Drawing Manga in a Romance Fantasy

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Amelia was convinced of Rupert’s feelings.

When she had invited him to dinner at the mansion last time, she believed that the meaning of the rose-colored dahlia she presented perfectly represented Rupert’s heart.

“I’m glad to know your feelings.”

This was undoubtedly a perfect signal, a response to Amelia’s determination to be with him, even if it meant giving up her family’s heirloom position.

“Weekdays are tough, for now.”

Thus, Amelia, who could never give Rupert up to Ioleen, was plotting her own plan to make the first move.

Knowing each other’s feelings, all that was left was the confirmation process.

She felt that they needed time alone, so she was preparing for a date.

“Confession is just like a confirmation stamp, my lady.”

Being oblivious about such matters, Amelia even sought advice from the experienced maid about love.

After reporting everything that had happened with Rupert from her all-seeing perspective to the maid, the maid’s conclusion was simple.

Given Rupert’s actions, it was clear he had feelings for Amelia, yet it seemed his shy disposition was holding him back.

“Really?”

Hearing the maid’s analysis, Amelia reflected on whether Rupert was indeed introverted, but she thought he might actually be more proactive.

“Absolutely, my lady! There are quite a few shy men out there. So you need to set the mood!”

However, the advising maid insisted on the certainty of her judgment, arguing that Amelia needed to spend time alone with Rupert.

“How could someone who made a fairy tale book featuring a protagonist resembling you, who stood up for your mistakes and even gifted you flowers, just be casual about it?!”

Seeing Amelia’s uncertainty, the maid delivered a lengthy speech out of frustration, and listening to her gave Amelia a renewed sense of confidence.

“Usually, there are always club members around, and even when I manage to fix an appointment, my siblings are around, killing the vibe.”

Among the three ladies, she had met Rupert first, and she thought she was the only person who truly understood his heart.

“First, we’ll have tea at a café in the capital this weekend, then head to the royal botanical garden for a walk.”

During weekdays, Amelia had classes at the academy, and Rupert had lectures, leaving them no time together.

The only moments they shared were during comic club activities.

But during those times, with others around, it was hard to create a suitable atmosphere.

So she planned to set a separate appointment for a weekend stroll in the royal botanical garden.

Because the admission fee was steep, common people rarely visited the royal botanical garden unless it was a special occasion, and nobles often stayed near the entrance without venturing further in.

She imagined that walking deep into the garden with Rupert would naturally create a romantic ambiance with no one to interrupt, and Amelia’s cheeks flushed red at the thought.

She felt a sense of urgency that if she missed this chance, she could really lose Rupert to Ioleen or possibly even Jenia.

“Confess! If not, I’ll do it myself!”

There was a resolve to make things happen.

That was the current state of her heart.

***

“Is this it? It was made by Amelia, and it’s truly convenient.”

“It’s my most treasured item lately.”

Jenia was recalling the magic pen that Rupert had cherished during their last meeting.

“It was a magical pen.”

That item was known to Jenia as it was something Amelia had submitted as an assignment during her magical engineering class.

Having checked its condition and provided suggestions for improvement, Jenia recognized it immediately.

“I need to be of some help too.”

Jenia could sense how much Rupert loved the magical pen.

Seeing his deep gratitude towards Amelia for crafting and gifting it, she berated herself for not coming up with the idea.

Magic was her forte, yet instead of utilizing it, she had given the item to someone else for them to help Rupert instead, igniting her competitive spirit.

“That’s merely a failure by my standards!”

The magical pen should rightly be called a failure, both by her standards and objective ones.

Not only commoners but even among wizards, only her mentor Yustaf had used it correctly.

In fact, even Jenia herself had only used it without mastering it.

“If only I could create something usable by others, it would be great.”

For some reason, Rupert could handle the pen with ease, while others in the workshop struggled with it, a fact Jenia remembered regretfully.

“I will create magical items that everyone can use, and I’ll definitely win Rupert’s affection!”

Thus, her goal was to create magical items useful for Rupert that everyone could use.

