Revenge Costs Interest [EN]: Chapter 132

Revenge Has Interest 132

132. A Woman Who Embraces the Misfortune of Others

December 10, 2023

For several days, Leah and Alicia experimented with various makeup styles on Theresa.

The makeup sessions, which initially took over an hour, gradually shortened, and now they could finish everything in less than thirty minutes at most.

Moreover, thanks to Alicia’s precise understanding of the makeup techniques that suited Theresa’s face, the result looked very natural without being artificial.

And today was the day Theresa would remove her veil and attend her first monthly meeting.

Alicia, having gained Theresa’s favor, was always by the Emperor’s side, no matter where she went.

“Good heavens!”

“Who… is that?”

“Lord Salame, don’t you know that sitting on the imperial throne is treasonous?”

“Since Her Majesty hasn’t bestowed any title, I guess he’s just running wild now.”

“Wait, it doesn’t seem like Lord Salame.”

“But it can’t be Her Majesty either, can it?”

The confusion among the ministers grew.

He looked like Salame, but there were many unsettling aspects.

It was impossible for Theresa to suddenly take off the veil she cherished like her life and have her face look perfectly fine.

“It is I, Theresa Roberto.”

At her words, the political affairs ministers wore the same bewildered expression.

They checked several times, their faces filled with disbelief.

“H…how could this happen?”

“What on earth happened to Her Majesty?”

It was understandable, as no one would have ever imagined that Theresa would suddenly discard her veil overnight.

“It’s natural for you to be surprised. But as I’ve said repeatedly, I am not Salame, but Empress Theresa Roberto.”

Theresa’s statement threw the political affairs ministers into further chaos.

Clearly, it was the tone of the emperor they knew.

“Did you take off your veil?”

“Yes.”

“Why so suddenly?”

“I covered the smallpox scars with makeup.”

“Pardon?”

The ministers responded simultaneously.

If it could be covered so easily with makeup, there was no need to wear a veil for all those years.

“I know how you feel. It’s hard to believe, isn’t it? I felt the same way at first.”

Theresa calmly explained the circumstances of how she came to remove her veil.

As she finished speaking, sniffling sounds were heard here and there.

Even though they were all men, they had been watching the Emperor every day, so they shed tears, feeling a mix of emotions.

When the tears subsided, the ministers congratulated Theresa with thunderous applause.

Meanwhile, Alicia’s heart swelled.

‘I don’t have to force fake smiles anymore.’

Seeing Theresa and the political affairs ministers rejoicing, she felt a strange emotion.

How should she express this feeling? A sense of accomplishment? No, it’s too simple. A sense of duty? For the first time in her life, she felt like she was a decent person.

“Your Majesty! Congratulations.”

“Thank you all.”

“Please don’t hide that beautiful face anymore.”

“I don’t know how long it’s been since we’ve seen Your Majesty smile.”

The political affairs ministers poured out words they had wanted to say but couldn’t freely express.

“Has the Princess seen Her Majesty as well?”

“Yes, she was very moved.”

“Then please allow the Princess to come out into the world without hiding her anymore.”

Presumably, the Princess, like the Emperor, had not shown her face to the world for years due to scars on her face.

“I have never hidden the Princess. She hid herself.”

“Pardon?”

Everyone’s reaction was dumbfounded.

“Now that the Princess has become such a mysterious figure, let’s proceed with the selection of a royal consort in a new way.”

“Please tell us, Your Majesty.”

Theresa shared her opinion with the political affairs ministers.

* * *

Leah and Terrence enjoyed a tea party with the Crown Prince and his wife. Leah was especially happy to meet Mrs. Armand.

“Young Lady, thank you.”

The Crown Prince thanked Leah, and Adele shed tears. Leah didn’t know what to do.

Her position became very difficult when Mrs. Armand chimed in.

“Young Lady Bizac is the most wonderful woman I have ever seen.”

“Marie! Don’t say such things…”

“Why not? You matched even a bookworm like me with someone I love, didn’t you?”

She didn’t know what expression to make as Adele joined in, making things even more awkward.

“Duke Courtois is a lucky man.”

The Crown Prince said with a smile to Terrence, who was quietly drinking tea. Then Terrence responded to the Crown Prince.

“Your Highness is the lucky one. It’s not easy to find a partner who understands you.”

“That’s right. Adele and I have a lot in common. We both like reading and stay up all night debating.”

Then the Crown Prince’s face suddenly darkened.

“I would have nothing more to wish for if my mother and Salame each found happiness.”

Leah and Terrence were puzzled.

They didn’t seem that unhappy.

Well, there’s a saying that they may look happy from afar but unhappy up close.

How could they know the hidden stories of the Galdenia Imperial Family? They must have their own complicated family affairs.

At that moment, the chamberlain approached with hurried steps. He handed a small piece of paper to the Crown Prince.

“It is Her Majesty’s order to attend the banquet this evening.”

The Crown Prince said to everyone with a smiling face.

