Revenge Costs Interest [EN]: Chapter 130

Revenge Comes with Interest Chapter 130: The Monster Called Despair Vanishes (130/200)

Chapter 130: The Monster Called Despair Vanishes

2023.12.08.

Alicia meticulously applied the brush.

She repeated to herself, “Just do as you practiced.”

In fact, practicing on women with far worse conditions than Theresa at the Duke’s residence was a great help.

Actually, Theresa’s scars felt insignificant compared to them. So, it was much easier.

Leia immediately noticed Alicia’s eyes, expression, breath, and brushstrokes.

‘She’s not nervous at all. It’s going well.’

She couldn’t believe she would feel joy watching Alicia’s efforts.

It was too soon to be overwhelmed, but at least she wasn’t nervous.

Alicia carefully filled in each of Theresa’s sunken scars.

The cosmetics Oliver made used natural ingredients, so they smelled good and were safe for the skin, which was a great advantage.

Perhaps that’s why Theresa didn’t show any particular rejection even when the cosmetics touched her skin.

‘She looks exactly like Prince Salame.’

Alicia was initially surprised when she saw Theresa, as she looked like Salame twenty years later.

It was a stroke of genius to create the color cream with his skin tone as a reference.

“Shall I prepare the powder?”

Alicia finished the skin makeup with the color-correcting cream. It was amazing how much the scars were covered with just that.

“Miss, please add a small amount of pearl powder to the powder.”

“Yes.”

Leia added a little finely ground pearl powder to the powder and mixed it.

If pores were prominent or there were scars, the light reflection could reveal the entire face surface, creating a counterproductive effect.

However, using it appropriately could add a glow, making the skin look very good. In the end, it was all about controlling the amount.

Alicia examined the powder compact Leia gave her and gently patted her face with a brush.

‘Oh my goodness!’

Leia’s scalp tingled.

She was surprised when Alicia applied the color-correcting cream, but after the powder treatment, Theresa’s scars completely disappeared.

“Your Majesty, it suits you better to have clean and clear makeup rather than heavy color makeup.”

“Do as you see fit.”

“Understood.”

Her eyebrows were thick enough that she only needed to tidy up the shape, so she subtly colored her cheeks, lips, and eyes.

Leia almost said, “You’re beautiful.”

“Ha! Chae-ner is getting married…….”

Theresa’s hollow laughter shook Leia from her thoughts.

“She met a man she likes.”

“Well, I can’t just sit still when Chae-ner is getting married.”

While Theresa and Leia were talking about Chae-ner’s marriage, Alicia made other preparations.

“Your Majesty, I will change the makeup method.”

After finishing the facial features makeup, Alicia used dark-colored powder to make the face contours look three-dimensional.

If only the face stood out purely white, it could look unsophisticated, and in Theresa’s case, natural makeup suited her.

She carefully applied powder to her neck so that there would be no boundary with her face.

At that moment, Leia saw the sweat beading on Alicia’s forehead. She quickly wiped away the sweat with a towel.

Now was the moment to properly check the completed face.

“It’s very natural because it matches your skin tone.”

Alicia nodded at Leia’s words.

These days, noble ladies still thought it was pretty to wear makeup whiter than their skin tone.

So, when they went to parties, there was an amusing sight of only their faces floating white.

“Your Majesty, I have done my best.”

Alicia said modestly.

“All the cosmetics are made with natural ingredients, so your skin will feel much more comfortable.”

Leia added.

It was an implicit request not to compare it to the harsh cosmetics on the market.

Finally, it was Theresa’s turn to check her completed face.

Leia took a large hand mirror and walked towards Theresa.

‘Ugh! I’m nervous.’

Even though she did well, the organs inside her trembled. She was curious about what kind of reaction Theresa would show.

However, Theresa couldn’t easily pick up the hand mirror.

To think that the empress, who feared nothing in the world, was struggling with just a hand mirror.

Was she not ready to face her face yet? The person watching was more anxious.

“Count to three in your head and look in the mirror.”

Leia felt that even obvious words were necessary for Theresa now.

She seemed to agree with Leia’s words and counted to three in her head.

And finally, Theresa picked up the mirror and looked at her changed face.

In that moment, it was as if time and space had stopped. There were three women, but no one even breathed.

Theresa just looked at it with a blank expression while holding the mirror, and Leia and Alicia briefly stopped breathing.

After about three minutes, Theresa opened her mouth.

“Both of you, leave for a moment.”

It was an agitated voice. Leia and Alicia left the room as they were.

“Hoo!”

The two took a breath at the same time as the door closed.

But they were worried because it wasn’t the reaction they had expected.

“Alicia did it perfectly.”

“I did my best as I practiced, but I don’t know if Her Majesty will like it…….”

“It will be awkward at first. As far as I know, this is the first time Her Majesty has properly seen her face since she had smallpox.”

