Ellen tilted her head and thought.

‘If I have any difficulties, I suppose it’s my father constantly asking for more money…… Ah, is that why he was being evasive earlier?’

Earlier during their meal, she had almost mentioned that her father was addicted to gambling and kept demanding money.

She had quickly changed the subject, thinking it was too heavy a topic to share with an old friend she hadn’t seen in years, especially one she needed to impress.

Ellen thought Roberto had made this offer because her earlier comment had worried him. So to reassure him, she smiled and replied.

“Thank you. But I’m currently managing on my own somehow, so I’d appreciate it if you wouldn’t worry too much.”

“I see…… That’s good to hear, then.”

Roberto answered with a shallow sigh. Seeing his expression darken, Ellen changed the subject.

“You know, what you just said…… huhu, it sounds a bit like Bertrand’s line.”

“Does it?”

“Yes. Bertrand says to Eloise when she’s being misunderstood: ‘If my powerless hand can bring a smile to your face, I could ask for nothing more.’ That was also a really nice passage.”

“……You’re right. There was such a line. That’s impressive. Have you memorized all the dialogue?”

Ellen laughed and waved her hand dismissively.

“No way, not all of it. I’m not that smart. I’ve read it so many times for my paintings that I naturally memorized the scenes I like.”

“I see. Even that much is impressive, I think. You really put your all into each painting.”

“Haha, thank you.”

Ellen thanked Roberto once more for his compliment. Roberto added:

“Actually, I like that passage too. I didn’t feel much about it as a child, but I remember being deeply moved when I read it again as an adult.”

“I see. Well, as children we tend to like scenes that are simply cool or eye-catching. Sometimes there are things we can only see once we’ve grown up.”

“That’s right. I think so too.”

Before they knew it, they had almost reached the exhibition hall while chatting about various things. Ellen curtsied in gratitude again, and Roberto returned the gesture.

Ellen said:

“When I return to my atelier, I think I’ll paint that scene. The one where Bertrand offers to help Eloise.”

“That would be wonderful. When it’s finished, could you show it to me?”

“Oh, of course. It would be an honor if you would look at it, Count. Until next time, then.”

Ellen was about to bow and turn around when Roberto stopped her.

“Um, Ellen.”

“Yes?”

“If you don’t mind.”

Roberto’s calm eyes looked at Ellen with a subtle smile. He quietly asked:

“Next time we meet, would you please call me by my name rather than ‘Count’?”

Ellen looked at Roberto with wide, round eyes. Then she soon answered with a mischievous smile:

“Gladly, Sir Roberto Bruno.”

⁕⁕⁕

It was a rare day without dawn training for the Royal Knight Order. Roberto was leisurely reading a newspaper in the dining room while drinking morning tea prepared by the butler.

As it neared eight o’clock, Natasha came down to the dining room. She opened her eyes wide when she saw Roberto there.

“Good morning, Father! Is today your day off?”

“Good morning, Natasha. Not a day off, but dawn training was canceled. I suppose it’s because of this weather.”

“Ah…… I guess training wouldn’t be possible in this weather.”

Natasha nodded in understanding as she sat down. Since yesterday evening, raindrops had been falling intermittently, and there was no sign of it stopping by morning.

Natasha was secretly happy for this rare opportunity to have breakfast with Roberto. Roberto seemed to share the same thought as he said:

“It’s been a while since we’ve seen each other in the morning.”

“It has. Ah, Bailey. I’d like milk instead of juice today. Have you finished your meal, Father?”

“No, I was waiting to eat with you.”

“Really?”

Natasha smiled broadly at Roberto’s answer. Lately, Roberto’s demeanor had become noticeably gentler.

Roberto had always been affectionate toward Natasha since taking her in, but it was only a few days ago that he began expressing his goodwill so comfortably.

Though she didn’t know the reason, Natasha was glad to see that Roberto seemed to have lightened some of his burdens.

Soon, Butler Bailey brought the food. After finishing one piece of bread, Roberto asked Natasha:

“What’s your schedule for today?”

“Hmm, morning horseback riding training- but that will probably be canceled due to the weather. I have violin lessons at eleven. In the afternoon, I have economics and geography classes.”

“Lunch? Will you eat at home?”

“I’ve been invited to lunch at Joel’s house. Joel’s brother Richard is starting his first foreign language lessons, so I’m going to encourage him.”

“Right, you mentioned that before. That’s today.”

“Yes. By the way, Father, Richard is amazing. He’s only five, but he can already read all the letters.”

“That’s early. But you could also read most things at that age.”

