Chapter 189

The painter's name was Kailixido, a disheveled young man in worn-out clothes. He seemed slightly uneasy when personally received by Cyrus.

He probably never expected that simply taking out a painting to display in the Art Exhibition Hall would lead him to meet the lord.

It seems to have received attention.

Cyrus asked him if he wanted to continue drawing.

After receiving an affirmative answer, he said he would arrange a separate exhibition space for Kailixido in the Art Exhibition Hall, where he could display his future paintings.

"You have a lot of talent, so never give up on drawing," Cyrus encouraged her at the end.

Kailixido excited.

He was incredibly lucky today—not only was he summoned by the lord, but he was also praised!

Kailixido immediately said that he would work hard and would not give up painting, because it was his dream and everything he loved most!

He would rather eat less and not wear new clothes than not save money to buy painting tools.

After all, the paper, paints, and brushes used for painting need to be replaced after a period of time, making painting undoubtedly a very expensive activity.

He couldn't afford it most of the time...

Kailixido arrived home, upon seeing the messy and shabby room, with discarded paints, palettes, and old canvases scattered all over the floor, he instantly snapped out of his joy at the lord's encouragement.

He couldn't help but feel a sense of fear and pressure.

He feared he would disappoint the lord, for he was nearing the point where he couldn't even afford food, and without money, how could he buy paintbrushes and paints...

I don't know when I'll be able to write again.

However, Kailixido's worries were only temporary. The next morning, the lord's chief steward led a group of people to his residence, and after entering the house, handed him a form to fill out.

"What is this?" Kailixido asked, puzzled.

Judas explained, "The lord intends to establish a Thorn Foundation."

"This foundation is a non-governmental, non-profit organization... a public welfare organization. Its funds are all derived from donations and have clearly defined public welfare purposes."

"Going forward, the Thorn Foundation aims to promote comprehensive development across various sectors, including hospitals, orphanages, nursing homes, healthcare, and education..."

"This includes providing financial assistance to people in need."

Judas glanced at the stunned Kailixido, pointed to the form he was holding, and said, "You can fill out the arts grant application."

"We should not regard this as charity. The lord once said that art is a precious cultural product that should be respected, protected, and encouraged."

"The true value of art lies in creativity and freedom. The lord said that while money isn't everything, you can't do without it..."

The head steward paused here, deeply appreciating how apt and accurate the lord's description was.

He continued, "Does the lord not want money to limit your creative talent? Will you fill it out?"

Kailixido snapped out of his daze, tears welling in his eyes. "Fill it in!"

Thank you, Lord! You resolved his difficulty just in time!

As for his self-esteem as an artist—no, his self-esteem wasn't hurt; as long as he could paint, everything was fine.

Moreover, he truly felt the lord's thoughtfulness and care.

Creator God above, how could their lord be so good!

Kailixido decided to dedicate all his paintings to the lord!

The establishment of the Thorn Foundation was quite a sensation. After all, the initial donors to the foundation came from high-ranking officials such as the Lord of Desinia, Grand Duke Achiyoli, Prince Cavendish, the King of the Bovell Kingdom, and then nobles, mayors, and officials. Even if each person only contributed a little, the total amount of money collected would be astonishing.

The money was notarized, and aside from subsidizing those in need who apply for financial aid, most of it will be used in orphanages, healthcare, education, and other fields.

While perfecting the foundation, Cyrus began to vigorously promote the establishment of official schools, hospitals, and other institutions to help people in various places.

At the same time, the Alchemy Tower was officially renamed the "Medical Research Institute," focusing on research into active medical devices and methods.

Reinog and Joseph also established a "Scientific Research Institute" at the suggestion of Cyrus.

They currently have several important research projects entrusted to them by lords, and after the opening ceremony of the research institute, they began to stay indoors.

The first piece in the Art Exhibition Hall is Kailixido's painting "The Moon Goddess".

Initially, the painting didn't attract much attention, since not everyone has the free time to visit an empty Art Exhibition Hall.

The reason why Kailixido's painting later gained attention was because Cyrus published her comments on "The Moon Goddess" in the latest issue of the newspaper.

Cyrus praised it as a painting of a goddess, a work imbued with painstaking effort. He objectively evaluated the painting from aspects such as lines and colors, describing it as dynamic, delicate, and full of spirit...

He said he could see Kailixido's passion in this painting; a painting can express the artist's inner world...

Such high praise undoubtedly piqued the curiosity of newspaper readers. The Art Exhibition Hall was located within the city, and admission was free, making a trip there an easy matter.

Why don't you go take a look?

As a result, the number of people heading to the Art Exhibition Hall suddenly increased.

Soon after, people began submitting their works to the exhibition hall, mostly paintings, with a few sculptures.

