Chapter 29
Evan went off to sword training, and I met Serena, who had come under the pretext of a medical checkup.
“Serena, did you find the person I mentioned before?”
Some time ago, I had secretly asked Serena to track someone down and bring him to me.
Serena smiled and nodded.
“Yes. He’ll be arriving soon disguised as an herbal merchant.”
“Thank you.”
Now that I had acquired a territory, it was about time to start securing more capital.
I could take out loans and begin developing the iron ore mines, but now wasn’t the right time. The price of iron ore would skyrocket in a few years. I was planning to earn some money in the meantime when Serena suddenly narrowed her eyes and spoke.
“Lady Laria.”
“What?”
“You’re planning to run away at the right time, aren’t you?”
I flinched and looked at her. I thought she might have noticed when I bought the territory under a borrowed name, but I couldn’t understand why she was bringing it up now.
“Well… yes.”
I was trying to think of what to say if she asked for my reasons, but Serena suddenly grabbed my hand.
“We’ll help you—with your escape.”
“Huh?”
“It would be such a waste for you to remain here as the young duchess.”
I blinked, then asked calmly,
“Tell me your real motive. The Bestian Dark Information Guild isn’t the sentimental type, especially not without an ulterior reason.”
“I’ll explain later… when Sven is with us.”
Well, if they were offering help, there was no real reason to refuse—but it was certainly unexpected.
At that moment, a servant entered respectfully with a young boy.
“Lady Serena, this child says he’s from the herbal shop. He said you would know.”
“Yes. He’s the one I called. Good, you’ve arrived.”
After Serena answered, the servant bowed and left. A boy of about fifteen bowed to me with a slightly nervous expression.
“Hello. I’m Redian Cares, Young Madam.”
Redian was a handsome boy with dark green hair and black eyes. I had instructed Serena to bring him to me directly, since I couldn’t freely go into town myself.
“Good.”
I smiled brightly at Redian.
We had called him an herbal merchant to deceive the duke’s household, but in truth, Redian had nothing to do with herbs.
“I’d like to buy some of your paintings.”
Redian was an unknown painter.
He was currently selling a few paintings with a unique style at a small gallery in town, but he wasn’t famous yet.
However, it wouldn’t be long before his name spread widely. After all, artwork was the perfect vehicle for money laundering.
I still had some of the ten gold coins I’d received as change from Sven. Of course, that had been part of Seymour’s moves as well.
Seymour had happened upon Redian’s paintings and immediately sensed great success. He bought several pieces for himself and introduced the rest to salons, completely elevating Redian’s value. In doing so, he also increased the value of his own assets.
In other words, since Seymour would be investing in this painter anyway, if I secured some pieces in advance, I could profit as well.
“M-my paintings?”
“Yes. About five? Would one gold coin per piece be enough?”
“T-that’s too much…”
Redian’s hands trembled.
Later, once Seymour promoted you, each painting would sell for a hundred gold…
Especially his early style—something he would never be able to replicate later, no matter how hard he tried—would skyrocket in price.
“Then I’ll buy ten. One gold coin for every two?”
If he thought it was too much, there was no reason not to lower the price.
Realizing I wasn’t the type to insist, “No, your paintings are worth that much,” and force gold into his hands, but rather someone who would immediately slash the price in half, Redian hurriedly nodded.
“I understand, Young Madam. Thank you…”
“Ten flower paintings only. Give them to Serena; she’ll store them.”
The reason I had summoned him personally was because Redian stubbornly refused to sell paintings to anyone he hadn’t met face-to-face.
That peculiar artistic pride would only drive the prices even higher later.
“Yes…”
From his perspective, this must have been astonishing.
An unknown, impoverished painter—suddenly summoned in secret by a young noble lady who offered to buy his work at a high price.
“But… how did you come to know my paintings?”
“I happened to see them in town a few days ago. I liked the feeling of them, so I remembered.”
“Oh.”
A faint blush spread across Redian’s face. Any artist would feel affection toward someone who recognized their work.
“Especially the colors. They’re very distinctive—I love them.”
That had actually been Seymour’s opinion, but still.
“I assume you understand why I summoned you secretly. I’d appreciate it if you didn’t mention this to anyone in the duke’s household.”
“Yes, of course.”
Redian nodded immediately.
“I heard that the late madam loved paintings and invited many artists. Since you’re acting the same way… I understand why it might feel burdensome.”
Oh? I hadn’t known that.
Since our business was done, I was about to dismiss him when Redian hesitated.
“Um…”
“Yes?”
“My lady… if it pleases you, may I paint your portrait as well?”
My portrait? What a lucky break! Why would I refuse?
A portrait in Redian’s early style… Later, it would be nearly impossible to put a price on.
“Thank you for recognizing my work and valuing it so highly, my lady. This is my first large commission… I’d really like to paint one for you as an addition.”
Though in truth, Seymour would approach him soon enough.
