Chapter 51

Just as in the previous world, the people of this world also avoid desecrating corpses, but there are always exceptions to any rule.

Aneta recalled two completely different situations.

The first was the case of widely renowned saints. When they passed away, their bodies were divided into several parts and buried in places significant to their lives, such as their birthplace. These places then become sacred sites.

‘In the first case, the wishes of the deceased were honored, but the second case is different.’

The second case involved criminals who had committed serious crimes. Just as in the previous execution of Viscount Folter, their bodies were further desecrated to emphasize the severity of their crimes and to serve as an example.

Unlike the first case, this was a thoroughly dishonorable life and death, where even the last mortal remains left on earth could not retain their intact form.

The assassins who carried out the attack naturally fell under the latter category, but their case was slightly special.

They had to die while also bearing Erez’s sins as well and the news was eventually announced with a false announcement that they had finally discovered the reason for the sealing of their powers.

While the promise of a peaceful death was kept, that was all. To prove the use of severe torture, Russell even utilized their corpses.

He declared that their sins would be paid even after death. As if to say so, Russell deliberately showed the mutilated bodies to many, letting the rumor spread.

So that even Erez would hear of it.

As the relentlessly severe punishment continued and the rumors of the deplorable state of the exposed bodies swept through the entire Empire, the noble faction that opposed the Emperor naturally kept a low profile.

‘They’ll likely stay as quiet for a while. They’ve always been that kind of people.’

It wasn’t hard to guess, having been through it so many times before. Worrying that the sparks might spread. Instead of nervously glancing around, Aneta began her holiday morning by chewing on a steak that felt a bit tougher than usual.

Silence greeted her as she made her way upstairs to her office, taking in the hustle and bustle of her occupants as they cleared away used dishes, swept and mopped various parts of the mansion, and gathered and sorted laundry.

Nothing was particularly special, but it felt like she had finally returned to the everyday routine, escaping the commotion.

‘No matter the situation, the stack of documents never seems to decrease.’

Aneta thought, as she leisurely walked to her desk and sat down.

‘I must have been born with a knack for work.’

With that thought, she spent the rest of the day processing paperwork, and it wasn’t until late afternoon that she received the startling news.

“Is that true, Isabel?”

At the news Isabel delivered upon entering the office, Aneta jumped up from her seat.

Aneta abruptly stood up, causing the chair she was sitting on to fall over with a loud noise. The documents she had been holding had been scattered under the desk long ago.

Yet, Aneta could only stare at Isabel with wide, startled eyes, hoping that what she had just heard was not an illusion.

The desperation in her blue eyes was indescribable. Isabel skillfully concealed her surprise at Aneta’s intense reaction, which she had rarely witnessed before.

Then, she gave her young mistress the answer she both doubted and desperately wanted to hear.

“Yes, My Lady. No matter how many times you ask, my answer will be the same.”

Isabel slowly approached and handed her a slightly dust-stained envelope.

Its white exterior had the name “Ellen” written in the sender’s space.

This was the painter of the painting “Dawn,” whom Aneta had asked Madam Lefevra to inquire about and even employed a guild to investigate.

Aneta accepted the letter. The written name remained unchanged no matter how many times she checked it.

“Is this a letter from that painter?”

Isabel realized that Aneta’s question was not seeking an answer, so instead of repeating the same response, she provided a more convincing piece of evidence.

“The postal seal on the back of the envelope is from the Kingdom of Matemone, so at least they couldn’t have faked the name.”

When it was from the postal service of Matemon, of all places, Aneta also found it highly credible.

That was because the laws there prohibit sending anything under a name other than one’s own. Especially for international mail, the procedures are even more stringent, a fact Aneta was aware of. With that reassurance, she opened the envelope with a relatively calm mind.

“What does the painter say?”

After a moment, when Aneta folded the letter back to its original shape, Isabel, who had been tidying up, asked.

“It seems he met the guild member I employed and told them the whole story. He wants to accept the sponsorship offer and return to the Empire as soon as possible.”

“That’s good news. Are you thinking of bringing him to the mansion?”

The thought of ‘maybe’ only lasted for a brief moment. Suddenly, Carlos’ face flashed in her mind, and the desire to do so completely dissipated.

“No. Just like before, prepare separate lodgings for him.”

“Yes. Then I’ll also prepare any items the painter might need.”

“Thank you, Isabel.”

“My pleasure.”

