The Masterpiece No One Can Buy

Fren’s masterpiece revealed at the exhibition caused a massive stir throughout the world.

The audience endlessly talked about how shocking it was—not only because something alive was displayed, but because the final piece made them forget everything else.

Through this exhibition, Fren was once again praised as the greatest artist, and his masterpiece and s*ave, Vanessa, became the most valuable s*ave in the world.

And now, Vanessa, who became a s*ave that not even mountains of gold could buy, was pleading with her one and only master.

“Lord Fren, the guest will be arriving soon.”

Unlike the anxious Vanessa, Fren smiled leisurely.

“It’s fine. They’re not right in front of us yet, are they?”

He tugged gently at Vanessa’s arm as if urging her.

Vanessa hesitated, then sat on Fren’s thigh.

Fren closed his eyes in satisfaction, feeling her weight through his leg.

Peck—
Like a bird tapping fruit with its beak, Fren’s lips brushed Vanessa’s cheek and lifted away.

Vanessa called out in a mixture of surprise and embarrassment.

“Lord Fren…!”

Even with his eyes closed, Fren could tell.

The precious face he had never shown to anyone from that day fifteen years ago until the day before the exhibition was now flushed red.

Fren buried his face against Vanessa’s chest and inhaled deeply.

Vanessa always carried an intoxicating scent reminiscent of flowers and fruit—a result of being soaked night and day in bathwater infused with fragrant oils.

Fren’s mismatched eyes turned hazy.

He thought:

The perfect thing I created.
My eternal masterpiece, which no one could ever imitate.

Feeling a strange excitement, Fren couldn’t resist and kissed Vanessa’s cheek once more.

Vanessa pleaded:

“Lord Fren, the guest will really arrive any moment now. Please allow me time to compose myself. I can’t bear the thought of tarnishing your reputation with an untidy appearance.”

“All right. You worry far too much, Vanessa.”

Fren lifted his arms, and Vanessa quickly stood to straighten her clothes.

Finally, she took a mask from her chest.

Just as she lifted it toward her face, Fren stopped her.

“You don’t need that anymore.”

“Ah… right.”

“Throw it away. You won’t need it anymore.”

“…Lord Fren.”

Vanessa hid the mask behind her back.

“May I keep it instead of throwing it away? You made this for me. I can’t throw away anything you’ve given me.”

Fren’s eyes widened slightly.

“Then do you still have the ones I made you before?”

“Yes. I kept all fifteen.”

Fren burst into laughter.

Seeing her master laugh made Vanessa smile too—nothing brought her more joy.

If only Fren could always smile—
that was Vanessa’s one and only wish.

And at this moment, when that wish had come true, Vanessa felt like the happiest human in the world.

Looking at Fren with eyes overflowing with affection, Vanessa suddenly flinched.

She wondered if a s*ave was allowed to feel this happy.

Doubt and fear stirred within her.

Then Fren’s laughter softened.

Vanessa quickly erased her thoughts and turned to him.

With eyes just as full of warmth, Fren said:

“You’re truly adorable, Vanessa.”

He gently patted her head twice.

“All right, keep it.”

“Thank you! I’ll cherish it forever.”

Vanessa hugged the mask tightly.

And just then—

“Elder. The merchant lord of the Mist Trading Company has arrived.”

“Bring him straight to my room.”

“Yes.”

Vanessa felt her body stiffen at the announcement.

She ran her palm over her face lightly.

From today onward, Vanessa would accompany Fren everywhere, bare-faced, no matter whom he met or where he went.

She felt as though she were stripped naked.

For fifteen years, she had shown her face to no one but Fren.

But she must act naturally.

A s*ave behaving rudely is the same as smearing filth on their master’s honor.

They must not allow rumors such as:
That house can’t even train a single s*ave properly.

Better to die than shame her master.

While Vanessa repeated the first lesson she received as a s*ave deep in her heart, the door opened and today’s guest entered with lively footsteps.

Neferr Mist.

He greeted brightly.

“Long time no see, genius artist.”

“We met yesterday at the exhibition.”

Neferr was the sole heir of the Mist family, who had long managed a major trading company, and a Siren with ears dyed a vivid paint-like blue.

