A Villainess pulled out the Sword instead of the Hero.

In the background was the figure of someone holding a veil.

 

Only the hands and feet holding the veil are visible, so there’s no way to tell if it’s a woman or a man, a maid or a knight.

 

I could only infer that it was a noblewoman, based on the colorful patterned wallpaper.

 

A strange feeling overrode the details.

 “The painting is colorful, with flowers, but what’s so disturbing about it?” 

As she crossed her arms and stared at the painting, a passing maid spotted her and greeted her happily.

 “Uh, Morgana, I thought you were running errands this morning.” “I finished earlier than I thought, so I came in quickly. Besides that, do you happen to know who painted this painting? Is it someone famous?” 

The maid’s eyes widened at Morgana’s question.

 “You don’t know Alec? He’s a very famous painter, a genius who was asked by King Vortigen to be the court painter and refused!” 

He was that famous, I should definitely get him later.

 

Morgana shook her head and listened.

 “He doesn’t accept many portrait commissions from nobles, and he doesn’t sell prints. The one time something comes along that they really want, they line up for it.” 

The whole thing was overwhelmingly bright and beautiful, even to Morgana’s untrained eye.

 

That’s why it’s on the wall of the Princess’s palace. She wonders if it’s because she’s just been talking to Kellive about the shoe.

 

‘Well, if it’s a painting, it could be based on a myth or legend, so it could be…’

 

Just when I’m convincing myself that it’s not.

 

The maid’s next words cut through Morgana’s thoughts.

 

Nodding approvingly, the maid sighed and continued,

“How curious. I don’t know how the Lady Aestiva managed to acquire so many of these precious paintings.” “Who? Are you referring to Count Mellowart Aestiva?” 

Quick to repeat the name out of the blue, the surprised maid nodded vaguely.

 “Didn’t you know? He gave the Princess a dozen of Alec’s paintings.” 

Oh, I didn’t realize it was this painting! When I heard the name, I thought it sounded weird.

 

Especially the part where the girl was barefoot. The painting didn’t seem to have any connection to the stolen goods.

 

Morgana asked, not with suspicion, but with conviction.

 “Where are all twelve paintings hanging?” “I was told that three went to the Princess Palace and three to the Prince Palace, the Main Palace, as well as the King’s Palace, but I’m not sure of the exact locations…” “That’s good enough. Thank you!” 

My priority was to see the rest of the paintings in the other palaces.

 

The second painting, which I found by asking around, was also in the Princess’s Palace, hanging at the end of the hallway in a corner guest room.

 

There were some decorations around it, but it was an odd place for a painting by a famous artist.

 

Morgana’s mouth gaped open at the sight of the equally massive painting.

 

It showed a dignified gentleman holding a pocket watch.

 

Behind the stern-faced gentleman, a banquet hall was magnificently rendered.

 

The envy of the nobles peering through the gap was evident.

 

The last painting in the Princess’s Palace was no different. It hung on the way to the library and was completely out of place.

 

The plain surrounding corridors were devoid of any decoration, except for the painting.

 

Morgana gazed up at the enormous painting and muttered in fascination.

 “Mirrors…” 

The painting depicted a young woman looking into a mirror, late at night, as maids combed the hair of a beautiful woman.

 

The dark background was shadowy and barely defined, and the young woman’s skin, clad in immaculate linen, was noticeably more radiant than the maids’.

 

The maids’ skin was not so light as to be a mere artistic trick.

 

A shoe, a watch, a mirror. 

 

If nothing else, the lady in the mirror looked like a ghost.

 “It’s just like Confucius said.” 

Immediately, Morgana had to look at other paintings.

 

As Morgana’s mind wandered back to the main palace, someone called her name from behind.

 “Miss Morgana, you must be the servant of Princess Guinevere, right?” 

She spun around to see Lancelot and a man who looked like a potato.

 

Lancelot smiled and waved. 

 

It wasn’t a greeting, but rather a reflexive gesture of recognition.

 

To the maids, who recognized Lancelot and greeted him cautiously, he greeted them broadly.

