The reason Seraphie visited Bia on a whim was to remind herself of her goals and to feel the essence of the original world. Bia’s painting style was identical to that of a painter whom Seraphie had greatly admired in the world she originally lived in—women with dreamy expressions and intricately detailed depictions of natural elements.
“B-But still…” Marine earnestly praised Bia, fearing that Seraphie, lost in thought, might cancel the sponsorship. “The painter’s works are truly beautiful. Honestly, while the paintings decorating the mansion are nice, I prefer the ones painted by this artist.”
“I feel the same way.”
“To be able to create such paintings in that environment…”
“Isn’t it amazing?”
That’s why Seraphie thought Bia was a genius. If giving such a genius that kind of environment was god’s intention, Seraphie wanted to curse god.
Ah, I need to visit the temple as well. Having already offered treasures to the Imperial Palace, she also needed to make offerings at the temple. So much work to do.
As Seraphie quickly organized her busy schedule, the carriage passed through the square and headed toward the residential area where commoners lived. However, the carriage did not stop there and continued further into the outskirts. After a while, it stopped in a place that, at a glance, was not in good economic condition. It was decent enough to avoid being called a slum, but clearly, the people there were poor.
“We’ve arrived, Milady,” said the robust servant who had been sitting up front with the coachman as he opened the door.
I feel a pang of sadness every time I come here… Suppressing such thoughts, Seraphie gazed at the dilapidated house in front of her. A yard overgrown with weeds, boards that offered no security, and a house that looked like it would collapse with a mere touch. In fact, this was the result of repairs made possible by the sponsorship money Seraphie had given, considering Bia’s family situation. She could have moved them to a better place if she wanted to, but there were too many obstacles to doing so.
Marine pulled the rope that served as a makeshift doorbell.
“Who is it?” A fearful eye peeked out as the creaky door opened. When the eye recognized Seraphie’s group, it widened before the door was slammed shut. Immediately, a loud commotion erupted from inside, as if the house was about to collapse.
“Countess!”
“The Countess is here!”
“Hello!”
Five children of various ages, all of Bia’s siblings, burst through the door. Two were barefoot, and the other three wore shoes that were falling apart as they ran towards Seraphie.
“Yes, hello.”
Seraphie was no longer surprised by these children rushing at her like puppies. On the other hand, Marine quickly hid behind Seraphie.
“…Aren’t you supposed to be protecting me?”
“T-That’s true…!” Marine belatedly stepped forward.
“Is Bia inside?”
“Uh, well…” The eldest child hesitated, and the other siblings stayed silent, though the youngest clung to Seraphie and pointed inside the house.
“…I think I get the gist.” Seraphie gestured towards the house with a nod. “Let’s go in.”
As they passed through the barely standing front door, they heard a voice shouting so loud it felt like it could tear their ears apart.
“Bia! Why are you so selfish!”
“You can’t even do that much for your older brother?”
“After everything we’ve done to raise you, you ungrateful…!”
An elderly couple, whose hair was turning gray, was furiously scolding their eldest daughter, who bore a striking resemblance to them. Even without knowing the full story, the words they were hurling sounded terrible. Marine and the servant who had followed them inside wore grim expressions.
“Why is your sister being scolded?” Seraphie, the only one unbothered, asked Bia’s younger sibling.
“Well, actually…” the child said cautiously, “That… the money Countess gave my sister to paint… they want to send it to our older brother…”
“Your older brother?”
“He’s studying abroad.”
“Unbelievable.”
Seraphie, now understanding the truth, glared at the couple harassing their daughter. Hearing it with full context made their words even more disgusting. Anyone would think their daughter had committed a grave sin. Still, in truth, the crime was being committed by the couple themselves.
Embezzling sponsorship funds… They were up to something pathetic.
Unable to bear just listening, Seraphie pounded her fist on the wall. Finally, the parents, who had been ready to devour their daughter, noticed Seraphie and couldn’t hide their surprise.
“C-Countess…”
Bia looked at Seraphie with bloodshot eyes.
“Hello,” Seraphie said, waving at Bia—her sponsored artist who was clearly not doing well.
* * *
Bia led Seraphie to her workspace.
“I’m sorry you had to see such an embarrassing scene.”
“It’s fine.”
“Would you like some tea…?”
“No need.”
Seraphie, looking around Bia’s studio, had no intention of leisurely drinking or eating. Everything’s so worn out. The art supplies were old, the easel looked barely capable of holding up a canvas, and the small window didn’t seem like it could provide proper ventilation. The only relatively new items were the brushes next to the large canvas she was currently working on.
“You’re doing well,” Seraphie said with a smile as she looked at the painting on the canvas.
“That, for the slow progress, I’m sor—”
“Just finish it. That’s all that matters.”
Seraphie hadn’t come to pressure Bia about the painting. But she wondered if she should use this visit to issue a warning to the household.
