“Finally, someone has passed Phase 1.”

The identity of the child speaking with slightly flushed cheeks covered by her hands is Rublion Artenbach.

Having celebrated her tenth birthday earlier this year, she possesses jet-black hair like the night sky and golden eyes so bright they could be seen even in darkness.

The sole heir of the Artenbach ducal family, and the pride of the family with intelligence far surpassing her peers.

Her nickname is Black Snake.

“Are you still playing that game?”

The man asking Rublion this question is the Duke of the Empire, with the same hair and eye color as the child.

Askal Modesto Artenbach.

He asked indifferently to Rublion, who had barged into his office without permission.

Rublion replied in an intense voice.

“It’s not a game. It’s a grand plan and foundation for the perfect family.”

Askal’s expression subtly hardened.

“I wish you would recognize that I’m trying to ensure you don’t feel the absence of a guardian.”

“I also wish you would recognize that I’m trying to ensure you don’t grow old lonely, Duke.”

At the uncomfortable statement, Askal put down his quill pen with a thud. Of course, such a gesture had no effect on Rublion.

“Anyway, Phase 1 is over, so now I just need to pass Phases 2 and 3!”

The child did not hide her joy. Even the rhythm of her munching on cookies was cheerful.

“…Fine, do as you please.”

He knew from experience that verbal persuasion wouldn’t work anyway.

Rublion was humming while gulping down milk when she suddenly seemed to remember something and looked up. Then she approached one of the maids standing by the door.

“Eat this.”

The surprised maid hesitated for a moment before politely accepting the cookie.

“It’s unlikely, but I’m warning you in advance just in case.”

As Rublion wiggled her finger, the maid bent down to bring her ear close to him.

“If someone comes looking for you with the note you wrote, never answer that you wrote it.”

“Don’t worry, young master.”

The maid replied with a smile. Rublion returned to her seat and took a sip of milk. Then her eyes met Askal’s, who was looking at her pitifully.

“Oh, Duke. Come to think of it, there’s one problem?”

“What now.”

Askal exhaled deeply with one hand on his chin.

“The problem is whether that woman will suit your taste…”

Rublion, who had become quite serious, stroked her chin with her finger. She was imitating the habit Askal often did when he was contemplating.

“Unfortunately, she’s not pretty.”

“…”

“Well, it doesn’t particularly matter, right? She is a woman after all.”

“Get out. The Duke is busy.”

Finally, Askal glared at her. Rublion gathered up her unfinished cookies and milk and stood up. Then she said to Askal, who was frowning fiercely.

“If you keep working like this, you’ll really grow old without ever holding a woman’s wrist.”

An additional line appeared between Askal’s brows. Noticing his change, Rublion hastily retreated while shouting.

“I’ll come back to report again!”

Askal shouted at Rublion’s retreating back.

“Don’t come!”

* * *

Black Swan was unusually quiet today. At least five people should visit daily, but not a single person had come even as the morning was passing.

“Anna, how’s it going with the blacksmith?”

Anna, who had been sitting absentmindedly with nothing to do, suddenly smiled and answered.

“It seems he still hasn’t made a decision. The same goes for Ranson.”

“They haven’t been approached from elsewhere, have they?”

“There’s no information about that yet.”

Ranson could surely become the sculptor of the century if he honed his skills.

With Black Swan and the Baron Deli family as the foundation, it would be a perfect scenario.

‘It’s too quiet today… It feels like the calm before the storm.’

Only the loud ticking of the second hand echoed in the office. Feeling uneasy in the atmosphere, I got up and looked out the window.

Rumble.

As if on cue, thunder sounded from the sky. It didn’t look like it would rain, though it wasn’t exactly sunny either.

The damp smell of rain seeped through the slightly open window. People walking peacefully on the street involuntarily quickened their pace.

Plop. Thud.

Finally, it started raining. Noon, which should have been the most leisurely time, turned into chaos in an instant.

“Director, a guest has arrived.”

While I was looking out the window, Anna had brought in a guest. And there stood the blacksmith I had been waiting for.

“Welcome. I was just thinking it was about time you came.”

The blacksmith smiled awkwardly as he took off his raincoat. And he just stood still despite my gesture to come inside.

“Guest?”

“Well, I came to cancel the request I made.”

It was a completely unexpected direction. I forced my stiffening face to relax and asked.

