Since that day, Diana couldn’t see Raoul even if she wanted to.

It was because the number of blood-draining holes had increased from two to three.

The knights who used to work every other day had to set up camp in the forest and guard the castle walls while on field duty.

The number of monsters invading residential areas also increased. The atmosphere was tense due to a villager’s death near the monastery recently.

The brown-haired girl sitting on Diana’s lap started crying.

“I’m scared……”

It was Emilia, the timid girl. Today again, she had spent all day wandering around the monastery looking for one of her shoes due to Theo’s prank.

Having finally put on her little shoe, Emilia sat on Diana’s lap and sobbed.

“What are you scared of? They can’t come into the monastery anyway. The Mother Superior is here.”

Theo was the one who pondered every day how to make Emilia cry even more.

The child poked Emilia’s sole with a thin thorn and giggled.

Diana suppressed the urge to give him a smack and moved Emilia away from Theo.

“You little……”

Even though Diana imitated a scary voice, Theo paid no attention.

Just then, a sturdy hand grabbed Theo by the scruff of his neck.

“Causing trouble again? Why are you bullying your friend?”

It was Angela, back from her vacation.

When Angela glared at him fiercely, Theo flinched and wrapped his arms around himself. The mischievous boy, dangling in mid-air, was terrified of Angela.

‘He doesn’t listen to me…… but he knows who to be afraid of, huh?’

Diana shook her head and held Emilia close.

Her trembling body hadn’t calmed down since earlier.

“Emilia. Don’t worry. It’s safe inside the monastery.”

“That’s not it. I think a monster got into the monastery.”

“What are you talking about?”

“I heard an animal’s cry in the prayer room……”

“In the prayer room? It must have been the wind.”

“It’s strange…… I’m scared……”

Diana grabbed Emilia’s chubby wrists and stretched them out.

Only then did Emilia seem to calm down.

‘Come to think of it, I wonder what happened to that puppy from back then. Somehow he looked uncomfortable, so I couldn’t ask again.’

Diana recalled the gray puppy that had disappeared from her memory.

In fact, it was quite large to be called a puppy. It would be more accurate to call it a dog.

As she was recalling those blue eyes, the Mother Superior came looking for Diana.

“Young lady, the aspiring painter I mentioned before has arrived. He’s waiting in the chapter house now, and I think it would be nice if you could greet him together.”

“Ah, yes……!”

Diana’s neck stiffened.

‘Could it be Paisar?’

It was her grand prize that she had been searching for such a long time.

Angela looked up at Diana, not knowing what was going on.

“An aspiring painter?”

“Yes. I’ll be back in a moment. Just watch over Emilia and the other children’s nap time.”

“Alright. Take your time.”

Diana stood up. Each step towards the chapter house fell very heavily.

She had been searching for too long. She had almost given up.

If the man sitting in the chapter house was Paisar, Diana’s jaw might drop to the floor.

“Ah, welcome. The scent of chrysanthemum tea is exquisite.”

Diana stared, entranced, at the handsome man who stood up from the low wooden desk where he had placed the chrysanthemum tea.

“This is Paisar, who’s visiting to volunteer at the monastery. He grew up in Jackbert Monastery.”

“Ah… Ah……”

“Pleased to meet you. I’m Paisar. If it’s not rude, may I ask your name as well……?”

“This is Lady Diana de Arnel, the daughter of the lord,” the Mother Superior naturally introduced her in place of the dazed Diana.

“Ah…… Shall we sit?”

Diana took a seat opposite Paisar, looking tense like a wooden doll.

She scrutinized the boy’s face.

Being older than Peniche, he must be at least two years older than Diana.

His hands, neatly folded on his lap, were so white they were almost transparent.

He certainly had a different aura, as expected of a genius artist.

Overall, he had a washed-out impression.

He looked like a spirit found in a fairy forest where clear blue water flowed.

Although his hair and eyelashes were white as if completely devoid of melanin, they still sparkled brightly.

Under his umbrella-like long lashes, his green eyes were as fresh as a watercolor painting of a rain-soaked forest.

His delicate features seemed even more refined than Diana’s, who was a woman.

She could understand why Peniche couldn’t help but be amazed at Paisar’s exquisite appearance as soon as she saw him.

‘He’s an incredible beauty, radiating brilliance……’

Diana swallowed hard and put on the kindest smile she could muster.

