Apparently, I’m a Poisonous Woman Who Sells One-Night Dreams, but I Ended Up Awakening a Hero’s Devoted Love - Chapter 1.11

(“Phew, that ended up being quite long, didn’t it?”)

After Mariadoll finished speaking, Jerf stepped out into the hallway to call a maid and request warm tea before sitting back down on the sofa.

“I’m sorry for making you talk about such painful things.”

“Not at all! So, will you believe me?”

Leaning forward toward Jerf, who was sitting slightly apart from her, Mariadoll asked.

“Of course. In fact, everything makes perfect sense now.”

“Hehe, Lord Jerf, you’re too kind. What if all of this is just a made-up story? If you’re like that, you’ll get deceived by a real femme fatale one day.”

“Don’t worry. I’m quite good at judging people, you know.”

In response to Mariadoll’s joking tone, meant to brush off the dark atmosphere, Jerf returned a serious gaze.

“You’ve done well.”

He gently stroked her silver hair.

“Good girl,” he said, doing it once more.

“It’s been three years since anyone patted my head like this.”

“You can cry if you want to. After all, I’m your temporary fiancé and eight years your senior.”

“Lord Jerf carries himself with such dignity, it’s hard to believe there’s an eight-year age gap.”

“Oh? Are you saying I look old?”

Jerf moved his hand from her head to her back, pulling Mariadoll closer and gently rubbing her back.

“Keeping secrets, misunderstood by everyone, swallowing everything alone, bearing it all, trying to protect your people. You’re admirable.”

“…Sniff.”

A pitiful sound escaped her.

The tension that had been building up inside her slowly began to ease.

“…If it became known that I can show people the dreams they wish for, countless petitioners might come rushing in, just like with my mother. I’d want to grant all their wishes, but it’s impossible. So, I’ve decided to only accept requests from people I can trust…”

“And that point of contact is currently Marquis Haren, correct?”

“Marquis Steima was deeply affected by what happened with my mother and tormented himself, blaming himself.”

He regretted accepting a request from afar, yet he continued to act as the intermediary for a while.

But when his son succeeded him, he retired and left the royal capital. That was a month ago.

The one who took over was his longtime friend, Marquis Haren.

He said he wouldn’t believe it unless he tried it himself and asked to see a dream of his late wife.

“I started drawing paintings as a small apology for not being able to fulfill so many people’s requests. I learned painting from my father, so I recall the scenes I see in dreams and draw them.”

“Those are the paintings that were at Drolly Jewelers, then?”

“Yes. They’re poorly done and embarrassing, though.”

Mariadoll smiled bashfully, but the paintings were actually wonderful.

Still, something bothered him.

“You only discuss this ability with the person themselves, right? If a painting of a deceased person suddenly appears, wouldn’t the family be surprised?”

“For that, we say it was painted by a disciple of the ‘legendary painter Gilbert’ after hearing the story. Ah, Gilbert was my father’s pseudonym.”

“Wait a moment. So, Mariadoll’s father is that Gilbert Satherly?”

The painter who once caused a major sensation in the royal capital before suddenly disappearing.

His true identity was Mariadoll’s father.

“If I recall correctly, new works by Lord Gilbert stopped appearing about a year ago. So, you’ve been selling his remaining pieces since then?”

“Yes, we had no money.”

In this country, painters have low status. Most make a living by having noble patrons.

Some accept unreasonable demands and schedules, ruining their health. Essentially, they’re just exploited.

The reason Gilbert could paint freely without a patron was because he had exceptional talent.

Knowing this reality and the limits of her own talent, Mariadoll has no intention of becoming a painter.

Instead, she only paints for those she has shown dreams to, with a limit of two paintings per person.

“If it’s Gilbert’s final works, they’d fetch quite a high price.”

“Yes. And if we sell the jewels passed down in the Zealand barony, I think we can manage to cover the losses from the flood damage. Since we’ll become commoners in a few years anyway, it just means disposing of the jewels a little earlier.”

Mariadoll said it cheerfully, but it was clearly a brave front.

“Jewels aside, wouldn’t you want to keep the mementos like the paintings even after becoming commoners?”

“My parents would tell me to sell them.”

“That doesn’t sit right with me.”

“What doesn’t?”

Facing Mariadoll, who tilted her head in confusion, Jerf sighed heavily and slumped his shoulders.

“What’s the point of being your fiancé? Rely on me. I’ll pay.”

“Eh? No, no, wait a moment. Please calm down. You probably feel sympathetic after hearing my story, but that’s unreasonable.”

First of all, they’re not actually engaged. He’s a fake fiancé.

Mariadoll isn’t thick-skinned enough to ask someone she just met yesterday to lend her money with no means of repayment.

(Well, considering the duke’s family wealth and income, it might be pocket change to him, but offering to lend money to someone you just met. He’s kind to a fault.)

“That face… You’re thinking I’m a foolishly kind person, aren’t you?”

“I-I am not!”

(How did he know?)

She unconsciously pinched her cheek, not realizing that such reactions made her easy to read.

“This is, so to speak, an advance investment. In a few years, the land that will become part of my dukedom. It’s reasonable to spend money to protect it.”

Hearing that from an older man of status, she started to think, “Well, maybe he’s right.”

Moreover, he’s in a position to command rough knights and is skilled in negotiations.

“W-well, when you put it that way, it does make sense.”

“Good, you’re being honest. Then, right away, I’d like to review the Zealand barony’s financial reports and various other documents.”

“Then, I’ll bring them tomorrow.”

“I have the afternoon off today. After lunch, let’s go to the Zealand Gallery.”

(R-right now?)

Even though Jerf wore a gentle smile, there was an undeniable air that made refusal impossible.

Reluctantly, Mariadoll nodded.