Lady Felice’s Secret Class - Chapter 41

Claude and Elise sat facing each other in the reception room. Count Legrand occupied the seat of honor, and he was the only one speaking loudly across the massive table.

For the past thirty minutes, he had been talking about a painter he claimed to admire the most recently.

Elise occasionally nodded along and gave polite smiles in response to the Count’s explanations.

Claude, after about ten minutes, couldn’t hide his boredom, but without complaint, he quietly listened to the Count’s story.

After all, the one who had ruined the Count’s art collection gathering was the woman dressed as a maid from the Racliffe family.

“That was quite a lengthy explanation. These days, I spend whole days simply admiring that painting, so my mind is filled with it. Everyone scolds me when I keep going on about it,” the Count said, chuckling after sipping his tea.

Even in the brief moment of drinking, his eyes slowly blinked, as if still thinking of the painting. His murmured words overflowed with unreserved praise for the artwork.

Claude thought it was about time to cut him off. The Count wanted to hear something from Claude, and if Claude didn’t say it, the Count would likely continue praising the painting and painter for hours.

Holding his teacup, Claude smiled gently.

“It must be a remarkable painting.”

“Of course. It’s the finest painting I’ve seen lately.”

Claude nodded as he listened to the Count’s confident words. He then took a sip of the tea. Luckily, the tasteful Count was also a connoisseur. The fragrant yet slightly bitter tea was exquisite.

“How much did you pay for the painting?”

“Ah? Haha, well…”

The Count furrowed his brow and laughed awkwardly.

Listening to the half-hour-long praise, Claude thought if the Count had devoted himself to religion, his congregation would have exploded in size.

Hearing such talks every day, one couldn’t help but become a believer. Otherwise, their eardrums wouldn’t survive. To give his ears a rest, Claude thought he might become a believer even without faith.

“Since you praise it so much, Count, I can’t help but be curious. Might I have the honor to see it as well?”

Elise smiled and politely requested.

“Ha ha, if you ask that nicely, I suppose I must show it to you.”

At that point, Claude smiled and raised a hand.

“No need to check. If Lady Elise sees it, I might gain a rival.”

Setting down his teacup, Claude smiled at the Count.

“I wish to purchase the piece.”

“Haha, well… I love this piece so much that parting with it is difficult…”

He was implying he would name a high price.

Claude nodded, signaling price didn’t matter.

“Haha, well…”

Even the Count, who loved to talk, seemed exhausted from speaking alone for over thirty minutes.

He quickly accepted Claude’s gesture as if he had been waiting for it.

“For Claude, the wealthiest man in Trouville, it can’t be helped. You recognize the value and can set the proper price. It will please both the artwork and the painter.”

The Count smiled satisfactorily and brought up the subject of an intermediary.

Claude smiled back, meeting the Count’s greedy eyes.

“If it’s a painting in the Count’s collection, there’s no need for a middleman. But since my honor does not match yours, someone might slander us. Please draw up a contract. Payment will be made as soon as the contract arrives at the estate.”

“Oh my, successful businessmen really are different. Young as you are, you handle matters swiftly; you’re bound to soar even higher.”

“Thank you. I got so focused on the artwork that we’ve reached this point.”

Claude glanced at Elise and then at the Count, signaling to wrap things up.