Oil On Canvas

Anyway, if the source was Angelo, who was close to that bald Lorenzo, the story would have been easily twisted.Lorenzo, who is close to him, would be a poor and honest young man who lost his beloved, Gemma would be a fragile lady bewitched by the evil magic of an Oriental, and Dojin would be the heartless bad guy.Dojin didn’t even want to think about it much and just shook his head.“Don’t you have too much interest in me?”“It’s not interest; I’m just gathering basic information. After all, we’ve made a contract.”“I see.”What did those silly rumors have to do with the contract, though? But he didn’t have the energy to argue.“If you don’t know where Gemma is, I’ll just leave.”He was grateful that Claudio had chased him down. However, there wasn’t much to talk about with Luca Orsini in return for that gratitude.“Next time, when… the result comes out, I’ll see you.”“Wait a moment.”As he said that and turned around, his wrist was grabbed.“Huh?”It was an unexpected development. Before Dojin could pull away, his body spun around as if he were waltzing. It was embarrassing, but what surprised him more was the man’s expression, as if nothing was wrong.“What, why, what’s this about?”Without a reply, the man’s hand slid down Dojin’s wrist.‘What, suddenly trying to hold my hand? Here?’Dojin, flustered, tried to pull his arm away, but Luca’s grip was stronger. In the blink of an eye, Luca had turned Dojin’s hand over, exposing his palm.“Is this what you got from your grandmother?”On Dojin’s middle finger, the seal ring of the Orsini family, with the deliberately turned seal part, was clearly visible.‘I tried to hide it for as long as I could.’It wasn’t that there was any particular reason for it. It just seemed like it would help.At least he could pretend he tried to return it, having brought the ring this far. But Dojin knew that returning it to Signora wouldn’t be easy. He also knew it would be more advantageous not to return it. When the Orsini family eventually found out he had been visiting the house, he’d need some evidence to show that Signora was on his side.‘It seems like a naive thought now.’After being caught so easily, and after seeing these remarkable people up close, Dojin felt like he might end up being treated like a thief. Moreover, after seeing Signora’s final moments, he felt uneasy and a bit guilty.‘Keep it safe until the restoration is done, then return it.’The contract with Signora regarding the seal ring was like that, and strictly speaking, the restoration was almost finished. Luca Orsini might help Dojin with entering Marisa’s house.Dojin took the ring off without any hesitation.“I’ll return it to you.”“It was never mine in the first place.”Luca’s observation wasn’t wrong. Dojin thought for a moment and then offered the ring again.“I’m not returning it, I’m just giving it to you. It’s yours, after all.”With his chin slightly lifted, Luca shrugged. That was all.Without making any attempt to take the ring, he made a strange suggestion.“How about you keep it?”“What would I even use this for? To wear it around?”“You could melt it down and sell it.”“I’m not that lacking in conscience.”Though he waved his hand, honestly, it wasn’t something he hadn’t considered before.The Orsini family wouldn’t have skimped on the gilding, and it must be heavy pure gold, so if he melted it down and sold it, he wouldn’t lose anything.But on second thought, as an outsider like Dojin in Venice, if he were to ask someone to melt down such a suspicious-looking Orsini family seal ring, he would likely get reported or be thought of as trying to pass off a fake.“This… I promised Signora I’d return it once the restoration is finished.”“Where do you plan to return it to?”That was also a valid point.Since the opportunity was lost, Signora would sleep below the grave without even being able to wear her family’s seal ring, nor would she be able to pass it on to her own bloodline.Only strict Dojin was stuck with a ring he couldn’t use, unable to do anything with it.“I’ll leave it at Marisa’s house. It’ll be taken care of somehow.”“Did you forget that you said you wouldn’t go to that house for a while?”‘So you take it, then! Why make things difficult for me and leave me to deal with this mess?’Suppressing the words that reached the tip of his tongue, Dojin blurted out:“Should I just toss it into the sea on my way back to Venice?”“Just hold onto it for now.”“You keep repeating yourself, but seriously, what am I supposed to do with this ring if I keep it?”“Typically, rings go on fingers. And it suits you quite well.”This wasn’t some fashion ring, but an ancient signet ring—several centuries old at the very least. Its design was undeniably classic, and to put it bluntly, it was nothing but a thick, clunky gold ring devoid of any charm.The compliment didn’t feel very flattering.What the hell am I supposed to do with this? Dojin rolled the heavy ring around in his palm, but no solutions came to mind.