Chapter 203

Yelena blinked and stared at the painting. This was an unexpected situation.

'Since she didn't have my painting to reference as she painted, hers is slightly different from mine, but...'

To think that Vanna had painted the imitation from memory. Regardless of whether Vanna's actions had been right or wrong, she was undeniably skilled at her craft.

"Hm, it appears that there was a talented aspiring painter in the ducal castle. Haha."

Marquess Marco, who had grasped the situation, chuckled as he made his unprompted comment. Yelena agreed with him. Then, she suddenly had a question.

"But why did she paint and sell this of all things? Certainly, there are many other famous paintings that would have made her a lot of money..." Yelena mumbled, dubious.

"That's because I spread word that I was looking for portraits of beautiful men," Marquess Marco answered.

"Portraits of beautiful men?"

"Yes. I also said that I would offer a higher price the more beautiful the man is."

The corners of Yelena's mouth twitched slightly.

'Aha.'

Well, all right. It didn't seem like there was a painting that fit the description "portrait of a beautiful man" more perfectly.

'You have taste, Vanna.'

Yelena thought that she could forgive Vanna for her actions this time around, as long as she laid low from now on. Yelena forced the corners of her lips, which kept shooting up to the sky, down and spoke.

"I see. Oh, anyhow, you said you came here because you wanted to know who painted the original, yes?"

Yelena recalled what Marquess Marco had said when he had first brought out the painting.

"Yes, that's correct."

"If it isn't rude to ask, why are you looking for that person...?"

'Does he want to commission another painting?'

After all, the marquess loved art and held a great interest for it to the extent that he was known to be crazy about it. Perhaps he fancied Yelena's art style, Yelena assumed. Then, the marquess spoke.

"To be completely honest, I want to know who this is a portrait of."

"I'm sorry?"

"The painter of the original portrait must know who the model is, so I wish to meet them and ask."

Yelena's instincts instantly grew wary. She didn't have a good feeling about where this conversation was going.

"...Why do you want to know who the model of the portrait is?"

"I'm embarrassed to say, but... I wish to arrange my younger sister's marriage."

"No!"

Yelena jumped up from her seat. All eyes went on her in an instant.

"...Duchess Mayhard?"

"..."

Everyone watched as Yelena slowly sat back down and wagged her hand, a signal for all the maids to leave the room.

All the maids stepped out of the parlor, including the maid who came with Marquess Marco, after the marquess gave her a look signaling her to follow suit.

The room fell quiet. Then, Yelena opened her mouth.

"What if that painting isn't a portrait? What will you do if the artist didn't paint a real person, but a character from their imagination?"

"That's impossible."

"How can you be so sure?"

Marquess Marco's brown eyes sparkled. His face lit up with pride.

"It may not look like it, but I've actually been studying art for almost 20 years. I have no talent in painting, but I am confident in my eye for art."

"..."

"I'm certain that the model in this painting exists in real life. You can tell just by looking. This isn't a painting that could have been painted from imagination."

There was a strong conviction in the marquess's voice.Yelena could feel the certainty with which he believed his own judgment from his conclusive intonation.

Yelena watched the marquess quietly and then sighed. Then, she spoke.

"I know who the person in that painting is."

"Really? If that's so, please tell me who it is. Just who..."

"But I think you should give up on your plan to wed your younger sister to this person."

"I beg your pardon?" The marquess hesitated.

Yelena enunciated her next words to the marquess.

"That person is already married."

Yelena unconsciously stroked the ring on her left hand.

But then, Marquess Marco firmly refuted, "That's impossible."

"Hm?"

"Please don't try to deceive me."

"...I'm not deceiving you? Marquess, to tell you clearly, the beautiful man in that portrait is married..."

"If such a beautiful man was on the market, my younger sister absolutely would not have missed that opportunity! Not a chance!"

The marquess's voice, filled with all of his conviction, rang inside the parlor.