Revenge Costs Interest [EN]: Chapter 143

Revenge Comes with Interest Episode 143. I Will Make You the Happiest Man (143/200)

Episode 143. I Will Make You the Happiest Man

2023.12.21.

Leah pretended to swallow the medicine Sarah gave her, spitting it out each time when she thought Sarah wasn’t looking.

When she had first learned the truth, she had resented both Terrence and Sarah.

But knowing the reasons behind their actions, she decided to let go of her hurt.

“My lady, please try some of this.” Sarah offered her a glass of freshly squeezed fruit juice.

“You need to eat plenty of fresh fruit to avoid catching a cold.”

Even when Leah tried to hate Sarah, she found it impossible because Sarah took such good care of her.

Sarah administered the medicine every day, but whenever there was something delicious, she always ensured Leah had it first.

“Sarah, you should eat too.”

“I’ll eat in the kitchen. Please finish every last drop.”

“Okay.”

Leah felt guilty every time she tricked Sarah and spat out the medicine. To ease her conscience, Leah decided to share some news that would make Sarah happy.

“The Galdenncia Metropolitan Police Agency has started reinvestigating the case. It’s still confidential, though.”

“Really? When will I be able to testify then?” Sarah’s eyes lit up with hope.

Leah felt a pang of sympathy for Sarah and held her hand tightly.

“You could be punished as an accomplice…”

“Of course, I have to pay for my sins. That’s the only way I’ll have the courage to face Master later.”

Sarah wasn’t afraid of the punishment she would receive; she felt she deserved it.

“There’s such a thing as extenuating circumstances. Don’t worry too much.”

Leah had already consulted with a lawyer.

Sarah’s later repentance, her provision of evidence to expose Allen’s crimes, and her willingness to testify could potentially lead to a lighter sentence.

“I don’t intend to hand over the merchant guild’s secret ledger. There’s enough evidence without it.”

“I hope you won’t use that either.”

No one was supposed to know that Richard Hamilton had bribed government officials.

More accurately, he had been extorted.

It was a stark reminder that reality and ideals often clashed.

It seemed that having money without power created a societal ecosystem where fulfilling each other’s needs was the norm.

“I have more good news, Sarah.”

“What is it?”

“Terrence bought all of McDowell’s freighters. Soon, the Courtois Duchy’s [a region ruled by a Duke] crest will be displayed on them.”

“Really?” Sarah was overjoyed. The thought of it was thrilling.

She could already imagine Allen’s reaction when he discovered the freighters belonged to Terrence.

“Allen got a proper smack in the face.”

That wasn’t all. Terrence was also the one who orchestrated Vivian’s acquisition of the Bertan railroad project rights at a bargain price.

If Allen found out about that too, he would lose his mind.

“My lady, Allen won’t be chosen as the Princess Consort, will he?”

“Well, no one knows for sure. It seems that relationships are the most unpredictable thing in the world.”

“That’s true.”

After Sarah left with the tray, Leah went to the window. Alone, she was overwhelmed with worries.

‘I have to reassure Terrence.’

He shouldn’t be anxious, thinking that she was taking the medicine.

But it had been quite a while since she had been secretly avoiding it.

Now, it wouldn’t be surprising if she got pregnant at any time. Leah unfolded the map of Lubeck.

‘Where should I go to avoid being discovered?’

Too rural was out of the question because the hospitals there were inadequate.

She began researching which areas had well-equipped hospital facilities.

Leah read the newspaper every day, carefully examining articles about medicine or science.

She had recently seen an article about the Freuden Empire inventing cold medicine specifically for children.

So she investigated the medical advancements of the Freuden Empire and found that it was more developed than other empires on the continent.

‘There’s no place like the Imperial Palace in Lubeck, but…’

But she couldn’t simply run away to the Imperial Palace.

‘I can prepare step by step.’

There was still time, so there was no need to rush. No, in fact, she was planning to get pregnant and give birth after punishing Allen.

She had to safely give birth to the child and return.

The fact that he gave her strong contraceptives meant that Terrence was also giving up on having children in his life.

‘The Empress must have stopped him, saying it was dangerous if I got pregnant because the imperial doctors examined my body.’

If there was even a slight possibility, Terrence would not have given up.

