CHAPTER 76………………………………
As soon as I received the letter, I headed straight to Haines’s house.
And when I arrived—
“Ah, you’re here.”
Diane, who had arrived before me, was there.
“L-Lord Marquis is here too?”
“Fortunately, yes.”
Haines mentioned that he had invited him as well, and Diane gestured to the seat beside him. I stepped inside and quietly sat down next to him.
At that moment, William came out from the inner room and approached Diane.
“Grandfather said I should come in!”
“I see.”
Diane stood up, a gentle smile on his face, and ruffled the boy’s hair.
After he went in first, I turned my attention to William.
“When did you come back?”
“The night you two returned! I delivered all the letters, and after reading them, he asked me to bring paper and a pen.”
He chuckled as he explained that this was why he had come today. I thanked him, biting my lower lip.
‘I thought I’d have to give up completely.’
Yet, it seems there’s no rule that says a person must fail. Only after coming this far could I finally see the sun.
‘Why did his mind change?’
I hadn’t flattered him with sweet words in letters; I had only apologized for barging in unannounced all this time.
After reading the message that I wouldn’t come anymore, why would he change his mind? I sipped the prepared tea with a serious expression, unable to guess even as Diane exited the room.
“Were you resting?”
A little later, Diane emerged from the room, looking more relaxed than before.
‘The conversation went well.’
That was a relief. I had genuinely wanted him to get what he wanted.
“Did it go well?”
Diane nodded slightly with a faint smile. Just then, William called me to enter.
“Go ahead.”
He lightly patted my shoulder, sending a message of encouragement. I returned a soft smile in response.
‘It smells like paint.’
The room smelled unmistakably like an artist’s: paints of every color, paper, and freshly washed brushes.
To think someone this passionate had been absent for thirty years… I had felt it before, but he truly was madness cloaked in genius.
“Thank you for seeing me, Mr. Haines. I’m Aria Renesty.”
Haines Bentham was far spryer than I had imagined. I thought he would be very old, given that his last activity had been thirty years ago. Aside from a few streaks of white hair, he looked surprisingly youthful.
“…I already know about the Count. I hear you recently accomplished something significant.”
Haines plopped down on a log bundle diagonally across the room after guiding me to a modest wooden chair.
I carefully started.
“May I ask you a question before we get to the main topic?”
“Go ahead.”
“Why did your mind change?”
Haines looked momentarily puzzled, then raised the corners of his mouth as if amused.
“You’re asking about that first.”
“I’m too curious.”
Not for just a few days, but after decades of avoiding people, he suddenly decided to meet me. Naturally, I was curious.
“It was because of the letters.”
Letters?
‘Really because of that?’
My suspicions were confirmed, and I couldn’t hide my bewilderment.
But there was no trace of mischief or jest on his face.
“You may have heard from my grandson, but countless nobles have visited our house.”
“….”
“And they clung to me, insisting their matters were urgent and important. Offering as much money as I wanted.”
Haines chuckled, recalling the past, as if someone might think he was obsessed with money.
“I don’t need money. Even if I had it, I wouldn’t use it. It was enough to raise my grandson while being able to paint. I’m not a merchant.”
“….”
“But unlike Sir Odilon, whom I met before, you, the Count, stepped back without resistance. Honestly, it was the first time in my life this happened.”
Haines frowned as he said this.
“So, to answer your question: it was a mix of whim and curiosity. I wanted to know what kind of person you were.”
“….”
“Now, may I ask one thing before we proceed?”
“Go ahead.”
“Perhaps…”
About why you wrote that content in the letter.
“Was it… a method to spark my curiosity, as I just mentioned?”
His eyes narrowed slightly, scanning me sharply.
“I hesitated to say this, but seeing the letter, I couldn’t help thinking…”
There are so many kinds of people in this world.
“Could it be that you wanted to elicit my reaction in this way?”
“….”
“I apologize if this offends you, but my grandson must have briefly mentioned past events. I couldn’t avoid this assumption. People naturally become curious when encountering someone unexpected.”
“That—”
I listened calmly to Haines and replied evenly.
“I think that’s a reasonable assumption.”
In other words, I was like a devoted fan following for decades. I probably wouldn’t trust anyone either.
“But it was sincere. There was no ulterior motive.”
I smiled faintly.
“I did have a request, but I didn’t want to impose it on you.”
I was the one in a hurry.
“You weren’t. How could I demand anything from you?”
For me, this was a business opportunity. For him, there was no compelling reason to break his seclusion.
“So, today’s proposal—if you feel it’s not for you, you can refuse immediately.”
Of course, I hoped he would accept. But better to let go cleanly than cling and cause more hurt.
“Is this about a business matter?”
I was slightly surprised at his sharp deduction. Haines, observing my face, opened his mouth as if he had expected this.
“I told you. I know about the Count. That includes investment received for rebuilding the troupe.”
“You’re… surprisingly well-informed.”
“I’ve just been in seclusion. Not entirely cut off from the world.”
Haines readjusted his posture.
“Then speak. What is it you wish to ask of me?”
“…You probably guessed it, but—”
I swallowed the nervous breath trembling in my chest.
“I want you to paint for me.”
Haines’s expression showed understanding as he asked back.
“What kind of painting?”
“Any kind.”
But—
“I’d like it painted not on canvas, but on other surfaces.”
Haines looked momentarily puzzled but asked as if nothing was amiss.
“Where exactly?”
“Teacups and dishes.”
“I see. That… well…?”
