Portrait of the Dead Prince

Chapter 2:***“That’s all”I answered while sitting upright.The man who was looking at me boldly lowered his gaze as if he lost interest.He wrote unknown words on a document and asked,“So it wasn’t the royal family who had appointed you, but you were simply a substitute instead of your teacher?”“There are no records of me submitting any sort of personal artwork from that time. Also, if you are going to suspect someone, then shouldn’t you know their name first?”Even I admit it was a rebellious reply.I spoke with a calm voice but there’s no way the other party wouldn’t understand the insolence in my words.I thought I would be threatened to cooperate with the investigation properly, but the man showed no signs of being offended.In fact, his mouth was curved in a shape close to a smile.Before I could even get a hold of my expression in confusion, he asked a question half-heartedly,“The prince’s face, do you remember it?”Fortunately, I was able to reply before the silence lasted longer than necessary.“No, it’s been too long.”After replying with a very feminine voice, I stared straight at the man interrogating me.Aside from the fact that I was in a threatened position if I were to judge the man, he had the appearance that would be liked by anyone.Even though he was seated, He had such a great physique that I could easily guess his height.A tall nose stood out on his overall angular face.He had thin lips which gave out a vibrant impression rather than a mean one.It wasn’t memorable but I knew this man.Nathan Farnese was it?It was a name I heard even in the midst of the chaotic civil war taking place throughout the country.He was a key rebel officer who overthrew my homeland, Berton.As can be guessed from the distinctly different law of order, he was a nobleman from another country.The reason why foreigners stepped in as the leaders of the rebel forces in the civil war can be explained by the old saying ‘An enemy’s enemy is a friend’.The soldiers dug deeply into the wounds that were caused due to the trade war.It didn’t take long for angry people to boycott the capital.In front of wealth and honour, even the amount of threat to life was unfair.Wealthy and famous people usually fled the country and asked their relatives or friends to take care of them.My teacher, Rodrigo was one of those lucky people.Rodrigo succeeded in fleeing to another country with the help of a long-time supporter, and I too was planning on leaving the country following my teacher’s footsteps.That was until I got caught and dragged by the interrogation team while I was fleeing.I could consistently hear the sound of the man tapping on a paper with the tip of a pen.Amidst the uncomfortable silence, I tried to make out what time it was right now.It was not possible to check what time it was in this room which had no windows.I was made to wear a black cloth on my head the whole time I was being brought here, so it’s even hard to guess the location.At first, I tried to keep a track of the direction, but after going up and down the stairs several times, I completely gave up.The conclusion I came to after a series of self-introspcetion was truly hopeless.I was trapped, and I didn’t even know where I was.“I heard that the work lasted for about a month.”After breaking the uncomfortable silence, the man suddenly asked.He didn’t seem to fully trust what I had said.I calmly explained to him the reason I don’t remember Prince Enrique’s face.“The prince didn’t show up often.”“How many times did you meet him in person?”“That would be less than five times. Even if I saw him, it was from a distance. I had no choice but to guess and complete the painting according to the court maid’s explanation.”“It’s written here that, you stayed at the Royal palace during the last week.”“I had no choice but to reside there because I didn’t know when the model would call it quits. It wasn’t a very meaningful period of stay.”Tha man half-hearteldy turned the page.As he bowed his head, a light shadow cast under his eyes.His green eyes along with the murky light created a strange feeling.Meaningless interrogation continued tirelessly.The man who is currently interrogating me was someone who went and fought in a deadly battlefield.That’s why it wouldn’t make much difference to him.I let go of my insolent attitude and tried to reply as sincerely as possible.The man, who kept asking questions about my daily life at the Royal palace, asked another trivial question.“How many times did you meet him in total?”I paused with my mouth opened.It was because I realized he was repeating the same questions over and over in a different manner.A cold sweat broke out over my waist.In my mind, I quickly reviewed the replies I gave so far.I barely moved my tongue and said.