Music of the Flower Gardens and Heavens

Light Novel (True Love Fades Away When the Contract Ends, Volume 2)

THE ART OF DECEPTION

Fiona Clayburn is one lucky girl. Not only does she have a job she loves, working with fine art at Gallery Roche, but she's also managed to catch the eye of one of the most desired bachelors around—Giles, son of the Earl of Bancroft—and they're madly in love. Well, that's what everyone thinks, anyway. Little do they know it's all but a ruse to help the pair achieve their individual dreams and goals. After all, Fiona couldn't have possibly melted the Icy Scion's heart...right? But fake-love pacts aside, the two find themselves saddled with a case to crack when they pay a visit to Giles's godmother, the Marchioness of Heyward, to appraise a painting—only to discover it hides a terrifying secret!

©2024 Kobato Kosuzu, Fumi Takamura (P)2024 Kobato Kosuzu, Fumi Takamura

Strong-willed Female MC... Unfortunately made uncharacteristically obtuse...

I don't like Fiona. She's supposed to be strong-willed and capable, but she's so forcefully made into this obtuse character.
She is just constantly disregarding things said to her in order to make her own theories even though she's very educated, intelligent and thoughtful. It is frustrating to experience...
I also don't appreciate the outlook of blaming a child for crimes he committed while being kidnapped and forced into participating in... The author is forcing plots to the point of nonsense in hopes of making the story more engaging.
the narrator is decent but I really hate the godmother's voice and sometimes her voices really miss the mark. overall, she did a good job but stumbled a bit.