Broni Street was lined with shops frequented by the wealthy. The prices were so high that ordinary people would have to make a significant financial decision just to have one meal at a restaurant there.
In other words, Ellen was claiming that her pocket was full enough to frequently visit such expensive restaurants. But Roberto pointed out something else:
“You dine out frequently…… Does that mean you don’t have a cook or maid to prepare meals for you?”
He was suggesting that she might be dining out because she couldn’t afford to hire servants. Even moderately wealthy commoners typically employ a cook or two to handle meals.
Ellen carefully chose her words to avoid further misunderstandings:
“Yes, but I deliberately chose not to hire anyone. My lifestyle is so irregular that having many servants would actually be inefficient. Since I live alone now, it doesn’t take much effort to manage. Oh, but I do have a cleaning maid who comes and goes. She also does laundry and occasionally prepares meals. For anything else requiring help, Lady Larisa sends people as needed.”
Ellen continued her persuasion with all her might. Roberto’s expression gradually relaxed as Ellen’s explanation continued.
“Ah, and my house too. I live in a better place than when I lived on Katura Street. A three-story mansion on Vuel Street. That’s also a house Lady Larisa gave me. Lady Larisa really takes care of me so much that I don’t have to worry about anything but painting. If I say I need something as reference material for painting, she buys me whatever it is.”
Ellen continued, pointing to her clothes:
“She also regularly sends clothes and accessories according to the season and fashion trends, so I never lack anything to wear. Actually, the clothes I wore to the exhibition were quite high quality in material, just wrinkled because I couldn’t iron them. At least good enough not to be embarrassed at an exhibition.”
“I see…… Then I’m relieved.”
Roberto finally seemed convinced. Ellen nodded with a brightened expression.
“Yes! I’m truly happy that you cared enough to worry, but I’m really doing well, so please don’t worry. Lady Larisa is a truly generous and kind patron. Really, I’m sorry for causing this misunderstanding.”
“I see. You’re truly alright, Ellen?”
“Yes.”
When Ellen nodded firmly, Roberto let out a short sigh. A relieved smile appeared on his lips.
“That’s good to hear. I apologize for misunderstanding and putting you in an awkward position, Ellen.”
“Not at all. I’m grateful that you believed me. If I had lived more sensibly, I wouldn’t have wasted both your and Lady Larisa’s time like this…… Were you busy today as well?”
“No, it’s fine, Ellen.”
Roberto spoke as if trying to reassure her.
“Just knowing that you’re doing well makes coming all this way worthwhile.”
“……Thank you for saying that.”
Ellen exhaled deeply as she replied. She finally felt relieved. Roberto smiled slightly and said:
“Now that the misunderstanding is cleared up, I should go apologize to Young Duke Folkenbach. Even if it was a misunderstanding, I was rude, and that was my fault.”
“Lady Larisa will surely forgive you quickly. She’s a generous person.”
Ellen, having risen from her seat, informed Merry, who was waiting outside the door, that their conversation had ended.
⁕⁕⁕
Soon, Larisa returned to the reception room. With an unchanging expression, she asked casually:
“Have you finished your conversation?”
Instead of answering, Roberto rose from his seat and bowed deeply before Larisa. Ellen hurriedly approached his side.
“I sincerely apologize for my rudeness caused by a hasty misunderstanding, Young Duke Folkenbach. I know I would have no defense if you charged me with disrespect, but I humbly ask for your forgiveness with a generous heart.”
It was the highest form of courtesy a knight could offer. Even though it was a misunderstanding, he had criticized the legitimate heir who held real power in the ducal family, so such courtesy was only appropriate.
Larisa answered while snapping her fan shut.
“……Very well. If the misunderstanding has been cleared up. I hope we can maintain the good relationship we’ve had until now, Count.”
“That’s what I should be asking of you. I’m deeply sorry. Thank you.”
“I’m sorry too, Lady Larisa. I’ll be more careful with my words and actions from now on.”
Ellen also chimed in with a bow.
Larisa motioned for them both to raise their heads, then led them to the sofa and served tea and refreshments imported from foreign countries.
Thanks in part to the cleared misunderstanding, the atmosphere gradually became more comfortable. The group began discussing how Roberto came to attend the exhibition, and the topic shifted to parties and social gatherings.
“That’s right, Ellen. Since the rainy season starts at the end of June in the kingdom, this period is better for social events.”