She had asked him the same question before.

When she asked what he would do if they couldn’t have children, Terrence said he didn’t want to worry about misfortunes that had not yet arrived.

If Terrence had blocked pregnancy in advance without her permission, he must have already made up his mind.

Because of that, Leah was deliberately avoiding sleeping with Terrence.

She pretended to be busy under the pretext of making Theresa’s dress.

In addition, she strongly felt that this Princess Consort selection was a golden opportunity to destroy Allen.

It would be great if Louis could be selected and Allen could be brought down that day. Only then would her plans fall into place.

‘It has to be Freuden.’

Moving within Lubeck was as good as being in Terrence’s palm.

To make her plan successful in the future, she needed a competent helper.

‘Who should I ask?’

Leah fell into contemplation.

* * *

Terrence was increasingly annoyed these days. When he considered the reason, it became clear that he was sexually frustrated.

‘Is Grace avoiding me?’

Even though he believed that couldn’t be the case, he had noticeably less time with her.

When he finished his official duties and went to the bedroom, Leah was either already asleep or working late.

‘I can’t tell her to quit her job.’

As if sensing his dissatisfaction, Leah came to his office with a snack.

“Terrence.”

Terrence felt a mix of happiness and sadness when he saw Leah.

‘I’m right, I’m suffering from affection deficit and sexual frustration.’

“I’m sorry, I haven’t been taking care of you enough lately.”

“I wish that Princess Consort selection thing would end quickly.”

He grumbled and opened his arms to Leah.

Soon, Leah sat on his lap, and Terrence embraced her as if a butterfly was folding its wings.

A kiss began without either of them knowing who started it first.

Terrence panted, overwhelmed with the attention and desire he hadn’t been able to satisfy.

Leah felt sorry for Terrence but decided to put aside her guilt for the sake of the gift she would give him in the future.

Still, kissing him was always so sweet that she lost her reason.

As long as their breaths were intertwined, useless worries disappeared from her mind.

She was happiest when she moved purely by instinct without pretense.

“Do you have a lot of work today too?”

After a long kiss, Terrence asked, sounding like a child seeking reassurance.

“I just need to do the final check today. I have to have someone with the same body size as Empress Theresa wear it.”

“So, I have to go to bed before you again tonight…”

“I’m sorry. Instead, when we go to Bellucia [a region in the story], I’ll only be with Terrence every day.”

“We still have a week before we go to Bellucia?”

“You have to learn to be patient like an adult.”

Leah said, stroking Terrence’s cheek with the back of her hand.

When she was facing him like this, her firm will wavered like a reed, which was a problem.

Also, she realized how much she loved Terrence every time.

“Promise me, I won’t let anyone disturb us in Bellucia.”

Instead of speaking, Leah kissed him.

“I promise. I will make Terrence the happiest man in the world, definitely.”

“What’s so grand about that? I’m happy now.”

‘It’s not perfect. I’m going to make our family as good as anyone else’s.’

The two lips met again.

* * *

Allen could hardly believe his eyes.

“Why… why is the Courtois Duchy’s crest on the freighters?”

He had sold all the freighters a while ago. He stopped by the port for a final check and saw an unbelievable sight.

“I don’t know either. The person who bought the freighters was definitely not Duke Courtois…”

The secretary stuttered, as if he was also bewildered. Suddenly, Allen grabbed the secretary’s collar and shook him violently.

“If you don’t know, who does?”

“I’m sorry, sir.”

“Are you plotting with that Terrence to ruin me?”

“No, that’s not it, absolutely not!”

“Aaaagh!”

Allen threw the secretary’s collar away and screamed. Hamilton’s general store wasn’t enough; now the freighters were in Terrence’s hands. Allen screamed and thrashed like a madman.

“Please calm down. You were going to sell the freighters to someone anyway, weren’t you?”

“Shut up! Even if I sold them, it wouldn’t be to that bastard!”

He shouted at the top of his lungs. Then, he stopped as if he had been struck in the head.

‘Wait, who were the Bertan railroad construction project rights sold to? Could it be Terrence again?’

The suspicion froze his heart.

The coldness that started in his heart permeated his lungs and organs, and Allen trembled violently.

“Find out who the real owner of the Bertan railroad construction project rights is.”