~Chapter 67~
Novice Exhibition Hall.
The place was full of nobles searching for future masters among the works of new artists.
Amelie and Wudian entered after picking up pamphlets at the entrance.
And behind them, two shadows secretly followed.
“Do you think we’ll get caught?”
Lyssa lowered the fan that was covering her face and looked around carefully.
Her black hair was pinned up, and she wore the clothes of a slightly overdressed noblewoman.
Beside her stood a tall, strong servant.
“No. We won’t.”
The “servant” standing close by, as if her secret lover, was none other than Richard.
He had disguised himself so often these days that his black hair looked natural on him.
“Let’s move. They’re heading that way.”
As Amelie and Wudian walked to the second hall, Lyssa and Richard followed casually.
Their targets stopped in front of a painting, and Richard glared at Wudian, who was standing much too close to Amelie.
“That smiling fool is Count Montreux?”
“That’s right. He looks gentle, but he’s sly. Just look at how much effort he’s putting in today compared to yesterday.”
Both Richard and Lyssa disliked Wudian, but they couldn’t raise their voices.
As they whispered, Amelie turned slightly in their direction.
In an instant, both pretended to admire the artwork.
Amelie passed right by them, followed by Wudian, and stopped again in front of another painting.
Richard muttered under his breath.
“She’s smiling… at him?”
Watching Amelie smile lightly at the paintings—and occasionally at Wudian—filled him with frustration.
How could she show that kind of smile to someone like him?
It felt wasted.
“Amelie doesn’t actually like that Count… does she?”
Lyssa’s worried tone made Richard’s heart sink.
“They’ve only just met again.”
Unable to stand the strange weight pressing down on him, Richard turned his eyes away from Amelie.
“But… she hasn’t taken her eyes off him.”
At those words, Richard looked back immediately.
Even while looking at the art, Amelie was sneaking glances at Wudian.
Richard froze where he stood.
What is this awful feeling?
It was like something dragged him down into the ground.
He fought the sudden urge to run over and block Amelie’s view of Wudian.
If he could, he might have even removed Montreux from the empire altogether.
But he didn’t understand why he felt this way—so he did nothing.
“Is that… really Amelie’s type?”
“She would never like someone like him. Amelie likes m—”
Richard’s words stopped cold.
He remembered: Amelie once told him her tastes had changed.
Now, she liked men with black hair and a somber atmosphere.
“That guy doesn’t even have black hair.”
Richard quickly corrected himself, trying to convince his own heart.
“Amelie’s type is black hair?”
“Probably.”
But when he looked again, Wudian’s hair was darker than his own blond. That alone made him seem closer to Amelie’s “type.”
Fortunately, he didn’t have the somber air of a knight—so maybe Richard didn’t need to worry.
But then Wudian lowered his eyes with a sorrowful look. Amelie instantly looked flustered.
Richard nearly exploded.
“That sly fox…”
He almost stepped forward on instinct—then forced himself to stop.
“Friend…”
The word rolled bitterly in his mouth.
Was he just her friend? Did he have any right to interfere?
Meanwhile, Lyssa also struggled with her feelings.
“Maybe we’re worrying for nothing. Amelie looks like she’s really enjoying herself with that Count.”
Richard saw it too. Amelie didn’t look uncomfortable.
Her smile at Wudian didn’t seem completely fake.
So Richard could only keep watching her for the rest of the exhibition.
Her image lingered in his mind like fragments of a dream, breaking apart yet refusing to fade.
We finished looking around the painting exhibition and the small crafts fair that was held beside it.
After having tea together at a coffeehouse near the hall, we had just stepped outside when—
“Amelie. I know a place that looks like a painting. Do you want to go with me?”
Wudian asked. Above his head, the lock icon still floated.
“A place like a painting?”
I repeated, staring at him.
I’d been observing him since morning, but nothing suspicious had come up.
That cold feeling I had yesterday wasn’t there today either.
Of course, someone could always hide their true self perfectly—but so far, Wudian had only shown kindness and good manners.
“Yes. It’s similar to that painting you said you liked earlier.”
“Which one was that…?”
“The forest pond painting.”
“Ah… that one.”
I instantly remembered.
Sunlight spilling through trees like a roof, leaving leaf-shaped shadows on the ground—
The picture had been striking.
“Alright, let’s go.”
At my answer, Wudian smiled brightly and led me down a narrow alley.
We walked until a path opened into a small forest.
“Wow…”
Inside, the sight stole my breath.
Trees covered the sky like a roof, sunlight pouring through the gaps.
At the center stood an old stone basin, filled with clear water.
Though aged, it carried a mysterious beauty.
It was almost exactly like the painting—only the pond had become a basin.
“How does a place like this exist?”
“Do you like it? I asked the young heir of the hosting family. He told me about it.”
“How could I not like it? Thanks for bringing me here.”
“Hearing you say that makes it worth the effort,” Wudian replied, smiling softly, a little shy.
Could a man who smiled like that really be hiding something dark?
The lock icon didn’t necessarily mean he was the villain.
‘So then… what role is he supposed to play? Is he really just the second male lead?’
As suspicion faded, curiosity grew.
While I was caught in thought, Wudian slipped off his coat and gently draped it over my shoulders.
“Ah. Thanks.”
His kindness reminded me of Richard again—no matter what, everything circled back to him.
It was a sickness, this habit of recalling him at every turn. I needed to find a cure quickly.
I shook my head in frustration—then my eyes met Wudian’s.
“Amelie, there’s something I want to tell you.”
His voice was serious, as if he had finally made up his mind.
