Revenge Costs Interest [EN]: Chapter 149

Revenge Has Interest 149

149. The Tables Turn

2023.12.27.

Ten days had passed since returning to the Duke’s residence. During that time, a great deal of news had arrived.

Today, the Marquis and Marchioness Valier personally visited the Duke’s residence from early morning.

Terran, along with Leah, greeted the Marquis and Marchioness.

However, the atmosphere was quite different from when they had met at the hotel cafe ten days ago.

“We have come to apologize to you both.”

Marquis Valier broached the subject first. Come to think of it, the Marchioness’s stern expression did seem softer.

They began by recounting their meeting with Empress Theresa on their way out of Bellucia.

They had listened without much expectation, but it was more entertaining, satisfying, and even moving than any gossip.

Leah was impressed by Empress Theresa’s drive.

“I didn’t know the Princess was so deep. To go that far for her mother.”

The Marchioness teared up, seemingly touched.

“It’s amazing; I had no idea there was such a deep story. I just thought she had a strong personality.”

Leah was also so surprised that her mouth hung open.

To give up a woman’s life for a mother disfigured by smallpox.

Moreover, her heart ached at the statement that it was a choice to understand Theresa’s feelings.

“Then, you no longer doubt the rumors surrounding the Princess?”

Terran asked directly.

Since articles about Salame had filled the front pages of newspapers across the continent for several days, they needed to clarify things.

“The Princess said this. The reason she wanted to befriend a beautiful woman like Lady Grace was different.”

“I’m curious.”

Salame had approached me like any other gentleman. But it was different from the intentions men usually have towards women?

“She didn’t want to lose her femininity. She said that she felt vicariously satisfied by seeing the prettily adorned ladies, as if it were herself.”

There must have been a reason to perfectly deceive the people of the world. Leah’s heart ached.

‘So, that’s why Salame was called the Emperor’s sore spot.’

“It’s all thanks to Lady Vizak.”

The Marchioness suddenly praised Leah.

I didn’t know how to react to someone who had been so prickly with me changing their attitude.

“I heard that the Lady made cosmetics for Her Imperial Majesty, Empress Theresa.”

“Ah, that.”

“She said it wasn’t just because of the cosmetics.”

“Yes?”

“She said you awakened her from giving up too early. That’s why Her Majesty took courage.”

“Her Majesty is more courageous than anyone else.”

“The courage to love oneself without hating the damaged self.”

Leah was speechless at the Marchioness’s words.

She hadn’t helped Theresa for such grand reasons.

She had dealt with it calculatingly because she thought she would be disadvantaged in managing the general store in Galdenia.

It wasn’t such a pure intention, but she was at a loss as to how to react to such excessive praise.

Terran put his arm around Leah’s shoulders as she looked severely embarrassed.

It was as if he was encouraging her, ‘You deserve to be praised enough.’

“So, is Louis getting married to the Princess soon?”

Terran asked about the practical schedule.

“The wedding is scheduled for a few months. We could do it sooner, but Her Majesty said she had things to take care of first… So, we just had a simple engagement ceremony and came.”

‘Things to take care of first?’

Leah looked at Terran, wondering if he was thinking the same thing. But he responded with a soft smile.

‘She’s going to get rid of Allen.’

“Congratulations. When Louis and the Princess get married, the newspaper articles will be reduced to mere gossip.”

Terran congratulated the Marquis and Marchioness.

After all, incidents happen every day, and newspaper articles change daily.

Time will prove whose words are true. Furthermore, Theresa will change people’s prejudices about her daughter. Because she is more than capable.

After the Marquis and Marchioness left, Terran and Leah felt more at ease than ever.

“We should have our wedding soon, too, right?”

Terran must have been envious of the wedding news he heard from everywhere.

“Terran, I’m sorry to say this, but can we postpone our wedding until next year?”

“What? What’s the reason?”

As expected, he flared up. But Leah spoke calmly.

Other businesses had settled down to some extent, but only cosmetics were still produced by hand. So, she wanted to hire chemists to set up a research lab and factory.

That way, she could supply cosmetics to Theresa without any problems.

“Ha! Isn’t that too much?”

Terran nodded but couldn’t hide his disappointment. However, Leah was sure.

Terran would definitely respect her wishes.

“It’s not something to decide easily. I’ll think about it.”

