My Husband Lives Inside a Painting Chapter 10

***

 

Most people think that someone who commits an atrocious crime must have a fundamentally different brain structure, someone utterly incomprehensible through the common sense of ordinary people.

But the reality is different.

Because they are human beings, too, there are things they simply cannot help.

From minor physiological needs to involuntary physical reactions, a culprit will eventually reveal their true nature by instinct.

……At least, that was something I had read in a mystery novel.

Anyway, what I had come up with was a strategy known as the “head-on approach.”

A few days later, as I stood in front of an event hall written in large letters across the entrance, I recalled my conversation with Camille.

“Since I’m technically the victim, wouldn’t there be someone who acts noticeably strange when they see me?”

Camille had agreed with my opinion, but he had also warned me.

“Still, be careful. The world is a big place, and there are plenty of crazies out there.”

‘He’s got a point.’

I nodded repeatedly.

Just as I was taking a ticket out of my bag, I raised my head at the sound of Romaine’s voice.

“My lady, it’s my first time coming somewhere like this……!”

Excited by the sight of an auction house she had never visited before, Romaine stomped her feet like a child.

Thanks to her, I felt the shoulders that had been stiff with tension loosen slightly.

Inside, nobles who had already arrived were gathered in small groups, chatting among themselves.

“Wow…… I’ve never seen paintings displayed in such huge frames before. Are they auctioning all of these today?”

“That’s right. And all the proceeds will be donated.”

“Oh my…… Oh! My lady, look at that!”

The excited Romaine grabbed my sleeve and pulled hard, pointing toward a large painting of a sunflower rendered in vivid colors.

“I heard somewhere that if you put a sunflower in your house, money will come in.”

“Really? Should I buy one for you?”

“Oh, no, I’m fine. I’m still homeless, you know.”

‘So that was the problem.’

……Once Romaine bought a house, I absolutely had to give her a sunflower painting as a gift.

I gently ruffled Romaine’s hair as she smiled with pure innocence, then continued walking.

 

***

 

At the innermost, most coveted spot in the exhibition hall, the most expensive painting of the day—the one worthy of being called the star of the auction—was proudly displayed.

It wasn’t the work of some nameless newcomer, but a masterpiece by a renowned artist whose work even I had seen many times in the newspapers.

As though proving its overwhelming value, the area around the painting was packed with people.

“Wow……. That’s an amazing painting.”

“It is.”

“My lady. You like painting too, don’t you?”

“If you call it a hobby, then I suppose so.”

“Then will one of your paintings be displayed somewhere like this someday, too?”

Her words were so innocent and hopeful that I involuntarily swallowed a short breath along with a bitter smile.

‘Me? As if.’

I was an ordinary person who hadn’t even learned how to draw a proper line in the first place.

I had only managed to complete that painting through some stroke of luck. I didn’t have the talent to create something capable of capturing people’s attention at a place like this.

‘One miracle doesn’t make it skill.’

It was precisely as I was lost in those thoughts that it happened.

As though drawn by an invisible hand, my gaze was suddenly pulled in one direction.

I stopped walking and instinctively hid behind a pillar.

Romaine, who had been looking around excitedly beside me, followed me behind the pillar.

“My lady, are those people you know?”

“Shh.”

“Oh, okay.”

Amid the crowd gathered around the painting, I finally spotted the men I had been looking for.

I strained my ears through the noisy atmosphere, and soon fragments of their conversation began reaching me.

The first voice to pierce my ears belonged to Gail Pistachio.

“Throwing money away. What a waste.”

His laugh was laced with irritation.

The voice that followed belonged to Pagoda Buthier.

“How much are you planning to spend today? If you want to maintain appearances, you’ll have to spend more than you did last time.”

The last was Densum Kalanchoe.

With a cynical voice, he adjusted his glasses and muttered,

“How long does the Imperial Family intend to keep doing these meaningless things? Tsk.”

‘They’re still the same, even after all this time.’

All three were dressed in expensive coats, wine swirling in one hand, exactly as I remembered them.

Lucky men who had either inherited their titles early or risen to the pinnacle of wealth.

And yet, they were unable to remain satisfied with their position, and the peculiar scent of thirst emanating from them was unmistakable.

“Damn it. How long are we supposed to keep throwing money into these worthless events?”

“Well, it’ll probably continue until Ortega pulls out. But Gail, you’re hardly in a position to complain, are you? You’re one of the beneficiaries, after all.”

“Beneficiary, my ass. It’s barely pocket change.”

At that moment, Densum lowered his voice, seemingly conscious of the eyes around them.

“Both of you, watch what you say. There are too many ears around.”

But his warning didn’t seem to have much of an effect on either man.

“I really don’t understand why you’re so angry. I’m enjoying myself.”

Pagoda grinned as his gaze swept across the room.

“Where else would I get the chance to have all the high-and-mighty daughters of noble families gathered in one place so I can judge them?”

“Densum. How about you worry about shutting up this woman-crazy bastard instead of me?”

Densum pressed his fingers to his temple and let out a long sigh.

“Haah…… This is driving me insane.”

The three men continued their conversation without pause, but it seemed they were merely killing time while waiting for the auction to begin.

I decided that it was about time and grabbed Romaine firmly by the shoulder.

“Romaine.”

My voice carried a meaningful tone, and her eyes widened like a rabbit’s.

“Yes?”

“Stay here. I’ll be back shortly.”

“What? M-my lady! Where are you going?”

Her hurried voice followed behind me, but I didn’t answer.

And a short while later, I quietly blended into one side of the exhibition hall.

Like a visitor who had wandered in here by chance after getting lost, I kept my gaze lowered and slowly walked around.

I stopped in front of a painting and stared at it for a long while, then moved on to the next.

I repeated this several times.

Before long, I got a reaction.

“Wait. Isn’t that Camille’s wife?”

“I think you’re right. Looks like she came as Ortega’s representative.”

Low whispers brushed against my back.

Pretending not to notice, I kept my eyes on the painting as I gradually approached them.

“Come to think of it, she looks a little different.”

“Oh? Have you finally discovered the charms of a married woman?”

“Shut up, Pagoda.”

That crazy bastard.

‘One day, I’m going to sew that mouth shut.’

I clenched my fist tightly where no one could see.

Then, as though I had finished looking at all the works, I turned toward them.

I didn’t forget to put on an innocent expression, as though I had only just happened to notice them.

“Ah…….”

It hadn’t even been a month since the funeral.

Dressed in a pitch-black dress and politely lowering my head, I must have looked quite pitiful.

But among the three, there was one man who reacted particularly strangely.

“C-cough. I’ll head into the auction hall first.”

It was Gail.

“Already? Why don’t you stay a little longer?”

“No, no. There’s no point wasting my time here. I’m not feeling well, either, so I’ll excuse myself first.”

“Is that so? Then I’ll see you at the auction.”

With narrowed eyes, I followed his retreating figure as he waddled away until he disappeared into the distance.

‘Could it be……?’

Of the three men, Gail was the one who had been particularly incapable of hiding his jealousy toward Camille.

The man I had suspected the most was actually behaving so blatantly that he was practically announcing his guilt.

Just as I was about to follow him, feeling my suspicion begin to turn into certainty—

“My lady!”

“…….”

“I never expected to see you in a place like this.”

Another fish had taken the bait and caught me.

“Have you finally recovered from your grief?”

Ah, damn it.