The End of Your Arrogance - Chapter 49

Selice stood before a portrait of a woman.

“I’m sorry for being late, madam.”

“I came early because I had something to think about.”

She called out to Evelyn with a tired voice.

“Come closer.”

Evelyn walked quickly and stood behind Selice. The portrait she had been looking at caught her eye. The woman in the portrait, adorned with hundreds of diamonds on her intricate dress, seemed to exude an air of sensitivity.

“Oh my mother, do I resemble her?”

“I’m not sure…”

Selice chuckled softly at the honest answer.

“My mother passed away when I was twelve.”

Evelyn listened quietly to her words.

“Sometimes I miss my mother so much that it becomes unbearable.”

Selice turned around and gave a sad smile. Despite the longing for her mother, Selice continually observed Evelyn.

“Today seems to be one of those days. Show me your talent.”

Evelyn focused her attention on the portrait of the woman in front of her. What should she show? Smiles shared during meals together? Or perhaps a tender teatime moment between mother and daughter? No, maybe something else… With a determined decision in her heart, Evelyn spoke confidently.

“Madam, please look ahead.”

“Hmm?”

Tap-tap, a hand clad in white gloves gently tapped Selice on the shoulder. Startled, Selice turned around slowly. The woman in the painting gazed at Selice with a faint smile. Selice couldn’t take her eyes off the woman in the painting.

“…Mother.”

Evelyn stepped back a few paces, watching the scene unfold.

Could this venomous woman be subdued with just this much effort? Evelyn calmly contemplated her next move.

“Ah, Your Grace, the Grand Duchess!”

The Chief Minister bowed his head and prostrated himself on the floor.

“Selice.”

The woman in the portrait stepped out of the painted world into reality. The newly enlivened woman’s eyes sparkled oddly. The young lady who had stood tall and straight circled around Selice.

“… Mother.”

Selice’ voice trembled uncontrollably. The woman gently caressed Selice’ face with her gloved hand.

“Ah, Mother…”

As Selice reached out to hold her hand, the woman disappeared back into the frame.

Turning away from the portrait she had been gazing at like a statue, Selice faced the room.

“Well, you’re quite something.”

Selice smiled at Evelyn. When Evelyn’s cold gray eyes met Selice’, Evelyn’s heart pounded wildly.

“Accept this.”

With a toss, Selice threw a leather pouch at Evelyn. With a loud clang, the pouch hit Evelyn’s foot and dropped to the floor, creating a noisy echo in the hallway.

Evelyn picked up the pouch. It was weighty.

“Open it.”

As Evelyn untied the strings of the pouch, dazzling golden coins came into view.

“This is too much.”

“Did you think I only intended to show my mother this once?”

Evelyn silently celebrated her small victory in the suspicious woman’s small trust.

“Do you really think so? If you wish, I can show her to you anytime.”

“Yes, that’s right.”

Evelyn swallowed nervously due to the tension. What was she trying to say by hesitating like this?

“Last time, you created birds for the princesses.”

Birds? Why all of a sudden? Evelyn lifted her head and scrutinized her expression. Just as usual, there was nothing readable on her haughty face.

“Can you create an eagle?”

Evelyn fell into silence at the unfamiliar words.

“You must have heard the talk about the flock of crows.”

“Yes, I overheard the maids gossiping.”

Selice spoke with a depth of concern in her expression.

“As a representative of House Ajauntice, I cannot simply stand by and watch this unfortunate situation unfold.”

“I have limited knowledge, madam. I do not fully understand what you are saying.”

Selice’ smile deepened.

“Do you know what the symbol of House Ajauntice is?”

“I’ve heard it’s the twin-headed eagle.”

Unconsciously, Evelyn turned her gaze to the twin-headed eagle statue she had seen earlier. Its identical eyes seemed to pierce right through her, causing her heart to race.

“Madam, I am a humble alchemist. I cannot create something as majestic as a symbol.”

Evelyn lowered her head to the floor, prostrating herself.

She had started this endeavor to find Anastasia, who would be of help to her. She couldn’t ruin a promising opportunity with her own hands.

“Are you giving up without even trying?”

The stern voice rang out, stabbing Evelyn’s conscience. In her agitation, she clenched her fists.

What should she say to safely navigate this situation? Think, please, think.

Ah! If that’s it… Evelyn’s head shot up.

“Scream!”

Selice shrieked and took a step back. Evelyn’s unexpected and playful movement made her inwardly chuckle.

“Chief Minister, what are you doing? Remove this vile snake immediately!”

Evelyn suppressed her laughter and held her fists tighter. How should she proceed? She had to think quickly.

Selice pointed at the snake crawling on the floor and trembled, looking at it and then Evelyn alternately. Watching the Chief Minister hurriedly come over, Evelyn spoke up.

“Madam, that snake is an illusion.”

“What?”

Selice looked between the snake on the floor and Evelyn’s face with a pale expression of astonishment.

“A water snake with a blue hue.”

Evelyn murmured softly.

