Revenge Costs Interest [EN]: Chapter 128

Revenge Has Interest 128

128. A Person to Lean on When It Hurts

2023.12.06.

Late in the evening, Terrence received two letters.

One was from Martin Polo in Bertan, and the other was from Alicia.

Both letters had something in common: Allen McDowell was involved.

‘The Bertan imperial family has completely collapsed, and two large organizations are fighting for power? Ha! Allen’s railroad project has fallen apart.’

That meant there was no one to claim the costs incurred in the railroad construction.

However, whichever faction seized power, the railroad would be completed.

‘If Allen isn’t a fool, he’ll try to sell the business rights even at a loss….’

What was even more absurd was that the downfall of Bertan had not yet been officially announced.

However, it was only a matter of time before it became known to the world.

In times like these, it was best to send an expert to Bertan to respond quickly.

He had to prepare countermeasures one step ahead of Allen.

Viscount Martin Polo said he had sent Allen the exact opposite letter.

Terrence checked the remaining letter.

‘Allen is going to Landes to get facial surgery?’

Although the medical association did not recognize him, there was a doctor famous for reconstructive surgery, and Allen was trying to restore his face to its original state by paying him a large sum.

‘You’re making such a fuss just because one side of your face is ruined? Leah Hamilton fell off a cliff and died. Her body was shattered to pieces.’

The woman who died miserably on the day that was supposed to be the happiest in her life, wearing a white wedding dress.

She was killed by the man she loved.

Compared to the fear, despair, and pain that Leah Hamilton must have felt, this was nothing.

Terrence wrote a letter without hesitation and pulled the bell cord. Soon, James and Louis came to the office.

“James, send this to His Majesty.”

“Understood, Your Grace.”

He had written a detailed account of the current situation in Bertan, so Carl and Vivian would deliberate for the sake of national interest.

Being intelligent people, they would research the best methods and move quickly.

He just had to wait until His Majesty’s orders were issued.

“Louis, send this to His Majesty King Vincent of Landes.”

He handed the remaining letter to Louis. If it was a doctor not recognized by the medical association….

‘It’s an illegal procedure. I have to inform King Vincent of his people-loving spirit. That’s how he’ll become a beloved king.’

“I’ll go right away.”

The key was to move faster than Allen.

After James and Louis left to do their respective tasks, Terrence fell into thought.

How did he end up entangled with Allen in such a bad relationship? It started with Allen’s dark greed towards Grace.

Now, that wasn’t all.

‘Leah Hamilton is Grace.’

That was a divine revelation and an unavoidable destiny.

If so, he had to save Leah, who died unjustly, and Richard Hamilton, who was trapped on Leaf Island.

How could he save a dead person? By helping with revenge, realizing justice, and returning everything they had been deprived of to its original state, Leah’s soul could be saved.

‘It’s the justice I must achieve for my woman, who is more precious than my life.’

Looking back, he and Leah Hamilton were not completely unrelated.

Ever since he saw Richard Hamilton as a child, he had never forgotten him.

Even to that child’s eyes, he thought, ‘I want to grow up to be an adult like that.’

Of course, he had forgotten such pure dreams for a long time while rolling around on the battlefield.

The strong impression at the time must have linked her soul and himself in the future.

‘Arthur is also reinvestigating, so a conclusion will be reached soon.’

In a letter from Arthur a while ago, he said he was looking for the coachmen who took Leah Hamilton to the countryside.

With their testimony alone, it could be revealed that Allen had instigated the murder.

‘Allen, just because you erase the evidence you know doesn’t mean your crime disappears.’

Terrence’s fist on the desk clenched tightly.

* * *

Leah and Terrence headed to the Galdenia Imperial Palace. This time, they only took Alicia with them.

“I’m going to assist Alicia by her side today.”

“Don’t feel too pressured.”

Terrence’s voice wasn’t very good.

“Your Grace, the young lady and I have been practicing hard every day, so we’ll do well.”

“That’s a relief.”

Terrence smiled and replied to Alicia’s words. Still, it was his instinct to worry about Leah, so he couldn’t help it.

“Miss, do you think Her Majesty usually takes care of her skin?”

That was what Alicia was most worried about.

“We have to assume she doesn’t.”

“We’ve practiced for various situations, so we can handle it. But if she usually takes care of her skin, the effect is better.”

“Well, I think the key is whether Her Majesty can confidently look at her face reflected in the mirror.”

Leah was concerned about that. People instinctively tend to ignore their flaws.

