LIGHTNOVELSTORY Chapter 172
Extra Chapter 3
On a lazy afternoon, with warm sunlight streaming in, Anriche couldn’t hide her pleased expression as she read an art magazine.
“Genius Boy, Unveils His Artistic World.”
“Oh, what a grand title.”
Anriche blinked and checked the critic’s name.
He was a well-known art critic in the empire.
Even Anriche, who didn’t have much interest in art, had heard his name several times.
“This person is giving our Elliot such high praise?”
A satisfied smile spread across Anriche’s lips.
**”The protagonist of this personal exhibition is the 14-year-old Duke of Balua.
Despite his young age, he has swept prestigious competitions in the empire, making a name for himself as a genius painter.
Some may think that the young duke benefits from the prestige of the Balua family, but I disagree.
The strength of the Balua name has actually become a burden.
Many people view him with colored glasses because of his lineage.
However, I can assert that the talent he possesses is one that can be counted among the greatest in history…”**
“Mom!”
Just then, a cheerful voice called out to Anriche.
She looked up, her eyes sparkling.
In the distance, a small girl was running toward her.
“Mommy, I’m here!”
The girl jumped into Anriche’s lap.
Her sparkling blue eyes danced with excitement as she looked up at Anriche.
Anriche gently patted the girl’s back.
“Did our Bella come to see Mommy?”
“Yes!”
The girl nodded vigorously, beaming.
Anriche settled the child beside her.
Beatrice von Balua.
Her nickname was Bella.
She was Elliot’s younger sister and the only daughter of the Balua family.
“But you know, Bella…”
“Yes?”
As Anriche fixed Bella’s tousled brown hair, she continued.
“I’m happy you came to see me, but didn’t I tell you not to run inside the house?”
“…”
Beatrice bit her lip, silent.
Anriche sighed deeply.
“I told you, if you fall, it will hurt.”
“T-that’s…”
Under her mother’s admonishing voice, Beatrice glanced around nervously.
And just then,
“Bella, didn’t I tell you not to run in the hallway?”
A girl trotting up from behind Beatrice suddenly exclaimed.
It was Liliana.
“You got a bruise on your knee last time from doing that! Are you going to do it again?”
As Liliana lectured her, she suddenly stopped.
“Oh, Mother.”
“Welcome, Lily.”
Anriche smiled brightly at Liliana.
Seeing Liliana in front of her brought a rush of emotions.
“Time flies, doesn’t it?”
Before she knew it, Liliana had grown up so much.
With a slim figure free of baby fat, a neck like a doe’s, and glimmering light green eyes,
along with her long, spring flower-like golden hair cascading down to her waist.
The youthful appearance she had on their first meeting was gone, replaced by the essence of a blossoming teenage girl.
“Well, Liliana is fourteen now.”
Thinking this, Anriche glanced at her daughter, who was sitting quietly beside her.
“Bella is the same.”
It felt like just yesterday when she was a newborn, and now she was already five years old.
Neither Liliana nor Bella seemed like they would grow up so fast.
Just then, Beatrice jumped off the sofa and clung to Liliana.
“Lily!”
This was because she couldn’t bear her mother’s stern gaze.
“Sister, did you practice your swordsmanship again today?”
Beatrice asked while mimicking swinging something with both hands.
She was trying to imitate how Liliana practiced her swordsmanship.
“That little rascal seems to be preemptively trying to charm Lily to avoid being scolded.”
Anriche narrowed her eyes.
But the problem was that Liliana often fell for such antics.
She adored Beatrice so much.
Ultimately, seeing Liliana break into a smile, it seemed unlikely that she would reprimand Beatrice today.
“Yeah, I did practice.”
Then Beatrice puffed out her cheeks.
“What? You said you would show me your swordsmanship!”
“Well, Bella knows, but practicing swordsmanship is done in the morning, right?”
At that answer, Beatrice fell silent with a pout.
“And you were the one who said you wanted to sleep a little longer this morning.”
“Ugh…”
“What would you do if you scolded your sister for not showing you swordsmanship?”
“Cheh…”
Beatrice turned her face away from Liliana, sulking as if she had nothing to say.
“Well, still…”
“Still?”
“I’m bored!”
Beatrice pouted, her lips jutting out in frustration.
“Both you and my brother are busy every single day.”
“Hmm.”
At that remark, Liliana’s expression grew slightly awkward.
It was true that Liliana had been focused on her sword training lately.
Moreover, Elliot was also quite busy due to the upcoming exhibition.
For Beatrice, who usually spent a lot of time with her brother and sister, it was understandable that she felt neglected.
Liliana bent down to meet Beatrice’s gaze.
“I’m sorry, Bella.”
“…”
“I’m not trying to avoid playing with you on purpose, okay?”
“…”
Beatrice still maintained her sulky expression.
In contrast, Liliana was doing her best to console her.
“Brother is busy too.”
Liliana forced a smile as she continued.
“He’s busy because of the exhibition; it’s not that he’s ignoring you…”
“Hmph!”
Despite Liliana’s heartfelt efforts, Beatrice crossed her arms and stubbornly turned away.
‘That little brat?’
Meanwhile, Anriche observed the situation with narrowed eyes.
It was clear what the child was up to.
Liliana knew she had a soft spot for her, and Beatrice was intentionally acting petulant.
Unable to hold back, Anriche spoke up.
“Bella, are you going to keep throwing a tantrum at your sister?”
“Don’t say that!”
“You know, both your sister and brother have their own responsibilities.”
Anriche gently chided Beatrice.
“Would you prefer if they didn’t do their work and only played with you?”
“Hmm…”
Beatrice rolled her eyes.
‘Honestly, I wouldn’t mind if they just played with me…’
Her inner thoughts were so transparent that Anriche could only shake her head in disbelief.
‘What a little rascal?’
So, Anriche decided to be a bit more assertive.
“If your sister and brother only played with you every day, wouldn’t they be sad?”
“Why would they be sad?!”
Surprised, Beatrice jumped up from her seat.
Anriche continued, as if to drive the point home.
“Because your sister and brother enjoy their own work.”
“Um…”
Beatrice was plunged into deep thought.
Anriche pressed on.
“You like playing with dolls, right?”
“…Yes.”
“But how would you feel if Mommy asked you to play but then wouldn’t let you play with your dolls?”
“I wouldn’t like that…”
Beatrice’s expression turned a bit gloomy.
“You should apologize to your sister.”
“I’m sorry, sister…”
With her shoulders slumped, the little girl apologized to Liliana.
Meanwhile, Liliana was internally screaming,
‘What do I do? She’s so cute!’
Looking at her adorable little sister’s downcast face, she was filled with overwhelming affection.
‘Oh dear, it’s a lost cause to leave Bella with Lily.’
Anriche sighed inwardly.
‘Well, I’ve given her a good scolding.’
At this point, it wouldn’t be bad to offer some encouragement.
“Alright, since Bella has apologized to her sister…”
Anriche beamed a warm smile.
“How about we go see your brother together?”
At that suggestion, Beatrice’s eyes lit up.
“Can we? But Mommy said we shouldn’t interrupt him…”
“Bringing him a meal isn’t interrupting, is it?”
“Yes?”
“Your brother is probably so focused on his work that he’s skipping meals.”
Anriche shook her head.
Elliot sometimes got so absorbed in his work that he forgot to eat or sleep.
With the exhibition coming up soon, he was even more likely to do so.
“So let’s take him some of his favorite snacks and go see him.”
“Okay!”
Beatrice nodded enthusiastically, her head bobbing eagerly.