I Will Be The New Me
CHAPTRE 8

"Oh look who's coming, my grandson~"

Bastien stretched out his arms opening the way for Quinn to hug his grandfather.

"Good night, grandpa." Quinn briefly embraced the body of his grandfather, Bastien Lombardia. Quinn looked up at Bastien's wrinkled face, "Grandfather wasn't surprised I came here. Did you tell you?"

Bastien was quite impressed by it. How not, the Quinn that he recognized usually ignored the small things. "Yes, your father has sent a letter and it's been there since the afternoon. Why are you so late? you're making me worry."

"Sorry, grandpa. I stopped by Mom's grave before I got here. Oh, and I was busy walking around the market for a bit."

"Gosh, you can do that later when you get there."

Quinn smiled as she held Bastien's hand, "Grandfather, I have something to give you."

Quinn then asked the coachman to bring in a large gift box. Bastien shriveled in confusion, "What did you bring that, son?"

"Grandfather can open and see for himself. Let's just say it's a bribe for grandfather to take me here," Quinn glanced at his grandfather's teasing eyes.

"Ohohoho where did you learn to bribe someone, eh? enter now. You can stay here as long as you want."

Soon after that Quinn was guided to go to the second floor and rest in the room for a while until dinner time arrived. The house of a Grand Duke is almost rivaling the palace, Bastien has a lot of unused rooms. Quinn honestly still has trouble remembering the location of each room, especially he only occasionally went to his grandfather's house.

Bastien accidentally lets Quinn rest by being ushered in by a waiter instead of him. In the letter sent his youngest child it is written that Quinn's condition is not good which where he experienced severe depression that makes his sleep disorder worse, just as experienced by his late mother.

If Bastien makes him tired, then it could be that tonight Quinn will experience the same sleep disorder. "My poor grandson," he murmured anxiously.

To be honest Bastien also felt what Savero felt. As if there were others with Quinn, she exuded a different aura that to be honest it was somewhat alarming. Bastien would, without being asked, continue to watch over his grandson closely.

"Oh, this is a painting..."

Bastien widened his eyes as he opened the gift from Quinn. It was a painting of him and his late wife, Arona. Bastien had long wanted to find a good painter who matched his taste to paint the photo, but he had not found it.

Now that it was in his hands, it was the most beautiful and the most real painting as far as he was looking. Unconsciously his eyes began to glaze over his wife's face in the painting, "I've always wanted you to look like this. Our memories will be imprinted on this canvas."

Bastien really likes art, especially painting. He had so many paintings ranging from the famous to his own hands. Even Bastien put all his collection in one large room devoted to all the paintings he had.

While in the new room he was going to occupy for an undetermined time, Quinn threw himself down with a sigh. "Finally I don't need to see those people's faces anymore" he muttered in relief.

Quinn was picturing Raiden's face. Though only a glance, he could see Raiden showing a different look as he ignored her declaration of love, "I'm sure he realized I did it on purpose. Raiden is a sharp guy. I'd better not act too conspicuously in front of him."

Given that Raiden is a reckless person and will do anything to realize his wishes, any dirty way is not an obstacle. Everything will do.

"I don't have time to relax. From tomorrow I'll be living life without anyone's help."

Quinn wants to change her dress model. She had enough of being sweet and innocent, now was the time for her to become more mature according to her age. Assuming by changing the model of clothing, he will throw away the pesky that his previous life can.

Quinn was assisted by two servants to clear all of his luggage. They both looked polite and friendly, better than in her tension-filled home. "Your Majesty, we are so grateful that you will start living here with the Grand Duke" said one of the servants named Mary.

Quinn tilted her head slightly. "Would it be any different if I stayed here?" tanyanya.

"Grand Duke often spent time in the library alone, we were very worried because he looked lonely."

Yeah, it's understandable. The old man despite having children, his two sons who are married and have children do not visit much unless there is an urgent matter. His grandchildren are the same. Quinn is a person who visits even if only one hour every three days.

"Yes, I hope I can help Grandpa ease his longing for grandma."

Dinner has arrived. Quinn was quite surprised to see Bastien preparing so much food as if he was hosting ten guests. Delicious food that is still warm served beautifully until it makes Quinn's stomach sound in response to the owner.

"Eat a lot. I don't mind you spending it all alone, you know." Bastien continued to offer all the dishes. "Look at this thin body of yours, I almost saw a bone walk."

"Grandfather.."

"Haha yes, yes, I understand. Let's eat now."

Bastien continued to watch Quinn's face as her grandson was eating. A happy smile was engraved on his lips. "I haven't eaten in a long time with someone, it's been so good."

Quinn downed her orange juice and replied to Bastien. "I'm glad my presence helped grandpa."

They chatted warmly after dinner. The old atmosphere was not felt in this large desolate palace of its inhabitants. Not only the Grand Duke, the servants there were delighted to see their master already had a friend to stay with and accompany him.

"Oh yeah, where did you order the painting? I've had dozens of famous painters in this city, but none of them matched my wishes. You're amazing, I'm so happy to accept the painting."

"Thank God if grandpa likes it," Quinn paused on his words. "I'm just asking from an ordinary citizen."

"What?!"

"Yes, there is no— more precisely no one knows of the existence of a genius like him, grandfather. His name is Oddeth."

Quinn didn't just pick a painter. He was discussing the painter who would become famous in the future and he was now choosing him for a clear purpose.

This twenty-year-old girl was originally just an unknown painter who taught at a free school for orphanage children. Despite being preoccupied with the job, he could not give up on his dream of becoming a renowned painter whose painting was recognized by the world.

Oddeth was discovered by Penelope painting children playing in the field. Then he introduced him to Raiden so that Oddeth very much got an order from the Ethereal palace.

