My Husband Lives Inside a Painting Chapter 31

“There’s no reason you have to go all the way to his mansion. After what happened at the exhibition, to hell with etiquette.”

“Well, that’s true, but… I’ve already agreed to go. What can I do now?”

“Sometimes, you seem clever, but at other times, you’re downright foolish.”

“Wow. You really don’t hold back anymore, do you?”

“I’m merely stating my observations.”

Claude’s way of speaking was irritating, but there was something comforting about how honest he was, never bothering to hide what he thought.

Of course, in the eyes of my loyal maid, his behavior probably seemed nothing more than rude.

“My lord! Honestly, please watch what you say! How can you be so disrespectful to my lady?!”

“How am I supposed to be more polite? I used an honorific, and I spoke respectfully.”

“Just because the packaging is fancy doesn’t mean the contents are any better!”

“Considering how I usually conduct myself in public, you shouldn’t be saying that.”

“Hmph! Why should my lady have to concern herself with your private life?”

“……”

Wow, she was good. I nearly applauded without realizing it.

After Romaine pointed out every single one of his faults, Claude obediently fell silent. He was a man who accepted criticism quickly.

Romaine, who had been fuming just moments ago, turned to me with an expression that had changed a full 180 degrees. She spoke sweetly.

“All done, my lady. It’s rather chilly outside, so I think you should wear this shawl as well.”

“Thank you. What would I do without you?”

“Hehe, it’s nothing.”

“…You two are really laying it on thick.”

I gave Romaine a small wave, and she bowed politely before leaving the room.

There was still plenty of time before our departure, so I decided to continue talking with Claude, who had gone out of his way to come all the way here himself.

The moment I sat down on the sofa, Claude promptly flung himself onto the seat opposite me, as though he had been waiting for it.

“Are you acquainted with Marquess Buthier?”

“……”

After sulking for a little while, he finally opened his mouth.

“Before I answer that, let me ask you something. Have you heard the rumor that the marquess is the Emperor’s secret son?”

“It was a famous scandal once. But why?”

“That rumor is true. His mansion used to be near our territory when I was a child.”

Claude added nonchalantly,

“There was nothing but a mansion left standing there, without any territory attached to it. Then, at some point, it disappeared. I only heard later that he had been granted a title and moved to the capital after his mother died.”

“Then you two must have known each other. You’re about the same age, too… Ah.”

Only then did a scene I had forgotten come back to me.

At the Relief Charity Exhibition, Pagoda had seemed to be studying Claude intently.

“Wait a minute. Come to think of it, you…”

Could the two of them have known each other as children?

As though he had read my mind, Claude answered immediately.

“We weren’t close.”

“Why not?”

“……”

For a moment, his lips moved as though he had plenty to say. But what followed crushed my hopes of hearing some useful information.

“…Anyway, you’d be better off not getting too involved with that man.”

You deliberately held something back just now, didn’t you?

“Hmm.”

I narrowed my eyes and studied Claude intently. But he kept his lips sealed like a clam, as though he had no intention of saying another word.

In the end, the conversation came to an awkward close when I gave a small nod.

“I’ll be back before it gets dark.”

After our conversation, Claude didn’t bother coming out to see me off.

But even as I climbed into the carriage, my conversation with him continued to occupy my thoughts.

With a somewhat troubled expression, I placed one foot on the carriage step. Just then, I felt someone tugging at the back of my dress.

“Noona.”

“Hm?”

It was Johenn.

“You have another reason for going besides finding my sister, don’t you? They say that man is really bad.”

“……”

The child’s clear eyes reflected me like a mirror.

“Then please punish that man first.”

“…Johenn.”

“And as for my sister… if there’s even a chance she’s still alive, I’d be grateful if you could rescue her then.”

For a moment, I was at a loss for words.

There were so many children in this world who had been forced to grow up far too early, as though they were trying to make up for the shortcomings of the adults around them.

“Yes. I promise.”

I gently stroked Johenn’s hair and gave him a small smile.

“And don’t worry. I’ll find out what happened to Anne-Marie, too.”

Perhaps my revenge wasn’t something I was doing for myself alone.

 

***

 

The marquess’s mansion was located not far from Ortega.

That made me feel strange.

The thought crossed my mind that, if I had wanted to, I really could have had an affair with him.

But that would never have happened. I can’t stand lechers like Pagoda Buthier.

He was a man who had once described himself as junk food.

His miserable childhood and lack of affection must have twisted his desires, leading him to pursue improper relationships with countless women.

That much was already common knowledge in high society, even without Claude having to tell me.

And ironically, that very label of “junk food” seemed to make him appealing to certain women.

Honestly, I can’t understand either side.

After arriving at the Buthier mansion, I reviewed my objectives for the day before getting out of the carriage.

First. Find evidence related to Camille’s murder.

Second. Find out what happened to Anne-Marie.

“Welcome. Our master is waiting for you.”

All right. Let’s do this.

I followed the marquess’s servant into the mansion.

It was quite spacious for a man living alone. There were a considerable number of employees, yet every single one of them kept their mouths firmly shut, as though they had all agreed to do so.

Leaving the slightly awkward atmosphere behind, I met Pagoda in the drawing room. He greeted me with an extremely welcoming attitude.

“Mrs. Ortega, I’ve been waiting for you! Let me have some tea brought in first.”

“Thank you, Marquess.”

“Think nothing of it. …Chief Steward?”

“Yes, my lord.”

At Pagoda’s instruction, the servants bustled about.

The aroma of black tea filled the drawing room, wafting from ceramic cups adorned with ornate gold trim.

As I took a sip of the warm tea, I felt some of my tension ease. Just as I was catching my breath, Pagoda broke the silence.

“I’m deeply honored that you were willing to spare me some of your time, madam. Has there been a change of heart?”

“Nothing so dramatic. It’s just that once a month has passed, even grief naturally begins to fade.”

“That’s simply human nature. If someone is no longer by your side, they’re bound to be forgotten eventually.”

Our conversation continued at a comfortable pace.

Perhaps he was so experienced because he had plucked so many flowers. He was skilled at controlling the rhythm of a conversation, and as a result, I felt less uncomfortable than I had expected.

But…

Is this man really the culprit?

I decided to ask a more discreet question.

“Do you have no intention of getting married, Marquess?”

“Ah, you mean me?”

“Yes. There’s no particular reason. I was just curious.”

“Hmm…”

Pagoda trailed off, then soon lifted the corners of his lips.

“Mrs. Ortega, you asked me about my tastes the other day, didn’t you?”

“Pardon?”

“I’ve always thought your red eyes were beautiful.”

His response strayed a little from the topic, and for a moment, I was at a loss for words.

“I’ve met all sorts of women, but I’ve never seen such a vivid shade of red.”

“……”

“Pigeon blood, was it? It’s the sort of color you only see in the finest rubies.”

The marquess couldn’t take his eyes off mine.

His greedy gaze made it difficult for me to keep my expression under control.

“I’m grateful you think so highly of them.”

“It’s a compliment with an ulterior motive. I hope you’ll allow yourself to feel suitably flattered.”

Thank goodness there was a table between the chairs where we sat facing each other. That way, I didn’t have to move any closer to him.

“…Ah, excuse me.”

“……”

Of course, I still had to put up with his fingers brushing against mine from time to time as they reached across the table.