HLITP 10

Chapter 10

Most people think that anyone who commits an atrocious crime must have a fundamentally different brain structure from ordinary people, making them someone whose actions could never be understood through common sense.

But in reality, that isn’t the case. They are human beings, after all, and they cannot escape that fact.

Through minor physiological functions and physical reactions, a culprit will inevitably reveal their true nature instinctively.

……At least, that was something I had read in a mystery novel.

Anyway, what I had come up with was what I called the “direct approach” strategy.

A few days later, I stood in front of an event hall with written prominently across its entrance, recalling my conversation with Camille.

“I’m technically the victim here, so wouldn’t someone act noticeably differently when they see me?”

Camille had agreed with my reasoning, but he had also warned me.

“Still, be careful. The world is a big place, and there are plenty of crazies out there.”

‘He’s got a point.’

I nodded repeatedly.

As I reached into my bag to take out my ticket, I raised my head at the sound of Romain’s voice.

“My lady, I’ve never been to a place like this before……!”

Excited by the sight of the auction hall she was visiting for the first time, Romain bounced on her feet like a child.

Thanks to her, the shoulders that had been stiff with tension relaxed a little.

Inside, nobles who had already arrived were gathered in small groups, chatting amongst themselves.

“Wow…… I’ve never seen paintings in such huge frames before. Are all of these going to be auctioned off today?”

“That’s right. All the proceeds will be donated.”

“My goodness…… Ah! My lady, look over there!”

Excited, Romain grabbed my sleeve and pointed toward a large painting of sunflowers rendered in vivid colors.

“I heard somewhere that if you put sunflowers in your house, money will come in.”

“Really? Should I buy one for you?”

“Oh, I’m fine. I’m still homeless, you know.”

‘So that was the problem.’

……Once Romain bought a house, I absolutely had to give her a sunflower painting as a gift.

I gently ruffled Romain’s hair as she smiled without a trace of guile, then continued walking.

At the innermost and most prominent spot in the exhibition hall, the most expensive painting of the day was proudly displayed, worthy of being called the highlight of the auction.

It was not the work of some unknown newcomer. It was a masterpiece by an established artist whose work even I had seen countless times in the newspapers.

As though proving its immense value, the area surrounding the painting was packed with people.

“Wow……. That’s an amazing painting.”

“It is.”

“My lady. You enjoy painting too, don’t you?”

“If you want to call it a hobby, then yes.”

“Then will one of your paintings be displayed somewhere like this someday?”

The words were so innocent and hopeful that I unconsciously swallowed a short breath and a bitter smile.

‘Mine? As if.’

I was an ordinary person who hadn’t even learned how to draw a proper line.

I had somehow managed to complete a painting through sheer luck this time, but I didn’t possess the talent to create a work capable of capturing people’s attention in a place like this.

‘One miracle doesn’t turn into skill.’

It was precisely when I was lost in thought that it happened.

As if pulled by an invisible hand, my gaze was suddenly drawn in a particular direction.

I stopped in my tracks and instinctively hid behind a pillar.

Romain, who had been looking around excitedly beside me, followed me behind the pillar.

“My lady, do you know those people?”

“Shh.”

“Oh, yes.”

Among the crowd gathered around the painting, I finally spotted the men I had been looking for.

I strained my ears through the noisy atmosphere, and fragments of their conversation began reaching me.

The first voice that pierced my ears belonged to Gail Pistachio.

“You’re throwing money away. Just throwing it away.”

A derisive laugh filled with irritation.

The voice that followed belonged to Pagoda Boutier.

“How much are you planning to spend today? If you want to keep up appearances, you’ll have to spend more than you did last time.”

The last was Densom Kalanchoe.

His voice was cynical as he pushed his glasses up the bridge of his nose.

“How long does the Imperial Family intend to keep doing these meaningless things? Tsk.”

‘They’re exactly the same as I remember, even after all this time.’

All three were dressed in expensive coats, wine swirling in one hand, looking exactly as I remembered them.

They were fortunate men who had inherited their titles early or risen to the pinnacle of wealth.

And yet, they gave off an unmistakable scent of thirst—the kind that came from people who could never be satisfied with the position they had attained.

“Damn it. How long are we supposed to keep throwing money into these ridiculous events?”

“Well, I suppose it’ll continue until the Ortegas pull out. But Gail, you’re hardly in a position to complain, are you? You’re one of the beneficiaries, after all.”

“Beneficiary? Over that pathetic little amount of pocket change?”

At that moment, Densom lowered his voice, seemingly conscious of the attention around them.

“You two, watch what you say. There are too many eyes around.”

But apparently, his warning didn’t have much effect on either man.

“I really don’t understand why you’re so angry. I’m enjoying myself.”

Pagoda grinned and swept his gaze across the room.

“Where else would you get another opportunity to gather all those high-and-mighty noble ladies in one place and judge them?”

“Densom. Why don’t you worry about controlling that womanizer’s mouth instead of me?”

Densom pressed his fingers against his temple and let out a long sigh.

“Haa…… This is driving me crazy.”

The three men continued their conversation, but it seemed they were merely killing time while waiting for the auction to begin.

I decided the time had come and suddenly grabbed Romain by the shoulders.

“Romain.”

At my meaningful tone, her eyes widened like a rabbit’s.

“Yes?”

“Stay here. I’ll be back soon.”

“What? M-My lady! Where are you going?”

Her frantic voice followed me from behind, but I didn’t answer.

A short while later, I quietly blended into one side of the exhibition hall.

I lowered my gaze and walked slowly, pretending to be a visitor who had wandered into this place by chance after getting lost.

I stopped in front of a painting and stared at it for a long while, then moved on to the next.

I repeated the process several times.

Before long, I got a reaction.

“Wait. Isn’t that Camille’s wife?”

“I think so. She must have come as the Ortega representative.”

I heard their low whispers from behind me.

Pretending not to notice, I kept my eyes on the paintings while gradually moving closer to them.

“By the way, doesn’t she seem a little different?”

“Oh? Have you finally discovered the charms of a married woman?”

“Shut your mouth, Pagoda.”

That lunatic.

Someday, I was going to sew that mouth shut.

I clenched my fists tightly where no one could see.

Then, as though I had finished admiring all the works, I turned toward them.

I didn’t forget to put on an innocent expression, as if I had only just happened to notice them.

“Ah……”

It had been less than a month since the funeral, and wearing a pitch-black dress while politely lowering my head, I must have looked quite pitiful.

But there was one person among them who reacted particularly strangely.

“C-Cough. I think I’ll head into the auction hall first.”

It was Gail.

“Already? Why don’t you stay a little longer?”

“No, no. There’s no point wasting my time here. I’m not feeling well either, so I’ll excuse myself.”

“Is that so? Then I’ll see you at the auction.”

I narrowed my eyes and followed Gail’s retreating figure until he disappeared from sight, waddling away in a hurry.

‘Could it be……?’

Of the three men, Gail had been particularly incapable of hiding his jealousy toward Camille.

And the man I had suspected the most was now making his behavior so blatantly obvious.

I could feel my suspicion turning into certainty as I was just about to follow him.

“Madam!”

“……”

“I never expected to see you in a place like this.”

Another fish had taken the bait and caught me.

“Have you finally recovered from your grief?”

Ah, damn it.