Chapter 42

The copper mine in the northern part of the Valentin Duchy was deep in the mountains. Fortunately, the road had been cleared so that freight wagons could pass, and the Valentin carriage climbed the mountain path smoothly.

“The workload remains steady every day, Your Grace. Since everyone here is a miner by family tradition, we never lack for manpower.”

The foreman managing the mine followed beside the Duke, explaining eagerly. In summary, the copper mine was running actively, and the workers were all seasoned experts, so there was nothing to worry about.

Lionel nodded, paying close attention to the carts loaded with raw ore.

“From what you say, it sounds flawless. But, are all the workers from the same village?”

“Yes, that’s right. Outsiders occasionally come to work, but it’s rare. This area is a historic mining village, so outsiders only come when they’re truly desperate for money.”

“That makes sense. It’s a tough region in its own way.”

The Duke agreed lightly, but seemed lost in thought as he looked around the mine. Clarette, standing nearby, sensed that something was weighing on his mind. But the foreman, unaware of this, asked cheerfully,

“Would you like to look around more? Or shall you return right away?”

“I understand the mine’s condition well. It’s managed just as the reports say. Keep up the good work.”

“Yes, please take care!”

The foreman’s attitude as he saw them off to the carriage was extremely polite. But the Duke’s expression as he boarded the carriage was not entirely satisfied.

As the carriage began to descend the next mountain path, Clarette carefully asked,

“You’re worried about something, aren’t you, Your Grace?”

“Hmm, yes. Something’s bothering me.”

“Is it about the mine?”

When Clarette showed interest as if to consult, Lionel responded with a faint smile, appreciating her concern.

“I was thinking of selling the mining rights to Marian Belvard. Maybe letting her manage it for two years. But with the way things run here, it might be difficult.”

“Why? The mine didn’t seem to have any problems.”

“It’s fine for now. But if I sign a contract with Belvard, then supervisors or administrators from Asilique will come to work here. If that happens…”

“Ah.”

Now Clarette understood what he was worried about. The Duke was concerned about conflicts between the mining village people and the Belvard staff.

“They said there are almost no miners from outside, right? So the villagers will tend to stick together, and with such a long history, they’ll be proud. If a supervisor from another country starts giving orders… they’ll resist.”

“That really could happen. But how do you know so well? It’s as if you’ve experienced it yourself.”

“It happened often in the military. Factions formed by hometown, people kept each other in check. That sort of thing.”

Clarette found him mature as he spoke. She realized anew that he was two years older and had lived in a wider world than she had.

“So how do you solve it? You can’t just replace the workers—they’ve lived as miners here all their lives…”

“Of course, we shouldn’t touch our domain people. Let them live as they are, and I’ll have to find a way to resolve things smoothly.”

Lionel agreed with Clarette and considered several solutions.

Deep in thought, he met Clarette’s gaze, who was quietly watching him. Seeing her worried eyes, Lionel smiled faintly.

“Clarette, what’s with that look? Why are you worrying?”

“I just wonder what happens if things go wrong. I don’t know much, but it seems like a lot of money is at stake…”

Seeing her more serious concern than expected, Lionel reassured her kindly.

“Don’t worry. There’ll be a way, somehow. It’ll work out.”

Clarette nodded quietly. After all, as just a painter, there was nothing she could solve.

She sat with her shoulders drooped, feeling she was no help at all with his troubles.

But contrary to Clarette’s thoughts, her concern quietly resonated in Lionel’s heart.

When she paid attention to his worries and sincerely cared, Lionel felt, for the first time in his life, the desire to rely on someone. Even if only for a brief moment.

Would it feel like this if he had a wife?

At that thought, Lionel turned his gaze out the distant window, as if he’d stepped too far into forbidden territory. Marriage…

That was something to consider only after paying off his debts. Besides, thinking of marrying Clarette was absurd.

She had made it clear from the start. She didn’t want to be his mistress, nor did she want to become the Duchess.

There was only one way to keep her by his side: to provide her a place to stay and sponsor her. And only one way to possess her body: to be her sole male n*de model.

That way, he could have all of her.

Except her heart.

“Your Grace, look over there.”

Just then, Clarette murmured in wonder as she gazed out the carriage window.

“There’s a huge lake.”

Lionel parted the curtain on his side and looked out. Under the warm spring sunlight, a wide lake sparkled brilliantly. Before he could admire the beautiful scenery, Lionel belatedly remembered what place it was.

Lake Frey.

The largest lake in the Duchy, where his father and brother drowned.

* * *

“Don’t get too close, Your Grace. No one’s managed the place for months, so the grass has grown wild.”

As Lionel and Clarette approached the dock at Lake Frey, the man guiding them quickly cautioned. He was the village chief from a nearby lakeside village, who had come upon seeing the Duke’s carriage.

Lionel silently gazed at the dock, now overgrown and desolate. The wide white dock, built to accommodate large cruise boats, didn’t even have a single small boat nearby.

“Is it because of the accident? People don’t even come near the lake anymore?”

Lionel asked, and the middle-aged chief nodded with a worried face.

“Yes, that’s right. So many people died. The villagers don’t even fish here now.”

Clarette looked at the picturesque lake with a nervous heart. She regretted mentioning the lake, thinking she’d led the Duke to a place that would upset him.

But the Duke gazed at the lake with a calm face and asked the chief,

“What happened that day?”

“The cruise boat was old, and apparently fuel leaked somewhere inside. While anchored in the middle of the lake, a fire broke out. It was early March, so the water was freezing… Those who escaped the fire couldn’t swim properly. Most lifeboats burned or were too few, so only women and children survived.”

Clarette, who hadn’t known the details, felt her heart ache more with each explanation. Among the dead were several nobles whose portraits she had painted.

‘The Duke even lost family…’

Clarette glanced worriedly at his face. The Duke stood quietly with his hands in his trouser pockets, just staring at the lake.

Even after hearing the explanation, his expression remained indifferent as he quietly murmured,

“If there weren’t enough lifeboats, there was nothing to be done. Of course, they should’ve given them to the women and children. That’s the right thing.”

Clarette couldn’t read his inner feelings as he spoke so calmly. She didn’t know if he was suppressing his sorrow or simply felt none at all.

After the chief left, Lionel and Clarette were alone by the lake. It was nearing lunchtime, and the sun was overhead. The two strolled silently along the shore, then spread a handkerchief under the shade of a tree and sat down.

Coincidentally, Lionel’s outfit today resembled mourning clothes—a dark black jacket and trousers with a white shirt.

Clarette recalled the moment she first met him in the mansion’s drawing room. That day, both wore black mourning clothes, and the Duke’s demeanor was quite different from now.

But the Duke had changed. Once indifferent to his family, he now seriously managed the domain and worked to protect the Duchy. And he willingly became Clarette’s model.

In the two months since she met him, he had changed a lot.

Clarette looked at the Duke’s thoughtful profile and asked,