Aidal’s face turned pale with shock. All the color drained from his face, leaving it as white as a blank canvas. He kept repeating that this couldn’t be happening, that it was ridiculous, like a broken doll, while his eyes trembled with fear.
Indira was no different.
“How is this possible…!” Indira checked the drawings several times.
Two drawings were spread out on the table. One was the drawing Aidal had just made, and the other was the sketch Seraphie had purchased. Even if Aidal had mistaken the drawing submitted to the gallery, an expert’s keen eye would notice. The style, the technique, and the forms were all different. The two drawings were individual works created by two completely different people.
“T-This is impossible!” Aidal couldn’t hold back and shouted. “There must be something wrong, something definitely wrong!” Unable to control his temper, he soon glared at Seraphie.
Aidal’s anger was naturally directed toward Seraphie. In his mind, she was the only one remaining calm in this chaotic situation, which only fueled his suspicion and anger. But Indira quickly countered his accusations.
“The Countess has not tampered with the packaging at all.”
There were no signs that the packaging had been opened and resealed. The tightly bound string was also intact.
“Then how do you explain this situation!” Aidal’s face turned red with anger and twisted unpleasantly. “That woman must have tampered with it!” He rudely pointed his finger at Seraphie.
From the start, I knew there was something off about her! In a twisted act of self-preservation, Aidal even began to rewrite his own memories, painting Seraphie, who had been somewhat polite, into an arrogant and insolent figure and adding jealousy and spite to the otherwise indifferent look in her blue eyes. It was a vile self-defense mechanism to deflect the shock he feared would come if his sponsorship fell through.
“Watch your words! What kind of disgrace is this in front of the Countess!”
“Ha, the woman who drove out her own parents, what kind of noble…!”
“Hey!”
Indira was about to shout when a sudden clap from Seraphie cut through the tension like a firecracker. Seraphie didn’t seem particularly angry at Aidal’s harsh words. It was as if she wasn’t even paying him any attention.
“Quiet.”
Soon, Seraphie’s gaze turned to someone. Naturally, Indira and Aidal also looked in that direction. There stood the staff who had been silently keeping her mouth shut even before the command for silence.
“On the first day I came here, you were very kind to me.”
“…”
“So, I’ll give you a chance. It was a repayment for the kindness shown back then.” But her tone, though seemingly generous, was devoid of warmth or mercy. Her cold blue eyes were just as unforgiving.
“I-I don’t know anything about this…” The staff continued to plead her innocence. But her voice trembled, making it futile.
“Oh gosh…!”
Indira, who had belatedly grasped the situation, repeatedly rubbed his face with both hands. He glared at the staff member with a look of deep betrayal.
“What on earth have you done?” Indira’s clenched fist trembled with indescribable anger. He was truly overwhelmed by the shock of the revelation. “You better answer properly,” said he, giving the staff one last chance. A completely useless chance, though. Even if, by some miracle, all of this was an innocent mistake by the staff, it was still a serious matter.
Trust was crucial for the gallery dealing with nobles. Just as important as the quality of the paintings was the trustworthy image shown to the customers. Given the nature of the business, if even one noble turned their back on the gallery, it could spell disaster. Moreover, the opponent wasn’t good. Of all people, it had to be Vallidus.
Indira, who worked with nobles, had recognized Seraphie’s potential early on. She was destined to become a major figure wielding the greatest influence in the empire in no time. To make such a grievous mistake with someone like her was unthinkable.
Still, if all of this was truly the staff’s mistake, Indira had some confidence in managing the situation. He was experienced and resourceful. With the connections and skills built up over time, he could sufficiently soothe Seraphie and offer her some comfort.
“Was it really a mistake?” Indira asked again. But deep down, he knew better. This wasn’t something that could happen by mistake.
Seraphie personally chose the paintings of the artist she wanted to support, and Aidal only received contact from the gallery. In other words, the only one who could have done this was a staff member working at the gallery. Moreover, that very staff member had been praising Aidal’s talents from the start. The chance of her confusing Aidal’s work with another artist’s was slim to none.
All signs pointed to the staff member and suggested deliberate misconduct.
“…”
Yet, the staff member remained silent, even as Indira pressed for an answer.
“…Alright.” Seraphie, who had been waiting quietly, finally spoke. “So that’s your answer.”
Seraphie believed she had been considerate enough and had given a chance for leniency. That was as much consideration as a victim could offer. There was no longer any need for mercy.