“Maybe if someone in your family recently lost this, I could return it to them and be done with it.”“Someone who lost it?”“Yes. If not Signora, maybe someone else…”“Dojin, do you think every single Orsini has one of these rings?”Wasn’t that how family signet rings worked? Didn’t they go to every family member?From Luca’s tone, it seemed he’d made a misstep.“This ring typically only goes to the heir. That’s all.”“Wait… what?”“I get that it sounds absurd in this day and age. We’re not even nobility anymore, at least not since my grandfather’s time. But some people are still hung up on symbols.”“We are in the 21st century, right?”At Dojin’s words, Luca chuckled quietly.‘This isn’t a joke! What is this, the Middle Ages?’Dojin rolled his eyes.“Even in the 21st century, there are people who’d jump at it. Take me, Claudio, my uncle, or even my father, for example.”The more Dojin listened, the more burdensome the ring felt. It was becoming downright suffocating.“Then why the hell am I holding onto this? Just take it, and I’ll be out of your hair.”“Because it’s ridiculous for grown adults to have a power struggle over a ring. Better to pretend it’s gone, don’t you think?”Fine, then! He’d make it disappear!If he couldn’t pass it off to someone else, he’d happily dig a hole and bury it.‘Seriously, why did Signora dump this weighty thing on a stranger like me?’Complaining about it wouldn’t change anything. Signora wasn’t here to answer.If worse came to worst, Dojin was fully prepared to “lose” the ring—perhaps with a slippery hand as he stood by one of Venice’s many canals.Luca smirked as he watched the look of grim determination cross Dojin’s face.“In case you’re thinking of doing anything reckless, you should know—this is the same ring worn by a former Pope. It’s a piece of history. I doubt a restorer like you would just lose something like that.”“Hold on. Let’s be honest. You’re only making me keep it because it’d be a shame to lose it, right?”“Maybe a little.”Unbelievable. These people are all about self-interest.Dojin clicked his tongue inwardly, glancing at Luca. That smug expression didn’t quite fit the arrogant air he carried, but there was something about his tilted head and faint smile that made it surprisingly hard to look away.“Oh, by the way, does Claudio know you have the ring?”“What? How would he know? You just found out about it, and I only just met him.”“Then why is Claudio showing such an interest in you?”“That’s… something I don’t know either…”Dojin trailed off mid-sentence.Could it have been at Marisa’s house?If there was any moment in his life where he might have crossed paths with Claudio Orsini, it was there.‘No way.’It couldn’t be. He’d hidden quickly and even twisted his ankle while jumping over the wall. At most, Claudio might have caught a glimpse of his retreating back.“…I really have no idea.”“I know my cousin. It’s odd for him to take an interest in someone like this without reason. Are you sure there’s nothing you can think of?”There was, but Dojin couldn’t decide whether revealing it now would be to his advantage or not.Luca wasn’t exactly an ally, nor was he an outright enemy. It didn’t seem wise to share too much speculative information with someone so ambiguous.“I guess he just likes me.”It was a joke. A bad one at that. It was meant to brush off the question with a shameless shrug, implying that if there was a reason, it was Claudio’s problem, not his.But Luca’s reaction—a sudden scowl as if deeply displeased—was unexpected.“If that’s the case, my cousin’s out of luck.”“What?”“Aren’t you already tangled up in a love triangle at the restoration studio?”“Excuse me?!”Dojin’s jaw dropped. It was infuriating enough to deal with such absurd rumors, but hearing it from Luca Orsini twice now was driving him mad.Worst of all, being grouped with that bald Lorenzo?“That’s absolute nonsense! And because of that damn bald guy, I’ve been stuck with some ridiculous Eastern paintings—it’s driving me crazy!”“I heard it’s a story about a jealous boss and their lover. It sounded very much like a workplace love feud. How is it nonsense?”“First off, Gemma and I are just friends. And second—”“Then the jealous one must be Gemma, and you’re with that damn bald guy?”Has this man lost his mind after receiving Water Play?Luca drew a circular shape in the air with his index finger. To Dojin, it looked like an invisible thread of fate connecting him to Lorenzo. The thought alone made him shudder, so Dojin grabbed Luca’s arm and pulled it down.“Do you think my sense of aesthetics is so abysmal that I’d like that bald-headed bastard? If I were that bad, do you think I could make a living as a conservator?”Dojin swallowed the casual tone that kept slipping out. Calling someone a “bald-headed bastard” might not be the most professional way to refer to a colleague, but for Dojin, it was about as polite as he could manage under the circumstances.Luca Orsini looked at him like one might look at a yapping puppy—an expression that was oddly approving.