Chapter 66
When Laszlo was unable to go out with her because of his work at the Imperial Palace, he handed her his checkbook, which bore his signature and the family seal, and said:
“I am completely ignorant about paintings, and if I go with you I will embarrass myself… So teach Linnea how to choose paintings. It doesn’t matter how much money you spend.”
This statement may sound impressive and powerful to someone else, but to Idel it was not.
'Count Crisis seems to be less generous than he is unattached to money. A family head shouldn't be like that.'
If he lived alone in this house, no one would have objected to his lifestyle.
But his responsibility goes beyond that, as he is not only responsible for the livelihood of his sister Linnea and a number of servants, but he must also be a pillar of imperial power.
Therefore, he was supposed to use his accumulated wealth in a “proper” way, and Idil decided to help him with that to the best of her ability.
“…The exhibition will open tomorrow. The artworks can usually be purchased from tomorrow, but thanks to the recommendation of Marchesa Celestine, we will allow you to reserve some paintings today. Please understand that you can only reserve five paintings.”
Edel was jolted out of her thoughts by the voice of the gallery owner, who seemed to be doing her a great favor.
The Otis Gallery organizes two shows of up-and-coming artists annually, and thanks to the gallery owner's sense of artist selection, there has always been at least one artist who stands out and achieves great success.
Therefore, the opportunity to acquire the right to purchase paintings at this exhibition was a priceless privilege.
“Thank you. I will let you know when I have finished making my selection.”
"Well, enjoy looking at the paintings at your leisure."
The gallery owner left Edel and Lenia alone in the quiet exhibition hall.
Linnea gazed at the paintings and sighed, then whispered with displeasure:
“I don’t understand what makes a painting good; they all look the same to me… However, I can tell that these paintings aren’t bad. How can they consider those paintings to be art?”
From Linnea's perspective, the paintings on display were not much different from those in the house. In fact, there were some works she couldn't understand at all.
But Edel, who had been wandering silently through the gallery, ended after a long period of contemplation by placing a pin on the side of five paintings.
"Are you really going to buy these paintings?"
"Yes."
"Why...?"
Linnea's gaze faltered, as among the paintings that Edel had chosen was one that she had previously criticized as "bad".
“Although glorifying war victories or depicting military heroes is no longer fashionable, there is one work that is fitting for the hall because of its connection to Count Crisis, being a knight.”
“I understand that.”
“As for the painting depicting nature, it would be suitable for the young lady’s room, while I chose my two still life paintings to hang in the reception room and dining room.”
"Well, that makes sense too. But what about that painting?"
Linnea pointed to paintings that, compared to the others, appeared blurry and indistinct. They had a glowing light, but they looked as if they had been painted haphazardly.
But Idel stood in front of that painting for the longest time.
“This is an artist whose work I have been interested in for some time, but I have never seen this style before. However, I don’t know why the painting appeals to me.”
It might be like gambling with other people's money; this painting that Idell finds beautiful may not be appreciated by others.
But she couldn't move easily from in front of her.
'I think it would be suitable for Count Crissis's room; it looks just like him.'
Edel recalled the strong feeling she had whenever she encountered Laszlo.
The painting that Edel chose was also a dazzling display of light, where the sun's rays scatter across the entire world, the waters sway in emerald and deep blue hues, and ships in the harbor look up to the sun, waiting to set sail for unknown worlds.
Edel looked as if she could see Laszlo in that painting.
A force that retains the ability to control, an aura that no one can resist, a hope that creeps in unintentionally, and finally, light.
'Perhaps the nobles will soon begin to appreciate his true worth.'
Edel envisioned a status that would slowly change and evolve to become more magnificent in the future.
But, for some inexplicable reason, she felt an emptiness inside, like grass left alone in the shade without the sun's rays reaching it.
'I've become unnecessarily emotional, it seems.'
Edel shook her head and approached the gallery owner. She quickly paid for the painting, as she also had to visit other galleries.
***
“Mom, isn’t this… Idil?”
William Canyon was strolling through the art gallery area with his mother, and he pulled her arm, pointing in a certain direction.
Ludmila, who was upset that a painting whose value would increase in the future was being sold so early, frowned at first, but turned in the direction her son had pointed and gasped in astonishment.
“Idel?”
