The maid at the back closed the studio door. After standing on tiptoe and leaning toward the door to listen, Angelina finally said happily:
"Good afternoon, Shade."
Smiling, she picked up the cat. Shade did not immediately revert to his original form because of that:
"Good afternoon, Angelina. Your painting is really quite good.
Do you know where Leisha is now? I want to borrow her relic earring."
"Elder sister went to the countryside with Father and elder brother to inspect the autumn harvest. She will probably be back after dinner."
Seeing that Shade did not object, Angelina gave the cat's face a fierce kiss. If Shade had been in human form, she certainly would have been too embarrassed to do that, but right now she was only facing an adorable little cat.
Shade had done far more excessive things with her than this, so he had no reaction to a kiss on the cheek:
"Then please let Leisha know about this tonight. If it is convenient, find a chance to have Galina bring that item over to me."
"Elder Sister will definitely deliver it to your home herself. Are you leaving now? If you have nothing to do this afternoon, can you let me paint an oil portrait of you?"
She blinked as she asked, and that expression was truly difficult to refuse.
So the cat thought for a moment:
"I do not have anything to do this afternoon either."
"Then let me paint one. It will be over very quickly."
She then carried the silver cat to the tall stool where the maid had been sitting just now, then happily picked up her brush and palette again.
Thus, when the maids who had prepared afternoon tea returned, Angelina had completely lost any interest in having it:
"You can