#40. Making Him Truly Mine
If I remember correctly, this appeared in the original.
“Claudia needed revolutionary funds, and Owen—who had escaped from the northern mines—needed a foothold to rebuild his life.
When Owen, who met Claudia in a shabby tavern, clenched his fist.
‘I want to paint again. I’m tired of sneaking around and scribbling in hiding.’
‘I heard your paintings still sell for high prices.’
‘After being branded a traitor, the price of my work went up. I’m worrying about a day’s food… while my paintings fetch tens of millions of gold.’
‘I only know the sword.’
‘But you’re someone who could become emperor.’
Claudia, who had been staring at Owen, sprang to her feet.
‘Say foolish things and you’ll be dragged to hell, not the northern mines.’
‘I’d do anything to wipe away the stain of being a traitor. I could make you a lot of money.’
‘You say you’re worrying about meals? How am I supposed to trust you?’
Claudia’s blue eyes gleamed sharply.
Though he was only thirty, Owen’s laugh carried the emptiness of an old man staring death in the face.
‘Even if I can’t trust him, can’t I trust the man who introduced him to me?’
‘…….’
‘Lord Roseroyce. If you accept me, I promise you ten thousand. Use that money to open a new sky.’
‘I thought you were a painter, but you’re a gambler.’
‘I’m living like a rat, but I won’t risk my life for just anyone.’
Claudia had decided to work with him even before she met Owen.
Owen Black was the type of figure who had been ruined by the Yebrei imperial family.
If he lent his strength, talented people hiding under false accusations could join the revolution.
Of course, gathering people raises the risk of exposure.
But for Claudia, it was time to gamble.’
The one who introduced Owen to Claudia was none other than Douglas.
I planned to use Douglas as a stepping stone to meet Owen, just as Claudia had.
Douglas wanted to repay a debt of gratitude; Owen wanted to regain his honor.
Both were problems I could solve.
Not for free, of course.
When I asked Douglas to introduce me to the illustrators, he looked puzzled.
He was visibly confused when I suggested we meet that illustrator at the finest restaurant, Burgerkin.
Burgerkin was famous for hiring only the empire’s top chefs.
Nobles were willing to pay extra just to get a reservation there.
I had reserved a quiet private room for today.
A pristine white tablecloth covered the table and gleaming silverware was set neatly.
‘I’m sorry I didn’t recognize you—so it was the famous Owen Black who illustrated those works…’ Douglas bowed his head.
A man in his thirties with dark brown hair and nearly black eyes with a hint of red looked apologetic.
‘I’m sorry I didn’t confess this beforehand.’
‘I understand.’
‘You’re a man of depth, Marquis—I thought you’d forgive me. I didn’t expect my identity to be revealed so easily.’
I patted Owen, who looked bitter, on the shoulder.
‘It’s something only the three of us know, so don’t worry, Count.’
Maybe it was because I’d used the title “Count” after so long.
Or perhaps because I was the Crown Prince’s tutor.
Owen, who had been glaring at me with what looked like disdain, turned his head with a twitch.
‘How did you know? My illustrations didn’t show my style at all.’
‘If you have gold, it’s not hard.’
Of course, that was a lie.
If I hadn’t read the original, I wouldn’t have known Owen had drawn those illustrations.
I wouldn’t have known about his friendship with Douglas. That had been what won him over when Claudia first met him.
‘Elizabeth, why did you want to see me?’ he asked.
‘I have a favor to ask.’
‘I’ll refuse. How can I trust a lackey of the Yebrei imperial family?’
‘Even if you don’t trust me, you trust the man who introduced me, don’t you?’
A small ripple ran through Owen’s steady-looking eyes.
People tend to feel affinity toward those who speak in a similar manner.
So, yes—I had done my homework.
‘Shall we eat first?’
I clapped my hands once.
The dishes I’d specially ordered arrived one by one.
Owen’s eyes darted over the plates the servers placed in front of us.
He swallowed at the sight of the golden-roasted veal, sniffed eagerly at the steaming clam stew, and was enthralled by the meat pie piled with pink turkey and the turkey braised with blueberries.
Each dish was the kind of expensive fare that would appear at a high noble’s banquet.
For the gourmand and hearty eater Owen, this was food he hadn’t tasted in a long time.
‘Claudia won him over with food. He acts picky but he’s really simple,’ I thought, resting my chin on my hand with a grin.
‘Please enjoy. Tell me if it’s not enough.’
‘Free food? Seems suspicious.’
‘If you don’t eat, Count, these dishes will just have to be thrown away.’
‘How extravagant! There are so many people who can’t even eat potatoes freely.’
Grumbling, Owen picked up his fork and knife.
Douglas pushed a plate with a roasted venison leg toward him.
‘For my sake, eat. Burgerkin’s cuisine is the best in the empire.’
‘I’ll eat for the Marquis’s sake. Ahem.’
Perhaps satisfied with the courtesies, Owen began eating in earnest.
He opened his mouth wide and kept devouring.
Between bites he made appreciative remarks and analyses.
