Revenge Costs Interest [EN]: Chapter 20

Terribly Beautiful

Episode 20: Terribly Beautiful

August 20, 2023

Leia and Pauline met Chaner whenever they had the chance, often accompanied by Chaner’s grandfather.

They had grown so close that they now enjoyed picnics together on the lawn.

“Chaner, how is the dress coming along?” Leia asked cautiously.

Leia had previously gifted Chaner a book on lace making and then commissioned her to create a lace dress based on Leia’s design.

“I finished it and brought it with me,” Chaner replied.

“Already?” Leia and Pauline were astonished.

A few days prior, Terrence had informed them about an upcoming Rubec Imperial banquet in September.

Leia wanted to wear a unique dress to her first imperial banquet, so she asked Chaner to make the bodice [the part of a dress above the waist] with lace.

She had anticipated it would take at least a month, given the elaborate and complex design, but Chaner completed it in a week.

“Hey! For our granddaughter, that’s a piece of cake!” Chaner’s grandfather chuckled, waving his hand.

The moment to unveil the finished product had arrived. With a trembling heart, Leia retrieved the dress Chaner had placed in a paper box.

“Oh my! Goodness!” Pauline exclaimed, gazing at the dress.

The bodice, meticulously hand-stitched with gold lace thread, was more than just knitting; it was a true work of art.

“I’m speechless; it’s so beautiful,” Leia said, admiring the dress from every angle.

Too much exposed skin could have made it look vulgar, but Chaner had skillfully balanced that with luxurious patterns.

It was hard to believe that human hands had crafted it.

Leia admired the dress for a long time before carefully placing it back in the box and handing it to Pauline. She then offered Chaner a few gold coins.

“Chaner, thank you. This is for the dress and your labor.”

“I don’t need money. It’s a gift,” Chaner said, dropping the gold coins into her skirt. Leia picked them up again and offered them to Chaner’s grandfather.

“No, what money? It’s enough that you’ve become Chaner’s friend,” the grandfather refused, making it impossible for Leia to give him the money.

Leia realized it was time to share her plan.

“Chaner, Grandpa, there’s something I want to do. Of course, I hope it goes well.”

“What is it?” Chaner’s grandfather asked.

“I want to go into business with Chaner.”

“Business?” The grandfather laughed, as if Leia were joking. What profit could come from lace scraps?

But Leia remained serious.

“Lace scarves, gloves, and clothes made with less skill than Chaner’s are sold to upper-class ladies at exorbitant prices. With this level of skill, even the empress would covet it.”

Only then did the grandfather take Leia’s words seriously.

“Grandpa, you want Chaner to do something meaningful, right? Do you want her to be under your wing for the rest of her life without the chance to be independent?”

“So, what are you proposing?”

“I’m not fully ready yet, but I want Chaner to join the business I’m planning. Please consider it. If you agree, I’ll take Chaner with me.”

“Okay! Okay! I want to live with my sisters,” Chaner exclaimed, her eyes sparkling with excitement.

“Sister will make a lot of money later.”

“Really?”

“Sister’s dad was a good businessman, too, right?”

Chaner sometimes surprised people with her insights.

Chaner’s grandfather, on the other hand, seemed deep in thought.

He was happy that his granddaughter, often dismissed as simple, had befriended such kind ladies, but he worried about Chaner’s ability to succeed.

Leia appeared to be a noble lady… If they discovered that he and Chaner were Romani [a nomadic people, sometimes referred to as gypsies, with a distinct culture and language], her family would strongly disapprove. People often harbor prejudice against Romani.

“Oh my, I’ll have to think about it. Please wait.”

“I just want to do it, Grandpa Rapa,” Chaner pleaded.

“You have to say yes unconditionally at times like this. Chaner, you still need to think about it. I’ll consider it carefully, so please be patient.”

“Yes. Thank you,” Chaner replied.

While Leia smiled brightly, Pauline tilted her head.

‘Rapa? I think I’ve heard that name before.’

It was the same name as a notorious criminal organization in Lebon City.

‘Hey, what are you suspecting? What could that frail old man and the immature Chaner possibly do?’

It must be a coincidence. Besides, would members of a violent organization leisurely enjoy a picnic in the park?

Those people are vicious and brutal. Pauline shook her head, dismissing her strange thoughts as ridiculous.

* * *

The day of the imperial banquet arrived.

Leia had been preparing meticulously for days and began her preparations early in the morning. Hair, makeup, accessories, and dress all went according to plan.

‘I have to capture the attention of the noble ladies at the banquet, no matter what,’ Leia thought.

While she had been pondering potential business ventures, she met Chaner, and a flood of ideas had emerged.

“Pauline, don’t put too many decorations in your hair,” Leia advised.

Leia tied her hair back and styled it into a bun, accentuating her slender face and neckline.

The makeup enhanced her clear and radiant skin, highlighting her features.

Finally, it was time to wear Chaner’s creation.

The gold lace bodice subtly revealed her skin, exposing her back down to her waist, yet it didn’t appear vulgar.

The bottom was a full, green satin skirt. Even without elaborate accessories, the dress itself was striking.

“Wow! Our young lady, you’re really… too pretty,” Pauline exclaimed, clasping her hands together. Anyone who saw Leia would mistake her for a goddess.

