Chapter 104

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Translator: Harry Potta

Chapter: 104

Chapter Title: The Duchess's Infatuation

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"Is that true?"

Sir Rein nodded lightly, and the Duchess Ballua's expression changed.

"What do you mean?"

Sir Rein glanced casually around the hall before whispering to the Duchess Ballua.

"It looks like we have much to discuss in private."

"Very well."

The duchess folded her fan and smiled coyly.

It had been a week since summoning the Century Soldiers, and only then did my condition finally improve.

Linda, the maid by my side, chuckled softly and asked,

"You're full of energy today."

"Yeah!"

"The weather's turning cooler, so how about a stroll in the garden?"

"No. I want to stay in the room."

I had a backlog of work. I needed to review the merchant guild documents, and hear reports from the chairman and Ceria on surveilling House Ballua.

It was the perfect chance to bring down House Ballua, yet I'd wasted a whole week pointlessly. I was so frustrated I could stomp the ground.

"Shall I prepare some refreshing juice, then?"

"Sure!"

Linda instructed Laura to bring lemon iced tea, and the quick-handed Laura soon returned with a delicious pitcher.

The sound of ice clinking in the glass was delightful.

I grabbed the straw and slurped down the cool iced tea.

"Our little one eats everything so adorably."

The territory's three maids let out dreamy sighs of "Ahhh...", startling the capital estate servants.

I gave the capital servants a kind, knowing look that said, 'I get it.'

House Duvered hires servants based solely on merit. To rise to a high position in the territory castle was like surviving a brutal war of wits.

My three personal maids had held very prestigious roles entertaining VIPs there, so they were objects of admiration for many.

No wonder everyone was shocked to see their idols gaping like fools.

Even I, accustomed to their ironclad crushes after five years, got startled sometimes. How rattled must these newcomers be?

Only Laura, the toughest among the capital servants, kneaded my hand contentedly while beaming at the enraptured territory maids.

Then Laura piped up, "Oh, right."

"Heard any fun rumors lately?"

"Rumors?"

She nodded at my question.

"They say Duchess Ballua has fallen head over heels for Sir Rein."

Linda, the quickest with gossip among the territory maids, asked, "Sir Rein?"

"The art dealer guy?"

"Yes."

"But why 'Sir'? Is he a knight?"

"No, it's just a nickname young folks use. He's super popular! They call him the twin pillars alongside Javelin."

I widened my eyes.

"No one in the world is as cool as Auntie."

A snort came from the doorway at my firm declaration.

"Auntie!"

Auntie approached with a smile, holding a medicine box and candies in one hand.

"What a sweet thing to say."

"It's true, though?"

She ruffled my hair and sat on the opposite sofa as I tilted my head.

"Auntie, what's that?"

I eyed the medicine box, and she set it down on the sofa table along with the candies.

"Digestive aid. Just in case you overate again."

I already had a bigger appetite than most kids, but when I felt under the weather, it multiplied several times over.

Two days ago, I'd stuffed myself hiding from Dad and my brothers, only to get a stomachache that turned the estate upside down.

The maids giggled and explained for me.

"She's fine. She only had three plates of meat today."

"Only three plates?"

Auntie looked grave.

"That's far less than usual. Maybe she needs a doctor. Loss of appetite—"

"Nyu? (Huh?)"

While Auntie chatted with the maids, I'd popped two large candies in my mouth, puffing out my cheeks and slurring my words.

"—doesn't seem to be the case."

"...?"

The maids sighed "Ahhh..." again, stroking my cheeks, and Auntie chuckled, petting my head.

"Eating well is good. Kids need to eat up."

I giggled under her touch, then remembered with a start and turned to Laura.

"Duchess Ballua fell for Sir Rein?"

"Not just fell—she's totally smitten. House Ballua is so picky about who they associate with."

Yeah.

Duke Ballua won't even deal with central nobles if their house history is too short.

He freaks out if his sons hang out with kids who don't meet his standards.

I nodded, and Laura's eyes sparkled as she continued.

"Sir Rein has rumors of being a loan shark. Naturally, the duke hates his wife associating with him, but guess what the duchess did...!"

Everyone in the room turned to Laura with curious faces.

"She ran away from home!"

"Th-the duchess did?"

The duchess, who fears people's stares so much, openly ran off?

"...So where is she now?"

I'd drained her inner funds for mid-range teleportation circle development. She shouldn't have a penny left.

