“It’s strange. Really.”
“I told you. That’s a forgery.”

Someone in that mansion was painting.
The person painting while confined was a young man.
How he met the Viscount and what kind of relationship they had was never revealed.
When the fraud case became known, the Viscount fled, and the young man found in the empty house was arrested as an accomplice to the Viscount.

“So, what are you going to do?”
“There are a few things I need you to check out.”

Seeing the Viscount in person gave me a few ideas.

“First, I need a detailed list of the Viscount’s assets, the blueprint of this mansion, and information on how the mansion’s ownership has changed over time. Also, find out what happened to Melchaski’s family.”
“Everything else is easy, but finding Melchaski’s family might be difficult. It’s been a long time.”

Moreover, the Melchaski family was just wealthy commoners, not nobles, so they were known only by the name Melchaski instead of the full name, Hobens Melchaski. Because of this, while his surname was known, as commoners, they might not even have a family tree.

“You can still find them, right?”

Robert let out a deflated laugh.

“Sure. There’s nothing I can’t find. Except for the Lady’s true identity.”

A sharp gaze pierced my face.

‘Could he possibly find out that I’m someone who transmigrated into this body?’

I was startled for a moment, but I raised my head confidently.
Who would believe such an absurd story about being transported into a novel?

“Why are you suspicious of me?”
“Because you know everything. How could you possibly know this painting is a forgery?”
“I happen to have a deep knowledge of art.”

Robert didn’t look convinced at all.

“You learned art from Madam Vanessa, didn’t you? Do you know she’s been telling everyone that Espin was the least talented student she ever taught?”
“Oh, really? That woman clearly doesn’t have an eye for talent.”

“Ha.”

Still unable to erase the suspicion from his gaze, Robert stared at me as I turned my eyes toward the window.

***

“Ha, how ridiculous.”

Countess Leon fanned herself repeatedly as she exited the salon.
Beside her, Rosette stomped furiously, her expensive silk shoes nearly tearing apart.

“How long are we going to be treated like this?”

The salon they visited today was meant to cheer up Rosette, who had been humiliated by Haren and Espin.
This place required an expensive membership fee, making it inaccessible to just anyone.
It had cost so much that Countess Leon had to plead with Count Leon for a long time before he finally agreed to pay.
Thus, this place, open only to wealthy nobles, was a dream come true for the Countess.

Feeling proud of becoming a member, the Countess and Rosette had entered the salon with confident strides.
But contrary to their expectations, what greeted them upon entering wasn’t welcoming gazes but looks of disdain.

“They’re here again.”
“It seems it’s time to clean up the membership list.”
“They act like they’re real nobles. I’m embarrassed for them.”
“Exactly. Not a single person thinks of them as nobles.”

Snickers echoed from all directions.
But Countess Leon and Rosette, already accustomed to such ridicule, pretended not to hear as they found their seats.

“Please, take a seat here.”

The seat the attendant pointed to was the most secluded corner of the salon, a spot barely visible from the center.
As they were led to the seat, stifled laughter broke out around them.

It was obvious to anyone that they were being disrespected, even by the attendant.

“We’ll sit in the center.”
“That’s not possible.”
“Why not?”
“Because it wouldn’t suit the dignity of our salon.”

The attendant looked them up and down.

“Dignity?”
“Your membership was accepted under the name of Count Leon’s family, but our salon is a space created for the interaction of nobles. In other words, it’s a space for nobles.”
“And?”
“And if you’re someone the nobles dislike, we have no choice but to take action.”
“What!”
“Mother, let’s just sit down.”

The attendant’s expression made it clear they would not change the seating arrangement.
Wanting to experience the salon even if it was from this seat, Rosette persuaded the Countess to sit.

“Fine, then bring us two cups of tea.”

Only then did the Countess sit down and look around.

The salon was a place for noble interaction, so standing up and chatting freely was allowed.
Feeling that their seating was evidence of being looked down upon, the two left their bags on the table and immediately stood up.

They cautiously approached the nobles who were standing and conversing.

“Hello, you must be the Countess of the Vestin family. And this is the Viscountess of the Cern family.”

Seeing Countess Leon lower her tone only when addressing families ranked below hers, the other ladies frowned.

Nobles were supposed to respect each other equally.
Not understanding this and trying to assert superiority only made them more disliked.

The women continued their conversation as if Countess Leon were invisible.

“Oh, Viscountess Cern, did you also participate in that art auction?”
“What auction?”
“You haven’t heard? There’s a place auctioning very rare artworks. The intermediary is a Viscount, so it’s very trustworthy.”
“Really? Is that why the salon feels a little empty today?”
“Probably.”
“I’d love to go. Where is it being held?”
“That’s a secret. Only those with invitations can attend. But someone I know promised to introduce me. Would you like to come with me next time? Just seeing it is an amazing experience.”
“Can I really?”
“Of course. Being introduced is perfectly fine.”
“Then I’d be honored.”

Hearing their conversation, Countess Leon’s eyes sparkled.

“An auction? Could I also be invited?”
“No, I don’t think so.”
“Why not? I have money. As you know, my husband is Count Leon. Our family is wealthy from business….”

“Pfft.”

Viscountess Cern let out a mocking laugh, and Countess Leon’s expression turned icy.

“That’s uncalled for. As I recall, Viscount Cern’s business relies on my husband. Should you really be mocking me?”

Her words were a veiled threat, implying that treating her this way could jeopardize Viscount Cern’s business.

“Bringing up the Count? Truly classless.”

The Countess of the Vestin family chimed in.

“You can’t even speak to your husband, can you? Rumor has it he might cast you out soon. Are you threatening us now?”
“What are you talking about?”
“You don’t have any children with the Count, do you? Then why would he continue this marriage? Especially when you’re constantly disgracing the family.”
“Exactly. And you spread lies about Lady Espin, too.”

When Countess Leon first entered the noble society, her initial move was to spread rumors about Espin.
But no one believed her, and the plan backfired, tarnishing her reputation instead.

“I’ll tell the Count how his wife tarnishes the family name in noble society and slanders Lady Espin.”
“What did you say?”

“Oh my, raising your voice like that. Truly like a commoner.”
“Mother, let’s go.”

Rosette tried to calm her mother.

The attendant, seemingly prepared for this moment, stood at the door with their bags, wordlessly urging them to leave.

Humiliated, the Countess clenched her fists tightly as they left the salon.

“This won’t end like this. I’ll get rid of that Espin.”

She needed to give the Count a reason not to abandon her.
Having the Count’s child would be ideal, but that wasn’t realistic.
If Espin, the Count’s only child, were gone, the Count would have no choice but to keep her and Rosette.

“Go on ahead. I have somewhere to be. Oh, and…”

Whispering something to Rosette, the Countess clenched her fists resolutely and hurriedly boarded the carriage.