“Indeed. For a moment, I was almost shocked.”He was definitely teasing him again.This guy seemed to find amusement in getting a rise out of people. No matter how grandiose his lineage or how far back his family’s traditions went, Luca’s childish tendencies were plain to see.“Mr. Orsini.”“Yes?”“…Never mind.”Dojin closed his mouth, deciding against asking why Luca found teasing him so entertaining. He could already imagine the kind of response he’d get, and he wasn’t in the mood to deal with it.* * *After the funeral, life settled into a series of similar days.The Cà D’oro Orsini Museum was initially swarmed with reporters, but the buzz faded quickly. The world was full of events more exciting than the death of an Italian grande dame who had once dominated the social scene for a century. A week later, the museum’s atmosphere seemed much calmer—or at least it appeared that way.“Do you know who took over as director?”As soon as Dojin entered the conservation studio, Gemma began fussing excitedly. Lorenzo was there too, and he eagerly took it upon himself to answer.“Of course, family ties win out in the end. Isn’t that right?”“She wasn’t asking you, Lorenzo. Dojin, have you heard?”“Yeah, the whole place has been abuzz.”With all the commotion downstairs, how could he not? The news had stirred not only the museum staff but even the cultural sections of local newspapers.Luca Orsini’s appointment as director had been entirely unexpected.“I figured a family business would stay within the family, but who would’ve thought it’d be Luca Orsini? There was Claudio, who seemed to be aiming for it, not to mention Signora’s own sons, and even the Orsini family’s eldest and second sons.”“Gemma, think about it. Why would the eldest son, who’s doing well in Milan, bother to come here? And by the second son, you mean Claudio’s father? He’s already in charge of the foundation and seems pretty content with that. Besides, Signora’s son fell out of favor after the divorce. You know she sided with her British daughter-in-law.”So the family was big, the business ventures numerous, and the drama abundant—no surprise there.Dojin listened intently, mentally gathering every detail. Though Lorenzo was insufferable, having an additional source of information made the gossip richer. Just then, Angelo entered and joined the conversation.“Signora used to say Luca was the only one in the family with an eye for art.”“Is being able to sniff out money in art really the same as having an eye for it?” Lorenzo sneered.“Why wouldn’t it be? Especially since he used to work as an auctioneer. It’s just part of the job.”Gemma’s defense only made Lorenzo’s expression sour further.Here we go again.Experience warned Dojin of incoming trouble. He pretended to rummage through his bag for a restoration report. Apparently, Lorenzo couldn’t find a way to involve him this time because he clicked his tongue and turned back to Gemma.“Well, now he’s the director. It’s not about money anymore.”“True. As much as being a senior auctioneer at a prestigious company is impressive, having the title of museum director at Cà D’oro Orsini is far better. And now that the ‘upstart’ is talking about starting his own business, what nonsense. He’s treating this like some Americanized game of chasing profits.”“Luca Orsini was based in England.”“Same difference. Anyway, Gemma, you seem oddly defensive. Do you have a thing for him or something?”Oh, come on.“Right now, Gemma is the only one here making sense,” thought Dojin, rolling his eyes. Lorenzo and Angelo were just throwing around petty grievances and baseless accusations. While Dojin wasn’t fond of Luca either, he couldn’t stoop to their level of gossip.“What, are you defending him because he’s good-looking?”“Gemma, shallow men with inflated egos are not attractive. You need someone manly, like Lorenzo here,” Angelo added.Gemma didn’t even bother to dignify that with a response. Dojin, overhearing, felt second-hand embarrassment from their childish antics.What is this, loyalty blinding her vision?Even if Lorenzo exuded “manliness” a thousand times over, even if baldness was considered a sign of testosterone overload, anyone with an aesthetic sense—and that included Dojin—would acknowledge Luca’s clear win in the looks department.In fact, comparing the two in the same sentence might have been Luca’s personal defeat.“Angelo, I’m not defending anyone.”“Then what would you call it?”“I’m being practical. Our new director has a close connection here, so I’m being mindful.”Gemma’s remark was punctuated by a sly smile in Dojin’s direction.“Isn’t that right, Dojin?”“Uh… me?”