“…..Like I said before, it’s less than five times.”“Did you ever try to contact Prince Enrique separately after completing the portrait? Through a letter perhaps”“No.”I had never met Prince Enrique ever since I finished working on the portrait.He disappeared just a month after I left the palace.While moving to a different country for his marriage, apparently, he died.Among people, there were rumours that, Enrique, who opposed of the political marriage, ran away pretending to be dead.It was a ridiculous rumour, but nonetheless it was an interesting theory.Rumours went around here and there through the mouths of nosy people and everytime I heard one, I would be reminded of that arrogant prince.If Enrique really ran away on his own will like the people say, I wonder how he is living.How would the child who was rebellious in every manner become accustomised to the world.Enrique was fifteen when he went missing.If he did not die and continued to live, he would be twenty-five by nowEven if he is living a miserable life right now, his escape deserved to be looked at in a positive light.The King died and those who ruled over the ordinary people, fleeted to other countries.Enrique, who went missing early, was the last of the Royal blood.This rebellion would be complete only after he is killed.“Looks like there won’t be anything new, no matter how many times I ask you. “After a slow interrogation, the man muttered.I thought a more intense interrogation would continue, but surprisingly, he gave up quickly.I guess I unknowingly expected it because the environment was more amicable than I thought.“So……will I be released now?”The man slowly put down the documents in his hand.The man, who was staring at me half-heartedly, soon took off his glasses and threw them away.Then without any hesitation, he commanded.“Draw that prince.”My tied hands felt numb.Enrique was the hidden prince of misfortune, and not many people remembered his face.Almost all of those who were involved with the Bisbal family had already changed their destiny because of the civil war.I was the sole painter who drew Prince Enrique’s portrait.“Recreate that portrait exactly. It would be even better if you could estimate how the prince looks after he grew up.”“I told you I don’t rememb-……”“Will your memory get better if I say your life is on the line?”He cut off my meaningless rejection and asked back in a frightening way.My stiff mouth stopped at the look of his cold eyes.I wanted to answer that it was impossible, but all I could do was be dumbfounded.I instinctively felt that he was a person I shouldn’t provoke further. Along with the fact that it was useless to refuse.“Don’t think of anything weird.”He spoke in a slow but immersing voice.Although he did not use any harsh language, there was a great amount of pressure felt in the atmosphere.I blankly stared at him.He called over the men waiting at the back and ordered them briefly.“Move her to the prepared room.”As soon as he finished speaking, a black cloth was put over my head in a scary way.Since then, it has been dark.***‘Don’t leave.’‘……’‘Don’t leave, Inese.’Light flashed in front of my eyes.I slowly woke up from my dreamy mind.As soon as I gained consciousness, my blood turned cold.It was because I realized I was trapped.I don’t know whether it’s fortunate or not, but my body was not tied.I quietly raised my upper body and sat upright.I don’t remember anything after my vision was blocked.I don’t know if they used a drug but my head hurt.I barely manged to open my eyelids to see the whole view of the room.The room, filled with wooden furniture, did not give out an intimidating atmosphere as I expected.There was even a small window to look outside.I cautiously got up and went near the window.Althought it wasn’t blocked, it seemed impossible to escape through it because of the embedded iron bars.This time, I went towards the door and turned the door knob.As expected, it was locked.I leaned against the wall and let out a sigh.Suddenly, an easel built on the right came to sight.Next to it, expensive paint tools were placed neatly.I lifted up a brush and went through the bristles with my fingers.Judging from the thin and soft texture, it seemed to be made from marten fur.Rather than referring to the painter’s taste, it looked like they placed the best of the best things as if to threaten me.The task given to me in this enclosed room was clear.Nathan Farnese really wanted me to draw Prince Enrique.Seeing how he locked me here even though I said I don’t remember the prince’s face, he probably won’t let me go until the painting was complete.No, even if I do as he says, there is no guarantee I will be released.I put down the brush as if I threw it.Just then, I heard the door opening behind me.