DDP 25

chapter 25

Silvester stood up and approached Velita, who didn’t look back. He personally fastened her coat for her.

The two of them, stepping outside, followed the maids’ guidance to the familiar dining room. Silvester mentioned that the painting was finished and needed to be delivered to Roman, and soon another servant appeared, carrying the artwork from the room.

Upon leaving the gallery and entering the main dining room, Roman, who had already come down, immediately caught their eyes. He greeted them with a broad smile.

“Welcome. I heard from the servants that you bring good news—is that right?”

Silvester and Velita went to the seats offered by the servants and sat down. As befitted a dinner table, a lavish spread had been laid out.

“You’re quick with news.”

As Silvester looked toward the door, a servant who had just arrived handed the painting to Roman.

“You must be hungry, so I’d like to view the painting after the meal… but I can hardly wait. May I open it first?”

Roman asked, eyes sparkling. Silvester gestured to Velita as if asking for permission.

Velita nodded lightly, indicating it was fine. Silvester turned his gaze back to Roman.

“Very well.”

Roman’s smile broadened further than before. He immediately gestured for the servant to display the painting.

“Oh… this is remarkable…”

Roman’s eyes gleamed with fascination as he began to examine the painting seriously.

Seeing him so absorbed, Silvester added a cautionary note.

“I recommend not touching it. It’s mostly dried in the sun, but there may still be some moisture.”

Roman, completely engrossed, heard Silvester’s voice but let it slide. However, he had no intention of touching such a masterpiece, so it posed no problem.

“This is incredible. Truly excellent. It really feels like a work left by an angel. You’ve captured the atmosphere of our mansion perfectly. And this palette… the time of day is precise as well…”

He mumbled on and on, showering the painting with admiration, using every compliment he knew.

Velita could somewhat relate to Roman’s reaction.

Even without understanding the work fully, she recognized it as a masterpiece that would be rare even in centuries. She wondered why such talent had been wasting away in the countryside.

Roman, as Velita imagined, recited his peculiar praise like a ritual, almost as if he were socially performing it.

Then, he seemed to snap out of it, looked up, and gestured for the servant to take the painting away.

Once the painting left the dining room, Roman, a little embarrassed, smiled sheepishly.

“A true masterpiece. I had high expectations, but it has exceeded even those. If I continue admiring it here, I’ll be up all night… I must view the rest in my room after the meal.”

Silvester chuckled in response. Apologizing for Roman’s delay, he suggested they not wait any longer and start eating. The three picked up their utensils.

Roman stated that he could not accept the painting for the initially proposed price and offered three times the original deposit.

Silvester had no reason to refuse and simply nodded.

Although nominally a lover, Silvester was no longer alone, so he needed a lot of money.

When he lived alone, it didn’t matter what kind of house he had, what clothes he wore, or what he ate. But now that Velita was with him, he wanted to provide her with the best.

Moreover, having tasted luxurious meals, clean and stylish rooms, and convenient tools and furniture at Roman’s mansion, he wanted even more to provide such comfort.

“Ah, won’t you stay longer at the mansion?”

Breaking the quiet, Roman asked after chewing on a piece of tender meat.

Silvester looked at Velita, silently asking if she wanted to stay longer.

Velita, sipping wine, blinked softly—no need for words.

Silvester easily read her expression.

“No, it’s fine. I feel guilty staying too long. We should return home soon.”

“I would have ensured your stay was comfortable… why not stay longer?”

“Home is comfortable. You’ve already provided excellent meals and accommodations during my work, which is enough. I was quite comfortable thanks to that.”

A casual exchange passed between Silvester and Roman.

Velita, cutting meat on her plate, quietly listened to their conversation, especially making sure to ignore the part where Roman began praising her as well.

The evening deepened, and night quietly fell.

The three ended a perfect day, each going to bed with different thoughts.

That night, Roman dreamed of his late father being satisfied with the mansion’s painting, living within it. Silvester dreamed of giving gifts to Velita with his payment and earning more to secure a new house.

Velita dreamed of living an ordinary life with Silvester, unnoticed and unrecognized by anyone.

Each of their worlds flowed quickly in their minds, though in reality, the heavens rotated, Venus rose brightly, and dawn crept in.

Morning came.

“Mm…”

Birds, having recovered from the night, chirped busily. Velita groggily opened her eyes.

“Tired?”

“No…”

He rubbed his eyes and sat up, sliding down the headboard.

“The Viscount has prepared a carriage. You just need to wash up and go.”

“Really? Then I should wash up…”

Velita replied in a still-sleepy voice. He got up, gathered clothes and towels, and went to the bathroom.

“I was thinking…”

“Hm?”

Silvester’s voice made her pause.

“If it’s alright, how about leaving our things at home and going into town? I need to do some shopping.”

Velita nodded. Though Silvester rarely showed much emotion, he seemed in particularly good spirits today.

“Then we’ll do that.”

