Chapter 43.2

Chapter 43 – Part 2

If I had been someone who had even the smallest semblance of a twisted personality and an inferiority complex, I would have interpreted that as a sarcastic way of saying, ‘What a big deal it is for you to be interested in the arts, too.’

However, I was already well aware of the disastrous insensitivity of the Delacroix siblings—they tended to speak without a filter—so, I was able to take his comment in stride and respond properly.

“I came here because there’s one particular piece that I wanted to see. It’s a rare opportunity.”

“Oh, is it this painting?”

Zen Delacroix asked as he gestured one hand at A lantern amidst darkness . Really, this man was born with such a talent of making even mere hand gestures seem rude. Already feeling that I don’t want to deal with him anymore, I answered.

“…Yes, it’s this painting.”

“What a coincidence. I love this painting, too.”

Zen Delacroix smiled broadly. It was a smile that was as bright as the sun.

Too bright, no creases. Rather, it was too much for anyone who’s accustomed to darkness.

More and more, I just felt burdened by his presence.

“Actually, I’ve been wanting to talk to you since earlier, Duchess Valentino. The look you had on your face as you were looking at this painting was extraordinary.”

“……”

Seriously… This man had absolutely no sense of filtering his words at all. Like brother, like sister—Rozenne Delacroix.

Pressing down on the urge to let out a sigh, I opened my lips to speak.

“Then you must have been looking at my face, not the painting.”

“Huh? Ah… Haha! Now that you mentioned it, you’re right. How embarrassing.”

“……”

I still wanted to see more of the painting, so instead of leaving myself, I wanted this uninvited guest to leave first. However, it seemed like he had no plans to do so.

“What do you like about this painting, Duchess Valentino? Shall we each say something? Oh, up to ten each perhaps.”

He persisted in trying to converse with me. And besides that, I can’t believe he wants it to reach the count of ten…

It’s not as if we were both children who were playing a game, yet I couldn’t erase from my mind that he was treating this as just a game.

As I thought of how I’d get him to give it up, I responded.

“Must we count them all? It’s just that this painting called out to me. It’s been that way for a long time now. I couldn’t take my eyes off it ever since I first saw it.”

“……”

For some reason, Zen Delacroix remained silent. Wondering why that was, I glanced sideways towards him, but he was staring blankly back at me.

His eyelids trembled as soon as our gazes met. It was a mystery, but he somehow looked perplexed.

Then, smiling awkwardly, Zen Delacroix smiled awkwardly.

“A-ha, I see. You just like this painting for no reason… is what you mean, right? That’s very honest. That’s much better than forcing yourself to think of a reason. That’s true with love as well. It starts without a reason. Haha…”

“……”

‘Sounds like he’s just saying anything now.’

I had no idea what made him suddenly feel flustered, but I didn’t want to care. Rather, what he mentioned was what lingered on my mind.

‘Love begins without a reason’, he said.

“……”

A memory from two years ago flashed through my mind—the moment that happened in the Everett residence’s garden.

…And soon, my heart was filled with emptiness.

I directed my gaze back at the painting in front of me. With a faint smile, I murmured to myself.

“That’s right.”

“……”

“There’s no reason, so…”

It was even more cruel.

Because if you’d come to harbor feelings for someone without reason, it would feel like ‘fate’.

You would be under the illusion that anything was possible.

Wordlessly, I gazed upon the painting for a while more. Then, I turned my head and looked at Zen Delacroix.

He was looking at me, not the painting. With a complicated look in his eyes.

I still wanted to admire the painting A lantern amidst darkness even more, but at the same time, I’d rather not stay here with him. So, I politely said my goodbyes.

“Well then, I’ll be off first. I hope you enjoy the rest of your time.”

“Ah…”

As he was dazed, he missed the right timing to say goodbye as well. Still, I didn’t intend to wait for his greeting, so I proceeded to curtsy lightly and soon turned my back on him

“Wait, Duchess Valentino…!”

Zen Delacroix then tried to hold me back. However, at the same time.

“Duchess Valentino! There you are. I’ve been looking for you for a long time.”

Florentine Esner suddenly appeared, and she approached me with a wide smile on her lips.

Florentine suggested that the two of us should take a walk in the garden, and it was difficult for me to refuse.

She was the owner of the salon, where today’s exhibition was being held, and she was the sole daughter of Marquis Esner.

Throughout our walk in the garden, Florentine spoke of mundane topics, and she went on to call me intimately as ‘Lily’, just as she did before.

The atmosphere now wasn’t as burdensome as a while ago, but a strange sense of discomfort lingered all the same. I had a bad hunch about this.

And, sure enough.

Halfway through the rose arcade, Florentine stopped walking. Then, she looked back at me and spoke in an exceedingly serious tone.

“Lily, there’s something truly serious that I wish to tell you. It’s about…”

She gulped heavily as though she was very nervous. Then, with an equally serious gaze, he continued.

“It’s about Owen.”

——