“That’s right. It’s really wonderful. My goodness, to think that our house now has a Louisa Pavel painting…… By the way, who gave this as a gift? If you allow, Father, I’d like to write a thank you letter……”

Natasha asked as she rose from her crouched position in front of the painting. The fact that she wanted to write a thank you letter for a gift her father had received showed how moved she was by the painting.

After thinking for a moment, Roberto gave a positive answer.

“Yes. It was sent by a friend of mine, and I’m sure they would be happy to receive your thanks. Actually…… I should invite them to our home sometime. How about greeting them then?”

“Yes, that would be nice too. By the way, are you going to hang this in your study, Father?”

Though Natasha didn’t say it out loud, she clearly hoped it would be hung in a corridor or somewhere she could easily appreciate it.

Roberto replied:

“Well, rather than the study…… I was thinking of hanging it in the reception room so guests can see it too.”

“Really?! Ah, I mean. I think that’s an excellent idea! Guests would be very happy to see a Louisa Pavel painting too.”

Natasha guaranteed with a bright smile.

Roberto called Butler Bailey and instructed him to hang the painting in a visible spot in the reception room.

Natasha declared she would find the perfect position for the painting and followed the butler out of the dining room. She probably wouldn’t return to the dining room today, busy appreciating the painting after it was hung.

Roberto thought he would have to appreciate the painting after returning from work in the evening. He picked up the card he had placed on the table again.

“……Ellen.”

As Roberto read the card carefully, his brow furrowed. It was because of the latter part of the card that he hadn’t fully noticed earlier, eager to see the painting.

[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.

I regret that this is all I can offer in return for the kindness and friendship you’ve shown me. I hope you’ll give me the opportunity to thank you properly in person next time.

Looking forward to meeting again. Eleonora Glanche.]

Roberto could easily imagine Ellen’s feelings. In her position, unable to even eat properly, she probably had nothing else to send except a painting she had created herself.

The actual market price of that painting would be at least several hundred thousand gold at minimum, but Ellen under cruel treatment from her patron might not even be aware of this.

His heart ached as he imagined Ellen’s bleak living conditions. It was unbearably painful to think that the girl he had loved, and the owner of a brilliant talent that deserved the world’s love, was in such a difficult situation.

‘Ellen, I will help you. Whatever it takes.’

Additionally, Ellen’s true intention in writing the card was less about expressing gratitude for the meal and more about conveying her will to “definitely meet again.” This would allow her to further emphasize her potential as a portrait artist.

Of course, this intention was not conveyed to Roberto at all.

Roberto set his jaw with determination. Even if she said she was fine, when her circumstances were so obviously dire, he couldn’t just do nothing.

He folded the card, took it with him to the reception room, and instructed the butler who was hanging the painting to arrange a meeting with Young Duke Folkenbach.

⁕⁕⁕

The next day, at the Folkenbach ducal residence in the capital.

Larisa Fionati Folkenbach was dumbfounded. She had suddenly been criticized by a business partner with whom she had maintained good relations.

“I believe it’s unacceptable to treat the artist Louisa Pavel so poorly. If you have no intention of improving her conditions, I would rather sponsor her myself.”

If only the criticism had made sense, she would have had something to say in response. But the content was so absurd that Larisa was confused instead.

In her confusion, she momentarily searched through her memories from the day she met Ellen until now, wondering if she had done something wrong to Ellen.

But no matter how much she thought about it, there was nothing. Larisa carefully concluded that Count Bruno must be misunderstanding something.

“……There seems to be some misunderstanding, Count Bruno. I believe I’m providing Louisa Pavel with sufficient treatment.”

“Is it proper treatment to have her living without even proper meals?”

Count Bruno retorted in a cold voice.

Larisa rubbed her temple, feeling a headache coming on. It seemed he had seen Ellen skipping meals to paint somewhere, but no matter how much Larisa explained that this was Ellen’s own choice, the Count showed no signs of backing down.

“In any case, Count. There is an official sponsorship contract between Louisa Pavel and myself. There’s still plenty of time left on it. A third party like yourself has no right to interfere.”

“Then please treat her better. Louisa Pavel is an exceptional artist whose reputation has shaken the entire Southern Kingdom Alliance. It’s absurd that such a person would be painting without even having her basic needs met.”

