(Risking My Life) Proposing to Miss Hazel - Chapter 61

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 61

 

“Go ahead and read the letter.”

 

“It’s probably nothing special? It’ll just be a letter saying Sleepy Solsol and Sleepy Ssaak will come looking for us soon.”

 

My prediction was correct.

 

The top of the letter contained information that they would visit Golden Goods in ten days. The additional purchase of honeycomb scrubber insoles was a bonus.

 

One peculiar thing was—.

 

“They want to come through the underground city without going through Cromwell Castle. They’re asking if Felix can come out to meet them and guide the way?”

 

Felix grinned and answered triumphantly.

 

“That’s not difficult at all. When I checked a few days ago, we only need to dig a little more on the other side. I’ve almost found all the shortcuts too.”

 

“Wow… this actually works.”

 

“I told you to just trust me.”

 

“You did.”

 

I blinked my bewildered eyes and stared intently at Felix.

 

To think a path would be created for Ruden and Benu to trade directly without going through Cromwell Castle.

 

Even after seeing the cave and underground city with my own eyes, I still couldn’t believe it.

 

Even if I told the villagers this joyful news, they wouldn’t easily believe it.

 

“Felix, when are you going to tell the villagers?”

 

Felix tapped his head with a contemplative expression, then spoke cautiously.

 

“Since we don’t know how many more spies might be hiding, it would be better not to tell anyone for the time being. There will come a time when Cromwell Castle’s interference weakens, so let’s wait until then.”

 

My eyes narrowed at his confident tone.

 

Felix was once again spouting confident nonsense as if he could see the future.

 

At this point, I could blindly trust Felix, but my wariness hadn’t faded yet.

 

Rather, my suspicion grew deeper each time Felix’s predictions came true.

 

‘How exactly does he know the future? If Felix is right again this time, it’ll really be scary. I did hear before that he got an informant, but…’

 

When I glared at Felix without any response, Felix’s eyebrows twisted with displeasure.

 

“This kid still doesn’t trust me.”

 

“No, I trust you. I’ll try.”

 

That’s a lie. I plan to pretend to trust him first, then investigate Felix’s background.

 

This time Felix opened his eyes drowsily as if gauging my true intentions. Since we both have the same brain structure, it’s natural that we suspect each other.

 

I avoided him and turned my gaze to the letter. I was brazenly reading the rest of the content when—.

 

“Let’s coordinate the meeting place and time well, okay? And… huh?”

 

“What? What is it?”

 

“Benu’s Wealthiest Patron wants to commission a portrait from me.”

 

***

 

Scratch scratch.

 

Swoosh, swish, scritch—.

 

The smoothly sharpened pencil tip lightly brushed across the slightly rough paper.

 

I briefly observed my face reflected in the mirror, then transferred it directly onto the paper.

 

A time of complete concentration and immersion.

 

This was why I came to love drawing.

 

Of course, liking something and being good at it are separate matters.

 

I compared the completed self-portrait with myself in the mirror and sighed.

 

“This is ruined.”

 

Large eyes and round nostrils, dense lips, cheeks with a bit of baby fat.

 

I clearly thought I drew exactly like myself, but there was a completely different person in the picture.

 

This is why portraits are difficult.

 

Even if the proportions of facial features or minor characteristics change just a little, it looks like a different person.

 

“What should I do…”

 

Should I decline?

 

Originally, portraits aren’t entrusted to amateur artists like me.

 

Especially for wealthy people, it’s a kind of trend to call the most famous painters of the time to draw portraits of themselves and their families.

 

But for Benu’s wealthiest person to commission a portrait from me.

 

Moreover, he was a figure whose face, name, and age were completely unknown.

 

Called the Golden Hand of Darkness, the leader of the largest dark guild in the Empire operating in Benu’s underground.

 

The so-called ‘Black Hand’ had entrusted me with a commission.

 

Because he liked my paintings.

