As soon as he finished his morning training, Rublion rushed to the office, drenched in sweat.

“Have you decided?”

“It’s only been two hours since we talked about that topic.”

“So, have you decided?”

Askal said, waving his hand.

“First, go wash up.”

“Answer me first.”

“Damn it, take him away.”

“Yes, Your Grace.”

As the servant approached, Rublion waved his arms wildly to drive him away.

“Today is your only chance. Is it okay to just keep working like this?”

Veins popped out on Askal’s forehead.

“There are always opportunities. And I’m someone who doesn’t have enough hours in a day even if I only work.”

“But you’ve made a decision, right?”

“Get out.”

As soon as Askal finished speaking, a knight waiting outside grabbed Rublion. The child was carried out, making a whining sound.

The office became quiet. Askal glared fiercely at the open documents. Fatally, the contents didn’t register, so he couldn’t approve even a single page.

‘This confirms it.’

Askal admitted that he, like Rublion, had feelings for Schmidt.

‘Of course, not enough to propose.’

Those feelings weren’t big enough to discuss love. But if she were to stay at the mansion, he was willing to show her enough respect.

“Gaven.”

“Yes.”

“Tell the lady that I wish to see her for a moment.”

“The young lady has gone out, sir.”

“Out? Where to?”

I was waiting for Ranson to come out near the Artenbach Art Gallery.

“Hello.”

A sturdy voice was heard from above. When I looked up, I saw the large Ranson looking down at me.

The corners of my mouth twitched involuntarily.

“Have you been well?”

“Yes.”

After answering my question, he moved from behind to the side and smiled broadly.

‘He looks even taller than usual.’

Is it because he’s wearing casual clothes instead of work clothes?

The roomy white shirt and well-matched brown bottoms went perfectly with the black belt.

“You got a haircut.”

“Yes, I cut it a little.”

When I saw him before, his brown hair that covered his ears reminded me of a fluffy animal just before shedding.

But now he looked more like a gentle person than an animal.

Ranson clumsily touched his bangs with his hand.

“I’ve never had such short hair before, so it feels strange.”

“It suits you well.”

“…Is that so.”

He smiled softly. Seeing that, a smile unknowingly spread across my face as well.

“Well! Instead of standing here, shall we move to a seat first?”

I took him to a cafe near the art gallery. I wanted to show him Black Swan and negotiate conditions in a positive direction, but thanks to that damn Johnston messing things up, I had no choice but to choose a cafe. I couldn’t help but feel regretful about that.

“I’m going to order coffee, what would you like to drink, Ranson?”

“I’ll have the same.”

“Would you like me to add milk as well?”

“Yes, thank you.”

When I raised my hand, a waitress approached. After ordering our drinks, I took out the contract for Black Swan’s affiliated artists that I had prepared before coming here.

“All the conditions you inquired about in your letter are written here. There are only the most basic contents, so if there’s anything you want to adjust, please let me know. I’ll try to accommodate as much as possible.”

Ranson nodded slightly. Then he started reading the contract carefully.

Not long after, the waitress placed the coffee on the table and disappeared. I picked up the cup, savored the aroma, and then took a sip.

“There don’t seem to be any conditions that need to be changed.”

Ranson said, putting down the contract. I replied with a bright smile.

“I’m glad you like it. Then, regarding the penalty fee to be paid to the art gallery…”

“Huh? Big Dog?”

At that moment, one of the men entering the cafe looked in our direction and spoke. The man sitting with his back turned looked back and stiffened.

“Wow, a date?”

The men approached with swaggering steps. Then they casually put their arms on Ranson’s shoulders.

“Look at you, acting like a man with a girlfriend.”

One of them tapped Ranson’s leg with his foot. Their tone, which didn’t seem particularly friendly yet subtly dismissive, was extremely unpleasant.

“Harvey, Michen, and Leodnil, right?”

“How do you know our names?”

The men who were harassing Ranson turned to look at me in surprise.

“Nice to meet you. I’m Schmidt Deli, who runs Black Swan.”

When I stood up and extended my hand, the men’s eyes turned fierce.

“Damn, is this bastard trying to leave the art gallery?”

“…”

Ranson didn’t say anything. He just listened silently.

“Ha! This guy who hasn’t been here long.”

One of the men messed up his own hair roughly.

“Just because everyone praises your skills, you think the art gallery is easy to leave, huh?”

The cafe became noisy. When the waitress and owner tried to approach, the men intimidated them with a look that said not to come. Finally, they hesitated and stopped.

