The evening before they left the capital, Felix had summoned Tanner in secret, away from Edwin’s watchful eyes.
He asked the boy if he had any intention of following them to Nyx.
Though Tanner looked as if he wanted to go, and admitted he held no special affection for Phoebus, he shook his head.
He claimed he had things left to do and could not leave.
Felix did not push him further; instead, he promised to provide the boy with a means to reach the Grand Ducal Castle in Nyx whenever he truly wished to come.
Upon returning to Nyx, Edwin had been slumped with sadness for some time, only now—two weeks later—beginning to regain his usual spark.
“Edwin, you said you’re starting your magic lessons today, right?”
“Yes! I want to do it right now!”
If not for the anticipation of learning magic, he likely would still be nursing a feverish longing for his friend.
Uniquely, Edwin was capable of using both dark and light attributes, but since he primarily utilized light magic, he required a teacher other than Felix.
“Did Taylor say he was staying at the castle all week?”
Felix asked, failing to hide a look of subtle displeasure.
Lowell swallowed his food and set his spoon down.
“Yes. I’m finishing something up right now and decided to get some help.”
Felix had “What kind of masterpiece are you even painting?” written all over his face, yet he didn’t ask directly.
Having once had a falling out over a painting, he was being extra cautious.
“I’ll show it to you as soon as it’s finished.”
This time, Lowell spoke confidently, without a trace of shyness.
“It seems effort truly does not betray. When you first started painting, I thought a cat using its paws would have done a better job, but now it actually looks like the work of a human being.”
Taylor, who had become quite informal with Lowell, offered a scathing critique.
Lowell, equally accustomed to Taylor’s personality, didn’t even blink at the sharp tongue.
“Isn’t this at least the level of someone who paints quite well? Your evaluation is far too stingy.”
In truth, Lowell’s painting wasn’t bad at all.
Not only did it show no trace of the mess he used to produce, but his sense of color and expression were quite decent.
The first year had been a struggle with stagnant skills, but once his fine motor skills developed, he improved rapidly.
It was a result that made the time invested feel worthwhile.
“It’s at a level where it wouldn’t be embarrassing to show it somewhere, but not enough to be conceited.”
“That’s the problem with you, Taylor. If you’re going to praise me, just stick to the praise.”
At Lowell’s playful retort, Taylor shook his head.
Listening to that sly tone usually swallowed whatever remark he was about to make.
“Still, you seem to have more talent for writing than painting.”
“I agree with that.”
Lowell finally conceded a step in front of Taylor, who refused to end on a compliment.
Even that much was a significant overstatement coming from a man like Taylor.
“If you plan to continue this, I can connect you with a workshop. Individual paintings might not sell for high prices, but for this sort of thing, there will be demand.”
At the objective assessment, Lowell tapped his finger against the table.
He had just tried it on a whim, but it seemed he had a knack for it.
Coincidentally, the Grand Duchy’s systems were so perfectly established that he had plenty of free time. Trying something new didn’t seem like a bad idea.
“I’ll think about it a bit more. Since I don’t plan on making this one public anyway, I have time to decide slowly.”
“Understood. Since this task is done, I hope you won’t call this old man for a while.”
Everything else might have been a joke, but Taylor meant this sincerely.
While he had been excited to participate, he was quite exhausted now that it was over.
Lowell felt slightly embarrassed, thinking he had kept Taylor tied down for his own greed, and lightly tapped his cheek with the back of his hand.
“Thank you for your hard work. By the way, I heard you were commissioned for the mural at the Great Temple of Cael in Nyx. You won’t be able to rest at all.”
When Lowell mentioned the recent news he had kept in mind, Taylor’s shoulders shrugged, despite his attempt to stay indifferent.
“Yes. Everyone is just dying to put me to work.”
“It’s because your skills are outstanding that so many people seek you out.”
“Murals should be left to the young ones. Hmph.”
A regular mural was one thing, but painting the mural for the largest temple in the territory brought not only great financial gain but immense honor.
“Let me know if you need anything. It might not be much, but I’ll do what I can to help.”
“I won’t refuse.”
If Taylor, of all people, said he wouldn’t refuse, it meant he intended to be thick-skinned and ask for all sorts of favors.
Only after hearing that did Lowell feel his guilt subside.
“Then, you may go.”
Lowell saw Taylor off as he left under the escort of knights.
It was unlikely he would see the man’s face for at least the next four months.
“What is so good about that foul-mouthed man that you’re even seeing him off?”
“Felix! When did you get here?”
Lowell stammered, stumbling backward as Felix, who should have been working, suddenly appeared behind him.
He was purely startled, but Felix’s eyes narrowed instantly.
“Why do you look so horrified?”
Sensing an issue, Lowell frantically waved his hands before Felix’s thoughts could spiral into a misunderstanding.
“Don’t think anything strange! I was just shocked because you appeared out of nowhere. Nothing happened, and nothing is ever going to happen!”
The suspicious glint in Felix’s eyes slowly softened.
He hadn’t truly suspected anything; he was just being cranky.
“It better stay that way.”
Lowell let out a low laugh as he stood in his usual spot beside Felix.
Even though they were standing close, Felix pulled Lowell even tighter to his side.
“Why are you laughing?” he asked.
“Taylor is going to be very busy now, so he won’t be able to come to the castle for a while.”
“So I’ve heard.”
“You’re the one who recommended Taylor as the muralist, aren’t you, Felix?”
Caught off guard, Felix’s body flinched for a moment before he feigned a dignified posture.
“I simply mentioned that since he is skilled enough to be recognized by you, they should keep him in mind.”
Since the temple was a place less affected by political influence, they wouldn’t have called Taylor if he lacked skill, regardless of Felix’s recommendation.
That was why Lowell hadn’t mentioned it even though he knew.
He felt it was a shame that Taylor hadn’t received bigger projects due to his poor personality, so he had no reason to stop it.
“In any case, my immediate collaboration with him is over. Taylor seems satisfied, so everything turned out well in the end.”
Lowell watched the tension leave Felix’s chest and then struck with a sharp question.
“But you really weren’t jealous of me and Taylor, right?”
“No.”
Felix immediately regretted the speed of his denial.
It only served to prove how much he was conscious of it.
He shifted his eyes to gauge Lowell’s reaction.
Surprisingly, Lowell’s expression was very peaceful.
Yet, Felix felt as though he were being urged to confess the truth.
“Fine. Thinking about Taylor doing the parts for you that I can’t… it makes my chest feel tight.”
“I thought so.”
“Are you not angry?”
“When have I ever been that angry at you, Felix?”
Lowell let out a clear laugh. At that sound alone, Felix’s stiff body relaxed.
“Taylor was satisfied, so it’s fine. If he finds out you had a hand in it, he’ll be grateful to me rather than resentful. Besides, it would be a waste for a man with his talent to keep spending all his time on me.”
“In my eyes, you are a genius too.”
“That truly is only in your eyes. I’m just a bit better than average.”
Lowell bit his lip, hesitating on whether to speak, before finally opening his mouth.
“And I know you won’t do anything I’d truly hate. Even if you want to, you’ll hold back.”
Lowell was as certain as someone making a prophecy about the future.
Because Felix believed Lowell’s words even when he couldn’t believe in himself, he nodded.
