Chapter 10 (1/2)
Translated Novels
Translated Novels
”Oh my, what happened? Are you okay?” someone found Dana sitting behind the pillars and asked. Dana didn't have the ability to answer their questions and could only shake her head and tried to swallow her tears..
”Oh, I believe she was the hostage from earlier…?”
”Come to think of it… You're right!”
”What happened to you? Are you hurt?”
The crowd started to gather one by one.
”Didn't Madam Rurin accompany you?”
”Madam Rurin!”
Madam Rurin rushed over after hearing her name called.
”What is going on… Oh my, Miss Dana?” She saw Dana and quickly approached her. ”Miss Dana, what's wrong?”
”N-nothing…” Unable to ignore Madam Rurin, Dana swallowed her tears and slightly lifted her head. When she lifted her tearful face, she saw a lot of people surrounding her. She was surprised she attracted as many people as the hostage situation did.
”It's okay, Miss Dana. Please tell me what happened.”
People were worried because Dana's neck was almost cut in half earlier. The atmosphere was thick and it looks like it wouldn't dissolve anytime soon..
Dana was so embarra.s.sed that she decided to confess what was bothering her, ”His, His Majesty is so handsome…”
”Yes…?”
”Well…?”
”…Ah?”
”…Ah!”
One by one, people's reactions started to change: What is she talking about, huh, what? Her feelings, I think I know what it is… Hmm,… huh, is it this? Hmm,… Ah! I get it!
Dana grew even more embarra.s.sed by everyone's reactions as they began to understand. However, they could only understand within their own scope.
”Yes… I understand it well enough. His Majesty is somewhat handsome.”
”I sympathize with you enough, but he's not handsome enough to cry about… As expected, artists are different.”
”It's her artist's sensitivity. I am looking forward to your future works.”
I was overwhelmed because I was fangirling, not because of my artistic sensitivity… Dana mumbled in her heart and laid her head down. She was thankful they misunderstood her.
Madam Rurin then excused them both by saying, ”I'll go first, our painter needs to rest.” She told everyone that they would find a place to rest for awhile, but Madam Rurin called for her carriage as soon as she left the palace.
”Well done, Miss Dana!”
”…Yes? Uh, what?”
As soon as the carriage doors closed, Madam Rurin clapped her hands in satisfaction.
”I can't believe your throat was almost cut as soon as we showed up. It was a terrible incident, but it was brave of you to escape and then you weeped in admiration for the Emperor's beautiful visage. You captured people's attention!
”I didn't do it on purpose.”
”I don't think you were thirsty for attention either, but being popular is the best thing to ever drop out of the sky for us. You have become noteworthy just by being there and breathing.
”Ah…”
There is such a man who could attract people's attention even when he was still, but Dana was not that kind of person. Rather, she was always in a position to admire him. He's the one who could do that, not her. Dana was stunned.
”I need to introduce your work in my salon, get an invitation to another salon, and then go public to build awareness. This way, you'll be treated well at the Princess's salon and establish yourself as a true, popular painter.”
Dana recalled, the moment she met the Princess she said that she wanted to see Dana's work. Maybe that was what the Princess meant and she would invite Dana to her salon. If they knew how things would end up, Madam Rurin would have no reason to speak up.
”The events earlier were planned, but was me being involved not supposed to happen?”
Madam Rurin proudly shook her head. ”That's right. It looks like she was interested in seeing you after you made your escape from the hostage situation earlier. During today's dance, she told me she wanted to meet you separately, but now that you had to leave early, we're sure to get an invite to her salon.”
It was true that Dana's instinctive actions had brought unexpected results. Anyway, good news was good news. Dana finally relaxed and smiled at Madam Rurin.
”The Princess's salon will be opened soon, so please get ready.”
”Ready…?”
”Yes, you need to be ready because you cannot go empty-handed to her salon. It will also be a chance for you to show your skills to the ladies gathered there.”
Madam Rurin smiled broadly and threw back her head.
The Princess's salon. A few selected guests. In other words, people with large influence. Debut. Which means, it was necessary to put out work that was the best of the best.
Dana felt chills when she saw Madam Rurin's bright smile. She felt bad that she didn't want to paint anymore.
It wasn't easy earning your next meal wherever you go.
“Oh my goodness!”
”Is… is this okay…?”
”It's fine in my eyes, but in the eyes of the Princess, this is…”
”…Yeah.”
This conversation was repeated dozens of times. Dana didn't know when the Princess's salon would be held. She could make a rough prediction, but it basically depended on the Princess's mood.