“Was I?”

Natasha tilted her head as if she couldn’t remember. Roberto took a sip of tea and replied:

“Yes. I remember well because your mother sent me a letter the day you finished reading your first storybook. She said you weren’t even six yet and wondered if you were a genius.”

“Ahaha! Mother did? Really?”

Natasha burst into laughter. Roberto nodded, relieved by her reaction.

It had been only five years since the death of Natasha’s mother and Roberto’s sister, Francesca. During that time, Roberto had hardly mentioned Francesca, fearing he might touch Natasha’s emotional wounds.

However, seeing Natasha’s bright reaction to the story just now, it seemed that gradually bringing up memories would be alright.

Roberto wanted Natasha to remember how much her parents had loved her and how much love she had received during her childhood.

He hoped that when Natasha faced difficult times, memories of her birth parents would serve as support rather than sorrow. Just as he had unknowingly used his own childhood memories as emotional pillars throughout his life.

“Father, will you be late this evening?”

“Well, since dawn training was canceled, we might have supplementary training in the evening.”

“Ah…… I see.”

“Did you have something planned for the evening?”

“Oh, no. I was just wondering if we could have dinner together.”

Natasha smiled again, but this time her smile contained a hint of disappointment. Roberto promised to send a card before sunset if he didn’t have evening training.

Natasha continued her meal with a somewhat brighter expression.

“Master, Miss. Here is today’s mail.”

As the meal ended, the butler brought the mail as usual and handed it to them. Natasha had only one thin letter, but Roberto’s mail was quite substantial and included a large package.

Natasha seemed to notice the package too.

“That’s quite a large package.”

“Indeed it is.”

Roberto examined the package first with curious eyes. Though the package was as heavy as it was large, Roberto, a proper knight, lifted it easily.

As Roberto pulled out the card enclosed with the package, the butler informed him who had sent it.

“It’s from Lady Glanche.”

“……Ellen.”

At the unfamiliar name that escaped Roberto’s lips, Natasha’s expression grew even more curious.

If Ellen had sent the package, Roberto could roughly guess its contents from its size and shape. He briefly skimmed the front part of the card.

[This is Ellen. I’ve painted the picture I mentioned to you. I hope you’ll accept it as a token of gratitude for our enjoyable meal.]

As expected, the contents of the package were a painting.

Roberto recalled his last conversation with Ellen. At that time, Ellen had said she would paint the scene where Bertrand extends a helping hand to Eloise.

He had asked her to show it to him when it was finished, but he hadn’t expected her to send it as a gift. He was both surprised and excited.

Roberto placed the card on the table for now and carefully unwrapped the package. A fairly large painting appeared.

“Is it a painting? Wow!”

Natasha, who had stretched her neck to see the painting, exclaimed in admiration. Roberto stood up and leaned the painting against the wall for easier viewing.

Natasha also got up and approached the painting.

“Amazing…… It looks like a man desperately asking something of a woman, and the expressions are incredibly vivid. I wonder what he’s asking for?”

Roberto answered:

“Tisha, do you know the legend called ‘Le Trois’s Promise’?”

“Yes. Oh, is this painting a scene from that legend?”

“It’s the scene where Bertrand offers to help Eloise when she’s being misunderstood for plotting evil.”

Natasha traced her memory for a moment and then said:

“Ah! What was it, that is, while lending her Saint Patrick’s heart?”

“Yes. After this, he lends her Saint Patrick’s heart.”

“Wow…… Wow, amazing. So this is what that scene feels like.”

Natasha clasped her hands together and leaned forward to get a better look at the painting. As she examined every corner of it, she let out a short scream.

“What’s wrong?”

“Father! Is this perhaps a painting by Louisa Pavel? That architect of light, the revolutionary of the Romantic school, Louisa Pavel?”

Natasha asked with her blue eyes sparkling like a spring catching the morning sunlight.

When Roberto nodded somewhat abruptly, Natasha’s face flushed with excitement.

“Wow! I, this is the first time I’ve seen a Louisa Pavel painting this close! Young Lord Marini and Young Lady Morel each have one, but they rarely let anyone see them up close.”

“……I didn’t know you’d be this happy. Since this is a gift I received, you can look at it as much as you want.”

“I’m truly delighted! I really love Louisa Pavel’s paintings. They make me feel like I’m right there in the moment depicted in the painting.”

Roberto, having regained some composure, smiled and replied:

“I understand what you mean. I also love Louisa’s paintings very much. They unfold scenes before my eyes that I could never imagine myself.”