Eloise recalled the portrait that had hung by her bedside long ago.

The portrait of Ryan Wilgrave that she had obtained with such difficulty. She had been even more delighted to discover that the person she idolized looked like a fairy tale prince with blonde hair and blue eyes.

The first day she hung it on the wall, she had gazed at the portrait until dawn, feeling privately pleased. She had even tried to find resemblances to the portrait in any blonde man who passed by.

‘He looks similar.’

The man who appeared before her now bore a striking resemblance to that portrait.

Blonde hair, blue eyes, and a face that could be described as handsome.

But there were differences. The face in the portrait had a bright, radiant impression, while the man before her had dark shadows under his eyes, bloodshot eyes, and a cloudy gaze.

She could tell immediately. It was the distinctive look of someone who spent their days drunk and living in disarray.

Arabella looked at him with a flustered expression and said:

“I didn’t know you were already awake.”

“Already” when it was past lunchtime? From that comment, she could immediately guess what kind of life this person led. He truly was a mess.

Eloise quickly looked the man up and down. As if to prove her suspicions, the man’s steps were unsteady. Moreover, his clothes were wrinkled as if he had just gotten out of bed. Above all, as he approached, the smell of alcohol wafted strongly.

‘He’s even holding a bottle of alcohol!’

Eloise’s gaze went to the man’s hand. There was a wine bottle with its cork already removed. Apparently, he had been drinking straight from the bottle.

The man was also examining Eloise.

“I asked who this person is.”

Eloise tensed at his rough voice. He had the air of someone who might swing what he was holding at the slightest provocation.

When Arabella hesitated, the man’s voice rose even higher.

“Arabella, why aren’t you answering me!”

As he shouted, Eloise’s fists clenched.

“What’s with this guy?”

She had anticipated this from Arabella’s consultation, but seeing it directly, the situation was more serious than she had thought.

Had he always treated people this carelessly?

Eloise subtly moved to stand in front of Arabella. As Eloise positioned herself protectively, Arabella bit her lip for a moment, then stepped forward.

“What kind of attitude is this toward my guest, Ryan!”

At her loud voice, both Eloise and the fake Ryan flinched.

“And am I your servant that I must answer your every question?”

Faced with her sharp voice, the fake Ryan seemed flustered and couldn’t say anything.

“And what’s that in your hand? I clearly told you not to touch the cellar, didn’t I? Who brought you alcohol? Was it the butler?”

Arabella’s voice grew even more forceful. The fake Ryan, who had been acting so domineering just moments ago, stepped back.

Sensing that things weren’t going as he had expected, he immediately changed his tone.

“That’s not what I meant, Arabella. I was just worried about you. After all, it’s not good for strangers to come and go in the mansion.”

His voice was so gentle that it was hard to believe he was the same person who had been shouting earlier. It gave Eloise chills.

To change so drastically in an instant.

Meanwhile, the fake Ryan slowly approached Arabella again and bent his head as if to kiss her.

But this time, Arabella took a step back.

Looking awkward after finding himself leaning into empty air, the fake Ryan gazed at her with an embarrassed expression, but Arabella spoke in a cold voice:

“I have things to do with my friend, so please leave now.”

“Ah, yes, then later, about our marriage…”

But Arabella didn’t listen to the rest of his words. She grabbed Eloise’s arm and walked quickly away.

When they had turned a corner and the fake Ryan was no longer in sight, Arabella released Eloise’s hand and said:

“I’m sorry. You had to see something unpleasant as soon as you arrived. And I didn’t tell you beforehand. My real name is Arabella Primrose. And in Bringport, I’m usually called… Baroness Surrier.”

Fortunately, perhaps because of her attitude toward the fake Ryan earlier, Arabella didn’t pay close attention to Eloise’s reaction.

“And the person you just saw… is my fiancé.”

Eloise fell into deeper contemplation.

What would happen if she told Arabella now that the man was a fake Ryan?

She wanted to say it, but she couldn’t. She couldn’t answer that her husband was Ryan Wilgrave.

Apart from continuing to be suspected, she couldn’t explain it in words.

Moreover, the issue of the fake Ryan had already been reported to the military. In other words, it had already become a military operation. So she couldn’t act freely.

Eloise screamed internally in frustration.

‘Ah, I really need to see Ryan right now, why won’t he appear before me!’

Riham glared down the corridor where Arabella and her guest had disappeared, then roughly ran his hand through his hair.

‘D*mn it. This isn’t right!’

He took a few gulps from the wine bottle in his hand. The distinctive taste of quality wine wet his mouth.

For the past few weeks, Riham had felt like he was walking on clouds. A life of luxury without worries in such a fine mansion. It was an opportunity given by heaven, wasn’t it?

