Revenge Costs Interest [EN]: Chapter 144

Revenge Comes with Interest Episode 144. Louis’s Confession (144/200)

Louis’s Confession

2023.12.22.

Allen trembled, the documents from his secretary shaking in his hands.

The results of the investigation into who bought the Bertan Railroad business rights at a bargain price were in.

“Why the Empress of Lubeck?”

Teron must have been meddling somehow.

“They weren’t Lubeck citizens when we sold. It seems the lawyers used some loopholes.”

“Shut your mouth! It… it’s written here! Courtois’s lawyer?”

Allen swept everything off his desk, shouting.

He picked up a chair, smashed the window, and threw anything he could grab.

A fancy chandelier hanging from the ceiling shattered when it was hit by a statue he threw.

The secretary stood far back, watching the mahogany furniture being destroyed.

No matter how much she advised him, he never listened.

Who was the one who always did things his way?

But even she didn’t know they were Teron’s lawyers when the railroad business rights were sold.

And now it was clearly stated in the documents.

But the problem was that there was more to report to Allen. So she waited for his anger to subside.

“That bastard and I can’t coexist in this world.”

It seemed the cycle of bad blood would only end when one of them died.

Allen stopped his frenzy only after drinking a glass of whiskey.

“Sir, I understand you’re angry. But you still need to see this…”

The secretary handed Allen several bills.

Allen irritably flipped through the papers the secretary gave him.

“A thousand gold, a hundred million gold, five thousand gold? What is all this?”

“This is how much your family members spent on shopping, parties, and travel. You need to pay it by the end of the month.”

“Ha! I’m going crazy.”

The business was still losing money, but his dependents were spending it like water.

He didn’t know how long he could keep it up.

He had neglected other businesses to focus on the railroad, so there was almost no profit. He thought he should start some small businesses now.

The *nouveau riche* [newly rich] parents were spending money without end, and his immature younger sister was busy buying dresses and jewelry, trying to become the queen of society.

“If you’re chosen as the Emperor’s son-in-law this time, you’ll be granted land, and your position will be strengthened.”

The secretary soothed Allen.

If he became Emperor Theresa’s son-in-law, the McDowell Company could recover its original state just by doing the projects the country was implementing.

“There’s that left.”

He had almost forgotten. He had bought high-end information from Emily, so he was in a better position than the other candidates.

In fact, he didn’t believe Emily at first and was suspicious, but when he pieced things together, it wasn’t a baseless guess.

“It’s being held in Bellucia, right?”

“Yes, there are only a few days left. So now, focus on becoming the Emperor’s son-in-law.”

“I should…”

His ruined face bothered him.

If it were the old him, he wouldn’t have worried at all, but now he had lost his greatest weapon, so it was hard to be sure.

Still, if he became the Emperor’s son-in-law, he would have the imperial family’s backing, so making up for the losses so far would be a matter of time.

Allen downed the whiskey in one gulp. These days, it was hard to get through the day with a clear head.

“Go and bring another bottle.”

At Allen’s command, the secretary tried to stop him but gave up.

He had squandered so much money in the blink of an eye, so even she would have a hard time living with a clear head.

‘If the boss doesn’t become the Emperor’s son-in-law, it’s over here too.’

She had a strong feeling that McDowell Trading Company wouldn’t last long.

When a company faces trials, the manager should come to his senses and fix things, but Allen had no concept of fixing things.

In the end, it was a lack of management skills.

‘Should I look for another job?’

The secretary’s worries deepened.

* * *

Leia and her group arrived in Bellucia early.

Bellucia was a southern city in Galdenia, known for its resorts and tourism.

Teron rented the largest hotel in Bellucia entirely.

They could stay at Emperor Theresa’s villa, but then Emperor Theresa would try to spend time with Leia and Chenelle every day.

That was not what he wanted. He would block anyone from monopolizing Leia in advance.

“Duke, I’m going out.”

“Louis, are you going to meet Roberto?”

“Yes, I need to meet him and tell him my true feelings.”

“Where are you meeting?”

“Gondolas are famous in Bellucia. I should try riding one while I’m here.”

Louis said he needed a place to talk alone with Salame to explain to him why he had to participate in the selection.

He wanted to have a conversation in a more romantic atmosphere, not just a quiet place.

“Go ahead. Whether it’s a man or a woman, it’s good to have a place where you won’t be disturbed when you confess.”

“Thank you for understanding, Duke.”

As soon as Louis left, Teron went to find Leia, who was busy checking Theresa’s dresses.

“Everyone, pay attention.”

At Teron’s words, everyone, including Leia, looked at him.

“Stop what you’re doing and let’s go sightseeing.”

“Sightseeing?”

