Lord Baby Runs A Romance Fantasy With Cash [EN]: Chapter 146

☆ Chapter 146 ☆

* * *

“A butterfly in the middle of winter?”

At Lady Asheltein’s words, I paused, hand in Lord Asheltein’s, about to step out of the carriage.

“Indeed. It might freeze to death.”

“Aww, were you worried the butterfly would freeze?”

Lady Asheltein fussed over me, pulling me into a hug.

‘Isn’t this sister treating me too much like a baby?’

“Hey, that’s not fair, Medi.”

Lord Asheltein hugged me from the other side.

‘These twins seem to think of me as a good experiment and a doll.’

I sighed deeply and said,

“Let’s go inside quickly. It’s cold.”

“Aww, is our little Princess cold?”

“Oh, you poor thing. We need to warm you up.”

“Ugh, stop it!”

When I got annoyed, the twins laughed as if there was nothing more enjoyable.

Seeing those troublemakers laughing so brightly, I couldn’t get any angrier.

‘Ugh, I’m getting old.’

Why are there no normal people around me?

We entered the hall in such a boisterous manner.

Today was finally the day of the grand presentation!

The day to showcase the ancient medical device… well, not really, but anyway, to show it off in front of people.

Lady Asheltein looked around the inside of the hall with a face full of admiration.

“I never imagined the presentation would be held in the Ascentrium Hall. Not just anyone can rent this place.”

The Ascentrium Hall was small in size, but its history went back to the beginning of the Empire, so it had great symbolic meaning.

Many of the events that marked a milestone in the Empire’s history were held at the Atrium Hall.

“And it’s usually closed today, isn’t it?”

“The rental schedule was full, but it would be too much of a nuisance to cancel other rentals because of me, so we decided to open it on a closed day.”

“Wow, opening the Ascentrium Hall on a closed day. That wouldn’t be easy even for royalty.”

“Her Majesty the Empress helped.”

“Her Majesty the Empress? Hmm, she’s not one to move without any compensation.”

I agreed with Lord Asheltein’s words.

She was kind and gentle, but that didn’t mean she was an easy opponent.

There was a reason she maintained such influence in the Imperial Family without any children of her own.

“I was wondering about that too, so I asked Her Majesty the Empress what compensation she wanted, but she replied, ‘The price has already been paid.’”

“Did His Grace the Duke pay the price?”

“I don’t think so…”

Neither Dad nor Grandpa moved for this.

For me, this event was like the first step into my social life.

It was about stepping out of the dawn festival, which was a competition among peers, and onto the real stage.

So I told my family that I wanted to handle this myself.

‘And I got their confirmation.’

Our family often does slightly crazy things, but they never lie to me.

‘Then who on earth is it?’

Who else besides my family would make a deal with the Empress for me?

‘I don’t know.’

I should focus on today’s event rather than that!

The machines had been moved in advance last night.

The layout was well done, and it was decorated nicely, but…

‘Hmm, it’s too unbalanced.’

I looked at the scenery with a slightly disgruntled expression.

What should I say?

It felt like a *tteokbokki* [spicy Korean rice cakes] stall in front of an elementary school inside a luxurious palace.

‘It’ll look fine to other people. I still have Earth-style senses, so it can’t be helped because of prejudice!’

I tried to comfort myself like that.

This is all because of Mrs. Huen and Sophia.

If it weren’t for those two, I wouldn’t have had to present it so splendidly and grandly!

‘Now that it’s come to this, I’ll set off a proper, dazzling firework!’

Today’s highlight will be very special.

* * *

Exactly at three o’clock in the afternoon.

Despite the precise time written on the invitation, the Ascentrium Hall was already full of people.

“Goodness, why are these people with heavy behinds rushing so much today and coming before the opening? Doesn’t Marquis Rienso consider arriving a little late a virtue?”

“It’s understandable today. Who isn’t interested in youth and health? Especially the old folks.”

“I heard that getting that Gongjin pill is like picking stars from the sky?”

“Princess Paeraton is definitely clever. In the end, the people with immense influence are the elders.”

“Once Aurora became someone the elders started paying attention to, she brought only things that the elders would like, as if possessed.”

“Even more surprising is that she doesn’t have a chaperone yet.”

“Ah, that’s true. The Princess isn’t officially active in society.”

“She’s shown her face a few times, but… winter is going and spring is coming soon. Will she ask for a chaperone soon?”

“Probably?”

The noble ladies closed their mouths.

They looked at each other, avoiding eye contact, but they were all thinking the same thing.

