Volume 9 - CH 11

At dawn when everyone was asleep, I quietly headed to the carriage port.

‘She will leave when the sun rises, right?’

There are only a few hours left until the departure.

There was a carriage with all the things Camilla would take to the capital.

Judging from the subtle light leaking out, it was evident that she had set up a guard to protect her belongings.

Rustle rustle- 

I deliberately let my presence be known.

“Who…… who is it?”

Perhaps because the guard was sleeping, the reaction was a beat late.

As I slowly appeared in front of him, a sharp spear thrust under my chin.

“Put it away right now.”

William obnoxiously pushed the spear.

“Ah, Lord Spencer.”

With a happy look, the guard hurriedly drew out the spear.

“What brings you here……”

Saying so, he glanced at me in a black hood.

Everyone in the county knew that William had been assigned to escort me.

So of course the guard will eventually know who I am.

“I’d like to see my portrait for the very last time.”

As I rolled up the hood that covered my face, the guard’s eyes gleamed and shined.

“Can I see it?”

He, who must have been very curious about the Count’s daughter, stared at me with his mouth wide open.

“The lady is asking you!”

William urged, and the guard opened the lock as if it were natural.

“Yes, yes, of-of course.”

Squeak-

The carriage door opened, revealing an easel tied with chains within.

It looked like a painting of a sealed devil covered with a white cloth.

William was the first to enter and collect the cloth.

The guard put the lantern inside and stepped back with his hands neatly folded.

“I’m afraid My Lady won’t be able to see it well because it’s dark……” He had the attitude that he would not dare to intervene and deserved to be praised.

“Thank you.”

Even with barely a sliver of light, my portrait revealed its wonderful beauty.

Alphonse said the painting was lacking in many ways because he didn’t see the real thing, but it was a masterpiece that will go down in history.

“How beautiful. Don’t you think so?”

I said as I glanced at the painting, but the guard’s unwavering attention never left me.

“Yes, you are like a goddess who has just landed on this earth.”

“I was referring to that painting.”

“Yes, the painting is truly……”

To say that, you should at least look at the painting.

In any case, it was fortunate that his attention was brought to me.

“Have you finished looking at it, My Lady?”

William indicated that the job was completed.

“Yeah.”

When I nodded, he placed the white cloth over the portrait back.

‘This artwork will be sent in perpetuity.’

Alphonse claimed he had no regrets, but I felt heartburn.

I gently lifted the white linen that was covering the easel and kissed it respectfully.

‘Good-bye. You could have been a masterpiece that was conserved for a long period in a museum.’

Who is to blame? It’s all down to fate.

Even if it was born as a masterpiece, it would eventually wind up in a gutter.

“What’s your name?”

“Fer… Ferguson, My Lady.”

“You’re going to the capital with my mother, right?”

“Yes!”

“Have a safe trip.”

When I smiled brightly, he was astonished, forgetting that he even had to answer me.

“Ahem!”

The sound of William clearing his throat jolted him back to reality.

I asked softly as I exited the carriage port, as if it had just occurred to me.

“When you come back, can you become my escort?”

“What? Y-you mean me, My Lady?”

“Yes. I wished I had another escort to guard the entrance to my bedroom.”

I raised my head slightly and glanced at William, my hand on his shoulder.

“It must be tiring for William to stay by my side all day.”

“I am fine, My Lady.”

“Please let me do it, My Lady.”

The two men’s replies burst out at the same time.

“I’ll be waiting for you then,” I said as I exited the carriage port.

William inquired abruptly as I was walking back to my room.

“Don’t you think it’s a pity, My Lady?”

“What? The portrait?”

“Yes.”

“It’s a pity, but what can I do?”

It’s better than being noticed by that madman.

And I have an artist right next to me who will paint a hundred more portraits.

“Good night, William. You did a great job today.”

I said goodbye to William as I entered the bedroom.

But just before turning around, William, who was hesitating, opened his mouth.

“Lady, am I not good enough, by any chance?”

“What?”

When I saw those sorrowful eyes, which reminded me of a puppy in the rain, I knew exactly what he meant.

‘What should I do about this jealous man?’

What I told the guard was to keep his mouth shut so he couldn’t say I came to see the portrait today.

“Then can William protect me 24 hours a day?”

“Yes!”

As he nodded, his tail flapped behind him and his eyes twinkled.

After the previous night’s escort died at the hands of Adrian, William slept for an hour or two to guard over me.

Because of the Benjamin incident, he appeared unable to trust any other escort guards.

“How? Will you not be sleeping then?”

“Well, that’s……”