That was nothing.
I continued speaking casually to the thoroughly astonished Count Bonetta.
"Perhaps the Bonetta Guild's intelligence network isn't quite up to par, but the Christie family happens to have a deep appreciation for art."
Of course, everything I'd just rattled off came from Masters of World Art, the book I'd read in the carriage yesterday.
And technically, it wasn't a complete lie to say that the Christie family had an appreciation for art, either.
Although the art in question was probably limited to the pictures on playing cards at gambling houses.
"M-most impressive, Your Highness."
The Count's expression changed in an instant.
I replied in an exquisitely elegant voice.
"I've been surrounded by works of art since childhood."
"I-I had no idea. I never realized you were someone of such distinction..."
"C-Christie... Could she possibly belong to that great merchant family from the southern continent...?"
The Count muttered to himself, looking thoroughly flustered.
He'd apparently begun to suspect that I might be the daughter of an extremely wealthy commoner.
It wasn't an unreasonable assumption. After all, being able to identify paintings and their artists on sight was the sort of accomplishment one would expect from someone who'd received an expensive education.
I smiled, shattering whatever assumptions he might still have had.
"I've heard that your clocks are works of art in their own right, Count. That's why I thought I might start collecting them."
In my experience, the greedier a person was, the more sensitive they were to the scent of money.
In other words, the moment they sensed an opportunity for profit, their entire attitude changed.
The Count didn't know it, but I'd been quite the shrewd businesswoman myself in my previous life.
And that meant I was confident I could exploit his weakness better than anyone.
"Of course! Of course! I'll escort you to my study immediately!"
Naturally, my strategy worked.
The Count hurried to lead us onward, his manner suddenly so courteous and accommodating that you'd never have guessed how he'd treated us moments earlier.
I turned toward young Lord Spencer and Grand Duke Richard, who were still standing there looking dumbfounded, and silently mouthed, Hurry up and follow me.
Then I quickly went after the Count.
When we finally entered his study, he bowed obsequiously, rubbing his palms together.
"These are the most popular clocks sold by our merchant company."
I tilted my head as I looked up at the wall, where five clocks were displayed.
"Hmm..."
"Is there something you find unsatisfactory?"
The Count watched my expression anxiously.
I narrowed my eyes with an air of arrogance and shook my head.
"I'm afraid a collection of only five clocks wouldn't be particularly valuable."
"A-are you saying you'd like even more clocks?"
The Count's voice trembled with delight.
Those five clocks alone cost enough to purchase a respectable small mansion and still have money left over.
He was probably convinced he'd stumbled upon an opportunity to make a fortune.
"You're an accomplished collector yourself, Count. I'm sure you understand what I mean."
"Naturally! Naturally, I understand perfectly. Of course, I should show you some of our other products as well. I'll have additional samples made for you as soon as possible."
"Unfortunately, my schedule is rather full, and I'll be leaving the kingdom soon."
As I spoke, I tucked a stray lock of hair behind my ear, making a show of disappointment.
The Count's foot began tapping restlessly, as though he were terrified of losing the enormous sum of money he imagined I was about to spend.
Finally, he spoke with some hesitation.
"There is another way I could show you our products without preparing samples."
Got him!
I cheered inwardly as I watched the Count walk straight into my trap.
But I carefully suppressed my excitement and asked with an innocent expression,
"Hmm? What exactly do you mean?"
"The Bonetta Guild can show you the blueprints for every clock we manufacture. You'll be able to examine them all and select whichever designs appeal to you."
"Oh, really?"
It took all my self-control to keep the corners of my mouth from rising.
That was exactly the answer I'd been hoping for.
At last, the Count approached what appeared to be a bookcase against one wall of his study and pushed against it with some effort.
The wall silently slid open, revealing a hidden chamber.
"..."
Although they'd come this far at my insistence, Benedict and Aiden exchanged astonished glances, apparently having never expected that I'd actually manage to gain access to the blueprints.
"This is our blueprint storage room. However, you may only examine the blueprints. You are not permitted to take them outside. As an additional precaution, bringing pens or paper into the room is strictly forbidden. Will you agree to these conditions?"
The Count stood at the entrance, looking solemn as he demanded our agreement.
Naturally, I accepted without hesitation.
After all, I genuinely had no intention of taking any blueprints with me or bringing along a pen and paper.
"Of course. That's perfectly fine."
"Excellent. Then please follow me inside."
The Count stepped into the dark chamber.
His thoughts were so thoroughly occupied with the prospect of making an enormous sale that he failed to notice my eyes gleaming like a hyena's in the darkness behind him.