“Yes, you. Didn’t you and our new director spend quite a while chatting at the funeral? You even said he asked about the conservation studio. Looked pretty chummy.”Half of that was Luca teasing him with the talk of a “love triangle,” but there was no need to clarify that here and now.Gemma’s playful wink wasn’t lost on him, either.“Yeah. Sort of. It wasn’t much.”“Well, he’s our boss now, so he must’ve had plenty of questions. I guess I should be careful around you, Dojin.”Gemma’s emphasis was precise and deliberate, leaving Angelo and Lorenzo with their mouths agape. Her tactic worked brilliantly; for the rest of the day, both men were unnervingly polite to Dojin.“Doin, tell me more about the restoration studio.”At the moment Angelo patted Dojin on the back, Dojin had to admit—just a little—that having the new director around was turning out to be somewhat advantageous.* * *“Ambiguous.”While life in the restoration studio had become slightly more manageable, Dojin found himself spending his days like an unwanted vacation. The work hours were the issue.Until the appraisal of Water Play was completed—or even afterward—he could no longer take on the restoration tasks Signora had assigned. In fact, he couldn’t even set foot in that house for the time being. Nor could he suddenly resume his afternoon duties without the new director’s approval.“Either take the position already or finish the appraisal.”The new director—damn Luca Orsini—was dragging his feet, whether it was because of Water Play or some other unspecified reason.The reasons? Unclear.Rumors were already swirling here and there, but what significance could such “rumors” hold for the lofty director?“Meanwhile, someone else can’t even work.”Dojin’s paycheck had been arranged to remain unchanged from what Signora had set, so that wasn’t the problem. But idling away his afternoons felt far from fulfilling.For a restorer with no paintings to work on, there wasn’t much to do. As such, Dojin had been unwittingly playing the role of a tourist in Venice.Unlike actual tourists, however, his version of sightseeing was limited to less crowded places like San Polo Square, where he sat sipping coffee as he was now.“I miss green tea frappuccinos.”As he swallowed the now-familiar bitterness of an espresso, Dojin mused. It was still winter, and the wind was cold, but since the thought itself was impractical, it didn’t matter whether the drink was hot or cold.“Maybe I should take a long summer break and visit Korea.”Having lived in Italy for so long, there weren’t many people he could think of to contact back home besides his family. But at least he could have as many green tea frappuccinos as he wanted there. And in the summer, he could enjoy naengmyeon. Or green tea bingsu.Dojin’s peaceful imaginings about a summer vacation were shattered by someone addressing him.“Mr. Bae!”Standing before him, grinning broadly, was Claudio—hardly a welcome sight.“It’s a surprise to see you here again.”“Oh, at the funeral the other day…”Dojin stopped there, but Claudio, without so much as asking permission, plopped himself down on the seat across the table. He was far from a pleasant acquaintance, and even if Dojin showed his displeasure openly, it didn’t seem to faze him.“…I’m waiting for someone,” Dojin tried.“Who? Luca?”Luca? As if.What Dojin had meant as a polite but firm way of saying please leave was either misunderstood or outright ignored. It was hard to tell whether Claudio genuinely didn’t get it or simply didn’t care. Dojin let out a small, unmistakably annoyed sigh.“So, do you have some business with me?”“Nothing terribly urgent.”Despite claiming it wasn’t urgent, Claudio ordered a coffee with a snap of his fingers, then began speaking again before it even arrived.“Mr. Bae, I was quite close to Marisa. Not just because I’m with the foundation, but because, as a child, having such an amazing aunt was a blessing. Working for the foundation and studying art myself were all ways of honoring her. Marisa was a brilliant artist with a beautiful soul—no matter what anyone says.”“You must have been very close.”“As a child, I remember Marisa often telling people I was her favorite nephew. Not just because she was my aunt; she was truly a wonderful person.”The account was vastly different from what Dojin had heard about Marisa from Luca, who had only expressed disdain.On one hand, she frightened Luca with eerie paintings and used him as a model dressed in linen gowns. On the other, she whispered sweet words to Claudio, coming across as a kindred spirit with an exquisite soul.“Well, it’s not like Luca Orsini would have been the type to act all cute as a kid.”Thinking about it that way, it didn’t seem entirely outlandish. Claudio continued with his usual smirk.“She really was an amazing aunt—always kind and warm to everyone. But perhaps the world was too corrupted for such a pure soul to endure. Maybe she simply couldn’t handle it.”Dojin was always intrigued by stories about Marisa. Yet Claudio’s overly theatrical words, so at odds with the fiery intensity of her paintings, didn’t sit well with him. Still, he couldn’t outright dismiss what Marisa’s supposed favorite nephew claimed.