Chapter 14

They were looking at the same painting, but each was lost in their thoughts.
 
The gap between them, like a chasm, made Aneta keenly aware of the difference between hers and Serce. There is an unbridgeable gap between them.
 
Serce, who loves beautiful things, loves the painting itself, but Aneta is different.
 
The reason she looks at so many paintings is to find traces of her mother.
 
Even today, Aneta’s eyes wandered tirelessly, searching for traces of her mother that couldn’t exist.
 
The painter’s delicate brushstrokes, reminiscent of her mother’s technique, controlled the paint thickness to create the background.
 
Even as she tried to force similarities by fitting mismatched puzzle pieces together, Aneta could see the parts but couldn’t feel the overall harmony.
 
Despite grasping all that, Aneta still couldn’t break free from her mother’s shadow.
 
The gentle hand that held her during the confusion of reincarnation was something Aneta would never forget.
 
The moment she acknowledged her life now, its presence was etched into her mind like an imprint, a longing that would never fade.
 
Aneta didn’t focus on the painting in front of her until after Serce had moved on to look at the next painting.
 
The depiction of the abyss on the canvas seemed to yawn before her. Aneta saw it drying so thickly that it seemed like it would swallow her up. It almost resembled her inner self.
 
The impression I felt was both ambiguous and dual. A feeling of comfort mixed with fear. Doesn’t she feel like prey being captured by a predator?
 
“Do you like that painting?”
 
Serce, about to move on to the next painting, noticed Aneta standing rooted to the spot and asked.
 
“Well…”
 
Her answer was ambiguous. But it was the most honest expression of her feelings.
 
“Serce.”
 
“Yes?”
 
“Can I truly say that I like painting?”
 
Aneta remembered the paintings in the mansion’s hallway. Each one brought an unspoken emotion that added weight to her chest.
 
“Do I deserve to own it?”
 
Aneta asked as if recalling the pain of her past.
 
It’s not just a few paintings. They were the heart and soul of the artist. Aneta felt guilty for possessing such a precious passion that she could not recognize its value at all. 
 
“When I see you, I feel unsure about whether I should come here often.”
 
He had an innate ability to see the essence of a painting and to recognize its value. There was nothing in his expression, gaze, or demeanor that resembled her.
 
“That’s nonsense. Do you know that there are more than one or two places that are frustrated because they can’t catch a wealthy person like you? ”
 
Serce denied it without hesitation, standing as he blocked the painting she was looking at. 
 
Looking into her cold and rough eyes, it seemed like she could jump into them at any moment.
 
As soon as she took her last breath in the black depths, she would drown in the endless tide of emotion.
 
“…….”
 
No, perhaps it was a misunderstanding. As soon as his eyes focused on her, his thoughts suddenly changed. 
 
A dangerous flicker was already contained in her eyes. A peculiar sensation reared its head. He couldn’t just stand and watch like this.
 
“Different people are drawn to paintings for various reasons. They can’t all be the same. I do it, as you know, because I am captivated by its beauty, while others pursue it for profit or to raise funds, and some simply because their hearts are consumed by passion for art.”
 
Serce cautiously took Aneta’s shoulder and led her to the next painting.
 
“For you, let’s say it’s to heal your heart.”
 
Instead, what she faced next was a painting of a lighthouse illuminating the dark sea at night.
 
“Rather than seeking your mother’s shadow in the paintings you buy or in the artworks of your patrons, you offer the artist an opportunity to bring forth their next masterpiece.”
 
The light that pierced through the night sea for the lost wanderer appeared genuinely warm. As she reached out towards it, the sensation of the light’s warmth seemed to caress her fingertips, like a light cutting through the night sky.
 
“If that’s enough reward, then I think it’s sufficient. Am I wrong?”
 
“…No.”
 
In the quiet, pouring light, Aneta realized. She had been foolishly pondering over worries that could easily be dismissed as nonsense, just as he said.
 
“You’re right.”
 
The years of repeating the same worries quickly became insignificant. Aneta nodded in agreement with his words. It could be a significant matter that would shape someone’s life.
 
“Thank you.”
 
“Don’t mention it.”
 
After that, there was no conversation between them.
 
They left the gallery after Aneta silently followed behind Lefevre, who had purchased the lighthouse painting.
 
“Madame.”
 
The silence that lingered between their parted lips was shattered. Aneta turned to bid farewell to Lefevre, who followed along.
 
“As soon as the sun rises tomorrow, I will send someone to Lord Bennet.”
 
Compared to Lefevre, who still didn’t understand what was going on, Serce casually whistled.
 
As he finished his drawn-out breath, he offered his congratulations.
 
“Congratulations, Madame Lefevre.”
 
“What are you congratulating me for? Surely not?”
 
“Perhaps that’surely not’ is correct.”
 
Serce shrugged and looked at Aneta as if for agreement.
 
“Starting tomorrow, you will be the sole owner of this place.”
 
“My Lady!”
 
Aneta didn’t mind seeing Lefevre’s face turn white.
 
She acted like it was no big deal, as if she were merely offering her a piece of candy from her pocket. However, deep down, Serce knew it was her way of expressing gratitude. It was her subtle method of conveying to her not to be burdened by any sense of obligation.
 
