But something has changed. Some were wearing pantsuits and jackets. And though most still kept their hair long, two of them had boldly cut it short. One young lady, who was so skinny that her ribs were showing and used to avoid refreshments claiming she’d gain weight, now simply said, “It’s my life, so what does it matter?”
One young lady even told a story where she had recently given her ex-boyfriend a good slap on the cheek for teaching her how to “eat and vomit” to avoid gaining weight. They are the ladies whom Dioles called ‘dolls’. The ladies smiled brightly as they looked at Dioles.
“Your Highness the Princess!”
The strings had been cut. Their faces were far freer and happier, with smiles that had naturally transformed from the doll-like ones of the past. Dioles thought she liked this version better.
“We’re so glad you invited us after such a long time, Your HIghness!”
“You’re right, it’s been a long time since I’ve seen you all.”
“It’s been a long time for us, too, and my God, I can’t believe how everyone has changed!”
The bright faces looked at each other and laughed. Dioles declined the tea offered to her, picked up a cookie instead, and gently placed it in the mouth of the lady beside her. Then, very gently and affectionately, she told the reason for this tea party.
“You are not allowed to come to my birthday celebration.”
A moment of silence fell.
Without explanation, it was a statement that could easily feel hurtful, one that could make them wonder why they were being told not to come. But they had known Dioles for so long, they knew she would never exclude them from such an important occasion for no reason.
“All right, we understand.”
“Sure, we’ll do that.”
Instead, a sense of tension filled the air. Is she telling them not to come because something is going to happen in the palace that day? The ladies who exchanged such looks hesitated, unable to even reach for the cookies or muffins set out before them.
“It’s nothing to worry about. It’s simply because I don’t want you, whom I cherish, to see something foolish.”
“Your Royal Highness… … .”
“Do you realize now how much I care for you?”
Dioles got up from her seat and placed another cookie into each of the ladies’ mouths.
“Enjoy yourselves and be on your way. I have somewhere urgent to be.”
Dioles smirked and strode off.
There was a loud murmur of disappointment, but there was nothing she could do; she was busy. With rebellion being prepared on one side, she couldn’t just sit still on the other. Today alone, there were so many places she needed to go to. To erase any trace of her movements, Dioles was even traveling without her handmaids.
“Invisibility.”
Snap. The moment she went outside through another exit from inside the princess’s palace, Dioles, who snapped her finger, completely disappeared from the sight of others. She cast an invisibility spell to make herself disappear.
If the imperial wizard had seen it, he would have froth at the mouth. Using such a high-level spell as “invisibility” so casually and without causing any strain to one’s body was simply unbelievable. But, having dismissed everyone beforehand, no one was there to witness it
The place Dioles headed this time was a large annex within the grounds of the princess’s palace with a wooden sign reading ‘Painting Wizard Guild.’ Outside the annex, knights hand-picked by Dioles stood guard, vigilant.
To show consideration for those who had been trapped underground for a long time, one wall was entirely made of glass, and there were many windows. And inside, the painting wizards who had come from the desert were huddled together and drawing pictures.
“It’s been a while.”
“Y-Your Highness?”
“Gasp, uh! When did you arrive?”
But they weren’t being forced to paint. The faces that greeted Dioles as soon as she walked in the door were bright and cheerful.
“What brings you here?”
“I came because I have a favor to ask.”
Up to this point, Dioles had done everything in her power to help the painting wizards lead comfortable and happy lives, but she hadn’t interfered in any way. The reason they were gathered here, drawing, was not an order; they had merely requested the materials, saying that drawing was all they had done their entire lives. And, being ones who believed nothing in the world came free, they felt it only natural to repay her someday.
Especially Titania, who doesn’t actually want to become closer with them at all after losing her memories. Forcing her into the role of “Guildmaster of Painting Wizard Guild” was something they had deeply appreciated. Because they were protected within Her Highness’s domain, no one, really no one, ostracized or ignored them.
Then, the most popular person in the empire’s social circle was appointed as the head of the association to improve the image of the ‘Painting Wizards’. Now, people even envied them, and it was Dua who felt it most clearly as she took on the role of de facto leader.
Dua took off her apron, which had paint all over it, walked over to the princess, kneeled down, and bowed her head. The other painting wizards also showed obedience and courtesy in the same manner. Dioles took out a neatly folded piece of paper from her jacket pocket. It was a page torn from an illustrated book, and what was drawn there was none other than… … .
“I want you to draw this for me.”
“This……”
“Make it so it would seem alive down to its scales. The middle head’s eyes are kind, the left head’s eyes are venomous, and the right one’s eyes are closed. Try to draw it like that. Detailed enough to be mistaken for the real thing.”
It was a dragon. Dua’s pupils trembled as she looked at the illustration presented to her.
“… … Your Royal Highness, the noble princess. If it’s not too much of an offense…”
“Speak.”
“Could you please tell us what you intend to use this painting for……?”
Dua closed her eyes tightly and asked that question, expecting no answer.
It’s a dragon. The three-headed Thracian, to be precise. She couldn’t even begin to fathom the number of lives it would take to bring that thing into this world. And the aftermath would be even grimmer.
What if the dragon were to be used for killing people—for example, in war? Even though the Painting Wizards lived through suffering, they had never wished pain upon others.
“Do not worry.”
Dioles spoke soothingly, as if she knew what was troubling Dua’s little head.
“This dragon you will draw will be used to protect Terran.”
“To protect….”
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