I Will Take Back What Is Mine

I didn't realize that Eleanor was also asked to be a participant in the royal exhibition. Lady Helen didn't say anything about this. Not even Eleanor.

Then how could everyone know when I didn't know about this at all?

"You became a participant in the exhibition later? Why didn't you tell me this from the beginning?" I asked her who looked a little nervous to answer my question.

"I'm sorry, Celestial. I didn't mean to hide this from you but I just hesitated to say it. I didn't know how to tell you about this," she replied which for some reason I felt that answer still had something behind it.

Lately I've been having a hard time believing her, maybe it's more like I can't believe her anymore because it seems like the story in the novel will really happen if I believe it too much.

From the memories I had, I knew that I couldn't trust Eleanor. Coupled with the fact that she was in my room yesterday with the excuse of wanting to help put the flowers that Moran had given me into the vase.

"Why should you feel hesitant to say it? Don't we need to have secrets from each other as sisters?" I asked, trying to encourage her.

However, from the expression on her face she still seemed to be unsure of what she was saying. I could only hold my breath, let it go for this time and try not to think too much about it.

But I was now curious as to what kind of painting she would make for the exhibition. Will it be much more beautiful than mine?

If that were to happen, my plan to get the attention of the people as well as the royalty could be ruined because Eleanor's name would be known by them more than mine.

What if this was the beginning of the royalty starting to look her way?

They thought that she was far more talented than me, so that's why Moran also started turning away from Celestial and having an affair with her. Because he thought that Eleanor was much better than Celestial! Than me!

I can't let this happen. I can't lose to Eleanor's paintings in the future. But how can I know what kind of painting she made?

"Have you finished your paintings yet?" Lady Helen's voice walked up to us.

The young nobles including myself and Eleanor immediately bowed slightly to her as a teacher. She smiled while looking at me with an expectant gaze.

"I've almost finished it. I should be able to hand over my painting to you tomorrow. I just need a few touch-ups to make it look better," I replied which made her look happy.

She then turned to Eleanor and asked the same thing. "Have you finished your painting too? The deadline is tomorrow and I hope before noon the two of you have brought the painting to me."

"I will finish it by tonight. You need not worry, Lady Helen. I will keep my promise to make you feel proud," Eleanor replied which made me feel confused as to why she would make such a promise.

That day I really tried not to think too much about it, and focused on our dance class. Even so, the other nobles kept talking about the painting that Eleanor and I were going to give for the exhibition.

I could hear how they kept questioning, Which painting was the best between mine or Eleanor's?

They even vaguely seemed to be making bets on which painting would be the most favored. It turns out that things like this still happen even in this world full of fantasy.

But I was really curious about what Eleanor's painting looked like. Because while I was trying to sketch in the courtyard of the mansion, Eleanor was always there.

She didn't look like she was thinking about the same thing or trying to create her own.

Then when did she start painting her paintings if she was with me almost every day.

After finishing our class, we went back to the mansion and that's when I tried to ask her about her painting. Plus why I felt almost crazy for being so curious.

"My paintings? I can't show them to you. I feel embarrassed to do so," she replied which I found very strange.

"Why would you be embarrassed to show it to me? Your painting will definitely be displayed in an exhibition later and seen by more people. You shouldn't be ashamed of it," I said.

"I know that. It's just that I still can't show it to you because my painting isn't finished yet. It won't be as beautiful as yours anyway. So you don't have to worry about that."

Worry about it? Does she know about what I'm thinking right now?

But I couldn't push her any further let alone force her to show me her painting. I also need to focus on finishing mine so that I can bring it to Lady Helen tomorrow.

"About what you did in my room yesterday, I think I scared you enough with my question. Will you forgive me, Eleanor?"

She looked surprised by my question then smiled and nodded her head.

"Of course I will forgive you. You did nothing wrong because I was the one who entered your room without permission," she said.

"I'm also grateful to you for helping to arrange the flowers in my room. You're very good at it."

Although I felt that the flowers in the vase were not as many as the previous flowers. I could feel that the flowers Moran gave me were much more than the ones in the vase. Where did the rest of the flowers go? Or am I just overthinking this?

The day went on as usual, we arrived at the mansion then I checked my painting and fixed a few things that I felt might be missing.

"Just a few more touch-ups waiting for the previous color to dry. Maybe I'll continue after dinner."

I left my room and spent some time thinking about the finishing touches of my painting to make it look more beautiful. I also started trying to string together my words to explain what I was painting at the moment.

Because what I'm making has its own meaning, and that's what I'm going to tell them.

"I hope everything will go well."

******

The next day, we ate breakfast as usual and I sat next to my mother. Lexion and Roxarion sat across from me and Eleanor sat on my right side.

"How is your painting going? Is everything finished or do you still have things to add?" my father asked me.

"It's done, father. Do you want to see it?"

"Of course I do," he replied.

Not only father, but the others also wanted to see it. I felt very excited to show them my painting and make them amazed and proud of me.

After breakfast, we then went to my room for me to show them my newly completed painting. I covered my painting with a white cloth so it wouldn't get dust on it.

"You made this in almost three days? That painting must be really pretty." Mother was smiling and eager to see my painting.

I smiled and took off the white cloth covering my painting and showed it to them.

"This is my painting! What do you think?" I asked as I showed them. I was behind the canvas stand so as not to obstruct them.

But for some reason, their expressions looked strange and the smiles faded from their faces.

Why did they have that expression?

Is my painting that bad?

"Celest, are you sure you painted this? I think you should see what's in the painting," Lexion said which made me curious and I finally turned myself around to look at my painting.

And as soon as I saw it I was immediately shocked because something had ruined my painting.

"How did this happen?!"