MPO

CHAPTER Xlll

“……A place?”

“Yes. I too wish to continue listening to your performances, so it’s a win-win for us both.”

Leila couldn’t outright refuse his offer of providing a venue, unlike his sponsorship offer. Given that Timo had just discovered the pub, it might become difficult for her to go there in the future. Or rather, even before that, Anna would prevent her from going.

For Leila, who now thought she might not be able to perform for a while, Lucas’s offer seemed sweet.

Watching her, not immediately refusing, he quietly curled his lips upwards and added,

“For your information, it’s not my mansion, but a building in the city center I’ve acquired and soundproofed enough to hold concerts. There, you can play as much as you like without worrying about others.”

“……You’ve soundproofed it?”

“Yes. I had it specially designed for performers like you.”

The fact that it was soundproofed greatly appealed to her. The reason she had been playing outside her home was that Timo and Amelie complained about the noise.

Playing behind the scenes was fine, but having a soundproofed place as a backup didn’t seem like a bad idea. Leila, pondering carefully, suddenly found it interesting.

With ‘limited time’ left, was there a need to seriously ponder over such trivial matters?

“Providing a place seems…… acceptable.”

With her consent, Lucas clenched his fist. He was delighted, feeling as if he had half-won the elusive violinist he had been searching for.

“Good, then I’ll inform your maid about the location.”

“……Thank you.”

Leila wasn’t sure if it was the right decision, but the thought of playing to her heart’s content excited her. Lucas watched as she quietly twirled her fingers before he stepped out of the carriage.

Vanishing in an instant, he returned, bringing the loudly chattering Anna with him.

The only thing on Leila’s mind now was how the real Lucas and the one she had heard rumors about seemed quite different.

***

Lucas hummed to himself while working. He was happy because he had found the violinist he had been searching for months and now could listen to her performances more often.

“Hmm, hmm…”

Philip, reviewing documents to be passed to his lord, quietly lifted the corners of his mouth upon hearing Lucas’s humming. He knew well that his lord was a great man, but not as flawless as rumors suggested.

Yet, he liked seeing Lucas’s humane side. Whether he hummed happily or occasionally appeared in a disheveled state with his hair sticking out.

“Your Grace, seems like you’re in a good mood.”

“Ah, have I been humming again?”

“What does it matter, sir?”

“This is why I like you.”

Lucas disliked showing this side of himself to others. Because those who approached with a standard often said this side didn’t suit him and suggested he change it.

Receiving criticism or disappointment wasn’t unique to his habit of humming tunes. Lucas was indifferent to his appearance. Although Philip would say that he looked handsome even just after waking up, women saw things differently.

They noticed his unattended bed hair, ink stains on his shirt sleeve, or wax drippings, and wished Lucas would pay more attention to these details.

The expectation to become an even more perfect individual was something Lucas had often encountered since he was young. He could ignore such expectations, but as an adult, Lucas decided not to tolerate them any longer.

This led him to distance himself from those around him, leaving him quite solitary. However, Lucas was currently very pleased with his personal relationships.

“Ah, Philip.”

“Yes, my lord.”

“Exclude this merchant group from the list.”

After picking one from the list of new merchant group candidates Philip had passed to him, Lucas frowned and flipped the document over.

“What’s wrong with this one?”

“They’re likely to be heavily indebted.”

“……Indebted?”

“More precisely, it’s the debt of the father of the merchant group’s owner.”

“Ah……”

Philip couldn’t imagine Lucas being more perfect than he already was. How many lords would meticulously review every document? Beyond being an aide, Philip saw that Lucas had a more detailed understanding of the market dynamics and social circles.