~Chapter 32~
At Ruby’s question, Ivan pointed deeper into the Frigia Palace.
“How about slowly looking around the Frigia Palace?”
“Sounds good. I’ve always been curious what the palace buildings look like.”
“You wanted to come inside the palace?”
“Doesn’t everyone want to see it at least once?”
“That’s true. But… do you ever think about living here?”
Ivan briefly imagined Ruby living in the Frigia Palace.
Somehow, the image didn’t feel strange.
Ruby thought for a moment, then shook her head.
“No. I’m not royalty. Besides, the Lux grand duke’s mansion is already big enough for me.”
“I see.”
Hearing her answer, Ivan felt a small disappointment.
Ruby was only curious about the building—she wasn’t interested in palace life.
The picture of Ruby inside the palace that had appeared in his mind scattered like sand.
“So the Lux estate must be very impressive,” Ivan said, a bit sulky.
“It is for us. Would you like to visit our house next time?”
“Is that allowed?”
By imperial law, the Lux estate had to be less grand than the royal palace.
Even so, Ivan’s curiosity shot up. He actually wanted to leave the palace and go see it.
“Ah—maybe we’d need His Majesty’s and Grandfather’s permission.”
Ruby smiled awkwardly.
But Ivan, already caught by curiosity, decided he had to visit the Lux estate at least once someday.
“I’ll ask His Majesty.”
Ruby smiled slightly at his eagerness.
Whenever Ruby smiled, Ivan’s ears grew hot.
“Then I’ll ask my grandfather. If it’s possible, I’ll send a letter.”
“A letter?”
“Yes. That’s faster than coming in person, right?”
Ivan almost said, You can just come yourself, but stopped.
He had a gut feeling he shouldn’t say that carelessly.
Besides, exchanging letters didn’t sound bad at all—completely forgetting that he usually ignored letters from most young ladies.
“Understood. If I get permission from His Majesty, I’ll write back.”
“Then shall we start by exploring the Frigia Palace today?”
Ivan started to lead the way, then looked at Maria in Ruby’s arms.
“Your arms will get tired if you tour the whole place. Why not leave her here?”
“It’s fine. I want to show Maria what the palace looks like.”
“She’s just a newborn. What would she understand about court life?”
Ruby gave a meaningful smile.
“Maria isn’t just any newborn.”
“Oh?”
“She’s my special and precious baby sister. Seeing the palace will help her emotional development.”
Ivan didn’t really understand, but he didn’t argue.
He didn’t know enough about childcare to speak with confidence.
Even while Theo was growing up, he hadn’t watched the whole process closely.
“Then I’ll carry her,” Ivan said suddenly, opening both arms.
Ruby’s eyes widened.
“Your Highness will carry Maria?”
“I’m not weak, you know.”
He sounded offended, as if she’d looked down on him.
“Carrying a newborn is harder than you think, Your Highness.”
“If you can do it, I can too.”
Ivan kept insisting.
“All right—but if it’s hard, please tell me right away.”
“I will.”
Certain that would never happen, Ivan carefully took Maria from Ruby.
Then, flustered, he asked,
“Um… how do I hold her?”
“Like this. Support her neck with one arm, and with the other hand…”
To show him how, Ruby lightly took Ivan’s arm.
Ivan stared at the fingers that were just barely touching him.
Ruby was speaking right next to him, but the words didn’t sink in.
It felt like she smelled faintly of flowers.
He didn’t know what flower, but he was sure he didn’t dislike it.
Once she got him holding the baby properly—awkward, but acceptable—Ruby looked up at him.
“Prince Ivan?”
Hearing his name, Ivan jumped a little.
“Huh?”
“Did you hear what I just said?”
“Of course. Do you think I’m a fool?”
“No, not at all. It just might be tiring for you. I can hold her.”
“I’m fine.”
Ivan finally looked down at Maria in his arms.
Even though she was in a stranger’s hold, her innocent, pure eyes were fixed on him.
Unlike Ruby’s eyes, Maria’s were black.
Her cheeks were so plump he wanted to poke them with a fingertip.
But both his arms were busy, so he couldn’t.
Tightening his hold slightly, Ivan jerked his chin toward the interior of the Frigia Palace.
“I’ll show you the audience room first.”
“Great.”
Since Ivan’s hands were full, Ruby opened the door for him.
The door was bigger and heavier than she expected.
But the interior was fancy enough to make the effort worth it.
“Wow.”
Compared to the emperor’s audience room, this one was more modest, but it was still quite splendid.
The paintings on the walls especially stood out.
She didn’t know the artist, but the style was clearly unique.
Ruby looked closely at the paintings.
“What is it?” Ivan asked.
“These paintings—I like them. They’re unique and stylish. Who’s the artist?”
Ivan hesitated for a moment.
Because he didn’t answer right away, Ruby started to think it was pointless to ask him—he probably hadn’t decorated the room himself. She was about to give up on finding out the artist when—
“…Me.”
“Sorry?”
Ruby cupped a hand to her ear. “What did you say?”
“Me. I painted them.”
“You painted these, Your Highness?”
Ruby went back to study the canvases, surprised.
No matter how she looked, it was hard to believe a ten-year-old had painted them.
In her previous life, Woo Yeon-soo had nothing to do with art.
But in this life, Ruby was different.
From childhood she had read art books and could recognize most famous painters’ styles. She had a solid base of knowledge.
So she could tell at a glance—Ivan’s skill was not ordinary.
“Why? Do they look strange?” Ivan asked, a little tense.
“No. They’re really good. You have talent for art, Your Highness.”
“You don’t have to flatter me.”
Ivan snorted and turned his head.
Most people probably started with “Amazing, Your Highness,” and never gave a real critique.
Ruby thought about how to say honestly that the paintings were well done.
“These brush touches show you thought a lot about them. You painted over them several times, right?”
“…How did you know?”
Startled, Ivan stepped closer to her.
Ruby moved to another painting.
“Is this one an homage to Basilia’s style that was popular twenty years ago?”
“That’s right.”
Ivan looked dazed as he agreed.
Ruby moved to the largest painting in the center of the room.
She studied it in silence for a while, then finally spoke.
“For this woman’s portrait—you were the most careful. From her pose to her expression, she feels very alive.”
Ivan’s mouth fell open. She had pointed out exactly the part that had mattered most to him while painting.
“Is this… the late empress?” Ruby asked gently.
“Yes. She was my birth mother.”
Ivan also looked at the painting with a longing expression.
“I painted it after she passed away, so I wouldn’t forget her face.”
When he worked on it, Ivan had cried a lot.
He couldn’t show his sadness in front of others, so painting this was the only time he could grieve alone.
Even now, when he faced the painting, his heart sometimes squeezed tight.
“She was very beautiful.”
Ruby’s voice was calm—but somehow that calm tone comforted Ivan more than someone frowning and saying “It must have been hard.”
Why did her simple words, She was beautiful, touch him more?
Ivan watched Ruby’s profile as she examined every part of the painting.
“Yes. She was beautiful.”
Somehow, in Ruby’s side profile, he thought he could see a little of his mother’s profile—even though their hair, eyes, and features were all different.
