After finishing breakfast, Lance sought out the estate’s butler, finding him waiting just outside the dining room. The older man smiled at Lance.
"Young Master, are you in a good mood today?"
The old butler sounded quiet and world-weary, as though worn down by the harshness of life. Nevertheless, that single question sent a shiver of fear coursing through Lance. In the memories of the old Lance, the butler was the most reliable figure in the manor, the one man who looked after him day in and day out.
However, the new Lance knew something his predecessor had failed to recognize: this man, with his ever pleasant demeanor, was in fact the most dangerous individual in the entire estate. As usual, the butler had a perfectly composed yet one-hundred-percent-fake smile while standing before the dissolute scoundrel whom everyone else in the household either feared or loathed.
"I’m fine, but there is something I’d like to ask," Lance stated nonchalantly.
"Please go ahead."
"It concerns the pigeon I brought back yesterday. It has come to my attention that it might be someone’s familiar, so on the off chance that it might belong to a person of high status, I fear my actions could cause considerable trouble to the household. Therefore, I must ask you to do me a favor: Please discreetly deal with everyone who might have learned of this incident yesterday."
"Oh?" Lance’s request evidently took the butler by surprise. For a brief moment, he observed Lance with a touch of added scrutiny. Could it be that this young master actually cared about the estate? Or was this merely a sudden whim? Or perhaps he encountered some other trouble?
However, the butler had no intention of prying further. Instead, he just bowed slightly to Lance as he replied, "It is my honor to serve you."
"Also, I’d appreciate it if you helped me look for someone."
"Please give me a description of this person."
"She looks roughly my age, but she has gray hair and golden eyes. She’s likely wearing a tattered, dark-gray cloak and probably looks just like a vagrant. Also, please ensure she doesn’t realize that I’m looking for her," said Lance, gesturing as he spoke.
The request caused the butler to look rather troubled. "I will do my best. But, Young Master, you must realize just how vast this border city is. I cannot guarantee that I will be able to locate her quickly. Of course, if you could provide me with some more precise details regarding this person’s appearance, I should be able to save a great deal of time on the investigation."
"Hmm... In that case, if I’m able to paint a portrait of her, how long do you think it’ll take you to find her?"
The butler smiled. "I’d be able to guarantee that I could track down anyone in this town who has come across her within one day."
He recalled that Lance indeed had a talent for painting, but once the boy’s parents had given him free rein, the young master had never picked up a paintbrush again. It was also from that time onward that the young master's personality had gradually taken a turn for the worse.
Lance nodded. "In that case, go ahead and make the necessary arrangements for the search. I will have the portrait finished by the time you return."
"Very well. Young Master, I shall take my leave now. Please do your best with the portrait. I should be able to complete your first request sometime before noon." The butler smiled, clasped his hands behind his back, and headed toward the kitchen.
"Rest assured, I will do my best."
Lance excelled at drawing and painting above all else. And when it came to producing a portrait of Talia, he could do it with his eyes closed. In fact, he was certain that no one else in this world could paint her better than he could.
He then let out a sigh of relief. Although the old Lance had left some loose ends to resolve, as the new one, he fortunately still had some room to maneuver things around. Of course, hiding the incriminating evidence would merely make the process of uncovering the truth slightly more difficult for Talia.
As far as he knew, Talia possessed a magical ability to see through a person’s lies. With enough patience, there was virtually nothing she could not uncover.
Talia also had a notoriously vindictive nature. Once she discovered that he was the one who had shot down her familiar, even if he treated her with courtesy, she would still exact revenge once she rose to power.
In order to truly prevent her from hating him, he would have to interact with her personally. However, for the time being, he needed to focus on painting the portrait.
***
Just as Lance reached the second floor, he spotted the maid who had woken him up that morning. She still seemed a little afraid of him.
As soon as she saw him, the maid said, "Let me go grab what you need, Young Master."
She then turned in an attempt to go grab some fine wine and the latest novels, but Lance simply said, "I am going to the study."
She stopped abruptly, suddenly feeling a bit anxious. Hesitantly, she asked, "Did you just say you were going to the study?"
Lance looked a bit bewildered. "That’s right."
He wanted to go to the study, get some supplies, and begin his portrait of Talia. Until he knew where she was, there was nothing else that required his attention.
However, when he arrived at the study, he discovered that the room didn’t have a desk. In fact, there wasn’t even a single sheet of paper to be found. Instead, it was filled with innumerable bottles of expensive liquor.
"Young Master, please forgive me."
Lance looked at the anxious maid. "What’s the matter?"
The maid lowered her head and stammered, "I-I haven’t finished tidying up the study yet."
She looked as if she was expecting him to yell at her. Given her understanding of the young master’s temperament, he was likely on the verge of storming out of the room and slamming the door behind him. He would only return late at night, stone drunk.
Yet Lance sighed helplessly. "Is that so? It makes no difference to me if it stays untidy for a day or two. As long as my painting supplies are all in order, it doesn’t matter if I have to work in another room."
The maid’s eyes widened as she stared at Lance. "Young Master, how could I possibly allow you to do that?"
She looked flustered, clearly taken aback by Lance’s unusually easygoing response. She hurriedly added, "Just give me fifteen minutes, and I will make the study absolutely spotless! I’ll have all the tools you need ready as well! I promise you!"
"In that case, I’ll leave it to you."
Lance didn’t mind waiting a little. Although he was a bit scared of Talia’s murderous tendencies, he hadn’t completely lost his wits. After all, he had a plan to deal with her. No one could stop him from living a life of ease and freedom.
***
The maid finished cleaning up the study in about ten minutes and also brought Lance the finest painting and drawing supplies available.
Lance inspected the materials. Although they were slightly different from the ones he usually used, it wouldn’t be difficult for him to get used to them. He sat down before the canvas, sketched out a rough composition, and put down his first strokes of Talia’s portrait in a relaxed manner.
Lance struggled not to chuckle as he continued to paint smoothly and effortlessly. His years of experience would make this a seamless process. Talia was someone he had drawn countless times in the past.
He had once created grand and elegant depictions of this illustrious demon princess, but now he was portraying her in her most wretched state, so it was hard not to be affected by that dichotomy. Only his slightly sardonic smile could hint at his inner thoughts.
Lance didn’t have the stereotypical appearance or demeanor of a top artist. Instead, he was calm and seemingly unhurried, looking as if he were doing a mundane chore he had done countless times before. Gradually, he became completely focused on the painting in front of him, losing all concept of time.
He didn’t even notice that the maid beside him had begun to gaze at him with pure astonishment. Her mouth had fallen open.
Time quickly passed, and finally, Lance finished the portrait.