Chapter 31
“A painting?”
Although the specific painting wasn’t mentioned, both of us knew exactly which one it was. Elian was only interested in a single nude portrait of Ban’s upper body. She let out a brief sniff and then nodded.
“That’s right. I’ll buy it.”
“It’ll be expensive.”
“I’ll still buy it.”
“You could end up spending an absurd amount in platinum coins.”
“Do you think it’ll be only platinum coins? If I want, I’m even willing to submit a blank check.”
“…….”
She was completely insane. Blank checks, issued only to select nobles, could be worth up to five thousand platinum coins, and the value could increase depending on the amount written. The question was whether a mere young lady could even use one…
“Did the Count of Pellioten allow this?”
She gave a slight smile at my question and pulled a piece of paper from her chest. It was a blank check stamped with the royal seal. Genuine, not a forgery. She brought that? My goodness.
“My father said I could enjoy as much as I wanted.”
I already knew the Pellioten family was extremely wealthy. When Elian entered the Astria Trading Guild, Lydia had assumed she was merely indulging herself for fun. Though their political influence in the capital was limited, the Pellioten family had enormous financial power.
Probably because of their vast estates. The taxes they collected were famously excessive, generating income comparable to many marquisates—practically monstrous.
Bringing that check meant she had intended to participate in the auction from the start. She must have known Ban would appear… maybe she still hadn’t given up hope.
The chances of Elian and Ban ending up together were virtually zero. Even if Elian stopped stalking him, the odds wouldn’t improve. Being the Crown Princess had always been a position every woman envied, and it required winning a competition.
I felt a little sorry for Elian, aiming for a prize whose outcome was uncertain. Regardless of her stalking or madness, her feelings for Ban were probably genuine. Her actions could be criticized, but her emotions could not be condemned—liking someone isn’t wrong.
“Elian.”
“Hm?”
“I’m just curious.”
“What is it?”
I gazed at her sparkling eyes, and after a beat, she spoke.
“…How do you know Miss Verphonia?”
Elian’s expression instantly twisted. She usually carried a bright, carefree look as if she lived in a garden of flowers in her mind, so it was unusual to see her face harden at the mention of someone’s name. What was their connection?
“Why that girl?”
“I just thought you two had known each other for a long time. I wondered if it was some sort of bond.”
“A bond? That’s called a curse, Lydia. That wretched… haah.”
Elian flicked her tongue across her lips and shifted her expression slightly.
“She’s a rival.”
“A rival?”
“That girl has been obsessively following me for years, taking every man I was interested in.”
…So that was their relationship. It was so simple and absurd that I didn’t even know how to respond, so I just listened quietly.
“My father and Duke Rotefeld have known each other for a long time, so I’ve met Verphonia fairly often. I thought we’d be friends, but she wasn’t. She went after anything I found interesting.”
“For example?”
“Objects, people, wealth—anything I wanted, she reached for. Especially men. Who could refuse a woman bearing the banner of the Rotefeld family?”
True. Anyone ambitious would likely fall for that. No matter how powerful the Pellioten family was, they weren’t on par with the few ducal families like Rotefeld.
Elian ground her teeth. There was a strange allure in seeing her rarely displayed side. When I stared, she furrowed her brow.
“…Anyway. I don’t even want to think about it, so I’d rather not bring it up. Besides, it looks like this time the target is you, Lydia.”
“Me?”
What a sudden curveball. Why am I the target now?
“Verphonia approached you first earlier, right? That’s her method.”
“Isn’t that just approaching someone first?”
“No, not at all. Verphonia knows her family’s position and herself perfectly. She believes that even without speaking or pretending to know anyone first, everyone will come to her first. She’s not wrong. That’s why she always stays quiet. So approaching first is a deliberate expression of intent.”
“You mean she’s showing she’s interested in me?”
“Exactly. Same as earlier. That’s why it’s so annoying.”
I watched Elian rant about Verphonia without stopping her. I hadn’t known she had this side—it was refreshing and surprising. Just then, a voice came from behind.
“Lydia. So you’re here?”
A familiar voice from the morning. Speak of the tiger…
When I turned, Verphonia had appeared like a phantom, smiling slightly. Her dazzling smile immediately drew attention, and I could see how beautiful she truly was.
“…Miss Verphonia.”
“Oh, no need for formalities between us. Call me Verphonia.”
“…Haha.”
Rolling my eyes, I noticed Elian’s face completely contorted in frustration. I could almost devour her. Elian reached behind me, pulling me toward her, and spoke.
“What are you doing here? Why not go enjoy your precious hobby?”
“I came because there’s someone I want to be friends with. But Elian, shouldn’t you let go? Lydia looks very uncomfortable.”
“Hoho, impossible. Lydia and I are close; she wouldn’t be uncomfortable over something like this.”
“You can’t know without asking. Shouldn’t you ask?”
“No need. I can read Lydia’s thoughts without asking.”
“Then someday, if you treat friends like that, they’ll leave. Right, Lydia?”
“Lydia, really?”
…Why are they dragging me into their conversation and growling at each other? I narrowed my brow and released Elian’s arm. I didn’t avoid their gaze, making eye contact once each, then smiled gently.
“You two seem close; I’ll leave. Enjoy yourselves.”
…I need an escape.
The party had been fun, but their quarrel, constantly using my name, completely deflated my mood. I didn’t want to get caught in the crossfire, but there was nowhere to go.
Eventually, my steps naturally took me west toward the lake, where Riana had said there was a secluded spot.
The path was well-laid, so walking was easy despite moving away from the light. The full moon made the surroundings bright, so there was nothing particularly frightening. It was hard to imagine anyone trying to attack me at a royal-hosted party.
Soon, I reached the edge of the west lake. Its waters glimmered in the full moon, gradually expanding before my eyes as I approached.
The lake reflected a beautiful light, as if holding the moon itself. I adjusted my clothes against the slightly chilly breeze, cooler than the city’s air.
As I brushed my hair into place and looked around for anyone nearby, warmth fell over my shoulders.
“Huh?”
The warmth lingered in my clothing down to my waist. A familiar, refreshing scent faintly reached me.
“When you said I should wait here, I didn’t really trust it. But sometimes, people are right.”
Turning, I saw Ban below the bright night sky, a soft smile on his lips. He spoke to me.
“May I paint a portrait of you, my lady?”
A portrait, of course. His voice gently sank in.
I realized again that seeing her face filled me with uncontrollable joy. Her beauty under the moonlight, a single strand of hair glinting, seemed too precious to touch. I wanted to reach for it naturally, but couldn’t approach carelessly.
Her gaze, slightly parted lips, moist, trembling eyes—everything about her captivated me. I’d been surrounded by people who concealed their feelings, seducing others with appearances. In that world, looks didn’t matter. But seeing this woman before me, an overwhelming impulse surged.
Her strengths shone brighter; her flaws turned into charm and cuteness. I had once scoffed at the idea of loving someone’s faults, but not anymore. I desperately wanted to reach out.
Since when had I wanted to reach out like this?
A small misunderstanding, triggered by her slip of the tongue, had been the spark. Though we’d met only a few times, my gaze constantly followed her. My eyes chased her, and my heart pounded, like a teenager’s.
Her slightest actions drew my eyes; the faint life in her laughter made my heart ache wildly.
I wanted her, I wanted her. I wanted to be honest with myself.
I had been taught to suppress my feelings, stay rational, but in front of her, it was useless. Words I shouldn’t speak came out unconsciously, and I said embarrassing things without shame.
“It’s finished.”
I realized: the gaze looking at me was now a treasure beyond any price, impossible to replace.
