IPTVI – Chapter 23

This much was nothing.

Looking at Count Boneta, whose face was frozen in shock, I continued speaking with complete composure.

“You might not know, Count, since the Boneta Information Guild is a bit lacking, but House Christie has a deep appreciation for art.”

Of course, everything I’d just rattled off came from the book I read in the carriage yesterday called <Masters of World Art>. And to be fair, saying House Christie had an eye for art wasn’t exactly a lie either. Sure, the ‘art’ might’ve been the illustrations on gambling cards, but still.

“R-remarkable. Truly, Grand Duchess.”

Count Boneta’s expression flipped instantly. I replied in the most elegant voice I could muster.

“I was raised surrounded by works of art since I was a child.”

“I-I had no idea. Please forgive me… I didn’t realize…”

C-Could she actually be from that Christie? The grand merchant family from the Southern Continent? The Count mumbled to himself, visibly flustered.

He clearly misunderstood—thinking I might be the daughter of some wealthy commoner family. And that made sense. Instantly identifying artists and pieces like that was the kind of thing only someone with a top-notch education could do.

Breaking all his expectations, I smiled sweetly.

“I heard the Count’s clocks are on par with some of these works of art. That’s why I’m considering starting a collection.”

From experience, greedy people have a nose for the smell of money. In other words, the moment they think there’s profit involved, they change their tune. Count Boneta had no idea, but in my previous life, I was no pushover when it came to business. So I was confident I could target the Count’s weaknesses better than anyone.

“Of course! Of course! Please, allow me to escort you to the office immediately!”

Naturally, my plan worked. The Count, who now led us with desperate urgency, had done a complete one-eighty offering a full-range of politeness like nothing had happened.

Grand Duke Richard and Young Marquess Spencer were standing around stunned, so I mouthed a ‘let’s go’ in their direction before chasing after the Count.

Once we entered the Count’s office, he rubbed his hands together and bowed low.

“These clocks on display here are some of our guild’s bestsellers.”

I looked up at the five clocks mounted on the wall and tilted my head thoughtfully.

“Hmm…”

“Is there something that doesn’t suit your taste?”

The Count anxiously tried to read my expression. I narrowed my eyes, loaded my tone with arrogance, and shook my head.

“With just five pieces, the collection feels a little lacking.”

“You mean… you want more clocks?”

The Count’s voice trembled with barely-contained joy. Each of those five clocks was worth enough to buy a small estate, so to him, this was clearly the opportunity of a lifetime.

“As a discerning collector, I’m sure you understand what I mean.”

“Of course, of course! Naturally. I should absolutely show you more options. I’ll have some samples prepared immediately.”

“But I’m quite busy and will be leaving the kingdom soon.”

As I said that, I brushed back a loose strand of hair behind my ear, feigning regret. The Count anxiously tapped his foot, clearly panicking at the thought of losing the massive payday right in front of him. At last, he spoke, hesitating.

“There’s… another way I can show you more, even without samples.”

Got him!

I inwardly cheered as I watched the Count walk right into the trap I’d laid. But I kept my poker face and asked casually.

“Oh? What do you mean by that?”

“The Boneta Guild has blueprints for all the clocks we manufacture. You’ll be able to select whichever models catch your eye.”

“Oh my, really?”

It was exactly the answer I wanted. I could barely stop the corners of my mouth from twitching up in victory.

At last, the Count walked over to a wall on one side of the office and pushed against what looked like a bookshelf. With a low groan, the wall opened, revealing a hidden room.

“……”

The Grand Duke Richard and Young Marquess Spencer exchanged glances, clearly surprised that we’d actually made it this far, even though they had been merrily following her scheme.

“This is the blueprint archive. However, you may only view the designs—nothing may be removed. And for security reasons, pens and paper are also strictly prohibited. Do you agree to those terms?”

The Count stood in front of the door with a solemn look and asked for confirmation. Of course, I readily answered. I had no plans to take anything or bring pen and paper anyway.

“Of course. Naturally.”

“Very well, please follow me inside.”

The Count stepped into the dark hidden chamber. Filled with dreams of record-breaking sales, he completely failed to notice my eyes flashing like a hyena’s behind him in the shadows.

