Crafting The Lust

✨16✨

The chamber was quiet, save for the crackling of the hearth in the corner, casting flickering shadows across the room. Felix stood before the half-finished portrait, eyes fixed on the canvas as if waiting for it to reveal more than just what he had painted. The Queen sat, hands neatly folded in her lap, while the King stood behind her, arms crossed. Both of them were gazing intently at Felix’s work, their faces unreadable.

Days had passed since Felix first began his work, and now, what had been mere sketches had turned into a tangible image of Queen Anna. The reference was only half-realized, yet already it captured an undeniable essence of the Queen's beauty and her icy demeanor, her elegance fused with something deeper—something unsettling.

Hyunjin's voice broke the silence. "It's not finished, but I must say, Yongbok, you've captured her likeness well." His eyes, however, flickered with something more than just approval. He moved forward, inspecting the strokes closely, the edges of his lips curling ever so slightly into a smirk. "Though I wonder—have you truly captured all there is to see?"

The question was more of a challenge than a compliment. Felix clenched his hands behind his back, keeping his posture neutral. He met the King's gaze, careful not to betray any of the unease he felt beneath his calm exterior. "It is still a work in progress, Your Majesty. There is more to reveal."

The Queen, who had been silent, finally spoke, her tone smooth and regal. "It is... acceptable." Her eyes drifted across the canvas, as if searching for flaws. "You've painted me well enough, but there's something lacking. Something that doesn't quite match my stature."

Felix's heart sank slightly at her words, though he had expected no less. Her perfection was both her pride and her prison, and anything less than a flawless depiction would be seen as an insult. "I assure you, Your Majesty, the final piece will reflect all that you are," he responded carefully.

Hyunjin chuckled, low and amused, as he took a step back to stand beside the Queen. "All that she is?" His eyes gleamed with amusement as he glanced between Felix and the Queen. "That's quite the promise."

The Queen stiffened, her lips thinning. Felix could feel the growing tension between the two, like a string pulled taut, ready to snap at any moment.

"Perhaps," Hyunjin continued, "the painter sees, even though we do not. Isn't that right, Yongbok? Your eyes... they seem to catch the smallest details. Tell me, what do you see in my Queen that others might overlook?"

Felix’s pulse quickened. He couldn’t afford to show any hesitation. The truth was, he had seen something—a flicker beneath her beauty, a coldness that seeped through the elegance. But how could he say that aloud, especially in front of the Queen herself? He forced a measured smile, careful not to offend. "What I see, Your Majesty, is the grace and strength of a ruler. A presence that commands respect."

The Queen tilted her head slightly, her expression softening just enough to show she was pleased by the response, though her eyes remained sharp. "Good," she said quietly. "You have an eye for flattery, but let’s hope your skill matches your words when the portrait is done."

Felix bowed his head in acknowledgment. "It will be, Your Majesty."

Hyunjin's smirk lingered as he moved back to his original spot, lounging on the chaise. His eyes, however, never left Felix. "I look forward to seeing how you’ll bring out her true essence. After all, anyone can paint a face. Few can capture a soul."

Felix swallowed, feeling the weight of the unspoken expectations that hung in the room. His task was far from over, and he knew that every stroke he made from now on would be scrutinized more than ever before.

The Queen rose from her seat, smoothing the folds of her gown as she approached the canvas, her fingers lightly trailing along the edges of the frame. "Take your time, Yongbok. I expect nothing less than perfection."