Chapter 50
Chapter 50
General Soluten glared at Benjamin and stepped forward, gritting his teeth. “Honestly, how valuable could a painting be?” Isaac’s gaze remained fixed on Benjamin. Benjamin stared right back. A standoff.
“Marquis Tygra possesses a treasure worth more than hundreds of these paintings.”
“….”
“The Canary of the Glass Dome.” General Soluten had brought up Arietta. Isaac’s gaze shifted from Benjamin. Soluten inwardly breathed a sigh of relief. Now was the time to steer the conversation towards Arietta, to make Isaac forget Benjamin’s impudence. “Come to think of it, Viscount Lenota wouldn’t know about the Canary of the Glass Dome…”
He drew Benjamin into the conversation, hoping to appease Isaac with his agreement. Benjamin, aware that he had spoiled the mood, though still seething with animosity toward Isaac, dutifully lowered his gaze. “Indeed. I don’t. If you wouldn’t mind explaining…”
This was the reaction General Soluten had hoped for. Viscount Lenota wasn’t a complete fool after all. “She’s the rarest, most mysterious treasure Marquis Tygra possesses.” Isaac had now completely withdrawn his attention from Soluten and Benjamin. Instead, he took a sip of his whiskey, neat. He flipped Leonhilt’s painting over, and one of his guards took it. “I hear she’s a breathtaking beauty, but we’ve never seen her.”
“Why is that?”
“Because Marquis Tygra keeps her locked away in his mansion.”
“…Why?” Benjamin’s question was met with a sip of whiskey and a reply.
“She’s not a collectible to be shown off to just anyone.” Isaac appeared rather languid and pleased, content with his exclusive ownership of the Canary.
“…That’s why he won’t bring her, no matter how much we pester him.” General Soluten quipped. “So, the best we can do is pester him for little stories.”
A mysterious beauty confined to a mansion was a topic that piqued everyone’s curiosity. The Remains Investigation Team was no exception. At times like these, everyone focused on Isaac’s lips, hanging on his every word, hoping he’d offer a glimpse into the life of the Canary of the Glass Dome.
Even if he left without saying much, they could coax stories out of the ‘Black Tiger’s Dogs,’ his guards, though only snippets. “So, the Canary of the Glass Dome is the most famous, yet the most enigmatic of his treasures.”
“…I see.” Benjamin hadn’t offered the level of flattery Soluten had hoped for, but the venom of his earlier rudeness had dissipated. Isaac sipped his whiskey and looked at Benjamin.
Twenty-three, was it? He recalled himself at that age. Compared to his younger self, Benjamin was undeniably childish. He was like a hothouse flower. To so openly display his emotions in this ‘harmonious’ setting, where animosity was masked by a thin veneer of civility… Isaac had learned how to avoid such displays in his teens.
…Though he couldn’t quite manage it in front of Arietta. He glanced down at the device on his hip. If anything had happened to Arietta, a loud beep would have sounded.
‘Gamon’s with her, so thankfully, nothing seems to be wrong.’
That’s what he thought. But the next moment… ‘No, I need to go.’ He rose from his seat. “Enjoy yourselves. I’ll be taking my leave.”
He had to see Arietta, now. Benjamin stared after him, bewildered that Isaac wouldn’t even stay until the end of the party. But Isaac didn’t notice the young man’s stare. He was consumed by the need to see Arietta.
Benjamin, barely holding onto his composure as he watched Isaac’s broad back recede, muttered to General Soluten, “The Canary of the Glass Dome is pitiful.” He pictured the glass dome he’d seen while descending in the airship. “If I were her, I’d want to die. Living as that man’s plaything must be a torment.”
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