I’ll Be the Heroine’s Competent Divorce Partner - Chapter 62

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 62

I turned my gaze toward the painting while sneering inwardly.

Besides, I know that painting fairly well too.

It was proudly written on the invitation to this ship exhibition.

…it said.

It’s quite a famous work too.

I had looked it up beforehand because I was worried I might get involved with Marquis Bartsen regarding the exhibition.

‘I think this wasn’t about the loneliness of old age, but rather the abundant harvest itself symbolizing the life of old age.’

The painter, having reached the end of his life, looked back on his past life.

It was about satisfactorily concluding one’s life.

Of course, the impressions one feels when viewing artwork are individual freedom.

But is it okay to spout such completely off-base impressions as if they were established theory?

‘Well, there’s no need to get into an argument with the Marquis over it.’

I hid my displeased feelings and obediently walked alongside the Marquis.

At the same time, the Marquis opened his mouth with an excited voice.

“Ah, this painting is one I acquired recently.”

Recently acquired?

I, who had been looking at the painting without much thought, froze in place.

‘That’s the painting I put up at Settler Auction House!’

A single pine tree standing alone in front of a vast seashore.

Though already scarred from the harsh environment, it never yields to the fierce sea winds.

Expressing human powerlessness before nature and the deep anguish within humans…

Arthur’s early work.

“Actually, I planned this exhibition after being inspired by this painting.”

The Marquis continued smugly.

“This painting, you see, it’s a pine tree standing by the seashore, isn’t it?”

“……”

“So I deliberately held a ship exhibition. I wanted to give our distinguished guests a special experience.”

But I couldn’t focus on the Marquis’s words at all.

That middle-aged man I had glimpsed in passing while going to meet Count Disraeli.

‘Who exactly is the person who submitted that painting?’

Persistently curious about my identity.

‘Does he know who I am and act so arrogantly?’

The successful bidder who was immersed in superiority over everyone.

That pretentious troublemaker was Marquis Bartsen?!

“It was really difficult to acquire this painting.”

The Marquis, who had been looking at the painting hanging on the wall with wistful eyes, opened his mouth with a subtle voice.

“Personally, I’m really curious about who was the first to recognize the value of this painting.”

“Ah, so you don’t know who the seller of the painting was?”

I subtly probed the Marquis.

The Marquis nodded with a face clearly showing regret.

“Unfortunately, that’s correct. Such excellent discernment, surely we would get along well…”

No way!!

“Anyway, returning to the original painting story, this painting has Arthur’s signature on it.”

“A signature?”

“Yes. A signature left secretly so others wouldn’t see it.”

The Marquis glanced back at me.

“What do you think, Princess, why did Arthur leave this signature?”

“Well, I…”

I was about to say something, but the Marquis cut off my words right in the middle.

If you’re only going to say what you want to say, why bother asking?

“I think this way. Even someone as genius as Arthur couldn’t completely escape the desire for recognition.”

The Marquis’s eyes gleamed strangely as he said this.

I felt chills down my spine for some reason.

“So he tried to be recognized through methods like this. Even a genius couldn’t help it.”

“……”

At that moment.

I felt intense resistance.

That’s not quite right, is it?

Of course it could be desire for recognition, but to rashly judge a person’s entirety based on that alone…!

“Well, that work is Arthur’s early piece. That means Arthur left that signature at a young age.”

That was probably why.

The reason I ended up refuting those words without realizing it.

“The Arthur I know was a painter who wanted to be recognized purely through his own abilities. And he succeeded too.”

“Princess?”

“There’s no need to conclude that youthful impetuosity would continue to the end, is there?”

I continued firmly.

“I don’t think there’s any need to set limits from the start.”

“Hmm.”

Marquis Bartsen, having heard my words, stared at me intently.

Then he asked back as if testing me.

“Do you think so, Princess?”

“Yes. People can always change and develop.”

Well, honestly, I had calculated that refuting like this would give him a negative impression of me.

That a young woman was showing off unnecessarily.

But the Marquis’s expression seemed to change to one of satisfaction instead.

“It’s been really long since I’ve seen a woman with such deep insight.”

…I didn’t expect this kind of reaction.

I got goosebumps all over my body.

“You’re truly remarkable. Even though you’re still so young.”

“You’re too kind.”

I forced a smile and mumbled my words, then quickly changed the subject.

“More importantly, I saw Jaber’s painting earlier…”

And so, after various conversations.

The discussion had somehow shifted to the topic of exploration.

“Honestly, while His Highness the Crown Prince is a wise person, the New Trade Route development is questionable…”

Marquis Bartsen shrugged his shoulders lightly.

“Compared to the massive investment, there seems to be no real benefit. Haven’t there been several failures already?”

“…….”

I stared at the marquis with a sullen expression.

Well, that was the general consensus.

However, since it was Marquis Bartsen who said it, it somehow rubbed me the wrong way.

“No, I think differently.”

Really, he had no idea how wealthy the Imperial Family would become through this New Trade Route development.

I clicked my tongue inwardly and continued speaking clearly.

“I believe the New Trade Route development will be a great success. After all, it’s a national project personally selected by none other than His Highness the Crown Prince, isn’t it?”

“That’s…….”

The marquis tried to lecture me again, but I cut him off sharply.

“I trust His Highness the Crown Prince’s insight and his love for the Empire.”

Think you’re the only one who can interrupt?

I can do it too.

Just as I was sneering inwardly and narrowing my eyes with a smile.

“I’m delighted that the Princess trusts me so much.”

Someone spoke to me in a smooth manner.

‘Wait, this voice is?’

When I glanced back, a handsome face so perfect it was almost annoying was looking this way.

Why do I keep running into the Crown Prince so often today?

The Crown Prince strode toward me and smiled brightly.

“I understand that Uncle is concerned about the New Trade Route development in various ways.”

“Y-Your Highness. That’s……!”

The flustered marquis tried to make some excuse.

At the same time, the Crown Prince’s smile deepened slightly.

“However, regarding those concerns you have, it would have been better to speak directly to me rather than to the Princess, who isn’t even involved.”

“…….”

“In any case, I’ll take your opinion to heart.”

The Crown Prince shrugged lightly toward the speechless marquis.

Then he turned his gaze to me.

“That aside, Princess. Do you happen to have a moment?”

Huh? Me?

I blinked my eyes in bewilderment.

“Yes, well…….”

I had more than enough time.

But was it okay to leave Marquis Bartsen alone?

“There’s something I urgently need to ask the Princess.”

As if he had noticed my inner thoughts, the Crown Prince casually addressed the marquis.

“So I’ll need to escort the Princess away for a moment. I hope you’ll understand.”

Purple eyes that didn’t contain even a trace of warmth.

Even though I wasn’t the one receiving that gaze directly, I felt a strange sense of pressure.

Perhaps that’s why.

The marquis quickly forced a smile.

“Ah, of course.”

What was this all about?

My bewilderment was brief.

I accepted the Crown Prince’s escort and left the spot.

Well, anyway.

‘Ah, now I can breathe a little.’

I was truly pleased that I no longer had to exchange words with Marquis Bartsen.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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