Lord Baby Runs A Romance Fantasy With Cash [EN]: Chapter 148

The Bomb (1)

What happens when you detonate a bomb in the middle of a crowded city?

Everything, not just the intended target, blows up together.

That was what I wanted.

“……!”

Sophia’s face turned deathly pale.

Meanwhile, the people around looked puzzled, tilting their heads, seemingly unable to grasp what was happening.

“What was that? A recorded voice?”

“Who on earth would say such a thing…….”

“But that voice sounds similar to Miss Sophia’s—”

[Uwaaaaaaah!!]

[What’s going on!]

[I, I’m sorry. I, I did wrong, Princess…….]

Click.

The voice from the audio amplifier stopped.

I pressed the button in my pocket.

Again.

[Is it because she grew up without a mother? She has no tact at all.]

[Uwaaaaaaah!!]

[What’s going on!]

[I, I’m sorry. I, I did wrong, Princess…….]

Silence swept coldly through the hall.

And then.

“Could that be from Mrs. Sherwin’s tea party……!”

With a noblewoman’s voice filled with shock, the silence shattered.

“That’s right! That’s what happened then!”

“What do you mean? What happened…….”

“Doesn’t the voice saying ‘grew up without a mother’ and the voice apologizing sound the same?”

“And that voice is the one we just heard…….”

I listened to the rapidly spreading commotion like an orchestral performance and opened my mouth.

“Sophia.”

Clunk, clunk. Sophia turned her head towards me like a broken machine.

The murderous intent in her gleaming eyes was no joke.

But it’s not as scary as my dad’s glare, okay?

“Didn’t you say you had something to say to the people?”

I said with an unwavering, bright smile.

“You…….”

“Why are you so flustered? Did you think I would be dragged around by the likes of you?”

There’s a reason why I’m leading the exposure.

* * *

“W, what is this…….”

Luatisha’s voice flowed out through the audio amplifier.

The expression and voice of a child who was embarrassed and surprised.

“This is definitely what Sophia said before, but why is it…….”

At those words, people nodded with conviction.

“I knew it, it must be what happened back then.”

“Oh my. And yet, Princess Paeraton never once said that Sophia insulted her.”

“It doesn’t seem like Princess Paeraton is the one exposing it now either…….”

“My goodness, how can a child who is only ten years old be so kind and considerate? If it were me, I would have revealed it that day.”

Of course, the reason Luatisha didn’t reveal it that day was to take a breather for an even bigger splash.

Ah, it stings, it stings! This is cider, this is an awl!

Because the devil said he wanted cider like an awl [meaning something sharp and refreshing].

Luatisha could hear Sophia grinding her teeth.

“You hypocritical bitch.”

Luatisha turned to look at Sophia with a surprised expression. Then she chuckled.

“For you to call me hypocritical. That’s a happy thing.”

When she whispered so that it wouldn’t go into the receiver, Sophia’s face twisted like a yaksha [a fierce, demon-like figure in Buddhist mythology].

And that face was clearly visible to the people as well.

“Oh my, look at that face.”

“She was just talking with such an innocent face a moment ago…….”

“So that’s how she deceived the adults and bullied Princess Paeraton back then.”

As the murmuring grew louder again, Luatisha spoke into the audio receiver.

“E, everyone, please calm down. What on earth is going on……. Why all of a sudden— Ugh…….”

The child, who was trying to calm the hall with even a flustered voice, began to sob as if her emotions were running high.

But soon, she calmed her trembling breath and began to speak with a firm face as if she were briefing.

“This incident, as many of you are saying, happened at Mrs. Sherwin’s tea party. For some reason, Sophia said such…… words to me…….”

But gradually her voice trembled, and thick tears like morning dew began to wet the child’s face.

“Hic, is it my fault that I don’t have a mom? Because I don’t have a mom…….”

The child couldn’t bear to lift her face and trembled pitifully with her head bowed.

That small and pitiful figure.

People felt a pang in their hearts.

They had seen how bold and confident Luatisha was while introducing the physiotherapy device.

It was an intelligence that didn’t seem like her age.

And as they talked closely, they saw the innocence and playfulness of her age behind that confidence.

No matter how much she pretends to be an adult on the outside, in the end, the inside is still a ten-year-old.

Even now, she’s trying to act calm and explain the situation well to the people as a host, but in the end, she’s crying quietly like that…….

“It’s okay, it’s okay. Luatisha, you don’t have to say anymore. Bring some water.”

