How the Male Lead Cures the Time-Limited Young Lady - Chapter 7.6

She should feel good when receiving compliments about her beauty, but today, for some reason, she couldn’t feel purely happy about it.

Noel’s face kept flashing in her mind whenever she started to forget.

‘…This isn’t the time for this.’

Yvette sighed inwardly.

She had more than a few problems that needed immediate solving. Yet, whenever she thought of Noel, she found herself losing focus like someone with a loose screw.

‘Today, I should concentrate on getting closer to Liliana.’

Yvette quickly shook her head to clear her thoughts.

At that moment, Herbert knocked on the door right on cue.

“If you’re ready, may I come in for a moment?”

“Ah, yes. Come in.”

As soon as Yvette gave permission, Herbert carefully opened the door and entered.

“The guest has just arrived. Where should I guide her?”

“Please lead her to the living room for now. I’ll finish getting ready and come down soon.”

“Understood. Then, I’ll prepare some refreshments for the two of you as well.”

“Thank you, Herbert. I’ll leave it to you.”

As Yvette nodded, Herbert gave a slight smile. He then bowed and left the room.

As the door closed with a thud, Yvette turned to Philia.

“Philia, could you bring the gift we bought in town last time?”

“Yes! Just a moment.”

Philia dashed to the closet and returned with a box beautifully wrapped with a green ribbon.

It was something Yvette had specially chosen to match Liliana’s eye color.

Afraid of dropping it, Yvette carefully held the box to her chest as she went down to the living room.

Soon, a familiar figure came into view.

“Even after not seeing you for a while, you’re still as beautiful as ever, Count.”

As Yvette appeared, Liliana stood up as if she had been waiting.

Yvette smiled awkwardly at the compliment that followed.

“Thank you. But Liliana, you’re far more beautiful than I am.”

While Yvette was quite pretty herself, Liliana was the female protagonist of this world.

There was an unapproachable aura about her, you could say.

Even with just a smile, it felt as if there was a halo shining around her.

“I’m flattered to receive such praise from you, Count. Of course, I can’t agree with those words.”

Liliana playfully responded with a wink.

Her sly demeanor strangely reminded Yvette of Noel.

‘Are all the protagonists here hiding a snake in their bellies?’

Yvette inwardly shook her head as she sat across from Liliana.

Just as she was wondering what to say, Herbert arrived with perfect timing, bringing tea and cookies.

“I’ve prepared some light refreshments. If you need anything else, please don’t hesitate to ask.”

Herbert, like the skilled butler he was, quickly set the table and then left.

‘As expected of Herbert.’

Yvette marveled at the table full of cookies.

Liliana also let out an exclamation of admiration, her eyes wide.

“You didn’t need to prepare this much just for me…”

“I couldn’t possibly greet a guest I personally invited carelessly.”

Yvette smiled, shrugging her shoulders lightly.

“Speaking of which, this is a gift I prepared for you, Liliana. I hope you like it.”

As Yvette handed over the gift she had prepared in advance, Liliana’s eyes widened.

She clearly hadn’t expected to receive a gift.

“I didn’t prepare anything… Is it alright for me to accept this?”

“It’s a gift I bought because I wanted to give it to you, Liliana. Would you like to open it and see?”

At the suggestion to open it, Liliana slowly untied the ribbon.

Soon, a bright smile spread across her face.

“Oh my. Is this perhaps a brush made of marten fur?”

“Yes. To be honest, I don’t know much about art. I bought it on the clerk’s recommendation, so I’m not sure if you’ll like it.”

Yvette said modestly.

In response, Liliana carefully closed the box and looked at Yvette with a radiant face.

“I love it. If anything, it’s too generous a gift for me.”

Liliana spoke with sincerity.

Watching Liliana preciously hug the box, Yvette let out a sigh of relief.

‘I’m glad she seems to like it.’

She had been worried about a possible negative reaction. It felt like a weight had been lifted off her shoulders.

“I’d like to give you something in return, Count. What would you like?”

After pondering for a moment, Liliana clapped her hands.

As if a good idea had struck her, her green eyes sparkled as she turned to Yvette.

“I know! How about I paint your portrait?”

“…A portrait?”

“Yes. I’ll paint you beautifully.”

Yvette looked at Liliana, feeling slightly bewildered.

‘Isn’t this basically asking me to model?’

As if sensing her thoughts, Liliana hastily added.

“Of course, I won’t use the finished piece anywhere else. It will be a gift for you, Count.”

“But we don’t have any painting supplies here…”

“Oh, don’t worry about that.”

Liliana smiled brightly and pulled out a small pouch from her bosom.

“This is a pouch with a shrinking spell on it. Since I never know when inspiration might strike, I always carry my tools in here.”

No sooner had she finished speaking than she reached into the pouch.

Yvette watched with her mouth slightly open.

As Liliana withdrew her hand, a large canvas, paints, and various other tools appeared one after another.

It was truly a magical scene.

“Shall we begin then?”

Liliana smiled gently as she took out the brush Yvette had gifted her.

***

Meanwhile, at the same time.

Noel put down his quill pen, pausing in the middle of writing documents.

“I miss her.”

At his casually thrown words, Sid’s head snapped up. His expression was as if he had heard an auditory hallucination.

“…Pardon? What did you just say?”

Noel leaned back in his chair and faced Sid with an expressionless face.

“I said I miss her. Why?”

“Well, I was wondering who you’re missing…”

“That’s none of your business.”

At the cold reply, Sid let out an awkward laugh.

“Haha, right. I don’t need to know.”

Whether Sid felt embarrassed or not, Noel continued without paying any attention.

“Is this all the paperwork that needs to be processed?”

“Ah, besides that, there are documents that need to be processed within this week…”

As Sid hurriedly gathered the papers, Noel’s eyes narrowed instantly.

Soon, a cold voice flowed from his lips.

“The paperwork that needs to be processed today is just this, right?”

It was more of a threat than a question.

Finally understanding Noel’s meaning, Sid quickly shook his head.

“Yes. That’s all the paperwork.”

“Good. Then contact Wheatley immediately. Tell them I’m heading there now.”

“…Right now?”

“Why? Is there something else to do?”