Apparently, I’m a Poisonous Woman Who Sells One-Night Dreams, but I Ended Up Awakening a Hero’s Devoted Love - Chapter 1.39

The seasons turned, and spring arrived.

Mariadoll still lived in the second floor of the gallery, but that would only last a few more months.

Just yesterday, a luxurious dress that seemed out of place in her shabby room had been delivered. Unlike the dress she had worn before, this crimson one was fully covered with fabric up to the neck.

On her finger, a blood-ruby ring sparkled.

Jerf seemed to regret having given it to her at the small clinic in the abandoned mining town, and he occasionally grumbled about it.

Apparently, he had wanted to surprise her in a more romantic place, but his emotions had gotten the better of him.

Seeing his unusually bashful profile as he said this, Mariadoll almost burst out laughing and replied, “It was the best proposal.”

“Lady Mariadoll, Lord Jerf has arrived.”

“Okay. I’m ready.”

Dangling from her ears were her mother’s heirloom drop-pearl earrings.

Jerf, who entered through the opened door, was dressed in formal attire. However, since it was daytime, it wasn’t as dazzling as evening wear. The same went for Mariadoll.

Descending the stairs with Jerf’s help, they found Legacy waiting at the bottom.

He looked a little tense.

“Legacy, it’s all right. Lady Liza has already laid the groundwork. And Lord Jerf is with me.”

“Y-yes, of course. Lord Jerf, please take good care of Lady Mariadoll.”

Just as Jerf gave a firm nod, Clemence appeared. Dressed sharply in a child’s formal suit, Clemence looked a bit uncomfortable but happily approached Mariadoll.

“How do I look?”

“Of course, you look wonderful. Now, let’s go. Today, Clemence, you’ll ride inside the carriage, not in the coachman’s seat.”

“Really!? Lord Jerf, is that all right?”

“Yeah. Today, Clemence is an invited guest too.”

Jerf pulled two letters from his pocket.

Today, a celebration party for the establishment of the painters’ guild was being held at the art museum owned by Marquis Haren.

The carriage carrying the three of them traveled along the capital’s main avenue and stopped in front of the museum near the castle.

The historic museum was beautiful even from the entrance. Passing through the door carved with exquisite sculptures, they entered a spacious hall bustling with people.

The room immediately to the right, used as an event space, was especially crowded. Without hesitation, Mariadoll headed there, and her eyes fell upon many paintings of women smiling happily.

“It’s amazing how many were gathered.”

“If you ask me, it’s amazing how many were painted. You worked hard, Mariadoll.”

Lined up along the wall were the paintings Mariadoll had been commissioned to create. Those that had once quietly adorned the corners of mansions were now displayed across the brilliant salon walls.

With the establishment of the painters’ guild, Liza, as the guild master, would now handle the commissions for Mariadoll. With that foundation in place, they had begun to dispel the rumors that Mariadoll was a poisonous woman.

It seemed they would support her without burdening her, while also making her abilities known. Moreover, Jerf, Mariadoll’s fiancé, was backing the guild. It was truly reassuring.

“The paint sales seem to be going well too.”

“Yeah. Thanks to that, the declining town is regaining its vitality. It’s all thanks to Mariadoll.”

“Oh, no, I haven’t done anything.”

“No, you gave value to the rocks that were just lying around. That’s something I couldn’t do.”

Upon learning that paint could be made from rocks, not only former miners but also blacksmiths returned. Rocks were being burned and crushed everywhere to produce the pigment base for the paint.

Amidst this, Bishop Mantel, after hearing the full story, expressed a desire to see the rocks used for paint. He seemed to have some thoughts and, upon receiving them, said, “If it’s these rocks, they’re useless. We discarded them on the other side of the mountain.”

The disposal of rocks and soil dug up during excavation had been left to the site supervisors. Reports had reached Mantel, who was then governing the land as a baron, but he was taken by surprise.

When they went to the indicated location, sure enough, there was a towering pile of rocks.

Regarding mine excavation, safety measures were prioritized, and for the time being, it was decided to use those rocks to produce paint.

“There’s so much of it. It just wasn’t known before. If we dig in the other mountains around there, we might find more.”

That area would be developed step by step in the future.

In this paint-making endeavor, Clemence played a key role. He told the blacksmiths how long to burn the rocks and how their colors changed, contributing to stable pigment production.

Mariadoll had visited the blacksmiths a few times, but Clemence had apparently stayed at Maderick’s house for about three months, going back and forth between there and the returned blacksmiths’ homes.

From Clemence’ perspective, he also liked the scenery around there and wanted to paint it.