Vanessa hurried from behind Fren, kneeled, and bowed respectfully.

Neferr, who usually didn’t even glance at those below him, faltered mid-sentence.

Then he stared intently at Vanessa and reached out a hand.

A Siren’s characteristically cold hand rested on Vanessa’s shoulder.

Despite the sudden touch, Vanessa did not flinch.

Carefully stroking her shoulder as though handling expensive porcelain, Neferr murmured with admiration:

“Alive and breathing, yet a work of art. Truly unique. No one can follow your artistic world, Fren.”

“You’re flattering me.”

Removing his hand, Neferr asked:

“You said this one isn’t for sale, right?”

“Yes. It’s not for sale.”

“What a shame. I wanted to buy.”

“Do you even have space left? I heard you bought a whole lot of slaves recently.”

“Oh, come on, you know us.”

Neferr suddenly hugged Vanessa from behind, wrapping around her neck.

“We love humans so, so much. So don’t worry about space.”

“Such incredible love.”

“Right? Ah, I love humans so much.”

Panting grew heavier as he clung to Vanessa.

Watching silently, Fren finally spoke.

“You seem hot.”

“Yeah, I’m boiling. Felt like being cooked alive walking here on my own legs. Exhausting.”

Neferr released Vanessa and sat down.

Vanessa immediately stood, and Neferr complained:

“So many Sirens come to your house, but you still haven’t built a waterway connected to the sea? It’s such a hassle every time I visit.”

Fren glanced out the window at the sea and replied:

“I think my estate is close enough to the ocean, Neferr.”

“I’m a Siren!”

Neferr exclaimed proudly.

“Without swimming and without love for humans, we’re nothing. Even if it’s right in front of us, we want to swim there. You know that. Don’t be so stingy, or I’ll just make this deal with the Lycan merchants instead!”

“That’s a bit harsh, Neferr.”

Fren gestured to Vanessa.

Holding a swan-shaped glass jug, she approached.

“You should drink something first. Your voice is cracking.”

“Ah, I guess I’m already at my limit.”

Vanessa poured.

Cold refreshing water filled the glass.

Neferr rubbed his throat and muttered:

“My vocal cords feel weaker every day. It’s a problem.”

“Shall I gift you herbs that are good for the throat?”

“No point. It’s congenital—herbs won’t fix it.”

He drained the glass in one go and held it out.

Vanessa poured again, and he drank that too.

Then he murmured:

“Simply astonishing.”

“What do you mean suddenly?”

“The more I look, the more unbelievable it is.”

He pointed at Vanessa.

“Who would’ve thought a face like that was hidden under a mask? Wasn’t it exhausting hiding it?”

“I wanted to reveal it at the most appropriate moment. It was worth enduring.”

“No. Not you.”

Neferr continued pointing directly at Vanessa.

“I was asking her.”

Fren blinked twice—his sign of surprise.

Vanessa was equally stunned.

She had heard questions about who her master was or where she lived, but never one like this.

She turned to Fren, silently asking what to do.

Judging no hidden malice, Fren nodded permission.

Vanessa bowed her head and answered:

“Not at all. It was never difficult for me.”

“No way. You’re lying. It must’ve been hard. And—!”

His cold hands grasped Vanessa again, and she reflexively knelt.

Holding Vanessa’s face between his palms, Neferr demanded:

“You’ve been seen before, haven’t you?”

“What?”

“Fifteen years is unbelievably long for humans. It’s impossible no one accidentally saw you. Tell the truth. A few people must’ve seen you, right?”

Vanessa once more looked to Fren.

He mouthed: Don’t worry about me. Answer honestly.

The gesture moved Vanessa again.

He must trust her completely.

She answered immediately:

“No. I have never shown my face to anyone but Lord Fren. I lived with the resolve that I would rather die than expose it.”

“…….”

Silence fell.

Neferr stared down at Vanessa kneeling like a loyal dog and finally commanded:

“All right. Stand up.”

“Yes, thank you.”

Vanessa began to stand—then flinched.

Fren asked:

“What’s wrong, Vanessa?”

She shook her head quickly.

“It’s nothing.”