The Wicked Wife's Dark History Keeps Coming Back To Haunt Her - Chapter 303
Could it be that a problem had arisen in Henry’s path ahead?
‘No, that can’t be.’
Although there had been a small disturbance on the first day because of House Ulverni, the exhibition had ended successfully.
It had even reached the point where she was hearing that many guests were now looking for the previously unremarkable Reginald Viscountcy.
But one never knew.
“Could it be that there’s been a problem with recommending him for court painter?”
When Nina asked worriedly, Count Conwell shook his head.
“There shouldn’t be any issue with the recommendation itself. It’s just that, in relation to that, something has come up that I urgently need to discuss with the two of you.”
Count Conwell fell silent, saying he would explain the details after Ash arrived.
‘Just what is he trying to say?’
Was it because she had no idea at all what matter Count Conwell intended to discuss?
The deep concern resting in his sunken green eyes made her worry deepen as well.
How long had they waited like that?
After hearing news of the Count’s visit, Ash arrived, straightening his cravat as he took his seat.
“It’s been a while, Count.”
“Your Grace, thank you for readily allowing this visit.”
Ash nodded, then lightly drew Nina closer by the shoulder as if to show off how close they were, casually displaying his affection.
“I heard you were busy wrapping up matters after the solo exhibition, so if you came in person, is the issue serious?”
Perhaps he was surprised by how much closer the two had become than before.
Count Conwell, who had been blinking, nodded at Ash’s question.
“…Yes, this is a very serious matter.”
“A serious matter, hm…”
As Ash murmured with a furrowed brow, Count Conwell opened his mouth with a solemn expression.
“There is something I would first like to ask your understanding for.”
Nina narrowed her brows.
Since the word ‘understanding’ had come up, it sounded like a proposal that would be difficult for them to accept, to begin with…
Just what had he come here for?
“We’ll decide after hearing it first.”
At Nina’s words, Count Conwell rubbed his dry hands together as if tense, then spoke.
“…If it would be acceptable, I would like to recommend the painter sponsored by Duchess Nord as Henry’s disciple.”
“…Do you mean that left-handed painter?”
“Yes.”
The bad blood between Rebecca and herself was famous enough that most people would know about it.
And yet he wanted to make a painter sponsored by that woman Henry’s disciple?
This was no different from saying he wanted to tack her onto Henry’s path of flowers.
Because once Henry became a court painter, that person would be able to enter the palace with him.
Sure enough, this was exactly the kind of matter that would make Count Conwell come with such a grave expression.
“There’s no need to hear any more. If it’s that matter, we’ll refuse.”
Ash let out a disbelieving laugh.
If the sponsored painter took on the title of ‘disciple of a court painter’, then it would benefit Duchess Nord as well, wouldn’t it?
When even tearing Duchess Nord’s future to shreds still wouldn’t be enough, he was being asked to help that side instead.
It was a matter to refuse without a word more.
“Honey, let’s at least hear him out to the end.”
Nina soothed him, not hiding his displeasure.
If this was enough for a man who couldn’t possibly be unaware of the relationship between Rebecca and herself to make such a request, then there had to be an important reason.
Those hopeless eyes she had seen when she first met that child at ‘The Angels of Delphinium.’
And the sense of incongruity she had felt in the hunting festival tent, seeing the brush move steadily in the left hand.
Hadn’t Count Conwell also felt the same incongruity she had, and gone so far as to discover the reason for it?
“…Please, just hear me out this once. I can assure you that the two of you won’t suffer any loss from this.”
“Go on and speak. We’ll hear it all, and then decide.”
A man of Count Conwell’s standing was speaking with such resolute eyes, so it was certainly worth hearing him out.
At her words, Count Conwell slowly opened his mouth, his eyes dark with thought.
“Recently, the reason I began looking into Emil’s paintings was to get rid of a lingering unease.”
“Huh? He said he originally painted with his left hand in the first place…”
What Ian had said at Henry’s exhibition.
That single remark had bothered him strangely, like a thorn stuck in his throat.
So, in order to completely clear away that suspicion, he sought the help of a retired court painter.
Erica
I don’t like this AT ALL. Even if it’s some type of trap or something, I don’t like it. Anythiny that will momentarily let that would be happy is something I just don’t want to see.