

nHe nodded at Rieta’s question.

n“The place is the Duke’s, anyways.”

nAn unfamiliar scent wafted from the room, perhaps the aroma of bygone times captured in oils. Rieta slowed, taking in the room that seemed to have been stopped in time.

n“Isn’t that strange?”

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nThe painter’s teacher pulled out a thick curtain, the light melting the coldness that permeated the area.

n“It wasn’t to this extent before, but… well. Anyways, feel free to look around.”

nHe set up the damaged painting on one side of the studio and began to work on it.

nFeeling like they shouldn’t disturb him, Rieta and Noel walked around, inspecting the studio.

nThe room was covered in thick used sketch paper, and although there wasn’t much color on them, the drawings felt bright. There were unnamed tools they never knew existed, covered in handprints. Strange, old things were attractive to Rieta and Noel, so the two never stopped whispering and showing each other what they found.

nSuddenly, Rieta thought of something.

n“I don’t think I’ve seen the Duke’s portrait in the mansion.”

n“Perhaps it is from a better age. It’s cooler over there.”

n“The Duke is still wonderful even now.”

nRieta compared him side by side with her father in her imagination. They were so different that she couldn’t imagine they were the same age. It was hard to even think that they were of the same race.

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