“I can’t stand by and let someone like my friend be insulted like this. I should show that my character isn’t all that great, shouldn’t I?”
 
From the moment she arrived, Aneta made it clear that she wanted to transfer all ownership to her. The reason she hadn’t shown her intentions earlier was because she was waiting for the right time.
 
“I was going to hand it over with reasons you couldn’t refuse, but it looks like the timing has changed unexpectedly. Anyway, it’s not a big deal.”
 
“But this is too much…”
 
“Before you refuse, think about it again. You already know what choices you need to make for the painters, don’t you?”
 
Knowing she wouldn’t be unaware of what the best choice was, Aneta handed over the decision instead of imposing it.
 
“But just remember one thing: a chance once lost doesn’t come back.”
 
Whatever happens, it can’t be undone. Faced with words that sounded like a warning, Lefevre’s hesitant face hardened with determination.
 
“Then I will gratefully accept it, My Lady.”
 
“It’s a wise choice.”
 
Lefevre eventually made the best decision.
 
As Aneta, satisfied with her accomplishment, ushered Lefevre inside, Serce, who had been observing closely, asked.
 
“And me?”
 
“What about you?”
 
“If I were in trouble, could you come to my rescue as gracefully as you did today?”
 
With a teasing tone and a narrowed gaze, Aneta smiled.
 
“I don’t particularly feel like helping you. We’re not that close, are we?”
 
“That’s true.”
 
Instead of protesting, Serce agreed. After knowing each other for twenty years, there wasn’t much more to know about each other than their personalities and messy family histories.
 
It was a new but ambiguous relationship.
 
If there was anything different from before, it was the desire to improve their somewhat ambiguous relationship and get closer to her.
 
“Well, I guess I need to try harder. In that sense, how about having a cup of tea together after a long time?”
 
There was no reason to refuse. Aneta was about to nod in agreement, but then Carlos’s face suddenly came to mind.
 
She couldn’t bring herself to say yes, knowing that he’d wanted to come with her, only to be pulled away to work.
 
“Aneta?”
 
As Aneta furrowed her brow, Serce, who saw this, called out her name. Aneta sighed and made a decision.
 
“Sorry. I have some business at the palace. Let’s have tea another time.”
 
“…Well, I guess that can’t be helped.”
 
Serce simply nodded.
 
“Instead, can I come to the mansion tomorrow? I want to see the paintings you own.”
 
“Sure, I’ll be busy in the morning, so come after lunch.”
 
The two of them walked side by side to where the carriage was waiting. After a brief farewell, a coachman approached.
 
“My Lady, shall I escort you to the mansion?”
 
“No. Go back to the palace.”
 
Aneta, who had acted somewhat impulsively, had decided to check on Carlos’s condition briefly and then return.
 
For that, she needed an excuse. After a moment’s hesitation, she remembered that there were some unimportant documents left in her office drawer.
 
“I should take those with me.”
 
He wouldn’t know that the documents weren’t really necessary to bring along.
 
Perhaps because of the holidays, the usually bustling atmosphere of Lennox has calmed down.
 
“It’s a perfect day to work.”
 
Aneta climbed the stairs in silence. Inside, the sound of her footsteps echoed loudly against the floor.
 
Upon reaching the corridor, she consciously silenced her footsteps. Although it would be meaningless once she opened the door and entered, it was better than not trying at all.
 
Unlike the familiar corridor, the plaque with both their names engraved side by side never seemed to sit well with her, no matter how many times she saw it.
 
Aneta, feeling somewhat unfamiliar, opened the door with a couple of knocks.
Naturally, what was caught in her eyes were Erez, his white torso exposed through his half-open shirt, and Carlos, who was staring at him expressionlessly.
 
“Aneta?”
 
The moment he spotted Aneta, his cold, icy glare melted away helplessly.
 
“Did I interrupt your good time?”
 
Aneta said, leaning against the doorway. It seemed like there was no need to go out.
 
“It’s not like that.”
 
She could tell that nothing had happened by looking at Carlos, who was making eye contact with her and claiming his innocence.
 
“Did you leave something behind?”
 
“Uh, but it seems like I’ll have to leave empty-handed.”
 
“Don’t. Someone else needs to leave.”
 
Carlos coldly directed his chilled gaze towards Erez.
 
Despite receiving a glance and questioning why he wasn’t leaving, Erez resentfully threw a gaze toward Carlos without any movement.
 
Appearing somewhat anxious, Aneta pondered the hypothesis that Erez might be a reincarnation or a possessed person.
 
He might have been upset knowing that the original story, in which he was the protagonist, was being distorted. It was understandable since Carlos had not only kissed the wrong person but hadn’t even spent time alone with him. 
 
‘A one-sided barrage of flesh…’
 
Aneta scrutinized Erez, who stood with a stiff posture. Erez, feeling pricked by Aneta’s straightforward, almost dry gaze, flinched.
 
Approaching with long strides, he covered her eyes before Aneta could react.
 
“Carlos?”
 
As his large hand covered her eyes, her vision was engulfed in darkness. Her body, which had been leaning against the doorway for a long time, was now firmly embraced in his arms, wrapped around her waist.
 
“Don’t look.”
 
“What?”
 
“If you want to see it, I’ll show it to you. But don’t look at any man’s body but mine, Aneta.”