He hadn’t painted Seymour’s portrait, yet he was offering this service to a noble lady.
“But you didn’t bring any tools?”
“If I observe you for a long time, I can remember and paint from memory.”
A genius, indeed.
“The weather’s nice—shall we sit in the garden and enjoy the sunlight?” Serena suggested with a smile.
So the three of us spent the afternoon in the garden.
I ate Oclasia fruit and chatted with Serena while Redian sat beside us, staring at me intently.
It was embarrassing at first, but I soon grew used to it.
When the portrait was finished, I wouldn’t sell it. I’d hang it in my hideout.
It was just an ordinary, peaceful afternoon.
Until Serena suddenly excused herself, claiming she urgently needed the restroom—and right on cue, Evan approached with snacks in hand.
“What?”
In front of Redian’s shabby gallery, Seymour frowned and blinked.
“Redian Cares… was summoned?”
The old woman next door, who kept watch over the shop, nodded.
“He clutched those paintings every day without selling a thing—guess the sun’s finally shining on him. Followed someone sent by the Icard young duchess.”
“What?”
“They say if he pleases a great noble lady, the orders will be massive. Maybe he’ll earn a month’s living expenses from it. I felt bad seeing him starve to buy paints last time.”
“The Icard young duchess…”
Seymour bit his nail. He had thought she had nothing to do with him, yet somehow their paths kept overlapping.
At the horse racing event, it had been frustrating that she won money just like he did. If she hadn’t been there, he would have earned much more.
Even if he had bet confidently after seeing the black horse himself—how had the Icard young duchess made such a bold choice?
‘A coincidence?’
When he had gone to the Bestian Dark Information Guild with his winnings, he had heard her name again.
The old man guarding the café had said, when Seymour pointed at the newspaper and declared, “That’s me,”
“She’s already been here. Don’t impersonate.”
Seymour had pointed more closely at his own figure in the photo, and only then had the old man looked surprised and guided him to Sven, muttering, “I thought there was only one…”
Which meant that Laria Rose Icard, whose back appeared more prominently in the photo, had already visited.
Later, when he told Sven he wanted to buy a title and purchase Hanyua Territory, Sven had replied reluctantly,
“Unfortunately, that portion of Hanyua has already been purchased by someone else. Would you like to buy the remainder?”
Seymour had a strange feeling that “someone else” was the Icard young duchess. Though Sven never revealed the name, his instincts told him so.
It was only suspicion.
Hanyua was an obscure, inexpensive territory—far from the capital, without developed industry.
‘If I hadn’t known the special reason it would generate profit, I’d never have cared about it either.’
Yet not only had she tried to buy that remote land at the same time—now she had summoned Redian Cares as well.
Redian was a hidden gem Seymour had discovered after scouring countless galleries. Young and not proactive about selling his work, yet his artistry and expression were outstanding.
Especially his colors—brilliant and unique, unforgettable after one glance. A few exhibitions at influential salons, and his value would skyrocket.
Art had limited supply. Once it gained momentum, it was lucrative.
He had come today to promote Redian seriously—and again, it was the Icard young duchess.
‘Strange.’
Seymour sat before the gallery, waiting for Redian to return, lost in thought.
‘How can her thinking align with mine so perfectly?’
Not just anyone—but the Icard young duchess. A noblewoman from a completely different birth than his own commoner origins. Only fourteen, yet the wife of Icard’s sole heir, whose power was steadily growing.
There was a gulf of status between them, making even conversation difficult.
But had he ever cared about such things? If anything, it fueled his competitive spirit. Hadn’t he always wondered how far he could rise starting from nothing?
‘Could it be…’
Now that he had purchased a title, he was no longer a mere commoner. He had hoped for a viscountcy but, earning less than expected at the races, had settled for a barony.
‘Could it be fate?’
Seymour carefully took out the newspaper clipping he always carried.
‘A soulmate I never thought could exist in this world?’
The large photo showed Laria’s back at the horse racing event, with his own smaller figure beside her. Though they had both won money, she had drawn far more attention as a noble.
‘I want to know more.’
His brilliant blond hair gleamed in the sunlight, green eyes shining thoughtfully. Women passing through town glanced at him discreetly.
Seymour Ritsua.
An eighteen-year-old former commoner—now Baron Seymour Gold Ritsua—whose heart burned with ambition, chasing anything that could turn a profit. No blood, no tears, no conscience, no ethics.
He had inserted “Gold” as his middle name—proof of his obsession with money.
Though starting with a barony, he intended to strive for even higher titles that required astronomical wealth.
If someone caught his interest, he was the type to claim her regardless of whether she was already married.
Even if that person were Princess Elani, the very center of the imperial family, he wouldn’t give up—so the Icard young duchess?
‘I need to meet her.’
Resting his chin on his hand, Seymour sank deeper into thought.
‘No matter what.’