“Listen, Miss Black Swan, this bastard absolutely cannot leave the art gallery. We won’t let him go until we get back all the commissions he stole.”

Was this the reason Ranson suddenly asked about Black Swan’s conditions?

‘There are people trapped by inferiority complexes everywhere. It must be worse in an art gallery.’

Harvey and Michen are sculptors like Ranson. Leodnil does both paintings and sculptures but is closer to a painter.

“…It would be better to move somewhere else.”

I nodded at Ranson’s low mumble and stood up.

Seeing him stand up as well, the men blocked the way to prevent him from leaving.

“Where do you think you’re going, bastard?”

At Michen’s words, Harvey and Leodnil grabbed Ranson’s arms. Suddenly, an eerie atmosphere descended.

It wasn’t just me who noticed it; the waitress screamed. The owner was nowhere to be seen, probably gone to report to the security guards.

Michen grabbed a coffee cup. Seeing him gritting his teeth as if about to strike Ranson’s hand, I instinctively jumped in.

“No!”

Splash.

I grabbed Michen’s arm and lifted it high to prevent him from harming Ranson. As a result, the coffee poured onto my head, trickling down my hair.

“Y-you… You crazy!”

Flustered, Michen dropped the coffee cup on the floor. Disputes between artists affiliated with the art gallery usually end with warnings or penalties. But when outsiders were affected, it was a different story.

‘Phew, fortunately, it wasn’t too hot…’

At that moment, as I thought that, my eyes met Ranson’s. His dazed look instantly changed to a fierce one, and he mercilessly pushed away those holding his arms. Then he grabbed Michen by the collar, lifted him up, and threw him down.

“Argh!”

He straddled Michen’s body sprawled on the floor. And he raised his large fist high. His eyes were precisely aimed at the wrist.

“Everyone stop!”

With bad timing, the security guards burst in. The cafe owner had called them.

“Are you alright?”

It seems I looked like the victim in the security guard’s eyes too. I smiled bitterly and nodded to indicate I was fine.

Harvey, Michen, and Leodnil were grabbed by the security guards and dragged outside. And Ranson, who was about to use violence, was also taken outside.

Following them out, I stood dazed, not knowing how to react to what had happened so suddenly.

“I’m sorry for involving you in this.”

Ranson’s eyes, now with his wrists bound, had returned to their previous dazed state.

“…I’ll contact you separately.”

He had the perfect posture of a criminal. Looking at his slumped shoulders, I said,

“I’m fine. Rather, I’m glad I could protect your precious hands.”

Ranson shrank even more. Then he staggered and climbed into the security guard’s carriage.

“Ranson! Don’t feel guilty!”

He didn’t say anything. He just kept looking down at the floor.

“You don’t have to endure it there forcefully. The doors of Black Swan are always open for you.”

“…Thank you.”

Soon the carriage departed. I stared blankly at the end of the road before turning back.

‘What a bolt from the blue.’

I was planning to negotiate the penalty fee issue today too.

It was a perfect opportunity to even write up the contract!

Thinking that, my legs grew weak. Just as I was about to collapse without realizing it.

“Are you alright?”

A familiar voice was heard right next to my ear. The Duke of Artenbach was firmly supporting me from behind, his arm around my waist. That was why I was standing upright despite my legs being completely weak.

“Ah.”

My mind went blank for a moment. Then, like ink spreading in water, my senses came rushing back.

“Thank you. I’m fine now.”

I slipped out of his arms. Then I lifted my dress skirt and expressed my gratitude.

The Duke looked at me with sharp eyes. Then he placed a cold, wet towel on my head, which he had obtained from somewhere.

“Stay like that.”

“What? Yes.”

Having just tried to take away an artist affiliated with the art gallery, I felt somehow intimidated meeting the owner of the art gallery right after.

“By the way, what brings you here?”

“I had some business.”

“I see. Then I’ll be going now.”

“Where do you think you’re going.”

For a moment, my heart sank. There was an enormous weight in his voice asking where I was going.

The pressure was so overwhelming that my feet wouldn’t move easily.

“As you can see, I’m in quite a state. I need to change clothes at least.”

At my words, the Duke relaxed the tension in his eyes. Then he said casually, as if tossing the words,

“I’ll take you.”

Looking at the Duke who seemed as tall as Ranson today, I replied,

“No. I appreciate the consideration, but I can go alone.”

But he frowned as if displeased with my answer and said,

“I’m offering to take you in exchange for the cleaning fee, so I’d appreciate it if you just said okay.”

I swallowed hard and grabbed the towel on my head. When the Duke spoke in a low voice, it sounded just like a growl.