LOVE THROUGH A PRISM
#10/OUTLINES OF TRIANGLES
I wonder what's going on with Kit. I haven't seen him in ages.
Hmm.
He's not been to a single lesson for a week now.
I'm so worried.
Aww, wherever he is, I wish I could be there to support him.
What are you saying? You're too common for him.
That's right. You are.
What are you talking about? You two aren't that different...
Kit and Peter can't afford to miss a whole week, can they?
- No. - Hm?
- He was looking at me! - No...
You have to stop beating yourself up about this.
It's really not your fault, you know?
It only started because Peter was being beastly to Kit.
Maybe you shouldn't actually be here with us!
Why would I say something so hurtful?
This could take quite some time.
Oh dear. Oh dear. Oh!
Oh, Shin?
She's taken this pretty hard.
Well, she feels responsible, doesn't she?
I see.
I've never seen her like this. I can't get through to her.
I say, do you think you could try to cheer her up?
Just to take her mind off it.
You must be able to understand her better since you are both samurai.
I'm not a samurai. I really don't think Lili is either.
Well, anyway, please can you somehow try to cheer her up?
What was I thinking?
I wasn't really defending Peter.
It just felt like Kit was talking about me.
If the only reason you study painting is for acclaim,
then you should just quit right now!
I bottled everything up inside, and I just snapped.
- Lili. - Hm?
Oh!
Shin. You're here late today too.
Are you heading home for the day?
Um, yes. Why do you ask?
I'm leaving too, if you wanted to walk home together?
Yes, sure.
And I was planning on taking a little detour,
if that's all right with you?
Uh, yes, just a little one.
Great, I'll meet you at the school gate in ten minutes then.
And don't forget your sketchbook. You'll want it with you.
Right.
Huh?
Have you been to this zoo before, Lili?
No, I never knew it was here. Have you?
Many times. It helps inspire my sculptures.
There are animals here you don't find in Japan.
Wh-- What are they!?
Chubby birds?
They're called penguins.
They cannot fly,
but they are extremely fast when they swim.
How could anything be so adorable?
It's like they're wearing little suits.
And these are so big, so fluffy!
- What an impressive beast this is! - Yes, it's enormous.
- That one's a female. - Are you sure?
Lion, lion, lion!
They look pretty scary up close,
but from further away they look like house cats.
What on earth's the matter, Lili?
I was so focused that I forgot to breathe.
Huh?
I tend to really overthink things whenever I draw.
I never finish.
It has to be perfect, which is so silly
because I could've sketched more animals at the zoo.
We can come back soon then. The zoo's not going anywhere, is it?
Hmm. Yes, that's true.
- Hm? - Thank you for inviting me today! Oh?
Uh, what is it? Uh...
It's so nice to see that look again, Lili, in your eyes.
I made you worry about me, didn't I?
I'm sorry for ruining the other night. It was supposed to be all about you.
You really mustn't blame yourself.
I think we've all been a little worried of late.
But since the other night though, Lili, you haven't been your usual self.
I know. I've been going through a lot lately,
so I've been pretty tense and can't control my temper.
Hmm. I see.
I said some horrible things to Kit that night.
Only one of us has been worrying about the critique rankings.
It is not Peter. It's me.
I am all too aware of that.
And I took it out on Kit in that moment.
Kit's so fortunate.
I wouldn't worry about him. He really does have it all.
A rich and powerful family, God-given talent, and he's a free spirit.
He doesn't listen to anyone.
Mm.
Hm.
Must be nice, eh?
I understand how Peter feels.
Even I feel a bit... jealous of Kit sometimes.
But I don't think he ever meant to offend anyone, really.
Why on earth are you so obsessed with gaining other people's approval?
He wanted to tell him something.
To tell him something?
Tell him what?
If you make your art for other people's approval,
you'll waste the chance of making art for yourself.
People compete without realising, seeking fame or acclaim.
And before you know it, you're in the dark,
losing sight of your goals, maybe even who you are.
Kit knew other students were trying to compete with him.
I just don't think he thought we were too.
He was just saying what our tutors have been telling us from the start.
But because it was Kit, it didn't turn out too well.
- He's so rude! - I know, right?
He never really knows when to-- Uh...