“Still, Lady Liza is amazing. She even established a school to nurture budding painters.”

In this country where women’s status was low, Liza’s achievements were now the center of attention. Overlapping Mariadoll’s admiring sigh, a voice called from behind.

“Oh, we’re not at that scale yet. The first class has less than ten students, so it’s just the beginning.”

“Lady Liza! Thank you for inviting us today.”

“This exhibition couldn’t happen without you. Oh, Clemence, aren’t you dressed up today?”

Clemence grinned shyly and hid behind Mariadoll’s skirt. It seemed he wasn’t quite comfortable with Liza.

“Raising budding painters was my dream. We held an open call, and many paintings were submitted, but among them, I sensed potential in Clemence’ work. That’s why he’s the youngest to enroll. Do your best.”

“Y-yes.”

As Clemence nodded repeatedly, Liza shrugged and turned to Jerf.

“Regarding the paint sales we’ve been handling at my gallery, I’m thinking of shifting them to the guild from now on.”

“Yeah. About that—once production increases a bit more, I’m considering exports to other countries through acquaintances. Of course, the guild will have priority.”

“That’s wonderful. I’m not thinking of making a fortune from the paint, nor do I intend to monopolize it. Please, spread that paint to other lands.”

Someone called Liza’s name. As guild master, she seemed busy. Mariadoll and the others excused themselves, saying they would look at the paintings.

Each piece held memories. Scenes she could no longer recall were displayed before her eyes.

“It’s embarrassing that so many people are seeing my clumsy paintings. But, though it’s odd to say so myself, I think I’ve managed to depict everyone looking happy.”

“Isn’t that fine? You and your father are different people, each with your own strengths.”

Surprised by his words, Mariadoll looked up at Jerf beside her.

His face seemed clear, freed from his father’s curse.

Feeling inexplicably happy, she realized her hand had naturally reached out.

Jerf’s shoulder twitched, and he looked down at their hands in surprise. Mariadoll’s slender fingers enveloped his large hand.

“This is the first time you’ve held my hand, Mariadoll.”

“R-really? Oh, Lord Jerf, there’s one painting here that I didn’t paint.”

Trying to hide her flushed face, Mariadoll stepped in front of Jerf and began walking, still holding his hand.

“This one.”

“……This is.”

On the innermost wall was a painting clearly different in style from the others.

“It’s a painting of my parents and me, painted by my father.”

A young Mariadoll wore a crown of flowers on her head. Her softly smiling mother and her father, watching over them both, were laughing under the spring sunlight.

“That’s the painting you were trying to sell back then.”

“Yes. Thanks to you, Lord Jerf, it’s still with me.”

“Nothing like that will ever happen again. I will definitely protect both the painting and Mariadoll.”

Many people were surprised to learn that the legendary painter Gilbert had been a noble. In Dunbargas, a country where painters held low status and nobles weren’t expected to paint, this fact marked a turning point.

Moreover, Mariadoll, Gilbert’s daughter, was to marry into the Stanley ducal house. From here on, the country’s art held the potential for great change.

The intertwined fingers tightened. Then, Jerf lifted Mariadoll’s hand and kissed it.

“Lord Jerf!”

“I just remembered—Prince Frederick told us to show everyone how close we are.”

“Is that setup still valid?”

They were getting married in a few months, and rumors from the knight order suggested they were deeply in love, so she thought it was no longer necessary.

“Yeah. That’s right. So, I’m busy adoring Mariadoll.”

Saying this, Jerf next pressed his lips to her crown.

As Mariadoll turned bright red, he seemed to enjoy it, kissing her cheek and ear until her heart was pounding to its limit.

“Lord Jerf! Everyone is watching.”

“True. I’m starting to think it’s a waste to let other men see such an innocent side of you. Let’s stop here.”

Though his possessiveness was a bit much, just as she felt relieved, Jerf whispered in her ear.

“We’ll continue when we get back.”

“Lord Jerf!!”

Unable to bear it, she pulled away and pouted, but Jerf laughed heartily and brushed it off.

“I swear on this painting. That I will love Mariadoll forever.”

“That’s a promise. Whether asleep or awake, please look only at me.”

“Yeah. For that, I want us to start living together soon.”

Mariadoll flushed bright red. With his nonchalant expression, Jerf always teased her.

To the two of them, Liza called out again.

“Mariadoll, may I introduce your next client?”

Turning around, they saw an elderly gentleman.

Mariadoll and Jerf exchanged glances and nodded.

The two walked toward Liza and the others.

The portrait of the family watching over them was bathed in soft sunlight.