He had been wandering alone in a park near Holmsbury because he had run out of money. He had sold his military uniform for a pittance and barely survived by doing odd jobs for a seemingly kind innkeeper, who had been satisfied enough to provide him with a stew sufficient for a few days of drinking.

Then he saw a woman sitting alone in a corner of the park. Seeing her quietly crying, Riham sensed that if he played his cards right, he could make some money.

After tidying himself up as best he could, he approached her with a dignified attitude. At first, she seemed wary, but soon she poured out her circumstances.

Everything was easy after that.

Comforting a woman who was afraid of living alone after losing her parents was no challenge at all. And using that moment to capture her heart and secure an engagement happened just as easily.

Looking at Arabella, who hadn’t properly recovered from the shock of losing her parents, Riham became increasingly arrogant. He took items from the baroness’s house to sell as he pleased and began freely drinking the precious wines stored in the cellar.

The servants looked at him with disapproval, but that was of no concern. After all, they were people he would mostly dismiss once he was married.

‘I should take the title for myself too.’

The barony belonged to Arabella, but with good persuasion, she would transfer it to him. It wasn’t particularly problematic legally either.

Everything had been going well. Everyone watched their step around him no matter how he behaved or what he took. Even Arabella did.

Each time the noblewoman did so, Riham was extremely satisfied. Her wealth and status were practically his already.

He had been somewhat neglectful of her. But what was the problem with that? They were already engaged.

But recently, she had been going out alone more frequently, and today, for the first time, she had dared to stand up to him.

‘D*mn it. If I had known it would be like this, I should have just hit her from the beginning.’

That would have been much more convenient. She wouldn’t have stood up to him so strongly and would have been more mindful of his moods. She would have trembled and bowed her head.

‘What’s the big deal, I should teach her a lesson starting now so she can’t think of anything else.’

She said she was meeting a friend, but she would come if he called. It might take some time, but what did that matter? Perhaps it could even end very quickly.

He didn’t need to worry about what happened afterward. Arabella would take care of it herself. Considering her reputation, she wouldn’t be able to tell anyone.

An unpleasant smile appeared on Riham’s face at this vicious thought.

Arabella would know her place again, but he could still enjoy the pleasures a woman provides.

Riham downed the remaining wine in the bottle at once. His stomach burned once more. After letting out a long burp, he staggered toward where Arabella had gone.

When Eloise arrived at a room with Arabella, the maids inside approached them.

“My Lady, everything is ready!”

“I saw the model… he’s a bit intimidating but handsome. Oh my. His body is so good that I wonder if he might have been a soldier!”

“We’ve prepared everything here too, so you can start working right away!”

The servants gathered around Arabella, chattering. From the first time she saw them, Eloise had felt that the mansion’s servants didn’t just treat her professionally but genuinely cared for her.

Arabella thanked the maids and walked inside. Eloise hurriedly followed her.

An elderly maid entered with the two of them. She looked at the hesitant Eloise and blinked.

“It might be a bit awkward with just you young ladies here.”

At the maid’s words, Eloise took a deep breath. Now they were really going to draw a n*de model.

The maid also covered both of them with aprons made of wet cloth.

“I’ll go check if the model is ready and call him in.”

The maid said this and went to the adjacent room. While both of them were tense at the fact that they would finally see a n*de model, there was a knock, and one of the maids Eloise had seen earlier entered and said:

“Miss, Ryan is asking to see you…”

“Please tell him I’ll come find him later.”

“I told him you’re busy right now, but he’s trying to force his way in.”

At the maid’s words, Arabella sighed deeply and said she would go out for a moment.

“I’m sorry. I’ll just step out for a moment.”

“Yes, don’t worry, go ahead.”

Arabella went outside, and Eloise, left alone in the room, exhaled deeply.

She was worried about Arabella, but she was also concerned about what was about to happen right in front of her.

‘This is just drawing a picture. It’s not something to be embarrassed about!’

Even thinking this, her heart was pounding.

What should she say when the model enters? Should she greet him first? Should she say “pleased to work with you”? What kind of pose should she request? And how many hours will this take?

As these belated questions flooded her mind, she heard the door opening.

Eloise slowly turned her gaze. First, she saw feet. Then thick, sturdy calves. At least he was covered with cloth when entering, which was somewhat fortunate.

As she raised her head a bit more, she could clearly see the masculine thing between his legs, evident even through the covering.

Eloise’s movement paused there.

‘Wait, it’s too…’

Big?

What is this? Is this right? While she was flustered and unable to raise her head further:

“Today’s model is… Eloise?”

A voice she knew all too well was heard. At that moment, Eloise immediately raised her head.

Her eyes met those of the model who had entered the room. Blinking for a moment, Eloise called out the model’s name.

“Ryan?”