The difference between awareness and illusion (11)
The next day, in the afternoon.
I had tea time with Rahon and Kalit after lunch.
Ian couldn't attend because he had been training hard since dawn the day before his departure to Oakwood.
As soon as he sat down on the sofa, Rahon started nagging him.
"Anyway, that woman was an assassin who tried to kill you. How can you give ten million gold to a woman like that? If you have that kind of money, give it to me instead!"
"Calm down, Rahon. You won't be able to exchange it for cash anyway."
"...It was a fake check."
"No, the check is real. However, if I exceed a certain amount, the family goes through a verification process."
"If it's a verification procedure..."
"I usually have Nadia sign the check for me, but this time I signed it myself. My family would probably think it was suspicious. They'll probably keep Veronica until I get home."
"So right now, the assassin must be running hard towards your house without even knowing that it's a prison."
"I guess so."
Rahon burst into laughter. Kalit, who had been chuckling along, put down his teacup.
"What do you plan to do with Miss Sierra?"
When the unfamiliar name came out, Rahon tilted his head.
"Who is Sierra?"
"She's the one who commissioned the assassination of Millenia. Yesterday, the woman received ten million gold and was so happy that she told me about it as if it was a favor."
An assassin dies when he dies, and never reveals his client. Veronica had told me her client because she was planning on leaving the scene.
Rahon let out a long sigh.
"Why do you have so many enemies? What's your relationship with that Sierra woman?"
"She was my only friend. Until she got caught cheating on my lover."
"Now, wait a minute. If your ex is the 3rd Prince, then he's cheating on you with your friend Sierra?"
"The two of them were doing something secret in front of me and my little brother caught them."
"Yes... in front?"
"I can't see. I guess they believed they couldn't be caught."
Rahon's face was distorted with discomfort.
"I've heard all sorts of crazy things. Was that the decisive reason you broke up with the Third Prince?"
"That's right."
"It probably isn't a good memory. I'm sorry I reopened your wounds for no reason."
"No, I really don't mind."
It's only been a month and a half, but it feels like it happened a long time ago.
I think I was quite angry at the time, but now I just think of it as something that happened. I felt nothing more than the gossip floating around in the world.
As I was recalling the events of that day indifferently, Kalit spoke softly.
"Regardless of whether the assassination was successful or not, Miss Sierra must pay for her crimes. Millenia, if you want, I will testify."
"..."
The deadline I gave Sierra was last month. So there was a rumor going around that Sierra was selling dresses and jewelry indiscriminately.
I thought it was to pay off a debt, but was it to raise funds to commission my assassination?
'Something seems strange.'
Before I left for Eldern, I gave Kjer full authority over Sierra's debts.
So even if she killed me, it would be impossible to escape from Kjer's debt collection.
Sierra wouldn't be so stupid as not knowing such basic things. Why would she hire an assassin?
'What if someone was manipulating her?"
The only person who could do that was Oslo.
But he had already asked Baba to assassinate me. So isn't it a bit strange that he would use Sierra to target me again?
'If only Baba had known he would fail...!'
A flash of lightning flashed through my mind. I clenched my fists.
Did Oslo notice Baba's change of heart?
If so, Baba was in danger. Oslo would not leave him alone.
The problem was that Baba hadn't been seen since the day Luther was rescued.
Even if I wanted to warn him, there was no way to do it unless he showed up.
'It's not certain yet. Let's not be too hasty in thinking about it.'
Because Baba may have already noticed and hidden himself.
I answered, suppressing my ominous feeling.
"I have no intention of looking after Sierra either. I'll think about it until I return to the capital."
"Is it so."
There was a brief pause in the conversation, and only the faint sound of teacups could be heard, Vivian came into the reception room.
"Miss, a guest has arrived. Shall we take him this way?"
"Yes."
Kalit put down his teacup.
"A guest is coming?"
"Yes, I see you've arrived."
"Then we'll get out of the way, Millenia. Have a nice time with your guests."
"If it's okay with you, I would like you to stay by my side. You too, Rahon."
Rahon hesitated as he tried to stand up.
"...Me too?"
"Yes."
"What's going on?"
"I'll tell you about that later."
Rahon and Kalit sat back down on the sofa with puzzled looks on their faces. A moment later, a man as big as a bear and a young woman appeared in the reception room.