 

At first, I didn’t want to accept his commission. I lacked confidence and was a bit scared too.

 

But Felix thought differently. He encouraged me and boosted my courage as I hesitated.

 

‘Why refuse? This is an opportunity. I’ve always thought your talent was wasted. Take this chance to be both a general store owner and a painter. Hazel, do everything you want to do.’

 

‘Still, it’s a bit strange. For someone whose face isn’t even known to commission a portrait from me.’

 

‘It might not be his own portrait. And Black Hand isn’t a bad person. The 13th Prin… no, anyway, Black Hand also saved those siblings who were in the news recently.’

 

‘That’s true, but…’

 

Black Hand had rumors in the past of engaging in human trafficking, but the reality was the complete opposite.

 

He used his dark information network to save countless people from the hands of the Black Magic Rebels.

 

There must be tens of thousands of people who owe their lives to him.

 

That’s why the people of Benu both feared and respected him.

 

Seeing that even Benu’s mayor doesn’t touch him, he clearly maintains friendly relations with the mayor too.

 

So forming a connection with him was definitely something to welcome.

 

If I don’t mess up the commission.

 

“Phew…”

 

I let out a short sigh and gripped the pencil firmly again.

 

I wanted to do well.

 

Not because it was Black Hand’s commission, not because the payment was too much to refuse…

 

‘Hazel, Black Hand also fell for your paintings at first sight. He said they’re special paintings that warm the heart.’

 

‘Is that so…’

 

‘Of course. I think so too, and Monica thinks so too, and Kokko and her children probably think so too, right?’

 

‘Tch. What’s that supposed to mean.’

 

‘Have some faith in yourself, you fool.’

 

‘…Alright. I’ll give it a try.’

 

It was because I wanted to repay the people who believed in my potential.

 

***

 

The day after wrestling with myself in the mirror all day long.

 

I had to admit it.

 

That there were limits to practicing with myself as a model.

 

Matilda had said so. At Benu’s Art School, they spend all day drawing plaster statues modeled after perfect handsome men and beautiful women.

 

Originally, while drawing portraits to look alike is important, the most important thing is drawing them ‘well.’

 

Not just ‘well,’ but handsomely and prettily.

 

Eyes a little more distinct.

 

Nose a little more straight.

 

Jaw a little more sharp.

 

The key is to subtly transform them into beautiful forms while keeping the original intact.

 

That’s why to draw a perfect portrait, it’s important to familiarize your hands with faces that serve as the standard of beauty.

 

‘If you draw them exactly the same, they’ll curse at you.’

 

This was precious advice from Matilda, who already had experience being cursed at.

 

“A model… I need a model.”

 

I muttered with a haggard face as I set out for work.

 

Having only slept four hours yesterday, my whole body felt weak and ached all over. Not to mention my tattered finger joints and elbows.

 

Even as my eyelids kept drooping, my sharp eyes moved quickly in search of the perfect model.

 

Actually, it wasn’t hard to find a model nearby. There’s Felix, who resembles a rather handsome plaster statue, but he’s my blood relative.

 

Observing my blood relative from various angles for hours while drawing? I’ll pass on that kind of torture.

 

While crossing the Village Center, I greeted two long potatoes, one Ambitious Potato, and two plump potatoes, all of whom were eliminated as model candidates.

 

Protruding brow bones and a straight, high nose bridge.

 

A sharp and three-dimensional jawline from any angle – up, down, left, or right.

 

Refreshing lips and eyes that were neither too large nor too small.

 

They all fell short of the lofty standards of plaster statues.

 

Just as my frustration was mounting-

 

“Miss Hazel.”

 

A man who perfectly met my demanding standards walked toward me on his own.

 

Found him.

 

My plaster statue.

 

Overcome with emotion, I called out his name in a voice filled with joy and ran toward him.

 

“Baron!”

 

Completely unaware that my face was covered with dark graphite powder.

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