She had vaguely heard from Vivian a long time ago. Theresa had lived denying herself since her face was ruined.

That meant that the lock on her heart had also been lowered.

In fact, it was certain that Theresa’s courage was a great change. At that time, a sound was heard from inside.

“Come in.”

At Theresa’s command, Leia held Alicia’s hand tightly and calmed her breathing.

The two looked at each other and said.

“Whatever the result, let’s not regret it.”

“I feel like I was reborn thanks to you, Miss. I will never regret it.”

The two firmly resolved and entered the room.

* * *

Theresa did not recognize her face reflected in the mirror. So, she told the two to leave for a moment.

‘Who are you?’

She repeatedly asked the strange woman staring at her in the mirror.

Who the hell are you? Then, she vaguely remembered that it was her before she had smallpox.

Her flawless, clear skin, distinct features, and sparkling eyes were definitely her face from a long time ago.

No matter how hard she looked, she couldn’t see deep despair and shadows in the woman in the mirror.

‘A miracle has happened.’

It had been a long time. To confirm that her heart was beating.

No, the hand holding the hand mirror trembled. In addition, she felt like she had regained her forgotten identity.

‘Salame resembles me.’

She reaffirmed the fact that she had only vaguely remembered. Soon, a wave of emotion surged in her chest.

At the same time, the monster called despair, writhing in the deep darkness, was extinguished by the light.

‘I’m……back.’

There was no method she hadn’t tried herself for years. That Grace managed to do what the emperor couldn’t.

It wasn’t because she wasn’t desperate enough, but what was different between her and Grace?

Doubt arose, but a strong trust in Grace filled her.

In fact, from the moment she saw Grace picking up her veil and standing there, she felt a strong attraction.

Everyone else avoided it because they didn’t want to die, but Grace didn’t avoid it.

She was drawn to that attitude, but Grace, who fearlessly charged in, embarrassed her.

So, she angrily drew her sword at her.

Theresa closed her eyes tightly for a moment. She wanted to check if she would return to normal when she opened her eyes.

She slowly opened her eyes and looked in the mirror again.

‘I won’t suffer anymore.’

Finally, she felt like she had emerged from a dark and long tunnel.

Theresa called the two back with a heart filled with emotion.

After a while, the two women who had saved her appeared.

“Your Majesty, do you like it?”

Leia asked cautiously. Of course, Alicia next to her was also nervous.

“I have found my face.”

Leia and Alicia had faces full of joy at Theresa’s words.

“Thank you, both of you.”

“We are honored, Your Majesty.”

Leia and Alicia bowed to her. At that moment, Leia burst into tears.

She sobbed with her head bowed, and Alicia quietly came and hugged her.

“Don’t cry. Duke Courtois might come charging in with a gun.”

“I’m crying because I’m happy.”

Leia laughed while crying. Soon, Theresa said to Alicia.

“I want to keep you as my exclusive lady-in-waiting. What do you think?”

The exclusive lady-in-waiting was the only lady-in-waiting who could see, hear, and know everything about Theresa.

“It would be an honor, Your Majesty.”

Only then did Alicia’s tension ease, and her eyes welled up with tears.

“I don’t want to let go of Lady Bizac either, but I can’t, can I? Because there’s a black panther lurking outside with eyes wide open.”

“Your Majesty, I only came up with the idea. Alicia is the one who succeeded in the makeup.”

“Your makeup skills are extraordinary. But did you also make the cosmetics?”

Theresa was surprised that her face was so light even though she had makeup on.

She didn’t feel like she had applied anything at all.

“The cosmetics will be manufactured and sold by the Hamilton Trading Company. So, Your Majesty, you will have to pay to use them.”

Theresa smiled as she watched Leia say everything she wanted to say even while crying.

“Hamilton Trading Company……. To think I would hear that name from Grace. Anyway, the supply of cosmetics must never be cut off. I will give you as much money as you need, so bring plenty.”

“Your Majesty, how about changing your clothes and going outside?”

Leia wanted to show everyone Theresa’s changed appearance.

At that time, Alicia added.

“I will change your makeup and hair depending on the situation, whether you are wearing a uniform or a dress.”

Theresa wanted to apologize to Alicia because her words were so pleasing.

“I’m sorry for demeaning you as a courtesan.”

“No, this was possible because I had the experience of being a courtesan.”

* * *

Terun’s patience had run out a long time ago. Something terrible must have happened.

He urgently called the chamberlain.

“Take me to the Emperor at once.”

It had already been five hours.

“That is impossible. No one can approach Her Majesty once she has retired to her chambers.”

“Then are you saying we should just wait with our hands tied?”

He shook his head roughly.

If Theresa had done anything terrible to Grace, he would never forgive her.

“If she touches even a single strand of my woman’s hair, I will trample Galdenia.”

Terun threatened the chamberlain.