Episode 30

Ute delicately caressed my cheek and declared.

"Because I'm handsome."

"…"

"Of course, Miss Sonnet might hold a different opinion!"

"What, what nonsense are you spouting?"

"Personal preferences are incredibly subjective, so it's entirely plausible that Miss Sonnet might not find me attractive!"

"Seriously, what on earth…"

"It is an undeniable truth that I am handsome, but I do not impose this truth upon you—"

"What gibberish…."

His forehead, revealed as I applied the dye, was prominent.

A straight nose, full lips, and a resolute chin.

I resisted the urge to touch each feature and remarked.

"It depends on preferences and tastes."

"…"

"Do you believe your beauty, Sir Ute, adheres to such standards?"

"…What?"

"Just because some people don’t recognize it, does the earth cease to rotate?"

"Are you saying that my looks are as significant as the earth's rotation?"

"Is there a difference?"

The notion that I might not acknowledge Ute Velvet's beauty.

What are you talking about?

Ridiculous.

Though it was charmingly cute and cheeky of him to consider such an unfounded possibility with such a face.

"Are you interested in my appearance, Miss Sonnet?"

If that were not the case, why would I be here with you?

"I also have eyes to see."

"Really?"

He leaned towards me from his chair.

His broad shoulders seemed as if they would brush against my waist or elbows at any moment.

"Yes... Move back, you reek of hair dye."

"Ah."

His lethargic retreat to his seat reminded me of a large, affectionate puppy.

"Sir Ute, you really… lack a sense of personal space."

"Is that so?"

"Like a dog eagerly approaching every person it encounters."

"Because I am fond of it."

His dense eyelashes formed a long arc. The silver and wheat hues shimmered brilliantly against the sunlight.

"People."

Ute Velvet should be venerated in a shrine.

‘What a precious heart.’

He was a rare gem in these harsh times. Suddenly, I felt parched.

"Should I just leave the dye as it is?"

"Simply wipe it off with a damp towel, following the direction of the strands. I’ll handle it—"

"I'll do it!"

I rushed to the bathroom. I needed to distance myself from Ute Velvet's allure for a moment.

‘This is driving me insane, seriously.'

The bathroom structure was simple.

I quickly located a thick towel and moistened it.

I felt an urge to dunk my head in the sink.

‘Aaaaah! I love you!’

Why is he so cute!

After a silent scream, I returned to Ute Velvet.

Wherever the towel touched, the bright silver shone.

"Anyway, what does Sir Ute's handsomeness have to do with the business trip?"

"It's because of the male lead."

"Master?"

"Yes. He is highly cautious of men around her age."

"There is a considerable age gap between the madam and the master."

"He seems to be wary even of his aide."

"Why…?"

"It's standard behavior for the male lead. Being jealous of anyone close to the female lead, even if they are a younger brother or a son…."

"Isn't that just childish behavior for his age?"

The Count of Edwell was already thirty.

Ute Velvet murmured in a casual tone.

"It's advantageous for us. His awareness and jealousy of others."

"Even though you had to travel such a long distance without any additional pay?"

"It's alright. Thanks to that, I acquired unexpected benefits."

The man's head, from which I wiped all the dye, was a pristine silver.

"You don't need to worry about Evangeline."

Ute stood up and handed me a file folder from the drawer.

"This is…."

Dozens of photos featuring one person.

Specifically, they were photos of newspapers featuring one individual.

"I discovered them in the Count's room. It appears he collected every newspaper featuring Clara Edwell."

"…"

"Ronda newspapers aren’t typically imported to Selcing, so he must have procured them privately. However, since the female lead isn’t prominent in the Ronda royal family, this is all there is."

The stiff paper clearly captured the madam's face. I was astonished.

"Sir Ute, this is—"

"It's a bit creepy, isn't it? But it's a common plot where the assumed simple arranged marriage turns out to be a reunion of past acquaintances—"

"Did you purchase a camera?"