"Isn't that right? My eyes don't lie, do they?"
William could not believe what he was seeing, so he asked repeatedly.
They thought they would never see her again after she was given as booty to Laszlo, and here she was, strolling around the art gallery area among the nobles in broad daylight, looking well, and even Linnea Crisis was by her side.
"Are the rumors true?"
"The rumor that she works as a maid in that house?"
“Yes, but she doesn’t look exactly like a maid….”
Ludmila understood what William was trying to say. Even in her eyes, Idyll's appearance suggested a certain status.
'Her clothes are elegant, she looks confident… and most importantly, she's talking to that mercenary's sister with a smile.'
Idel and Lenya seemed to get along well, and their glances were almost equal.
It seemed that Idil was teaching Linnea some things, and Linnea was nodding her head seriously and asking her questions.
Ludmila took a step back and silently watched Idil.
"It seems we have to tell your father."
“I think so too.”
After Edel left their field of vision, the two climbed into the carriage and went straight back to tell Count Canyon what they had seen.
At first, the Count frowned disapprovingly at the mention of Idyll's name, but when Ludmila told him that Idyll looked similar to Lenia and was well dressed, his expression gradually changed to seriousness.
“You’re saying she used to frequent the exhibitions accompanied by Laszlo’s sister?”
“Yes, it sounded like she was explaining something to her, but we were too far away to hear anything.”
“Hmm! No doubt she was teaching that common girl how to understand paintings.”
Count Canyon shook his head slowly, and began to think deeply.
For them, Edel was already a losing card, a card they would never see again and should never see.
But unexpectedly, Idil was strolling around in the bright sunshine.
'So, does this mean it has some remaining benefit?'
He narrowed his eyes thoughtfully.
Idyll was a child he raised solely for the "use" she could provide. If she had little value, she was neglected; if she was useful, she was exploited. This was considered self-evident.
From the beginning, she was a child brought in to be raised for that purpose.
'If it still has any use, it must be exploited in some way. How much money have we spent on it!'
When he planned to send her to marry the Duke of Lancaster, he thought he would reap more than he had invested in her, but things ended in complete failure.
Therefore, he considered that deal a failure, but now he has heard something that might suggest that this is not quite the case.
“Ludmila.”
“Yes, dear.”
"How much did we pay for that house when we brought Edel and Lynn?"
Ludmila raised her eyebrows, trying to remember what had happened so long ago, but she had not forgotten the amount she had considered painful at the time.
“We paid 100,000 ringgit when we brought in Edel, and 80,000 ringgit when we brought in Lynn.”
When she was diagnosed as no longer able to have children after giving birth to two sons, Count Canyon made a decision after much deliberation to buy children from one of his distant relatives.
He was close to the common people and did not even have the ability to properly care for his existing children, while Count Canyon needed girls to complete the family lineage.
For him, that adoption was simply a deal to meet mutual needs, nothing more and nothing less.
“I hate things that are not worth their value. If I spend money, I must get more than I paid for.”
“Your words make perfect sense. Especially Edel; we’ve put in invaluable effort.”
“Of course! Even real parents wouldn’t have gone to all that trouble. So, William.”
William raised his head when he heard his father calling.
For Count Canyon's family, William was the son they would not hesitate to care for with all that was precious and valuable.
“Assign someone to monitor Edel, and make sure to choose someone who does not attract the attention of Blaslow’s private mercenary guild.”
“Yes, I will, Dad.”
Count Canyon's eyes were shining.
He wasn't sure yet, but his intuition told him he should keep a close eye on Edel.
***
"Will you go in directly?"
"Is there anything else that needs to be checked?"
“No, there’s nothing, but….”
"Then, we'll meet tomorrow."
Laszlo nodded briefly to the guard and headed straight towards the stable.
Recently, he had been traveling between the Imperial Palace and his home on horseback. After Idel spoke to him about the idea of replacing his carriage, he promptly sold the old one. He ordered a new one, but it was delayed in arriving, so he had been using the horse temporarily.
As he was leaving, the guards exchanged words among themselves.
"Why does he seem so happy to be back home lately? Is he hiding a treasure there?"
"Who knows, maybe he's going to meet his sweetheart."
Laszlo had appeared visibly happy during his recent departures from the palace, so much so that everyone had noticed.