Chapter 19

“Brad?”

“Liv, I didn’t expect to see you here!”

Brad, wearing a hunting cap instead of his usual paint-splattered work clothes, smiled warmly at Liv. He reached out to shake her hand, but when he noticed Camille sitting across from her, his expression shifted to one of surprise.

“And who might this be…”

Brad trailed off ambiguously, and his tone suggested a hint of suspicion. Squinting, he gave Liv a knowing, mischievous smile.

Not wanting him to start spouting nonsense, Liv quickly spoke up. “He’s Miss Million’s art teacher. We were just discussing teaching methods.”

There was no real need for such a detailed explanation, but Liv provided it anyway. Despite her effort, it was clear Brad didn’t view the situation with innocent intentions.

“Ah, I see. Well, take good care of our Liv. Hahaha!”

Brad seemed eager to act like a protective relative, as if trying to be helpful. Liv, feeling embarrassed, instinctively covered her face with her hands.

Camille, who had been watching the unexpected interruption with a grim expression, nodded reluctantly.

“Ah, yes.”

“So you’re an art teacher? That’s interesting—I’m a painter myself, so it’s nice to meet someone with similar interests!”

“I see.”

Camille’s curt reply made it clear how unwelcome he found this interruption.

Liv nudged Brad’s arm with her fingertip, pointing behind him. “Brad, you have company waiting for you.”

Not far off, a middle-aged man was watching them with a curious look. He was undoubtedly Brad’s companion. Liv glanced at the man out of curiosity.

Wearing a top hat and a dignified frock coat, the middle-aged gentleman had a gentle, amiable demeanor. He seemed too refined to be associating with Brad, and Liv momentarily wondered if she was mistaken. After all, Brad was known for his penchant for gambling and drinking—it was hard to imagine him having such an elegant acquaintance.

Just as Liv’s gaze turned suspicious, Brad gave her a cheerful wave.

“Ah, right, right. Well, I’ll be off now!”

Was it just her imagination, or did Brad seem more excited than usual?

Liv watched Brad walk away, speaking animatedly to the middle-aged gentleman as they moved further into the coffee house. Brad’s behavior seemed out of place—meeting an older gentleman here rather than at his usual bar, with such an enthusiastic expression. The more she thought about it, the stranger it seemed.

“An unexpected acquaintance.”

Camille’s voice snapped Liv out of her thoughts. He was watching the direction Brad had gone, his brows still furrowed.

It wasn’t just the look of annoyance one would have toward a rude person who interrupted a conversation. Liv, tilting her head, cautiously asked Camille.

“Do you know Brad?”

“I know him as a painter who fails every year at the exhibitions.”

Come to think of it, Camille had an art background and even graduated from a prestigious art school.

But just because he was an Eglantine School of Art alumnus didn’t mean he knew every painter in the country.

“He’s not the only artist who fails every year.”

“True, but when a painter who consistently fails suddenly finds a major patron and starts bragging about it, it’s hard not to notice.”

Camille’s response was dry, and Liv was left speechless, her lips pressed into a tight line.

It was clear who Brad’s “important patron” was, even without seeing it firsthand. Their work was meant to be kept secret, and Liv couldn’t help but worry whether Brad being so loose-lipped would cause issues.

She thought they had shared a mutual understanding of how annoying the Marquis’s interruptions were during the work sessions. Was Brad still unable to give up that patronage?

“He doesn’t seem like someone with good intentions. Of course, it’s not my place to judge your friendships, but… since I’m in the same industry, I tend to hear things. I suggest you keep your distance from him.”

Camille lowered his voice, his expression filled with concern as he offered advice. He watched Liv quietly as she fell into contemplation, then continued, “Honestly, I’m curious how you even got to know someone like that. You don’t seem to have anything in common.”

It was true that, on the surface, Liv and Brad seemed to have nothing in common. They lived in different areas, did different work, and had no reason to meet except by chance. Liv thought back to when they first met.

