Chapter 71

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Translator: Harry Potta

Chapter: 71

Chapter Title: Count Penac's Apology

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Count Penac had come to the castle. It was to discuss the new trade route.

The trade route Daddy had newly established needed the harbor owned by the Count Penac family.

But the man who actually arrived had brought his wife and Billy with him.

I met them while cradled in Daddy's arms.

"Since he wanted to apologize for causing a scene at the young lady's tea party, I brought him along despite the impropriety."

The count and his wife set down the gifts they'd packed in heaps in the central courtyard.

The countess bent at the waist toward me.

"I failed to raise my son properly."

Then she gave Billy's back a light smack.

Billy dipped his head with a face that made it clear he had zero desire to apologize.

"I'm sorry."

I glanced at the retainers gathered in the courtyard.

Opening up this new trade route was an essential venture for House Duvered.

In the future, Duvered would use this trade route as leverage to unite the merchants, and that merchant alliance would become the duke's carrier pigeons, diligently ferrying information back and forth.

Of course, the toll fees raked in from the route would also add another pillar to the family's foundations.

I had no real desire to face Billy, but for the sake of business, I nodded.

"If it pleases you, perhaps the little one could visit my estate..."

As the count tried to say something, Daddy cut in.

"I don't recall giving you permission to speak."

His icy voice spread through the courtyard, making the count flinch down his spine.

He exuded such crushing pressure just by standing there that it felt like your guts were being squeezed.

Oh no, Count Penac's a proud man. If this keeps up, the deal's going to fall through.

I patted Daddy's shoulder.

"Put me down."

Daddy set me down with utmost care, as if I might flutter away like a dream or wink out of existence if he wasn't gentle enough.

The count and his wife drew in deep breaths.

The people who'd come with the count were just as stunned.

"Good heavens..."

"He really dotes on her..."

I tugged at Daddy's lapel.

"I'm going to the greenhouse. You work hard, Daddy."

"Alright."

He smiled faintly and stroked my hair.

Another silent scream erupted from the onlookers, and I curtsied to the count and his wife while clutching my skirt.

"I'll take my leave first."

The two looked disappointed but couldn't hold me back. As a child, I had no obligation to greet guests.

Today's formalities were being handled by Viscount Dubos.

Before the meeting, Viscount Dubos planned to show the count and his wife around the castle.

A little longer, and I'd have to oversee the inner castle myself, but for now, it was still time to play.

Not that I'm actually playing.

I had documents from Serria that needed my approval.

Over the past five years, I'd learned how to manage a merchant company from Chairman Yi-jang and from Uni, a maid who'd once been a loan shark.

Chairman Yi-jang taught well, but Uni had been the real game-changer.

[Guys who mess around with money? If you nitpick the small stuff, it'll never end. Pick one and hound him relentlessly until he's terrified.]

[Screw up tax management, and you're done for. Done. It's not for nothing they say all your profits go straight to taxes. Best is to collude with the tax collectors, but in my case...]

And so on.

Uni had no idea I was running a merchant company, but whenever I asked, she'd explain so crisply that it all clicked perfectly.

Tomorrow's collection day. Money coming in~

I hummed as I climbed the stairs.

I was just reaching for the doorknob when...

"Hey."

I heard Billy's voice.

"Hey?"

I echoed back, and Billy approached me.

"You been well?"

"I thought you came to apologize for your rudeness last time."

"Aw, you mad 'cause I took too long to show up?"

What the hell was this kid saying?

I blinked in disbelief, and Billy grinned sleazily as he brushed my cheek with the back of his hand.

Revulsion surged through me, and I shoved his hand away.

"Playing hard to get is cute."

Was this guy insane?

"You could've just said you liked me. No need for violence. Guess I'll have to teach you how to flirt with boys from now on."

"......"

"Girls gotta be prim and proper by day, sexy at night, yeah? That's the trick."

"......"

"Violence won't get my attention. Got it?"

Did he seriously think I'd hit him to get his attention?

I let out a hollow laugh at his bizarre self-assurance.

"Why would I ever flirt with you?"

"'Cause I'm so handsome..."

"You're ugly."

"N-No way!"

I shook my head.

"No need to be modest. It's true. You're really ugly. Seriously, really ugly. The ugliest I've ever seen. Like a toilet brush. Impressive, really!"

Billy's face flushed purple with rage at my words.

"Y-You, you orphan bitch...!"

Was that all he had?

I was already bored of the same old pattern when a voice came from behind.

"You. What did you just say?"

Ishak slammed down the wild boar he'd been carrying over his shoulder and glared at Billy.

BAM!!

In an instant, Billy flew through the air and crashed into the wall, letting out a pathetic groan. "Urk..."

Ishak approached him. With each step, Billy's face grew darker, black and blue.

"I asked what you said."

"I-I, urgh, I..."

Ishak grabbed Billy's trembling shoulder. It looked light, but there was a sickening crunch, and Billy's arm went limp.

"Gaaahhh!"

A horrific scream echoed.

"Oppa!"

I rushed to grab Ishak.

Our merchant alliance!

My precious info gulls were getting scattered.

Plus, no matter what, killing a great noble's son meant punishment he couldn't escape.