It seemed he had already prepared everything. Velita turned on lukewarm water and washed herself.

After two nights of solid rest, her body felt lighter.

Waking up was still a chore, but she felt almost entirely recovered. Velita washed thoroughly, sat on the couch, and waited.

As expected, Ellie appeared with toner and applied it to her face without asking.

Ellie, amused to be with a woman while serving her master, greeted her casually.

Thanks to Ellie’s skill and the warm weather, Velita’s hair dried quickly. She shook out the remaining moisture and stood up.

“All done?” Silvester asked.

“Yes.”

“Nothing left behind?”

“No.”

The two left Roman’s mansion. Outside, on the street backing the lawn, a carriage awaited.

At that moment, Roman appeared beyond the garden shrubs. Walking toward them, he suddenly said:

“It’s a pity.”

“We feel the same. Thank you for everything, Viscount.”

Silvester responded, while Velita stared at Roman, silently reminding him of their promise.

“Since it’s difficult to contact you… may we visit your mansion again?”

Roman answered Silvester but then looked at Velita, meeting her unexpected gaze.

“Well… as long as it’s not too often.”

Silvester reluctantly gave the polite answer, though he did not want to.

Regardless, Roman’s face relaxed immediately, smiling at Velita.

‘That idiot…’

Just watching him grin foolishly, she could tell he was imagining nonsense about her. Velita’s eyes grew sharp.

‘Don’t you know why I’m staring?’

Roman finally understood her intention and nodded. “Ah, I see what you mean.”

The brief pleasantries ended.

Silvester and Velita announced they were leaving and climbed into the carriage, loaded with payment and gifts.

“I look forward to our next meeting,” Roman said, winking at Velita.

Velita scoffed and immediately lowered the window blind.

“Quite cold-hearted…”

Roman laughed wryly.

The coachman gripped the reins, and the carriage moved. Velita slowly raised the blind.

Outside, familiar scenery passed by: neatly cut lawns, green trees, the pergola garden, annexes, small garden structures, and carefully arranged shrubs.

‘It was… somewhat enjoyable.’

Velita leaned against the window, absorbing the passing view.

As they left the iron-gated main gate, the road back to the Barsen Mansion unfolded in reverse.

After some time, following the sound of horse hooves, they arrived home.

The coachman helped carry their luggage inside.

“Would you like to rest a bit?” Silvester asked. Velita shook her head.

“No, let’s go. The weather is nice, so we might as well take a walk.”

“Alright. I’ll just wash my hands first.”

Silvester headed to the kitchen sink to clean off dust from the luggage. Velita asked softly:

“Do we need to buy anything?”

“Not urgently. We’ve never been to town together, and I worry you don’t have enough clothes…”

Velita looked at her outfit. Worn with time but once stylish, it was the same one she had worn since being sealed.

“…This outfit is comfortable.”

Comfortable, yes, but hearing Silvester’s words, she felt no reason to refuse him and did not want past memories to linger.

“I’m curious what clothes people wear these days.”

On the carriage ride back, she had glimpsed the town’s fashion. Velita said this casually.

Silvester laughed, understanding her meaning.

“Glad to see you’re interested.”

He wiped his worn clothes, then retrieved a small package from the payment he received from Roman.

“Shall we go?”

He also carried the certificate Roman had prepared to prevent misunderstandings about a commoner having so much money.

“Yeah. Lock up properly.”

Feeling slightly awkward, Velita stepped outside first. Silvester followed, chuckling, and locked the door behind them.

The walk from the quiet village outskirts to town was bright and warm. Every blade of grass and tree shimmered in the yellow sunlight.

…

Soon, they arrived at the marketplace.

It was far more interesting than expected. Unlike when passing by in a carriage, narrow alleys were filled with unique shops and various goods.

“Welcome! The best candy shop in Orhen!”

“Ah, fresh meat! Today’s cuts are superb! You won’t find meat this good at this price anywhere else!”

Velita watched in awe at this colorful world, different from the human world she had known.

“Thomas’ Bakery! Try our newly developed bread! The sweetest in Orhen!”

Voices from vendors echoed everywhere.

Initially, she thought she would just buy one or two clothes and leave, but seeing the bustling crowd sparked her curiosity.

Velita explored the strange foods, jewelry, and displays with wonder.

Everywhere, sellers boasted: “The finest workshop in Orhen!” “Top candy shop in Orhen!” “If you don’t know Ryan’s Toy Store in Orhen, you’re a spy!”

After visiting many places, they finally headed toward a clothing store. Velita spoke:

“Silvester.”

“Yes?”

“What is Orhen?”

Silvester let out a small sigh, realizing he had never explained, then kindly responded:

“Now that I think about it, I haven’t told you. Orhen is the kingdom’s name. The land we stand on belongs to Orhen.”

Velita blinked, thinking it might be some slang or trend, but it was the name of a country.

She repeated the unfamiliar name aloud.

“Orhen….”