Chapter 16

“If I attend, of course I’ll have to borrow one. But do I really have to go to that party?”

Would attending the party become another rule of the ducal mansion? Seeing Clarette’s reluctance, Lionel paused before answering.

“It’s an art auction party, after all. I wouldn’t want a partner who doesn’t know anything about that field. One ignorant person is enough—me.”

“You’re not thinking of taking me as your partner to that party, are you? But…”

‘Is it really okay for me, a commoner?’ 

The thought hovered on Clarette’s lips. Suddenly, memories of the unpleasant incidents at Marquis Rembart’s garden party flashed through her mind.

“Aren’t you worried about attending another party, Your Grace?”

“Worried?”

“When I saw you at the last party, the other nobles… They seemed so rude to you.”

The nobles had treated him with contempt, as if it were only natural because he was born out of wedlock. Their attitude had been so base that even she, an outsider, found it intolerable.

But the Duke only gave a faint, dismissive smile.

“I’ve been through it so many times, I’m used to it. Nobles just grumble and act reserved. The military had even worse types.”

“So, how did you handle it there?”

“Words weren’t much needed. If someone tried to dismiss me, I made sure they couldn’t.”

Clarette glanced at his strong body and large hands. He might be living in a refined mansion under the Duke’s name now, but he had always been a soldier. He had fought in countless battles, gained military honors, and even led the Empire to victory in its most crucial wars. Just a month ago, he had been working alongside commoners and nobles alike on the battlefield.

‘The Duke could adapt anywhere. Maybe I’m the one who needs to learn to endure…’

Imagining the upcoming auction party made Clarette a little nervous. If the Duke stayed close to her, someone would surely hurl crude insults again.

Maybe it was best not to be his partner. While she was still hesitating, the Duke spoke in a relaxed voice.

“Even if someone points fingers at me in the future, I won’t worry anymore. I have a strong ally now.”

“And who’s that?”

“You.”

Lionel looked at Clarette with a gentle smile, his eyes filled with quiet trust.

“If anyone tries to attack me with nonsense, you’ll step up and defend me. Just like you did at Marquis Rembart’s party.”

Clarette recalled how she had pushed away the Marquis’s hand and shouted,

<Don’t insult Duke Valentin. He may not be perfect, but he’s certainly far better than someone like you, Marquis.>

“…You heard what I said back then.”

“It was a powerful voice. Really impressive.”

She had been more emotional than usual at that time, but her words had been sincere, without any exaggeration. Of course, she never imagined he would hear them himself.

Embarrassed, Clarette blushed. Lionel, noticing her flushed cheeks, finally said what he hadn’t managed to say that day.

“Thank you, Clarette. For speaking up for me like that.”

His lips still held a smile, but his voice was low and earnest. Hearing gratitude she hadn’t expected, Clarette felt both shy and happy.

He watched her blushing face and gently suggested,

“If you’re really uncomfortable, you can refuse to be my partner. But how about just greeting the nobles at the party? After all, they’re all interested in art, so it wouldn’t hurt to know them.”

“That’s true. It’s a rare opportunity… Ah, but wouldn’t it be easiest to talk to them if I’m by your side?”

“Of course. I’m the host. My partner will find it very easy to greet everyone.”

He smiled brightly and met her eyes. Tempted by the promise of connections, Clarette finally surrendered.

“Alright. I’ll try being your partner. But I don’t know any of the nobles’ manners—are you sure that’s okay?”

“You’ll learn. We have three weeks, right? That’s more than enough time for Oliver to turn you into Her Majesty the Empress.”

“…Excuse me? I’m teaching her?”

The butler, Oliver, who had been quietly standing by the dining room, flinched and asked. Lionel nodded as if it was obvious.

“Of course, Oliver. I don’t know anything about women’s manners. The military academy only taught what the men needed.”

“Then I have no choice. The Duke’s partner cannot make a fool of herself… I’ll make sure she’s thoroughly prepared.”

