NOVEL ONLINE FREE Chapter 54
At the very least, one must have a place to breathe…
Hiding her bittersweet feelings, Anriche continued to speak softly.
“Everyone is different. Each person has their own unique talents.”
“…Mom.”
“Of course, I think it’s very commendable that you’re taking your responsibility as the future head of the house seriously.”
Anriche was sincere.
But as much as she admired Elliot’s sense of responsibility, she also felt sorry for him.
With that sentiment, Anriche added,
“But just because you’re the young heir of the Valois family doesn’t mean you have to completely give up on your happiness, right?”
“…Do you really think so?”
“Of course, I do.”
Anriche nodded emphatically at Elliot’s cautious question.
“Think about it. Throughout the long history of the Valois family, there have been many heads who excelled as knights…”
Looking into her son’s eyes, Anriche asked in a gentle tone.
“But so far, there hasn’t been a single head who stood out for their art, has there?”
“Well, that’s true, but…”
“I think a head of the Valois family with excellent swordsmanship is admirable, but…”
Anriche playfully winked at Elliot, who looked dazed.
“I also think a head of the Valois family with outstanding artistic skills would be amazing.”
“….”
Elliot stayed silent.
But his expression was no longer as gloomy as before.
“More than anything, you enjoy drawing, don’t you?”
Elliot nodded slightly.
Watching his ears turn red, Anriche spoke again, cautiously.
“So, how about submitting your artwork to a contest?”
“No way, a contest…”
“The theme is free, so you can submit anything. What do you have to lose?”
“But I don’t even know what to draw.”
Elliot’s shoulders slumped dejectedly.
Hmm, not sure what to draw…
After a brief moment of thought, Anriche brightened and made a suggestion.
“Then how about drawing something you love the most?”
“Something I love the most…”
Elliot mulled over her words and eventually smiled faintly.
It was as if a fresh breeze had finally blown into his stuffy heart.
***
A week passed like that.
Taking Anriche’s advice to heart, Elliot became absorbed in drawing recently.
However, Lilliana had become somewhat downcast, and the reason was…
“Mother, it feels like I haven’t seen Elliot much lately.”
Anriche barely suppressed her laughter.
It was the same complaint Elliot had made when Lilliana was holed up in the study.
“Then why don’t you go visit him?”
As Anriche subtly suggested, Lilliana’s face lit up.
“Do you think that would be okay? Elliot seems so busy…”
“Well, Elliot would be thrilled just to have you visit him.”
Hearing this, Lilliana clenched her fists with determination.
“Then should I bring some snacks when I go?”
“Good idea. Go to the kitchen; I told them to prepare some cream cheese muffins.”
“Cream cheese muffins?”
“That’s right, it’s a snack you both love,” Anriche said with a gentle smile.
Lilliana’s face lit up as if someone had turned on a light.
“Thank you, Mother!”
After thanking her, Lilliana hurriedly ran to the kitchen.
Anriche watched Lilliana’s retreating figure with a satisfied expression.
***
Knock, knock.
A cautious knock echoed through the room.
Elliot, who had been staring at his drawing paper, answered in a somewhat indifferent tone.
“Come in.”
In response, the person who entered the room was none other than Lilliana, carrying a tray with muffins and drinks.
Elliot’s eyes widened.
“Lilliana?”
“Sorry for visiting so suddenly,” Lilliana said, laughing sheepishly.
Elliot frowned slightly.
“What are you talking about? Lilliana, you’re always welcome to come to my room.”
“But you’ve seemed so busy lately…” Lilliana muttered hesitantly and added in a slightly sullen voice, “Honestly, right? We haven’t even seen each other properly.”
“Now you understand how I felt?”
“Huh?”
Surprised by his unexpected reply, Lilliana blinked in confusion.
Elliot playfully scolded her.
“You used to spend all day holed up in the study.”
“Did I really?”
Lilliana laughed awkwardly.
Elliot was likely referring to the time when Lilliana was studying under Lady Ivan. Compared to back then, her current life felt like heaven.
“So, what brings you here?”
“I came because I wanted to see your face, Elliot.”
Lilliana approached him with quick steps and proudly placed the tray on the table.
“And because I wanted to have some snacks with you.”
“…Did you bring these for us to share?”
“Of course. You like muffins, right?”
Lilliana smiled warmly and tilted her head slightly towards the easel, causing her soft blonde hair to cascade down. A refreshing fragrance filled the air.
For some reason, Elliot’s heart started pounding, and he had to make an effort to maintain a calm expression.
“By the way, how’s the drawing going?”
“Don’t worry about it; it’s nothing special.”
“Nothing special? You’re drawing so well!”
Lilliana gazed at Elliot’s drawing in awe.
On the white canvas, there were only a few rough pencil lines, but even from that sketch, Elliot’s exceptional talent was evident.
It seemed to be a portrait…
“I don’t think I could ever draw like this, no matter how much I learned.”
Murmuring in admiration, Lilliana suddenly turned to look at Elliot.
“Right, I heard you’re entering a contest this time.”
“Well, I’ll probably lose anyway…”
“Why would you say that?”
At that moment, Lilliana asked seriously, “Honestly, whether you win or not doesn’t matter to me at all.”
“Lilliana…”
“I just want you to give it your best. That’s the only way you can be satisfied with the result, right?”
Elliot’s expression became a bit complicated at her words.
Lilliana, speaking from the heart, continued, “I’m no expert when it comes to art, but your drawings look amazing to me.”
“Do you really think so?”
“Of course!”
Lilliana nodded confidently and flashed her usual bright smile.
“So, keep it up, okay?”
“…Thanks.”
Elliot tried to act nonchalant as he nodded, but Lilliana couldn’t see the back of his neck, which had turned bright red.
Lilliana tugged at Elliot’s sleeve and made him sit down.
“Let’s eat the snacks. I want to see you enjoying something delicious.”
“…You want to see me eat?”
That sounded a bit odd, didn’t it?
Taking the muffin Lilliana handed him, Elliot tilted his head in confusion.
But Lilliana just rested her chin on her hand and watched Elliot eat the muffin.
“Hmm, Mother sometimes says, ‘Just watching you eat fills me up.'”
Lilliana murmured in a pleased voice, “Maybe that’s how I feel right now.”
“…”
That felt more like something a parent would say to a young child, rather than what you’d say to your fiancé…
Elliot frowned slightly as he took a bite of the muffin.
It crumbled softly in his mouth.
***
Time passed, and about a month later…
Elliot sat nervously in the corner of the sofa, tense since morning.
And for good reason…
‘Today is the day the results of the art competition are announced.’
Even though he pretended not to care, Elliot was actually incredibly anxious about the outcome.
Seeing this, Anriche couldn’t help but say something.
“Elliot, shaking your leg like that won’t make the announcement come any sooner.”
“But I can’t help it! I’m so nervous!” Elliot snapped, raising his voice in frustration.
Anriche smirked mischievously.
“Oh? You were pretending not to care, weren’t you?”
“Th-that’s…!”
At a loss for words, Elliot pressed his lips together tightly and turned his head away.
Sitting beside him, Lilliana gently patted the back of his hand.
“Don’t be so nervous. It’ll be fine.”
“Lilliana…”
Elliot looked at her with eyes full of emotion.
Of course, only Lilliana understands!
“And besides, Mother was just teasing you to help ease your nerves.”
“…”
…I take that back. It’s not just Lilliana—she’s always bringing it back to Mother.
Elliot’s face fell into a grumpy expression.