Warm spring sunlight filtered through the arched windows along the long corridors of the ducal mansion.

‘A place filled with childhood memories… where could that be?’

A few days earlier, Viare had obtained information about the Key of Divine Absence from Fabian.

According to him, the key was located in a place filled with Gaizen’s childhood memories.

She speculated where the Key of Divine Absence could be stored.

It was certain that the location wasn’t the ducal mansion, the Grand Altar, or Bernaud’s 34th street.

‘Childhood memories…’

That must refer to the time after their mother passed away and before Gaizen began his swordsmanship training.

Although Viare had taken her young brother everywhere back then, she couldn’t recall a specific place.

‘I must remember where that place is.’

Then, a location suddenly flashed through her mind.

“Could it be…”

Viare closed her eyes, reminiscing about the past memories with her brother.

‘Why am I remembering this now?’

As a child, she had prepared a small gift to comfort her brother, who was grieving their mother’s loss.

It was a little box filled with toys and snacks that Gaizen would like.

Hoping to lessen his sadness, Viare had buried the box under a tree.

As Gaizen gradually regained his cheerful nature, Viare’s memory of the box slowly faded.

But it seemed he still remembered that place.

Pushing aside her heavy heart, Viare headed to a small hill near the mansion.

Reaching a tree they often visited as children, she noticed a patch of grass that looked disturbed and covered.

“This must be it…”

As she had guessed, this was the place imbued with Gaizen’s memories.

‘Did you still visit here?’

Noting recent signs of disturbance in the grass, Viare felt heavy-hearted, wondering if her brother had been longing for their mother.

Carefully digging up the grass, she found a faded wooden box, apparently preserved with a protective spell by Gaizen.

Trembling, Viare lifted the lid, finding her brother’s cherished items and the Key of Divine Absence inside.

“There really was a key…”

Finding the key filled her with both joy and fear.

The excitement of being a step closer to the truth was coupled with the fear of uncovering that truth. She couldn’t decide which was more dominant.

‘Still, I must proceed as planned.’

Viare, who had already planned to approach Raymon, covered the box again.

‘There must be more facts that I don’t know.’

Thus, she resolved to pursue the truth even more.

She then finished her scheduled work at the cultural foundation and visited Raymon’s studio.

Surprised by her unexpected visit, Raymon, who was working on a sculpture, knew her as the sponsor of the cultural foundation.

“Lady Ruschev, a pleasure to meet you.”

He quickly bowed in respect, to which Viare nodded.

Observing her, Raymon asked about the reason for her visit.

“What brings someone of your stature to this place…”

Smiling gently, Viare slowly surveyed the sculptures he had made.
“I saw the work you made when I visited here last time.”

“…….”

“That’s why I’m thinking of sponsoring you.”

She knew well how desperately artists clung to such opportunities.

Raymon appeared genuinely surprised, but soon composed himself and remained tight-lipped.

Even without this, Raymon was bound to become a creator of a masterpiece by early winter.

With a naive smile, Viare made him an offer.

“Before that, I want you to show me a demonstration.”

Thinking this opportunity was not to be missed, he responded with a more serious gaze,

“I will surely accomplish whatever it is.”

Seeing Raymon’s firm resolve, a soft curve formed on Viare’s lips.

She was certain Raymon could create an imitation very similar to the original as she desired.

Viare planned to become a valuable patron for him if he followed her requests.

“Bring your most confident artworks to the ducal mansion.”

She left his studio gracefully after implying that he would know what the demonstration was.

On an early morning with a gentle spring breeze, dewdrops fell from the grass leaves.

Viare, using her physical condition as an excuse, skipped breakfast and watched the duke and Gaizen through the corridor window.

After confirming their departure in a carriage, she hurriedly headed to the back hill, avoiding the servants’ eyes.

Fortunately, it seemed Gaizen hadn’t noticed she had found the key’s location, as it was still in the box.

‘Finally, I can approach the truth.’

Viare put the key in a pouch she had brought and hurried back to the mansion to avoid encountering anyone.

She received the servants’ greetings nonchalantly and waited for someone until the afternoon.

She had called Raymon to the mansion under the pretext of overseeing the family’s internal affairs.

When Raymon had not arrived by late afternoon, she grew anxious, but then the butler informed her of his visit.

“Lady, a man named Raymon from the cultural foundation has arrived.”

“Alright, let him in.”

She had already informed the butler and the housekeeper that she would be sponsoring someone who would visit the mansion.

Sponsoring an artist meant trusting and purchasing his works.

This became possible since Viare started overseeing the internal affairs of the family.

Therefore, the servants probably thought Viare was just changing the mansion’s atmosphere to her taste.

The retainers, who were hovering around in case Viare needed assistance, returned to their positions at her gesture.

Guided by a footman, Raymon entered the mansion and respectfully greeted Viare.

“Lady Ruschev, a pleasure to meet you.”

“So, did you bring the artworks?”

“Yes, Lady.”

At his signal, porters from the cultural foundation started bringing in the artworks, and Viare carefully examined them.

All the pieces were of the highest quality, enriched with his unique creative spirit.

“Each one exceeds my expectations.”

As she had anticipated, he was no less than a creator of masterpieces, so she decided to purchase all his artworks and sent the porters away.

When Viare requested additional catalogs of his works, Raymon hesitated briefly, then handed them over with a look of disbelief.

Pretending to peruse the catalog while glancing around, Viare confirmed the absence of servants and then smiled at him,

“If you heed my request, I will buy all the works listed in this catalog.”
“…….”

Feeling it was time to get to the point, she added in a dignified tone,

“But, this matter must never be revealed to anyone.”

Swallowing hard, he nodded at Viare’s statement that he could leave if he didn’t want to participate, saying,

“I will keep it a secret for life, Lady.”

“That’s good. I believed you wouldn’t disappoint me.”

Viare, satisfied, opened the pouch she had with her and showed the Key of Divine Absence.

“From now on, you will focus on making this key.”

She planned to provide financial support to Raymon while he worked on the key, a considerate measure considering his need for sponsorship and livelihood.

Raymon, looking at the key he was to replicate, seemed hesitant.

Known for his ability to replicate anything perfectly after just one look, his lack of fame might have made him doubt his own skills.

“Why, aren’t you confident?”

“Not at all. May I just take a closer look at it?”

“Of course, here it is.”

Handing over the key readily, Raymon began to examine it carefully. First, he observed it closely with his eyes, then closed them to rely on the touch of his hands.

After a while, opening his eyes, Raymon looked at her with certainty and said,

“I think I can replicate it.”

At his words, Viare tilted her head, lifting the corner of her mouth slightly, and said,

“I prefer certainty over predictions.”

Clearing his throat, Raymon adjusted his voice and said,

“……I will definitely make it.”

Despite appearing slightly tense, the firm conviction in his eyes led Viare to nod in agreement.

“Alright, then I’ll trust and wait.”

Receiving the key back from Raymon, she looked at the key in front of her with a satisfied smile.