Livia hesitated for a mont before replying.
"Of course, but the next issue already has another painting to feature, so yours will have to wait."
Aside from the serialized novel, which would remain under the original author's na, new content would be introduced in sections like fashion and art appreciation.
Elise had already contacted a new model, the second daughter of the Minister of Finance. She was said to be kind and had no enemies, and with her sweet appearance, she was perfect for the next issue's fashion spread.
"Sister... Do you think my painting isn't good enough..."
Amalia lowered her eyes, her voice tinged with disappointnt.
Livia had been worried that Amalia might overthink this, so she quickly responded.
"Of course not, my little princess's paintings are beautiful."
"But there are so tricks to publishing artwork. Amalia, think about it, your paintings are beautiful, but if they're published too often, so people who don't appreciate art might start to think they're cheap..."
"So to give more artists a chance to be published and to make readers more excited when your paintings appear again, we'll feature soone else's work next ti."
Amalia, with Livia's help, had read so books on economics and could understand what Livia was saying.
The value of a painting wasn't just determined by the viewer's preferences; there were many intangible factors at play.
It was both a commodity and a work of art, possessing the characteristics of both while achieving a certain unity in so aspects.
Seeing that Amalia had been silent for a while, Livia gently poked the golden-haired girl's forehead and asked in a soft voice.
"What's wrong? Are you unhappy?"
Amalia shook her head, a faint smile appearing on her lips.
"No."
"I just didn't realize you had thought about it so much."
In the past, Amalia would never have doubted Livia's words, but now she was afraid, afraid that her paintings weren't actually that good.
Perhaps Livia had only praised her paintings to indulge her, and publishing them had been a last resort.
What did she an to Livia? Was Livia's kindness and affection truly without ulterior motives?
Amalia wanted to ask Livia directly about the strand of hair, about who she really was and why she had co to the castle. But the words stuck in her throat, and she couldn't bring herself to say them.
The warmth and care Livia had shown her churned in her heart, and the intimate physical contact between them had never felt forced or unpleasant.
Did she really need to shatter this illusion?
The warm orange light illuminated Livia's beautiful, gentle profile, and a sense of warmth spread through the air. Amalia looked at Livia, her teeth unconsciously biting her lower lip.
"By the way, Amalia..."
Livia's cool voice interrupted the golden-haired girl's thoughts. She reached into her bag and pulled out a small pouch, the contents clinking softly as she moved.
"Yesterday you said it was your birthday, and I didn't prepare anything."
With that, Livia opened the pouch and handed it to Amalia with a smile.
"A birthday gift. I hope it's not too late."
Amalia looked down and gently took the pouch, pulling out its contents.
It was a necklace made of several gemstones, each one glowing with a soft luster.
Amalia recognized these gemstones. Aside from the light blue stone in the center, the rest were ones she had taken from her dresses and traded with the maid.
"I had soone retrieve those gems you were tricked into selling, and I made sure that deceitful maid faced so consequences."
Livia gestured toward the largest blue gem in the collection. "I chose this one myself, its shade reminds of Amalia's eyes. I think it'll suit you perfectly when you wear it."
As she spoke, she held up the necklace, bringing the blue gem close to Amalia's face. Peering through the gem, Amalia t Livia's gaze, her own blue eyes mirrored in Livia's, now crinkled with a warm smile.
The crisp sound of collision was particularly noticeable in the quiet room. Amalia gazed at the round, blue gemstone that emitted a warm glow, and the two slender, jade-like fingers holding the necklace. Her heart trembled slightly.
"Do you like it, Amalia?"
Livia curved her lips, her voice soft and gentle, a faint smile playing on her lips. Her clear, watery eyes were almost the sa color as the blue gemstone between her fingers.
A belated... birthday gift?
Amalia sat in her seat, raising her eyes to look at Livia. The other's eyes were filled with sincerity and tenderness, with a few faint glimrs of light like stars scattered on the sea.
Her freshly bathed, bare legs unconsciously pressed against the wooden chair leg, the cool touch of the wood stimulating Amalia's senses at the sa ti.
Why was Livia giving her this?
The gemstones that made up the necklace were the ones she had previously sold to Sara at a low price to obtain painting tools. She thought she would never see them again, but Livia had used her own channels to buy them back.
Seeing Amalia staring at the necklace in a daze, Livia blinked and softly spoke.
"What's wrong, don't you like it?"
Regaining sothing lost is a cause for joy, but Astrid didn't know if Amalia actually liked the princess dress that Hibbort had bestowed upon her, which had been deliberately damaged by its original owner.
However, one thing was certain: Amalia cherished these gemstones embedded in the dress. Whether it was the reluctance she showed when she approached her for the transaction that night or her subsequent actions, it was clear that Amalia placed great importance on the gemstones.
Thinking about it, it made sense. Before "Livia" appeared, these gemstones were her only source of happiness. They were not just cold stones; they carried fragnts of Amalia's mories and the few things she loved during her lonely years.
Moreover, with each one used, they beca increasingly precious.
Hearing Livia's gentle voice, Amalia's fingers, resting by her nightgown, clenched slightly. After a mont, she softly replied.
"No, I like it very much."
"...Thank you, sister."
With that, Amalia reached out and gently took the necklace.
When it was first taken out of the package, there hadn't been any strange feeling. But now, knowing the aning behind the necklace, the touch of her fingertips seed to carry a burning ember, causing a faint sting on her skin.
No one had ever given her a birthday gift before. Livia was the first.
No, it wasn't just a birthday gift; there were many other things too.
The first ti eating on the sa table with soone else, the first ti sitting on the rooftop watching the stars together, the first ti holding hands, hugging, and kissing, the first ti sharing a bed, the first ti bathing together openly.
She and Livia had more "firsts" than anyone else, so many that they filled every corner of her life.
Seeing Amalia take the necklace, Livia turned her hand, which had been hovering in mid-air, palm down, and gently patted the golden-haired girl's head.
"Amalia likes it, that's good."
Perhaps it was just an illusion, but Livia felt that when her hand touched Amalia's hair, the latter's body trembled slightly, and there was a faint resistance in her palm.
However, the next second, this feeling dissipated. Amalia, as usual, moved her head closer, her soft golden hair brushing against Livia's skin with a silky touch.
"Let help you put it on and see how it looks~"
With that, Livia slipped the necklace over Amalia's head, her hand moving behind to lift the golden hair. In an instant, a sweet scent of hair filled the air.
Amalia's collarbone felt slightly cold, and she instinctively touched her chest, lowering her gaze. A blue gemstone hung in front of her chest.
She had never worn such an ornant before, and the initial contact felt sowhat uncomfortable.
Livia tilted her head, examining the girl for a while. The delicate skin was slightly indented by the gemstone, and the blue complented the snow-white complexion beautifully.
"Very beautiful, Amalia."
The only flaw might be that it was too plain, Amalia was only wearing a pure white, sleeveless nightgown. This style of clothing didn't quite suit the ornate necklace.
If only she had worn the princess-style dress from yesterday. Amalia, who hadn't yet developed the aura of a future tyrant, exuded a noble air that ca from her appearance. Paired with such a dress, she would have looked even more like a little princess in a palace.
Hearing Livia's words, Amalia's heart beat even faster. Her nails dug into her palm, and the muscles in her back and legs tightened unconsciously.
Why say such things... Why be so kind to her…
Are you really Livia Valeria, or is even your na fake besides your identity?
After half a minute, Amalia, as if shy, turned her head away. The golden hair covering her ears concealed her complex expression as she slowly spoke.
"Do you like it, sister?"
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