"Ha! This will make things much easier."
Barrymore, who was sitting on the easel, let out a loud laugh, which was immediately met with approval.
"Exactly. They're on her side because she's a woman, right?"
"Ashley is better at eliciting pity than anyone. Honestly, she should have been fired a long time ago based on her skills."
“Just thinking about how our abilities were ignored because of that terrible painter makes me feel angry even in my sleep!”
The apprentice animators, who gradually gathered around Barrymore, took the opportunity to indulge in malicious gossip.
In fact, they were taking out their frustrations about constant competition and feeling overshadowed by their mentor on Ashley.
Barrymore sensed the atmosphere and heightened the tension, muttering in a sharp tone.
“The mentor was too lenient with her.”
“Exactly! Honestly, I even wondered if she was a secret daughter or something.”
Amidst laughter and sarcasm, one of the trainees sitting next to Barrymore spoke in a calm tone.
“Well, it's all over now. From now on, it'll be all about skill and fair competition.”
The cultivators' eyes lit up with sparks upon hearing that remark.
Although they were exchanging smiles now, they were fiercely competitive.
Barrymore wasn't planning any collaborations either; Rather, it took the initiative in influencing public opinion.
“I think focusing on the background here would be best.”
A skilled landscape painter seized the opportunity and expressed his opinion.
"What? Form is the most important. What's the use of background alone?"
“Shouldn't this figure be depicted more abstractly?”
“Ridiculous! It should be shot realistically to highlight the drama.”
As the debate heated up, Barrymore stood up.
"Let's do what we're good at. Each person can handle one scene they feel most confident in. I'll handle this scene because I'm the best here."
Barrymore chose what was arguably the most important and sensitive scene.
The other trainees seemed upset about losing the main role, but they did not dare to voice their complaints.
“Then I will take on this role.”
Wait a minute, I think I'd be better off for—!
While the trainees were arguing, Ashley watched from afar, then silently turned away.
She didn't even belong there.
She thought that this time she could compete with them on equal terms, but now she realized that it was just an illusion.
As she walked out, a familiar person was waiting for her at the door.
“Ah, miss…!”
"Are you well?"
"pardon?"
April, standing with Bonita, frowned as if she was truly worried.
The trainees' loud voices were audible even to her in the hallway, full of obscene insults.
"It seemed... intense. I thought it must be hard for you, Ashley."
“I…I…”
Ashley couldn't hide her embarrassment.
Honestly, every harsh word was like tearing her soul apart.
At the same time, I realized that this was inevitable. She also blamed her lack of talent on the world and others.
But instead of hanging her head in defeat, Ashley remembered April's encouragement from earlier.
She already felt a lightness in her shoulders.
“I'm ready for it.”
She couldn't let down the person who recognized her potential first.
“I've thought a lot about what I'm good at and how I can make the most of my abilities. So I can do this.”
"Show."
When April heard the firm tone, she smiled brightly.
“This is amazing.”
Even though she sincerely meant it, Ashley jumped in surprise.
"What? Me?"
"I can't do anything, and I don't have anything I want to do. I just lie in my room all day. This is my favorite thing to do."
April couldn't help but remember her past self – crammed into a small space like a cog in a machine, living an endlessly busy life.
"But Ashley, you've been chasing your dream since you were little. I respect you for that."
“You respect me? But I haven’t achieved anything yet.”
“Never. I'm sure all your efforts will pay off one day.”
“Ah…”
When April saw tears forming in Ashley's eyes, she gently took her hands, stained with graphite and paint.
This was the beginning of their friendship.
* * *
“Ma’am, I see you today with a new look.”
“…?”
Your words touched the hearts of everyone who heard them. Surely, when I feel sad, you will console me with such words too? Oh, just thinking about it makes me cry. I'm a bit sensitive, you see.
“Bonita...”
Please stop.
I buried my flushed face in my hands.
I got caught up in the moment, uttered something that didn't make sense, and now the delayed embarrassment hit me hard.
Why did you say that?
I should have settled for simple cheering.
Bonita, who had been showering me with endless praise, finally noticed my face and looked down apologetically.
“Forgive me, ma’am, I may have exaggerated a little. You must be tired... Shall we rest a little?”
Knowing Bonita's style now, I shook my head rather than pointing out her little mistake.
That wasn't the problem. There was something much bigger on my mind.
How do I convince the Grand Duke?
The terrifying man who called me useless and explained that he might kill me if I proved unnecessary.
And now, she's even gone so far as to drag him into a petty bet.
I felt as if dark clouds were swirling above my head.
Perhaps that is why, before I knew it, my random wandering had led me to the door of the Grand Duke's office.
“What brings you here?”
I tried to sneak out quickly, but it was too late.
I was caught by Liam, who had just come out of the office.
“Okay...”
“Do you have something to say to Your Highness?”
I was not prepared to face the Grand Duke, so I shook my head angrily.
“No, no! It's not like that! I was just walking and somehow ended up here. Strange, isn't it? Haha...”
“I see.”
“Huh?”
To my surprise, Liam seemed to accept my excuse easily.
Or so I thought until he made a move.
“Your Highness!!!”
explosion!
“Princess April is here to see you!!!”
He opened the office door wide, shouted loudly, and then gestured for me to enter with an exaggerated bow.
Oh crazy!
And of course, the Grand Duke, sitting by the far window, met me.
"Oh, it's good to see you're doing well. Well, I'll just…"
“Come in.”
“Yes sir.”
I had no choice but to obey, so I entered the office.
A quick glance back showed that Liam had disappeared, leaving Bonita behind and muttering an encouraging “good luck” as the door closed.
Now, the office was stiflingly narrow, with only me and the Grand Duke inside.
“What brings you here?”
“Well, you see...”
I did not find the courage to admit that I used his name in front of the painters.
The Grand Duke, sensing my hesitation, his handsome, worrying face still occupied with his papers, spoke first.
"Why? Did I cause any kind of trouble?"
"What?"
How did he know?!