The Empress quickly ran to Luatisha, hugged her, and coaxed her.

“B, but I’m the host of today’s presentation……. I’m the one who should know who did this—”

“Don’t think about such things when you’re being a crybaby.”

The Empress said firmly, stroking Luatisha’s hair.

“Here, blow your nose.”

The Empress held a silk handkerchief to her red nose.

Luatisha hesitated for a moment.

Right now, she was standing right in front of the audio receiver on purpose.

So that all the words would echo to the people.

But if she blows her nose here…….

Live broadcast of nose blowing.

Nose blowing that slams into everyone’s ears.

Wouldn’t it be the first in the Empire?

“Here, blow!”

The Empress urged, pressing down on her nose.

If she backs out here, all the pretense of being innocent and acting like a baby will be in vain.

‘It’s okay. Luatisha, embarrassment is only temporary.’

And it’s not like she’s been embarrassed once or twice. She has no image to protect.

‘But that’s just being silly, nose blowing is different!’

“……Sniff.”

In the end, Luatisha had no choice but to sniff timidly.

It was a desperate attempt to protect her pride as a second life.

“Sniff! You have to sniff hard!”

“Sniff! Sniiiiiff!!”

“That’s right.”

The Empress smiled with a satisfied face.

‘Are you satisfied? I want to cry for real right now.’

Luatisha looked at the Empress with a sulky face.

When the Empress handed the dirty handkerchief to the side, the maid politely accepted it and handed over a new handkerchief.

The Empress wiped away Luatisha’s tears with a gentle touch and tidied up her messy face.

Receiving that touch, Luatisha’s sulky face softened without her knowing.

“The Princess’s sense of responsibility is truly commendable. But she’s not in good condition, so there’s no need to ask her to explain.”

Hugging in the Empress’s arms, Luatisha looked up at the Empress, who was protecting her as if embracing her, and talking to the people.

Wriggle.

The embrace was warm.

“Unfortunately, there are no Paeraton adults in this place, so with the authority of the Imperial Family, I will take charge of this situation from now on.”

The people bowed their heads.

In fact, the people hadn’t asked Luatisha for any explanation or progress.

Luatisha had stepped forward on purpose.

For them, it was more comfortable for the adult Empress to take charge of the situation than the baby Luatisha.

But there was someone who was anxious in reverse.

‘Damn it, the Empress is stepping in……!’

Ariel bit her lip tightly.

If this happens, the gravity of the matter will change.

“Sophia, was it?”

The Empress turned to look at Ariel and asked.

“What do you intend to repay for daring to utter such nonsense to the Empire’s Princess?”

Ariel immediately prostrated herself.

“It’s a misunderstanding, Your Majesty. You are being deceived right now. Princess Paeraton planned all of this! To drive me out!”

“Ha!”

The Empress scoffed.

“Tried to drive you out? The Princess?”

“I’m—”

“Princess Paeraton is a direct descendant of Paeraton. She is even the Aurora of this year’s Dawn Festival winner.”

“…….”

“Do you not know what this means? It means that there is no other young lady of her age with a higher reputation than Princess Paeraton in this Empire!”

Ariel clenched her fist.

Originally, that reputation belonged to Her Holiness, not that lowly bitch!

“And she’s trying to drive you out? What are you?”

“……That’s not what I mean. Princess Paeraton is trying to stop me from saying what I’m going to say! That’s not an ancient artifact!”

Ariel shouted, glaring at Luatisha, who was in the Empress’s arms.

“Right? You scammer!”

At those words, the Empress rebuked with a voice full of anger.

“Is it because you believe in your mother’s petty talent that you’re running wild like this and daring to act like you’re on top of the Princess’s head!”

“It’s okay, Your Majesty.”

Luatisha patted the Empress’s hand.

“Sophia, so what you’re saying is this?”

Luatisha came down from the Empress’s arms and began to speak clearly so that everyone could hear.

“First, I brought a physiotherapy device that is not an ancient artifact and planned to scam people.

Second, you can miraculously tell at a glance that this is not an ancient artifact.”

“I didn’t know at a glance—”

“Don’t say you didn’t know at a glance. I maintained thorough security. But the fact that you knew about the physiotherapy device from before means you were spying on me, right?”

If the story flows to spying, it will be a bigger problem.

In the end, Ariel couldn’t say anything and just bit her lip.

