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Chapter 12
Meanwhile, as promised, Reyna went to find Selena.
If I don’t want to become collateral damage between the two today, I really have to do well.
Selena, Grace — they clearly like each other, so why are they circling around like some awkward couple in denial? Just say it — I like you, I want to be close, let’s get along. How hard is that? And they’re even sisters.
Which is why I prepared this — something we can all enjoy together.
“Reyna, what is that?”
Selena stared, wide-eyed, at the luggage the maid was carrying.
“This is my gift. We’ll need a place with a big table, Selena.”
“…I think my bedroom will be fine.”
Selena spoke with a puzzled yet excited face. Wow — so I’m finally setting foot inside the villainess’s bedroom.
No, no. Selena isn’t a villainess. With that personality she’s basically a puppy. Look — just look at her. She looks so gentle.
Once we reached Selena’s bedroom, I unpacked. It didn’t take long.
As I took things out one by one, Selena’s eyes grew rounder and rounder. She sat glued to the sofa, flinching every time I pulled something from the bag. Honestly, ridiculously cute.
“I’ve never seen anything like this.”
Of course not. I’m the first one to make it in this world.
If Selena and Grace react well, I’m thinking about selling it. Even though it’s the first product, the artist’s quality turned out way better than expected.
“It’s called a coloring book. I, um… had someone make what I imagined.”
Inside the square canvas was only the line art of a field of sunflowers. I had agonized over what design to order, then chose sunflowers — flowers are pretty, and Selena likes saying yellow suits Grace.
“You paint the spots with the same numbers written on the paint containers.”
I rushed the production, so it isn’t super detailed — but still not bad for a first try. And I used good paints, too.
Selena listened with fascinated eyes. Flushed with excitement, she asked:
“That’s amazing. I’m curious what the result will look like. Are you planning to do this with Grace?”
“Yes, that’s right.”
Selena hesitated.
“…Do you think Grace will do it with me?”
Her face clouded.
“…I yelled at her so much yesterday. I’ve never seen Grace that angry. The truth is… my brother and parents don’t really care about Grace.”
She sighed deeply and continued, looking hurt.
“The real bad guy is my father. If he brought her here, he should at least pay attention to her. But then again, he barely cares about me or my brother — why would it be different for a daughter who suddenly appeared?”
She shrugged.
Right — that was the setting. I remembered reading that the Duke of Heilbord, who brought Grace back, and most of the family didn’t care about her.
They only bothered Selena. Sometimes that harassment even felt like welcome attention compared to how lonely she was — that line stuck with me.
In the original, the family was portrayed like villains. Maybe everyone except Selena stayed true to the original. Hard to jump to conclusions though. Look at Selena — she was written so nasty, yet now she’s soft as marshmallow. Appearances can fool you.
“So she probably has no one to lean on… sigh.”
Another deep sigh.
“…Honestly, I know I’m the problem. I don’t know why I talk like that whenever I see Grace.”
“Selena.”
Wait — self-awareness? And motivation to change? My eyes practically popped out.
I never imagined she’d say that. Selena — seriously!
I really don’t get why you’re supposed to be the villain.
Carefully, I spoke — I didn’t want to hurt her when she was genuinely reflecting.
“…How about fixing it slowly? I’ll help.”
“You will?”
“Look — it’ll take at least a week to finish this picture. I’ve got plans on the weekend, but other than that, I’ll come every day using this painting as an excuse. The three of us will slowly fill in the colors. And while we do, we’ll practice expressing your feelings properly.”
In other words: stop blurting things straight from your brain. Add a filter. Calming hobbies like this are great for grounding you.
“…So that’s what it meant. That’s what this gift was for.”
Selena stroked the canvas.
“When you’re about to say something mean, I’ll grab your arm.”
“…My arm?”
“Is that okay?”
“Of course. Thank you, Reyna.”
In the original, their relationship would’ve completely collapsed if left alone. I don’t know how my interference will change things — but it isn’t like I’m doing this with bad intentions.
…Right?
I was a little scared about inserting myself between the main characters, but what can you do when they care about each other this much.
“How about you go bring Grace yourself? Ask her to spend time together. I’ll go with you.”
“…You’ll help me if I mess up again, right?”
“Of course.”
Selena nodded, face full of anticipation.
＊ ＊ ＊
Ugh. My whole body aches.
Coloring is great and all, but staying in one position forever ruins your back. After painting for ages with Selena and Grace, my shoulders were stiff as rocks as I got out of the carriage.
At least there was one good thing — while we were coloring, their relationship actually showed a tiny bit of improvement.
Ahem. I’ve never learned to draw, but… no. You’re good, Grace. Maybe even better than me.
Of course, I had to stop Selena mid-sentence here and there. She always tosses in unnecessary commentary that causes problems. Grace responded to her:
…No, Selena. You’re way better. Look — nothing is outside the lines…
You too! You’re doing… great. Really.
They actually had a decent conversation — so I’ll count it as a win. And I enjoyed coloring again, too. Maybe I really should sell these. Not a bad idea.
Both of them seemed to like it.
Thinking about that, I was walking down the hall when a shadow fell over me.
“Whoa — you scared me! You’re home already, brother?”
“…Yes. I came back from work and waited for you. Where were you?”
Rochester spoke in a gloomy voice. Seriously.
Even our parents don’t act this overprotective. He keeps going on about imaginary men and tailing me everywhere. He’s driving me crazy.
“I was with Selena and Grace. You remember that gift I made?”
“Oh!”
His expression softened as he remembered. He nodded.
“You commissioned something unusual. Did Lady Heilbord like it?”
“Yeah. We spent the whole time doing it — I lost track of time.”
“Do it with me next time, too.”
“…Sure.”
I can’t even imagine those big hands gripping that tiny brush, but okay. Just the suggestion lit up his face. Was it really that exciting? Rochester glanced at me and asked:
“Did you eat dinner?”
“I had a sandwich, so… not really hungry. You?”
“I ate already.”
“Then go rest. You have work tomorrow.”
“Ah — wait!”
He blocked me as I tried to head to my room.
“Hm?”
“I wanted to ask… Reyna, are you close with Gelstone Tears or Walter Dawson?”
How does he know those names? Did he bug me or something? How did he pick exactly those two… I shrugged.
“Mm… We’re meeting this weekend. Why?”
Rochester’s face instantly darkened again. He scraped the floor with the toe of his shoe.
What on earth is wrong with him — he looks normal on the outside.