Larisa discreetly observed Roberto agreeing with Ellen’s comment. Once the misunderstanding was resolved, Roberto’s attitude had softened considerably.
His voice, which had previously been wrapped in mere formality, now resonated with kindness and warmth, and his once expressionless eyes occasionally crinkled with smiles.
Larisa quickly noticed this was because Ellen was present. After observing Roberto for a while, Larisa thought:
‘They said they knew each other as children…… Could this man, Roberto Bruno, have feelings for Ellen?’
At the very least, he clearly held her in high regard. That much was evident from the moment he confronted Larisa out of concern for Ellen.
Ellen was now twenty-five, approaching the tail end of the typical marriageable age.
Larisa had been wanting to find a suitable match for Ellen. It would be a cause for celebration if a man of good status, decent appearance, and capability showed interest in Ellen.
Nevertheless, Larisa couldn’t feel entirely happy about his apparent affection for her.
Roberto Bruno was quite admired among nobles. A knight trusted by the king, a war hero, and a count by rank. Moreover, he was handsome, had a pleasant voice, and was well-mannered and polite.
But that didn’t necessarily make him popular as a potential groom among noble ladies.
‘That’s because the Bruno family already has an heir.’
Natasha Bruno, daughter of the previous Count Bruno. When Roberto inherited the title from his sister, he declared that Natasha would become the next count no matter what.
No matter how handsome, polite, wealthy, and capable a man might be, his value as a spouse drops significantly if it’s clear that children born to him won’t inherit the family title.
At least, that’s the law among nobles.
Some outspoken noble ladies even whispered that marrying someone who already had an heir was no different from being a second wife.
This was precisely what concerned Larisa.
‘Ellen might be happy just to know Natasha Bruno, but……’
Perhaps Ellen wouldn’t mind if her children couldn’t become heirs. No, knowing Ellen as Larisa did, that would almost certainly be the case.
Ellen’s obsession with painting exceeded the normal range, just like her talent.
And recently, she had been directing that obsession toward her “muse,” Natasha Bruno. She would surely say she didn’t care about the heir position as long as she could legally become family with Natasha.
With Roberto Bruno sending such obvious signals, even Ellen would soon realize the situation.
In that case, perhaps Larisa should help Ellen build a good relationship with the Bruno family.
A part of her still thought, ‘Couldn’t there be someone with better conditions?’ but rationally, she judged it would be good to encourage her relationship with Roberto.
‘……No, no. I’m getting ahead of myself. No matter how Count Bruno looks like he’s about to…… drip honey instead of tears from his eyes, we don’t know if he intends to marry her. And perhaps Ellen might reject him.’
Larisa took a sip of tea to organize her thoughts.
Ellen, who had initially used formal language with Count Bruno, was now chatting away in a somewhat relaxed manner.
Though she had clearly approached him with Natasha Bruno in mind, she didn’t seem to have any intention of being cunning toward Roberto.
“Since you speak so highly of it, I’d very much like to visit sometime.”
“I’m a bit worried now that you say that. There are many spicy dishes that might not suit your taste.”
“Not at all. I trust your judgment. Even if it doesn’t quite match my taste, at least I can experience what you enjoy.”
“Hmm, if you insist, I’ll give you the address next time. If it doesn’t suit your taste, please don’t blame me.”
Larisa watched Ellen answering with a bright laugh and thought:
‘Above all…… no matter how good a path I prepare, Ellen isn’t one to meekly follow a path she doesn’t like. Anyway, I should keep an eye on this for a while.’
Larisa’s lips curled up slightly. She snapped her fingers to get Ellen and Roberto’s attention.
“By the way, Count. If you feel sorry about this incident, would you do me a favor?”
“If it’s something I can do, of course.”
Roberto answered obediently, perhaps because he felt guilty. Larisa gestured toward Ellen as she spoke.
“Actually, I was planning to have dinner with Miss Eleonora this evening. But I have too much work to handle today, so it seems difficult. However, I feel bad making her dine alone. If you don’t mind, would you join her for dinner in my place?”
Roberto blinked for a moment at the unexpected request, but soon answered politely.
“Yes, I’d be delighted to.”
“Thank you for your consideration, Count. And Lady Larisa.”
Ellen seized the opportunity to interject with her thanks.
Larisa smiled at her once before continuing.
“I have a restaurant in mind, so you can go there. It’s a place Miss Glanche and I visit often, and I hope the Count will like it too.”
