The atmosphere in the house had been strange lately. Rosette and the Countess had grown unusually quiet, and Father’s mood seemed even worse than usual.
“Something feels off. Did something happen at home?”

When I asked about the matter that had been bothering me for days, Tonin answered casually.
“You didn’t know? The Count scolded Miss Rosette a few days ago.”
“Why?”
“Well, that’s…”

Tonin looked reluctant to explain, but under the pressure of my gaze urging her to continue, she finally spoke.
“Miss Rosette cried in front of the maids, saying that Miss Espin was looking down on her. And when the butler corrected her and said it wasn’t true, she shouted ‘Hey!’ at him. The Count saw the whole thing.”
“Is she an idiot?”
“Probably.”

I already knew Rosette was a transparently bad person, but I hadn’t realized she was this stupid. How could she pull such a stunt in the mansion? And to do it against the butler, who had Father’s trust—she was bold in a way that almost seemed admirable.

“Ah.”

Tonin suddenly stood up as if she had remembered something. She checked the time and left the room, returning shortly with a glass of water on a tray.

“What’s this? I didn’t ask for water.”

“I couldn’t help it.”

Tonin gulped down the water she had brought herself and then handed me the empty tray.
“It would look strange if I were just carrying this paper around.”

Between the tray and the cloth covering it was a paper envelope. It was information from Robert.

“Where did you even get this?”

It was a question born of simple curiosity, but Tonin didn’t answer.
“Trade secret.”
“Fine.”

I had expected her to be tight-lipped about it.

When I opened the envelope, I found the information I had requested from Robert.
“As expected.”

The information was so neatly organized that I couldn’t help but mutter in admiration. It even included more details than I had asked for.

“Oh.”
“What is it?”
“Nothing. Tonin, actually, there’s one more thing I’d like you to do.”

“……”

The words ‘I don’t want to’ were practically written across Tonin’s forehead. To motivate her, I pulled out a bill I had tucked into the waistband of my dress.

“Just tell me. This is my job, after all.”

“Find someone for me. It’ll be an easy task.”

After taking the money, Tonin smiled in a way I’d never seen before.

***

“Haha, look at all this money.”

Viscount Monzas laughed heartily as he gazed at the cash piled up in his safe.
He had only sold two paintings, and yet he had already made 450,000 litas. He felt so full of satisfaction that he didn’t even need to eat.

The auction was growing larger and attracting more attention. People were lining up to be invited.

Foolish nobles.

They didn’t even know what was authentic and what wasn’t; they were just greedy and throwing their money around. While this allowed the Viscount to make a fortune, he still found their behavior pitiful.

“Viscount, about the task you mentioned…”
“I want to discreetly purchase some jewels and gold.”
“I’ll look into it.”
“Good. I’ll leave it to you.”

The Viscount planned to sell just a few more pieces before leaving the country.

He had already studied abroad in the Kingdom of Bornor and prepared a new identity there. Since the Kingdom of Bornor wasn’t on friendly terms with the Lumenian Empire, they wouldn’t come after him.

His family had already left under the pretense of traveling.
Once he converted the money he had earned here into gold and jewels and auctioned off the mansion, he would have a significant fortune. With that, he could start a new life.

“Making money is just too easy.”

The Viscount stood up and opened a door behind his room.

In the dim light streaming through a small window, someone was painting. That person was his half-brother, Orson.

“Is it done? If you don’t finish it like last time, you’ll regret it.”
“S-sorry. I’ll finish it quickly.”

Orson, trembling, hurried his movements. Fortunately, he seemed to have inherited some talent from their father, as he could replicate anything at an impressive speed.

“No, not that color. You need to use blue there.”
“But Melchasky’s work doesn’t use blue…”

Before Orson could finish his sentence, the Viscount struck him hard on the head.

“Do you think I don’t know that? That’s why I’m telling you to use it. Unique pieces sell for more. Didn’t I tell you not to argue with me? I’ve studied more than you. I even studied abroad, so don’t act like you know better than me.”

He had always hated his half-brother.

Orson, the illegitimate child their father had with another woman, resembled their father in both appearance and talent. Every time the Viscount looked at Orson, he felt his anger flare.

And the artistic sense Orson possessed, which couldn’t be learned no matter how much one studied, only fueled his inferiority complex.

“S-sorry, Brother.”

The Viscount raised his hand again.

“Brother? Do you think someone like you and I are equals?”
“N-no, I’m sorry, Viscount.”

Orson’s mother had been a con artist who stole all their father’s money. The family’s hardships were all because of her. Orson had no right to feel wronged about how he was being treated.

“Hurry up and finish it. It needs to be ready for the auction.”

Leaving only his orders behind, the Viscount left the room. Watching his retreating back, Orson swallowed his tears and focused on his painting once more.

***

“Grand Duke Holt has arrived.”
“Let him in.”

The Crown Prince put down the documents he had been reviewing and moved to the sofa.

“I greet Your Highness the Crown Prince.”

The door opened, and Travis entered with precise, disciplined steps. After offering a restrained bow, he stood in place.

“Sit.”

It was only at the Crown Prince’s command that Travis finally sat on the sofa. Seeing this, the Crown Prince felt a surge of irritation.

Travis was annoyingly perfect. No matter where you looked, there wasn’t a single flaw to criticize.

“……”

Travis didn’t even ask why he had been summoned. As a loyal subject, he understood that if the ruler called, it was his duty to obey without question.

“The reason I called you today is this. My father wants me to discuss your marriage.”

Travis was the son of the late Emperor and the current Emperor’s nephew. When the late Emperor passed away, his younger brother, the current Emperor, ascended the throne according to the will. However, many believed Travis should have been the one to take the throne.

Even now, there were those who argued that Travis should be Emperor.

If he married the daughter of a powerful noble family…

In these already unstable times, it would only further weaken the imperial authority.

“I haven’t given it any thought yet.”
“You’re of marriageable age now. It’s time to start considering it.”
“Yes, I’ll think about it.”

“Here. I’ve narrowed down a list of suitable candidates for you.”

The Crown Prince handed him a prepared list. It contained the names of ladies from families with titles but little power—families that weren’t particularly prestigious.

“Thank you.”

Travis accepted the list without even glancing at it, showing little interest.

“You should marry soon and bring stability to your household.”
“Yes. Thank you.”

“Should I find someone for you myself? I can arrange a partner for the imperial ball.”
“……”

Travis pressed his lips together.

For years, he had barely made an appearance at Imperial Balls, and he had never once brought a partner.

“You’re not getting any younger. You need to bring a partner. Otherwise, it won’t just be you; even the imperial family will be criticized. Understand?”
“My apologies.”

“I’ll find someone for you. A suitable partner.”

The Crown Prince was already thinking of a lady from a modest family who would be a perfect match when Travis said something completely unexpected.

“I already have a partner.”
“What? Who?”
“The young lady of the Leon family.”

At the unexpected name, the Crown Prince’s jaw dropped.