“Did something happen? Surely not with your daughter’s marriage?”

“It’s not that…”

The blacksmith fidgeted with his removed raincoat, looking quite troubled.

“Someone offered to scout Ranson, so I plan to prepare the dowry through him.”

Surely not that place again.

“May I ask who that person is?”

“They didn’t particularly ask me to keep it a secret, so I suppose there’s no problem telling you. It’s the director of the Artenbach Art Museum.”

It’s an art museum operated by the Artenbach ducal family. While it can’t be called the best in the Empire, it’s the only art museum in the North and has quite a talent for discovering and nurturing rising young artists.

‘Was I too late?’

If the Artenbach Art Museum had taken Ranson, there was no chance of him coming to Black Swan.

A future asset had disappeared.

‘If only we had enough funds, we could have scouted him.’

Even if we couldn’t compete with the Artenbach Art Museum, we might have been able to bring him in by emphasizing the advantages of one-on-one customized care.

And so the blacksmith left, apologizing profusely.

I smiled and said it was fine, that it was for the best, but inside I was burning black with frustration.

‘It’s strangely coincidental.’

The talents I had found through my own legwork were being snatched away at just the right timing.

There was even one painter I had managed to secure just ahead of the art museum, but he complained dozens of times a day comparing the conditions of the Artenbach Art Museum and Black Swan, and eventually walked into the museum on his own.

‘Sigh, there’s no use lamenting. It won’t bring Ranson back.’

These things happen in life. It’s not the first or second time I’ve had a request cancelled.

‘…I really don’t feel like working today.’

I remembered the 3 million tiga I had thrown away. It was uncertain how long Father’s written promise never to go to the gambling house again would protect his resolve.

“Director, another guest has arrived.”

Anna poked her head in, opening the door slightly. I wiggled my finger to indicate she should show them in.

“Hello, have you been well?”

Hearing the young voice nearby, I looked up to see the little kid who had visited a few days ago standing there.

I waited for someone else to come in after him. But as Anna closed the door completely, I realized the kid had come alone.

“You’re not here to look for diamonds, are you?”

“Ah, that’s for later… I have other business today.”

The kid took out a wide piece of cloth from his chest. Even at a glance, it was clearly expensive and high-quality.

The kid carefully spread the cloth on the guest sofa. Then after dusting it off repeatedly with his hands, he carefully sat down on it and said to me as I stared blankly at him.

“Please let me stay here for three hours. I’ll pay enough for the consultation fee.”

I let out a deep sigh. The weather was bad, my mood was bad, and I didn’t like that this kid was trying to use this place as a shelter.

“That won’t work, guest. I have appointments later.”

“But the lady outside said you don’t have any guests today?”

“I’m expecting some now.”

“Then I’ll leave when other guests come.”

“Kid. This isn’t your playground.”

The child took out a crisp paper from his chest and showed it to me.

“How long can I stay here with this?”

I shook my head at the child holding a 1 million tiga check with hands not even half the size of mine.

I had thought this before, but the child’s concept of money was questionable.

“Do you know how much money this is that you’re casually handing it over?”

“Is it a lot?”

“Of course. With the money you’re holding now, I could do nothing for a week.”

“Wow, really?”

The child’s eyes sparkled brightly. I felt it was a mistake as soon as I said it, but it was too late.

“Then I’ll give you all of this, so please give me your week.”

“As I said earlier, I have appointments later so that’s…”

“I know you don’t.”

Then he came closer, sat down quietly and said.

“My father went away to work far away, leaving me alone. There’s no one at home. No family, no mother…”

Seeing the kid speaking in a deflated voice unlike before, I felt like I was the guilty one.

“I won’t disturb your work. I’ll just stay quietly by your side. So please stay with me for just a week, okay?”

How could I avoid those sparkling eyes.

“…One week. No more than that.”

“I’m so happy! Thank you, sis.”

He called me auntie just now, and now it’s sis.

I’m not sure if I should call this cunning or innocent.

I took the check the child had placed on the table. Then I called Anna and told her to deposit it along with the pink diamond. The kid who had been smiling and eavesdropping on the conversation clapped his hands in joy as soon as our eyes met.

‘Why do I feel so uneasy?’

I think I need to find out the kid’s identity.

I gestured for Anna to come closer. Then I whispered quietly so it wouldn’t be heard.