Limited Extra Time - Chapter 37

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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—— Page 1 ——

“I went to bed a bit late yesterday.”

“What were you doing that kept you up?”

“I was drawing a little.”

Millaiyen let out a soft exclamation and nodded slowly.

He had been tapping the half-open window with the tip of his index finger, and now he turned his head toward me with deliberate slowness.

“Come to think of it, you don’t have any art supplies at all, do you? What did you use to draw?”

“A pencil?”

Carina Leopold’s eyes darted about before she tilted her head, her response almost a question in itself. At that uncertain answer, Millaiyen swallowed back a wry laugh.

They say a true artisan never blames their tools, but how many artisans in the world possessed only a single pencil?

“I’m not even certain if there’s a place that sells art supplies around here.”

Millaiyen furrowed his brow as he tried to recall where such a shop might be located.

In Millaiyen’s Territory and throughout the Northern Territory, the most abundant establishments were armor and weapon shops.

Beyond that, there were many physicians skilled in herbal remedies and wound treatment. In fact, there was even a saying that while minor injuries might be treated in the Capital, patients with particularly severe wounds often came north for care.

In any case, whether instrument shops or art supply stores existed here was something even Millaiyen couldn’t say with certainty.

“Even if they do exist, it would be difficult to find the professional or high-quality supplies you were accustomed to using. Would that be acceptable?”

“Yes, it’s fine.”

Besides, I didn’t have the means to afford such things right now.

Even when I lived at Count Leopold’s Residence, I had no memory of requesting such specialized supplies from the servants.

Among professional art supplies, the finest grades were exorbitantly priced, and in some cases, astronomical sums were attached to them.

Particularly when it came to pigments made by grinding gemstones, their cost transcended imagination.

Though I couldn’t claim to be entirely indifferent to such materials—after all, I did paint—the truth was I harbored no great desires for them.

More than anything, if I spent considerable sums acquiring such things, my family would inevitably hear of it.

‘It was my only hobby.’

I had no wish to invite unnecessary stress. So I had always purchased what I needed on my own.

I never had a formal teacher; instead, I learned by consulting books and asking the proprietors of art supply shops.

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In this way, I picked up knowledge bit by bit.

“This time as well, but if it becomes difficult, you must tell me without fail.”

“What happens if I say that?”

“Of course, we return.”

“…I see.”

I truly disliked that prospect.

Yet it was also true that I couldn’t walk for long. Yesterday, at least, my breathing had been quite comfortable while I slept.

Perhaps because I had enjoyed such restful sleep, my body felt neither heavy nor fatigued.

Recently, even during sleep my heart would tighten, preventing me from falling into deep slumber and often causing me to wake.

That was also part of the reason I didn’t fall asleep early.

“Come to think of it, I’ve prepared a room for that Physician. He’s quite knowledgeable about Art Sickness—truly fortunate.”

“Indeed, I never expected him to come all this way.”

Though he was a good person, I had assumed our connection would end in the Southern Territory. I never imagined we would meet again here, at the very edge of the Northern Territory.

“I suspect my close friend might attend as well.”

“A close friend?”

“The head of the Kalos Family—a household renowned for the arts. He takes particular interest in discovering talent, you see. Since I included that painting you gave me last time in my letter to him…”

“…Pardon? You sent that?”

Good heavens, it was as if lightning had struck from a clear sky.

Carina Leopold’s face had drained of color, and her voice emerged strained and unfamiliar—so unlike her usual measured tone—that Millaiyen Pestellio nodded with a hint of surprise in his eyes.

“…To the head of the Kalos Family, you say?”

Carina Leopold’s distress seemed to unsettle Millaiyen Pestellio slightly, and he simply nodded again instead of offering words.

Carina Leopold’s complexion turned ashen in an instant.

“…How could you do that without permission!”

“Well, I had my reasons to explain, and I thought you needed someone to help you. As you know, there are precious few people here who understand Art Sickness….”

Carina Leopold buried her face in her palms. To think she had shown her painting to a complete stranger—and one deeply versed in the arts, no less….

“I apologize. Is there something wrong?”

“…It’s mortifying.”

“What?”

“It’s humiliating! How could I possibly show such a mediocre painting to the head of such a prestigious family?”

I would have gladly crawled into a mouse hole to escape.

The Kalos Family was renowned throughout the realm—anyone with even a passing connection to the arts knew their name.

And the head of the Kalos Family, no less.

He was among the rarest of miracles. Even she, with no particular ear for music, had once found herself lost in rapture listening to his compositions.

