This Three-Year-Old Is A Villainess - Chapter 153
I nodded sympathetically.
“I understand. I have a precious painting too.”
I clasped my hands together and blinked innocently.
“What kind of painting could be precious to such a discerning young lady?”
Despite the kind words, her gaze didn’t seem particularly curious.
But I pretended not to notice and nodded enthusiastically.
“Yes! I’m glad you asked.”
And you’ll be even happier.
With a blush on my cheeks, I vividly described the painting.
“It’s of a girl hanging by a sunset window. Looking at it makes me feel nostalgic and warm.”
“……!”
The Empress Dowager’s face stiffened.
Feigning ignorance, I explained how I came to acquire the painting.
“It was a bit expensive for me, but it was love at first sight. So I saved my allowance diligently to buy it! It’s my treasure.”
“I wonder… whose painting it might be. Perhaps I know the artist… Can you describe it in more detail?”
Unlike earlier, when she wasn’t very interested, the Empress Dowager now appeared anxious.
Excited to boast about my treasure, I nodded eagerly.
“The sunset outside the window is a beautiful seaside. The girl looking out has brown hair, braided. Even from behind, you can tell she’s happy.”
I smiled brightly.
“It seems the artist loved the child very much. You can feel the affection in the painting, and it warms my heart.”
I looked up and met the Empress Dowager’s gaze.
“I don’t have a mother. Is this what it feels like to be loved by one?”
Thump.
At my last words, the Empress Dowager stopped in her tracks.
The smile had vanished from her face.
She didn’t even have the composure to pretend to smile.
The Empress Dowager’s voice, emerging from her dry lips, trembled.
“Could you… show me the painting?”
‘Of course, Your Majesty.’
Because it will serve as a bribe.
“Yes!”
I hid my true intentions and smiled innocently like a child.
A slow smile returned to the Empress Dowager’s face.
As if she had just remembered, she asked for my name.
“What is the name of our young lady?”
Indeed. Despite her kindness, she hadn’t been curious about my name until now.
I beamed.
“Erylotte Astra.”
“Astra?”
The Empress Dowager looked at me in surprise.
* * *
The next day.
After wrapping the painting beautifully, I climbed into the carriage with my grandfather.
Sitting beside me, he frowned in disapproval.
“You met the Empress Dowager at the art gallery?”
“Yes!”
I nodded vigorously, but the frown on his face only deepened.
He had been like that ever since hearing about what happened at the gallery yesterday.
My grandfather seemed very unhappy about me meeting the Empress Dowager alone.
“Why is she calling for you?”
He clicked his tongue openly.
Meanwhile, the carriage arrived at the imperial palace.
With the goal in sight, I excitedly jumped out of the carriage.
My grandfather grabbed me and gave a stern warning.
“If that lion-like old woman makes any unreasonable demands, tell me immediately.”
“Yes!”
I answered cheerfully, but I had no intention of telling him anything.
‘The Empress Dowager will be my client.’
I hid my thoughts and responded energetically.
My grandfather looked at me with a dissatisfied gaze several times before heading to the main hall.
I went straight to the Empress Dowager’s palace.
The Empress Dowager’s palace was adorned with beautiful white marble that shimmered with a mysterious light depending on the angle.
A palace that was luxurious beyond compare, befitting the Empress Dowager’s high status.
But to me, it was just a treasure trove.
“Welcome, young lady. We have been expecting you.”
The Empress Dowager’s exclusive lady-in-waiting greeted me warmly at the palace entrance.
‘Usually, one has to wait for hours in the waiting room, not even greeted at the door.’
It was clear that the Empress Dowager was very eager to see me.
Without passing through the waiting room, I was directly escorted to the audience chamber.
The Empress Dowager, already waiting there, stood up as soon as I entered.
“Come in.”
“I greet Your Majesty, the Empress Dowager.”
The Empress Dowager welcomed me with a kind face.
“Now that I see you, you resemble your grandfather quite a bit. I didn’t realize you were the famous granddaughter of Duke Astra.”
“People often say I resemble my grandfather a lot back home.”
We exchanged small talk for a while.
Not diving straight into the main topic was a rule of high society.
However, even while chatting, the Empress Dowager’s gaze never left the painting.
‘She’s really stealing glances at it.’
I pretended not to notice and spoke.
“My grandfather couldn’t believe I met Your Majesty the Empress Dowager, so he just escorted me to the palace.”
“Oh dear. Why wouldn’t he believe such a clever granddaughter?”
Ha ha, ho ho.
Though it was all pleasant talk, as the conversation dragged on, the Empress Dowager’s anxiety grew.
Now, she couldn’t even hide her impatience.
‘You’re dying to see it, aren’t you?’
She couldn’t rush things due to her noble dignity.
‘She’s waited long enough.’
Judging it to be the perfect timing, I spoke first.
“Then, may I show you the painting I mentioned yesterday?”
At my words, it seemed like the Empress Dowager would jump out of her seat.
“Of course! I can’t wait to see it.”
