Rodi set down a light tray of tea and refreshments before taking a seat across from Likens.
The first words out of his mouth were unexpected.
“You meddled in something quite unlike yourself.”
Rodi gave him a dissatisfied look.
“I thought you said you didn’t come here to get angry.”
“I’m not angry.”
He added placidly,
“I merely stated a fact.”
“…Did you speak with the Duke?”
“Yes.”
At the mention of William, Likens’s expression softened considerably.
“It has been a long time since I spoke with my grandfather for so long. Lately, I had done nothing but avoid him.”
Rodi stole a glance at him. Normally, he carried himself with a stiff, sharp edge, but today he looked thoroughly relaxed.
“I’m glad things worked out well.”
Seeing his reaction, Rodi felt a twinge of mixed emotions.
‘It’s good that William and Likens made up, but…’
…Come to think of it, didn’t this mean Likens was likely to cancel his plans to move out?
‘Maybe I shouldn’t have meddled after all.’
No, even if she hadn’t, it still would have weighed on her conscience.
Reaching that conclusion, Rodi felt a little glum.
‘What am I supposed to do with this mansion now…?’
While her thoughts wandered, Likens spoke up.
“…and so, I was thinking of buying this…”
“Pardon?”
Having barely caught what he said, Rodi blinked in surprise.
Likens pulled a slightly sulky face at her reaction.
“You need to listen more closely when others speak.”
Rodi offered an excuse.
“I was just thinking about something else for a second. What did you just say?”
Likens shook his head.
He had thought this before, but she really was a bit absentminded.
“I was saying that I’m thinking of buying this mansion.”
“…”
“Are you still willing to sell it?”
Rodi tilted her head.
“…Why?”
“I just explained that.”
She retorted shamelessly,
“I didn’t hear it. Tell me again.”
With a faint sigh, Likens reached into his coat and produced an object.
“…This is?”
It was the silver accessory she had seen before at the market when walking with him.
“The piece you praised, saying its craftsmanship was far too good to be sold at a street stall.”
“Indeed. So I looked into who made it.”
“Who was it?”
“A destitute artist. Skilled, but entirely lacking connections, leaving no choice but to sell works to street stalls for cheap just to eke out a living.”
“I see.”
Rodi nodded.
Connections were essential anywhere. Supplying accessories to shops catering to high nobility was no different.
“I plan to start a patronage program for artists who possess such talent yet have never had a chance to shine.”
Her eyes went wide.
“All of a sudden?”
“It was an idea I had harbored for a long time. I simply never had the courage to pursue it until now…”
Rodi smiled warmly.
“And now you’ve found the ‘courage’ to try?”
“Yes.”
A faint, serene smile touched Likens’s lips as well.
“It is all thanks to you.”
“I didn’t do anything.”
“You gave me the chance to have an honest conversation with my grandfather. That was everything.”
At his words, Rodi brought up Likens’s system window.
[Weakness: ??]
‘Huh?’
She had anticipated that his original two weaknesses would vanish.
However.
‘What is this newly added “??” supposed to mean?’
Managing to mask her bewilderment, Rodi studied Likens carefully. His relieved expression bore not a single shadow.
‘He doesn’t look like he has any secrets left to hide.’
Why in the world had a question mark popped up where nothing had been before?
“Rodi?”
“Yes?”
Likens narrowed his eyes.
“Lost in your thoughts again, I see.”
Rodi offered an awkward smile without a retort.
“Well, no matter… At any rate, I intend to purchase this mansion for that project.”
“How do you plan to use it?”
“Impoverished artists often live in shantytowns due to unstable housing. There is no way decent work can come from such wretched conditions.”
Rodi caught on immediately.
“So you intend to improve their living environment first.”
“Precisely. This place is tidy, has plenty of rooms, and sits in an ideal location. Best of all, the annex has already been renovated into a workshop.”
Rodi scratched her cheek at the unexpected turn of events.
‘It’s a bit different from the original plan, but…’
The outcome was good, so wasn’t that enough?
“That’s wonderful news. Have you already told Duke Magzeta?”
“Yes.”
At the mention of his grandfather, Likens replied in a gentler tone.
“Grandfather told me it was all right to continue loving what I love.”
“That’s a relief.”
Rodi nodded.