“What part of the painting you created is shameful?”

“No, it’s not self-deprecation or anything like that…! It’s just that this sort of thing is naturally embarrassing.”

“Is it?”

—— Page 3 ——

“Yes, it’s like having someone discover a diary you’ve been writing in secret.”

If I’m being honest, it’s even more mortifying than that.

It’s not as though some tremendously accomplished person poured their entire soul into this work—it’s merely rough sketches I’ve been dashing off carelessly.

Carina Leopold pressed her forehead against the carriage wall and exhaled another long, weary sigh.

“I apologize. I hadn’t considered that.”

Millaiyen Pestellio offered his apology, though his expression still bore traces of lingering

confusion that hadn’t entirely dissipated.

Carina Leopold lowered her head. Millaiyen Pestellio, it seemed, possessed an unexpectedly reassuring side to him.

“In any case, we’ve arrived. Shall I disembark?”

“We have? When?”

“About ten minutes ago, I’d say.”

“…Ah.”

“Shall we have winter garments tailored first?”

“Yes.”

Carina Leopold nodded, absently fingering the Haron pendant she wore around her neck.

“The proprietor here has extensive grounds, so let’s inquire whether there’s an art supply shop nearby.”

“I wish we had one.”

“We will.”

“…Perhaps.

My added words carried little conviction.

Carina Leopold burst into laughter and, accepting his escort, stepped toward a boutique that exuded a distinctly different atmosphere from those in the Southern Territory.

The boutiques in the south gleamed with such dazzling brilliance that it hurt the eyes, but the Northern Territory’s boutique possessed a cooler, more refined elegance.

“Welcome, Duke Pestellio. We have been expecting you.”

“Ah, it has been a while. This is Carina Leopold, the young lady I mentioned. Carina, this is Aria, the proprietor of Chiffon Boutique.”

Millaiyen Pestellio introduced the woman whose luxuriant crimson hair cascaded to her waist.

Dressed in garments remarkably austere for a boutique owner, she grasped the hem of her dress and bowed with practiced courtesy.

“A pleasure to make your acquaintance, Miss Leopold. I am Aria. You may address me as Madam.”

“Oh, I’m Carina Leopold. Leopold feels unfamiliar, so please call me Carina.”

“Understood, Carina. I am a commoner, so you need not stand on ceremony with me.”

“Ah, of course.”

Aria’s lips curved into a smile, as though delighted by Carina Leopold’s formal courtesy.

The sharp impression created by her intensely defined eye makeup softened instantly, revealing an unexpectedly gentle countenance.

“I intend to remain here through the winter. I have no winter garments whatsoever, so I’ll need several winter dresses, everyday wear, and comfortable work clothes.”

“What sort of work clothes do you have in mind?”

Aria’s full lashes lengthened as they stretched out. She slowly turned her body and looked directly at Carina Leopold instead of Millaiyen Pestellio.

The dress Carina Leopold wore lacked the profusion of lace typical of formal gowns seen in the Capital, had minimal trailing fabric, and conveyed no sense of heaviness.

Carina Leopold glanced around before turning her head toward Millaiyen Pestellio.

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“Millaiyen Pestellio, you don’t need those work clothes. We’re not doing anything so grand….”

“I’m a painter. When I’m working, I prefer something I can wear for long periods without discomfort.”

“Understood.”

Millaiyen Pestellio paid no heed to Carina Leopold’s words and instead conversed with Aria.

“Millaiyen Pestellio!”

Carina Leopold called out his name in bewilderment, grasping the hem of his garment.

But Millaiyen Pestellio simply crossed his legs and settled onto the waiting sofa.

“Choose as much as you’d like.”

“I’m sorry…?”

What more do you want now?

I had only one winter left in my life. Two or three winter garments, including everyday clothes, would be more than sufficient.

“Shall I first show you the designs and then have the sizes custom-made for you?”

“…Yes, but truly, I don’t need so many.”

“Very well, then I’ll take your measurements first.”

Was it my imagination, or did that “yes” lack any sincerity whatsoever?

Carina Leopold glanced once at Aria, who was preparing a measuring tape and other items, then rolled her eyes slightly toward where Millaiyen Pestellio sat.

At that very moment, our gazes met.

Millaiyen Pestellio, resting his chin on the sofa’s armrest, was gazing at me intently.

For a long moment, they stood in silence, their gazes locked.

Heat flooded my cheeks. I turned my head away in panic, drawing in a sharp breath.

Thump, thump, thump.

My heartbeat thundered so loudly it seemed to deafen my ears.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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