“This lace is subtly sexy, isn’t it?” Leia asked.

“Yeah, does it look like too much?”

“No, the hair, skirt, and accessories are all simple. Above all, your beauty is unmatched.”

“Oh my! Pauline, do I look pretty in everything in your eyes?”

‘Please, let Chaner’s lace be a success,’ Leia wished.

Leia reaffirmed her determination and waited for Terrence to pick her up.

Her heart pounded with anticipation for her first imperial banquet with him. Just then, a knock sounded.

Leia was eager to hear Terrence’s opinion. Of course, she wanted his reaction to the lace dress, not just his general assessment of her appearance.

Finally, Terrence appeared in formal attire.

“Ta-da! Miss Grace, how is it? Duke?” Pauline announced, spreading her arms wide.

Terrence stood motionless. Soon, Leia and Terrence were admiring each other.

Leia was surprised to see Terrence, who usually wore only black uniforms, in white formal attire. She knew he was exceptionally handsome, but she hadn’t realized he could make her heart flutter so intensely.

Meanwhile, Terrence almost didn’t recognize Leia. Perhaps because he was used to seeing her in a simple and innocent state, he was stunned by her sensual and mature appearance.

She was terribly beautiful. The gold lace bodice immediately caught his eye. The subtly sexy yet luxurious pattern was captivating.

“Beautiful,” he managed to say.

He wanted to praise her more eloquently, but he hesitated, sensing the presence of jealous onlookers.

‘I don’t want to go to the banquet,’ he thought.

He disliked the idea of taking such a beautiful woman to the banquet and displaying her to others.

“Let’s go,” he said.

Terrence extended his hand, and Leia gently took it.

“You look great, Terrence,” she said.

As her unusually bright purplish-blue eyes and full lips drew closer, Terrence unconsciously swallowed hard.

He escorted her like a gentleman, but was he mistaken? Leia’s back was bare.

“Wait!” he exclaimed.

“Why?” she asked.

“Did you stop making the dress? There’s no fabric on the back?”

“This is how the dress is.”

“Originally…? It’s like this?”

It was a difficult detail to accept. He would have to shield Leia’s back with his body throughout the banquet.

Men like him would openly admire her white and smooth back. Terrence suddenly felt a throbbing headache.

Besides, every time his hand touched Leia’s back, his fingertips tingled as if he had been electrocuted. It was a cheeky dress that didn’t consider her fiancé, who was full of pent-up energy.

Terrence voiced the thought he had had the moment he saw the dress.

‘I want to tear it apart.’

The lace tantalized him, and he felt a depraved urge to ruin her beautiful body.

Terrence felt a surge of heat. He had never been so aroused in his life, but it was difficult to be around Leia.

“Why? Are you uncomfortable?” Leia asked, smiling innocently, unaware of the effect she was having on him.

Her innocence was infuriating.

* * *

The imperial banquet was a grand affair. The most prominent nobles of Rubec and foreign dignitaries were invited.

Among the attendees, the hottest topic was Duke Courtois, known for avoiding banquets, who would be attending with his fiancée.

The emperor and empress were particularly pleased with the Duke’s presence.

‘Oh, I’m nervous!’ Leia thought.

She had attended several banquets with her father when she was young, but this was her first as an adult.

Finally, the doors to the banquet hall opened wide. Guests entered one by one as announced by the chamberlain.

“Duke Courtois and Miss Leia Vizac, Baroness,” the chamberlain announced.

Leia linked her arm with Terrence’s and slowly entered the banquet hall.

As expected, the eyes of the dignitaries lining both sides of the hall were fixed on them.

It was exactly the scene Leia had imagined. The capital’s noble ladies and young women were dressed to the nines, as if they had been waiting for this day.

“Why did Duke Courtois attend the banquet?” someone whispered.

“I know, he hasn’t left his house since the war ended,” another replied.

Most of the comments were about Terrence, but that was only for a moment.

Leia felt the weight of the gazes upon her.

“Miss Vizac, look at the dress,” someone remarked.

“It’s very unconventional, isn’t it?”

“The gentlemen who attended today won’t be able to focus on anything else.”

Leia was relieved.

‘It’s okay so far. I hope there are no criticisms…’

Revenge Costs Interest [EN]

Revenge Costs Interest [EN]

복수에는 이자가 붙는다
Status: Completed Author: Native Language: Korean
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[English Translation] In a world where faith, hope, and love crumble into nothingness, Leah's wedding day becomes a nightmare. Betrayal shatters her life, leaving her father accused of treason and her own existence tragically cut short. But fate offers a twisted second chance. Leah awakens as Grace Visac, the fiancée of the formidable Taran Courtios, ruler of the Rubec Empire. As Grace navigates a treacherous path of secrets and vengeance, Taran's piercing gaze threatens to unravel her carefully constructed facade. Consumed by a burning desire to avenge her past, Leah vows to make Allen pay the ultimate price. But Taran, captivated by Grace's newfound boldness, offers his unwavering support, bound by a condition: her heart. Torn between her thirst for revenge and the intoxicating allure of Taran's possessive love, Leah finds herself ensnared in a dangerous game where escape may be impossible. Can she exact her revenge without losing herself to the empire's ruthless ruler?

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