Chapter 13

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Translator: Harry Potta

Chapter: 13

Chapter Title: Discovering Hidden Talent

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"Mm..."

No, there wasn't really much to agonize over.

My head was already stuffed full of K-content from all the free time I'd spent holed up at home in the past.

And among it all, wouldn't Safety Rules of the Haunted Duke's Castle suit their tastes perfectly?

I nodded inwardly as I recalled the vivid depictions of blood and corpses that had stood out most in the biographies of great figures.

"I think I can provide you with an interesting story."

"Oho, so the lady has literary talents as well."

Sir Brown's admiration made me a touch embarrassed, and I shook my head, acutely aware of my flushed cheeks.

Even if the most crucial story element was sorted, plenty of problems remained.

"By any chance, who handled the staging and rough sketches for the biographies—no, for the Chronicle of Brail?"

"My apprentice did, but... is there a problem?"

Sir Robid was the one who answered. But there was a hint of reluctance in his tone.

"No problem at all. In fact, I think you should keep leaving the staging to him going forward."

There was one thing I'd noticed while reading the Chronicle of Brail.

Despite the utterly boring content, the composition and staging of each panel were exceptionally brilliant.

Of course, combining low-quality writing with stellar staging didn't create synergy—it just amplified the disconnect. Still, I'd spotted the potential hidden within.

"Hmm, really?"

Sir Robid eyed me skeptically, as if he couldn't quite believe it.

"That kid's been my apprentice for 18 years now, but his skills just won't improve."

"Mm..."

But the staging prowess I'd seen wasn't my imagination.

How many people could depict wings sprouting from armpits without it looking ridiculous?

At my lukewarm reaction, Sir Robid lowered his voice even further.

"It's true. All he can manage are basic sketches."

"Ah, that's not an issue at all."

I cut him off.

I could guess the rest without hearing more. Everyone wanted to draw, but since his skills fell short, he'd been pushed into staging duty.

"I specifically want to ask him to handle the staging. We can have the skilled artists do the illustrations."

Everyone has some hidden talent; he was just wearing the wrong clothes for it.

Maybe I should make a face here for the record?

To prevent flops like the Chronicle of Brail in the first place, I'd need to meet everyone involved in production at least once anyway.

"Lunch is coming up soon, so how about we all eat together?"

"Urgh, fine."

Leaving Sir Robid—who looked like he had more to say—behind, I returned to my room to organize the story.

I settled on the title Safety Rules of the Haunted Duke's Castle.

Hoping that signature K-romance flair would work its magic in this world too.

How much time passed like that?

The one who came looking for me right at lunchtime was someone way beyond my expectations.

"Hello, miss!"

I'd figured it'd be Liam, or one of the artist masters... or maybe a knight.

Instead, a maid in her uniform, with her curly crimson hair piled high atop her head, beamed with a huge grin.

"...Who are you?"

"I'm Bonita, assigned to attend to you starting today! Feel free to speak casually. Oh, I didn't notice from afar, but you have such lovely eyes. Mine slant upward, so people always think I'm mad. Ahaha!"

W-what was this powerhouse extrovert?

I stood there blankly, barely understanding half of her torrent of words, and Bonita gazed at me with sparkling, expectant eyes.

Overwhelmed, I stammered a short reply.

"N-nice to meet you..."

"Oh my, how kind! I'd love to bring you some cool tea, but it's already lunchtime. I'll escort you to the garden—the weather's so nice today, and I've already guided the artists there for our meal together!"

With that, Bonita spun on her heel and led the way.

As I filtered through the waterfall of info she'd unleashed, one question bubbled up, and I couldn't hold it back.

"Did you say you're attending me 'starting today'?"

"Yes! On the aide's orders, no less! The other girls were so jealous when I got assigned to the new guest. Marina's face was priceless. Oh, Marina's this other maid who..."

So, this girl was my dedicated maid from now on.

It was a luxury I'd never experienced in Salt Kingdom. Was this part of the duke's promised "compensation"?

"I see. Looking forward to working with you. I'll try speaking more slowly. I'm a bit shy with strangers..."

"Of course! Treat me comfortably—my job is to make your stay pleasant."

Bonita sure loved to talk. It seemed her personality was just naturally bubbly and chatty.

Thanks to that, I picked up a few tidbits on the way to the garden.

For starters, she was the most senior among the maids her age.

She was rivals with another maid named Marina.

And among the staff, I apparently had the nickname "the suspicious lady."

"Now that we've chatted, you don't seem suspicious at all, Lady April—you're sweet and kind. Here we are. Have a seat, and I'll bring the food right out."

"...Thank you."

I'd been so absorbed in her endless chatter that my soul had half-drifted out of my body, but I finally snapped back to reality.

At the center of the garden sat a lovely wooden round table, where a rather mature-looking young woman was already seated.

She'd been staring my way since I appeared and hastily stood when our eyes met.

"Pleased to meet you, my lady. I'm Ashley, apprentice to... er, Sir Robid."

"Nice to meet you too, Ashley."

After our brief greetings, we sat, and a mouthwatering lunch was promptly served.

"You must've been surprised by the sudden invitation."

"N-no, not at all."

Even as she said that, Ashley seemed terribly uncomfortable—barely touching her food, fussing with her clothes, or looking anywhere else.

I gave up on a relaxed meal myself, set down my spoon, and got straight to the point.

"The reason I wanted to meet you is..."

"I know."

Her abrupt voice shattered the silence.

There was an undercurrent of unease in her trembling tone.

"Yes?"

"I heard you want me for the staging. I get it. My skills are clearly the worst..."

Ashley shrank back as she said it.

"You probably think even a masterpiece would turn into a flop if I touched it. Everyone thinks that—it's nothing special."

Seeing her dig herself deeper into the pit, I hurriedly denied it.

"No, that's not why I asked you to do the staging!"

"Then is it pity?"

"Pardon?"

"I'm the eternal last-place apprentice, no improvement in sight—finger-pointing, sneers, mockery... everyone's laughingstock. Rumors say you're of noble character, my lady. You must've felt sorry for me."

Just when I'd patched one hole, she started digging another.

"So you're giving me some minor role out of kindness... Sniff, sob... I understand. Whenever I touch the paints, the coloring turns to mush, and Master rips up expensive paper in a rage."

"Um, excuse me..."

"Maybe I should quit being an artist altogether. What kind of painter has trash like this? It's ridiculous! Whimper, sob!"

I dazedly watched Ashley burst into tears before finally fishing a handkerchief from my bosom and handing it over.

Sir Robid was one thing, but Ashley had completely misunderstood my intentions too.

What now? Choosing my words carefully, I slowly spoke up.

"Ashley, that's a misunderstanding."

"A misunderstanding? Sniff, what do you mean?"

"I'm asking you because I genuinely saw one of your talents."

Ashley's expression wavered. Seizing the moment while she looked half-doubting, I drove the point home.

"I'm serious. I was blown away by your incredible 'staging ability'."

Her tear-streaked eyes slowly widened at that.