Revenge Costs Interest [EN]: Chapter 139

Revenge Has Interest 139. Tears of Channer (139/200)

139. Tears of Channer

2023.12.17.

Terrun’s shout drew everyone’s attention. He laughed awkwardly, trying to brush it off as nothing.

“Follow me.”

He wanted to grab Louis by the collar, but with so many eyes watching, he seized his arm instead.

“Your Grace, let’s… talk here.”

Knowing what would happen if he was dragged away, Louis resisted with all his might. Terrun whispered in Louis’s ear.

“Do you want to get hit here?”

“No, sir.”

Pale with fear, Louis was awkwardly dragged away by Terrun.

Leia was anxious, hoping no one would witness this spectacle.

She looked around and made eye contact with the Marchioness Valier.

‘Damn it!’

Sure enough, the Marchioness Valier approached Leia with a stern expression.

Leia wasn’t originally close enough to be invited to Channer’s wedding, but Louis’s presence made it unavoidable.

“Young lady, aren’t you going too far?”

The Marchioness spoke, keeping her voice as low as possible.

“What do you mean by going too far?”

It was better to pretend not to know in situations like this. The shock would be too great if she knew the truth.

“I understand our Louis is working as the Duke’s secretary, but does that mean he can be treated like this? He’s someone else’s precious child…!”

“I think you’re mistaken, Madam. Terrun respects Louis; he doesn’t mistreat him.”

“Are you saying that even after I saw it with my own eyes? Shouting, getting angry, and dragging him away?”

“There’s a reason for that…”

Leia was in a difficult position.

Everyone was enjoying the reception, and she was having this argument with the Marchioness Valier.

She couldn’t tell her the truth, either.

“Louis will quit working as the Duke’s secretary today. I won’t let him work under someone who is so eccentric and abuses his power. There’s nothing to learn from him.”

“Pardon?”

Leia was stunned by the Marchioness’s words. Eccentric and abusing his power?

‘I can’t take it anymore. Forget consideration and everything else.’

Leia’s face changed with anger.

From the beginning, there had been discord with the Marchioness Valier, and it seemed their relationship wouldn’t end well.

“Madam, Louis says he won’t participate in the selection for the Galdenian consort [a spouse or companion, often of royal status]. Terrun thought there was no one as talented as Louis, but now Louis is changing his mind.”

“What? Louis said he wouldn’t participate in the consort selection? Why?”

The Marchioness seemed quite surprised.

She must have secretly hoped Louis would become the husband of the Galdenian princess.

If that happened, he could inherit his father’s title and become a member of the Galdenian imperial family, gaining wealth, honor, and power all at once.

To turn down such a golden opportunity, the Marchioness’s face turned pale.

“I can’t bring myself to tell you the reason.”

Leia didn’t want to reveal the reason.

The Marchioness should apologize for speaking ill of Terrun first.

“I think I misunderstood. I apologize for speaking carelessly about the Duke. So, please tell me the reason.”

Yes, as a parent, she should know what situation her precious child is in.

Leia decided not to be considerate. It’s not like she would be appreciated for it.

Leia approached the Marchioness and whispered the reason why Louis wouldn’t participate in the consort selection.

“Good heavens! That crazy bastard! I wish the Duke would beat him until he sees stars.”

The Marchioness trembled with anger.

Just then, Terrun and Louis returned. Leia quickly checked on Louis.

‘He wasn’t beaten to death.’

Louis looked not only unharmed but also very well.

“You, you little rascal!”

“Mother, what’s wrong?”

Instead, the Marchioness rushed over, grabbed her son by the collar, and dragged him away.

“He will participate in the consort selection. I’ve reasoned with him so he understands.”

Terrun sighed and told Leia the situation.

Leia didn’t bother to ask what he had said in detail.

Terrun and she were already exhausted just overseeing Channer’s wedding.

* * *

Luke and Channer’s wedding and reception ended successfully.

Channer was still dazed.

She felt good after meeting the Emperor and Empress and receiving congratulations from numerous employees, but she didn’t get to see Rapa properly.

Luke picked up Channer and took her to the bedroom. It was the room she and he would use together from now on.

“Channer, does it feel real that we’re married?”

“Yesh. You’re my husband now, and I’m your wife.”

“Um, but do you know what we do on our wedding night?”

Channer blinked. It seemed Channer had no knowledge of such things.

“It’s okay, you can learn one thing at a time.”

Luke decided not to rush. He had welcomed a bride different from others, so consideration and patience were natural.

“I know.”

“You know? What?”

