How to Tame That Gentle Male Lead - Chapter 3.5
“Hmm. So the problem is… whether you can get back the rental fee that the father took, right?”
“Yes… I have no idea what to do. From the looks of it, that father seems to spend a lot of money at bars. Being a drunkard, he probably spent it all on alcohol. Or gambling.”
Resena smiled gently and said,
“Would it be alright if I paid the rental fee instead?”
“What?”
The surprised employee looked Resena up and down. Then, realizing she seemed to be a high-ranking noble, he flinched involuntarily. Resena spoke kindly so he wouldn’t be more frightened.
“I have a request in return. I’d like to go along when you return the sculpture to that child. I’m interested in Vernas too, you see.”
To be precise, she was curious about how that child met Vernas.
Resena was willing to pay any amount of money if it meant building a connection with Vernas, even if she couldn’t get Vernas’s sculpture right away.
The child must be very close to Vernas. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have given such an intricate wooden sculpture. Surely, connecting with Vernas through that child would open up opportunities to purchase or view other sculptures she wanted to see.
‘That much would make paying the rental fee worthwhile…’
After all, it was a sculpture that money alone couldn’t buy.
“Alright. I’d be grateful if you could do that! But, the rental fee isn’t a small amount. Are you sure it’s okay?”
Resena smiled, her eyes curving.
“Yes, it’s fine.”
***
After paying, Resena went up to the 7th floor for now. She planned to bring Renard along when she went, so she checked if he had bought the landscape painting and come up.
The 7th floor was crowded with people, making it difficult to find Renard. But as she kept looking around for him, she was able to spot Renard standing in front of the fountain in the center.
“Renard!”
“Sis.”
Renard was holding something wrapped in paper in his arms. Probably the landscape painting. It was a bit disappointing that she couldn’t see the painting in advance, as the string couldn’t be untied until they got home to prevent damage.
“Did you see Vernas’s sculptures?”
“No, not yet.”
“Then go take a look. I came early and saw them, and they’re incredibly intricate with a unique touch. I could see why he’s popular enough to be trendy.”
“Okay, I’ll go see. Where are they?”
“They’re right around that corner. There are only 3 pieces… and above all, the exhibition ends today and they’ll be returned to the original owner.”
Looks like they’re going to return them to that child?
Resena was worried that the child might have their toys taken away by greedy people like their father.
If a famous sculptor’s work becomes a toy that a young child plays with, the father who can’t pay his bar tab might end up selling all three of them completely someday.
‘He got the rental fee this time, but next time it’ll be the sale price. Even though I told him that last time we met, he didn’t understand. He’ll surely try to sell them so they can never be returned.’
How could she ensure that the child could keep those toys while also building a connection with Vernas herself?
“Hmm… Indeed, displaying them really highlights the intricate details. Plus, the unique finishing touch is meticulous.”
Although some parts showed wear from the child’s handling, even that seemed to add to the uniqueness of these sculptures. Resena also appreciated other sculptures she hadn’t seen before.
The sculpture of boats floating on a canal was impressive, and the one depicting the rising sun and sea felt brilliantly sensible.
‘Moreover, even though more people gathered because the exhibition ends today, there’s not a single disparaging comment. Amazing.’
After quietly observing for a while, Resena returned to Renard.
‘I agreed to go with the employee to the child before heading home.’
She needed to tell Renard in advance if she wanted to bring him along too.
“Renard.”
“Yes, sis.”
After explaining the situation, Renard’s eyes widened.
“You did well. Opportunities to build a connection with Vernas are rare. He doesn’t show his face to most high-ranking nobles.”
“Is it that serious?”
“Yes. There’s even a joke going around that he’s in a higher position than the royal family. It’s because he avoids meetings with high-ranking nobles, so they say he’s in an even higher position.”
“Ahaha.”
Resena laughed. A sculptor leading the latest trends would have no shortage of money by now, so all that’s left is honor… Her interest grew in his deliberate rejection of connections with nobles.
‘…I wonder what he looks like?’
Being a sculptor, could he have a robust build with a lot of muscles? He might also be refusing connections with nobles due to a lack of confidence in his appearance.
“Hmm… But sis.”
“Yes?”
“Did you like Vernas’s sculptures that much? Seeing how you’re trying to build a connection… You want to display his sculptures at the Arnasus mansion somehow, right?”
“Well, that’s right.”
Resena answered casually while pulling Renard’s hand.
“But let’s talk about this later… That employee asked me to come out of the auction house by 5 o’clock. So I told him to wait in front of the carriage with the Arnasus family crest – the double-crossed rose pattern.”
“Ah. Then we should go out now. It’s already 4:40.”
“Let’s go.”
She led her younger brother out. Fortunately, the elevator was empty, so going down was easy.
The employee was already there.
Knowing that the person who paid the rental fee on his behalf was the young lady of the Arnasus family, he was maintaining a respectful posture.
“My lady, you’ve arrived. Hello, young master.”
“Yes. You said we’re going to that child’s house.”
“That’s right. We’re about to leave. I’ll go on horseback, so please follow me in your carriage.”
“Alright.”
“We might have to walk a bit when we reach a street the carriage can’t enter. Is that okay?”
“Renard. Is that alright with you?”
Her younger brother shrugged.
“I’m fine. How about you, sis?”
“I don’t mind either. Then, shall we depart?”
“Yes. We’ll move right away.”
As they boarded the carriage, the horses soon began to move. Resena looked up at the still bright sun. The sunlight shining between the low roofs was truly dazzling.
Opening the window to feel the cool breeze, Resena felt her expectations rising. Somehow, she felt a premonition that something good would happen today, tickling her heart.
“Sis, you’re smiling. You look happy.”
“I’m happy thinking about building a connection through that child. And I’m also glad that we’re simply going to return a toy to a child.”
“I see.”
Renard leaned back against the carriage wall.
“I would have felt bad too if someone had lent out my wooden sword without saying anything.”
“Right. We become attached to things we’ve used a lot. Whether it’s a wooden sword or a toy.”
Resena thought about the light pink blanket she was attached to in her previous life. She loved how soft it was since she was young and used to hug it while sleeping.
That attachment continued even into college, where she would cover her knees with that blanket while studying in the library or watching inter-college competitions. It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say it was the power of that blanket that enabled her to complete seemingly impossible amounts of studying.
