Revenge Costs Interest [EN]: Chapter 120

Revenge Has Interest 120

120. That Fool, Chae Fool

November 28, 2023

Leah was too embarrassed to lift her head.

‘Ugh! Why does this man have no sense of moderation?’

She wished he would restrain himself, but he didn’t seem to care at all about the Emperor’s presence.

Not only was he feeding Leah watermelon juice, but he even procured a fan and was diligently fanning her.

The fashion show hadn’t even started yet, but the VIPs wore expressions of amusement, as if this was a more entertaining spectacle.

‘Well, it’s hard to change Terrence’s stubbornness. Then…….’

She decided to simply accept the situation.

Leah smiled brightly at Terrence and enjoyed his devoted attention.

“Duke Courtois is so charming, isn’t he?”

A noble lady remarked to her husband, loud enough for others to hear, as she observed the scene.

“A man has his pride. Does chasing after a woman and attending to her every need look charming?”

“You don’t understand women’s hearts at all. Who says a man who only pretends to be strong is attractive? Women are more drawn to sweet men like him, you know?”

Leah’s head was swimming with the surrounding comments, but she resolved to ignore them.

‘Let’s focus on the event.’

Leah headed to the dressing room where the models were gathered. It was just as she expected.

Everyone was struggling with wearing fall and winter clothes in the unseasonably warm weather.

Even amidst the discomfort, Chenel and Sonia were meticulously checking their outfits until the very last moment.

“Are you all ready?”

“Yes!”

Chenel shouted with childlike enthusiasm in response to Leah’s question, and laughter rippled through the tense dressing room.

“Uncle! Are you my sister’s maid today?”

Chenel seemed highly amused by Terrence fanning Leah.

She skipped over from her work and kept tilting her head, observing Terrence.

“You should say it’s not a maid, but *caring*,” Leah corrected.

“Ah! Uncle is *That Fool* [a term for someone completely devoted to another].”

“That… Fool?”

“A fool who only likes Grace!”

A burst of laughter erupted in the dressing room.

Even if Terrence was usually unflappable, he should have been embarrassed, but he simply smiled at Chenel and retorted.

“Luke must be *Chae Fool* [the same devoted fool]. He doesn’t help when she’s working hard. Tsk tsk.”

“Ugh! A fool who only likes Chenel… Where did he go?”

He seemed to enjoy Chenel’s frustration… Their maturity levels were about the same.

‘Stop it. You foolish man,’ Leah thought.

Leah smiled awkwardly and intervened, stopping Terrence.

She no longer had the patience to tolerate their childish antics.

* * *

Finally, the fashion show began. VIPs were seated on both sides of the long runway.

The best seats were reserved for key VIPs, including Carl and Vivian.

The moment the string trio began to play, the first model appeared.

The red dress made of Bertan silk immediately captured the viewers’ attention, maximizing the elegant curves of the female body while maintaining an exotic flair.

‘As expected, Sonia is amazing.’

Leah’s heart swelled with pride. But it was too early to relax.

The next model appeared wearing Chenel’s lace cape.

It was a versatile cape that could be worn with any outfit to add a touch of luxury, using threads specifically chosen for fall and winter.

“Chenel’s craftsmanship is truly genius,” Terrence said, who was seated next to Leah, also beaming with pride at Chenel’s growth.

“There isn’t a single dress that isn’t beautiful.”

With each new dress that was unveiled, the VIPs couldn’t help but express their admiration.

The women’s eyes sparkled with desire, as if they were already planning their purchases.

On the other hand, Leah felt a thrill course through her body.

She had been preparing for this for so long, but the event was drawing to a close quickly. It was time to unveil her secret weapon.

Chenel had created a generous dress out of soft cashmere specifically for the pregnant Vivian.

Not only did she design a maternity dress with elaborate lace to maintain the Empress’s dignity, but she also had a pregnant model wear it.

The noble ladies were deeply moved as she walked down the runway, many with tears in their eyes.

“Pregnant women can be so beautiful.”

“She looks like a saint.”

“Mothers and babies should wear comfortable clothes.”

For now, the audience’s reactions were positive. But Leah was most concerned with Vivian’s opinion.

“The Empress is already smitten,” Terrence observed.

“Yes?”

Vivian stopped the model who was gracefully walking in front of her, unable to conceal her delight as she touched and examined the dress.

“There’s one more secret weapon left,” Leah said with a knowing smile.

As soon as Leah finished speaking, Louis appeared, impeccably dressed.

Louis, wearing a glossy brown frock coat and gray pants, cut the figure of a sophisticated gentleman.

As expected, the women’s faces lit up.

In particular, the vest and tie made of Bertan silk amplified the luxuriousness of the ensemble.

“Isn’t that the young master of the Valliere Marquisate?”

“The Lubeck social scene will be turned upside down.”

“The marriage market is going to be noisy.”

The Marchioness of Valliere was visibly pleased by the noble ladies’ compliments.

It was inevitable, as the mothers with eligible daughters were vying for her attention and approval.

Meanwhile, Louis was initially shy being in front of so many people, but his tension eased as he noticed someone watching him intently as he walked.