“Anyway, what I wanted to talk about is this: ever since my grandmother’s passing, there’s been some trouble concerning Marisa’s most significant legacy—her home.”Marisa’s home.That was a topic that immediately put Dojin on guard. He tightened his expression, concealing it by taking a sip from his cup, though all that remained was slightly melted sugar. Unbothered by Dojin’s reaction, Claudio ignored his own coffee and carried on.“My grandmother and my aunt had a rather peculiar relationship. While it seems my grandmother respected Marisa as an artist, her impeccable taste meant that even Marisa’s work didn’t always meet her standards. Of course, with someone as famous as Marisa, even her sketches and drawings could sell, but whether they were deserving of such acclaim is another matter entirely.”“Well, yes.”Dojin knew that much. Fans might find it hard to accept, but no matter how brilliant an artist was, not every work they produced could be a masterpiece.To be brutally honest, most were mediocre or outright failures, with only a few masterpieces scattered throughout their body of work. Even for the so-called masters, the difference was merely a slightly higher frequency of exceptional works.“Marisa kept quite a few works hidden in her house, refusing to let them leave her property just because they didn’t meet Signora’s standards. It’s something only the foundation members are aware of. There’s a considerable number of unpublished works in Marisa’s house. But ironically, Signora never allowed anyone to touch them—not even us at the foundation, whose job it is to preserve and promote her works. Strange, isn’t it? I deeply respect her, but sometimes I can’t help but think she was quite stubborn.”“Couldn’t it have been to protect Marisa’s pride and integrity as an artist?”From Dojin’s perspective—having personally cleaned those unpublished works of Marisa—it was clear why they hadn’t been shared with the public.Though completed, they showed signs of hesitation, experimental dabbling in other styles, and clumsy missteps. Even someone like Dojin, merely a restorer, could see it.“Such works would never have passed Signora’s discerning eye.”The more he heard, the more Signora seemed like a shrewd manager or producer. But Claudio clearly didn’t see it that way.“Well, ordinary people like you might think that. But the world has a right to know everything about Marisa. People are curious about her. I, too, want to reveal as much of her work as possible to show what a pure and beautiful soul she had.”The words sounded polished. The interpretation was up for debate.Dojin briefly pondered whether Claudio was a naive, foolish nephew genuinely believing in the brilliance of even Marisa’s less remarkable works, or if he was a cunning opportunist looking to profit from every scrap she left behind.Both possibilities seemed to suit him equally well.“Anyway, fortunately—or, well, ‘fortunately’ might sound odd in this context—what I mean is, from the foundation’s perspective, it’s a good thing. With Signora’s passing, all of Marisa’s paintings, including those she owned, are now under the foundation’s ownership, per her approval.”Oh, great.The situation was more complicated than Dojin had anticipated. All of Marisa’s works and possessions had officially transferred to the foundation.“So what happens when Water Play is eventually revealed?”The headache that would inevitably follow was all too obvious. Dojin kept his expression neutral, balancing between mild disinterest and polite engagement as he stared at Claudio. The latter, lowering his voice, seemed to take that as encouragement.“By the way, Dojin, have you been to Marisa’s house recently?”“Sorry, what?”Dojin’s already round eyes widened.From the moment Claudio began speaking about Marisa—or even hinting at having something to say—Dojin had suspected this topic might come up. Still, the timing threw him off.“Uh, where exactly is Marisa’s house?”After a brief pause to compose himself, Dojin responded calmly, feigning confusion at the question.Claudio fiddled with his coffee cup nonchalantly, though his gaze remained fixed on Dojin.Dojin’s throat felt dry, but he maintained his most innocent, clueless expression as if to say, Why would you even ask me that?“Not to mention, how would I even have the means to go to such a place…?”“Recently, there’s been a lot of talk about you around Cà d’Oro. From rumors about you having some sort of confrontation with Signora, to claims that you don’t have ties anywhere and keep disappearing in the afternoons. It’s… intriguing, to say the least.”“Signora and I had a difference of opinion regarding restoration work, which resulted in fewer assignments for me. That’s why I’m sitting here during what should be work hours. But I fail to see what that has to do with Marisa’s house.”