Chapter 70.1

Northern Art (3)

“Boss, there’s a massive crowd outside. It looks like every important figure in the High Tower has shown up,” Teo said, glancing around with a look of amazement as he and the Arad Company employees moved the paintings covered with protective boards.

“Not bad. The more spectators, the better,” Arad replied, grinning in satisfaction as he saw the gathering crowd.

He was confident in his work. With this many people watching, his sense of pride only grew stronger.

“Eighteen, nineteen… twenty?”

Meanwhile, Mary had been repeatedly counting the paintings they had brought to the inner castle.

“Boss, is it really 20 paintings?”

In the end, she approached Arad to confirm.

“Yeah, it’s 20. Spot on.”

“…Are you sure?”

“Of course I’m sure. Why?”

“N-No reason…”

When Arad nodded, Mary stepped back.

If you included the bizarre portraits of Mary, the total should have been 23, but only 20 had been brought to the exhibition hall.

The paintings featured only Arina’s portraits and the previously drawn compositions of Arina and Mary together.

‘Well, it makes sense not to display those weird paintings.’

Mary, with Arina’s true self hidden beneath, pursed her lips slightly.

Her gray eyes reflected a mix of relief and melancholy.

— “Your white hair and gray eyes reflect the nature of your soul and mana. It symbolizes nobility and purity.”

Isabelle’s old words, spoken when she had first handed over the transformation necklace, echoed in her mind again.

‘I’ll put off confessing as Arina.’

If Arad disliked Mary’s appearance, it meant that he had, in a way, rejected the essence of Arina’s soul and mana.

That thought alone was enough to make her reconsider.

‘I’ll win his heart as Mary, based on my inner self, not my looks or status!’

Yes, she would win his love as Mary, not as the Grand Duchess Arina. It was the kind of twisted, self-imposed logic that could only arise from insecurity.

Once all the protective boards covering the paintings were removed and the crowd had taken their seats in an orderly fashion, the maids who served the Grand Duchess began to appear around the hall.

“Her Highness, the Grand Duchess of the North and the representative of the Renslet lineage, Arina Rune Renslet, is now entering!”

The head maid, Isabelle, announced Arina’s entrance in a powerful, commanding voice.

Tap, tap, tap.

Soon, the illusion of Arina — projected by Isabelle’s magic — stepped into the hall.

“……”

The real Arina, still disguised as Mary, shifted her attention to the illusion, focusing on her own performance.

“Renslet Rune Renslet.”

“Renslet Rune Renslet.”

“Renslet Rune Renslet.”

The official chant echoed through the hall, filling it with a sense of grandeur.

Once the chant ended, Arina’s illusion spoke.

“Count Arad Jin has finally completed his paintings, it seems.”

“Yes, Your Highness. But as I painted, I grew a bit greedy. I ended up creating more portraits of Your Grace than I originally planned. I ask for your forgiveness.”

In response to her words, Arad replied according to the formal etiquette of the court.

“You are forgiven with joy. I look forward to seeing them.”

Although Arina had already seen the paintings beforehand, she focused her mind, playing her role as if this were her first time seeing them.

“You’ll be more than satisfied, I guarantee it.”

Arad, brimming with confidence, gave the signal. The employees simultaneously removed the protective boards covering the paintings.

Woaaaaah!

Genuine exclamations of admiration echoed through the hall.

Count Arad Jin’s skill in painting far exceeded expectations.

It wasn’t just impressive. It was awe-inspiring. His paintings delivered shock and left lingering emotional resonance.

That day, the 20 paintings displayed in the High Tower’s grand hall became a monumental event for the people of the North, even for those with no prior interest in art.

“As expected, it’s magnificent. It’s just a painting, and yet… I feel an inexplicable sense of power from it. I think I finally understand why the continent’s nobles are willing to spend dozens or even hundreds of gold coins on a single painting.”

Arina, her eyes sparkling, was deeply satisfied.

‘These are the paintings that Arad practically sacrificed himself to create for me!’

Her heart filled with joy and pride.

Unlike the bizarre portraits of Mary (which she had shoved into the furthest recesses of her mind, refusing to acknowledge), the portraits of Arina were breathtakingly majestic.

‘I want to show this to everyone. I want the whole world to see me as painted by Arad!’

Her overwhelming pride led her to make a significant decision.

“I want these portraits displayed throughout the High Tower. I want as many of my people as possible to see my face.”

With that declaration, Arina ordered that 18 of her portraits be hung in prominent locations throughout the High Tower.

“I can create the protective frames for the paintings myself. They’ll be enchanted frames, capable of withstanding fire and strong impacts.”

“Excellent. As expected of Count Arad Jin. But just to be safe, Granny…”

“Yes, milady. This is something we witches should assist with. I’ll prepare an additional enchantment to go with the frames.”

“What kind of enchantment will it be?”

“It will allow people to see the paintings but prevent them from touching them. If someone unauthorized tries to touch it, their hand will pass through as if it were a mirage.”

“Good. Place the two joint portraits of myself and Mary in my bedroom and office. Display the remaining portraits in the Glory Palace’s grand conference hall, the banquet hall, the inner castle’s plaza and corridors, and… put one at Arad’s industrial complex for everyone to see.”

That day, the people who were lucky enough to witness this historic event were truly grateful for Arina’s decision.

Thanks to her order, these incredible paintings would be on display for all to see.

“Is that… our Grand Duchess?”

“She’s so beautiful.”

“She’s gorgeous… I didn’t know a person could be so beautiful.”

“The painting looks like it’s alive!”

“This goes beyond just being ‘well-drawn.’”

“Every time I see it, I get this strange feeling.”

“Looking at her portrait in armor fills me with strength.”

“The portrait of her in a dress smells like flowers for some reason.”

With that, the paintings became landmarks and must-see attractions in the High Tower.

“Wanna meet up in front of Her Highness’s smiling portrait?”

“No, let’s meet one of her in the fur coat this time.”

People began using the locations of the portraits as meeting spots.

And more and more people were seen deliberately choosing routes that passed by the areas where the portraits were displayed.

People passing by the portraits of the Grand Duchess found their gazes drawn to them without realizing it.

They unconsciously spent more time on the streets where her portraits were displayed than on other streets.

Even after seeing the portraits dozens, even hundreds of times, they continued to act this way as if it were natural.

“I… I think I’m in love with Her Highness, the Grand Duchess.”

“……?”

“I-I mean, not romantic love! It’s more like… like how you’d love your parents!”

“Ah… I feel the same way.”

“Phew, so it wasn’t just me.”