Man this episode was just so nerve-wracking to watch. The entire time, there’s this pit in my stomach due to the anxiety of not knowing when exactly the war was about to breakout. Thankfully it didn’t in this episode, especially with everyone proudly showing off their final projects in the National Gallery. However the truth has finally emerged, and much to Lili’s frustration, she was the only one left in the dark about Henry’s passing, everyone else knew, but kept quiet about it in consideration to help her focus. But that was not the only news that has emerged today. News is flooding into London about the assassination of the Archduke of Austria and his wife, marking the starting point of what would evolve into the First World War.
Gone are the days of tranquility, now there’s bigger problems that’s disrupting their daily lives. It’s a bittersweet moment, for what’s probably going to be their last peaceful memory together before their lives are about to be up-ended was celebrating their final projects on display in the National Gallery.
Peter’s oil painting consisted of Lake District. The breathtaking views, but ominously mentioned that his painting was going to be his final memory. We never got to hear why that is because Dorothy interrupted, but it certainly seems to suggest that he’ll be leaving London, or worse preparing to be conscripted for the upcoming war.
Dorothy’s piece consisted a charming painting of her hometown village, Shin’s was an epic sculpture of Yamato Takeru using sukashibori technique. Meanwhile Joffrey’s was certain a… choice of character for his depiction of Bacchus.
As for Lili, her work was a breathtaking piece that took into consideration of the shadows, putting form through textures that at times look like a white canvas, only to reveal a stunning field of white lilies. Fittingly across the hall from her own work, the one who had inspired her and helped grow to this point rests Kit’s piece that he had spent all this time pouring his heart and soul into. It’s his first portrait, consisting a woman, notably a woman who resembles Lili standing on cliff by the sea with a field of lilies next to her feet.
But as breathtaking as the work was, it only made Lili even more restless. The words Kit had told her, of being grateful that he had met her, awfully feel like the parting words of goodbye. Lili can’t have him disappear like that again, but she given the circumstances she’s powerless to do anything. Kit has already made up his mind. And just like he has asked of her to keep walking straight ahead to her goal, that’s what he’ll be doing as well.
As for Kit, he has official withdrawn from the academy. He will no longer be pursuing the arts, but Professor Brant decided to entrust him a broken pocket-watch that Henry had given him. He hopes that Kit will be able to repair it, so one day he can begin anew once more. A thoughtful gift from the professor, one that bears both sentimental and deeper meaning that’ll help keep Kit pressing forward.
Since he had returned to the academy to do that, Shin who also had to return to fetch something luckily managed to run into it. I’m glad that at least Shin was able to speak to Kit, as the two have a fairly mutual understanding of one another, and both harbour deep feelings towards Lili. That’s why Kit told Shin what’s going on, why he had withdrawn and asked him to take care of Lili.
Now with only four episodes left, things are undoubtedly going to get nerve-wracking from here. I just hope Shin, Kit and the others will emerge from this war alright. Actually I’m really worried about Shin, because I like his character a lot. He’s definitely the guy causing second lead syndrome right now. Actually I can’t really tell if I ship him and Lili together more than Kit and Lili. Needless to say, I must commend Shin for keeping his feelings to himself, not only because he respects Lili as an artist, and doesn’t want to cause her any distractions, but he also recognizes that both Kit and Lili share mutual feelings for each other.
