Chapter 43

43

To be honest, I was a bit disheartened.

"I didn't expect so many people to attend... and for it to be such a large exhibition."

My knowledge of art was only slightly more advanced than a general appreciation, and I wasn't at the level where I could have a smooth conversation with experts.

So, I started to worry. What if I made a fool of myself? ...Perhaps I shouldn't have come.

"But there's a painting I really want to see. ...I'll try to avoid conversations with people as much as possible."

I swallowed my sigh and straightened my posture. I stood up straight, placed my hands neatly on my stomach, and lifted my chin slightly, looking around with a composed expression.

Most of the people were strangers. However, they seemed to recognize me and exchanged whispers with each other.

"Well, that's to be expected."

As the notorious daughter of the Everett family and the Duchess of Valentina, I was a well-known figure, even though I didn't want to be.

"Where is the Marquis Fynes, and where is George Lenier?"

When you enter an unfamiliar place, you naturally look for someone you know. I, too, couldn't escape this pattern and began searching for George Lenier.

But he was nowhere to be found. He either hadn't arrived yet or had stepped out for a moment.

With no other choice, I decided to look at the art pieces on my own. It would have been nice if Charlotte were with me, but she was waiting in the servants' lounge, as attendants and servants were not allowed to enter the salon.

"Ah... I found it."

After wandering around for a while, I finally found it. The decisive reason for my attendance at this exhibition today. A painting I had longed to see for a long time.

I slowly approached the painting. My heart raced with anticipation. I clenched my hands slightly and finally stood in front of the painting.

"Such a feeling..."

The painting was completely different from when I had seen it in reproduction. It felt as if the artist's vitality still lived within the painting, and I could sense its pulse.

This feeling that the painting was "alive" was something I had never experienced before, and it instantly captivated all my senses.

The surroundings grew quiet, and nothing but the painting entered my field of vision.

"The Lamp in the Darkness"

That was the title of the work. In pitch-black darkness where one couldn't see a thing, a vague silhouette of someone whose form was hard to discern.

A thin, bony hand protruding from a faded gray sleeve, holding a small lamp at its fingertips.

A fragile candle flickered precariously inside the lamp.

That small candle was... the only light illuminating the darkness.

"..."

I stood there, lost in the painting, unaware of the passing time.

I didn't even think about analyzing the techniques used in the painting. It felt as if I had entered the universe within the painting.

"Cough."

"!"

The sudden sound of a cough shattered my concentration. I frowned and turned to the side. A tall young man with distinct features stood there.

The first thing that came to mind when I saw him was that he sparkled.

Literally, he had hair that shone like gold and eyes as deep as honey. His appearance was so striking that it seemed to have absorbed all the gold in the world.

...I knew who he was, but this was the first time I had seen him up close.

Even from a distance, he had an intimidating presence, and up close, it was even more pronounced. This was similar to his younger brother, Rosanne Delacroix.

'Genevieve Delacroix.'

Or 'Gene' Delacroix. The heir to the wealthy Delacroix family, usually referred to as the 'Young Duke of Delacroix.'

He smiled at me and greeted me with perfect etiquette, though it felt more playful than serious. His eyes sparkled mischievously, making him seem more like a rebellious teenager always looking for trouble rather than the heir of a noble family.

In any case, since he had greeted me, I couldn't ignore him. Though I wanted to pretend I didn't know him and walk past... I greeted him formally.

"Hello, Young Duke of Delacroix."

"Duchess of Valentina, what a surprise to see you here."

If I were a twisted person with a chip on my shoulder, I might have interpreted his words as a subtle jab, "It's surprising that you're interested in art."

But I knew the Delacroix siblings' tendency to speak their thoughts without filter, so I could respond without feeling hurt.

"I came because there's a painting I wanted to see. It's a rare opportunity."

"Oh, this painting?"

Gene Delacroix pointed at "The Lamp in the Darkness." He had a knack for making even his gestures seem rude. I answered, not wanting to engage with him any further.

"...Yes, this painting."

"What a coincidence. I also really like this painting."

Gene Delacroix smiled brightly. It was a radiant smile, like sunlight. So bright and unblemished that it might be overwhelming to someone used to darkness.

I found him even more intimidating.

"Actually, I've been wanting to talk to you for a while. Your expression while looking at this painting was quite intense."

"..."

He really doesn't know the virtue of tact. Just like Rosanne Delacroix, I swallowed my sigh and spoke.

"You were looking at my face, not the painting."

"Huh? Ah... Ha ha! Now that you mention it, that's true. How embarrassing."

"..."

I didn't want to leave the painting yet. I hoped the unwelcome guest beside me would leave, but he seemed to have no intention of doing so.

"What do you like about this painting, Duchess of Valentina? Let's each share one thing. Oh, up to ten."

He said this, and the idea of sharing up to ten things... it felt childish and immature. I pondered how to make him give up and responded.

"Do we really need to count? I just like this painting. I've liked it for a very long time. I can't take my eyes off it whenever I see it."

"..."

For some reason, Gene Delacroix was silent. Curious, I glanced at him and saw him staring at me blankly.

When our eyes met, he blinked. He seemed flustered for some reason. He then laughed awkwardly and said,

"Ah, I see. You're just drawn to this painting without any specific reason... That's a very honest answer. It's better than forcing a reason. Love is like that too, starting without a reason. Ha ha..."

"..."

'He's rambling.'

I didn't know what had flustered him, but I didn't care. What he added, however, lingered in my mind.

"Love starts without a reason."

"..."

Suddenly, I remembered the garden of Everett Castle two years ago. ...And my heart felt hollow. I looked at the painting in front of me and murmured to myself,

"That's true."

"..."

"Without any reason..."

It's even more cruel.

Without any reason, just being drawn to a person, it feels like fate.

It makes you believe that something can happen.

After looking at the painting quietly for a moment, I turned to Gene Delacroix. He was looking at me, not the painting, with a complex expression.

Though I still wanted to see the painting, I didn't want to be with him, so I politely said,

"Then, I'll take my leave. I hope you have a good time."

"Ah..."

He missed the chance to respond, and I lightly bowed and turned away.

"Wait, Duchess of Valentina..."

Gene Delacroix was about to stop me when,

"Duchess of Valentina! There you are. I've been looking for you."

Florentine Elsner suddenly appeared, smiling brightly and approaching me.

* * *

It was hard for me to refuse Florentine's suggestion to take a walk in the garden.

She was the host of today's exhibition and the young lady of the prestigious Elsner Marquis family.

As we walked through the garden, Florentine called me 'Lily' as usual and chatted about everyday topics.

The atmosphere was not oppressive, but a strange discomfort lingered. I had a bad feeling.

Sure enough.

When we were halfway through the rose arch, Florentine stopped. She turned to me and said seriously,

"Lily, I have something important to tell you. It's about..."

She swallowed hard, as if nervous, and continued with a serious expression.

"It's about Owen."