AN UNEXPECTED GROOM

Although Roxane was some distance away from them and their voices were deliberately lowered, from time to time a few words reached her ears as the cold wind blew.

“Unnatural.”

“Sick.”

“Suicide.”

Roxane’s hand holding the brush stopped, and her thick, curly eyelashes fluttered as she looked down to hide the darkness in her eyes. After a moment, she put the brush down before lowering her hat to cover her ears and pulling up her scarf to cover her mouth, exposing only her eyes and nose. Then she continued to draw and paint again.

…

At noon.

Everyone went back to town to eat. After the meal, they took a short break before returning to the deck to continue drawing and painting, enjoying the sun and warmth.

The temperature had risen in the afternoon, and it was a bit warm. Roxane took off her hat, scarf and coat.

At this point, Professor Watson walked over and crouched down beside him before examining his painting. He said :

– You are doing very well. You are truly one of the most talented students I have ever met.

Roxane smiled.

– Thank you, professor. You praise me too much.

Professor Watson sat down on the grassy ground and looked at the undulating surface of the lake before slowly saying:

– Do you know that there is a fine line between a genius and a madman? I saw a lot of artists. They tend to descend into madness when creating, creating fantasies and immersing themselves in them. Sometimes they are unable to distinguish between reality and fantasy…

She looked at Professor Watson, perplexed. She didn’t understand what he meant by those words. Was Professor Watson comforting her, or did he also think she was crazy?

Professor Watson turned to look at Roxane and laughed before saying:

– However, I see warmth, colors and… hope in your works…

After a pause, she added:

-And this feeling has become more and more evident recently in your works…All text © NôvelD(r)a'ma.Org.

Roxane was stunned. Her expression was blank as she looked down at her painting.

“Is that true? Why didn’t I notice?”

-Do you have faith in your heart? Or have you found a spiritual compass that leads you to a place of light? Professor Watson asked. He remembered that Roxane’s paintings when she first joined the class were not like what they were now.

She remained silent. After thinking for a while, she said:

– I had faith in the past, but it collapsed. Now… I’m not so sure.

She wasn’t sure if she had anything that supported her spiritually and mentally.

Master Watson shook his head and said firmly:

– No. Your faith has not collapsed. I saw your recent paintings. I see no pain or confusion in them. Instead, they feel determined and confident towards me.

She frowned as her deer eyes flashed with confusion. ‘Is it true?’

Professor Watson was amused by the idiotic expression on Roxane’s face. He said :

-Maybe you don’t understand your heart yet. It does not matter. Just keep painting and drawing. Perhaps this will help you discover your faith and a place of light.

She didn’t completely understand Master Watson’s words, but she still nodded.

…

When the sun set in the west, Master Watson and the others returned to the hotel one after another. Roxane was so absorbed in her drawing that she only responded with a “Mmm”, no matter what the people around her said. She was completely submerged until…

Achoe!

She sneezed and rubbed her nose. Only then did she realize that it was already dark.

The cold wind blew against her, and her body seemed to have no warmth. Even his fingers were frozen.

She put on her hat, scarf and coat before going to the riverbank to wash her brushes. After packing her things, she returned to the hotel, sneezing the whole way.

However, when she returned to the hotel, she found that everyone had already eaten. A few boys were playing cards in the living room while the girls were gathering around, watching a new drama starring a young male idol, and discussing cosmetics.

Roxane returned to her room and put down her canvas bag before pouring herself a cup of hot water. She held it in her hands and took a small sip. However, she didn’t even manage to take two sips when she heard a knock at the door.