Chapter 4 (Part 4)

Theodore, who finally received Meia’s letter, was so happy that he jumped up from his sickbed with a bright smile.

“Master!”

Butler Venable was also delighted to see this.

“Yes, Venable! I can’t wait to read Lady Meia’s letter!”

But that joy soon turned into despair.

“Sigh.”

Theodore put down the letter he was reading, his face filled with sadness, and let out a deep sigh before climbing back onto the bed.

He turned his back to Venable and pulled the blanket over his head. Seeing this, Venable called out to him quietly.

“Master?”

“…I want to be alone.”

Physician Worst had said that Meia’s letters would make Theodore dance.

<Letters from the object of lovesickness act like a prescription.>

But now, Theodore, who had read the letter and slumped his shoulders, looked very distressed.

Venable, watching from the side, was anxious. He wondered what could be in the letter that made him so troubled. Unable to contain his curiosity, Venable cautiously asked Theodore.

“May I read the letter?”

“Yes.”

Venable began to read the letter Theodore had read. Though it wasn’t long, the content was far from simple. With a trembling hand, he covered his mouth.

[I’ll be working at Mage Tower for a while, so even if you send me a letter, I won’t be able to reply right away].

After reading Meia’s letter, Venable felt like he had been struck by hail on a clear day.

“She says she can’t reply…”

Venable, reading Meia’s letter, staggered and leaned against the wall.

He looked at Theodore, who was lying under the blanket, with pity. And he made a resolution.

‘I, Butler Venable, will surely cure His Grace!’

After checking on Theodore one more time, Venable left the room and immediately went to Physician Worst to report the letter’s content.

“What should we do? His Grace is very depressed.”

“Depression can frequently accompany the late stages of lovesickness.”

“Physician Worst, the situation is very dire. Isn’t there a good solution? Please tell me how to save His Grace.”

Listening to Venable’s earnest plea, Worst pondered deeply before speaking.

“In that case, we must use ‘that method.’ I didn’t want to resort to it, but we have no choice.”

“Physician Worst, please tell me whatever it is.”

“It’s a temporary measure, but it can be quite effective. However, using ‘that method’ for lovesickness will increase the longing.”

“What happens if the longing increases?”

“The situation could worsen.”

Hearing Worst’s words, Venable felt as if he had been hit directly by a nuclear spell. His sense of guilt for failing to protect Theodore surged.

“Lovesickness is not a disease that can be prevented. Don’t blame yourself too much.”

There was a brief silence between them.

“Of course, the increased longing can worsen the situation, but with enough motivation, it can be managed.”

“Motivation?”

“For example, encouraging him by saying he will soon meet Lady Meia.”

The increased longing can deepen lovesickness.

But with motivation, it can be managed. However, it’s a risky method.

Motivation for someone suffering from lovesickness can lead to obsession and delusion.

“But if the motivation fails, the disappointment will be great. This method is indeed risky. Disappointment can lead to despair. Increased motivation can lead to obsession and delusion.”

“Still, please tell me the method, Physician Worst. We will mobilize all the power of Florence to bring Lady Meia to the Grand Ducal residence.”

Venable spoke with determination, looking like a commander before a battle.

Even if it was a risky method, if it could make Theodore better, even for a moment, Venable was willing to face a dragon’s nest.

“As a temporary measure, having a portrait of Lady Meia will suffice. Various versions would be even more effective.”

“That’s quite a difficult task.”

“Then let’s approach it more effectively. For example…”

Venable listened to Worst’s words for a long time, nodding his head.

* * *

Venable placed a red note, known only to the secret informants of Florence, on the stable.

Herold, the secret informant of the Grand Ducal residence, checked the note inside the red envelope.

‘What task could they have for me?’

Excitement filled Herold at the prospect of finally having work to do.

He slowly checked the contents of the note.

[Acquire personal details, special information, especially a portrait of Lady Meia of the Hatzbellua Ducal family of the Carpen Empire.]

Additionally, there was a ‘Scout Offer for the Painter of the Hatzbellua Ducal Family.’

“What is it, Herold? Is it a task? Wow, it’s been a long time since we had work.”

Stella, the only female secret informant, approached Herold and asked.

“It’s a red note. Take a look.”

Handing over the note, Herold let Stella read it.

“Lady Meia?”

“Do you know her?”

“She’s the most famous person in the Carpen Empire.”

The fiancée of the Crown Prince, the flower of the Carpen Empire’s social circles, and a muse inspiring many designers.

She had seen her in passing during work. Her intense and beautiful appearance was unforgettable.

“That’s fortunate. Then you take on this task.”

“What, you’re not doing it?”

Herold waved the ‘Scout Offer for the Painter of the Hatzbellua Ducal Family’ in his hand.

“I’m going to handle this.”

“A scout offer?”

“It means if we can’t get Lady Meia’s portrait, we bring the painter directly to the Grand Ducal residence. I’ll do my best to scout, so you investigate Lady Meia and bring the report to Butler Venable.”

“Got it. Take care.”

Herold waved his hand as he walked away, and Stella hid in the shadows.

Stella quickly gathered the information and brought it to Venable.

“I couldn’t get the portrait. Instead, Herold has gone to scout the painter from Lady Meia’s family.”

“As expected…”

Reading the report, Venable’s expression became serious.

“We must bring the painter, no matter the cost. Tell Herold that money is no object.”

“Understood.”

Noble portraits are not easily circulated. They can become targets for crimes.

If a portrait is leaked, the responsible painter faces severe punishment.

Therefore, family painters manage portrait rights strictly, ensuring only they can paint their subjects.

“Since we couldn’t get the portrait, we must bring the painter to the Grand Ducal residence.”

“But if we can’t get the portrait rights…”

“Convince him to do it discreetly.”

Time passed anxiously. Theodore’s condition worsened.

Venable’s complexion grew darker, and hope seemed lost.

Then, Herold brought good news.

“The painter has accepted the job!”

Venable widened his eyes and covered his mouth.

“Well done. Excellent!”

Now, it was a matter of convincing the painter to secretly paint Meia’s portrait.

And the painter, Quini, arrived at the Grand Duke Florence’s residence.

When he said he would work as a contractor for a year, Venable accepted.

“Then, please take care of us for the next year.”

“While you are at the Grand Ducal residence, Sir Quini, we intend to spare no expense or time to ensure you can create the best works.”

Quini was curious. He wondered what the Grand Duke Florence of the Sirius Empire had seen in him to offer such a job. Initially, he was suspicious of the enormous amount of money they offered, but upon arrival, he felt overwhelmed by the warm reception.

“By the way, doesn’t the Grand Duke Florence’s residence have a painter?”

“…No, we don’t have a painter.”

Ever since his parents had died, Theodore had looked sadly at the paintings and asked them to be put away. The painter at the Grand Ducal residence, who witnessed this, eventually left, saying his muse had disappeared…

“But why me, of all people?”

“There was a compelling reason. First, please sign the one-year contract.”

Venable handed over the contract. Quini read the document. The conditions were too good to be true.

“Before I sign, I must insist on taking leave on the days I want.”

“Don’t worry about that. Just let us know two weeks in advance.”

Quini signed the document.

“Looking forward to working with you.”