Paisar met Diana’s eyes and smiled prettily. The sight was so dazzling, it was as if an archangel had descended.

“It seems the young lady wanted to encourage the aspiring painter when she heard he had arrived.”

The Mother Superior deliberately avoided mentioning sponsorship, speaking indirectly. It was a considerate gesture to ensure Diana didn’t feel burdened by the need to provide sponsorship.

‘I should say something too. But I’m so flustered because this is such an unexpected situation……!’

“Ah, haha. Who am I to encourage? I’m someone with no knowledge of art, so it’s embarrassing to talk about encouragement.”

“Not at all. Does one have to paint to be an artist……? If anything, I’m the one who’s embarrassed by my still inadequate skills…… I feel even more awkward showing you, as I’ve never been properly trained.”

Diana was startled by the voice as smooth as rolling jade beads.

It felt as if she was listening to harp music.

“Actually, I’ve always admired beautiful works of art. I often play with the children, carving wooden sculptures together. Of course, they’re terrible.”

“I was thinking of making small wooden sculptures with the children today, actually……”

“Ah, if it’s alright with you, I’d like to help. Although my skills are meager……”

“It would be my honor……”

“Why don’t you continue your conversation as you move to the cloister? I need to go check if the children’s meal preparations are going well.”

The two left the chapter house and walked towards the cloister.

Paisar’s legs were long, making him much taller when standing than when sitting.

Diana’s head barely reached past his shoulders.

“Do you bathe the children yourself, my lady?”

“Yes. There are so many children that we need all the help we can get.”

“Are you only coming today?”

“No, I visit three times a week. I’d like to help more if I could, but I have my own schedule to keep.”

“I’m honestly surprised that a young lady like yourself is so actively involved in monastery service……”

‘Haha, I started this because of you.’

Diana smiled awkwardly and wrinkled her nose bridge slightly.

“You said you’re an aspiring painter. Where are you currently training?”

“Right now, I’m helping make decorations at a small hat shop in Jackbert. There’s not much formal training. I just draw and carve as inspiration strikes……”

“If you went to a larger domain, you might be able to work as an assistant in a studio run by a famous painter……”

“Actually, I’ve already tried that but was rejected. My skills are still far from adequate.”

‘This era is called the dark age of art, so they wouldn’t recognize the work of a genius painter.’

Even to Diana, who didn’t know much about art, the paintings of this era were a mess.

There was no diversity in the paintings, and they were all abstract works that looked like they belonged in a cold, air-conditioned art gallery.

When a renowned painter made a single dot, nobles would have serious discussions over tea.

They’d interpret it as representing the primordial darkness or expressing the lonely period in human inner psyche, among various other interpretations.

In contrast, Paisar’s paintings were as accurate as photographs.

He depicted the subtle movements of human bones and muscles as if they were real, and painted even the tiniest blood vessels in the pupils true to life.

Right now, Paisar’s paintings don’t make money.

But when Peniche inherits the family business, the art industry in Hyperion domain will flourish.

She criticized the ostentation of noble culture, ending the era of abstract art and advocating a return to hyper-realistic style.

‘The one who benefited the most from that was none other than her lover, Paisar.’

As Diana and Paisar entered the cloister, the children who had finished their nap time and were playing came running.

“Who’s this handsome teacher?”

“Wow!”

Diana felt a bit disappointed as she introduced Paisar.

“This is Mr. Paisar, who will be helping with our art class today. Let’s welcome him warmly.”

The children burst into cheers all at once. It was quite different from when Diana first visited the monastery.

‘This terrible lookism applies even in the fantasy world, huh?’

Diana inwardly fumed while maintaining the most angelic smile she could muster.

The children who were diligently carving small pieces of wood soon started crying.

“Aaah……! I got a splinter……!”

Diana had no time to indulge in artistic passion. She was busy running here and there, comforting crying children and treating injured fingers.

“Waaaaaah…… Teacher, I’m hurt too……”

Emilia cried, holding up her bleeding finger that had been cut by the carving knife right in front of Diana’s face.

Diana immediately picked up the child and headed to the infirmary.

“Angela, please watch the other children’s carvings……”

“Okay. Alright, I got it. Let’s see, what do we have here? Oh my. This is quite good? It’s a squirrel, isn’t it?”

Paisar stole glances at the noble young lady who was bustling about.

Even to his eyes, Diana was different from the typical nobility.