“So, you’re saying you’ve never been to Marisa’s house?”“I don’t even know where it is.”Technically, this wasn’t a lie.Signora had summoned him to a certain house to restore paintings, and it was only later, through Luca’s indirect remarks, that Dojin realized it might have been Marisa’s home.Claudio’s expression remained skeptical, but Dojin’s look of pure innocence didn’t waver. Claudio had no choice but to relent.“Well, if that’s the case, I guess I’ve been rambling about family matters for no reason. Forget about it.”“…It sounds like something serious has happened at Marisa’s house, given the way you’re speaking.”Dojin probed cautiously, hoping to glean some insight into the situation within their family.For a moment, Claudio’s face registered confusion, as though wondering why Dojin would even care. But unexpectedly, Claudio lowered his voice further.“Well, since I’ve already shared so much, I suppose we’re practically friends now. Don’t you think?”“If that’s how you see it…”“In that case, I’ll be blunt. I think a rat might have gotten into Marisa’s house.”Even as Claudio sought Dojin’s consent to speak freely, his eyes remained fixed on him, making the implication clear.Who’s he calling a rat? I’m a professional contractor, thank you very much.If anyone deserved the “rat” label, it was the Orsini grandchildren sneaking around their grandmother’s estate like vultures. But, of course, Dojin couldn’t say that out loud.“There are plenty of pickpockets in this city, you know.”“Whoever it is, they need to be found. That rat could have stolen something priceless, like one of Marisa’s paintings. Wouldn’t you agree, amico?”“Then I suppose it’s best to tighten security around the house.”Dojin’s awkward phrasing, caught between formal and casual speech, went unnoticed by Claudio, who seemed more preoccupied with other frustrations.“Not really my problem. It’s already a headache trying to move the paintings from that house. Our esteemed cousin has inherited both the house and all of Signora’s belongings. Ownership disputes are such a hassle.”“That must be terribly inconvenient.”Dojin’s polite remark was meant to close the conversation, but Claudio’s brief flash of irritation betrayed his disdain. Who are you to offer me sympathy? The condescension was fleeting but unmistakable. Claudio quickly masked it with a smile.“Amico, the real treasure is Marisa’s art. And since the foundation has taken custody of her paintings, that’s what matters. As for the house, unless it’s turned into a museum, what else could it be used for?”“That’s true enough.”“Well, I should get going. And if you hear anything, let your friend know.”Without taking so much as a sip of the coffee he’d ordered, Claudio stood and left.Dojin stared at the untouched coffee cup, his thoughts swirling.The suspicion was there, but Claudio didn’t seem to have a clear picture of what was going on. Perhaps he was just poking around. Even his exaggerated talk of friendship felt like part of some calculated move.“It’s just not a good match with those people from that family.”That was all Dojin could conclude.The leisurely plan of simply watching well-fed pigeons had already gone awry. Dojin began weaving together the pieces of information he’d gathered in his mind.Marisa and her reckless nephews. Signora’s death and the inheritance issues. The museum director and the Marisa Orsini Foundation…His thoughts were interrupted by a single phone call. Dojin frowned slightly but immediately brightened at the name that appeared on his screen.“Nadia!”― Yeah. The appraisal report was sent earlier. Check it out.“I’ll take a look. Did you read it? What does it say?”― My uncle gave me a summary.Dojin was desperate, urging her to get straight to the conclusion.If Water Play was a forgery, there would be no reason to deal with the Orsini family. If it was genuine, the restoration would fall to him.Either way, Dojin had nothing to lose. What he couldn’t figure out was which outcome he actually wanted—or which would please him more in this moment.― From what I remember, the fresco—one of them, anyway—seems to date back about 500 or 600 years. But the other mural? Apparently, it doesn’t even use proper fresco pigments. Looks like it wasn’t even plastered correctly. It might be at most 20 years old. They’re wondering if you got scammed. Oh, and—The frescoes were no longer the issue. Dojin had long suspected the crumbling wall was likely a clever ruse. Silently, he waited for Nadia’s next statement.― As for the oil painting… They said the paint and canvas date back about 75 to 80 years. Somewhere around there. All the samples you submitted are from wildly different periods, though. How’d you even get your hands on them? Anyway, you should check the email for the detailed report. Oh, and when are you coming to Florence?