IPBD CHAPTER 15
by Scarlet“You’re at an age where you’re swept up by emotions. Just let them come to you on their own.”
“Yes, Master.”
The man had briefly considered showing some leniency.
He found the prey that had eased his worries quite endearing.
There was no need to take unnecessary risks; setting a trap would suffice. How could he not be pleased?
He couldn’t quite figure out the intentions of the one watching his back, so he decided to let them move on their own.
‘It’ll be amusing to see them desperate.’
The man, anticipating the day his prey would come to him, leisurely left the scene.
* * *
Emilyna was on her way back home after grocery shopping.
She was deep in thought, troubled.
Because she was short on ingredients.
‘Sigh… the meat was much more expensive than I thought.’
Even after spending all her allowance, she was still a bit short on money.
With a crestfallen face, Emilyna muttered to herself.
“At this rate, it’s just going to be flour-coated fried meat…”
“Huh?”
“I’m sorry, Kyr. I couldn’t do better, so it might not taste good.”
“No, everything you make is delicious, sis.”
Kyr held Emilyna’s hand tightly, telling her not to apologize.
Emilyna was deeply moved.
Kyr’s comforting words gave her strength.
‘Alright. I’ll make it as delicious as I can!’
This was the time to show what she could do. When else would she get the chance?
Since this outing was for a tasty lunch, she had to give it her all.
Just then.
A voice called out to them.
“Hey, little ones! If you’ve got some time, how about being models for a painting? Just 1 silver!”
It was a street painter on the roadside, trying to attract customers.
It was a common solicitation, so Emilyna was about to ignore it and walk past.
But Kyr had stopped in his tracks, showing interest.
“Do you want to do it?”
Nod nod. Kyr silently bobbed his head.
His eyes sparkled as he looked at her.
Under the weight of that expectant gaze, Emilyna made a troubled face.
‘Hmm. What to do.’
Emilyna thought of her empty coin pouch.
Sadly, she had no money left.
“Can we do it another time?”
At that, Kyr’s face visibly fell.
“We can’t do it today?”
“I’m sorry. I don’t have any to spare right now.”
“Oh.”
When Emilyna showed her empty pouch, Kyr let out a small sigh.
‘Just because of that…’
“Just because of that, we can’t do it? A sigh of frustration escaped me without realizing it.”
But Kyr couldn’t just give up like that.
After some thought, he finally spoke up.
“Sis, wait a second.”
“Huh?”
Kyr let go of Emilyna’s hand and ran over to the painter.
After exchanging a few whispers, he called out to Emilyna.
“Miss! I won’t ask for money, so just come and watch for a bit!”
The painter tapped on an empty chair, gesturing for her to come over.
Kyr nodded eagerly beside him.
Emilyna was puzzled. What on earth did they talk about?
Reluctantly, Emilyna approached, and the painter said,
“Come on over. It’ll be quick, so just wait here.”
“Huh?”
Emilyna asked, but there was no further explanation.
The painter picked up a small sketchbook and began moving his hands busily.
Confused by the painter’s mysterious actions, Emilyna turned to Kyr.
“Kyr, what did you say to him?”
“Hmm. Nothing much.”
“What? Is it a secret from me?”
When Emilyna asked in a slightly hurt tone, Kyr replied softly,
“I really didn’t say much…”
He fidgeted nervously, glancing at Emilyna’s reaction.
Emilyna let out a light sigh and sat down on the chair.
She didn’t want to press him if he didn’t want to talk.
Instead, she decided to look at the paintings hanging around.
There were quite a few, and it seemed like it would be fun to admire them.
Vibrant market scenes.
A vegetable shop owner chatting with housewives.
Among them, one that stood out was a sketch of a mother and child holding hands, walking away. Most of the paintings depicted everyday life.
She didn’t consider herself an art connoisseur, but she could tell the painter was skilled.
As Emilyna was engrossed in the paintings, Kyr tapped her shoulder.
“Sis, look over there.”
Emilyna followed Kyr’s gaze.
Where he pointed, small white birds were gathered, chirping loudly.
Their scurrying movements were incredibly cute.
Just then, one of the birds let out a *peep* and flew over, landing gently on Emilyna’s shoulder.
“Oh, look, Kyr! This little one came to me.”
Emilyna spoke carefully, not wanting to startle the bird.
Curious, she extended her finger, and the bird tilted its head before hopping onto it.
Its short, plump white body reminded her of a snowball, making it utterly adorable.
In contrast, its red eyes were as beautiful as rubies.
Emilyna studied the bird closely, as she had never seen one like it before, when Kyr quietly added,
“It’s called a Kanya.”
“Kanya?”
“Yeah. They’re usually hard to spot. Kanyas are wary of people and don’t usually come near villages.”
It’s rare for them to approach humans like this. Kyr explained while looking at the Kanya as if it were something special.
But the Kanya, completely oblivious to this fact, calmly preened its feathers.
“Really? That’s strange. So is this one a mutant or something?”
“Hmm. I think it’s more that you have a natural charm, sis.”
“Wow. You know a lot, Kyr.”
When Emilyna praised him in an admiring tone, Kyr blushed shyly, seemingly embarrassed.
Just then.
“Alright, it’s done!”
The painter approached Emilyna and thrust the sketchbook toward her.
At the same time, the Kanya let out a series of *peep! peep!* sounds, as if startled, and flew far away.
The other Kanyas gathered in the corner did the same.
Emilyna watched the Kanya fly off with a hint of regret, then glanced at the sketchbook.
Her eyes widened as she asked,
“Wow. Did you draw this in such a short time?”
“Heh. I’ve got some skills, you know.”
The painter puffed out his chest proudly.
Emilyna couldn’t help but acknowledge his confidence.
The drawing in the sketchbook was none other than herself holding the Kanya.
In the picture, Emilyna was smiling softly at the Kanya, carefree and gentle.
“But why did you draw this? We don’t have any money.”
The painter scratched his cheek and smiled awkwardly.
“I just felt like drawing it. The little one here asked me to.”
“Kyr did?”
When Emilyna turned her head, Kyr pretended not to know anything, looking away.
“Ahem. Anyway. It’s not what I initially planned to draw, but it turned out well, so you can take it.”
He added that since it was in a sketchbook, it would last a long time.
As the painter placed the sketchbook in Emilyna’s hands, she felt a burning gaze from beside her.
Kyr, who had been pretending not to care earlier, was now staring at the sketchbook with intense longing.
Emilyna found it both absurd and amusing, letting out a small laugh.
Then she said to Kyr,
“Kyr. You take this.”
“Huh? Why?”
“If I keep it, it’ll just end up collecting dust in a corner. It’d be weird for me to take it out just to look at my own face.”
Unless she had a princess complex, it was obvious she’d treat the sketchbook as a nuisance.
When Emilyna held out the sketchbook, Kyr took it with a dazed expression.
“Really? I can have it?”
“Why not?”