Chapter 52

“Passenger ship tickets are much more expensive than train tickets. Plus, we have to ride for three days, right? I can’t let you take on that burden.”

“But I’m always indebted to you. I’d like to do at least that much.”

“Then shall we eat something delicious in Tivenny? Yes, that’s a port city famous for seafood. There’s a restaurant with great lobster dishes……”

Clarette quietly closed her mouth, listening to the Duke’s story.

Maybe, from his perspective, it might seem laughable. After all, she was living at the ducal residence and was a commoner; even if she did something financially, it probably wouldn’t mean much to him.

‘There’s really nothing I can do for him……’

Drawing the Duke’s n*de or portrait was something already agreed upon in their contract. He desired her body, but in truth, even that might not be special.

After all, the Duke must have spent many nights with women during his military days. When she thought about it, Clarette felt a bit anxious.

If he ever kissed her or did something more, and it didn’t meet his expectations—

If the pleasure he gained from Clarette Sollier was less than that from other beautiful women he could have, like Marian Belvard—

Wouldn’t the Duke lose interest in her immediately? Then not only would she stop being his n*de model, but soon he might tell her to leave the ducal residence altogether.

<I’m not going to rush. I never want to lose you.>

Clarette recalled what he had said on the night she finished the sketch.

‘The Duke talks as if I have a choice. But if you look at the circumstances, I’m the one who should be clinging to him……’

Clarette glanced at the Duke’s handsome face, the corners of his mouth lifted pleasantly.

Dressed for the warm late spring weather, with a thin gray jacket over his shirt, he looked very sophisticated. A wealthy, relaxed, and fresh atmosphere naturally surrounded him.

For a man like that to worry about losing her because he’s rushing—wasn’t that too humble an expression?

‘I want to truly be helpful to the Duke. So he can be sure that keeping me by his side was the right decision……’

Clarette seriously considered what the Duke needed. Of course, his biggest problem was his debt, so it would be best if she could help him pay it off.

‘Honestly, I didn’t contribute anything to the invention with tin this time.’

The Duke had invented a revolutionary method for storing paint in tin, and he credited Clarette for it.

But she thought she hadn’t done anything. It was really a collaboration between Duke Valentin and Doris Markrel.

‘If I want to help pay off the Duke’s debt, then…… selling paintings at high prices is the only way? But that’s too vague.’

While Clarette kept pondering, the train they would take arrived. Their compartment was first class, and it was more spacious than she expected. After putting the luggage on the shelf, Lionel looked down at Clarette and spoke gently.

“It’s better to take off your coat, Clarette. We’ll only arrive in Genoa late in the afternoon.”

“Oh, yes.”

She took off her coat and folded it on the seat next to her. The Duke, used to train travel, skillfully hung his jacket and loosened his tie. Clarette quietly gazed at the nape of his neck peeking out from his collar.

It was strange. Just by seeing a part of him, she could now vividly recall his entire bare body.

“Clarette.”

Clarette startled and looked up at the Duke when he called her name. While she was looking at his body, he had only been looking at her face.

“What are you thinking?”

His eyes seemed to already know the answer. Braving her embarrassment, Clarette answered honestly.

“Your body, Duke. Your bare body.”

“Ah, I thought so. You miss it after not seeing it for a few days, don’t you?”

Lionel smiled slyly, adjusting his tie as if teasing her. Clarette gently brushed off his joke and answered sincerely.

“I want to finish the first study soon. That way, I can practice other poses too.”

“What pose do you want next? Something more dynamic?”

“No, since we did the front, I’d like to try drawing your back.”

“What? Then what fun do I get out of it?”

“……Was there a fun element?”

When she tilted her head, the Duke replied in frustration.

“When I’m modeling, it’s really fun to look at your face. Your gaze is so intense when you look at me. Like I’m about to be devoured.”

“Oh, really? Sorry, it must have made you uncomfortable.”

“No, it’s not uncomfortable, it’s just……”

Lionel pondered deeply how to express his feelings from back then. After hesitating, he mumbled with a faint cough.

“To be honest, um, it’s exciting.”

Clarette was at a loss for words and looked at him. To think such a natural-born model existed. She murmured in admiration.

“You really like being the center of attention, Duke.”

“…….”

The Duke seemed to want to correct her, but eventually gave up. Since he didn’t say more, Clarette smiled and stood up from her seat.

“Let’s go look around the train together, Duke. I’m curious about the dining car.”

* * *

They arrived at Genoa Station at sunset.

As the capital of the Empire, Genoa Station was much larger than Moerven Station. Stepping off the platform, Clarette gazed in awe at the beautiful station interior bathed in the glow of the setting sun.

Amidst the crowds, stained glass depicting the figure and symbol of the Goddess Ensila glowed red high on the station wall.

“Clarette, can you walk? It’s only a twenty-minute walk to the pier. If you’re tired, we can take a carriage.”

“I’m not tired. But since you’re carrying the luggage……”

“Then let’s walk.”

The Duke made a simple decision and walked ahead. He glanced back confidently at her hesitation.

“The walk is nice. The sunset is just right.”

Clarette suddenly remembered that the Duke had lived in the capital for over twenty years. Thinking about it, he was practically from Genoa, not the Valentin Duchy.

Clarette followed the Duke toward the pier.

The whole way was along the riverside. On the right, the Linden River flowed widely through the capital, connecting to western Tivenny. As the sun was setting, lights began to turn on in the houses across the river.

Lionel found it strange that Clarette was with him as he saw the riverside scenery again after so long. In truth, he was more drawn to her thoughtful face than to the river.

He wondered what Clarette was thinking as she walked.

“You lived in a townhouse in the capital, didn’t you? Since you were young?”

At that moment, Clarette looked at him and asked.

Was she thinking about me? 

Lionel nearly laughed but replaced it with a smile as he answered.

“Yes, until I entered military academy at seventeen. After that, I lived in the officers’ quarters.”

“Is that townhouse far from here?”

“It’s much farther south. Next time, we could go together…… No, that house was sold, so there’s no need.”

“Sold? Why?”

Was it because of his debt? 

As Clarette thought that, Lionel glossed over the answer.

“There’s no reason for anyone to stay in the capital anymore. I’m the only one left from the Duchy. That’s why.”

Though it was a rough excuse, it sounded plausible. Lionel was satisfied with his own explanation.

Clarette spoke in a voice tinged with regret.

“I hope you can get that house back someday. If you have a child, they might be curious about the house their father lived in.”

“Do kids think like that? I didn’t think about it at all as a child.”

“Really? I was curious. Where my father lived as a child, who taught him to paint……”

That must be because you got along well with your father. Lionel thought so but kept walking silently. He glanced at Clarette’s gentle eyes, which looked especially kind today, and murmured.

“No one knows what the future holds, but yes. I hope my child is interested in me, too.”

Whether it would be a son or a daughter, or even exist at all, Lionel thought about family with his usual cynicism, then suddenly felt a sense of discomfort.

For some reason, thinking that way felt wrong, a strange sense of guilt. He furrowed his brow, questioning his own emotions.

Why?

Why was he suddenly thinking like this?