“Soon. As soon as possible. Thanks so much. Hang on, let me check and get back to you.”Seventy-five to eighty years ago. A painting of Water Play created around the end of World War II.The timeline aligned. Dojin felt his heart leap out of his chest as he confirmed it. Setting down his phone, he was overwhelmed by the revelation.“It’s real.”The fragmented Water Play was real.It wasn’t a difficult prediction, and he’d felt reasonably confident based on circumstantial evidence, but it still felt surreal.Of course, the possibility remained that the canvas he’d discovered was simply one from the same era. These days, forgeries were so sophisticated that even period-appropriate canvases could be sourced. In such cases, dating the materials became meaningless.But this painting wasn’t something he’d picked up from some anonymous art dealer. It had come directly from the studio of the person who had actually possessed it.If the timeline matched, there was no need for further verification. The painting was genuine. The real Water Play by Battista Sorolla.Forcing his chest, which felt like it might burst, to settle, Dojin opened his email and skipped straight to the conclusion of the report.[Accelerator mass spectrometry carbon dating suggests that the canvas and frame were manufactured 75 to 80 years ago, with a margin of error of 4 years.]After carefully reading through the report, Dojin let out a long breath.He returned home immediately. Thanks to windows left open day and night and a dehumidifier running nonstop, the room was cool and pleasant. Without the funds for a multimillion-won climate-controlled cabinet, this was the best Dojin could do to preserve the torn canvas.Though he’d never neglected the two pieces of the canvas, it was far from an ideal solution.“If this gets resolved soon, that studio would be the best option.”Would it be better to inform Luca Orsini that the painting was genuine and that he’d done his own research? Luca would undoubtedly ensure the canvas was kept in a perfect environment.“But what if he’s upset about the independent appraisal?”There was a nagging concern that Luca might take offense—or worse, become suspicious.While Dojin was still debating, his coat barely removed, an unfamiliar number lit up his phone.He assumed it was Nadia. Or perhaps her uncle. Maybe they were calling to urge him to come to Florence or report an error in the appraisal. However, the deep, familiar voice that answered was neither.― Dojin.“Mr. Orsini.”Before Dojin could say he was just about to call, Luca got straight to the point.― The appraisal concluded today. I thought it would be best to share the original report quietly. Can we talk somewhere private?Dojin exhaled lightly, relieved that Luca’s appraisal hadn’t been delayed further.With the certainty that Water Play was genuine, he could finally return the secretly removed canvas to its rightful place and begin restoration.“Where shall we meet?”― Let’s meet where we did before. Would it be okay if it’s a bit late—around eleven or midnight?“People say it’s pretty noisy there lately…”― As of today, the noisy part has wrapped up completely. Nobody sane around here works late. And I can’t think of a place with less scrutiny at the moment. If it’s uncomfortable, I could come to your place instead.Dojin’s “place” was barely a room, not even deserving to be called a home. And the idea of hosting Luca Orsini there was unthinkable. Where would he seat a man of Luca’s height and stature? On the bed?“I’ll come there. Eleven it is.”― I trust you understand it’s best to avoid drawing attention.“Yes. See you then.”Ending the call, a new worry surfaced.“What if he finds out I smuggled the canvas out?”Who knows what kind of accusations he might face. Bringing the canvas pieces back to his place had, of course, been Dojin’s mistake.“I’ll just say I found them while cleaning the studio later. That’ll have to do.”Even to himself, it sounded pathetic. But he couldn’t think of a better excuse. Sighing, Dojin carefully selected an outfit of dark clothes and a hat.“If I’m sneaking into that house at eleven…”He wasn’t in a position to feel insulted by any comparisons to rats. Just as Claudio had mockingly predicted, Dojin found himself sneaking into Marisa’s house close to midnight—like a literal rat.* * *Cautiously, Dojin slipped inside through the open front door. It was absurd, but he felt as though Claudio’s gaze followed him even now.“Come up.”Following the voice, Dojin climbed up to the large armchair near the lit fireplace in the strange artist-themed room, where he found him standing.“Would you like something to drink?”“I’m fine.”“If you’re fine, I’ll have something. It’s been a long day.”Saying that, Luca poured amber-colored spirits into an already empty glass. Despite not having lived in this house for long since it became his, Luca Orsini moved around the space as naturally as if he had lived there for at least five years.