I haven't told anyone yet, Lili,
but I'm thinking about going to Italy after graduation.
Oh! Italy?
It's because... because I saw Michelangelo's Pietà at the British Museum.
It was only a replica, but still,
it connected with me in a way I never thought art could.
It shook me to my very soul.
I want to see the original up close.
I want to go to Florence to study sculpture just like Michelangelo.
Maybe try my hand at sculpting marble instead of wood.
But what about your family business?
I know. I'll have to talk to them.
I simply have a burning curiosity for Italy now.
Shin, people say that curiosity killed the cat.
I know.
But I only get to live once, don't I? I don't want to have any regrets.
Hm. Maybe I've been spending too much time with Kit.
Oh, right.
Italy, you say?
- That's far away. - Mm.
Oh, I almost forgot.
Sakura wanted me to invite you over for dinner this evening.
Uh, dinner?
I think she's making us udon hot pot.
Did you say udon hot pot?
- Hmm? - Oh.
Lili, I have to say, your stomach often speaks for you.
Hey, don't you dare laugh at me.
- Oh. - Huh?
That's...
Rebecca.
Why would she be at my door?
I have come here to pick you up.
Pick me up?
It concerns the portrait. My lady is waiting for you at the estate.
What? Right now?
N-- no, I can't right now. There's udon hot pot waiting for me!
It takes about three hours to get there in the car,
so I need you to get ready as soon as you possibly can.
The sun will go down if we take too long.
Are you even listening to what I'm saying?
Need I, given the circumstances?
She is... worse than I imagined.
Come on. We do not have time for idle chit-chat.
Now, do get a move on.
I'm sorry, Shin. I have to go now.
Of course. I will explain everything to Sakura.
Don't fret. The udon hot pot will be waiting for you.
Thank you, Shin.
Very well then. I will be right back.
We have now entered the grounds.
Once we cross the bridge, we will arrive at Astoria House.
Oh, I see.
It's a castle?
You are late!
Uh, what do you mean I'm late?
You're the one who summoned me with no warning at all!
And so what?
Eh?
Why should I care?
Oh, um... Uh, no reason, my lady.
It's a courtyard. Lovely.
- Lili, what are you doing? - Oh, coming!
Am-- Am I drawing in here?
That's right. Get ready quickly. I will go and change my attire.
Being surrounded by all of these priceless paintings makes me nervous.
What if I accidentally spill paint on something?
- You will have to pay for any damages. - Yes! Yes, of course!
My lady, you are so beautiful. How do you do it?
You have finished painting, have you?
Hmm? Uh, yes. I'm sorry for taking so long, my lady.
I'm not trying to criticise you, my dear.
And please stop calling me "my lady." It makes it seem like we're strangers.
You shall address me as Catherine from now on.
What? That would be improper of me.
If I tell you to call me by my name, then it is what you shall do.
- Understood? - Y-- Yes. I understand, Catherine.
Very good. Better.
Is it always this peaceful and quiet?
My parents are on official business in Switzerland.
They're at our Basel property.
Huh? So you're the only one here in this residence right now?
Yes, but Rebecca is here, as well as our maids and cooks,
so there's no issue at all.
Oh.
Huh? Is something wrong?
As expected, I'm bored.
I'm sorry, Catherine, but I'm going as fast as I can.
Huh? What now?
Hmm.
C-- Catherine?
Do you always wear those clothes on purpose?
What? Oh.
- I always wear a white gown when I paint. - I'm not talking about the gown!
Are you mocking me?
No, no. I don't have all that many clothes.
My allowance is very small, and clothes are expensive here.
But even when I do buy clothes, I tend to buy similar garments.
Oh.
Uh, Catherine?
Huh?
Lili, come in here!
What? B-- But the painting--
I said come in here immediately!
Oh my goodness!
They're beautiful.
- I give you all of them. - Huh?
Most of them are out of style, but they'd suit you
since you dress so very unfashionably, after all.
You're about the same size as me anyway, aren't you?
Well, give or take, more or less.
I'm not sure how to react
because you're being so rude and so nice at the same time.
Stop complaining, will you? And just try them on.
What? Right now?
Well then, Lili?
Look at how lovely this lace design is on the collar.
Honiton lace is one of the world's finest,
used for the Queen's dress and veil at the royal wedding!
