CH 8.18

I carefully tore off the wrapping paper after untying the ribbon on the box.

I’ve been giving gifts to others, but it’s been a long time since I’ve received a gift, so just thinking about it makes me happy.

Then, what came out of it was a landscape painting.

It is not yet a great masterpiece, as if the painter is still practicing, but it demonstrates the artist’s sincerity.

However, it was not a single piece.

I almost missed it, but when I turned the frame over, there were two signatures on it.

I opened the frame instinctively and took out what was inside.

“Wow, this looks like it was painted by a child; what a delight.”

“They did an excellent job drawing it.”

“Right?”

Crooked, unorganized lines. However, the painting is full of unique loveliness.

The child’s drawing depicted me and Lacius. To be more specific, the scene in which Lacius embraces me on the red carpet. In the eyes of a child, it appeared to be cool.

“I’d like to hang this in my drawing room; Theo, could you please give me one more picture frame?”

“Of course, miss.”

What a priceless gift. It’s worth hanging between masterpieces.

‘Someone captured and drew that moment for me.’

Do you know how it feels to picture a moment and then have it?

It was unfortunate that there were newspapers but, surprisingly, no photographs in this world, so this made me happy.

‘It’s a gift for me, so I’ll take it with me when I leave the house.’

My heart was warmed by the joy of receiving the thoughtfully wrapped memories. 

I took out the newspaper, contemplating what to give back to the Sokapi Academy of Art students who had sent this painting.

Terran’s most noble lady who signed a contract with the princess of the Ram clan from the desert country! Oberon!

Is this a popular style in the desert? Take a look at Lady Titania’s dresses.

Titania Oberon, the start of a successful story!

There were so many compliments that were passionate enough to make me spurt the tea I was drinking.

My lips would have been burned by now if the tea hadn’t been slightly cooled.

I took a deep breath and read the article after clearing my mind for a while.

“… Thus, Lady Titania is judged to have made her name known to the world, which could have been limited to being Archduke Schweiden’s fiancée… Oh my God.”

How did an article like this get published?

I didn’t order it or manipulate it, but a good story emerged.

I flipped through it, perplexed, and discovered that the newspaper had exaggerated my actions and turned them into a giant cotton candy.

“It will set a good example for many young ladies throughout the empire.”

Wow. As I closed the newspaper, I opened my mouth wide.

Why are they painting my face gold*?

*(To flatter or compliment someone in order to improve their reputation.)

“Was it really that incredible to be able to sell dresses to a desert country…?”

Lacius laughed lowly in response to my question.

Then he took out a newspaper that I hadn’t touched and opened it.

“On the other hand, the Redding and Latrus lingerie show attracted criticism for its tacky and outdated design.”

“I heard that story from Ziontin, but how ugly was it?”

“I heard the corset was embellished with diamonds and rubies to create a pattern.”

“… Aren’t they aware that’s what women wear underneath the clothes?”

“Yeah, even on ordinary days, I have illicit thoughts about my husband. They even added such a phrase.”

“Hey, it’s time for them to screw up; they’re doomed.”

It’s the exact opposite of me.

Their choice was to force women to wear corsets, while mine was to force men to wear harnesses and garter belts.

The social world, understandably, was completely enamored with my idea.

Latrus must have been very ashamed.

“They were publicly humiliated; I’m sure their faces are worth seeing right now.”

“I know, that old man is easily agitated.”

“He doesn’t really have a good personality.”

It was actually difficult to hear Lacius’s negative character assessments.

So I’d like to congratulate them on such an incredible accomplishment.

It felt good to see the story of their lingerie show, which had only a few lines of coverage in the newspaper, as if the newspaper published about it reluctantly.

Lacius affectionately extended the peeled orange to me.

“Get some more rest today, and then we’ll go for a walk in the afternoon.”

“Walk?”

“I was thinking about teaching you how to ride a horse.”

“Horse? Riding?”

Lacius set a trap so that I wouldn’t be able to escape.

Naturally, I was dropped into Lacius’ mesh like a freshly dropped apple.

Okay, then, teach me how to ride a horse!

The dress show, which was a big event, ended successfully.

Next, I had to wait for Sir Aragon’s ship, which pretended to have gone to get sea dragon eggs, to return after finding Cyphelion’s plane.

Only by getting to that point will I be able to complete this lengthy screw them up operation.

Until then, all I had to do was draw a painting to bring to the amusement park, which is why I decided to relax today with Lacius.

“Yeah, I wanted to ride a horse too!”

“I got a new horse the day before yesterday; it’s a pony, so it’ll be easier to ride and less dangerous.”

“A pony!”

I grabbed only the coffee and muffins as soon as I heard those words.

I was planning on eating quickly and then leaving.

“I knew you wouldn’t eat properly if you were informed sooner.”

A person, however, interrupted my urgent thoughts.

Theobalt arrived with a dish on a silver platter.

“Miss, this is a delicious whole roast duck.”

“Oh, a whole roast duck…”

My mouth was already tinged with the oily flavor of duck meat.

Come to think of it, since I came here, I have only eaten beef until I got sick of it. This duck dish was something new.

I was in a fierce conflict between my desire to leave my seat and ride a horse right away and my desire to eat something I hadn’t eaten before.

“Riding a horse requires a lot of stamina; you should eat some meat.”

“That’s right, Miss is frequently tired because she’s very thin and has no muscles; you should at least eat a good meal.”

With the two of them saying that, I can’t say no any longer.

I sat quietly and unfolded the napkin. With a large knife, Theobalt cut off a leg and placed it on my plate first. Of course, being a cultured individual, I waited until another leg was placed in front of Lacius.

“I will eat now!”

I’ll eat this and leave. Just this. But, as if anticipating this, Theobalt brought dessert right away.

“This is a sweet potato pie; would you like some?”