“……I understand. You seem to be misunderstanding something, but since you’re so concerned, I’ll speak with Louisa again.”

Larisa decided to deflect for now.

She thought it was best to send Count Bruno away first and then go to Ellen to find out what was going on.

The Count didn’t seem to believe her, but given that Larisa was his social superior and had already conceded this much, he apparently couldn’t press further.

“Count Bruno has departed, my lady.”

Upon Merry’s report, Larisa let out a grand sigh. If an ordinary noble had come to her with such accusations, she would have immediately accused them of disrespect and penalized them, but it was difficult to do so with Count Bruno.

Not only was the Count himself quite famous and well-regarded, but his county’s iron mines were important for maintaining smooth operations of the railway business.

So she needed to somehow clear up the misunderstanding he had.

“Pour me another cup of tea, Marie. After I drink it, we’ll go to Ellen’s house. That’s right. Merry, go ahead of us. If she’s painting, leave her be, but if she’s sleeping, wake her up and feed her something.”

“Yes, my lady.”

Merry followed the instructions and left for Ellen’s house first. Larisa drank another cup of tea and boarded her carriage with a calmer mind.

Ellen’s house was located in an area of the capital that received plenty of sunlight. The early rain had passed through the garden, leaving it glistening with dew and looking more vibrant, so Ellen was enjoying sketching outdoors with her easel set up in the garden.

Ellen quickly stood up when she spotted Larisa.

“You’re here, Lady Larisa. What brings you today……?”

Her expression suggested she felt oddly guilty, as if Merry might have tipped her off about something. Larisa took a deep breath and called her name.

“Ellen.”

“Yes, yes?”

“What on earth did you say to Count Bruno?”

Despite trying to be careful, her words came out rather unpleasantly.

Ellen furrowed her brows strangely at those words. Her expression suggested she had no idea what Larisa meant.

“What? Count Bruno?”

“Yes. What did you tell him that made him come to me and make a fuss about treating you properly?”

“What? Um…… Count Bruno? He went to see you?”

“Yes! He glared at me, saying I wasn’t even providing proper food and shelter for Louisa Pavel!”

As Larisa spoke, she seemed to burst with frustration and pounded her own chest. Ellen stared blankly with her mouth open before asking in a bewildered voice.

“So that’s why you came? Not to assign me a supervisor?”

“A supervisor? Yes, maybe I should assign one! For someone who doesn’t come to her senses no matter how many times I tell her, who ruins her own health working and then causes misunderstandings with others!”

“Aaack! No! I hate that, Lady Larisa! I’m sorry! It’s all my fault. I won’t do it again!”

At Larisa’s words, Ellen turned pale, ran to her, and knelt at her feet. Larisa proceeded to lecture her about her living habits.

Ellen had abandoned her usual shameless attitude and shrank down small, quietly listening to the scolding.

After a few minutes, Larisa finally calmed down and took Ellen inside the house.

“So. How did the Count come to think you couldn’t even afford meals?”

“Well, I’m not entirely sure, but……”

Ellen frowned, trying to recall as she spoke.

“Actually, I used to associate with Count Bruno when I was young. And the other day, at that Royal Art Museum newcomer exhibition, you know? I happened to see him there. I was glad to see him, so I greeted him, and he treated me to a meal.”

“What does that have to do with the Count misunderstanding like this?”

“Well, I overslept that day. I went without makeup and was rather careless with my clothes and hair. I hadn’t had breakfast either, and I must have looked exhausted……”

Larisa’s expression showed understanding after hearing this far.

“Ah, I see. No wonder the Count would say such things after seeing you in that state.”

“What exactly did he say……?”

When Ellen asked cautiously, Larisa relayed what she had heard from Roberto in a voice that barely contained her indignation. Ellen’s eyes widened as she listened to Larisa’s story.

“What?! He said you were a malicious patron?!”

“That’s how he put it.”

“That’s absurd! Where in the world could you find a patron who cares as much as you, Lady Larisa? Count Bruno really misunderstood like that?”

“It seems so.”

“How did that happen!”

Larisa gave Ellen a cold look as she exclaimed in disbelief. Ellen finally seemed to realize something and quietly avoided Larisa’s gaze.