For the Queen's dress? I look... so beautiful.
This is a dress of silk and muslin, the height of fashion.
Look at the embroidery on the sleeves.
It's stitched with silver threads of organdy.
It changes colour depending on the angle and the aspect.
The fabric is just wonderful, isn't it?
It's rare to see this kind of quality and so difficult to achieve.
Catherine, you really light up when you talk about these dresses.
Ah... Ah... Ah...
Hmm.
W-- What's wrong?
I've been wanting to apologise to you, Lili.
Oh?
I'm so very sorry for visiting you the other day, uninvited.
Oh, well, please don't you worry about that.
I just got so flustered.
Until now, I've never thought about anything else
apart from my marriage to Kit.
When you asked about my hobbies and my pastimes,
I didn't know what it was you were actually asking.
Since then, I've questioned all aspects of my life.
Whether by following tradition
and becoming a member of the Church family by marrying Kit.
Was it ever really the right path for me?
I've begun to question it.
And what I've concluded is
no, I never want that!
Why can't I determine the course of my own life?
And why is the most unfriendly and downright strange man my fiancé?
What?
Kit has no interest in me.
He never has and he never will. You know it as well as I do!
- T-- That's not true. - That is true!
He's had no interest in anything other than drawing
ever since we were children.
But when I saw you, so focused on your drawing,
I saw how like Kit you were.
I was so jealous of that.
At the same time, I really admired you as a person
because I don't have any real passions of my own.
But now it's suddenly clear.
I do have something.
When I was sad, or feeling lonely,
I would dream up the most lovely dresses you'd ever seen.
People were astounded by my designs.
They saw the care I'd taken with all the details.
I put my heart into every single dress.
I have a passion, just like you.
Lili. you made me see.
Uh? Wh-- Who, me?
I really like the portrait.
Catherine Astor smiling in a dress.
This may come as a surprise to you, but
that's how I want people to see me from now on.
Rebecca hates the smile you gave me. She considers it unladylike.
But I love it so much!
Catherine.
Consider these dresses as a thank you, Lili.
You helped me understand what my true feelings are.
W-- What? I-- I can't accept these.
Take them. I really want you to have them.
All of them?
- Oh, that reminds me. - Huh?
Huh?
Here!
Ta-da!
Oh my.
Yes, yes. I'm coming.
And who are you?
Oh.
So this is a kimono.
It's called a yuzen.
How gorgeous.
Its patterns are reminiscent of beautiful, vivid Japanese paintings.
I knew this would look good on you. It really suits you.
Right, it's all finished.
I'll show you how to put it on yourself later.
I'm inspired!
If you would allow me, now that I know you,
I would love to alter the portrait to capture your inner beauty.
Huh?
I kept trying to rework it, but no matter how often I tried,
I struggled because I couldn't express your full beauty at all.
That's why it took me such a long time.
But now I know I can do it, I'm certain.
I'll pour your passion for dresses into it,
and all of myself into the brush to complete my finest work.
Lili.
- I'm sorry. - What?
I am very grateful,
but I need you to stop and start again from scratch.
What? Why? How come?
And this time, I will formally commission you. Hm?
Huh?
You really can take as long as you need.
But I...
I would like you to paint me wearing this kimono.
As the first true friend I've ever had
in my life.
So will you... accept my commission?
Mm-hmm!
I can replicate the motif from Beauty Looking Back
because you have the same elegant profile as Hishikawa's painting.
Perfect. I'm looking forward to it.
My lady.
- Oh. - Hmm? What is the matter, Rebecca?
Richard Church has arrived.
- Huh? - Huh?
He says it's an emergency.
Hm.
I'll change, Rebecca. Have him wait in the library.
My lady.
I apologise for keeping you waiting, Richard.
So what brings you here?
It's very rare for you to visit us at this hour.
Lady Catherine.
Whilst I waited, I looked for a copy of The Picture of Dorian Gray.
- Do you mind if I borrow-- - Why are you here, Richard?
I am sorry to arrive so late. I have to discuss an urgent matter.
What matter?
Christopher will be staying at Drunnheim Hall permanently.
- Huh? - Kit?
At Drunnheim Hall? But why?
Catherine, this weekend,
it is our will that you and Christopher will finally marry.
[gasps[