“Hmm… If it’s something useful, it must be a person, right? It would be nice to have someone who could help with simple groundwork or finalize the finished manuscript.”

Therefore, after subtly inquiring about Rupert’s needs, Jenia began brainstorming in her mind.

“A person to assist with illustrations? Perhaps I could make a golem.”

Having learned about golem creation from Yustaf, who could be called a wizard’s attendant, she was adept at it.

Of course, the golems usually made by wizards were bulky and cumbersome, making it difficult for delicate tasks like drawing, so a complete overhaul of the design was necessary.

“I need someone to help.”

Jenia thought of the best person to assist her in golem creation.

Kroon, the dwarf from the Somerset Workshop.

With his incredible skills, he would surely be a great help in creating the golem she envisioned.

“J-Jenia!! What exactly are you doing with those?!”

Yustaf was taken aback as he saw Jenia clearing out his precious ores and jewels from the storage.

“I have a use for them!”

Ignoring Yustaf’s panicked cry, Jenia continued to stash items into her space pocket.

“What on earth do you plan to do with them! You need to at least tell me the reason…”

“For love.”

When Yustaf grabbed her arm to stop her, he realized the determination in her eyes as she turned away.

“I can’t stop her.”

That was the moment when the warehouse of the grand sorcerer, filled with treasures as valuable as those in the imperial palace, was being raided.

***

“Clang!”

“You’ve really improved your skills.”

“I’m not the same as I was back then!”

The sound of wooden practice swords clashing echoed through the training hall, sounding quite dull.

Inside the palace, in the exclusive training hall for royalty, Ioleen and Edric were engaged in a sparring match.

It had been years since Ioleen had put down her sword, and Edric, who had not slacked off in his training, was sparring with her, seemingly destined for a predictable outcome.

But,

“What a crazy big sister!”

Edric was stunned as Ioleen’s thrust broke through his vision-based swordsmanship, Marionette.

It was just a momentary counterattack, and soon Ioleen, worn out, acknowledged her defeat, but he couldn’t help but be shocked that her thrust had pierced through Marionette, a technique even her mentor had once said was impenetrable.

“Your stamina is definitely lacking, and your sword’s tip is dulled.”

Unaware of Edric’s concerns, Ioleen calmly assessed her state.

She had inherent talent in swordsmanship and had once shown great interest, practicing diligently.

But since losing interest, she had not paid attention, feeling that her senses had yet to return to their former state.

“I need to regain my form against Edric.”

She believed that while stamina was secondary, her swordsmanship senses would likely return to their peak within about two weeks while sparring with Edric.

“By the way, why suddenly practice swordsmanship, Sister?”

Edric, who had come to the palace for a weekend dinner and was unexpectedly dragged into a spar by Ioleen, couldn’t help but wonder.

She was someone who once had no interest in things she had lost interest in, so there must be a compelling reason for Ioleen to suddenly want to practice with him.

“Creating something requires experience.”

“Huh?”

“That kind of thing happens.”

Ioleen brushed her fingertips over the wooden practice sword she had just retrieved from a corner of the storage.

In her mind, the combat scene for her upcoming [Puppet Play] was unfolding rapidly.

What she needed for this [Puppet Play] was a fierce yet powerful combat scene.

“Not satisfying enough.”

Contrary to her thoughts, Ioleen was dissatisfied with the drawn manuscript for the comic.

Because of that, she picked up the sword again to enhance the quality of the comic.

As she swung the sword while reenacting the imagined combat scene, she wanted to draw something more vivid and powerful.

“What he desires is the best comic.”

She wanted to surprise Rupert, who always praised himself as a genius.

She wanted to draw such outstanding illustrations that even Rupert wouldn’t be able to imagine, making him fall for her just as she was smitten with him.

Ioleen, who knew better than anyone that the best seduction she could wield was through comics.

“And perhaps my mischievous little brother needs some re-education.”

Ioleen gazed at Edric, who stood there with a dazed expression.

She hadn’t forgotten for a second that Edric had betrayed her and had pilfered her treasures.