“Too bad! Even this seven–year–old kid isn’t good enough for me to take as a disciple. What makes you think you qualify? You’re not exactly young anymore, so just give it up.” Drake rejected once again.
Edmund, unwilling to give up, asked, “What are your requirements for taking a disciple?”
In his previous life, he had met the requirements. ‘Could it be that I was too nervous just now and didn’t paint as well as before, so Lord Morrisey refused me?
if that was the case, I could practice more! That wasn’t a big deal,‘ he pondered.
Drake, annoyed by his persistence, snapped, “The disciple I take must not be worse than me, and they must be young–I need to teach them from the very basics, like how to hold a brush.
“Someone at your age? Even if your painting matched mine, I’d never take you.”
His words were final, leaving no room for negotiation. He would never accept Edmund.
Edmund gasped in disbelief, “So you’re saying you’d never take a disciple my age?”
“Absolutely not!” Drake’s tone was firm, his gaze unwavering. “At your age, it’s too late. No matter how good your painting is, I can’t mold you.”
Edmund stood there, stunned, utterly crushed..
Not only was his last straw gone, but things had also taken a completely different turn.
Drake would never take him as a disciple–no matter how well he painted. So why had Drake accepted him in his previous life?
Seeing him frozen in place, eyes wide with shock, as if his soul had been sucked out, Drake was puzzled.
‘Had my refusal really affected him this much? The guy looked completely lifeless, radiating despair.’ Drake assumed his reaction was just because he hadn’t been accepted as a disciple.
“Alas.” Drake sighed. “Seems you really admire my painting. But at your age, mastering the essence is nearly impossible. I won’t take you as a disciple, but if you’re willing, you can be my page boy.”
He was about to teach at the princess‘ estate–it wouldn’t do to show up without even a page boy like before.
Edmund had come to him willingly and was eager to learn, so why not?
Without hesitation, Edmund agreed. He had nowhere else to go–any shelter would do.
But then, Drake decided to test his knowledge.
The results? A complete disaster.
Edmund instantly regretted not studying properly when he was with Luciana.
She had even arranged tutors for him, but he’d driven them all away with his attitude.
“You can’t be my page boy!” Drake waved him off. He couldn’t afford the embarrassment.
‘Seriously? I’m supposed to take you to the princess‘ estate–and this is the best you got? Gonna make me a damn joke!‘ he cursed inwardly.
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Chapter 20
With no other options, Edmund could only plead his tragic circumstances–orphaned, penniless, alone, and never properly educated as a child.
Later, by chance, he saw Drake’s painting and took a liking to it. But with no one to teach him and no money for paper and brushes, this was. the best he could do after two years‘ of practicing.
After realizing his painting wasn’t great, Edmund felt too embarrassed to mention how hard he’d worked on it over the years. He only dared to talk about his struggles.
Drake, sympathizing with his difficulties–how, despite everything, he still wanted to paint–agreed to let him work as a servant.
At this point, Edmund didn’t know he was about to go to the princess‘ estate.
That same day, he moved from the inn to Drake’s home. Drake assigned him a bunch of tasks and briefed him on his daily routines.
Up before dawn… Not much better than when he was with Juliette.
The next day, a carriage from the princess‘ estate arrived to pick them up. Edmund knew Drake was going to teach, but he never expected it to be at the princess‘ estate.
The carriage he rode in his previous life was nothing like the one that came for Drake now.
Only when the carriage stopped at the princess‘ estate did Edmund realize.
“Lord Morrisey, why are we here?” Edmund was shocked. He’d already left the princess‘ estate. In his previous life, he was the only one there who needed painting lessons.
This time, there shouldn’t be any reason to invite Drake. So why was he here?
Drake scoffed, “Ignorant, don’t talk nonsense later.”
Edmund’s astonishment gave Drake immense satisfaction. Teaching at the princess‘ estate–no matter who the student was–just being able to come and go frequently would spark rumors.
Someone recognized Edmund but didn’t stop him.
“Princess, Lord Morrisey is here. He brought a servant–it’s Lord Faulkner,” Camille reported quietly.
Luciana raised an eyebrow, thinking, ‘At least he had some sense, didn’t cling to Juliette.‘
“Let them in. And call Samuel over too,” she said.
Soon, Drake entered and bowed. Edmund kept his head low, but Luciana didn’t even glance at him, turning instead to introduce Samuel.
Samuel was dressed in a moon–white robe with embroidered cloud patterns at the waist, silver threads shimmering, and a smooth,
translucent emerald pendant hanging from it./
Edmund didn’t know who he was, but this refined attire had once belonged to him.
Samuel was very polite. After greeting Drake, he even thanked Luciana.
From their conversation, Edmund learned his background–he was actually picked up by Luciana from the street.
‘After kicking me out, she took in someone else?‘ Edmund’s gaze lingered on Samuel involuntarily.
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Chapter 20
“With looks like that, Luciana must’ve kept him around for ulterior motives. Leaving early was the right call–otherwise, my reputation would be at risk again.‘
“I made almond cookies for you this morning, Your Highness. Try some, and after I finish studying with Lord Morrisey, I’ll make you. something else,” Samuel said softly, trying his best to prove his worth.
Edmund smirked disdainfully. ‘Wasn’t this just plain brown–nosing?
‘Could Luciana not see through it? How could she keep someone with such shady intentions around?‘
“No need,” Luciana refused outright, and Samuel instantly tensed up.
Edmund chuckled, convinced Samuel wouldn’t last long here. ‘He didn’t know Luciana at all. Thinking a few cheap tricks would make her spare him a second glance?‘
Donovan chimed in, “The princess has been eating too many sweets these past couple of days and skipping proper meals. You should take a break.”
Luciana pinched Donovan’s cheek, pulling him closer as she scolded playfully, “You talk too much. Did you finish what I asked you to do?
“Samuel, go study with Lord Morrisey. Be serious. I have things to attend to, so I won’t be checking on you.”
Samuel nodded obediently. “Understood.”
The moment the three stepped outside, Donovan immediately whined, “Your Highness, it hurts… I’ll shut up.”
His youthful voice, clear and laced with a hint of coquettishness, sounded utterly docile. His eyes welled up with tears, as if he were about to
cry.
Samuel paused mid–step and shot him a helpless glance. ‘What a shameless act!‘
Just yesterday, Donovan had warned him by breaking the legs of two thieving servants right in front of him.
He even forbade them from screaming–threatening to cut out their tongues if they made a sound. The two were drenched in cold sweat
from the pain but didn’t dare utter a peep.
His grin had been eerie, his eyes icy, and his moves ruthless.
But in front of Luciana? Suddenly, he was all innocent and whining about pain.
Samuel sighed quietly. If not for that unexpected incident on the road, he–a legitimate husband to a princess–wouldn’t be stuck here competing for favor with some bodyguard.
“Can you read, Mr. Newberry?” Edmund suddenly asked.
He’d hold hacks for
ag but finally couldn’t resist rohina Camual’s hackaround wondering if Same really hotter than him
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