After finishing breakfast, Lanci immediately sought out the house steward of the mansion.
The steward was waiting outside the dining room, smiling at the young man who had suddenly approached him.
"Young master, you seem to be in good spirits today?"
The man's voice was very low, like that of an old father who had worried himself to depletion.
But just the steward's address sent a chill coursing down Lanci's spine.
In his previous life's memories, the steward was the most reliable person in the mansion, the one who took care of him on a regular basis.
But Lanci realised, his predecessor had never been aware that this seemingly genial steward was also the most dangerous person in the mansion.
Just like now, the steward was showing a hundred percent of a fake smile, but the one he was facing was a spoilt young master even feared or detested by everyone in the house.
"It's good, I need to ask a favour of you."
Lanci calmly stated.
"Sure, go ahead."
"That pigeon I got yesterday, I realized it might be someone's servitor. If it happens to belong to someone of high status, it could bring a lot of trouble to our home. I need to you to handle anyone who might know about this."
"Oh?"
Lanci's words clearly surprised the steward.
He seemed to observe Lanci a bit more seriously for a moment.
Did this young master actually consider such things for the family? Was it a sudden whim, or was he in some other trouble?
But the steward didn't intend to question further and gave Lanci a slight bow saying:
"I'm at your service."
"Additionally, I need you to help me find someone."
"Please describe the characteristics."
"She is a young woman around my age, with grey hair and golden eyes, probably wearing a worn-out dark grey cloak. She looks like a vagabond, and please don't let her know I am looking for her."
Lanci stated while making descriptive hand gestures.
This made the steward show a troubled expression.
"I will do my best. However, you must know how large this border city-state is, I can't guarantee finding her quickly... Of course, if you can provide more specific features, I could possibly save a lot of investigation and screening effort."
"So... if I can draw her, how soon do you think you could find her?"
"Within a day, I can find anyone who has been seen in this town, I assure you."
The steward showed a smile again.
He remembered that Lanci could indeed draw portraits, but since his parents had left him to his own devices, Lanci had not lifted the brush again.
It was also since then that the young master's behavior had gradually deteriorated.
"Then go handle the eyewitnesses first, I will have her portrait ready by the time you return."
Lanci nodded in agreement.
"Okay young master, I'll be on my way. But remember to take your drawing seriously, I should be able to complete the first task for you by noon."
Smiling, the steward put his hands behind his back and walked towards the kitchen, not forgetting to remind him.
"Not to worry."
What Lanci excels at most is drawing.
He can draw Talia even with his eyes closed.
He can guarantee that no one in this world can draw Talia better than he can.
Lanci sighed with relief.
Although his predecessor had landed himself in trouble, there was still room for maneuver for now.
Of course, concealing the evidence could only make the process of Princess of Demon Clan, Talia finding out the truth a bit more difficult.
According to what Lanci knew, Talia had a magic ability to see through lies, as long as she had patience, there was basically nothing she couldn't find out.
Given Talia's vindictive nature.
Once she found out that it was him who had hunted her servitor, even if he greeted her warmly when she came to confront him, she would certainly seek revenge a thousand fold once she had risen.
To truly dissolve Talia's grudge, he would have to personally confront her.
But for now, at least until noon, all he needed to do was focus on drawing.
...
At this moment, Lanci, who was just coming up to the second floor, saw the maid who had woken him up in the morning and seemed a bit afraid of him.
"I'll go and get that ready for you, young master."
The maid had already gotten used to getting ready to provide Lanci with some fine wine and the latest gossip literature.
But she soon stopped in her tracks
Because of what Lanci was saying to her:-
"I'm going to the study."
Because of this sentence, the maid became very anxious.
"...Are you...saying you're going to the study?"
Her voice was stammering.
This made Lanci show a puzzled expression.
"Yes."
Lanci confirmed.
He wanted to research some data in the study, as well as depict Talia's face to give to the steward.
Before confirming Talia's location, he had no other pressing matters.
However, when he opened the study door he found.
The room had no table, even no paper, but it did have a lot of expensive looking bottles of wine.
"I beg your pardon, young master."
"What is it?"
Lanci looked at the anxious maid.
"I...I haven't finished the morning cleaning of the study."
She hung her head and mumbled, seemingly prepared for a scolding.
Considering the young master's temperament, he would definitely storm off now, and return drunk later in the evening.
"Is that so? It's okay if it's not cleaned for a day or two, as long as you prepare my drawing tools, I can be in any other room."
Lanci sighed in resignation.
"No, young master, that's not possible!"
The maid stared at Lanci wide-eyed.
She was a bit at a loss, not only surprised by Lanci's unusually affable attitude today but also hurriedly said:-