Once the inspection ended, the cargo wagon began to move again. Vanessa dropped down from where he had been clinging to the ceiling with his arms and legs splayed wide. Watching outside through the screen, he slipped out of the cargo bed the moment the wagon stopped.

　　The back gate of the mansion stood wide open. No sooner had Vanessa slipped inside and concealed himself behind a pillar than cooks in chef’s hats hurried out.

　　“It’s finally here! You brought His Highness’s beloved hongshu, right?”

　　“Yes! We brought a whole load of soft, perfectly ripe hongshu, just as you requested!”

　　“Take one out right now. I’ll need to taste it and see if it’s truly ripe.”

　　While the cooks thoroughly inspected the ingredients, Vanessa slipped down the hallway and up the stairs. As befitting of a prince’s residence, there were many guards alert to the slightest presence. But the harsh training he had undergone until that very morning did not fail him.

　　Sensing another presence, Vanessa hid behind a sculpture on display nearby. Just as he did, maids carrying trays passed by.

　　“His Highness skipped another meal.”

　　“It doesn’t seem like he’s sleeping properly, either. Do artists always treat their bodies like that?”

　　“Not all artists, maybe, but the artist I know certainly does.”

　　“I’m worried he’ll collapse at this rate. Looks like he’s planning to stay up all night in his studio again today.”

　　The maids went down the stairs, still worrying about the prince. Thanks to them, Vanessa learned that the prince was working upstairs. He moved swiftly up to the next floor, only to pause. He had intended to search every single room up there to find the studio, but…

　　There’s only one door?

　　Judging by the mansion’s layout from the outside, there should have been several more rooms, yet there was only a single door. It seemed they had removed the inner walls and doors to connect all the rooms, converting the entire floor into a studio.

　　Vanessa cautiously turned the doorknob. Fortunately, thanks to Fren, who hated having his concentration broken while working, Vanessa was a natural at opening doors silently. As soon as the gap was wide enough for his body, he slipped inside.

　　“This isn’t it!”

　　The moment Vanessa closed the door, the studio owner’s irritable voice echoed through the space. Since it was perfectly normal for an artist to throw a fit while creating a piece, Vanessa calmly looked around the interior.

　　Artua had set up partitions throughout the studio and arranged his artwork in a harmonious display, decorating the space like a real exhibition hall. It was clear that Artua cared about the viewer’s perspective, but Vanessa, caring for nothing unless Fren had made it, passed by without interest.

　　It might have seemed odd that every figure in the paintings on display had its face painted pitch-black, but Vanessa didn’t spare that a shred of interest, either.

　　“This just isn’t it!”

　　Artua was working on a piece at the far end of the studio. Vanessa observed him from behind a partition. He had heard that Artua was eccentric and sensitive to presence, as expected of an accomplished swordsman, but anyone could see that the elf was currently unhinged. His earlier whimpering had given way to open sobbing as he colored the painting in desperation.

　　But none of that was Vanessa’s concern. His interest was fixed solely on the colorful gems scattered around Artua like pebbles.

　　As expected, the elf must have intended to use those gems as the main material for his pieces in the upcoming exhibition, just to tease Fren. Not that Fren, of all elves, would so much as bat an eye at something like that.

　　How childish.

　　Just as Vanessa thought so, Artua sank to the floor with his paintbrush still in hand.

　　“This isn’t it!”

　　Artua, who looked strikingly handsome even from behind, shook as he burst into tears. It was a pitiable sight that would make anyone want to hold him. Watching in silence, Vanessa straightened up. Then he reached out his hand. Unaware of Vanessa’s movements, Artua continued shouting.

　　“The god I envisioned…! The existence I believed to be most ideal…!”

　　The artist’s desperate scream filled the studio.

　　“It can’t possibly be his creation!”

　　The face of the goddess clutching ears of wheat, a symbol of abundance, bore a striking resemblance to Vanessa. Bellowing at the top of his lungs, Artua painted over the goddess’s face in solid black. Vanessa boldly reached out more.

　　But before his hand could touch anything, a purple gem popped free of the pile of jewels and rolled away like an acorn. Artua’s grip tightened on the brush, and he turned his head.

　　“Who’s there?”

　　Barely managing to hide behind the partition before Artua’s eyes fell on him, Vanessa held his breath. Artua asked again.

　　“There’s no one over there, is there?”

　　Gripping his brush like a sword, Artua radiated a chilling murderous intent. Vanessa slipped a hand into his coat and tightly gripped the glass bottle he had prepared for emergencies. Artua slowly approached the partition. Just as he closed in until he was right in front of Vanessa…

　　Thump.

　　Artua’s foot struck the gem that had rolled away earlier. His eyes were drawn to it at once. Staring at the jewel for a long moment, Artua let out a monstrous shriek.

　　“The exhibition is next month! I’ve already sent out all the invitations, so what am I supposed to do?!”

　　Artua spun completely around and began tearing up paintings and smashing frames. Seizing the chance, Vanessa snatched a jewel as swiftly as a hawk. Leaving the mansion as stealthily as he had infiltrated it, he ran into the forest, where the horse was waiting patiently for him.

　　“I’m back.”