Isabel, who had been given full authority, left the office. She was already well-versed in the needs of painters, so it was not a burden; instead, she thought of the order in which tasks needed to be handled.

With Isabel gone, Aneta was left alone in the study once again. She sat down in the chair Isabel had set up and looked at the envelope with a complex gaze.

As light streamed through the window, a boundary between light and shadow was cast over it.

‘How could I have forgotten about this for so long?’

When she first discovered the painting, she had been desperate to find the artist. But somewhere along the way, she had momentarily forgotten about him.

Was it because more people were now by her side than before, or because various events had kept her occupied? Without feeling the loneliness, her moments of reminiscing about Elena had diminished.

Aneta let out a faint smile, finding it unbelievable how she had changed. It was because the people who kept imprinting themselves on the seemingly empty world were so precious and dearly beloved.

Among them, Carlos had left the deepest imprint. Feeling her heart slowly being colored by the hue he had left, Aneta grasped the documents once again.

‘What could he be doing right now?’

The things that used to not interest her were now constantly lingering in her mind.

It was something she had never experienced before.

***

It was only days later that Aneta came face to face with the painter Ellen. Ellen had arrived at the estate as quickly as he had expressed his intention to return to the Empire in haste.

Upon hearing that Ellen was waiting in the mansion’s reception room, Aneta hurried her steps. Although she noticed Isabel’s peculiar expression while waiting outside, she decided to enter first as someone was waiting.

Once inside, the first thing she saw was the back of someone seated on the sofa. As Aneta’s presence was noticed, the person turned around, and Aneta found herself abruptly halting her steps, unable to utter a word.

Silently taking a deep breath, the person rose from the sofa.

“I am honored to meet the glory of the Empire. I am Ellen, a painter by profession.”

With a bright smile, the person’s appearance was remarkably similar to Aneta’s mother, Elena. The only difference was that this person shared Aneta’s golden hair and blue eyes.

From the delicate impression to the soft curve of the eyes when smiling, and even the deep dimples on the cheeks – there was not a single unfamiliar feature. Aneta was rendered speechless, even by the greeting.

‘They resemble each other too much. If I had a brother who looked like my mother, it would have been exactly like this.’

Aneta was mesmerized by how much he resembled Elena, even more than she resembled herself or anyone else in her family.

From his name to his mannerisms, to his looks, to his aura. Every single one of them looked so much like Elena that it was as if she had come back to life in a different gender.

‘I see. This must be the reason for Isabel’s peculiar expression.’

Aneta was certain that any servant who knew Elena would have had a similar reaction, but she was most sure that Isabel, who shared the most similar sentiments with her, would have felt the same.

Isabel had spent more time by Elena’s side, even longer than Aneta herself.

“Marchioness?”

While Aneta was lost in the old memories of her mother and Isabel, another voice, filled with curiosity, gently resonated in the space.

Aneta quickly regained her composure.

No matter how much Elena’s image was reflected in him, he was Ellen, not Elena.

Repeating this unchangeable fact to herself, Aneta finally returned his greeting and offered him a seat, taking her own.

“I’m sorry about that earlier, you look so much like someone I know, I didn’t realize I was being rude.”

“No need to apologize. It’s nothing. I do have a rather common face.”

Elena was such a beautiful woman that her father, Derek, made her his legitimate wife immediately. It was hardly believable that a face resembling hers could be considered common.

Aneta, while exchanging an awkward smile, once again noticed the familiar dimples on his cheeks and then changed the subject.

“Given how quickly you returned to the Empire, it seems you’ve hurried your schedule quite a bit. I hope it wasn’t too much of a strain.”

“No, it’s fine. The reason I left the Empire was to find a patron, and I was starting to feel homesick from living abroad. I’m truly grateful that you’ve given me such a timely opportunity.”

It was indeed a rare opportunity, even by Aneta’s standards. Providing a place to stay, along with living and material expenses, until he could stand on his own was quite generous.

Aneta nodded as she heard him express gratitude for the good opportunity given to him. She refrained from further commenting on the reason behind choosing him as a patron.

Bringing up her mother’s story might make him try to take advantage of it. It was crucial to be cautious about revealing one’s personal information to an unfamiliar person. It was natural for Aneta, who had a fundamentally high level of caution towards others.

‘If I decide it’s okay to reveal the reason, then I should apologize properly.’

With this resolve, Aneta placed the key she had received from Isabel on the table.

“You must be tired from your journey, so it’s best if we end our conversation here for today. You’ll be staying here and can focus on your painting.”