Chapter 15

Lionel had always observed that Clarette was a confident and independent person. If there hadn’t been a sponsorship contract, she would have neatly refused the support money and never come.

Upon hearing his answer, Clarette gazed at the gallery with regretful eyes.

“If you need funds for business, there’s no helping it. I’ll have to look around as much as I can before everything is sold… Ah, may I sketch here during the day?”

“Of course. You’ll be living here anyway, so you can even draw at night. If you’re afraid to be alone, just call me.”

“…I’ll only draw during the day. Drawing at night will ruin my eyes.”

Clarette glanced sideways at the Duke, who had made his suggestion in a subtle tone. The Duke only smiled, as if he had expected her refusal. His teasing was like a light joke, tossed out from time to time.

‘Maybe he finds it fun because I keep turning him down. It’s almost like he’s practicing jokes with me.’

After their conversation in the carriage, he seemed to feel closer to her, and Clarette herself felt a sort of camaraderie with the Duke.

On the day they escaped Marquis Rembart’s mansion together, under all those sharp stares, he was the only one she could rely on.

‘This kind of relationship isn’t so bad. The Duke is much better than men who approach me too aggressively.’

She resolved to work hard to repay him. Just as Clarette reaffirmed her determination—

“Your Grace, I think there’s only one answer.”

Melanie, who had been walking around, finally approached them. She explained, looking at her carefully noted notebook.

“To get the highest price quickly, an auction is the best way. There are outside auction houses, but what I recommend is holding the auction right here, in the annex of the ducal mansion, with everything displayed just as it is.”

Oliver perked up his ears at her words. An auction held here would mean…

“Then we should host an auction party. All the likely attendees are nobles, and if there’s nothing fun, they’ll complain.”

“That’s a good idea. The preparations should take about a month…”

“Three weeks.”

Lionel glanced at Oliver, who was paying close attention to their conversation.

“Three weeks should be enough, Oliver. A party for the wealthiest people in the Empire.”

“Ahem, the time is sufficient. But our budget…”

“Don’t spare any expense. The paintings here will more than cover everything.”

Lionel smiled confidently at Melanie.

“Discuss all further preparations with the butler. Add everyone I want to invite to your guest list.”

“Of course! Who would you like to invite?”

The trio—the Duke, the butler, and the gallery owner—continued their lively discussion to ensure the gallery’s complete sale. Clarette, standing quietly nearby, watched the Duke’s enthusiastic face.

‘He looks happy. I thought he only liked to play, but maybe he’s actually suited for this kind of work.’

Leaving the three hard at work behind, she turned her gaze to the gallery’s breathtaking scenery, which still made her heart race.

For the next three weeks, until the auction ended, she planned to sketch as many works as possible.

* * *

That evening, Clarette’s atelier was completely emptied. Having already arrived at the annex, she organized the belongings that kept arriving at the ducal mansion.

“Please put all the paintings over here. The ones in the bag can go in that room… Ah! Please be careful not to spill the oil!”

Most of her luggage consisted of over fifty paintings by Arno Sollier. The rest were mainly art supplies, with only a few personal items.

“What, are these all your clothes and shoes?”

Head maid Susan was surprised while helping with the move. Clarette had only two or three outfits for each season and just two pairs of shoes.

“I don’t go out much. If you leave them, I’ll put them away myself.”

Why did someone with such a pretty face stay home all the time? Susan couldn’t understand, but she didn’t dislike Clarette.

The young lady the Duke brought wasn’t exactly cheerful, but she was humble, calm, and graceful. She gave off the air of someone well-educated from a good family.

Except for her pitifully plain clothes.

‘She’s a painter, but she’s not the Duke’s lover? Just how good is she, for him to bring her into the mansion?’

Susan watched Clarette, who was busily organizing her things alone, then left the hallway. At the annex entrance, Duke Valentin was just coming in and met her.

“Is the move almost done?”

“Yes, Your Grace. Miss Sollier is organizing her things upstairs.”

“Really? Did she have a lot of luggage?”

“Just a ton of paintings. She’s really frugal. Even a seminary student would have more stuff than she does.”

“How little?”

“Even after unpacking, she couldn’t fill a single wardrobe. She has so few clothes.”

Lionel remembered how she always wore off-the-rack or borrowed clothes that never quite fit. She would look even prettier in a tailored dress.

He climbed the stairs, imagining what color dress might suit her.

“Oh, Your Grace.”

Clarette was coming out of the empty room she would use as her studio. Her hands were smeared with colorful pigments, evidence of her organizing art supplies herself. Lionel smiled at her artistic appearance.

“How is it? Will you be comfortable here?”

“Yes, of course. But I’m really surprised—it’s much bigger than I expected.”

Even one library on the east side of the annex was almost as big as her old atelier. Seeing Clarette’s look of awe made Lionel feel oddly proud.

Hearing her praise, he suddenly felt more attached to the ducal mansion, which had always seemed dull.

“It’s too early to be surprised. The most important thing is still left.”

“What is it?”

“Dinner.”

At his cheerful answer, Clarette blinked in confusion.

“Dinner, here? There was no one on the first floor…”

“Meals are in the main building. We don’t use the annex kitchen, so from now on, come to the main building for meals. You’ll eat with me.”

Thus, the first rule of living in the ducal mansion was naturally established. Clarette assumed there would be more rules and followed the Duke out of the annex.

* * *

Dinner at the Valentin ducal mansion was more elaborate than usual. Fragrant truffle risotto, tender veal steak, and red wine from the southern Rosenta Empire were beautifully arranged on the table.

“…Do you always eat like this?”

Clarette looked at him in astonishment. Lionel smiled and raised his wine glass.

“Today’s special, so I made it special. From tomorrow, it’ll be simpler.”

Clarette raised her glass for a toast, feeling honored. The wine’s aroma lingered pleasantly in her mouth, perfectly matching the luxurious food.

“This is the most wonderful meal I’ve ever had. It’s almost a shame to eat it.”

“If you like any of the dishes, tell Susan. Then they’ll appear on the table again. If there’s anything else you want, let her know.”

The Duke spoke kindly as he ate leisurely. Clarette, awkwardly handling her utensils, was impressed by his flawless table manners.

“Did you live here even when you were young, Your Grace? You seem so used to this lifestyle.”

“No, when I was young, I lived alone in a townhouse in the capital. I learned table manners at the military academy. After being commissioned as an officer, there were lots of parties, so they teach you formally at school.”

Was he a diligent student at the academy? Clarette wondered about his teenage years and offered a light compliment.

“You learned well. You’ll use those skills for the rest of your life.”

He laughed happily at her words. Hearing Lionel’s gentle laughter, Clarette suddenly felt like she was on a date. In fact, this was the first time she’d ever dined alone with a man who wasn’t her father.

‘No, we’ll eat together often from now on, so it’s not a date. This is just daily life.’

She tried to shake off her mistaken feelings. The Duke then asked her, casually,

“In three weeks, there’ll be an auction party. Are you planning to borrow a dress again?”