“I know what we do on our wedding night. Pauline and Tom do it every night.”

“What are you talking about?”

He had a bad feeling. It felt like he was about to hear something shocking from Channer.

“Don’t do it.”

Luke cut her off in advance. Whatever he imagined, it would be more than that.

But Channer didn’t look good. She looked like she was about to cry.

“Channer, what’s wrong? Are you uncomfortable? I won’t do anything to you tonight. So, you don’t have to be scared.”

“That’s not it, I miss Grandpa.”

“Huh?”

“Grandpa didn’t come to me and was standing next to that tree…”

Only then did Luke realize he was missing something very important.

Rapa hadn’t been able to approach Channer and him easily throughout the wedding and reception.

He just stood far away, watching. As if he didn’t belong there.

He glanced at his watch. As planned, Rapa would spend the night at the Duke’s residence today.

He should have given Channer and Rapa time to talk intimately.

“Let’s go, Channer.”

Luke took Channer’s hand and went to find Rapa.

He had to find out which room Rapa was staying in. But Rapa was nowhere to be seen.

“Where is Grandpa Rapa?”

Luke asked a maid.

“He just left, saying he was going home.”

“What?”

Well, he wouldn’t spend the night at the Duke’s residence with that temper.

He was especially uncomfortable here and didn’t even come to see Channer.

Luke ran towards the main gate with Channer.

He hoped he hadn’t completely left the Duke’s residence. Then, he saw Rapa walking out of the main gate in the distance.

“Grandpa!”

At Channer’s urgent shout, Rapa stopped and turned around. He looked surprised and flustered.

Luke let go of Channer’s hand and said.

“I’ll wait here, go ahead.”

“Okay.”

Channer ran to where Rapa was.

“Grandpa! Don’t go!”

“You little rascal! What if the bride runs away on her wedding night?”

Rapa hurriedly approached Channer and scolded her.

What if someone criticized her for not being educated?

Channer held Rapa’s hand tightly.

Rapa looked at Channer affectionately and carefully opened his mouth.

“When you get married, you become an adult. You can’t act immaturely. And you’re a noble, you must never act like a gypsy.”

Channer just mumbled at Rapa’s words.

Then, she turned her lips down and grumbled.

“I know.”

“You know? That’s a relief.”

“Grandpa, thank you for raising me well.”

Channer bowed to Rapa. Soon, Rapa’s eyes welled up with tears.

“Baby, you must not live like this grandpa. You must only see good things, eat delicious things, and live happily among wonderful people. This grandpa will also try to become someone who is not ashamed of our granddaughter.”

Channer nodded at Rapa’s words.

“Grandpa, stay tonight, please?”

“Tsk! Grandpa’s place is somewhere else. Your place is there.”

He pointed to the Duke’s residence.

How could he explain to Channer the abundant happiness he felt now?

On the other hand, he was also worried that Channer’s future would be blocked by his existence.

So, it was better not to be seen by the nobles.

“Grandpa is leaving, go inside! Quickly! Is it okay for a new bride to be away for so long?”

Channer ran and hugged Rapa tightly. She barely held back the tears, remembering Pauline’s words that crying wasn’t adult-like.

“Don’t worry. I’m an adult because I’m married.”

“That’s right, don’t forget that our Channer is now a full-fledged adult. I’m leaving now.”

Rapa gently took Channer out of his arms and headed towards the gate with his hands behind his back.

Channer sadly watched Rapa’s disappearing back.

Rapa walked for a while, then turned around and waved at Channer.

“Go in, quickly.”

“Yesh!”

Channer wiped the tears pouring from her eyes with the back of her hand.

“Why am I crying? I’m not sad at all.”

Surely today was the happiest day of her life, but the sight of Rapa moving away from her was etched in her eyes, making her heart heavy.

Instead, Luke wrapped his arms around her trembling shoulders.

Soon, Channer cried out loud in Luke’s arms.

“You can meet your grandfather anytime. And now I will protect you. Your grandfather needs to rest too; he’ll be tired if he only worries about Channer.”

“Yesh, I’ll protect my husband.”

“Yes, let’s cherish and protect each other.”

Luke took out a handkerchief, wiped Channer’s tears, and kissed her.

It was a fateful choice for him, even though others, even his own family, didn’t approve of the marriage.

After a long kiss, Luke confessed to Channer.

“I love you, Channer.”

“Huh? I like you. Is love better?”

“No, it’s the same thing.”

“I see, then I love my husband too. This much.”

Only then did Channer’s tears stop.