“You want to have a meal with Douglas?”

“I am sacrificing myself for you, so appreciate it.”

I wanted to decline such a sacrifice, but Nikolai took a step ahead.

(This is a time separator.)

I felt bloated and nauseous.

I wasn’t sure if the food entered through my nose or mouth due to the persistent, unwanted guest.

Fortunately, Owen hadn’t noticed Nikolai’s identity.

He had stacked empty plates like a mountain and was engrossed in eating.

After the awkward meal, Nikolai commanded.

“Wait for me until I return.”

“Shop well. Don’t get ripped off.”

“Don’t move from this spot.”

“Even if you tell me to go, I won’t. Don’t worry and go!”

Nikolai, with his face covered by a hood, suspiciously glanced back multiple times.

‘If you’re that anxious, you could have gone together. Must be a big secret, whatever he’s buying.’

“I’ll also go buy some experimental tools that Susan asked for. It won’t take long.”

Douglas said.

I smiled in response.

“Please place it before me, Susan’s patron.”

“I’d like to assist Susan’s research too. Please allow it, patron.”

“It’s good for Susan to have a nice brother like you, Douglas.”

“I entrust Elizabeth to you, Earl.”

Douglas bowed his head slightly to Owen.

Owen and I settled in the cafeteria.

The gentle wind pleasantly tingled my cheeks.

Owen asked.

“Who was that young man wolfing down his food? Never saw someone like that before. It even ruined my appetite.”

“Good for you. I would have gone bankrupt if your appetite was spoiled.”

“Hmm, hmm. Thanks to you, I feasted.”

“Thank you for enjoying the meal.”

“I haven’t tasted something this delicious in years. It was worth risking my life to come back.”

Owen patted his content stomach.

The moment felt exhilarating, having effectively utilized the original work’s information.

“If you become the crown prince’s art teacher, you can enjoy such food every day.”

“You’ll bring me to this expensive restaurant every day?”

“No need to come here. Today’s dishes were all prepared by the palace chefs.”

“How are palace chefs at Burger King?”

Owen opened his eyes wide.

He didn’t seem displeased that the royal servants made the food.

“I rented the entire restaurant.”

“What, what?”

“I gave the palace chefs a day off and deployed them here. Of course, I paid for it.”

“Is that possible?”

“Burger King chefs are filling in for the palace chefs. It’s with special permission from the Minister of the Interior.”

Being in charge of the royal household, Cares had been a great help in various ways.

Of course, it would have been an impossible plan without a massive amount of money.

Owen seemed to have caught on now.
“Why are you going to such lengths? Who do I seem to be to you?”

“Losing a talent like you, Count, would be a great loss to the empire’s art history.”

Owen’s reddishbrown eyes wavered.

What he liked as much as delicious food was praise.

‘Having been stuck in a mine and living in hiding, he must be thirsty for praise. Even if he had some success as an illustrator, he must be discontented. Because he can’t reveal his true skills.’

My prediction was precisely accurate.

“It seems even Lady Elizabeth is enamored by my paintings.”

Owen responded bitterly.

I’m sorry, but I’ve never seen them.

“I never thought anyone in the royal family would understand art.”

“It’s been 10 years since you were exiled, Count. Both the world and the royal family have changed a lot.”

“Even so, I can’t work for the Ebrei royalty.”

“……”

“I apologize.”

Owen turned his body.

He said one word behind his back.

“If you wish to live as the Empress Dowager commands, I won’t stop you.”

“What does that mean?”

“It was Penelope who banished you to the mine. Likely as a spiteful act for your refusal to paint a portrait.”

“That woman tried to kill me the day I opposed her.”

“What Penelope wanted was not your life, Count.”

“Lady Elizabeth, you’re speaking as if you know nothing about the northern mines! That place is a hell unfit for human living!”

“Why send you to hell when there’s a gallows?”

“That, that is to torture me……”

“No. Penelope wanted to make the life of Owen, the genius painter, miserable. She wanted you to struggle through a miserable fate your entire life.”

Owen twisted his pale face.

He spat out a voice full of ruthless sorrow.

“The only way for you, Count, to get your revenge is to make a perfect comeback. Both the Crown Prince and I can help you.”

“Isn’t the Crown Prince the grandson of that demonlike woman?”

“Not a single drop of blood is shared. He hates Penelope more than anyone.”

“But……”

“Penelope became the queen of an enemy nation. She’s become an enemy of the Ebrei royal family as well. Why do you only resent the innocent royal family?”

Owen didn’t answer.

He must have suspected that his anger was misplaced.

But he wouldn’t easily break his pride.

The fear was also hard to shake off.

Because just escaping was enough reason for execution.

“You may refuse the position of an art professor. But I wish for you, Count, to paint again.”

“I never thought the heiress of Emster Corporation would be this kindhearted.”

“I appreciate the compliment, but it’s all strictly calculated. I plan to make a fortune by utilizing you, Count.”

“How can a mere illustrator make that happen?”

Owen looked skeptical.

‘I’ll make sure you never make that face in front of me again.’

I licked my lips with a triumphant smile.