Rahon's eyes widened as he recognized the man.
"Hugh? What are you doing here?"
"Oh? Rahon is here too. I came because Miss called me."
"Who came with you?"
"This is Erica Margreta, the Golden Tree Topper."
"Yes?"
Hugh seemed to know Erica. I slowly got up from the sofa.
"Welcome, Hugh. And Miss Erica Margreta."
"Oh, hello, Miss."
Unlike Hugh, who awkwardly greeted me by hastily taking off his hat, Erica was skilled at dealing with people.
"I've been wanting to meet you for a while now, and I'm honored that you've given me this opportunity. Please call me Erica."
Erica didn't really say hello to Kalit. She pretended not to know him unless I introduced him first.
That's clever.
"I think this story will be long, so please sit down."
When we invited them to sit down, Hugh and Erica cautiously sat down on the sofa. Nadia prepared the tea for them and stood behind me.
"Hugh. I heard you're the most famous painter in Eldern."
"Oh, no! You're the most famous! You're just barely making ends meet."
"If everyone who asks you compliments you, it means you have the skills. Be confident."
"That, that... Thank you for your kind words."
Hugh smiled shyly and rubbed the back of his neck.
"But... Why were you looking for me?"
"Aside from your own creations, have you ever heard someone else's story and turned it into a drawing?"
"Sometimes I work to create an atmosphere that the client wants, but... I have to first consult with the client and try to coordinate."
"You can coordinate with me. I am the client."
"Is that so?"
Hugh stuttered in embarrassment.
"Uh, first of all, I think I need to know exactly what kind of picture you want. It's hard to work on a picture that's too abstract. Since everyone's thoughts are different, the results are often unsatisfactory."
"I want you to draw the future I see."
For a moment, silence flowed through the reception room.
Not only Rahon but also Kalit looked at me with surprised eyes as if they had not expected it.
"I plan to draw the future I see. If I were to give it a name, It would be Future Painting. I would like Mr. Hugh to be in charge of Eldern's future painting."
"Oh, the future? How can I do something so incredible?"
"How about trying out just one piece? I think it won't be too late to decide later."
"..."
Hugh, who had been thinking for a moment, spoke cautiously.
"There is a very important issue. I have to make sure that I am drawing exactly as the client wants, and that is..."
You might be wondering how I, who can't even see, can confirm the picture.
"Nadia will do that. If you give me the sketch, she will check it for me and let me know what needs to b e improved."
"But..."
Hugh couldn't make a quick decision. He felt burdened because it could go down in history.
"Hugh, I heard that Ellie can walk now."
When the topic of his younger sister was brought up, Hugh's face brightened somewhat.
"I see you heard that too, my lady. Lord Rahon healed Eli with his power."
"You'd probably want to do a lot for Ellie, but I heard there's been a lot less work due to the pandemic, right?"
When I brought up the story I had heard from Vivian, Hugh nodded with a gloomy expression.
"Actually, that's why I was thinking of quitting painting. My income was so unstable..."
"I will help you generate a steady income."
"..."
"I wish Hugh would take charge of this."
Hugh hesitated for a while and then let out a long sigh.
"If that's the case, I understand. I will do my best, even though my skills are lacking."
"Thank you."
At that moment, Erica, who had been listening quietly, asked carefully.
"Are you thinking of entrusting me with the distribution of the painting?"
"Please take care of not only distribution but also recruiting artists in the areas I want."
"It wouldn't be that difficult if we use our connections and distribution channels. Would you like to distribute it for free?"
"No, sell it as a product. But at a price that anyone can afford without being too pushy. The profits from that go to the seller and the artist."
Erica smiled awkwardly.
"It's a good thing for us, but you, young lady, won't be able to avoid the accusation that you're doing business with power."
"It would be better than violating the duty of neutrality."
No one ever brought up the duty of neutrality with Rahon, who received money every time he used his power.
This was because it meant that anyone could equally enjoy the power of the Guardian as long as they paid money.
"Nadia will explain the details. Nadia."
"Would you two please come this way? I'll show you the contract."
As Hugh and Erica followed Nadia out, the living room became quiet again.
Finally, Kalit's heavy voice broke the silence.
"Millenia, can I talk to you?"
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