CH 80

Chapter 80: A Painting and Suspicious Visitor

One week after that party, I was attending a tea party with Lars-sama at the Grand Marquis.

The Grand Marquis is the person I met at the royal party.

He spoke to me in a curious way, and to my surprise, we got along.

The Grand Marquis seems to be someone who likes sacred flower confections.

As a result, he seems to be collecting pictures of sacred flowers.

When I heard that we would have a tea party in a room decorated with many pictures of sacred flowers and said that I would definitely like to attend, an invitation arrived immediately.

“I’m really happy to see so many pictures of sacred flowers.”

Lars-sama had a look of excitement even before departure. Whatever the trigger for research, he seems to love sacred flowers.

Inspired by research motivation, he seemed to want to take paper and sketch.

Why don’t you borrow it later?

Suggested by the servant Marc,

“Yes, let’s do that.”

I guess he convinced him to take it with him.

I was a little relieved because I was wondering if it would be okay to keep sketching during the tea party.

The old Grand Marquis family mansion is located in a place close to the royal palace in the capital.

Although the grounds are not particularly large, the brick mansion, which has aged and has a taste, is as large as the Duke Svald house.

When we were shown to the living room, Lars-sama’s eyes shone.

It was also my first time seeing many sacred flower paintings, and I was allowed to appreciate each one as recommended.

“This is amazing. There seem to be sacred flowers I have never seen before.”

Upon being told this by Lars-sama, the middle-aged, thin-bodied Grand Marquis also explained with great excitement.

“Since I am not physically strong, I can’t go see them myself. So I have physically fit painters go and see them and buy the paintings they draw.”

He’s a bit of a strange patron of painters. But it’s similar to calling in painters to paint portraits, except the places they go are harsh.

“Certainly, these can only be painted by physically fit painters.”

I can’t help but mutter.

In front of me is a picture of a flower garden of sacred flowers blooming on a cliff.

It must be difficult to get to the place where this cliff is. From the surrounding scenery, it looks like it is deep in the mountains.

While I was looking around for a while, the other participants came.

Even so, there were only ten people in total. Since it was a small tea party, I was able to participate without getting too nervous.

Even if the conversation didn’t last long, I could get by just looking at the picture.

The picture of the sacred flowers was interesting to begin with, and time passed quickly just talking about it.

Since it was a tea party, I did drink tea, but the picture left a deeper impression than the tea.

I was able to leave the party feeling happy after being told by several people that we should meet again.

“Then, let’s hold an appreciation party at a suitable time.”

With these words from the Grand Marquis, the tea party today ended.

That was when everyone was trying to leave.

The middle-aged steward had a very difficult expression and was whispering something to the Grand Marquis. I wonder if there was a problem.

The Grand Marquis, who had heard the story, came to us.

His gaze was directed at Lars-sama, so it seems he has something to do with him.

“I’m sorry, Duke Svald. It seems that we have an uninvited guest who has come to talk to you. He was just waiting outside the gate.”

The household butler of the Grand Marquis family thought it was strange that a noble’s carriage was parked confidently outside the gate, and asked the servant about the situation.

Then the servant who was following the carriage told him that his master was waiting to meet Duke Svald.

“Who is this guest?”

“It seems to be Albert, the offspring of Count Herkuvis.”

Upon hearing the name, I couldn’t help but frown.

The memory is fresh in my mind of the trouble he has caused me. A man with whom I have a history is trying to contact Lars-sama without writing to him or visiting him in person.

I wonder if he has come to say something strange.

Although I am cautious, it is true that he is not doing anything unreasonable as the Grand Marquis says.

It is possible that he saw the carriage by chance and just wanted to talk for a little while.

Lars-sama considered for a while and then answered.

“… Let’s have a little talk. He said he had something to tell me?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

Lars-sama turned to me.

“Miss Linea, please go home first.”

“If it’s about me, I’d say no.”

I said that because I didn’t want to be a nuisance, and Lars-sama stroked my head and smiled.

“Don’t worry. I swore to protect you, so this is my job.”

Since I can’t oppose it if I’m refused, I at least ask.

“Then, please listen to the conversation with Asher-sama. Just in case.”

Considering the behavior of Count Herkuvis the other day, there is a possibility that he could secretly harm Lars-sama.

“To put your mind at ease, I’ll do that…although I’m a little worried about sending you home with just Marc…”

I think there’s no problem.

After all, no one can touch me. Depending on the case, Marc might be more dangerous. If that happens, you should ask Marc to leave my side to call for backup.

Thinking about such things, I said with a bright expression.

“It’s okay. I’m quite stubborn.”

“There’s no choice then.”

Lars-sama seems to be convinced, and the conversation continues.

It was then that I finally noticed that Grand Marquis was looking at us with slightly flushed cheeks.

Oh, is it because Lars-sama stroked my head?

From now on, I’ll have to ask Lars-sama not to do things like that in public.