“Alicia, answer honestly if Her Majesty asks you questions.”

Originally, the empress’s maids were noble ladies or young women.

However, Teresa was a female emperor, so she had several maids besides attendants, she heard.

Of course, they were from the best families in Galdenia.

“I’m not ashamed of my past as a courtesan. It’s not something anyone can do. You have to be knowledgeable in all fields, as well as decorating your appearance, so you have to work endlessly. You also need an eye for art, an ear for music, and the knowledge and eloquence to discuss politicians and the political situation.”

“Alicia didn’t say that because she was ashamed. Don’t misunderstand. Rather, emphasizing that you were a courtesan will stimulate Her Majesty’s curiosity.”

As they talked, they arrived at the Galdenia Imperial Palace.

Terrence escorted the two women, and the servants carried the boxes containing the cosmetics.

‘Why am I so nervous?’

Leah’s whole body was filled with tension.

As soon as she passed through the gates of the Galdenia Imperial Palace, the promise she made with Teresa came back to her mind.

‘If you don’t satisfy the emperor, you will lose your life. Both me and Alicia.’

However, Alicia’s condition next to her was not much different.

Leah gently grabbed her hand. Soon, Alicia looked at Leah intently.

“Aren’t we funny? I never dreamed we would be in this kind of relationship.”

Alicia responded with a smile to Leah’s words. To think that they would share life and death with each other.

“Don’t worry. I’ve been through all sorts of hardships in my life. I’ve overcome many near-death experiences, and I’ve even made the king of a country kneel before me. I was born as the daughter of a tenant farmer and struggled my whole life to live like a human being, so I won’t die because I can’t do makeup.”

Leah was touched by Alicia’s firm determination.

She thought she was the only one with a difficult life, but she was surprised that there were many people who had lived turbulent lives.

“I’ve used tricks and done countless bad things to deal with people. But not this time.”

Alicia calmly told her story as if she were making a confession.

Leah was curious about how Alicia’s present and past were different.

“I can be fairly evaluated for what I can do purely, and I can succeed if I do well. Above all, I don’t have to rely on men.”

Leah had been misunderstanding Alicia until now.

She thought Alicia had accepted her offer because she wanted to get out of Lebon Tower unconditionally.

However, she was surprised to see her showing affection and passion for this work.

“Did Alicia find something she likes to do?”

“I guess so.”

“That’s a relief.”

People are happiest and have no regrets when they do what they like.

Finally, they arrived at the main palace where the emperor was.

The chief of staff had Terrence meet the emperor first. After about thirty minutes, Terrence came out of the reception room.

“I’ll wait here, so go.”

Terrence wrapped his arms around Leah’s shoulders and said.

“This is the lobby, though?”

“Either way, I can’t move a step away from you. I’ll wait until you come.”

“Terrence….”

“I believe in Grace. I know she’ll do better than anyone else. Just do your best as you’ve always done.”

“I will.”

For some reason, her heart felt heavy. Terrence didn’t show it, but he seemed quite anxious.

Leah said goodbye to Terrence with a kiss.

“I’ll be back.”

“Okay.”

Leah left Terrence behind and headed to the reception room with Alicia.

Behind them, the servants carried the makeup tools.

Terrence stared at Leah’s back as she moved away from him until the end.

Until she was completely out of sight.

Terrence recalled the conversation he had with the emperor, though it was short.

[Your Majesty, I have only one request.]

[Tell me, Duke.]

[Now that you have decided to entrust your face to Grace, please give her your heart completely.]

[What does that mean? Isn’t trust my emotion?]

[Well, people look for doctors when they get sick. But the disease is cured by the doctor and the patient together. The doctor should do his best for the patient, and conversely, the patient should fully trust the doctor to increase the effectiveness of the treatment.]

[A warning not to distrust or criticize.]

Terrence did not deny it. Coming to the palace, he had thought about what the problems of Empress Teresa were.

As a result, Teresa’s problem was her firmly closed heart, more than her face. Like he used to be.

If she opened the latch of her heart, good energy would emanate from her.

This was not just a hopeful mindset, but something that was actually possible.

‘I’ve experienced it.’

Through a woman named Leah.

So, he wanted to tell Teresa that she would feel much more comfortable if she let go of excessive suspicion and vigilance.

‘I don’t know if she understood.’

She was such a stubborn and arrogant emperor… Well, he himself was not much different from Teresa in the past.

[Trust Alicia, who came with Grace.]

That was the last thing Terrence said to Teresa before leaving the reception room.