Episode 5
When Schumiern opened his eyes wide, his gaze—clear and transparent like a sea revealing coral reefs—became even more striking.
Ariel felt as if her sins were fully reflected in those clear, vivid eyes, and instinctively lowered her head. Schumiern’s gaze followed her steadily. After a moment of contemplation, he checked his watch.
“There isn’t much time, but a brief meeting should be fine. It’s better to sit rather than stand while talking.”
He guided Ariel to a nearby café, checking on her condition along the way.
Once they had settled at a table inside, Schumiern ordered tea and glanced at his watch again.
He was indeed a busy man.
Although it wasn’t widely known what kind of business he ran, meeting him required arranging an appointment far in advance. He was also known for not lingering long at banquets.
Ariel was grateful that he had accepted her sudden request for a conversation, but she was also tense.
“I can’t miss this opportunity.”
After several attempts to move her dry lips and sipping her tea, Ariel finally spoke.
“Marquis Schumiern.”
His eyes, revealing nothing of his thoughts, fixed on her.
“I’m Ariel Amilia, the ward of Count Bronte….”
“Ah, yes. You’re Count Bronte’s ward.”
Ariel blinked rapidly. She was surprised that Schumiern knew who she was.
“I’ve heard that you attend gatherings supporting young artists. That’s a commendable effort.”
Ariel swallowed hard. She had hoped to make a good impression, and thankfully, it seemed he hadn’t heard any negative rumors.
“Do you need me to introduce myself as well?”
“No, I know you’re busy, so let’s get straight to the point.”
“Very well, Ariel.”
He spoke her name with a warmth as if addressing an old friend.
Ariel clasped her hands tightly under the table.
Would this flawless man accept her bold proposition? No matter how kind he was, would he engage in something potentially scandalous? She might even be dismissed as a madwoman.
Her proposal was truly audacious.
“The moment I leaped into the carriage, it began. There’s no turning back now.”
Steeling herself, Ariel spoke clearly and firmly.
“Please be my patron.”
His hand, moving toward his teacup, froze. His mouth stiffened. He tilted his head slightly to the left, lowering his gaze, making it hard to read his expression.
What was he thinking?
Ariel’s anxiety flared. She wanted him to speak, but before she could urge him, he finally opened his mouth.
“You mean the patronage system encouraged by the kingdom?”
He lightly brushed his lips with his thumb—a habit he had when in a difficult situation.
“Is that the system you’re referring to?”
“Yes, it is.”
“The system primarily exists for minors.”
“Usually, yes… but there are exceptions, from long ago.”
Ariel mentioned a few historical cases she had researched before meeting Schumiern.
In rare instances, exceptionally talented individuals continued to receive patronage even as adults.
She could not tell Schumiern, but there was also her situation with Blake. People rumored that she was Blake’s mistress, though they had never slept together. He had numerous lovers; he wanted her only to captivate the king, not for love. She was merely a toy prepared by Blake for Louis.
Why hadn’t she realized it back then?
Ariel gave a self-deprecating smile and explained the rare adult patronage cases in terms of support for geniuses and their benefactors.
“I see. But those cases don’t really apply to us.”
Schumiern gave a slightly awkward smile, clearly trying not to hurt her feelings with a refusal.
He was right—Ariel showed no remarkable talent, and he did not keep a mistress. He had never been known to associate with women, so he certainly had no hidden lovers.
Yet Ariel was different.
“I know the future.”
She strengthened her faltering resolve.
“I can help you achieve what you wish, Marquis. I can ensure the success of the charitable projects you’re pursuing.”
At last, Schumiern lifted his gaze. Their eyes met in midair.
The blue she had thought warm in his eyes was, in fact, surprisingly cold.
“Where did you hear about that?”
The charitable project was something Schumiern was pursuing in secrecy. It was no good if anyone knew in advance, as opponents could find reasons to object.
Ariel had learned of it from her past experiences. She had witnessed Schumiern attempting such projects before, only to have Blake oppose them, claiming they burdened the royal treasury. She had sided with Blake in lobbying at the time, so she knew exactly who held the power to approve it—and how to persuade him.
