Chapter 24

The sun was shining brightly, making the air feel warm and comfortable, the scent of flowers carried by the breeze. This was his favorite season, when the sun was not so fierce and the wind was blowing to make the air cool.

In the past, when everything was fine. Zavier is sure to spend his free time lying on the grass, looking at the clouds walking above the sky or painting flowers on the canvas or drawing Judy's face on paper. Fun, that's how he felt. As if there is no burden to think about.

Now, here on this island, he is back feeling the peaceful atmosphere she used to feel. He has lived in this palace for four days, but until now no meaningful explanation has come out of her mouth. She was just silent and wanted to enjoy this peace even for a moment.

On the green grass, in a bed of beautiful white daisies. A young man with dark brown hair was sitting alone, drawing something in his drawing book. His back somehow reminded Zavier of herself.

Hesitating, Zavier walked over to the young man. Trying not to hear the sound of her footsteps, the aim was only to see what object the young man was describing.

"Why sneaking around like that? if interested, you can join in!" he said, turning his head to Zavier who was right behind him.

He was dumbfounded, he didn't expect this young man to immediately realize her goal. He smiled a little, his narrow eyes made his smile even sweeter.

"What are you drawing?"

"Are you curious?"

"A little!"

"Is that so? come on, sit down!" he asked while lightly patting the grass beside him as a signal for Nathania to sit beside him.

Despite being asked to sit down very politely, Nathania still felt doubtful. The reason was, she was afraid that this young man would ask the same question, even though they should have known what and how she got to this island.

"If you're in doubt, that's okay. You can just stand there and keep your curiosity!" he said. He returned to moving his pencil to draw the object in front of him.

Since this young man didn't force her, Nathania felt quite safe. She thought, maybe for a moment she could enjoy this beautiful view. Nathania took her place beside the young man, sitting quietly without trying to question and disturb him.

Five minutes in this place, this young man still ignored her as if she had no interest in talking to her. To be honest, it made Nathania a little confused, but on the one hand, she felt calm.

"If you want, you can try to draw too! you know? drawing and painting can help to relieve stress. Do you want to try?"

"But, I don't have a book and a pencil!"

"It's okay, I have. I always carry spare books and pencils, so you can use them!" he said, handing over a drawing book and a pencil beside him.

Nathania accepted it, for this one, she really agreed with this young man's words. For people who have an artistic spirit, painting is very effective in relieving stress. Every scratch on white paper can provide calm.

"Thank you!" she said, accepting the book and pencil this young man had given her.

"You want to see my drawing?"

"Can I?"

"Of course! you seem eager to see it, don't you?" with a smile, this young man showed her his picture book and let Nathania take a look.

Nathania accepted it, opened the pages one by one on the book. On the first page, her eyes immediately shone at the sight of a man who was flawlessly drawn.

"Very good ..." she said. Seeing the work of this young man, Nathania felt defeated. Even though she was very confident in his abilities, she couldn't make such a lively expression like this. As if, this image was not made by human hands because it is so expressive and real.

"Is it true?"

"Yes! very good. I don't think I can make something like this!"

"You like art too?"

"Yes, I like it!"

"Thank God, because I really like it too, especially painting. If you want, I can invite you to my gallery. I painted some there with paint and canvas,"

"Is it true?"

"Of course! If you are also interested, I feel very happy!"

This young man's smile was so calming, Nathania just realized that this young man was one of the 10 youths who brought her to this palace. However, she didn't really remember it clearly because it didn't seem like he stood out that much from the other young men.

"Yes..."

"Your name is Nathan, right? I'm Jerome, the seventh son of King Leonard and Queen Clara. Nice to meet you, Nathan?"

Strange, hearing her name called out like an ordinary person without the frills of His Majesty, Prince or Princess made her feel happy. It feels, being an ordinary person feels more free and fun.

Nathania turned back page after page of the picture book, little by little, a smile on her lips. The emotionless flat face she always showed, turned into a livelier just because of a drawing book.

"Are you happy? do you think that good?"

***