“You weren’t working here before, were you?”
“After Countess visited, my parents told me to work here…”
In other words, as soon as they learned about the generous sponsorship from Seraphie, her parents quickly lent Bia the eldest son’s room as her studio. ‘Lent,’ not ‘gave.’
Lent it, huh… It was another ridiculous thing to hear.
“Was this originally your parents’ room?”
“It was my older brother’s room before he left to study abroad.”
Seraphie was amazed to realize there were other parents besides her own who were raising their children to go mad. “Your parents are really shameless.”
“I’m sorry…”
“But it’s not your fault.” Seraphie’s words were harsh rather than kind. “You’ve got parents embezzling your sponsorship money, and a bunch of siblings who don’t help at all…”
Bia couldn’t respond to the harsh assessment of her environment, but she couldn’t hide the emotions that showed on her face.
“Did I upset you?” Seraphie asked.
Bia shook her head. She wasn’t upset. Seraphie’s words were true, and she herself had these thoughts at least once a day. However, she had to argue against one thing. “My siblings are still young.”
“Do they help with your work?”
“When I work, they play by themselves. They also help with housework.”
Bia was the eldest daughter among seven siblings. Above her was an older brother who had gone to study abroad, carrying the weight of their parents’ expectations. Below her were five younger siblings.
“…Wait a minute.” As she listened, something struck Seraphie as odd. “You do housework as well?”
“My siblings are still young, so…”
“I mean, what about your parents!” Seraphie came here to relieve her mood but found herself on the brink of a fit. She felt a headache coming on. “Your parents are at home, aren’t they?”
Being home at this hour meant they weren’t working to earn money.
“They’ve been unwell lately…”
“Wait, has this happened since I started sponsoring you?”
“…”
The conversation ended there.
Seraphie felt dizzy. After the sponsorship contract was signed, Indira, who mediated the contract, had provided information about Bia. Although her painting style wasn’t well-received due to being secular and not following trends, everyone acknowledged her skill. However, due to her family circumstances, she hadn’t been able to work properly.
To offer more substantial support, Seraphie had promised to visit Bia’s house. Even then, Bia’s parents couldn’t hide their sinister intentions. They acted as if the sponsorship their daughter earned through her efforts was their own money. That’s why Seraphie had provided a larger sum in sponsorship, hoping they would take the money and back off, allowing their daughter’s dreams and hopes to flourish.
“I made a big mistake.”
“Uuh, pardon?”
“I’ve dealt with this kind of trash before.”
The reason she hadn’t recognized it immediately was because the nature of the violence was different. What Seraphie had endured was loud, like a violent noise, whereas Bia was suffering from very quiet violence. And now, that once silent violence was about to become loud, thanks to the taste of money.
When she came here, Seraphie had thought she might have to make a decision. Would she force Bia to make a cruel choice? The answer didn’t require much thought.
“Leave your home,” said Seraphie.
* * *
Bia had thought it was natural.
“Since your older brother is good at studying, once he gets a good job, we’ll all be happy later.”
“So, Bia, please just help us a little.”
She believed that if she just sacrificed a little, everyone would be happy, prioritizing her older brother’s studies and her family’s future over her own dreams. She thought everyone lived like that because everyone around her lived similarly to her. It would be a lie to say it wasn’t hard, and sometimes she felt the urge to give up. But having been conditioned for so long, her body continued to follow her parents’ words. She got used to being a little more tired for her family’s sake.
“As someone sponsoring you.”
And yet.
“I’m very dissatisfied with this environment.”
The chilling threat from Seraphie, who said she’d love to secretly bury Bia’s parents at night, poked Bia’s dulled emotions.
Am I really going to endure it forever? Will I keep going like this?
“Bia Provi, have you spent the sponsorship money I gave you entirely on your well-being and artistic activities?”
“O-Of course.”
“Have you ever, even once, spent it on something you didn’t want to because your parents forced you?”
“That…” Bia couldn’t continue.
Seraphie, who hadn’t expected a response, spoke again. “If you don’t tell me how you spent the sponsorship money, I’ll stop sponsoring you right here.”
The terrifying threat made Bia close her eyes tightly as she confessed the truth. The money had gone to her brother’s tuition and living expenses in another territory, paying off family debts and covering her parents’ living expenses. She couldn’t bear to look Seraphie in the eyes while admitting all this.
“Are you out of your mind?”
As expected, Seraphie’s voice exploded in anger.
“Have you gone crazy? Do you even have a brain?”
“…”
“I’m really disappointed.”
Ah, so this is the end of my sponsorship.
“You should’ve left your home and come to me right away!”
Huh? Bia quickly looked up. She thought everything had gone dark, but it turned out she had just closed her eyes. When she finally opened them, Seraphie was standing in front of her, backlit by the bright window.
How could a person shine so brightly like that?
Bia began to cry.
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