Not that I cared if this future rapist dropped dead...!

But Ishak, lost to rage, didn't let go even with me clinging to him.

I signaled to the servants and knights who'd come running at the commotion.

Stop him, stop him!

They caught my eye and charged at Ishak with death-defying resolve.

Normally he'd send them flying too, but since I was attached, he at least held back from that.

Just as Ishak finally released Billy, the count and his wife came rushing up, having heard their son's screams. Viscount Dubos, who'd been guiding them, was with them too.

"Oh my god, Billy...!"

She ran to her wailing son, clutching his head.

Count Penac hurriedly checked on his son as well.

Billy's shoulder was completely twisted. It was hard to imagine those bones ever setting right.

"Waaaah... hng...!!"

Seeing their son sobbing snot and tears amid the agony, the couple bellowed.

"Doctor! Call the doctor now! What are you doing!"

"How did this happen? Why are you like this!"

Billy pointed at Ishak with his remaining good hand. The count couple's faces hardened.

"What in the world possessed you to do this!"

The count shrieked, and Ishak shot them a chilling glare.

"Shut your mouth. I held back from killing him."

"W-What?"

Ishak offered no further explanation.

Idiot!

I knew why he was clamping his mouth shut.

Ishak didn't want to utter the words "orphan bitch" himself.

Viscount Dubos gave Count Penac an awkward look.

"It seems the children's squabble got a bit out of hand..."

"Children's squabble?!"

The countess shrieked like she was having a fit.

"My boy's in this state, and you call it a children's squabble? What child does this to another person!"

Count Penac chimed in.

"I'll formally report this to the imperial court."

Viscount Dubos let out a troubled hum.

If they pressed charges, Ishak would be hauled away.

Of course, the duke's heir wouldn't rot in a cell like some common criminal. Duke Duvered wouldn't allow it.

The problem was that John Stephan, head of the Security Bureau, was the brother-in-law of Marquis Nodelli, who had a deep grudge against Duvered.

The Nodellis were always itching for any pretext to drag Duvered down, so they wouldn't let Ishak's arrest slide.

They'd use it to launch a brutal investigation and squeeze Duvered for any weakness.

Viscount Dubos stepped forward and raised his palm.

"If it comes to that, it won't just harm our young lord—it'll rebound badly on Count Penac as well. Please calm down and discuss compensation..."

"My son's like this—do you think any parents would seal their lips for compensation? He's not just any child. He's the future of House Penac, our honor!"

Count Penac ranted wildly.

"Unless it's something like the Founding Emperor's tapestry, how could you compensate for defiling my house's future and honor?"

Viscount Dubos's face stiffened.

The Founding Emperor's tapestry that Duke Duvered had seized during the northern campaign the year he ascended to duke.

The palace had repeatedly offered lesser tapestries bearing the emperor's name, but he'd refused them all.

It was proof of a power even the palace couldn't touch.

Viscount Dubos's expression shifted instantly, but Count Penac smirked arrogantly.

What can you do about it, even if you're furious?

Ishak Duvered's fate was in his hands now.

That was when it happened.

"So, what does House Penac plan to offer as compensation for defiling our honor?"

I asked, gripping Ishak's hand tightly.

The count faltered at my eerily mature demeanor but soon barked a hollow laugh and scowled.

"What filth have we flung?!"

"Young Master Penac called me an 'orphan bitch.'"

"W-What...?!"

"Father Duke Duvered has acknowledged me, and His Imperial Majesty has approved it. I am the daughter of House Duvered. So isn't calling me an 'orphan bitch' going against your intentions? Who should be pressing charges here?"

"Ridiculous! My son would never...!"

Count Penac blanched and looked at his son. Billy flinched, forgetting his tears.

"Th-That... she... no, she called me ugly first...!"

The admission twisted everyone's faces.

Just for being called ugly? That was his excuse for such an insult?

Even the countess, cradling her son, was at a loss.

Ishak yelled "Squirt...!" in a panic, but I planted my hands on my hips and narrowed my eyes at him.

"Ishak's an idiot! I'm not scared of words like 'orphan bitch' at all! I was without parents for a bit, but now I have Daddy and my brothers. So I'm not an orphan bitch."

"But..."

"I have a brother who gets this mad in my place and still can't say a word because he's worried I'll get hurt. Why should I be scared?"

Ishak's eyes trembled faintly, and I turned sharply to the count, his wife, and Billy.

"As you said, how do you plan to compensate for the insult to House Penac's future and honor?"

Count Penac's face hardened.

Did she wait for me to say 'future and honor'?

Billy had already declared himself House Penac's future and honor, so it couldn't be dismissed as childish nonsense.

N-No way! How could a nine-year-old girl...!

No, this wasn't the time.

I have to settle this before the duke arrives...!

Viscount Dubos's face twisted viciously, and Count Penac reached out to him with both hands.

"Wa-Wait, let's talk... I mean, this is..."

That was when it happened.

"We'll talk after your son's head rolls."

The count, his wife, and Billy flinched at the chilling voice.

Duke Duvered ascending the stairs, along with Henri and all of Duvered's vassals, fixed them with eyes colder than a midwinter northern gale.