‘I have to get that chaperone position…!’

It was customary for the young lady to ask the noble ladies of society to become her chaperone.

It was a position so coveted that it felt unusually like the guest was taking the lead.

‘The atmosphere is good.’

Luatisha was looking out into the hall while being held in Lady Asheltein’s arms.

The conversations people were having flowed all the way here.

Lord Asheltein, who was watching the hall with her, opened his mouth.

“It’s exactly on time, but there are already so many people. Shouldn’t we start right away?”

“Well, there’s someone we’re still waiting for.”

“Who?”

It was when the twins were tilting their heads with the same expression.

“Greetings to Her Majesty the Empress.”

“Greetings to Her Majesty the Grand Empress Dowager.”

The hall became noisy.

The people who had gathered in groups of three or five to talk quickly bent their waists at the appearance of the royals.

The Empress smiled and opened her mouth.

“There’s no need to be so formal. I simply came because the child I adore is showing off something fun.”

At those words, a silent ripple spread among the people.

Of course, they thought she came because she was interested in the ancient medical device.

The fact that the Grand Empress Dowager had shown interest in Gongjin pills at a tea party with the nobles was already widely known.

However, the Empress was not talking about that at all, and was only showing off her friendship with Luatisha.

What she was saying would normally be,

‘This is a child I cherish so please read the atmosphere well today. Respond well and clap in three-quarter time.’

—would be interpreted as such.

But in a situation where Luatisha’s stock was soaring, it was different.

Another meaning was being added.

‘She’s already staking her claim on the Princess.’

‘Why are you marking ‘mine’ like this? That’s not fair.’

The noble ladies who were aiming for the chaperone position pouted their lips.

Only those who thought they could somehow stick with the Empress quickly turned their heads while still bowing and quickly turned their heads.

The more the Empress openly declared that she would take her into her arms, the more coveted it became.

At that time, the Grand Empress Dowager smiled kindly and opened her mouth.

“Haha, seeing the Empress cherish our Princess Paeraton so much makes this old woman’s heart very pleased.”

Thank you for loving my baby.

“Hehe, it’s truly a joyous thing that Your Majesty is pleased, but I don’t know the reason why.”

Why are you saying thank you when she’s not your baby?

Both were conversing with dignity, but the war of nerves contained within was fierce.

Lady Asheltein, who was watching the scene, clicked her tongue.

“Oh, it’s no joke? I think Her Majesty the Grand Empress Dowager was just standing still at the dawn festival.”

“Since the Empress is shrinking… ahem, self-reflecting, the two of them are slowly starting to exercise their power. There can only be one king.”

“Those who want to wear that crown are fighting over the Princess? How fun.”

“But if you look closely, the Princess has quite the temper too. Look at how she changed her words when she was about to say ‘shrinking.’”

“That’s rude. Where else would you find a kind child like me?”

When Luatisha opened her eyes sharply and spoke, the twins grinned.

“Yes, yes, you’re kind, you’re kind.”

“Aww, our Princess is the kindest in the world!”

“….”

Never mind, never mind!

“Shall we go out slowly then?”

Lord Asheltein asked, reaching out his hand to Luatisha.

“No. The person we’re waiting for hasn’t arrived yet.”

“Isn’t it those two?”

“No.”

The twins looked at Luatisha with curious eyes.

But Luatisha simply turned her head towards the door of the hall without answering.

And at that exact moment, the people Luatisha had been waiting for so much appeared.

Mrs. Huen and Sophia.

Luatisha smiled.

“Let’s go now.”

“Huh? You were waiting for those two?”

“Why?”

“Because they are the main characters of today’s presentation.”

Main characters?

The twins tilted their heads, but Luatisha simply took the lead with light steps.

* * *

Ariel smiled at the name of Princess Paeraton that was being heard from everywhere.

She would have been annoyed normally, but today was different.

‘Yes, let’s have them expect a lot now. Let that thunderbolt that doesn’t know its place float up into the sky.’

Ariel twisted her lips up.

‘That way, it’ll hurt more when she falls later.’

Her eyes turned to Luatisha, who was standing on the platform.

The child, who was spitting out words like a clear stream, was introducing the Asheltein twins as well.

The people were clapping and responding, but they were also getting impatient.

Now that the words were over, they wanted to see what the object was quickly.

Luatisha, who read the atmosphere, smiled brightly.

“There’s a saying that seeing once is better than hearing a hundred times. There are so many words to explain the research results, uses, and historical value of this ancient medical device… but before that, I think it would be better to show it directly.”