“Third, I knew in advance that you could tell that this is not an ancient artifact, whether it’s that mysterious ability or thing. Fourth, so I planned to trap you and invited you to Mrs. Sherwin’s party and made you say insulting words to me?”

Luatisha didn’t have anything more to add.

Because it didn’t make sense.

No matter how you listen to it, it was just a child’s tantrum who wanted to blame others.

“What is it? In the end, you want to put the blame on the Princess for even saying that it’s because she doesn’t have a mom?”

“There’s a recorded file right there. Everyone heard her pretending to be pitiful and saying she was wrong as soon as people gathered, right?”

“Ha, now she’s even ruining the presentation that the Princess prepared with such care. What grudge does she have?”

“I heard that Mrs. Hewen’s elixir was buried in Princess Paeraton’s Gongjindan [a traditional Korean medicine].”

“Oh my, so she harbored resentment?”

“Well, that was the golden rope that would have elevated the status of those mothers and daughters. Since it failed, how much would they have wanted to blame Princess Paeraton?”

There was no warmth in the gazes of the people looking at Ariel. Contempt, scorn, disdain.

Ariel was breathless.

If it goes on like this, it’s a complete failure.

There are no more chances.

‘No!’

A thought like a scream struck like lightning.

“I, evidence, I have evidence!”

Ariel appealed to the people.

“Really? Do you have it now?”

“Th, that’s if you wait a little longer…….”

Ariel’s eyes quickly scanned the hall.

She had lowered her pride and asked that witch for help, so she would be here soon.

As long as she comes, she can present evidence that people can understand!

Ariel, who was looking at the people, paused.

“Ah, so you don’t have any evidence now.”

Luatisha came to a conclusion, but Ariel couldn’t hear it.

A noblewoman with half of her face covered by a veil was smiling at her.

‘Why…….’

Why is she staying still?

She should come up and present the evidence!

If she’s reluctant to step forward in the current situation, she could give the sensor to Mrs. Hewen!

At that time, the woman’s lips, which were drawing a red arc, opened.

She moves silently.

‘Why should I take back a dog that cut its own leash and ran away?’

“……!”

Ariel’s eyes widened in shock.

She is retaliating in this way for disobeying her orders and acting on her own.

‘That bitch……!’

“So, is it also a lie that you have evidence?”

“Oh my, the child is lying as soon as she opens her mouth.”

“Even if she brought something as evidence, would we be able to believe it?”

People will not believe anything Ariel says.

And all of this was Luatisha’s work.

‘Damn it, damn it! This lowly creation dares……!’

Ariel glared at Luatisha with a murderous gaze, her eyes wide open.

Of course, Luatisha didn’t blink an eye and opened her mouth.

“Hoo, actually, there’s another thing……. I was going to cover it up and move on. Because the matter is so serious that it’s hard to be forgiven……. Sophia’s age bothered me.”

At those words, people frowned.

“Don’t tell me there’s more here?”

“It keeps coming out even if you peel it off.”

When Luatisha winked at Viscount Dier, he came up and handed me a small object.

“But seeing her continue to try to frame others like this, I can’t cover it up anymore.”

Luatisha held the object high so that everyone could see it.

“That’s…… a shocker [a device used to cause malfunctions in magical tools]?!”

“Isn’t that what you use to cause malfunctions in magical tools? If you make a mistake, it explodes…….”

“Could it be?”

Luatisha opened her mouth with a serious face.

“Last night, after moving the physiotherapy device to the hall, I installed a video stone for security.”

The video stone that Duke Paeraton had his vassals develop by pouring in their blood and sweat to capture his daughter’s appearance.

It was commercialized in its own way.

It’s so expensive that your eyes pop out, and it costs a lot to operate, so no one even thinks of using it for security.

‘But this Lulu is a 10-year-old billionaire!’

In the meantime, the servants brought the video stone.

Soon, an image began to form inside the stone.

A small figure infiltrated the hall, taking advantage of the darkness of the night.

The intruder opened the circuit board of the physiotherapy device with a very small light and attached the shocker with quick hands.

People watched the scene with bated breath.

But because it was so dark and she was wearing a mask, the intruder’s face was not clearly visible.

But the moment the intruder tried to leave the hall, the moon, which had been covered by clouds, was revealed.

The bright moonlight illuminated the figure’s face, and—.

“So, Sophia?!”

She was covering her nose and mouth and only showing her eyes, but it was clear who it was just by looking at those eyes.

Because it exactly matched the eyes of the child who was on the stage right now.