#Episode 42
Laurus was selected as a court painter, and it was revealed that he was also the heir of Count Renfield.
The king was overjoyed, and others praised Laurus, calling him the ‘Painter of Light’ for his noble lineage.
Laurus’s life as both a painter and a noble seemed perfect.
However, Laurus himself was tired of it all.
Seeing those who had once ridiculed him now praise his art made him no longer want to allow humans to see his paintings.
Laurus believed that Lucy’s judgment had been correct, and that was enough for him.
He asked Lucy to turn him into a vampire, wanting to stay by her side forever and paint only for her.
However, Lucy firmly refused.
<I want you to continue painting,>
Lucy said, as she walked toward the unfinished painting still on the easel.
<If you become a vampire… you won’t be able to feel as much as humans do. Things like the warmth of the sun or the sway of wildflowers in the breeze will become luxuries.>
The painting on the canvas depicted the landscape of Renfield’s estate, with mustard flowers blooming brightly under the blazing sun. Just looking at it was almost blinding. Lucy, who had been quietly observing the painting, smiled faintly.
<That’s why I like your paintings. From your works… I can feel the light that I gave up on.>
When Lucy turned to face Laurus, her red eyes met his, and he felt breathless. Lucy’s words, saying that only Laurus could achieve this, weighed heavily on him.
In the face of Lucy’s uniqueness, immortality seemed insignificant.
<And someday… paint a portrait of me, Laurus. I don’t usually like leaving traces of myself, but if it’s your painting, I’d like that.>
<It would be… such an honor to paint you, Lady Lucy! Leave it to me. I will dedicate my entire soul to it!>
At Laurus’s words, Lucy smiled faintly. In that moment, Laurus felt as though he had gained everything.
But after that day, Lucy disappeared from Laurus’s life.
Laurus, devastated and despairing, stopped eating, but it was Lucy who had once again brought him back to his feet.
He couldn’t let Lucy return to find no new paintings to show her.
Since then, Laurus painted like a madman.
He captured every light he could: the glimmer of the morning lake Lucy had wanted to see, the rising red sunrise over the harbor, the reflection of the willow trees on the clear lakeshore, the fluffy clouds hanging over the poplar trees piercing the midday sky.
Laurus poured all the light he could into his paintings, and only the ones he was truly satisfied with remained in the annex.
“All the works here are for Lucy. They are paintings dedicated to her,”
Laurus said proudly, glancing at his paintings. He didn’t hesitate to boast about them, given the effort he had put into them.
“Someday, if the chance comes, please deliver these paintings to Lucy. That’s all I ask.”
“I can’t guarantee that I can.”
“Vasha, I don’t have much time left… surely you have a better chance than someone like me, whose days are numbered.”
“That might be true, but…”
Vasha clicked her tongue. Laurus’s suggestion was hard to agree with. It wasn’t something she could promise easily, as it could gnaw at her mind later. Vasha shook her head.
“I’m not even sure I can take good care of the painting.”
Vasha knew that delicate and constant care was required to preserve a painting, and she was far from being good at such tasks.
“Don’t worry about that. How could I burden someone as noble as you?”
Laurus laughed heartily and then spread his arms wide, offering a suggestion.
“How about this villa?”
“What?”
“This place was built to be dedicated to my master. It’s perfectly suited for the Bloodline of the Night. My butler will take care of the paintings, so all you have to do is stay here and occasionally check on them.”
Vasha had been eyeing the villa as a hideout, but the idea of Laurus giving it to her so freely left her astonished.
‘This is like getting a pumpkin that rolled down from a vine,’
The idea of legally and rightfully acquiring the villa without any effort was appealing. Of course, having the count resolve everything smoothly was far better than trying to manipulate him.
Yet, accepting the proposal immediately might make it seem like Vasha had been waiting for this offer all along.
Moreover, Laurus’s suggestion wasn’t without its problems. Vasha voiced her concern.
“But do you think Albert will just let this slide? He’s already been eyeing these paintings. I bet the reason he kept me around as your companion was to get the keys to this annex.”
Laurus nodded calmly, unsurprised by the mention of his great-nephew.
“I am well aware of Albert’s nature. That’s why I was considering burning the entire annex.”
“Burn it?”
“Yes. I couldn’t be sure that these paintings would reach Lady Lucy after my death. Albert would likely sell them to fuel his gambling addiction.”
Laurus’s judgment of Albert was harsher than Vasha’s.
Laurus had often imagined what would happen after his death. The paintings he created, which hadn’t been shown in decades, would be sold at high prices as masterpieces. Albert would become wealthy, flaunting his status as if he were a winner in life.
But there was a flaw in Albert’s grand plans, one that he wasn’t even aware of: Lucy’s portrait.
As the only portrait Laurus had ever painted—known mostly for his landscapes—it would draw even more attention. Laurus, who was already under the scrutiny of the Lamphas Church, would face even more suspicion when it was revealed that the subject of the portrait was a vampire. It was only a matter of time before this was discovered.
Once that happened, Laurus would be branded a traitor to humanity, and Albert, as his only living relative, would be dragged into the church’s cruel hands.
Albert had no idea that the legacy he carelessly sold for temporary pleasure would end up sealing his fate.
“That idiot doesn’t realize how dangerous these paintings are. To him, they’re just more gambling chips.”
Laurus clicked his tongue in disdain and shook his head, as if to brush off any thought of Albert.
“Well… all of this will happen after I’m gone. He’ll face the consequences of his own actions. The only thing that truly disturbs me is the idea of allowing these paintings, meant for Lady Lucy, to fall into human hands.”
Laurus’s words strongly conveyed his desire to separate himself from humanity.
“So once I die, I plan to burn them all. I’ve even written it into my will.”
“A will isn’t exactly something I’d trust people to follow,”
Vasha muttered skeptically.
It made sense now why Albert had been so determined to steal the keys to the annex. He must have known about Laurus’s intention to burn the paintings.
‘He probably planned to steal the paintings before they were destroyed.’
Laurus nodded, confirming Vasha’s suspicions.
“Yes, my foolish great-nephew wouldn’t care about my will. That’s why I was planning to take care of it myself if necessary. And then you appeared, Vasha.”
Laurus’s eyes burned with hope and desire. Vasha couldn’t help but scoff at the sight.
‘He just wants to unload this onto me and feel relieved.’
Vasha laughed at Laurus’s audacity, but she didn’t dislike it.
