How to Tame That Gentle Male Lead - Chapter 4.3
The two stood side by side, appreciating the sculptures. Vernas’s sculptures were larger than the child’s toy from before. The craftsmanship that expressed flowers and the goddess entwined with them had truly reached a godlike level. Admiring the exquisitely curved lines, Resena also looked around at the other sculptures on display.
“Today’s theme seems to be flowers and goddesses. It’s amazing to see the Goddess of Fate, Jenere, and her assisting holy knight Irkenes in sculpture form. Although the texture is quite different from the orthodox divinity, it’s certainly impressive.”
“It would be nice if we could also see sculptures of Lokanad, who is considered a demon god, but I suppose this is the limit within the empire under the shadow of the gods.”
“It’s the first time I’ve met a gentleman interested in Lokanad.”
“Hehe, I’m interested in the statues of various gods, not just that one.”
Resena smiled gently at Theseus’s words.
“Sculptures of various gods are popular subjects for sculptors. As such, it’s difficult to show uniqueness, but Vernas shows his individuality through beauty.”
“Indeed. The aesthetic sense that harmonizes with the dryness felt in these curves is certainly admirable. I’m not sure how old the artist is, but it’s clear they must be well-versed in worldly affairs.”
Resena liked his words. She appreciated his unique perspective and the calmness with which he spoke, not trying to flirt with her despite her presence. Moreover, his appearance wasn’t bad, so she thought he’d be good to know. She looked up at him, her eyes curving.
“It would be nice if I could purchase it… But since it’s a rare sculpture available for sale, the price must be enormous. I suppose I should be content with just having seen it.”
“Hmm… My mother instructed me to buy all the sculptures, so I’m planning to sweep up all these pieces. If you really want to see them, feel free to visit the Duke’s mansion sometime.”
At this, Theseus’s eyes widened slightly.
“Would that be alright?”
“Yes. Since you have a unique perspective on Vernas’s sculptures, my mother would enjoy hearing about your viewpoint. We’ll occasionally hold tea parties at the Duke’s mansion, so I’ll send you an invitation then.”
“Thank you, Lady Arnasus.”
They smiled at each other. That slightly languid, beautiful voice seems familiar somehow… It’s strangely familiar.
Resena could see his red lips curving upwards.
“Then I’ll visit the Duke’s mansion as soon as I receive the invitation. A tea party held there sounds truly exciting.”
“Hehe. Yes. I’m looking forward to meeting you then as well.”
At that moment, a voice called out.
“Sister.”
“Ah. Renard.”
As her younger brother naturally made his way through the crowd, Resena casually said,
“This is Baron Theseus Aldana. Theseus, this is my brother, Renard Arnasus.”
“It’s the young duke. Pleased to meet you.”
“Yes. Nice to meet you… But, your voice sounds familiar somehow.”
At this, Theseus twisted the corner of his lips oddly.
“I often hear that my voice sounds familiar. I suppose it’s because it’s a common voice.”
“Ah… Is that so?”
‘It seems too beautiful for that…?’
Renard tilted his head for a moment but soon continued.
“Sister. We need to leave now if we’re going to the Sky Barley Cake shop. Didn’t you say we were also stopping by the canal dock?”
“Ah. That’s right. Let’s go. Theseus, see you next time.”
“Yes. Have a safe trip, both of you.”
“We’ll be going then. Goodbye.”
After buying all the sculptures in bulk.
She left the auction house, escorted by her younger brother. The auction house, still covered in silver powder, sparkled as it reflected the sunlight.
Renard, holding the paper-wrapped landscape painting, helped her onto the carriage.
Resena thought she had done well to wear the magic stone bracelet. The sunlight was so hot that the magic stone, which cooled the clothes themselves, was essential.
“Ah, it’s cool. It’s better with the window open, right?”
“Yes. With the magic stone attached, it’s quite refreshing.”
The carriage excitedly rushed to the canal dock.
Under the blazing sunlight.
On the only bench covered by shade, a person wearing an elegant hood was sculpting.
“That person is also wearing a magic stone bracelet.”
“Indeed. It looks quite expensive, doesn’t it?”
Every time the chisel scraped the wood, a glimpse of the elaborate gold-threaded magic stone bracelet, the kind that only a duke’s daughter or duke would use, could be seen. Resena’s heart pounded fiercely. Was she finally going to see Vernas in person?
“Ah, he’s surrounded by children.”
“He’s giving a wooden carving to one child…?”
As if he had just finished it, the man easily handed over a wooden carving to one child. Watching the children cheer and talk to the man, Resena slowly approached him.
Finally, her steps stopped in front of the man. As the shade fell over him again, the man slowly raised his head.
“Ah.”
Resena marveled. Up close, his face was on the thin side and strangely blurred, but the man’s build was much larger and broader than ordinary knights.
Yet his fingers were beautiful, drawing attention. Resena felt her heart racing. Feeling inexplicably nervous, she carefully opened her mouth.
“Hello. My name is Resena. I saw you were sculpting… I was curious about what you were making, so I approached you.”
The man answered in a low, beautiful voice.
“It’s nothing special. But if you’d like to see, you’re welcome to sit beside me and watch.”
“Really? Thank you.”
Resena walked through the curious children and sat down beside him.
With those beautiful fingers, the man took out another piece of wood from his pocket and began sculpting. The children chattered noisily and glanced at Resena, but he showed no interest in them.
“Big sister. How old are you?”
Resena answered the children’s question, “I’m twenty-four.”
“Then you’re about the same age as big brother. He says he’s twenty-six.”
He doesn’t seem like a particularly talkative man. But he must be close to the children to even tell them his age.
Resena looked him up and down as he concentrated on sculpting beside her.
Even Renard was large, but this man had an even better build. Yet his fingers were so beautiful that she briefly thought he’d be more suited as a pianist than a knight wielding a sword.
“Big brother, I want the next sculpture too!”
“Me too. Me too!”
The children whined all at once. But soon, the child who seemed to be the leader cleared his throat maturely and said,
“We have to keep order. Big brother can only make one sculpture every three days. We’ll take turns receiving them.”
“Aww…”
“No. We can’t change the order. Big brother is sculpting for us. So we must strictly follow the order so he doesn’t overwork himself.”
The children chorused, “Okay!”
Resena thought the children would soon quiet down, but that was a mistake. The children immediately started chattering, talking among themselves.
Conversations about ordinary homes, mothers, fathers, and what they had for lunch today went back and forth. Resena turned her attention away from the children and watched the man.
“Aren’t you bored?”
Her ears caught his polite, beautiful voice.
“I’m not bored. Rather, it’s interesting. It’s also fascinating to see how wonderfully it changes as you carve it bit by bit.”
“You’re an unusual person. I wonder why you find this so interesting to watch. …Of course, I don’t dislike it, Lady.”
I wonder if he knows I’m the Duke’s daughter of Arnasus?
“…And if you happen to know who I am… I’d appreciate it if you didn’t mention it here right now.”
“….”
“I’m here just as ‘Resena’. Of course, I’d like to purchase your work. But more than that, I’m a kind of… yes, you could say I’m a fan. I’m your fan.”