It was shortly after she arrived in Buerno, while she was exhausted from traveling such a long way with her ailing sister, Corida.

She had been staying temporarily in a cheap inn, looking for a place to settle. She eventually found an affordable room in a relatively safe neighborhood.

Despite having been deceived multiple times already, Liv had almost signed the lease for that room. Looking back, she realized she had been too tired to think clearly and didn’t want to make any more difficult decisions.

The person showing her the room turned out to be a con artist. The real homeowner had gone on a long trip, and in their absence, the con artist pretended to be the owner and tried to rent out the property.

It was Brad who prevented her from getting scammed. He hadn’t intervened because of some noble sense of justice—he, too, was almost a victim.

At the time, Brad had been looking for a studio space and was on the verge of losing a large sum to the scammer. Brad burst into the office just as Liv was about to sign the contract, making a scene that exposed the scam. Thanks to his commotion, Liv avoided signing the contract.

And so, their acquaintance began. Over time, it turned into something of a friendship. Brad dismissed the incident, saying Liv had simply been lucky, but she felt genuinely grateful to him.

And after that, he even started giving her small jobs from time to time, which only increased her appreciation for him.

“I owe him. He helped me when I settled in Buerno. I’m not sure about his reputation as a painter, but he’s been a good friend to me.”

Liv’s calm explanation caused Camille to raise his eyebrows in surprise. He soon apologized.

“That was harsh of me.”

“It’s alright. Just because someone is good to me doesn’t mean they’re good to everyone else.”

Liv responded nonchalantly and picked up her cup. She hadn’t thought their conversation had been particularly long, but there was only a sip of coffee left. Camille had already finished his.

“That was an impressive thought.”

Camille let out a low murmur of admiration, tilting his head as he asked, “What do you think of me, Teacher Rodaise?”

“I don’t think we’ve known each other long enough for me to define it. We’ve only met twice.”

“That’s true.”

Camille chuckled softly.

“I’ll try my best to be a good friend to you.”

“That’s…”

Before Liv could respond, Camille deliberately cut her off by standing up.

“Ah, shall we leave now?”

His expression made it clear he already knew what she was going to say. He smiled brightly as he grabbed his hat.

“Since I invited you today, I’ll cover the coffee.”

“What? But—”

“If it bothers you, you can pay for our next meeting.”

Watching Camille cheerfully head to the counter, Liv realized just how deftly he handled things.

If she had been younger and in a better situation, she might have felt her heart flutter for this young man. She could have imagined a rosy future and nurtured those emotions in her heart.

But Liv Rodaise no longer had the luxury of such dreams. The woman she was now only felt relief that she didn’t have to pay for coffee today—a petty, shabby sentiment.

Liv sighed softly, lowering her gaze as she tied the bonnet ribbon under her chin.

Things might improve a little, but fundamentally, nothing would change.

Probably until she died.

***

After meeting Camille, Liv had considered visiting the Pendence mansion, but she received a letter before she could act on it. It was news that Million had finally recovered, and that her postponed lessons would resume.

“It’s been far too long, Teacher Rodaise. I hope you’ll take good care of our Million again today.”

With a light bow to Baroness Pendence, who greeted her with the same warmth as always, Liv followed the maid through the house.

Returning to the Pendence mansion after such a long time, Liv quickly noticed the changes inside. There were far more artworks on display.

The Pendence family had always furnished their mansion in a classic style, frequently acquiring beautiful furniture, but it was unusual to see so many new pieces of art.

The numerous artworks seemed to be displayed almost as if to impress someone. Considering this was a home, not a gallery, it felt somewhat excessive—especially since Baron Pendence’s interest in art was a recent development.

Of course, Liv had no reason to comment on how they chose to spend their wealth.

After briefly eyeing a large painting on the wall, her face showing a hint of confusion, Liv quietly continued on her way. Million was waiting for her in the study, just as always.