 “Hello. Why are you all so distant, it’s okay to greet me.” “Go— good afternoon, Lancelot, good afternoon!” “Good afternoon to you, too.” 

When he smiled at them, with a big bright smile, they squealed and waved like he was a celebrity.

 

‘That’s the kind of guy that gets rumors.’ 

 

No wonder rumors keep coming, like he has 100 girlfriends, or that he has a secret girlfriend.

 

All sorts of rumors followed him.

 

In the original story, he fell in love with Guinevere and then fell apart.

 

Only after this annoying greeting did he ask his follow-up question.

 “What is Miss Morgan doing in the library? Oh, is it an errand for the Princess? She should be in the main palace by now.” “I’ve come to look at the paintings-the masterpieces of the great Alec of Britain!” 

Morgana stretched out her arm and pointed to the painting hanging beside her impishly.

 

Lancelot looked at the painting, one hand on his hip, and replied briskly.

 “Ah, it’s certainly a painting I wouldn’t expect to see outside a royal palace. I didn’t think Miss Morgana had much of an eye for art.” “Well, one thing about me being cultured, and one thing just so happens to be a bit artsy. Speaking of which, can we see more works by the painter Alec?” 

There was no way to know where the other paintings were hung, as only maids and maids-in-waiting traveled to the palace where they belonged.

 

‘A knight of the order would have access to everything, wouldn’t he?’ 

 

Lancelot’s eyes squinted, and he pointed off to the side with his iridescent eyes.

 

I followed his gaze, and at the end of it was a man as silent as a shadow.

 

A sturdy build and ragged clothes. From the angular jaw to the muscular arms. 

 

His clean, static clothes seemed more akin to a courtier than a mercenary. He silently shuffled behind Lancelot, concealing himself.

 

Even if he had, Lancelot’s greater size would not have allowed him to be seen.

 

‘Where do you belong?’

 

It’s not a knight’s uniform, so it’s definitely not a knight.

 

No mercenary would be allowed in the palace.

 

Seeing Morgana’s confusion, Lancelot smiled broadly and stepped aside.

 “Galehaut. The court painter and a friend of mine. The painting you seek, Miss Morgan, was hung by him at the command of His Majesty.” 

Galehaut tilted his head in a curt greeting, not recognizing the figure.

 

Morgana bowed in return, understanding as an artist.

 

His hand came into view. The wound on his hand was redder than the rest of his skin, freshly scarred.

 

‘Sir Lancelot surely said he was looking for someone with a scar on their hand, and here he is, right next to us.’ 

 

Lancelot nonchalantly showed off Galehaut.

 “Not as much as Alec, but have you seen his drawings? They’re delicate enough for a big man.” 

His proud tone hinted at a deep friendship, but at least he wasn’t trying to hide it.

 

Above all, he was the one who fought for Guinevere and Britain, at the end of the original story.

 

‘Lancelot falls in love with Guinevere after the jousting tournament.’ 

 

Even then, he was not the one to cover up for his friend’s attempt to harm the princess.

 

Morgana’s eyes swept over Galehaut, and Lancelot spoke with glee.

 “Well, at least we’ll have time to kill before the Princess returns. Galehaut, why don’t you show her some of your paintings?” “Suddenly I must be excused, my lord.” 

Lancelot stepped aside, and Galehaut’s full body came into view.

 

The brooch on his cravat was strange. She recognized it at a glance.

 

‘A gemstone.’

 

He was concealing his hand with an appearance-altering tool that was currently banned in the royal court of Britain.

 

Judging by his wide grin, Lancelot had no idea.

 

‘Surely Lancelot isn’t in on this…?’ 

 

A subtle departure from the original story was the returning Mellowart, but that one change wasn’t the least bit strange.

 

‘We’ll have to check.’

 

Morgana grinned from ear to ear.

 

Clasping her hands together, she brought them up to her shoulders and asked shyly.

 “Since you seem to have a keen eye for painting, I wonder if you could show me around, Sir Lancelot?” 

First, I had to keep my distance from Galehaut.