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It was a big deal, after all-choosing a favorable day, wearing formal robes or a crown, sitting on the royal throne, or even posing together with Kylie for the painting.
But to casually show up at a subject’s home late at night, sitting in their chair and having a portrait done? That was unheard of.
“This is fine. Let’s begin.” Salvador adjusted his tunic and gave a small nod. “It doesn’t need to be too formal. Just paint me as I am right now-no need for any extra embellishments.”
Salvador’s gaze shifted to Sophie’s face, his eyes softening without him even realizing it. His lips, which had been pressed tight, now curved slightly.
Sophie felt his gaze and lowered her eyes, avoiding his stare.
She almost spoke again, ready to suggest her departure, but Salvador had been watching her intently. Before she could say a word, he spoke first.
“Commander Devin, don’t speak. Just stay there and watch.”
Sophie swallowed her words, nodding quietly in acknowledgment.
She turned her attention to Kyle, watching as his brush moved swiftly and skillfully, drawing a series of lines that gradually took shape. Then, he connected the lines, adding detail or leaving gaps. Soon, the outline of a face that strongly r?sembled Salvador emerged.
The room was eerily silent, with nothing but the sound of controlled breathing from everyone present.
Violet usually couldn’t stand such a dull scene, but she stayed, sitting on the small table in front of Sophie.
She leaned against Sophie, occasionally adjusting the thin blanket on the latter’s lap.
Sophie fixed Violet’s hairpin, making sure it was in place. Then, she gently supported Violet’s shoulder as she adjusted the latter’s posture.
Salvador watched the little details of their interaction, his gaze softening and growing distant. He suddenly said, “It’s nice to have friends.”
His unexpected words surprised everyone in the room. However, Kyle remained focused, his brush moving swiftly across the paper.
Once Kyle was in his zone, no one could disturb him except for Everett.
Kyle’s painting was truly impressive-his brushwork brought the image to life with remarkable detail. Everyone in the room gazed at the figure on the paper, then looked at Salvador, who still sat in his chair without showing any sign of fatigue. It was as though the man had stepped right into the canvas. Even his earlier expression was captured perfectly.
The fine lines near his eyes, the few strands of white hair at his temples, the small black mole at the corner of his mouth, and the subtle creases on his lips-all of it was there, down to the last detail. Though the colors had yet to be applied to his clothes, the intricate patterns were already outlined, and it was identical to the real thing.
Salvador seemed like he was seeing such a clear version of himself for the first time. He stared for a while, then touched his face and said, “I really have gotten older.”
He rarely even looked into a mirror. When he did, it was never this clear.
“You’re not old, Your Majesty,” Derek said, offering a compliment. “In my eyes, you look just over twenty.” Salvador glanced at him and chuckled. “I do share quite a few similarities with my younger brother.”
He turned to Sophie. “What do you think, Commander Devin?”
Sophie had been yawning continuously, her eyes red from it. When he asked, she nodded and said, “Yes, Your Majesty and His Highness do look somewhat alike.”
Salvador’s smile grew wider, the shadows of his earlier gloom seemingly swept away in an instant. However, Rafael was much more handsome, and his features were sharper-that was what Sophie added silently in her mind.
Indeed, Rafael and Salvador’s facial features were somewhat alike. After all, they shared the same dad, and their mom had been the sister of the other’s. Yet, it was never something one would notice, for their temperaments were so different.
Salvador was not one for smiles. His face was usually stern and commanding, and the lines of his face seemed much more rigid.
On the other hand, Rafael had softened considerably after his marriage. If his harshness was stripped away, he became the picture of a refined gentleman.
Salvador stared at the painting for a long time, his gaze lingering on the eyes. Finally, he dismissed everyone, leaving only Kyle behind. Even Sophie was allowed to return and rest.
In the quiet of the hall, Salvador remained seated, his gaze fixed on Kyle, who sat to his lower right. “Mr. Spencer, you’ve painted exactly what is in my heart.”
Kyle lowered his head, his eyes full of quiet resignation. “I have no knowledge of your thoughts, Your Majesty.”
Salvador’s lips pressed into a thin line, his expression darkening. “You do know. Sophie knows as well. I shouldn’t have come here. I’ve never been one to act impulsively in my life, but I wanted to, just once.
“But as soon as I sat down, I regretted it. I’ve never let myself act on my desires, and the consequences of doing so are than I can bear. I know how to control myself. You need notel bet
MrSpencer. This will not happen again.”
“You’re very noble, Your Majesty. I admire you,” Kyle said, his heart finally easing a bit.
He had been afraid Salvador might end up like Yuvan-saying he wanted to act recklessly just once, then throwing all caution to the wind.
“I’m not noble. I simply know that some things can’t be done,” Salvador replied, furrowing his brow. After a moment’s thought, he continued, “In fact, many things are best left undone. However, some things must be done.”
Kyle’s eyes reflected a hint of confusion, as if he was pretending not to understand what Salvador was saying.
Salvador smiled faintly. “I don’t want to be a tyrant ruler, but I’m also afraid of becoming a foolish one.” Kyle’s gaze remained puzzled, but he replied, “You’re neither a tyrant nor a fool, Your Majesty.”
“Who can say?” Salvador said, weariness creeping into his voice. He raised a hand to his forehead, as if to steady his thoughts. “I can’t figure it out, nor can I predict it.”
“If you can’t figure it out or predict it, why not simply observe? Even if you can’t see everything, you’ll see something. A nobleman judges by actions, not thoughts,” Kyle replied.
Salvador was momentarily startled, then said, “You’re right. Observing will reveal something. But being in a position of power and surrounded by so many who wear masks-it’s hard to tell. Who could have guessed before that Nicholas harbored treasonous thoughts?”
Kyle answered calmly, “One cannot judge everyone the same way. People are different. Throughout history, men like Nicholas have always been the rare exception You should also look at the many toyal and honorable lords, Your Majesty. They are the majority.”
Salvador fell silent for a long moment, then finally looked up and said, “I should return to the palace.”
In the study, the lamps were still lit.
Hearing Kyle’s words, Sophie let out a long sigh of relief. “Then, my injury should heal faster. I’ve been feeling utterly stifled.”
“Tonight was truly terrifying,” said Jacob.
Kyle glanced at Sophie and sighed softly. “If the king really follows in Yuvan’s footsteps, then Rafael would take after Nicholas.”
“He’ll weigh the consequences,” Jacob said.
“I just don’t understand him. When I was a child, the king was close to my second brother and the others.
He treated me like a younger sister. After I entered court, he regarded me as a minister. So, why this sudden change of heart?” Sophie vented, deeply frustrated.
“Sudden? Have you forgotten that after the Southern Frontier was reclaimed, he once considered making you his concubine?” Jacob reminded her.
“I always thought he only meant to use me to force Raf to relinquish his military power,” Sophie replied. Back then, her being Hector’s daughter had also played a role-marrying her and bringing her into the palace would have prevented ambitious suitors from taking her hand.