Oliver shot Clarette a sharp look as she reached for dessert. She carefully picked up the chocolate mousse and took her dessert spoon. The butler’s gaze was relentless, watching to see if she took the proper amount.

‘…It’ll be fine. I’ll learn quickly.’

Recalling the nobles’ stares at Marquis Rembart’s party, Clarette steeled herself.

This time, she was determined not to become their prey.

* * *

Here, even waking up in the morning, there was no blinding sunlight.

Clarette blinked slowly in the darkness of her bed, as if it was still night. The unfamiliar bedding was soft and warm, making her feel dazed. If she relaxed, she might easily fall back asleep.

‘…Ah, I shouldn’t oversleep.’

She slowly sat up and reached for the edge of the wide bed.

Pulling back the thick curtains, bright morning sunlight flooded her bed. Her long black hair, flowing to her waist, shone like satin in the light.

It was her first morning at Duke Valentin’s mansion.

Clarette prepared to start her day, basking in the happiness of such a pleasant environment.

The freshly laundered bedding smelled fragrant. The spacious bedroom’s antique furniture was perfectly arranged. The soft carpet was so delicately patterned and beautiful that she felt almost guilty stepping on it.

This was the bedroom scenery of the noblest of nobles, the Valentin family.

‘I can’t believe it. That I’ll be living here from now on.’

Clarette changed clothes in the dressing room connected to her bedroom. She had brought barely ten outfits from her atelier. Opening the large, empty wardrobe, she felt a little awkward.

‘I won’t live here forever anyway. I’ll just think of it as a short trip.’

Not being a noble, she dressed and styled her hair alone, without a maid. Ready to face others, Clarette went down to the first floor looking just as she always did.

“You’re up, Miss Sollier. Good morning.”

A maid with dark brown hair and black eyes greeted her. Clarette responded to the maid who approached her gently.

“Nice to meet you. I didn’t see you yesterday—do you work in the annex?”

“Yes, I’ll be handling all the work in the annex from now on. My name is Diane Mare. Please feel free to use my name.”

“I look forward to working with you, Diane. Yesterday, I covered the floor in the studio with white cloth instead of a carpet—is that alright?”

“You did it to keep the carpet clean, right? Good choice. But it’ll get cold in winter, so we’ll have to find a way to keep warm then.”

Diane was easygoing and easy to talk to. She treated Clarette, now a guest in the annex, with warmth.

“You’ll be eating in the main building, right? The Duke has an engagement today and left early, so you’ll be dining alone.”

It seemed the Duke often had outside engagements, befitting a noble.

Clarette walked the marble path through the garden just as she had with him yesterday. In the morning, spring flowers bloomed everywhere, showing off their vibrant colors.

‘If I have time, I should try painting some landscapes. The mansion has plenty of portraits, but not many landscapes.’

The main building of the ducal mansion was shaped like a bent ‘L’. The front garden had a wide road for carriages, while the back garden had a large flower bed and the annex where Clarette stayed.

Arriving at the main dining room, the maids set out soft bread, soft-boiled eggs, various jams, and colorful berries in front of her.

Clarette was moved by the neatly prepared meal—something she hadn’t enjoyed in a long time. She savored the peaceful morning and ate everything cleanly.

‘Everything is perfect. The bed, the food, the surroundings… Nowhere else could I enjoy such luxury.’

This was the life of a resident artist in a noble family, envied by all painters. Clarette finished her meal with warm coffee, lost in thought.

‘I want to repay the Duke quickly. The first painting should be the one he saw in my atelier—the god bound to the mountain.’

She remembered the unfinished sketch and sighed. She wanted to finish it quickly, but she still hadn’t found a model.

‘Maybe one of the mansion staff could help? The gardener, the coachman…’

But she doubted any staff, no matter how kind, would easily agree to such a request. What she needed wasn’t just a model, but a n*de model.