"…Pardon?"

"Isn't this an expensive model? Well, cameras are generally pricey!"

I raised the photos high and scrutinized them closely.

This quality!

This clarity!

The quality was on par with the animal encyclopedia the academy professor carried around.

"Isn’t it? You borrowed it, right?"

"No, I bought it."

"Oh Mother…!"

I calculated the cost of the camera, film, and development fees.

I had never seen a commoner carrying a camera before!

Only journalists possessed such expensive items!

‘Would I need to save for a year, or perhaps two years to afford this?’

I swallowed hard.

"Wasn't it costly? Did you buy it at a cheap price from a wealthy acquaintance…?"

"I purchased the latest model from a department store."

"Are you wealthy, Sir Ute? Are you a noble?"

Ute Velvet smiled awkwardly and looked away.

I seriously felt like I was going to faint.

"Save your money! Oh my, how much is all this!"

"Is there a need to save money?"

"…What?"

"It's not like we can take it with us when we die. We should use it when needed."

Oh my, with that money, you could rent an apartment immediately!

I raised my head and restrained my tears.

"Do you frequently take photos?"

"I bought it just in case. I didn't anticipate using it like this."

"Oh Mother…."

Well, now wasn’t the time to be looking for Mom. If it were my mom, she’d just give a thumbs-up saying ‘It’s all part of the experience.’

But Mom, what if I become penniless from all these experiences…?

"Excuse me, Sir Ute. I know this is a very personal and impolite question…."

"Speak comfortably."

"Do you work as a hobby?"

"You speak so comfortably."

"Do you have unearned income or an inheritance coming in ten years?"

"No."

"Do you save money?"

"No."

"Th-Then how do you manage your salary…?"

"I spend as much as I earn."

"Then how did you buy the camera?"

"Installments."

I was dizzy from his absurd financial sense.

I buried my face in my hands and sat down.

As I crouched on the floor, a gentle voice echoed above me.

"Are you dizzy? Is it because you stood for too long? Was the smell of the dye too strong?"

"I'm not that weak…."

"Ah, let me see your hand. Where's the burn?"

"Here…."

A soft touch enveloped my fingertip. This time I felt dizzy for a different reason.

"Anyway, Miss Sonnet, you just need to relay this to the female lead."

"What exactly?"

That the man I fancy has terrible financial sense?

"A woman who might be her husband's first love has unexpectedly appeared."

"…"

"Such insecurity could lead to major conflict. Major conflicts lead to long stories… we need to nip it in the bud."

Aren't you anxious about your future?

Was it my fault for worrying? His voice was as gentle as ever.

"Miss Sonnet can subtly inform the madam about this and reassure her. The master has been paying close attention to the madam for a long time."

"Hmm, isn’t there a more certain method?"

"What do you mean?"

His flawless silver hair gleamed.

I grazed the damp ends and continued.

"There’s a more definitive way."

---

Recently, the Count's estate was abuzz with gambling on the Count's romantic prospects!

"Shouldn’t we be careful with our words?"

"Would they bother with servants?"

"You don’t know what you’re talking about. Remember the complete kitchen staff turnover after the madam arrived?"

"That was because some of them tampered with the food…."

"Regardless! Whether there’s a reason or not is up to them to decide."

Repeated dismissals make servants anxious.

Is it the married lady or the new girl?

The servants had no choice but to bet on one side, wagering their futures.

"It’s the madam!"

"But she’s his first love!"

"No matter what, there is something called God."

"If he’s in love, what can one do? The master is a young, vigorous man!"

Loyalty to the spouse or pure affection for the first love?

During breaks, the servants were busy predicting the young Count's moves.

"But, I heard something strange…"

It was a maid who fervently supported Lady Evangeline.

"What? What did the young lady say?"

"I’m only telling you guys this."

"Got it, got it."

"Don’t tell anyone."

The maid, Karen, the best to spread the most tragic gossip, slowly opened her mouth.

---

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