TDFL 31

Chapter 31

Since she said she was with someone called Sir Vane or something, I ended up protecting him as well while I was at it.

“So you don’t need to do anything separately, sis.”

“But in the end, you’re the one who saved the Marquess of Branto’s lover, Reni.”

Alice, who had been thinking for a moment, pointed out something unexpected.

“If you had told her earlier that you saved her lover, you could’ve gained her favor.”

She was asking why I didn’t tell Alia the truth and instead gave her the credit.

“This might sound a bit blunt… but the Marquess of Branto’s daughter is going to become the Crown Princess.”

Gaining Alia’s favor would definitely be advantageous in many ways.

My answer to that was simple:

‘There’s no need to introduce unnecessary variables.’

The original story was already off track, but anything that didn’t need to be changed should be left alone—it would make things easier later.

Of course, I couldn’t say that out loud, so I gave a different reason.

“I don’t want to create unnecessary noise. Besides, Lady Alia is still engaged to Marquis Rizen.”

And more importantly—

“Considering what I asked of her, there should be no connection between us whatsoever.”

“…That’s true.”

Alice seemed to agree.

Before she could question me further, I changed the subject.

“More importantly, why did you ask Lady Alia to grant my wish instead of yours earlier?”

Now that I thought about it, I was a bit curious.

She told me to get close to the future Crown Princess, yet she didn’t seem interested in building a connection herself.

“I’m not used to making requests. Same goes for bribery.”

Alice added playfully,

“Just kidding. I simply couldn’t think of anything. And asking for help later would mean maintaining the relationship… which I don’t really want.”

Alice was actually quite selective about people.

She seemed to have her own standards, though I wasn’t sure exactly what they were.

“And this might sound a bit arrogant, but I think the Marquess of Branto’s daughter already likes me.”

“That’s true.”

Though I didn’t say it out loud, Alia was actually a devoted admirer of Alice.

‘In the original story, they supported each other.’

Now, because of my survival altering events, their relationship had become a bit ambiguous.

Thinking about that made me feel slightly guilty.

“Hey, sis.”

“Hmm?”

“I’m sorry for lying and dragging you here today. Next time, I’ll treat you to a meal… well, actually I’ll be busy for a while, so that might be difficult.”

I paused, wondering what would be appropriate, then added—

“If there’s something you want, anything at all—I’ll grant it. No questions asked.”

“…Out of nowhere?”

“I felt bad about today. And since we came all this way, you should gain something too.”

“……”

Alice went quiet.

She blinked a few times, as if processing the situation, then asked with a puzzled expression,

“So what, you’re apologizing for taking away my chance to ask the Marquess’s daughter for a favor?”

“Something like that.”

“I get what you’re trying to say, but…”

Alice crossed her arms.

“What’s the point of talking about gaining benefits between family? I just helped my little sister once, that’s all.”

She grinned.

“I was even considering helping that complete stranger—the Marquess’s daughter—so helping you once won’t kill me.”

“……”

“So stop saying weird things and let’s just have another meal together next time. Make sure you’re ready—I’m picking something expensive.”

“Well then, I’m off.”

With that, Alice hopped out of the carriage.

Only then did I realize we had already arrived at the Count’s estate, and I waved belatedly to see her off.

At the same time, I thought—

I was beginning to understand why Alice was the protagonist of this novel.

* * *

After Spencer’s death, Count Green was in a much more comfortable position.

Thanks to being freed from financial troubles.

‘Praising a man who copied others’ paintings and gambled his life away as a genius, and even buying his paintings…’

When he was alive, they did nothing but criticize him—yet now that he was dead, they called him a tragic genius.

Ridiculous.

Still, thanks to that, selling Spencer’s paintings had secured a large amount of funds.

‘And Marquis Rizen willingly invested as well, so the business has more than enough capital.’

More accurately, she had coaxed the distracted Diego and practically swindled the money out of him.

Even if he came to his senses later, he wouldn’t demand it back.

‘And the dress business is progressing smoothly too.’

This dress was her ambitious work, released after half a year.

From her experience and eye for success, she was confident—this one would succeed.

A low-saturation green base with black accents—it was practically a work of art.

‘If things go well, news of Leonia Bellaci’s marriage might get buried under this release.’

Especially since Leonia had declared in front of the Emperor that she would hold a modest wedding.

‘The problem is how to promote the dress.’

Even though she was doing her best, it wasn’t satisfying.

Ideally, she wanted a famous social figure like Alice Bellaci or the Marquess of Branto’s daughter as a model.

‘The former is impossible, and the latter…’

She was too unpredictable to know whether she would accept.

Normally, she should dislike Count Green for being involved with her fiancé, Marquis Rizen.

‘But she doesn’t even seem interested in him.’

In any case, there were too many variables. Better to give up.

For a moment, Count Green regretted losing Spencer—but quickly dismissed it.

His death had solved urgent problems and secured funds.

‘If only I could get Mary… everything would become easier.’

She had sent several sponsorship offers, but Mary had grown too famous and didn’t even reply anymore.

Annoying—but with no information on her, there was nothing she could do.

“L-Lady…”

A maid cautiously called out to Count Green.

She must not have heard the door open, lost in thought.

Normally, Count Green would have slapped her for interrupting—but with success in sight, she was in a good mood.

“Yes, what is it?”

“We’ve received information that Mary has revealed a new painting.”

“…What? It’s not time for an auction yet.”

“It’s not at an auction house. It’s displayed in a boutique lobby.”

“A boutique?”

The maid explained the location.

It was the same place where Count Green had previously clashed with Leonia.

“I need to go immediately.”

“Yes? But—”

“No arguments. Prepare the carriage. I’ll see it myself and buy it—even if I have to overpay!”

If it wasn’t at an auction, even better.

In a boutique, unless you had connections, you couldn’t even propose buying it.

Fortunately, Count Green frequented that boutique.

‘If necessary, I can have Sally steal it.’

Sally, an employee—and her niece—was easy to control thanks to leverage.

‘A bit slow and frustrating, though.’

Previously, she had sent her as a spy to Leonia, but the results were poor.

Still, she could pressure her.

“M-My lady, but the painting is actually—”

The maid tried to explain further, but Count Green ignored her.

It would be faster to see it herself.

By the time she arrived, the boutique was already packed with noble ladies.

Clicking her tongue, Count Green thought it would be hard even to get a proper look.

“This painting feels completely different from Mary’s previous works. Is it really hers?”

“It has her seal and signature, and she confirmed it herself.”

Everyone was talking—not about dresses, but the painting.

“I was surprised. It’s the first time she’s clearly depicted a face.”

“And the model is a real person.”

Until now, Mary’s works never clearly showed faces.

This was new.

‘That explains the commotion.’

She speculated.

‘Did she paint Alice Bellaci? Or the Marquess’s daughter?’

Both had rejected Spencer’s offers, so if they accepted Mary’s, it would be a sensation.

If it were Alice, it would be irritating—but still worth buying.

Just then, the man in front moved aside.

And the moment she saw the portrait—

“…This is…!”

Count Green was speechless.

Her eyes widened.

At that moment, a familiar voice spoke beside her.

“What’s the matter, Count Green?”

The woman looked as though she had stepped right out of the painting.

“…Leonia Bellaci.”

Leonia smiled softly.

“You’re staring at my face so intently—it’s a bit embarrassing.”

Mary’s new work, “Portrait,”—

featured Leonia Bellaci as its subject.

“…It’s been a while, Lady Leonia.”