Just in time, Louis came to find Terrence because he had urgent business.

“Duke, I have something to tell you.”

Terrence immediately realized what news Louis was about to deliver and stood up.

“I must ask both of Your Highnesses for a moment. I have urgent matters to report.”

“Go ahead, Duke.”

The Crown Prince smiled and gave permission, and Terrence looked at Leah, seeking her silent consent.

“Come back soon, Terrence.”

“I’ll be right back.”

Terrence headed towards the hallway with Louis. As expected, Louis was holding a letter.

It was a letter from Alicia’s younger sister, Mia, with news about Allen.

Terrence quickly checked the contents of the letter.

“Damn it! Why did he have to go to Landes tonight of all nights.”

He had already taken measures, but he had to go to Landes himself to see it with his own eyes.

Terrence handed the letter to Louis with a frustrated face.

He thought he would have to ask for understanding and get consent from several people.

‘I just wanted to enjoy the banquet tonight.’

No, maybe he would see an even more enjoyable sight.

After the tea party, Terrence spent some time with Leah.

“Are you saying you have to go to Landes?”

Leah’s face was full of disappointment.

How nice it would be to enjoy the banquet together on such a good day.

“I tried to postpone it, but it’s impossible. I’ve already told Her Majesty.”

“Then I’ll go with you.”

“It wouldn’t be polite to Her Majesty if Grace were to be absent as well.”

“That’s true, but.”

“Grace, you’ve succeeded, so shouldn’t you reap the practical benefits now?”

“I’ll take care of that myself.”

She was just disappointed that Terrence wasn’t by her side. Terrence smiled brightly and hugged Leah.

‘It’s about punishing your enemy, how can I pretend not to know?’

Grace, the woman he loves. She was also Leah Hamilton.

There were things he had to do for her in the future.

Leah had always stepped forward to solve the misfortunes of others as if they were her own.

She discovered that Chener, whom people ridiculed and despised as a fool, was an uncut gem, and made Marie, who was unfairly divorced, the Crown Princess’s maid.

That wasn’t all.

She embraced Sarah and Alicia, who had betrayed her and tried to take her life, with a generous heart.

Among them, the biggest beneficiaries were himself and Grace.

Leah gave hope to him, who had been ruined by the war. And Grace…

He didn’t know where her soul was, but he felt like he knew.

He knew that it was the strong soul of Leah Hamilton that was enduring her weak body.

Many people had become happy since Leah’s soul entered Grace’s body.

But had she achieved what she wanted?

Without even properly resolving her own grudges.

So he had to become Leah’s most reliable supporter. Terrence gently kissed Leah’s forehead.

* * *

The Galdenia Imperial banquet was amicable. From the beginning, not many people were invited.

“It’s so nice that the Duke isn’t here. I can monopolize Young Lady Bizac.”

The atmosphere was so good that even Salame’s trivial jokes felt pleasant.

“I only want to be monopolized by Terrence.”

Leah smiled and deflected Salame’s attention.

“Oh, that’s a shame.”

Theresa watched the scene with a satisfied smile. Then she suddenly remembered the promise she had made with her.

“Young Lady Bizac, shouldn’t I pay you back?”

“Well, it’s not time for you to pay yet. Could you pay me when I want you to?”

“Of course.”

Theresa readily agreed to Leah’s request.

Leah moistened her throat with a sip of champagne.

Because she had to make realistic calculations with Theresa.

“Your Majesty, I have something to say.”

“Tell me.”

“I would like to obtain exclusive rights to the clothes and cosmetics needed by the Galdenia Imperial Family. Also, please allow me to use that authority commercially.”

“Oh ho! Very thorough calculation, Young Lady?”

Theresa readily agreed.

Rather, she wanted to ask for it in reverse, as the goods from the Hamilton Trading Company were of good quality.

Of course, it started with riding clothes that applied culottes [split riding skirts for women].

“There’s more.”

“What is it?”

“I want Alicia to be the exclusive model for Hamilton Cosmetics. If that happens, her face may be exposed in newspapers distributed nationwide.”

Theresa did not readily answer this proposal.

It wasn’t a bad thing, but exposing the face of her maid was directly related to the safety and honor of her as the Emperor.

Above all, she was concerned about the absence of Alicia, who would do her makeup.

As if knowing Theresa’s concerns in advance, Alicia stepped in at the right time.

“Your Majesty, I will abandon my personal ambition. I have no intention of monopolizing my makeup skills to gain favor. That would make you feel uneasy. We plan to select and train maids with good skills. There must be no disruption to Your Majesty’s makeup even when I am not there.”

Leah was quite surprised by Alicia’s attitude.

Because, given her personality, or any maid, would want to monopolize the Emperor’s favor.

She didn’t know she would let go of her ambition.

But even with Alicia’s earnest plea, Theresa did not give a clear answer.

Judging from her expression, she didn’t seem to like it.

“I cannot allow that.”

“Pardon?”

Leah was disappointed that her guess was right on the mark.