“My, didn’t we have a less formal relationship in the past?”

“That was when I was much younger. It’s late, but thank you for understanding the many discourtesies I showed as a child.”

“Meeting after a long time and you say such regretful words. You were so affectionate back then, it’s absurd to call it discourtesy.”

Alessandro replied in a friendly manner, not minding the time they hadn’t seen each other. At his easy-going attitude, Emilia blinked her eyes once and lowered them.

She had only met him a few times before she turned ten. At that time, her father had business in Deciro and came to the capital for the first time, and that’s when she met Alessandro by chance.

Back then, despite knowing he was the crown prince, she didn’t act deferential but simply smiled comfortably and spent time with him in her young heart.

They met three or four more times while in Deciro, but their connection naturally ended when Emilia returned to Bacorta soon after.

Of course, he visited the art school once, but she only saw him from afar. She knew Alessandro came as a representative because the kingdom was doing something with the art school, but it was a memory quickly forgotten.

“…I’m just grateful that you remember me.”

“Hm, I suppose it’s because we met after such a long time that I’m making you quite uncomfortable. I remember we spoke casually when you were young.”

“Ah… That’s because I was so young back then. I didn’t know well that I shouldn’t do that.”

As Emilia lowered her head slightly flustered, the corners of Alessandro’s mouth drooped weakly. He closed his mouth for a moment as if somewhat regretful, then carefully opened it.

“Come to think of it, I heard the news about the Marquis and Marchioness Este. I’m sorry I couldn’t visit at that time.”

“No, not at all. I’m grateful even for your words.”

Alessandro gazed at Emilia, who had her eyes politely lowered, then glanced at the theater building with an awkward smile.

“By the way, may I ask what brings you here? I’m also curious if you’re staying in Deciro.”

“Yes, I’m currently active as a member of the ballet troupe at the Avaliante Opera House, so I’m staying in Deciro.”

Emilia replied a beat late and looked up at Alessandro. She saw him, who had been scanning the exterior of the theater, turn his head with a surprised look at her words.

“You mean as a ballerina?”

“Yes.”

How will he react? Will he despise a noblewoman for exposing her body in a lowly manner and dancing in front of many people? Even if he did, it didn’t really matter to her, but she still didn’t want her colleagues to find out about her background, especially near the theater.

Alessandro’s violet eyes, seemingly mixed with a grayish hue, widened then curved beautifully again.

“That’s wonderful. Didn’t you love ballet even when you were young?”

Emilia moved her lips and barely uttered.

“How do you…”

“Thanks to memories.”

“…I didn’t know you would remember even our conversations.”

“I suppose my meetings with you were very enjoyable. Seeing as I remember them like this.”

Emilia was taken aback by the pure exclamation without a hint of sarcasm. His eyes twinkled as if amazed, but there was no displeasure in them at all, and they still showed only a happy sentiment.

“Ah, I asked you but didn’t mention the reason I came here. This year, the kingdom is also paying attention to the growth of ballet troupes, so I came to discuss it in detail. Ballet still has infinite room for development, so I thought if we properly introduce it to our kingdom, it could be a great force for artistic culture.”

“Ah… Indeed, it hasn’t been that long since ballet has properly taken root.”

“That’s right. However, please keep it a secret that I came here. I used the emergency exit to come quietly.”

Unlike his splendid appearance, Alessandro had an unassuming smile. He was completely different from Enrico, who naturally tried to rule from above as if noble to the bone.

‘Even though the same blood flows, they can be so different.’

The two men had little age difference, making the contrast even more apparent. To think Enrico is Alessandro’s uncle. Does the position of uncle make a person somewhat authoritative?

Emilia gazed at Alessandro with a strange feeling, then took a step back.

“I won’t tell anyone.”

“Thank you.”

Alessandro let out a big sigh as if relieved, then drew a gentle smile on his lips and tilted his head slightly.

“If there’s a chance next time, let’s meet again. Then I’ll get going now.”

“It was an honor that you remembered me.”