"Staying at Sir Rein's estate."

Even Auntie let out a hollow laugh.

"Unbelievable. Sir Rein... What kind of man is he?"

"People are pointing fingers at Duke Ballua. Sir Rein saved their house from collapse, lending them three million francs."

I cried out in horror.

"Three million?!"

He'd poured three million francs into Ballua?

My face stiffened.

'Wait, that means their funding crisis is resolved for now.'

Not completely, but enough to last a couple months.

I pressed my forehead.

'This could derail everything.'

Duchess Ballua groaned in front of the mirror as she tried on a dress. Sir Rein smiled gently and asked,

"Doesn't it suit you?"

The duchess cleared her throat awkwardly and handed the dress to a servant.

"Melbein always crafts dresses perfect for a lady's taste."

"Next time, perhaps we should commission Sharon for the duchess's dresses."

"...You've already bought quite a sum from Melbein's shop this time."

As she gave him a subtle look, Sir Rein shrugged and leaned against the wall.

"What's a bit of money when it adorns a beautiful lady? Oh, I've also prepared some jewelry."

He tugged a bell cord, and servants filed in carrying lavish boxes.

From necklaces dripping with diamonds like grape clusters to bracelets of deep, gorgeous rubies.

They were ultra-luxurious jewels even a duchess could only dream of.

Her face flushed with excitement as she tried them on and said,

"I'm always just receiving... It makes me feel guilty."

"It's my apology for the trouble at your house."

"Nonsense! It's all my shameless husband's fault. Borrowing such a sum from you and not showing gratitude..."

"Please speak well of me to the duke. I requested a meeting before, but he still seems wary."

"Of course. Where else is there a man as fine as you, Sir Rein? I'll return home soon and tell my husband all about you."

"I trust you, Duchess."

The duchess smiled contentedly at Sir Rein's soft smile.

Then, a servant Sir Rein had rescued hurried over.

"Duchess, Madame Georges requests an audience."

"She barges in without notice? How rude. Tell her I'm unwell and can't receive guests."

Sir Rein, still leaning on the wall, draped a splendid necklace around her as he said,

"Why not meet her?"

"But..."

The reason Madame Georges chased her here was obvious.

The duchess had secretly spread rumors of the mid-range teleportation circle to borrow money from her.

Thinking House Ballua would pay juicy interest once sales began, Madame Georges had lent it without telling her husband.

But the circles failed utterly, and the impatient Madame Georges now demanded repayment at every meeting.

"I'll handle the money. I was planning to sell a gem mine anyway."

"For my sake?"

"If it helps House Ballua, it's no loss. Send documents promising repayment to your creditors within days."

"...Good heavens."

The duchess's eyes welled with emotion.

"Don't make enemies of high society's leaders. Our foe is elsewhere."

"Right. That fake."

The duchess bit her lip hard. Sir Rein whispered soothingly,

"While meeting Madame Georges, tell her everything. How much you've suffered because of the fake."

"Yes..."

To the duchess, Sir Rein was a gift from heaven for her plight.

With him, problems vanished in seconds, luxuries abounded, and even Duke Ballua cowered before her.

She relied on him for everything—from whom to meet to what to buy.

"Tomorrow, let's go out for a change of pace."

"A change of pace?"

"They say the races are fun."

"But I don't have that kind of money..."

Sir Rein arched a brow as if to say, with me here, what worry is that? The duchess smiled warmly.

"I'll go meet Madame Georges."

Sir Rein bowed lightly and stepped aside.

After the humming duchess left, servants packed her things and departed.

As the room fell silent, a man in a black tailcoat approached her.

"The bird took the bait in the sand."

At the signal-like words, Sir Rein's lips curved up.

"The Duvered lady."

"An elderly gentleman was with her."

"Bring them."

She smirked and ordered; the tailcoated man left the room.

Soon after, a robed child and the Duvered council chairman entered.

"An honor to visit this humble place."

"Dismiss the servants. We have matters to discuss."

The chairman glanced at the servants who'd brought me, and Sir Rein nodded to them.

With a heavy thud!, the massive door shut, blocking all outside noise.

Leblain pulled off her hood and scowled.

"Who lends three million francs?! I said two!"

Sir Rein drooped her brows and clung to the child's waist frantically.

"Don't be mad, Master! My mistake!"

Leblain sighed at her sniveling ball-jointed doll Rein.