In a dark study filled with dark mahogany furniture, a man sitting deep in a plush sofa anxiously tapped the glass with his fingertips.

“Damn it, that man acting like a woman, I can’t believe she’s from the Rafelios bloodline…”

The Duke Ruberio, who irritably clinked his glass, muttered coldly.

“It has become more annoying.”

The shadow, the right-hand man of Duke Ruberio, standing silently in front of him, lowered its head.

“I’ve heard that the Rafelios royal family is already under the control of the concubines, but…”

“What does that have to do with anything?”

In response to the Duke’s irritable exclamation, the man calmly lowered his head and continued speaking.

“I don’t know about the empress faction, but it is said that the concubine faction is cautious of noble women. They seem to have no intention of protecting them.”

At the calm man’s words, the Duke, who had been tapping his glass, paused with a twitch.

“Quite… a reasonable story you’re telling.”

The Duke, who had now placed the glass on the table, gently stroked his chin while murmuring.

“Well… I didn’t think of that. If they find out there are noble women in Rafelios, they might not devour them, and that would be a problem.”

A meaningful smile appeared on the Duke’s lips as he spoke.

“If that manly woman knows she is a woman. It might even be a chance to negotiate with the Rafelios people.”

In response to the Duke’s words, the man respectfully bowed.

“I will prepare. However… to reveal that the woman is female, we need to approach her, and the security of the Marquis’s mansion is strict, making it not easy to approach.”

“Hmm…”

As the Duke pondered over the man’s words, he suddenly raised the corners of his mouth.

“There is a good way to divert the Duke’s attention elsewhere.”

Saying that, the Duke, holding a pumpkin-colored liquid in his mouth, swallowed with a gulp.

“I should contact the Rafelios diplomatic mission. Especially the nobles of the concubine faction.”

Meanwhile, in the Count’s garden, Rozelia and the Count, sitting side by side, unfolded easels and smiled at each other while drawing pictures. Even though they were chatting, their mutual appreciation and critique of each other’s drawings made them look endearing, like a grandfather and granddaughter.
While chatting, they sat side by side, appreciating and critiquing each other’s drawings. Their appearance seemed endearing, like a grandfather and granddaughter.

“Look, how can you say a bird looks like this? I’ve never seen a canary so plump and adorable.”

Count Verenas’ grumbling tone made Closet puff up her cheeks and open her eyes wide.

“I maximized Pippi’s cuteness!”

“It’s questionable whether cuteness can be maximized by being this plump and clumsy.”

“It’s not fat; it’s fur! By the way, isn’t that girl in your painting?”

Closet pointed to the character in the painting that Count Verenas was working on, attempting to counterattack.

“You’ve got a good eye. Yes, it’s you and Antonio.”

“Where did I look to be portrayed as so plump and clumsy?”

In response to Closet’s sharp critique, Count Verenas replied confidently.

“I drew it in hyper-realism.”

“Ugh! Grandpa!”

Laughter erupted from the Count and Rozelia, contrasting the sassy drawing by Count Verenas. Despite Closet’s pointed artwork, the canary she drew was exceptionally beautiful and delicate.

Certainly, it appeared cuter than a real canary, but to Rozelia, who had some experience in appreciating art through Abelona Nadia, it was still a splendid piece.

Closet’s skill in drawing had improved remarkably in such a short time, making her quite impressive.

With her current drawing skills, even though it might be a challenge for Count Verenas, she could compete with Abelona and Nadia.

Why wasn’t Closet’s drawing ability described in the original work, apart from mentioning Klaus’s younger sister?

Was this a new setting deviating from the original? Rozelia found it a bit puzzling that there was virtually no information about Closet in the original work, except for mentioning Klaus’s younger sister.

Could she be missing something important?

As Rozelia pondered this, she forced herself to shake off the thoughts.

No, it couldn’t be. Count Verenas, who had only painted war scenes in the original, was now depicting beautiful scenes of peaceful everyday life.

Unlike Nadia in the original, who left only one piece of art before dying, Nadia here left dozens of drawings depicting vast skies…

In all likelihood, it was just a slight change in Closet’s setting that didn’t play a significant role in the original.

Just as she organized her thoughts, Rozelia heard Closet’s assertive voice.

“Antonio, what are you thinking?”

“Ah… No, I wasn’t thinking of anything special.”

Awkwardly smiling, Rozelia responded to Closet’s gaze, and Count Verenas, who had been watching her intently, spoke, tapping his easel.

“If you have nothing to do, come and sit here. If you’re going to space out, you might as well be a model.”

“Huh?”

“If you’re going to be absent-minded, come here and be a model.”

“Oh… okay.”