“And I would like to express my gratitude to the Countess of Leongberia for recognizing and generously supporting this young painter.”

“I am truly grateful for recognizing only the skill of the painter without prejudice.”

As Pielo looked at me, who was expressing thanks, his gaze shifted to my hand. When he saw the handkerchief soaked in oil, faint wrinkles appeared on his forehead.

“I apologize for ruining the handkerchief given by the countess.”

The elder bowed his head to apologize. I hurriedly stood him up, not to receive an apology from Pielo but to ask Octar for responsibility.

“No, it’s not Pielo’s fault.”

There was someone else who should sincerely apologize.

“The palace painters are like my disciples. Regardless of what happens, it’s my responsibility.”

“If you say so…”

It pricked my conscience.

Father seemed a bit exaggerated to involve himself.

But I decided to let go of the issue related to the handkerchief, which was important to Lucky, and accept his apology.

“Understood. I won’t make an issue about the handkerchief anymore.”

Only then did Pielo lift his head.

“I’ll manage so that such incidents won’t happen again. Octar, you should also seek forgiveness.”

“But, Pielo!”

When Pielo apologized, Octar’s face turned pale, and he shouted in a hoarse voice. It wasn’t just an apology. It was admitting that all the actions he had committed against Lucky, including today, were wrong.

However, he stopped protesting or arguing. It was because of Pielo’s icy gaze.

“…I’m sorry. Your Highness.”

It was a face that didn’t look apologetic at all, but it was enough.

“I accept.”

I said gently and approached him, whispering softly.

“Tell the Countess to send good pigments. If my interference made her upset, please resolve it. We’ll be friends from now on. Since Pielo has acknowledged Lucky, other painters won’t join you in tormenting him. So, acknowledge it cleanly and walk your own path from now on. Think about how much more amazing you’ll become when this little one grows up. Isn’t that exciting?”

I shifted my gaze to the picture Lucky drew. Octar’s gaze followed mine.

Perhaps, being a painter, he would know better.

Maybe he felt restricted by the frightening skill. Since I didn’t completely understand his feelings, I added a bit of encouragement.

“Show that you can do it, too. You’ve come this far with difficulty, as you said.”

Until completely leaving the palace studio.

I heard the faint sound of small footsteps following me.

Finally reaching an isolated garden beyond everyone’s gaze, the owner of the soft footsteps called me.

“Miss…!”

It was Lucky.

Perhaps he had a lot to say from earlier, as his chubby cheeks had caught my attention.

“I’m not Miss anymore.”

“…Why did you help me?”

Lucky looked up at me with a face that seemed like he might cry at any moment.

Knowing how he became a palace painter and questioning why I helped, his expression showed fear.

If he was so curious, it was time to give him the appropriate answer.

“If you became a palace painter because of me, you have to firmly protect that position. Don’t leave the palace just because of those things. You need to show your skills. If you’re going to be ambitious, endure it until the end.”

Lucky’s eyes widened for a moment, then he quickly lowered his eyelids.

“…You really knew everything. Then, if you knew everything, why did you help me? I, I delivered the letter from the lady to the prince…”

With a trembling voice, his fear seemed to subside.

Afraid of whether I would scold him or report it to the family, he was quite frightened.

“This scaredy-cat managed well here.”

Even though he was scared, he must have wanted to achieve his dream that much.

“As you said, you delivered the letter I asked you to give to Prince Cassian to Prince Serdes. Yes, that’s it. You just ran an errand.”

“What?”

Lucky’s mistake ended there.

He delivered the letter incorrectly.

“You just ran an errand, and Prince Serdes recognized your drawing skills and hired you as a palace painter. Did you do anything else there?”

“But… even though I knew it was wrong, I delivered it.”

I bowed deeply and lightly tapped Lucky’s forehead with my fingers.

Tap.

Lucky touched his forehead. I put both hands on my hips and scolded him.

“Who said you delivered the errand wrong?”

“…What?”

“If you do it wrong next time, you’ll really be in trouble. This time, it’s the first time, so I’ll let it go. Now go.”

The sin of delivering the letter incorrectly.

And a tap on the forehead and scolding.

Whatever the reward was, that was all I would give him.

“Has the Grand Duchess arrived?”

Today, I meet many new people.

Among them, one was the palace substitute standing in front of me now.

Similar in age to Pielo, the palace substitute brought a cup of tea for me and smiled kindly.

“Regarding the duel, although it might be troublesome as Empress wishes to entrust it to Grand Duchess, we should discuss the proceedings together.”

It seemed Micaela had not yet convinced Serdes.

The duel date was set for three days later, and I had to meet the substitute before the duel.

“But even if it’s a duel held in the palace, do you have to prepare this much?”

I expressed my doubts while looking at the documents brought by the substitute.

“Oh, you didn’t hear about the story?”

“What’s different?”

“This time, before the Turan War, the Empress said she wanted to hold an event to pray for victory in the war. At that time, along with the knights’ duels, she said she would also have the last duel between the Prince and the Grand Duke.”

For a moment, I doubted my ears.

The Empress herself?

“The Empress?”

“Yes.”

I had spoken to the Empress before, asking her to stop the duel. Otherwise, I said that Serdes’s support might change within the palace. I hadn’t thought that the Empress would stop the duel directly.

‘But did she create trouble in the opposite direction?’

I hadn’t thought of holding an event to formalize the duel.

“Why did she suddenly create an event?”

In surprise, I muttered, and the substitute explained.

“Oh, did you not hear the story recently? A while ago, the Empress met with prophets. It seems that might have influenced her decision.”
“There’s said to be a very reliable prophet over there. They mentioned that if that person holds an event wishing for victory in the upcoming war, it will lead the empire to success in future wars. That’s why they are holding the event.”

The substitute’s words flowed naturally, and there seemed to be no falsehood.

‘Was there a prophet around here?’

Living here, I haven’t heard of an outstanding prophet.

Rather, the most skilled prophet at the moment seemed to be me.

I caught the seemingly talkative substitute and asked, “So who is this prophet?”