Emilia bent her knees slightly, and Alessandro also placed his hand on his left chest and bowed his head politely.

Even in their short meetings as children, he had been kind. But she thought he would change as he grew up, yet he seemed quite the same as back then, surprisingly. What was even more surprising was that he seemed to remember more than she did.

Perhaps the way she interacted with him without reserve drew his attention. Looking back on that time, Alessandro had said he often went to the forest alone and didn’t seem to like encountering people much.

Even when she accidentally ran into him while following her father to the palace, it was in a corner of the garden, and at first he hardly responded until she kept talking to him and they got closer.

‘Come to think of it, I must have said all sorts of things back then. Seeing as he knows about the ballet story…’

Emilia watched Alessandro’s back receding, then soon turned her head forward. She hurried towards the emergency exit, rubbing one cheek lightly. Even though she was only outside for a short while, her cheeks felt frozen stiff.

Only the occasional sound of shoes could be heard in the tranquil space. A leisurely air exuded from Enrico’s back as he entered the path marked as an art gallery, his hands clasped behind him. Moreover, with an ivory-colored vest under his beige jacket, his appearance looked even more noble.

Various paintings were framed in gold frames on the white walls. Unlike the diverse scenes within the paintings, the style was consistent, but occasionally works with a different style could be glimpsed.

Enrico stopped in front of a painting. The painting, featuring a blackening earth under a sunset that seemed to be on fire, felt more alive due to the bold brush strokes. Enrico’s eyes narrowed slightly.

“This one.”

The deliberation wasn’t long. He gestured with his chin to the gallery director who was quietly waiting behind him.

“Yes. There are only a few paintings by this artist. New sculptures are scheduled to arrive early tomorrow morning. Would you like to see them first?”

“Hm, so he died too.”

“Pardon? Yes. I heard he passed away half a year ago.”

He smiled obliquely. After gazing at the painting for a while, he continued on his way. However, as the director said, there were only a few works, so before he knew it, what stood before his eyes was the last painting.

A painting with nothing but the white foam and water flow created by breaking waves. Enrico had a thought that this painting somehow seemed like this artist’s final appearance.

“Art is really interesting. It has no value when you’re alive, and only gains recognition when you’re dead.”

A fascination not hidden by the languid voice was revealed. Although times have changed and there are many nobles who paint, artists born into poor families still often starve to death without being treated well while alive.

And the paintings they created are then acknowledged for their immense value and priced expensively, only fattening the pockets of those left behind.

Enrico brushed the area around his chin with his left hand while staring into the void.

Eyes the color of tourmaline, deep and tranquil like a lake, soft white hands, a dress hem fluttering along the toes. Lastly, the delicate atmosphere, fragile yet strong, enveloping her slender body. Like a completed work of art, the things encompassing her rose one by one in perfect detail as if imprinted on his retina.

Is that why Emilia draws more interest? Her value seems likely to drop the moment she dies.

A glimmer passed through Enrico’s eyes. However, if she loses even one of her original qualities, she won’t be able to show her current appearance, making her an extremely demanding work of art that needs to be meticulously managed during her lifetime more than anything else.

‘The third stage is coming soon. The reward must be eagerly awaited.’

Enrico continued walking, picturing her deer-like long neckline and her soft, empty earlobes. After a while, as he walked through the long corridor towards the gallery entrance, he noticed Fabio standing against the wall, waiting with someone.

Perhaps their conversation had just ended, as the other person bid farewell and left, and Fabio quickly approached as soon as he saw Enrico.

“Have you finished looking around?”

He carefully draped Enrico’s coat, which he had been holding on his arm, over his broad shoulders.

“Yes. I don’t think I need to see the other places.”

“I will have the carriage ready right away.”

Fabio gestured to the gallery staff and closely followed behind Enrico.

“The person I met a moment ago belongs to the royal palace’s medical department. He said a ball notice was issued this morning.”

“For what reason?”

“They invited the princess of the Karnt Kingdom. The stated reason is for trade and harmony between the two countries.”

“I can guess whose useless idea that is. The crown prince?”

“Yes.”