*******
Several hours later.
"Well, I think I'll have a look around elsewhere before making a decision."
My voice had the unmistakable tone of a customer who had spent ages trying on clothes, asked endless questions about where they were made and how to wash them, and even pulled out a credit card as though ready to buy—only to put the now-crumpled garments back and announce that she'd like to browse a few other stores first.
Of course, since Count Bonetta's merchant company held a monopoly on these clocks, suggesting that I would look elsewhere was completely ridiculous.
"Y-yes... Yes, of course. Please do visit us again."
The Count saw us off with a somewhat dazed expression.
He probably felt as though an opportunity to become fabulously wealthy had come within his grasp, only to slip away for some vaguely unsettling reason he couldn't quite identify.
And he had every reason to feel that way.
After all, he'd shown me dozens of clock blueprints in the storage room, only for me to reject them one after another with increasingly questionable excuses.
"Hmm. There's something rather unbalanced about this design."
"I'm afraid this one wouldn't suit the atmosphere of the Grand Duke's residence."
"This one seems to lack a certain uniqueness, wouldn't you say?"
"It has artistic merit, but I'm afraid it's a little too commonplace."
Meanwhile, every single blueprint he'd shown me had been faithfully recorded in my memory.
Naturally.
Having obtained exactly what we'd come for, we set off for the grand duchy without delay.
This time, too, Benedict attempted to quietly squeeze himself into the carriage.
Unfortunately for him, Victor caught him before he could settle in.
"I can't keep leading two horses at once!"
With that desperate protest, Victor reluctantly dragged the Grand Duke back out.
And so, once again, Aiden and I were left alone in the carriage for the return journey.
During the long, tedious trip, I occupied myself by reading a report Victor had brought me.
It concerned the investigation I'd secretly asked him to conduct while I was visiting Count Bonetta's estate.
○ The Aria Empire's exclusive merchant company authorized to trade with the Kingdom of Grace was changed to the Hayden merchant company, operated by Baron Hayden, father of the Crown Princess.
○ Discontent among merchant companies in the Kingdom of Grace reportedly increased after the Hayden merchant company raised its intermediary fees to exorbitant levels.
○ Intelligence suggests that information concerning Baron Hayden had been circulating discreetly through the kingdom's information guild.
○ Following Baron Hayden's death, the Hayden merchant company ceased operations.
I tapped the document thoughtfully with one finger.
It seemed the late Baron Hayden had made quite a few enemies, both at home and abroad.
Even Count Bonetta had complained, almost unconsciously, about what an ordeal it had been to do business with the Hayden merchant company.
In other words, there were probably plenty of people who'd wanted the Baron gone.
And that meant there were plenty of potential murder suspects.
Just then, Aiden's gentle voice interrupted my thoughts.
"I must admit, what happened at Count Bonetta's estate was... truly impressive."
I looked up from the report.
"Hmm? What part impressed you?"
"To begin with, I had no idea you were so knowledgeable about art. I'm almost embarrassed that I presumed to recommend a book to you with my own limited understanding."
"The book you lent me was a tremendous help, actually."
His bright green eyes immediately gleamed with curiosity.
He was clearly wondering whether I'd always possessed such extensive knowledge of art or whether I'd somehow managed to read and absorb the entire book he'd recommended in that brief amount of time.
I knew exactly what he wanted to ask, but I pretended not to notice and merely offered him an ambiguous smile.
Aiden leaned forward considerably.
"I arranged the meeting with Count Bonetta as you requested, but I never imagined you'd actually persuade him to show you the blueprints."
"Is that so?"
"I've dealt with many merchants over the years, but the Count is certainly no pushover."
"I suppose I was fortunate."
I smiled modestly for the time being.
Aiden tilted his head, slowly running his fingers along the edge of History of World Art.
"But... was that really enough? You spent barely two hours in the blueprint storage room."
"Are you worried?"
At my question, his green eyes crinkled warmly.
"No. I'm looking forward to seeing what happens. You never cease to surprise me, Your Highness. In a good way, of course."
I acknowledged his words with a slight nod.
Then I lowered my gaze to the documents Victor had brought me.
After looking them over once more, I raised my eyes and studied Aiden intently.
"Is there something you'd like to say, Your Highness?"
"Yes, actually. There's an important favor I'd like to ask of you."
Aiden's eyebrows rose in surprise before he broke into a smile.
"A favor? From you? Now you've certainly piqued my curiosity."
"Well, you see..."
I slowly began to explain.