*  *  *

A few hours later.

“Then, I’ll take a look around elsewhere and be back.”

I sounded just like a customer at a clothing boutique—one who had tried on half the store, asked about fabric and washing instructions, even pulled out a credit card—only to set the clothes down and say they were going to browse some more. Of course, these clocks were exclusive to the Boneta Guild, so saying I’d ‘look elsewhere’ was utter nonsense.

“Y-yes… Well then… I look forward to your return…”

The Count, looking as though he were under a spell, watched us leave. He’d gotten a taste of sudden fortune, only for it to slip away at the last second due to some vague, inexplicable reason he couldn’t quite pin down.

After all, he had shown me dozens of clock blueprints in the archive, only for me to reject each one for increasingly suspicious reasons.

“Hmm, the design doesn’t feel very balanced.”

“It doesn’t quite match the atmosphere of the Grand Ducal Residence.”

“This one lacks a bit of uniqueness.”

“There’s artistry, but it’s too… mainstream.”

All while I was committing every blueprint he showed me to memory with perfect clarity. Having gotten what we came for, we immediately departed for the Grand Ducal Territory.

Once again, the Grand Duke tried to quietly squeeze himself into the carriage. But Victor, shouting “I refuse to pull two horses by myself anymore!” grabbed him and dragged him out.

So, the ride back was just me and Young Marquess Spencer once again.

During the dull trip, I read through the report Victor had brought me. I had quietly asked him to investigate some things while I visited the Count.

○ The Empire’s exclusive trading guild for business with the Grace Kingdom was switched from the Spencer Guild to the Hayden Guild, which was run by Baron Hayden, the Crown Princess’ late father.

○ Since then, the Hayden Guild has imposed outrageous brokerage fees, causing widespread discontent among the Grace Kingdom’s merchants.

○ Rumor has it that the kingdom’s Information Guild had been distributing information regarding Baron Hayden.

○ After Baron Hayden’s death, the Hayden Guild was shut down.

I tapped the document with my finger, lost in thought. It looked like Baron Hayden had made quite a few enemies, both inside and out. Even Count Boneta had unconsciously grumbled about how rough the trade with Hayden Guild had been.

That meant there were plenty of people who might’ve wanted the Baron dead. Plenty of potential murder suspects.

At that moment, Young Marquess Spencer suddenly spoke in a soft voice.

“To be honest… I was quite impressed at Count Boneta’s estate.”

I lifted my eyes from the report and looked at him.

“Hmm… in what way?”

“Well, I had no idea the Grand Duchess had such a deep knowledge of art. Frankly, it made me a little embarrassed I ever recommended that book to you.”

“The book you lent me was a huge help, Young Marquess.”

His green eyes sparkled with curiosity.

He was probably wondering whether I had known all of that beforehand—or how I had managed to read and absorb everything from the art book he recommended in such a short time.

Assuming what he was thinking, I offered only a vague smile. He leaned forward and lowered his voice.

“I did help arrange the meeting with the Count as you requested, but… I didn’t actually expect you to make him hand over the blueprints.”

“Is that so?”

“I’ve dealt with many merchants, but Count Boneta is by no means an easy person to deal with.”

“I got lucky.”

Feigning modesty, I smiled.

He tilted his head and gently brushed a fingertip over the edge of the <World Art History> book.

“But… are you really all you needed? You only spent two hours tops in the blueprint archive.”

“Are you worried?”

At my question, the Young Marquess’ eyes lit up in a smile.

“No, I’m looking forward to it. The Grand Duchess always manages to surprise me. And I mean that in a good way.”

I nodded my head slightly in response, then turned back to the documents Victor had compiled. After a moment, I raised my eyes again and stared at the Young Marquess.

“Is there something you’d like to ask, Grand Duchess?”

“Yes, there’s something I’d like to ask you. It’s important.”

His eyebrows rose high in surprise, but soon he smiled with interest.

“For the Grand Duchess to have a request of me… now I’m really curious.”

“Well…”

I turned to him slowly and opened my mouth to speak.

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