“Indira.”
At the call, Indira closed his eyes tightly. He feared the potential damage this could do to the gallery. Still, more than that, he was terrified by the sudden change in Seraphie’s demeanor.
“…Yes, Countess,” Indira answered in a heavy voice.
“What do you think of this situation?”
“I am truly sorry.” Indira apologized on behalf of the gallery. “This is clearly a lack of supervision. If I had paid a bit more attention…”
“W-Wait!” In the midst of this serious situation, where a superior was bowing his head due to a subordinate’s mistake, Aidal suddenly interrupted. “I didn’t know anything!” He desperately claimed his innocence.
“…”
“…”
Seraphie, who had been considering whether to let things slide out of respect for Indira’s dignity, and Indira, who had been preparing to take responsibility, both stared at Aidal in stunned silence.
Only then did the staff react, looking as if she felt a great sense of betrayal as Aidal pointed a finger at her in blame.
“I’m a victim too! It was just this woman! This woman called me over to her es—!”
“Aidal Sur.” Seraphie interrupted. “Shut up and sit down.” And then, she poured out the true feelings that had been held back for the sake of appearances. “It seems you don’t fully understand the situation, acting as if you are completely innocent.”
“Of course…!”
“And what about the slander you said about me?”
Aidal flinched under Seraphie’s sharp gaze, simultaneously recalling the huge mistake made just moments ago.
“Don’t test my patience any further. Unless you want your life to end for insulting a noble.”
Seraphie’s stern threat worked quite well. Aidal, face turning pale, staggered and sat down.
Just when it seemed like things had finally quieted down.
“Sob, sob…!” The staff, who had been silent until now, burst into tears.
How dare she cry. Seraphie thought, utterly flabbergasted. If anyone had the right to cry over this injustice, it was her.
“What are you crying for?” Indira also showed no concern for the staff’s tears, only scolding them. His androgynous beauty was now filled with fatigue.
Seraphie now genuinely felt sympathy for Indira. She was even moved by his sense of duty to take responsibility for someone like that.
“Actually…” The staff hesitated before confessing the truth. She and Aidal were actually lovers. Feeling sorry for the repeated failures and withdrawal of sponsorship, she had committed to securing him a sponsor.
“…”
“…”
Seraphie and Indira were left speechless.
I had my suspicions, but… Seraphie had wondered if it might be something like this, though she’d dismissed the idea as too childish, even for a world based on a novel. Was it really true? Did all of this just happen because of love?
This drives me crazy. Seraphie, utterly dumbfounded, closed her eyes tightly as a wave of frustration hit her, along with a headache.
Indira seemed equally at a loss for words due to the absurd reason. But Aidal was different. As the staff continued her explanations, he trembled like an aspen tree. The color that had drained from his face returned, seemingly due to the rising blood pressure from anger.
He has a right to be angry. Seraphie nodded discreetly. Judging by the circumstances, it seemed Aidal had no idea about this. It was understandable to be furious after experiencing such a thing. Seraphie fully understood.
“Countess!”
Just as Seraphie was pondering what to do next, Aidal’s urgent voice broke Seraphie’s contemplation.
“I really didn’t know anything!”
“So?”
“I mean, I was deceived too! I’m just a victim as well!”
Aidal’s panicked voice was as loud as a pig being led to slaughter, but it was the most polite and courteous Seraphie had ever seen him. Still, Seraphie continued to stare at him with a cold gaze, which made him sweat even more profusely.
“Indira.” Seraphie finally made a decision. “The sponsorship will proceed as pla—” Just as Seraphie was about to inform Indira of the decision, Seraphie felt the surroundings darken. A small shadow had fallen over her face. “Wait…!”
Noticing the shadow, Indira hurriedly stood up. But before Indira could intervene, Aidal’s raised arm came down faster. Aidal’s raised arm clearly intended to harm someone, and that intention was directed at the staff, who was too distraught to notice.
Seraphie’s eyes widened as she witnessed it all.
Crash-!
“Keuaargh!”
Aidal collapsed with an arm raised. At the same time, the table toppled over from the impact.
“Aack! Uaagh!!”
No one could fully grasp what had just happened. The staff member froze upon recognizing Aidal’s attempt to strike, and Indira stood awkwardly, unable to move. At that moment, only one person stood out.
“You.”
A threatening voice cut through the air, cold enough to freeze the air.
“What were you trying to do?”
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