Chapter 25

Whenever the woman took a step, people glanced at her, their eyes lingering.

Long, luxurious red hair and brass-colored eyes. Healthy, supple-looking dark brown skin.

She embodied the classic beauty of the Asilique Kingdom, which bordered the Rosenta Empire. Evidently wealthy, her lavish gold bracelets and platinum earrings accentuated her beauty.

At the appearance of this exotic beauty, Lionel and Clarette, like everyone else, watched her with curiosity. The woman approached and locked eyes with Lionel’s blue gaze, then smiled brightly.

“It’s an honor to meet you, Duke Valentin of Rosenta. You must have hired a very capable art dealer. How did you know to send an invitation all the way to our family?”

She seemed to be one of the wealthy people to whom Melanie Bouvier had sent invitations across the continent. Lionel did not know who she was, but he smiled calmly.

He wondered if she might be Richard’s lover, but Richard, ever professional, introduced her without a hint of affection.

“This is Miss Marian Belvard from Asilique. I’m sure you are familiar with the Belvard family, Your Grace.”

“…Ah, could it be that ‘Belvard’? The one famous for munitions?”

Having served in the military for a long time, Lionel was well aware of Belvard’s reputation for high-quality firearms and gunpowder. Exporting military supplies worldwide, the Belvard family had amassed wealth rivaling that of the great nobles.

Marian nodded with satisfaction at Lionel’s reaction.

“That’s right, our family trades with Rosenta’s army too. It’s very rewarding to be recognized by you, Your Grace.”

“No soldier could be unfamiliar with that name. So, you’re the Belvard family’s…”

“I’m the heiress. I’m running my own modest business and receiving successor training.”

Marian was an even bigger figure than Lionel had expected. He glanced at Richard, wondering about the intent behind introducing such a woman to him.

Richard, quick to catch on, immediately spoke.

“Miss Belvard is a natural entrepreneur. She’s more interested in your business than the auction. Since you are planning new ventures, Your Grace, I thought this would be a good meeting.”

“So that’s it. Of course, I welcome any business discussion…”

Lionel glanced at Clarette, who had sat quietly since Marian’s arrival. She seemed accustomed to such treatment, folding her hands and listening politely to their conversation.

But Lionel had no intention of leaving her sitting there uncomfortably.

“For now, I’d like to focus on the auction. As you can see, I have a partner, and we were enjoying ourselves.”

He was clearly asking both Richard and Marian to leave. However, Marian smiled brightly and turned her gaze to Clarette.

“Your Grace, you have excellent taste. I know who this is. I visited the Rosenta Art Museum a few years ago.”

She looked down at Clarette, elegantly dressed, and smiled sweetly.

“‘Flower in a Frame’. You’re the famous portrait’s model, aren’t you? In person, you’re even more beautiful than in the painting. No wonder His Grace keeps you close.”

Tired of such cliché compliments, Clarette only offered a polite smile, skipping even a thank-you. Lionel tried to steer her away from the unwanted topic.

But Clarette spoke first.

“Your Grace, since the auction will continue until evening, I’ll take a short break. It’s better to leave more seats open for your guests.”

With that, Clarette rose from her seat with a composed expression. Before Lionel could say anything, she politely offered her seat to Marian.

“If you’d like, please sit here, Miss Belvard. I’ll return when His Grace calls for me.”

“Oh, how kind. Thank you.”

Their positions shifted in an instant. Marian sat beside Lionel with friendly ease, but Lionel’s gaze remained fixed on Clarette.

“Clarette, you’re taking a break?”

They hadn’t even spent an hour together. Though Lionel expressed regret, Clarette nodded without hesitation.

“Yes, Your Grace. If you need anything, please call me anytime. Excuse me for a moment.”

Her impeccable manners left no room for objection. As Lionel stared after her, Richard watched his cousin with great interest.

* * *

Having left the auction hall, Clarette stopped in a corridor on the opposite side of the gallery, where no one else was present. She reached behind her and loosened a ribbon that cinched her dress at the chest. The ribbon slipped, her attire slightly disheveled, but she could finally breathe easier.

“Whew…”

She sighed, recalling the last moments in the auction hall. Earl Crowley, Duke’s cousin, had appeared immensely wealthy and brought along a beautiful woman. The reason for arranging such a meeting was obvious.

‘Surely, business isn’t the only thing at play.’

Clarette remembered the sparkling eyes of Marian Belvard as she looked at the Duke. She was a glamorous, beautiful woman. Though Clarette knew little about the Asilique Kingdom, Marian must belong to its upper class.

Marian Belvard and Duke Valentin made a fitting pair.

‘I think I got out just in time. Staying there would have gotten dull.’

Trying to stay positive, Clarette gazed out the window. The ducal mansion’s spacious back garden was filled with outdoor tables, chairs, and people. Through this bustling auction party, the Duke was earning a fortune.

‘He said he was raising business capital. What kind of business is he planning? That precious collection—he’ll never be able to recover it.’

Duke Valentin seemed to be a practical realist. Even at their first meeting, he had seemed more like a businessman than a noble, stressing that he knew nothing about art.

‘But now…’

Clarette mulled over their conversation in the auction hall.

Surprisingly, the Duke had shown interest in art. He never interrupted her, never yawned or changed the subject, but listened intently and seriously. Since he’d decided to close the gallery, he had no reason to care about paintings anymore.

And above all, he’d made a promise—to be her n*de model.

Clarette remembered exactly what the Duke had said.

Tonight.

‘Could he really be planning to visit? To my studio?’

‘Had I cleaned up the studio? Was there a suitable sofa or chair for him to pose on? For the first time, would it be best to draw him from the front? What pose would make him most comfortable…?’

As Clarette imagined the Duke visiting, lost in thought, she heard footsteps in the empty corridor of the annex’s first floor. They were a man’s steps. Turning around, she was startled.

“Clarette.”

The low voice was unmistakably familiar. Lips pressed together, Clarette stared at the man appearing at the end of the corridor.

He was a young man, three years older than her, twenty-eight years old. His long silver hair, reaching his chest, was loosely tied and draped over one shoulder. His skin was as pale as his hair, but his sharp eyes and high nose gave him a cold, noble aura.

When she didn’t respond, the man frowned slightly, displeased, and spoke again.

“It’s been a while. You won’t even greet me?”

His voice was oddly irritable—definitely familiar. Clarette came to her senses and answered.

“I was just surprised you showed up. What brings you here, Thiago?”

At her curt question, Thiago Salto clicked his tongue, as if she’d asked something foolish.

“Bouvier Gallery sent me an invitation, so I came. You can stop treating me like an intruder.”

“…You’ve become famous. I heard only ten artists were invited.”

“I wasn’t invited because I’m famous. It’s because I’m exceptional.”

Thiago, Arno Sollier’s apprentice, was as proud as ever. Clarette tried to shake off the feeling of returning to old times and changed the subject.

“Have you seen the auction? If you go straight down the opposite corridor, you’ll find it. I think it’s still going on…”

“Auction? Do you think I’d be interested in something like that?”