‘It’s not as if Likens wanted to abandon his house to become an artisan in the first place.’
He simply ‘liked’ crafts and art.
Just because you like something doesn’t mean you have to make it your career.
‘Does this wrap up the biggest issue, then?’
Seeing the gloom lifted from his face made her own heart feel lighter in turn.
‘Thank goodness.’
Likens watched Rodi let out a sigh of relief before speaking in a careful voice.
“Thank you.”
Her eyes widened.
“Pardon?”
Likens, unaccustomed to offering this sort of gratitude, wore a slightly self-conscious smile.
“For everything. For all the help you gave me this time.”
Rodi shrugged.
“I merely did what had to be done.”
“It was none of your concern.”
“Well… there’s basic decency, after all.”
A rather rich sentiment coming from someone branded a villainess, of course.
Likens looked at her with serious eyes.
“…Is there nothing you need my help with?”
“Why do you ask?”
“Because I owe you a great debt.”
Was he feeling burdened by obligation? Rodi rolled her eyes in thought.
“Hmm, I think paying a fair price for the house would be more than enough.”
This time, Likens was the one who shrugged.
“That goes without saying.”
Indeed, eight thousand gold was hardly a fortune to the young heir of House Magzeta.
‘It would be a waste to pass up an opportunity like this.’
After pondering for a moment, a playful gleam appeared on Rodi’s face.
“Then may I put it on tab?”
“On tab?”
“Yes, by granting me a favor later on. I won’t ask for anything unreasonable, of course.”
Likens nodded readily.
“Very well.”
‘Oho, a one-time Likens voucher.’
This was an entirely unexpected prize.
Rodi grinned.
“Thank you. I’ll make good use of it.”
Likens returned her faint smile, but soon fell into deep thought once more.
“…”
Rodi looked at him with curiosity.
“Is there something else you wanted to say?”
“Ah… I am scheduled to hold a brief interview with reporters regarding the serial murder case.”
“Yes.”
“I wanted to ask whether you preferred to keep your identity as my collaborator anonymous.”
“Ah…”
Given the scale of the case, it was natural that Likens, as the officer in charge, would brief the press.
‘What should I do?’
Weighing her options, Rodi asked,
“Which do you think is better?”
“It will draw public attention for a time, but revealing your identity would help restore your reputation.”
“Um, well…”
Rodi let her eyes wander.
Even if it brought some hassle, perhaps restoring her reputation by letting people know she had assisted was the wiser choice.
‘At least I won’t have people picking fights or throwing eggs at me when I walk down the street.’
“Then please go ahead and disclose my identity.”
“Understood.”
“And while you’re at it, I’d appreciate it if you put in a few kind words about me.”
Likens chuckled quietly at her teasing remark.
“I shall do my best.”
Rodi looked at him with a hint of fascination.
‘He seems to smile a lot more lately.’
Was it because the burden on his heart had been lifted?
Likens rose slowly from his seat, having said all he came to say.
“There is still cleanup to handle regarding the case, so I cannot do so immediately… but once the urgent matters are settled, I will visit again to sign the property contract.”
Rodi beamed.
“I shall be waiting, customer.”
“Right.”
As he turned to leave, Likens paused, as if suddenly remembering something.
“There is one more thing I am curious about.”
“Yes?”
His gray eyes rested quietly upon her.
“Is the rumor true that you once caused Lady Simone to fall bedridden?”
Caught off guard by the abrupt question, Rodi tilted her head.
“You certainly took… a long time to ask.”
Likens looked sheepish.
“It seemed like a sensitive question, so I found it difficult to bring up.”
Well, there was no reason to lie.
“I didn’t do it.”
Rodi confessed plainly.
“Regrettably, I lack the ability.”
“Would you have done it if you had the ability?”
She replied nonchalantly,
“No. Even if I had such power, I would have cursed that damn murderer first, not Lady Simone.”
His eyes widened briefly at the rough words slipping from her mouth, but he soon nodded without protest.
“I see.”
“Do you believe me?”
“There is no reason to doubt you at this point.”
He meant he chose to believe her. It was something to be grateful for.
Likens’s expression turned solemn.
“Then that means you were effectively driven from your family on a false accusation… Do you have no desire to reclaim your family name?”
