IBTMOTD Chapter 197

I knew he’d show up.

 

But I wasn’t surprised. I had expected to meet Richard again.

 

I also want to ask him why he said those things to the butler.

 

This quiet, secluded room with just one painting. According to the butler, this space was prepared by Richard specifically for me… Why would Richard do that? No matter how much I thought about it, I couldn’t figure out a good reason.

 

“I don’t know.” I opened my mouth while still looking at the painting. It was my response to Richard’s first question.

 

Honestly, I didn’t know. I wasn’t sure if I had ever seen this painting before or if it just felt familiar.

 

“Is this a painting you cherish?” This time, I asked Richard. After all, if he had a whole room dedicated to it, it seemed he valued it.

 

“Well, what does cherish mean?”

 

“…Um, like collecting the work of an artist you admire or something like that.”

 

“In that case, no, I don’t cherish it.” Richard shrugged, his gaze fixed on the painting. “I don’t even know who the artist is, who it was painted for, or even what it’s supposed to represent. I don’t know anything about it.”

 

He didn’t know anything about the painting, yet he displayed it so carefully. Maybe his mansion was so big he had plenty of extra rooms? That explanation seems more plausible.

 

“You must have heard from the butler already, right?”

 

“Huh?”

 

Richard spoke again. “This space was created for you. I hung this painting here for you as well.”

 

Just as I thought I’d reached a reasonable conclusion, his words threw my mind into chaos again.

 

“I’ve spent years traveling the continent, trying to learn about this painting. I’ve met countless artists and heard all sorts of stories.”

 

I couldn’t say anything in response.

 

“But no one knows anything about this painting.”

 

“…”

 

“The only thing I’ve learned for certain is the identity of this sea.”

 

I could only watch as he pointed to the sea in the painting.

 

“They call it the Sea of Ananke.”

 

The Sea of Ananke…

 

“They say all memories are asleep in that sea—memories across time and space.”

 

Maybe it was the soft light in the dark room, but…

 

So, he really does cherish this painting.

 

It felt like Richard not only cherished it but loved it.

 

“But I still don’t know who this woman is.”

 

Otherwise, how could he gaze at it with such affection? With a look that seemed to have gazed at it a hundred times a day, speaking to it, wondering about it.

 

“You think I’m somehow connected to this painting, don’t you?”

 

Finally, I began to understand. All these inexplicable circumstances were starting to make sense.

 

“From the moment I first saw you at the Everet estate, I thought you resembled the woman in this painting.”

 

The woman in the painting had her back turned, so her face wasn’t visible. Only her golden hair, fluttering in the wind, stood out clearly. But how could he say I looked like her?

 

“I don’t really see it,” I answered after a brief pause.

 

The Sea of Ananke. How many memories must be hidden beneath that sea? And what memories was that woman searching for?

 

“Now let me ask Your Grace something. Why do you like this painting?”

 

“Do I look like someone who likes this painting?”

 

“Of course. You wouldn’t look at it like that if you didn’t.”

 

Richard smiled faintly. “I suppose you’re right.”

 

Richard and I had only met briefly a few days ago. And given the difference in our status, having a conversation like this should’ve been difficult. Yet here we were, discussing a painting.

 

Life was full of things I couldn’t understand, even after living through countless lives.

 

“I guess it’s right to say I just fell in love with it at first sight,” Richard muttered with a slight frown.

 

“So does that mean there’s a trace of Your Grace in that sea as well?”

 

“What do you mean?”

 

“I mean that you and this woman must have shared something—maybe in another world or at a different time.”

 

Through all the lives I’ve lived, I’ve learned a few things.

 

“Even if memories fade, they always leave a trace. And perhaps you were drawn to this painting because of that trace.”

 

Even if precious memories are forgotten, they leave marks on one’s life. And those marks create an attraction.

 

“So you’re saying that in some other world or time, this woman and I met?”

 

“Yes, I don’t know if I’m right, but it’s possible.”

 

Everything in life was ultimately a fateful coincidence disguised as chance. Fate was built over long periods across different worlds.

 

“So that’s why I fell in love with this painting at first sight?”

 

“Exactly!”

 

Normally, people would look at me as if I were speaking nonsense. But Richard seemed to understand quickly.

 

“There’s no such thing as falling in love at first sight.”

 

Even drawn in at first sight was the same.

 

“It’s about meeting someone you once loved in another world and falling in love with them all over again as if it were the first time.”

 

“…”

 

Richard chuckled softly, seemingly amused. “Hmm, I guess ‘drawn in at first sight’ is more accurate than ‘fall in love at first sight.’”

 

I thought it was a strange smile.

 

“Ah… I get it now.”

 

When did it start? Richard’s eyes were no longer on the painting. Instead, they were on me.

 

“So that’s why I was drawn to you at first sight.”

 

“What?”

 

For a moment, our eyes met in the air.

 

“Then let’s stop using the excuse of the painting from now on. Let me be blunt.”

 

The smile on his lips turned sly.

 

“Have we met somewhere before?”

 

* * *

Several months passed after that.

 

“Sepiana, that demon is coming back soon.”

 

The boy kneeling in front of me had a face like a dejected puppy. It was Dave.

 

“What if that demon tries to take you away again?” He looked up at me.

 

Typical of the male lead.

 

It hadn’t been that long, but Dave had grown noticeably. Especially after staying at Richard’s estate, everything seemed to be going smoothly. Unlike the original story, it seemed possible that I could raise him into a fine male lead.

 

“Demon? That’s not a nice thing to say. I told you to call him His Grace.” Sitting in Richard’s personal armchair, I reminded him.

 

“I know! But since he keeps trying to steal you away, he’s a demon!”

 

“I’m just an ordinary tutor. You shouldn’t fight with the duke over me.”

 

As I tilted my head back, the cushion adjusted perfectly to support me. As expected of the duke’s belongings, it’s top-notch and exceptional.

 

“No, this is a serious battle between men. Very serious.” Dave muttered with a grave expression.

 

Judging by his eyes, it was clear he hadn’t heard a word of my ‘I’m just a tutor’ claim. He usually listened well but only became stubborn in moments like this.

 

“If that demon interrupts our lessons again…”

 

“Hey, kid. If the lesson’s over, go review.”

 

Suddenly, a large hand clad in a leather glove appeared.

 

“Y-You demon!”

 

“That’s right, I’m the demon you said I was.”

 

Dave’s body was lifted off the ground.

 

“Now head back to your room. The lesson is over.” Richard said, holding Dave as if he were a child. “From now on, your tutor is mine.”

 

“No! Duke is an idiot!”

 

“You’re the idiot. How many times are you going to read the same book?”

 

At this point, the situation wasn’t even surprising anymore.

 

“You just want to monopolize her, you little brat.”

 

“Hmph!”

 

But watching the two of them bicker like children, I couldn’t help but think: Life really is full of surprises.

 

---

Hi, if you enjoy the story, please leave a review in the Novelupdates. Thank you~