“Tell me, Ariel. Who told you about this?”
His voice was gentle, and he smiled softly, yet Ariel felt as if thorns had pierced her body.
She brushed her arms.
“I’ll tell you later… if you agree to be my patron.”
“Patron… you mean a request?”
“You can call it a request, a commendation for my courage in saving a child, or even a deal. Any of those are fine.”
Ariel spoke as calmly as possible to hide her racing heart.
Schumiern’s gaze deepened.
“A request, a commendation, a deal… none of these suit you, Ariel. I’m afraid I must pretend I didn’t hear it. As for the charitable project, I’d prefer you act as if you didn’t know.”
“Of course. I won’t tell anyone.”
Ariel hurriedly added, hoping to keep him from leaving. Schumiern gave a feather-light laugh.
“You may speak freely. It’s my fault the information leaked, and I have no right to silence you. My request is simply that you don’t spread it further. Thank you for saving the child. I will handle that separately. Now, let’s go. I’ll take you home.”
The gentle refusal left no room for further argument. Ariel, panicking at the thought of losing her chance, grabbed his arm as he rose.
“No need for separate handling, Your Grace. Let’s make a bet instead. If I lose, I’ll step back gracefully and keep my mouth shut.”
Schumiern’s brow furrowed.
Late that night, when Ariel Amilia made her bold proposal to Schumiern, Jun knocked on his study door.
“Have you investigated?”
Without a word, Jun placed a report on Schumiern’s desk.
“There’s nothing significantly different from what you already know. She is the daughter of a fallen viscount family and has been under Count Bronte’s guardianship since age ten. She has lived in the Bronte estate to this day. According to kingdom law, her noble rights ended when she became an adult this year, and Count Bronte now guarantees her status as her guardian.”
Schumiern lowered the pen he had been holding and interlaced his fingers on the desk, letting his gaze linger on the name.
Bronte Winter.
One of the few female heads of household in the kingdom.
She had married Count Winter, become a young widow, and after fierce legal battles, inherited the family. With immense wealth and title, she dominated society. Any man who could secure her was set for life, yet she had proven impervious to suitors.
‘So many attempts to court her failed that she became known as Iron-Walled Bronte.’
Schumiern remembered her past vividly, as someone in his own family had once been humiliated trying to win her over.
After years of social prominence, she suddenly withdrew from public life and began supporting young intellectuals and artists.
“Does Ariel Amilia excel at anything in particular?”
Schumiern naturally assumed she was a scholar or writer, given the intellectual aura she exuded.
“She does not pursue any specific activities. Unless she has a hidden pseudonym. However, she does lead recitation gatherings.”
Since this wasn’t particularly noteworthy, Schumiern picked up his pen again. But as he read further, he had to set it down once more.
“Duke Blake frequently attends her recitations.”
He recalled Blake once mentioning such gatherings as a pleasant diversion.
“Stay away. Our recitation events are full.”
Even normally wary of Schumiern, Blake’s enthusiasm at the time had been unusual. Ariel led these gatherings? Could it be that Blake’s interest was in her?
Blake pretended to be an intellectual, a book lover, yet in truth, he neither enjoyed nor read books. He had attended the gatherings only to find someone to carry out his schemes, and indeed, it was a woman.
Schumiern pictured Ariel’s face.
The girl who had leapt into a carriage to save a child, collapsed to the ground, red hair flying, trembling with fear, yet with vivid blue eyes full of intense light—her burning desire and hope—seemed almost tangible.
“Perhaps that’s what drew him.”
He recalled the composed Ariel sitting before him. Her pale, translucent skin, slender figure, straight neck, and upright posture made her truly noticeable. Yet even with Blake’s history of encounters with countless beauties, she wasn’t striking enough to instantly captivate him.
Still, he could tell there was something different. Her aura, her zest for life, subtly affected even Schumiern, who rarely showed interest in women.
“Then why investigate Ariel Amilia?”
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