After that his name began to rise and he became the number one painter in Helldelune. Many local and out-of-town nobles ordered paintings to him. Within a year, Oddeth was able to make a large house and meet the needs of his family.

"It would be better if grandfather immediately recruited him to be part of the grandfather's business. Grandpa won't be disappointed."

"Yes. Actually, I told him about grandfather, too, and he'd like to discuss the continuation of the agreement."

Quinn tried hard to gain Oddeth's trust. His talent must be supported so that everyone knows, not only educated nobles can master the art.

Quinn bowed, the smile she showed.

I used to not realize that...

One day, Oddeth gets an order from the King directly to paint the royal family and also his special ministers.

Oddeth had lost his way, he should have gone to the throne room, but he had come to the room that had no idea what it was. Oddeth glared in surprise, he could not believe what his eyes were seeing.

Raiden and Penelope are kissing each other and discuss when Raiden will remove Quinn from the position of Crown Princess candidate to be the spouse of the Crown Prince, Raiden Vill de Sorrentine.

Oddeth was surprised not to play. All this time everyone knew Raiden and Quinn's relationship was very harmonious, but it turns out that behind the poor innocent girl Raiden dares to play with fire with another woman who is Quinn's own cousin sister. Their affair happened a few months ago.

Penelope realized Oddeth was eavesdropping on her conversation. He then threatened Oddeth to keep it a secret until death.

Unfortunately, Oddeth is a girl with a high sense of justice and honesty. Although Oddeth felt deeply indebted to Penelope for making her name as high as it was, he still could not bear to see Quinn being fooled by the couple. Eventually Oddeth told Quinn everything he saw and heard. Without knowing that Penelope sent a spy.

But Quinn who was once so blinded by his own love and trust that he did not want to listen to Oddeth.

Penelope, knowing the fact that Oddeth had leaked the secret to Quinn but ended up being unreliable, took advantage of the opportunity. Penelope replaced Oddeth's paintings with indecent paintings that harassed the royal family especially Raiden and himself. So, when Oddeth removed the closing curtain to show off the perfect result of his painting, all were shocked to see the painting.

From that incident, Quinn himself became even more resentful of Oddeth for feeling that the girl was angry with him and made the bad painting because he did not want to listen to the lies that Oddeth revealed to him.

As a result, Oddeth lost all his hard-earned possessions and was imprisoned for ten years. Due to heart disease, Oddeth died behind bars.

It didn't take long, six months before Quinn and Raiden's wedding, King died and Quinn learned of the two's affair. Quinn is accused of murdering the King and poisoning Penelope, whom Raiden chose as his Queen. Quinn soon gets the impact of her own behavior. Imprisoned, lost all trust, and the peak is beheading.

Regrets always come to an end.

"Now it is time for me to atone for my sin against Oddeth." Quinn's inner heart meant it.

Bastien laughed lightly at the news that his most innocent grandson had delivered. "I didn't expect you to be good at business." His hand moved around Quinn's black head.

Quinn smiled. "He's very talented, grandpa. If we recruit him and he works under the Lombard name, I'm sure both grandfather and Oddeth will make a fortune. My guess is not wrong." yeah of course because he already saw his future.

Seeing how serious Quinn was when conveying the painting business, Bastien wanted to trust the firstborn Savero. "That's not a bad idea."

"If grandfather doesn't have time to take care of anything else, I'll come there to sign the contract."

Actually Oddeth was still doubtful even though Quinn had tried hard to convince him. But Quinn said that Oddeth's name would quickly rise among the nobility if he carried the name Lombardia, a famous Grand Duke of the extraordinary. Not only that, he was able to quickly find customers. That made Oddeth want to consider it.

"But how did you find this rare talent?"

"I accidentally saw him painting kids in the field while looking for souvenirs for grandpa."

Quinn wanted to help Oddeth get a lot of regulars. After that, Quinn will revoke the contract when Oddeth is able to stand alone. That's all he wanted.

A male servant came with long steps, he then whispered near Bastien. "Your Majesty, your granddaughter, Your Excellency Penelope came to visit."

Bastien jerks. "Oh really? she alone?"

"Yes, Your Majesty."

"Let him in."

Penelope brought a bouquet of flowers and fruits to Bastien. He was so gentle and considerate while talking to Bastien, as if he wanted to get rid of Quinn from there.

"Your house is far away from here, is that okay?" the seventy-year-old man asked Penelope.

The blonde-crowned girl shook her head "No, grandfather. I'm staying at Quinn's house and Killian's gonna pick me up later."

Bastien lowered his lip line, "Why doesn't Killian want to see me?"

"Please understand, grandfather. He'll soon be back on board, so there's a lot of preparation he'll have to take care of."

Quinn stared flat at Penelope. He lied again. Killian won't stop by because of course Killian has a fever. The poor young man endured his traumatic feelings for the sake of an ignorant Penelope.

Quinn threw a friendly smile. "Penelope, have you had dinner?"

"certainly already. Oh yeah, Quinn didn't you go to the harbor this afternoon?" Penelope doesn't seem to want to mince words anymore.

"No. What's wrong? is there anything interesting?"

"Yes, there are a lot of tourists coming. The harbor was so crowded hahaha I could barely see the road." Quinn was honestly very amazed by his amazingly fast composing ability. "Really you didn't see it?"

"Yes. I was busy asking for a painting for grandpa, so I spent some time waiting for it to be."

Bastien nodded. "Yes, Quinn gave me a very nice painting gift." the guy's timpal made Penelope hesitate to suspect Quinn.

Who do you think you're fighting? I'm not gonna fall into the same hole, Penelope.

Quinn kept showing her cherry side to cover up her frustration at her cousin who had made her sister suffer from it. "Do you want to stay at Grandpa's?"