“By Lord Lauren, the Marquess… Hahaha!”

Selice burst into laughter, bending over in fits. After a moment, she composed herself again and asked Evelyn.

“Who asked you to create such a thing?”

Evelyn hesitated briefly before answering.

“The Master… He wished to see the family’s symbol, so I attempted to create it.”

“So, all you managed to create was a common snake?”

“I apologize. My skills are lacking.”

Evelyn’s voice became increasingly subdued.

“I’ve understood well enough. Get rid of that snake now.”

The snake, which had been wriggling on the floor, disappeared without a trace.

“You’re an honest one. Let’s do it this way then.”

Selice’s smile deepened.

“I will draw a portrait.”

Evelyn was perplexed by the unfamiliar words.

“Tears of blood.”

“Yes?”

“I asked if you could make tears of blood appear in the eyes of the person depicted in the portrait.”

Evelyn wasn’t sure whose portrait she was referring to, but it wasn’t a difficult task. Evelyn replied according to Selice’s wishes.

“Madam, as you wish, it shall be done.”

“I am now an illusionist who will do anything for money…” Evelyn cast a spell upon herself.

“If you succeed in this task, I will reward you further.”

Evelyn pressed her forehead against the ground, deeply moved. A smile crossed Selice’s face as she watched Evelyn.

“We’ll be in touch soon.”

The clicking of heels grew fainter and fainter.

As the sounds completely faded away, Evelyn got up. Her knees felt stiff from lying down for so long. She carefully adjusted her robe and then made sure to take the leather pouch filled with gold coins.

With a thud, the sound from somewhere made Evelyn lift her head abruptly.

“Oh my! Why is it doing that?”

The eagle sculpture she had seen on her way in was precariously swaying on the railing above. A shiver ran down her spine, and Evelyn hurriedly rushed outside.

****

The sun had already set, casting a dim light outside. Evelyn quietly boarded the carriage she had arrived in earlier.

“To the Martop.”

Rustle. At the sensation of being watched, Evelyn jumped and let out a yelp.

“Oh! How did the Master get here?”

“I purchased the carriage service. There’s nothing that can’t be bought with money.”

He rose while playfully explaining.

“Then who is the person sitting on the stone bench?”

“My subordinate.”

The carriage started moving slowly. In the cramped space, Evelyn felt awkward facing the man and turned her gaze to the window.

“Was everything alright?”

“Yes, I think it went better than I expected.”

Evelyn averted her eyes, feeling a pang of guilt for lying about the man before her.

He noticed the bag Evelyn was holding and asked, “What’s in your bag?”

“What’s in there that you’re holding onto so dearly?” Nikolas was a good person, but… He was an outsider. The matter of the deal Selice had proposed needed to be discussed with Ilya first. Evelyn diverted the conversation to a different topic.

“I earned this money.”

“Huh? What money?”

“Countess Glen’s wife had a task for me, and she gave me an advance payment.”

Evelyn shook the pouch, causing the jingling sound to resonate within the carriage.

“What kind of task is it? If it’s commissioned by Countess Glen’s wife, it doesn’t seem like a good thing.”

“I’ll tell you about it later.”

He chuckled lightly. “Congratulations. Is this the first time you’ve earned money?”

Evelyn nodded her head.

“Can I ask what you’re going to do with it?”

“Later… I’m planning to buy skewers at the market. If Libe grows a bit more, we can go together.”

He laughed aloud.

“Have you tried those before?”

“Yes, I had a maid I was close to. Whenever she went out, she would always bring some back.”

Anastasia would buy skewers from the market whenever she ventured outside once a month. Though they were often cold and greasy, Evelyn and Sophie always looked forward to them.

As Evelyn thought of Anastasia, she was overcome with emotion, prompting her to adjust her robe once more.

Seemingly aware of why Evelyn had fallen silent, Nikolas didn’t say anything. After a while, a large palm touched Evelyn’s forehead. Despite wearing a robe, it felt like it transmitted warmth. He gently stroked her head, whispering softly.

“You’ll definitely get to eat them.”

Evelyn’s eyes moved within her robe. The tender consolation caused her heart to flutter with warmth.

In his presence, Evelyn felt an overwhelming warmth. She felt a strong urge to share her thoughts with him.

Not long after, the carriage came to a halt. As Evelyn reached for the carriage door, Nikolas wore an annoyed expression.

“It’s not proper for a lady to open the door.”

Evelyn chuckled as she withdrew her hand from the door. “You seem deeply involved in chivalry.”

“Even if you’re a common-born illusionist, it doesn’t change the fact that I’m stronger. I can do it.”

He smiled and opened the carriage door, stepping out first. Evelyn gazed at his back as he left.

Was it because he came from the free-spirited West, or was it simply his own extraordinary nature? He seemed like someone from a different world altogether.

After he got off the carriage, Nikolas helped Evelyn alight.

“Come inside.”

Nikolas turned back, waving his hand.

Evelyn hesitated for a moment before calling out to him.

“Um, Master.”