‘He’s really taken quite a lot.’Many of the paintings that Dojin had placed downstairs in the studio’s salon were long gone.“I placed a few paintings down below.”“Oh, those went to the great Marisa Foundation. It was the will of my esteemed grandmother. Marisa’s works went to the foundation. Fortunately, my grandmother’s things and this house came to me.”Dojin had already heard this story from Claudio. He hesitated for a moment, wondering if he should tell Luca that Claudio had come to him. Noticing Dojin’s glance toward the stairs leading up, Luca rolled his glass and spoke.“It’s the same upstairs. They broke down the door and took whatever they wanted. As I said, they didn’t even care about the fresco. The cost of installing a new door, I’ll have that covered.”“Were there any paintings here that belonged to Signora?”“Technically, everything belonged to my grandmother. It’s been almost 20 years since Marisa’s death. Anyway, there was a directive to hand over the paintings with Marisa’s signature and those that she owned to the foundation, and that’s what everyone followed.”Luca said this and then took a sip from his glass. Dojin briefly looked at the burning logs in the fireplace. The silence was broken when Luca set down his glass.“Shall we start the conversation we need to have?”“Alright.”Dojin straightened up. Luca handed over a brown envelope to Dojin, and while Dojin opened it, Luca spoke.“The damage was so severe that we couldn’t get a very precise evaluation. That’s why the evaluation was quick. An expert evaluation wasn’t possible.”“What’s the result?”It was an answer that was obvious. For Dojin, the important thing wasn’t the confirmation of authenticity, but how the following contract would be adjusted.“It’s not an original. It’s not the <Water Play>.”Dojin thought he must have heard wrong.No, it made more sense to think he had heard wrong.‘I told you, Italian still isn’t easy for me.’Lightly chastising himself, Dojin asked again.“What did you say?”“I said it’s not an original.”“It’s not an original?”“Sadly, no.”Luca’s face seemed genuinely apologetic, as if he regretted delivering such news. It wasn’t the joy of the person who had acquired the real <Water Play>.“Are you really saying it’s not an original?”Dojin couldn’t believe it. He had already made plans on how to start the restoration, and the report sent by Nadia’s uncle was flawless.“Take a look here.”Dojin grabbed the report that Luca pointed to with his chin. He was so flustered that he couldn’t even properly read the Italian.“The canvas the painting was made on turned out to be from about 20 years ago. If it’s from 20 years ago, Batista wouldn’t have been alive, so it can’t be the original.”“20 years ago… it said.”“Yes. I think it was Marisa’s reproduction. If it’s a reproduction, it was probably destroyed in the process. That explains the condition of the painting as well.”Dojin gathered his thoughts and checked the document again. A section highlighted in yellow caught his eye. It was exactly as Luca had said.[Estimated to be from 20 to 25 years ago.]Dojin had specifically requested the same canvas, and Nadia’s uncle had told him that the canvas was at least 75 to 80 years old.Could one canvas show 20 years on one side and 80 years on the other?“Mr. Orsini, are you sure you entrusted it to the right place?”“Are you doubting me?”“If I’ve offended you, I’m sorry.”“I’m not offended. Doubt is part of the process of trust.”Luca said this as he tapped the lower part of the report. The stamps and the signature of the head of the research institute were from a prestigious Roman evaluation institute, as well as the same Florence institute where Nadia’s uncle worked. That made it even harder to understand.‘How could the same artwork, sent to two places, have such different dating results?’Dojin recalled the report he had checked right before entering this house.“Mr. Orsini, did you request a measurement using the carbon half-life method?”“That would have an error margin of almost 50 years. Of course, I requested the use of AMS-based radiocarbon dating.”Mistakes can happen, but the AMS (Accelerator Mass Spectrometry) method should have provided a precise result. If it was showing different results, that meant something else was wrong.‘Was there a problem with the equipment?’If there was a problem, which machine could it have been?It felt like his head had hit a wall. The sound of a glass being placed on the table echoed.“Is there a problem?”“Ah… there’s a slight difference from what I know.”“Really? What kind of difference?”“I think… that canvas was actually made around 80 years ago.”“Why do you think that?”Luca’s tone was relaxed, almost patient.‘Should I say I had a separate oil painting evaluation done after all?’Dojin hesitated. However, instinctively, he felt that he shouldn’t reveal all his cards at this moment. The crackling firelight illuminated the man’s snake-like calm demeanor.