Tsk.
Aaron expected the Marquis to lose interest quickly. Thinking that the moment he saw it, he would frown and turn his head as if it was not worth evaluating.
Unexpectedly, however, the Marquis did not. He just stared at the shabby back of the woman in the picture.
“Lord Dietrion?”
Aaron called him carefully.
Instead of answering, the Marquis suddenly rose. Holding the cane he had leaned against the chair, he stepped slowly.
Having narrowed the distance at once, he stood in front of the painting and remained silent for a long time. The Marquis’ behavior was always hard to understand, but it was the first time Aaron couldn’t guess it at all.
Aaron looked anxiously at the Marquis. This was because he was worried that he might be angry because the work was so poor. He was nervous, thinking the Marquis might swing the cane in his hand right away, but fortunately, he couldn’t see any anger in the Marquis’ face. Conflicting to his nature, sensitive and temperamental.
Only after quite a moment did the Marquis begin to speak.
“This artist.”
“Pardon, my Lord?”
“This artist’s name.”
Aaron couldn’t believe what he heard a moment ago, so he forgot to answer and opened his eyes wide. The Marquis’ face showed irritation when he saw the foolish response.
He would get reprimanded harshly if he delayed. Aaron managed to pull himself together and answered.
“He-he is someone who hasn’t even made a proper debut… I will check it immediately and send the document to you.”
Aaron wanted to bite his tongue at his fatal mistake. He was not prepared enough because he never expected the Marquis to ask the author’s name.
The Marquis nodded openly and turned around. There was no joy or bliss that could be felt when finding an enjoyable work anywhere on the expressionless face. As usual, he was only sharp and arrogant, nonetheless.
In the end, it was the same day as always. The difference was that he asked about the unknown painter, but the Marquis acted as if he had completely forgotten it, so Aaron quickly erased it from his memory as well.
It caught his eye because it was unique, but it seems like he doesn’t like it on the second look.
While thinking like that.
***
It was a different atmosphere than usual.
The strong smell of paint was always chaotic, but today it was clean as if it had been removed all together. It seemed to smell fresh, which rather made her feel uncomfortable and nauseous.
The deep green eyes shook uneasily. Clutching the crumpled shawl in her hands for no reason, she hunched her shoulders a little more. She, who moistened her dry lips with her tongue, stepped cautiously. There would be no creaking sound just because she put a little force, but she always stepped as lightly as possible in this way. It wasn’t just her walk.
She was always quiet. All the way out of the house to this building, when she opened the gate and the front door, when she reached the studio on the third floor. Until she finally got into a messy room and stood in front of the bed.
Today in particular, her movements had been very tardy. She was more cautious and vigilant than usual. But what was even weirder was that the impatient Brad was patiently sitting there. That made her doubt firmer. Today, Brad wasn’t in his usual dirty work clothes, nor was he wearing an apron messy with dyes. Even the unkempt beard showed no trace.
Everything was strange.
The only thing she was familiar with in this space was an old bed half covered with blankets.
“Go ahead and take it off.”
In the end, Brad, who couldn’t stand the wait, said a word. Even that wasn’t like him. The suppressed voice allowed her to see how much he was now suppressing his temper. Taking a deep breath, she pulled down the shawl with her trembling hand.
Since she went in and out of the studio, she had purposely selected only a jacket that buttoned up to her chin and clothes that covered her skin thoroughly. It was futile stubbornness. Even though she knew that it was a work that only adds to the hassle of taking them off, she compelled herself to choose such clothes. It was as if what she did would change if she wore such attire. Brad often laughed as if he guessed her mind.
Taking off the fabrics she wore meaninglessly one at a time, she finally took off her old underwear. She folded them one by one and put them on one side. She, rising to her feet with her arms wrapped around her chest, calmly climbed onto the bed.
“Put your hands up like you’re going to loosen your hair in that position.”
Sitting with her legs folded on the bed with her back to Brad, she moved according to the order coming from behind. The neatly tied hair was entangled between the slender fingers. Some hair fluttered down through the loose hair tie.
A particularly cool air came into contact with the straight back. She didn’t feel chilly simply because she was naked. Today, the gaze that touched her skin felt sharp. There was an illusion that the surface of her skin was being scratched gently with a sharp razor blade.
“Upper body slightly sideways, no, you moved too much. Yes. Keep that pose…”
Brad, who was talking about the requirements at once, somehow ended up slurring his words. Then he asked cautiously.
“Is it really impossible to show your face?”
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