‘They used raspberry vinegar on the veal? And this broth tastes like northern coast silkworm clam stock? The honey’s fresh, and the crust’s crispness is superb.’
He could have been a wildly successful food-content creator rather than an artist.
When the plates were cleared quickly, I called a server.
The mood breaks if a meal suddenly runs out.
‘I think the bill’s going to be enormous,’ Douglas whispered with concern.
If he knew how much I’d spent for this meal, Douglas would faint.
‘I’ll pay any amount if it gets me the Count.’
‘What do you intend by getting close to him, Elizabeth?’
‘I want the crown prince to have the best art professor.’
While I used Franz as an excuse, I piled mushroom sauce on my steak and chewed.
Douglas leaned in as I chewed and lowered his voice.
‘He’s not a man who’ll give in easily.’
‘Neither am I.’
‘You must have many entanglements with the crown. Even if he becomes a professor, it could cause big problems.’
‘Maybe—maybe not.’
‘I can never tell what you’re planning, Elizabeth.’
‘It’s for everyone’s benefit—good for my sister and my brother-in-law.’
By slowing the growth of Claudia’s faction while strengthening my own position, it would be a win-win.
‘I’m just grateful you introduced the Count. I’ll handle the rest.’
‘Elizabeth is truly mysterious.’
‘Me?’
‘You do things others wouldn’t even dare try.’
Douglas looked at me with genuine admiration.
The heartfelt praise made my stomach flutter and feel shy.
‘You still haven’t secured the Count’s permission, though?’
‘Once Elizabeth decides, she’ll see it through.’
‘I think you’re overrating me. I’m not the heroine of a novel.’
‘You are more special than any heroine. It’d be shameful to have written a novel modeled after Elizabeth.’
Douglas had watched the changes in me most closely—accepted them first and cheered me on.
A man who understood me more than anyone; a man who’d always stayed by my side.
It wasn’t hard to understand why Claudia couldn’t let go of her feelings for Douglas.
Being with Douglas felt like lying on a warmed hearth—comfortable and languid.
If the enormous tree called Nikolai hadn’t grown inside me, I probably couldn’t have refused Douglas’s sunny smile.
‘Get a grip, Elizabeth! This isn’t the time to swoon over the original story’s male lead. Deal with Owen first.’
I looked at Owen like a predator eyeing its prey.
I didn’t want Owen solely to check Claudia.
Owen was like a vine heavy with pumpkins—useful in many ways.
If I sorted a few things out, here’s what could be achieved:
By buying Owen I could publicize Nikolai’s generosity.
I could gather talented people who’d been unfairly buried.
Supporting their powerbase could break the control monopolized by the four great houses.
I could help Franz and Owen lead a cultural and artistic revival.
I could have used the Charm to produce quick results, but lately I hesitated to rely on seduction.
‘Someone won over by seduction isn’t truly mine. When the effect expires they might change. I want people genuinely on my side—not puppets. Then I won’t regret it.’
Was I being naive?
Should I have ripped into things with reckless abandon instead of playing coy?
What I wanted were not puppets but true people—like Douglas or Susan.
Even if we approached each other for mutual benefit, I believed sincerity would eventually take hold.
I didn’t need drifters drawn to my appearance and wealth.
Nor did I want people who lost their reason because of the Charm.
A collection of such people could never defeat Claudia.
‘If sincerity fails, I’ll have to use the Charm and take them down.’
Owen startled and trembled in his shoulders, mouth still full—perhaps sensing my sly gaze.
At that moment a commotion came from outside.
The private room door I had ordered be kept closed and locked flew open.
‘What is the matter?’
‘S-sorry! Some gentleman barged in without permission—’ the steward apologized, sweating.
A familiar man stood behind him.
I swallowed a scream and clutched at my bright red hair with both hands.
‘Why is Nikolai here?!’
Douglas froze rigid when he saw Nikolai.
Owen scanned the handsome intruder with displeasure.
Luckily, Nikolai was dressed like a well-to-do young squire today.
His black jacket and leather boots were plain, and the sword at his waist had a simple design.
If you looked closely, you could see the workmanship was surprisingly fine and the material high-quality, but still—simple.
‘You’re with a stranger again today,’ Nikolai said, his teal eyes colder than a winter sea as he looked down at me.
‘I even have my ex-fiancé here.’
Nikolai’s gaze shifted to Douglas.
He made no effort to hide the blazing hostility.
Douglas greeted him as if nothing were wrong.
Owen, who’d been quietly eating, wiped his mouth with a napkin.
‘Who is this gentleman?’
‘…….’
‘He looks like someone noble—won’t you introduce him?’
Nikolai’s eyebrows twitched.
It was the look that said, ‘I was speaking—why are you barging in without permission?’
Before Nikolai could reply, I covered his mouth with my hand.
He glared at me, full of irritation.
‘Would you two step outside and talk for a moment?’
I didn’t want Nikolai to ruin things with Owen.
I’d momentarily forgotten how willful he could be.
‘!’
I inhaled instinctively.
Nikolai had licked the palm of my hand.
