Vol. 5 ITRG Volume 5 Chapter 18.2

Vol. 5 ITRG Volume 5 Chapter 18.2



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A few days later, the soirée was held. The beautiful garden, adorned with blooming roses, was enhanced to perfection by the subtle moonlight and the gentle rustling breeze. There were a number of his close acquaintances present. Viscount and Viscountess of Derbyshire, the brothers of Westport, Marquis of Wolflake, and various other aristocrats and gentry. But Bendyke was not among them. Aeroc clearly sent him an invitation, included with an invoice for the expenses of the evening. There weren’t many guests, but Aeroc still got a renowned conductor and his entourage, a lot of table decorations and food, and the finest wines for the best soirée. It was a sum enough for Bendyke to come running immediately and complain, yet he did not show up even when the event was well underway.

“Count. I hear you’ll be performing yourself in a few moments.”

“I’m worried I might make a mistake.”

“Even if you make a mistake, no one will notice. Besides, you definitely won’t make a mistake.”

Aeroc couldn’t help but smile at his naive cousin’s words. He lightly embraced the adorable cousin, expressing fondness. However, the man trailing behind like a shadow had a hardened smile. They were somewhat vaguely acquainted, so neither a polite response nor a friendly greeting seemed fitting. The other man, too, merely exchanged a glance. The grey eyes with a distinct glow scanned Aeroc’s surroundings suspiciously.

“I don’t see him today. Didn’t you send him an invitation?”

“I’m not that ungenerous. He must have something going on.” Gét latest novel chapters on nov(e)lbj/n(.)c/om

“Looking that there’s a seat for him, then he must have canceled on his own accord. He’s really an arrogant, rude bastard.”

“That’s just the way he is. I didn’t expect much from him.”

Aeroc was actually a little angry, but he responded casually. After exchanging pleasantries, Rapiel made his way over to his parents with Ariel. Aeroc had exchanged formal greetings with the Viscount and Viscountess of Westport earlier. When their eyes met again, a smile was enough to convey pleasantries.

Wolflake stood still, watching together with Aeroc as the golden curls swayed gently. He seemed to have something to say, which was a rare thing.

“Watch out for him. He’s been acting strange lately.”

“Who do you mean?”

“It’s hard to explain in detail, but there’s no doubt he’s about to do something dangerous. He asked me to do something for him the other day. I’ve already done it, but I thought it would be best to let the Count know.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about. What’s it got to do with me if this someone is up to no good?”

Aeroc recognized the man Wolflake was talking about at once. He feigned ignorance, not wanting to reveal his personal connections with that man, but was rewarded with a short snort.

I would have loved to see the extravagant result of the headache-inducing, grandiose soirée with my own eyes, but unavoidable circumstances have arisen. To prevent the unfortunate incident of getting fired again, I‘ve prepared a bribe as an expression of apology. I hope you like it.

Expecting your generous forgiveness, Kloff.

P.S. I still don’t understand why you would insist on holding a completely unnecessary concert in the cold, damp, and dark outdoors. Is there really value in a hundred and thirty boxes of top-grade candles?]

His skill of uplifting the happy mood into anger abruptly was remarkable. The gift sent by a cobbler, who had no idea of the beauty of the soirée created by the refreshing night air, twinkling stars, and the subtle fragrance of flowers, was probably nothing special.

In just one glance, the gift seemed to be a painting. Considering he did find looking at flowers to be enjoyable, it was likely a commonplace still-life painting of a flower vase. One who believed that as long as the colors were bright, it was extraordinary. It would be a complete abomination, with a crudely carved frame and a tacky gold-painted frame, all in poor craftsmanship. Aeroc nonchalantly untied the ribbon and tore apart the wrapping paper.

“Ah.”

As expected, it was a painting. But there was no tacky frame, no garish colours; it was a landscape painting of a peaceful summer country, painted with only subdued colors. The brushwork was extremely delicate, the color combination was monotonous yet not boring, and the warmth of the artist’s affection was evident.

Aeroc knew this painting. It was the one he hadn’t been able to snap up when he’d visited the gallery before, in his haste to leave. It was part of a seasonal series, <Early Summer> perhaps. How could the anonymous buyer be Bendyke, how could he know this was the painting Aeroc wanted?

“Count?”

The errand runner called softly as he stared blankly at the painting. Only then did he snap back to reality, lifting the painting himself instead of instructing the errand-runner. He then ascended the stairs briskly.

There was no more wall space in the study to hang the painting. He could take down the existing paintings and hang this one, but it would break the harmony of the other paintings. Instead, the bedroom, which had its furniture and paintings rearranged previously, had a more suitable empty space.

Heading straight to the bedroom, Aeroc took down the small framed painting on the opposite side of the bed, where he could best see it, and hung <Early Summer> instead. The old-fashioned, slightly dreary bedroom was instantly brightened. Looking at it made him feel as if his fatigue dissipated. A knot inside him that he didn’t know existed gently unraveled. The tingling sensation compelled Aeroc to move.

“I’m going out.”

As Aeroc exited his bedroom, the errand runner looked surprised and asked, “Do you mean now?” Without hesitation, Aeroc confirmed it. No special preparations were necessary. His new dark blue suit, made for the Rose Garden soirée, was obviously made for the outdoors. He could go out as he was dressed.

The carriage was ready in no time. As soon as Aeroc had jumped in, it sped off into the city, past the bottom place, and into the dull, hard streets lined with rows of identical city houses. To the place which had a handsome financial manager, who knew how to please his master with rude, haughty, yet at the same time, sweet bribes.

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