When Luatisha nodded, the cloth covering the ancient medical device was whisked away.

“That is…?”

“It looks strange. I can’t guess its use at all.”

It was a shape that only added to the confusion.

“Everyone knows that I nursed my maternal grandfather, Marquis Tarenka. My grandfather regained his health, but my worries didn’t stop even after that.”

Luatisha said with a mournful face.

“But that wasn’t just my grandfather’s problem. I’m still young, so I don’t know well, but I heard that everyone experiences such things when they get old.”

Luatisha asked the people with a determined face.

“Everyone, do your knees ache when it rains?”

“……!”

“Is the reason why those who are still healthy retire to the back rooms of society perhaps because it’s hard to stand for a long time at banquets?”

“……!”

“Your back hurts, your shoulders are heavy, your joints ache, your posture collapses!”

“……!”

“In fact, the thing I’m going to show you today isn’t an elixir of immortality or a magical medicine that heals wounds in an instant.”

It was a statement that it was not a miraculous medical device, but rather, people’s curiosity grew even more.

This was because they felt certain that it was something they actually needed.

“When you sprain your ankle, you apply a hot towel. But what if that towel doesn’t cool down?”

Luatisha said, approaching the medical device more closely.

“What if you could physically massage the sprained area accurately and meticulously?”

She grinned, seeing that people were completely focused.

“There’s no need for further explanation. Let’s start with a demonstration first.”

Luatisha looked at the Grand Empress Dowager.

“Your Majesty the Grand Empress Dowager, could I please receive Your Majesty’s help in introducing this ancient object?”

The Grand Empress Dowager stood up from her seat with a very happy face, showing off.

“Of course, Princess.”

The people looked at the Grand Empress Dowager, who was ascending the platform, with expectant eyes.

The person who was most looking forward to it was Sophia, of course.

‘The Grand Empress Dowager! That bitch is walking into her grave with her own feet!’

Sophia grinned and looked at the Grand Empress Dowager, who was sitting on the cot.

She had sneaked into the hall at dawn today and installed a small shock device in the medical device.

It’s hard to fix a machine, but it’s easy to break it.

Whether it’s an ancient object or whatever, it will naturally malfunction the moment it’s turned on.

“Is there any particular area where you feel pain?”

“Actually, my wrist often feels achy these days, so I can’t even hold a heavy teacup.”

“Oh dear…”

Luatisha looked pitiful and began to attach something to the Grand Empress Dowager’s wrist.

‘Good.’

Ariel smiled with satisfaction.

When she gestured to Mrs. Huen, Mrs. Huen nodded.

Mrs. Huen, who had taken out a small actuator from Murph, pressed the switch.

Luatisha pressed the button on the medical device.

At that moment!

“Aaaaaaack!”

The Grand Empress Dowager screamed as if she was being torn apart.

The surprised people stared at the Grand Empress Dowager without being able to react.

Crackle, crackle!

Sparks flew from the machine attached to the Grand Empress Dowager’s wrist, and the smell of burning flesh began to fill the air.

“Y-Your Majesty the Grand Empress Dowager!”

“Quickly, get Her Majesty the Grand Empress Dowager to a safe place!”

“What on earth is this! Princess Paeraton!”

“To dare to plot such a thing, aiming for Her Majesty the Grand Empress Dowager…!”

A voice full of anger fell upon Luatisha.

Luatisha had a bewildered face, making an expression that she couldn’t understand what was going on.

“T-That can’t be… It was fine even when I checked it earlier… That can’t be…”

The child, who had turned pale, shook her head, but the Imperial Knights didn’t listen to those words.

They immediately pressed the small child’s body to the ground and made her kneel.

The knight removed the machine that was burning the Grand Empress Dowager’s arm, but it was already too late.

The Grand Empress Dowager’s wrist was already in a terrible state due to the burn.

“Are you alright, Your Majesty!”

“Immediately lock that thing up in the Imperial Palace prison! To dare to plot such a scheme to assassinate the Imperial Family!”

The Grand Empress Dowager roared with eyes that were red with fire.

Ariel smiled.

‘How is it?’

Just like the smile Luatisha had shown her in the past.

‘The bitter taste of life that I’m showing you.’

“Heh, hehe, heh…”

A low laughter leaked from Ariel’s lips.

“…phia.”

The price for daring to underestimate me, a mere insect—.

“Sophia…!”

Ariel came to her senses at the touch that tapped her.

“What is it?”

“What happened? She’s fine.”

“What, you say?”

Ariel hurriedly looked up at the platform.