“Isn’t the point of life to have fun? We should ride a gondola while we’re in Bellucia.”

“Wow!”

The reaction was very enthusiastic.

Everyone was tired from making Theresa’s dresses, so Teron’s suggestion was very timely.

Chenelle linked arms with Luke, Sonia with Adolf, and Pauline with Tom.

“I’ll stay at the hotel.”

As Sarah, who didn’t have a partner, tried to slip away, James stepped forward.

“Miss Sarah, even those of us without partners have the right to sightsee.”

“Yes?”

Sarah was grateful for James’s consideration.

Teron reached out his hand to Leia, and she approached him as if she had been waiting for it.

“But there’s something we need to be careful about.”

Teron, arm in arm with Leia, said to everyone in a solemn tone.

“Let’s pretend we don’t know Louis if we see him.”

Louis was probably riding a gondola with Salame, trying to set the mood.

He would be quite embarrassed if he met the people from the Duke’s residence.

“Teron, are you serious?”

Leia said, narrowing her eyes.

Pretend we don’t know him? Did he think that was possible? Especially with Chenelle around.

“I’m definitely not trying to interfere.”

He said it wasn’t, but one corner of his mouth twitched mischievously.

‘He’s become such a prankster.’

Leia was filled with mixed emotions.

To think that the man who had hidden himself in the darkness like a wounded beast, preventing anyone from approaching, had changed so much.

But on the other hand, she felt sorry for him.

She knew how hard it would be for him if he knew what she was going to do. But she couldn’t delay it.

It was something they had to go through once to live together.

It was the last trial to create a perfect family, so if she couldn’t avoid it, she had no choice but to face it and overcome it.

“Okay, let’s enjoy ourselves today too.”

Teron and Leia led the way, and the others followed.

A pleasant experience in a foreign city always made people excited.

* * *

Louis was lost in thought as he looked at the buildings on the water.

But only for a moment. He had something serious to say to Salame in front of him.

“Salame, I had no choice but to participate in the selection.”

“Why are you making excuses to me?”

“That’s… I was worried you might feel bad.”

Louis continued in a serious tone.

He had spent time with Salame every day while staying in Galdenia.

They rode horses and hunted together, and went to gentlemen’s clubs.

They had more fun than ever, even betting on billiards there.

As he did, he realized that his feelings for Salame were more than just friendship between men.

“When I said I wouldn’t participate in the selection, the Duke advised me.”

“What advice did he give you?”

“He told me to participate in the selection first, but to look into my true feelings.”

“So did you find out your true feelings?”

“I already… knew.”

At Louis’s words, Salame seemed surprised and then laughed in vain. Salame didn’t dislike Louis either.

Rather, he was surprised that he matched him so well in every way.

But he had unspeakable circumstances. He didn’t know if Louis could embrace even that.

Rather, he might even hate it.

“I’m not interested in Salame’s younger sister.”

“Then…?”

“I’m just participating in the selection for formality’s sake.”

At Louis’s words, Salame didn’t say anything for a while.

Instead, he stared at Louis as if he was deep in thought.

Then Louis saw the bridge. The boat carrying him and Salame would soon pass under the bridge.

It was a secluded place with a blocked view, so this was the chance.

Finally, as the boat entered under the bridge, Louis stood up and approached Salame and kissed him.

Salame was stiff for a few seconds, as if he hadn’t expected it at all.

Louis was also so caught up in the kiss that he didn’t realize the gondola had passed under the bridge.

The two were still kissing, and then they heard a sound.

“Louis Ballerina is kissing a man!”

Louis and Salame were startled and pulled away at the sound that echoed between the houses on the water.

Louis quickly looked around.

There was definitely only one gondola, but when did so many appear?

Besides, all the people he knew were on the boats floating on the water.

Louis closed his eyes tightly when he saw Chenelle shouting loudly from the boat.

He hadn’t even told Salame the important thing yet, but then Salame said to Louis with a serious face.

“Louis, is it okay if I’m different than you expect?”

“Yes? What do you mean? Are you saying that Salame isn’t the real Salame?”

“No, what if I had no choice but to hide my true self due to unavoidable circumstances…”

“The past is all in the past. I like the current Salame. And I’ll understand. Even if I don’t know why you had to.”

At Louis’s words, Salame smiled contentedly.

“I like Louis too.”

At the moment of Salame’s confession, Chenelle shouted again.

“Louis! The Princess might get angry if she finds out!”

‘Please, just shut your mouth.’

He didn’t know, but now that he saw it, Teron and Leia, including Chenelle, were watching him and Salame with great interest.

He was supposed to enjoy romance and confess in a quiet place. Then Salame said in a firm tone.

“Louis, you must participate in the selection.”