After the artworks are submitted, the exhibition hall manager will have them reviewed by Cyrus herself before deciding whether or not to display them in the Art Exhibition Hall.

Cyrus initially tried to do everything herself, but later found that she was too busy and rarely had the time.

However, he still attaches great importance to this matter, so he plans to establish Art Appraisal Association, where members will vote on whether a work is eligible for an exhibition.

He devoted significantly more attention to the Art Exhibition Hall than to opera houses, and, based on his appreciation for talent, he also paid great attention to painters and sculptors.

This concern bothered Segalot greatly.

So one sunny morning, His Holiness the Pope came to the study to see Cyrus, carrying his painting tools.

He asked for a portrait of Cyrus.

He will draw it.

"A-Sai, you can draw?!" Cyrus looked incredulous.

Segalot raised an eyebrow. "Why wouldn't I?"

"Hmm... you haven't drawn anything before."

"Now, you are worthy of my writing."

"... What if the drawing doesn't look good...?" Cyrus trailed off under the Pope's gaze, unable to continue. He suspected that if he opened his mouth again, his lips would be swollen from being kissed.

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Therefore, he wisely chose to keep quiet.

On second thought, A-Sai is drawing himself, and he's excited.

Cyrus said happily, "Then I'll go to my room and change into some new clothes. Wait for me."

Segalot nodded.

Not long after, after Segalot had set up the easel, art supplies, and other items, Cyrus arrived wearing a new outfit.

He was dressed formally and wanted Segalot to paint a beautiful portrait of him so he could hang it in his study.

Having struck a pose, Cyrus felt a mixture of anticipation and trepidation.

He planned that once His Holiness the Pope finished painting it, he would praise it no matter what.

Time passed slowly, and the painting could not be completed in a short time. After laying the foundation, Segalot asked Cyrus to get up from the chair.

Cyrus stretched her arms and legs, wanting to check how the painting was progressing, but Segalot dodged her by carrying the easel.

"I'll show you when I finish drawing it; I'll keep the surprise for now."

You think it'll be a pleasant surprise? What if it's a shock?

Cyrus thought silently, but nodded nonetheless. Trusting his lover, he said, "A-Sai, it's okay to go a little slower. Just make me look good, I believe in you."

He placed his hands in front of his chest and made a small heart shape with his hands.

It's way too cute, who could resist?

Segalot casually set the easel aside, pulled Cyrus Zuoyi close, and kissed her. After a lingering kiss, he wiped Cyrus's slightly swollen lips and whispered, "Tonight, I'll go to the bedroom."

Cyrus blurted out, "Then I'll warm the bed first."

"Well... anyway, we're sleeping together and sharing a blanket... we're practically family, no need to be polite."

Although she added a sentence at the end, she was already blushing with embarrassment.

He and the Pope had been sharing a bedroom for a long time.

Segalot's golden eyes deepened; being with her always put her willpower to the test.

Unable to withstand the test, he embraced the person tightly and kissed them deeply.

Finally, Cyrus almost couldn't breathe, pounding her fists on His Holiness the Pope's chest, begging him to let go—her mouth was numb.

"You won't be able to sleep tonight."

Segalot left a final remark, then took his easel and left the study.

Cyrus held her face in her hands, fully aware of what was going to happen that night. Her mind involuntarily conjured up explicit images, and she felt like a boiled duck, just short of steaming hot.

The painting was delivered to Cyrus Chazelle three days later, and it was clear that the Pope's technique was superb.

In the painting, he sits on a throne surrounded by roses and thorns. The roses are vibrant and fiery, while the thorns stretch out their sharp points, yet they are intimately intertwined with the roses...

A sense of allure and danger seems to burst forth from the canvas.

On the throne, where roses and thorns intertwine and stretch, the young man leans back, one hand resting on the back of the chair, the other casually placed on his lap, his legs crossed, his feet also surrounded by thorns and roses, yet displaying a posture of prostration...

The beauty of the young woman was even more stunning against the backdrop of the roses.

Those caramel-colored eyes were fixed intently on the canvas, as if gazing upon a beloved.

Cyrus blushed suddenly. Had he been staring at the Pope like that the whole time?

He shyly pointed to the canvas and whispered, "Is this how you see me...?"

Segalot embraced him from behind, gently kissing his hair and earlobes, saying, "My Little Rose is too enchanting; you can never be as real as you are in a painting."

Cyrus pursed her lips and curved her eyebrows into a smile.

Segalot whispered in his ear, "I want to paint a second one of you."

Cyrus nodded generously. "Okay, what should this be like? How about I..." (Holding her sword...)

Segalot whispered a few words in Cyrus's ear.

Instantly, Cyrus blushed from her cheeks to her ankles, her whole body flushed with embarrassment.

He scratched his cheek and said, "Y-yes, that works, but absolutely no one else can see it..."