NOVEL NEXT WORLD Chapter 69.1
Northern Art (2)
Since that day, I have been working on the paintings bit by bit whenever I have spare time.
I ended up creating two versions of the portrait featuring Arina and Mary — one in the Neoclassical style and the other in the Romantic style.
For the Neoclassical version, I emphasized the heroic side of Grand Duchess Arina, portraying her clad in armor and holding a sword.
For the Romantic version, I focused on highlighting the beauty and camaraderie between Arina and Mary.
‘I didn’t realize painting could be this much fun.’
Back on Earth, I had never been able to draw this well.
But with this body of Arad, I could do anything with masterful skill. Literally everything except direct combat.
Thanks to this “golden hands” trait, I had become completely absorbed in painting.
Whether it was something I had seen in real life or something I imagined, I could reproduce it perfectly on canvas.
It has become my new source of joy — my latest hobby.
“Right! I should paint a few more solo portraits of Arina. After all, the whole reason for this was to create portraits of the Grand Duchess of the North.”
“While I’m at it, why not try an Impressionist-style portrait too?”
“Hmm, if I were to draw Arina in a Surrealist or Cubist style… that could be dangerous. Let’s try it with Mary first.”
What had started as a simple project gradually spiraled into more and more variations.
About two weeks passed like this.
“…Isn’t this kind of… stalker-like?”
By the time I came to my senses, I was already deep into the realm of obsession.
On the third floor of my house, 23 portraits and character studies of Arina and Mary, done in various artistic styles, lined the walls.
The 50-pyeong (approximately 1650 square feet) room had essentially become an art gallery.
“Hmm… I may have gone a little crazy.”
Look at this maddening space.
No wonder my head felt clearer just from taking it all in.
“Time to return to my normal life.”
If anyone were to see this, they’d definitely be horrified.
With that thought, I resolved to cool down my brief but intense passion for painting.
***
Recently, Arina had been feeling uneasy about Arad.
He had been half-hearted at work, leaving the office the moment his tasks were done.
He even postponed the personal lessons he used to give regularly.
‘What is he up to?’
He was always a quirky guy, so she had stopped being surprised by his actions long ago. But concern was a different matter.
Of course, she had already asked him what he had been up to.
But each time, Arad had simply grinned and said, “It’s a secret.”
‘Surely it’s not because of the painting, right?’
The first thing that came to mind was the painting.
‘He wouldn’t be obsessively pouring himself into painting like he did when he was making those bags and prosthetic hands, right?’
The suspicion briefly crossed her mind, but she quickly dismissed it.
‘With a painting of that size, it would take time to complete. And he’s working on two of them. No matter how talented he is, he’d take his time and work at a steady pace.’
Back when he was making bags and prosthetic hands, Arad hadn’t fully committed to his business yet. He was halfway living like a loafer.
But the Arad of today was different.
The Arad that Arina had observed up close was an adult who strictly separated work and personal matters.
More than anything, Arina didn’t believe that someone as capable as Arad would lose his composure over mere paintings.
‘There must be something else going on!’
Her thoughts naturally drifted to another possibility.
‘No way… could it be that he’s seeing another woman?!’
Her mind went straight to the worst-case scenario.
‘Lately, he’s been heading to the headquarters building far too often…!’
Arina’s heart, which had been warm just a moment ago, grew as cold as a frozen lake.
‘But why didn’t I notice? I didn’t receive any reports about this!’
Her hands and feet began to tremble as she ran wild with her imagination.
‘This is Arad we’re talking about. He must have taken precautions.’
Then, suddenly, she shot up from her chair.
“Lady Mary? Is something wrong?”
Her sudden movement drew the attention of the other employees in the office.
“Where is the boss?”
Unfazed by the stares, Arina focused on finding Arad.
“He said he had something to do today, so he left early.”
“!!”
Arad had left early today as well. And he hadn’t even informed her.
Of course, Arad had announced in advance that he’d be leaving work early for a while. But that little fact had vanished from Arina’s mind.
“I’m leaving early too.”
Without hesitation, she threw on her fur coat and stepped outside.
Then, she headed to the stable, which had been set up like a parking lot next to the building.
A short while later, she galloped away on a premium-grade warhorse, one of the few horses capable of withstanding the northern frost.
Her destination — Arad’s house.
When she arrived at the Arad Company headquarters, she was greeted by Jarvis, the building manager and former servant of the High Tower.
“Recently? Whenever he comes home, he stays locked on the third floor and doesn’t come out.”
Jarvis didn’t know Mary’s true identity, but he had long since realized that she was someone of considerable status.
That’s why he treated her with utmost respect.
“Do you know what he’s been doing on the third floor?”
“From what I can tell, he’s been painting.”
“Painting?”
“Yes, but I don’t know any details. He told me not to enter his room.”
“Understood.”
“Then I’ll go put your horse in the stable.”
“Give the horse some carrots and water, please.”
“Understood.”
“Is the boss on the third floor right now?”
“No, he went out to buy something and hasn’t returned yet. He’s been gone for a while, so he should be back soon. Why not wait on the first floor?”
“Alright.”
With that, she was left alone in the building.
‘Is it really because of the painting?’
Arina stood still in the empty first-floor hall, furrowing her brow.
‘Would he really pour so much passion into painting?’
Of course, painting the Grand Duchess of the North was no small matter.
But was it something that could make Arad lose focus on his other responsibilities? That didn’t sound right.
‘This is all for Arad’s sake… and for the North’s sake.’
With Jarvis in the stable and Arad out of the house…
Arina stealthily made her way up to the third floor.
Creeeak…
Carefully, she opened the third-floor door, relieved to find it wasn’t locked.
Gulp.
She swallowed dryly.
Thump-thump-thump-thump.
Her heart pounded so loudly it echoed from her chest to her head.
With slow, deliberate steps, Arina entered Arad’s room.
“……?”
And then she froze, gazing around the room with a blank expression.
What welcomed her inside the room…was none other than herself.
About 20 portraits were displayed throughout the room, filling the walls.
At a glance, it was obvious who the subject of those portraits was — none other than herself, the Grand Duchess of the North, Arina Rune Renslet.
If she had to borrow Arad’s own words, the room reeked of obsession and madness.
“……!”
But to Arina, it felt completely different.
“Wooooow…”
Her lips curled into a smile, and her eyes sparkled like a child looking at a room full of treasures.