I Abandoned the Male Lead Who Cheated with the Villainess - Chapter 75
‧₊˚ ☁️⋅♡𓂃 ࣪ ִֶָ☾.
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“Do you like painting? So do I!”
“Really?”
“Yes! Especially oil paintings.”
“Wow, me too! Watercolors have their charm, but oil paintings have such vibrant colors, which I really like.”
“Wow, that’s exactly why I like them too!”
It was not just their hobbies that were similar, but also the reasons behind their preferences. How could this be? It felt like meeting a soul twin or a soulmate, or like talking to a long-time close friend.
“Actually, my childhood dream was to be a painter. I’m not very good at it, though.”
Was that why she felt so comfortable? Perhaps she got too carried away in her excitement and made a faux pas.
Suddenly, Ivonne regretted her words. In a world where a person’s worth was defined by their social status, commoners faced restrictions even in their choice of professions. Especially artistic jobs like painters were exclusively reserved for the nobility and generally not permitted for women.
In the past, painting was primarily used for depicting gods, and thus most painters were priests—male priests meant to please the goddess Novnie. This sentiment towards God solidified over time, leaving a gender restriction in place.
‘The fact that women can’t be painters is too normal a fact in this world…’
Ivonne glanced at Isaac with a crestfallen expression, but oddly enough, he seemed not to have noticed her slip-up.
“A painter, that’s nice.”
Was that sarcasm, or was he genuinely supporting her?
“I once painted a portrait to commemorate my appointment as a Tower Master. It was fascinating to transfer what I saw onto an empty canvas.”
His dark green eyes sparkled in the sunlight streaming through the window. Seeing this, it didn’t seem like he was looking down on her.
‘He’s really a good person.’
Ivonne felt her affection for Isaac bloom a bit more, though he had no idea. Suddenly, Isaac made a face as if realizing something.
“Ah, but I’m not into painting. I’m more into observing.”
Isaac tapped near his eyes. His dark green eyes clearly reflected Ivonne’s animated face.
“I’d like to run a gallery.”
“A gallery! That sounds wonderful.”
“I see it as fate. When I do open my gallery, would you let me display your work there? Of course, not for free.”
“My… my paintings?”
Ivonne’s eyes widened. Her naturally gentle expression takes on an almost startled appearance, making her seem as innocent as a rabbit.
Although initially thrilled by Isaac’s suggestion, her expression soon clouded with hesitation.
“Oh, I appreciate your words, but I’m really… really just an amateur. I have only a slight interest and I’ve never had proper training…”
Who was she? Ivonne felt unsure about her own abilities in art, nor did she know if she had any talent for drawing. She had always enjoyed drawing since she was a child and consistently filled her ‘future dream’ box with ‘painter’, scribbled in her untidy handwriting.
“That’s okay. Do you think I can open a gallery right away? It’s going to take some time. Meanwhile, you can work on honing your skills.”
“But still…”
“Don’t refuse it anymore, okay? If it’s a dream you’ve once set and something you want to do, why not add one more resolution to maybe one day have your art displayed in a friend’s gallery, no matter what happens?”
Isaac possessed a gentle charisma. It wasn’t just his exceptional magical skills; his ability to gently guide others was evident. His aptness for the position of a Tower Master was no mere chance.
Isaac’s encouraging words left Ivonne without the will or reason to object further.
“…..Alright.”
After all, they say the clearer the goal, the stronger the resolve.
“I’ll aim to have my painting in a friend’s gallery. It sounds like a good goal and motivation.”
When Ivonne nodded, a warm smile spread across Isaac’s affable face.
“Great. And no pretending you don’t know me when you become a famous artist.”
As if sealing the promise, Isaac extended his pinky.
“And you must not pretend you don’t know me if my works don’t sell.”
When Ivonne playfully touched her pinky to Isaac’s, a strangely intense grip met hers.
‘What a surprise.’
It was an unexpected contrast to the warm atmosphere he generally projected.
“Of course, my junior. We’ve made a promise, after all.”
Isaac said, his face beaming brighter than ever.
Considering the cold firmness of his touch, Ivonne mused to herself. She brushed off any lingering curiosity.
⚜ ⚜ ⚜
Elsewhere, a carriage halted at the grand entrance of the imperial palace, after passing several stops like the gate, which allowed movement to and from the magic tower, and various imperial departments including the Internal Affairs.
Among those disembarking the automatically opening door.
“Rix!”
There was Ivonne, who spotted Rix holding a shopping basket and waiting for her.
“Sorry for making you wait. I’m not yet used to the shuttle schedules and missed the earlier one.”
Ivonne said as she hurried over to Rix’s side with an apologetic smile.