　　Vanessa patted the horse that had waited quietly without its master, then mounted. The horse galloped like the wind toward Fren’s mansion. After returning the horse to the stables, Vanessa rushed frantically up the stairs. Dropping almost headlong to his knees outside Fren’s door, he called out.

　　“Lord Fren! I have returned!”

　　“Good. I was waiting. Come in.”

　　Even while gasping for breath, Vanessa tidied his clothes before stepping inside. Fren was still sitting by the window. Vanessa asked desperately,

　　“H-How many minutes are left…?!”

　　Fren answered brightly.

　　“Five minutes.”

　　“Really…?!”

　　“See for yourself.”

　　Fren held up a pocket watch right in front of the disbelieving Vanessa. It was true. There were still five whole minutes remaining. Vanessa took a deep breath, then drew the gem from his coat.

　　“I brought the gem without being seen by anyone. Just as you ordered.”

　　Fren stared entranced at the blue gem sitting on Vanessa’s palm, then sprang up from his chair. Grasping Vanessa’s hand with one hand and encircling his waist with the other, Fren cried out,

　　“Magnificent! Absolutely brilliant!”

　　“L-Lord Fren?!”

　　Fren danced with Vanessa as if the room were a grand ballroom. Even in his daze, Vanessa matched the steps and looked up at Fren. He was smiling as dazzlingly as the sun. Vanessa couldn’t help but smile back.

　　The dance grew increasingly fierce until it reached its climax. Vanessa bent far backward, entrusting everything to Fren, while Fren kept a hand wrapped around his waist, bearing the entire weight of his most precious masterpiece all on his own.

　　Both breathing heavily, they looked at each other with flushed faces. Then they sank to the floor together. Fren took Vanessa’s face in his hands, showering him with wild kisses as he whispered sweet words.

　　“My lovely Vanessa. My beautiful Vanessa. My capable Vanessa.”

　　“Lord Fren…!”

　　Overwhelmed by the sheer enormity of Fren’s affection, Vanessa toppled onto his back. Yet Fren’s kisses did not stop. Deciding it was time to calm his precious master down, Vanessa shook his head hard.

　　“No, Lord Fren. I’m not magnificent. It’s you who are magnificent.”

　　Only then did Fren’s barrage of kisses cease. Taking advantage of the pause, Vanessa continued,

　　“This is all thanks to you, Lord Fren. You are the one who made me, after all.”

　　Sitting atop Vanessa and looking down at him for a quiet moment, Fren nodded.

　　“…Yes, you’re right.”

　　He seemed to have calmed down at last, which was a relief. Reassured, Vanessa looked up at him. Unlike before, Fren wore a serene smile as he spoke.

　　“I made you.”

　　Caressing Vanessa’s cheek, Fren told him,

　　“Never forget that.”

　　“I won’t forget, no matter what happens. Now, please stand up, Lord Fren. Let me fix your clothes and hair.”

　　“Alright. Thank you.”

　　Under Vanessa’s deft hands, Fren regained his usual tidy appearance. As he stepped out the door, Fren said,

　　“Shall we see if this gem is usable before dinner, then?”

　　“Yes!”

　　Vanessa nodded. The two headed down to the basement, where Studio No. 1 lay. Unlike Artua’s studio, Fren’s was strewn with artwork at random.

　　Yet anyone with eyes could tell that these works, scattered about like worthless junk, were masterpieces any member of high society would covet. Vanessa felt Fren’s brilliance anew as he stepped deeper inside.

　　Fren placed the gem into a paint maker he had recently purchased from the Magic Tower. The magic circle engraved on the machine flashed brightly.

　　Whirrrr!

　　With a loud noise, the machine began to operate.

　　Moments later, the machine stopped with the chime of a bell. Fren reached inside and pulled out a glass bottle filled with a blue liquid. An exclamation escaped Vanessa’s lips unbidden. The liquid in the bottle was a deep, vivid blue.

　　Inspecting the bottle meticulously, Fren muttered,

　　“So this is paint made from thalia.”

　　“I should have brought other colors of thalia as well. There was your favorite shade of purple too, Lord Fren.”

　　“No, this is plenty.”

　　Fren sat down, then spread the paint onto a palette and added a suitable amount of water. Dabbing his brush into it, he painted a small stroke on the canvas. Vanessa swallowed hard, watching Fren’s reaction closely. Stroking his chin, Fren offered his critique.

　　“It’s a little different from what I imagined.”

　　“…Do you not like it?”

　　“It’s not that I dislike it, but it’s not good enough to use for my next piece.”

　　“Is that so?”

　　Vanessa grew crestfallen.

　　“I’m sorry.”

　　“Nonsense. What do you have to be sorry about?”

　　Fren leaned forward and rested against Vanessa.

　　“It’s only thanks to you that I was able to find out for certain.”

　　“Still…”

　　“It really isn’t your fault. If anyone’s at fault, it’s me. I had too grand a fantasy about paint made from thalia.”

　　“How could that be your fault, Lord Fren…?! It can’t possibly be your fault!”

　　“It is my fault. Hm… but still.”

　　Fren looked up at Vanessa as he spoke.

　　“Thanks to this, I had a truly wonderful day.”

　　Vanessa’s eyes slowly widened at the unexpected words. After staring blankly at Fren for a moment, he smiled with utter affection and nodded.

　　“Me too.”