That person had a pretty, almost boyish face and a slender build, but possessed a strange charm that drew people in.

‘Who is it?’

He was definitely not from Lubeck. It was a feeling that lingered in his mind, even though it was only a brief encounter.

He savored the feeling that he would have a connection with her in the future and finished the show in a splendid manner.

After the fashion show, Leah moved busily.

She was so in demand that she felt like she needed two bodies to handle all the requests and inquiries.

“Terrence, take care of the VIPs on the left.”

“Why should I?”

Terrence was unhappy about having to leave Leah’s side to greet guests.

He simply didn’t want to be away from her at all.

“Grape! Corn! [Terms of endearment, implying she’ll get angry if he doesn’t obey]”

When Leah glared at him, he was startled and reluctantly headed towards the VIPs on the left.

Leah then went to Vivian, who was talking to Chenel.

“Chenel, the maternity dress is so beautiful. I want to take it right away. I don’t care how much it costs.”

“The Empress’s is a gift. You saved my sister. So, from now on, I’m going to give everything to the Empress as a gift.”

Vivian burst into tears at Chenel’s words, and Leah and Chenel were taken aback.

“I’m sorry. I’ve become a little strange since I had the baby. I’m happy and sad, and my emotions are all over the place.”

“I wonder if I’ll be able to understand the Empress’s feelings when I get pregnant later?”

When Leah asked with an excited face, Vivian’s pupils dilated slightly.

“Of… course. Of course.”

‘Thank goodness, I don’t think she found out what kind of medicine it is.’

Vivian just felt a pang of sympathy for Grace.

Still, she was relieved that Terrence would fiercely protect her.

* * *

Sarah was also busy entertaining noble ladies that day.

Leah couldn’t respond to everyone personally, so she and Pauline had to step in to explain the clothes and take orders.

As she was walking around busily, a noble lady addressed her.

“I’d like to order a few dresses, but it’s too noisy here.”

“Um, shall we move to a quieter place?”

Sarah led her to a more secluded area.

The two were so engrossed in discussing the clothes that they didn’t even notice anyone approaching.

“Sarah, long time no see.”

Sarah’s hair stood on end at the man’s voice, which whispered as he gripped her arm tightly.

She knew who it was all too well. As if on cue, the woman who had been talking to Sarah discreetly disappeared.

“Follow me quietly.”

Allen, wearing a hat pulled low to obscure his face, forcibly took Sarah to the back of the building.

The moment Sarah was dragged away by Allen, she feared for her life.

“How did you know I was here?”

“I didn’t. I came to see the Duke’s fashion show, but I unexpectedly saw you.”

He had attempted to secure a legitimate invitation as a businessman, but it hadn’t worked out, so he bribed a servant to gain access to the mansion.

Allen was quite surprised to see Sarah.

She used to have the demeanor of a simple maid, and no matter how much she dressed up, she never caught his eye, but now she was so sophisticated that he almost didn’t recognize her.

He even questioned if she was the same woman he knew.

Still, she was now firmly on Terrence’s side. Did she think the enemy’s camp was the safest place?

“I don’t want to make a fuss either. If Sarah returns the item willingly, I’ll disappear quietly.”

“Liar. You’ve never told the truth to anyone. Disappear quietly? When you get the item from me, you’ll shoot me with the gun hidden in your arms.”

The distrust and hatred between them were palpable, and the two engaged in a fierce struggle.

Whenever Sarah tried to scream, Allen covered her mouth with his large hand and pushed her against the wall.

“Ah!”

When Sarah bit Allen’s hand, he lost his composure and reached inside his coat.

He wanted to silence Sarah permanently with a gunshot.

But she wasn’t an easy target. She was so quick-witted and fierce that even he, a man, had a hard time subduing her.

“All that’s left for a demon like you is hell. I’m going to make sure of it with my own hands.”

“Did you find something great?” Sarah taunted.

“Of course, it’s a very great thing that can grab the lifelines of many people, including you.”

Allen’s excitement reached its peak at Sarah’s words.

He paused, retracting the hand that was about to draw the gun, and tried to regain his composure.

“Sarah, why don’t you understand? You know that you’re the woman I ended up loving, right?”

“Stop talking nonsense! You’re going to be finished soon, so wait humbly.”

Sarah was also surprised by her own reaction. When she left Galdenia, she didn’t just hate Allen.

Although it was a complex mix of love and hate, it was also true that she had lingering feelings for him.

But after seeing Allen, who not only revealed his ugly true colors but also tried to kill her without any hesitation, she realized.

‘There’s no love or hate left.’

He no longer resembled the shining Allen McDowell she once knew.

“Do you think you’ll be safe? You took the lead in destroying the master you followed like a father and the superior you treated like a sister!”

“I’ll pay for my sins myself, so worry about yourself.”

Sarah pushed Allen away with all her might. Then Allen quickly drew a gun and pointed it at Sarah.

“No, you’ll be happy if you die at the hands of the man you love.”

Allen pressed the muzzle of the gun to Sarah’s forehead.