“Yes, I’ll wait until you decide.”

‘I want to give you a baby in your arms next year.’

Establishing a cosmetics factory was true, but it wasn’t the decisive reason for postponing the wedding.

The biggest reason was the desire to prove it to Terran and others.

She thought that the most meaningful wedding gift she could give Terran was a child who resembled him.

“Thank you. I thought you would say no unconditionally… I love you, Terran.”

Leah pecked Terran on the lips. Then his large hand took Leah’s head as it was and kissed her deeply.

“I’ll look forward to tonight, Grace.”

After the kiss, Terran looked at Leah subtly and said.

“I’ll look forward to it too, Terran.”

Leah drew a circle on Terran’s chest with her finger. Then Terran’s face turned red.

“What are you going to do if you seduce me from the morning?”

“What seduction is this?”

“Your eyes, smile, actions, even your hair are all seduction.”

Terran held Leah’s hand tightly and headed for the main building. His pace quickened as if to relieve the rising desire.

“We did it last night, too.”

“Do you not eat today because you ate yesterday?”

“Oh? James is coming over there.”

At a very opportune moment, James walked over with newspapers and letters.

Leah knew she couldn’t miss that moment, so she quickly let go of Terran’s hand and walked ahead.

“See you in the evening. I’ll go to the workshop.”

“You’re so mean.”

Terran grumbled but chuckled.

* * *

Leah accelerated the work of creating a cosmetics research lab.

She and Sarah went to university every day to find suitable researchers. Thanks to their efforts, they were able to hire young and talented chemists.

“The workshop must be busy making wedding dresses for Princess Salamera and Louis, right?”

“Not only that. They also ordered dresses for Her Majesty and the maids.”

“That’s great. I didn’t know the company would grow this big.”

Looking back, there was nothing I started knowing.

Everything happened like fate. If I had given up hope because it was difficult, I would not have succeeded in any of the things I have achieved so far.

“What is the Lady’s last dream?”

“Business, you mean?”

“Yes.”

“Well, I have something in mind… but it’s still a secret. I’ll tell you when a specific plan comes out.”

“I understand.”

How nice would it be if these peaceful days continued?

Leah was happy to be able to walk the streets with Sarah and talk about the future as before.

Until I saw the paper fluttering in the sky.

“Extra! Extra!”

Newspaper boys handed out paper to passersby.

“McDowell Trading Company of Galdenia has gone bankrupt.”

Leah and Sarah stopped in their tracks at the boys’ shouts.

Soon, the two had a single-page extra in their hands.

“McDowell Trading Company went bankrupt due to poor management and was also found to be involved in various illegal activities?”

Leah slowly read the extra.

“Empress Theresa ordered a thorough investigation, and the manager of McDowell Trading Company is currently in hiding.”

Sarah’s hand holding the paper trembled.

I expected Empress Theresa wouldn’t stand still, but I didn’t know she would raise the sword of judgment so quickly.

“Lady, besides the master’s memorandum, there is more evidence to prove Allen’s guilt.”

Sarah’s voice was agitated.

“Buried in my grave, right?”

“Yes, I delivered letters between Allen and Tuajo. I kept a few letters that I couldn’t process.”

“Do we really need that evidence? We also verified that the poppy flowers were from Galdenia, and Arthur sent someone to Bertan. I’m trying to check the cargo manifest when the Hamilton freighter left Bertan. He said the poppy flowers weren’t on board from the beginning.”

“But…”

Leah calmed the excited Sarah.

Anyway, with Tuajo’s testimony, there would be no difficulty in proving Allen’s guilt.

Not only that, Arthur would have found the coachmen who drove Leah’s carriage on the wedding day.

“Lady, I have to pay for my sins too.”

“I know, but you know what? Let’s think a little calmly.”

It was inevitable that Sarah should be punished for conspiracy, but Allen had several counts of murder and attempted murder.

Recently, he even terrorized Louis, so his charges were too numerous to count on ten fingers.

Leah’s heart was pounding.

‘Did Allen run away from Galdenia? If I were Allen, where would I go first?’

He would try to find and eliminate the last piece of evidence. Since Sarah was in Lubeck, he might come here.

“Allen will go to find Leah.”

Sarah said, looking at Leah. The ‘Leah’ she was talking about was probably referring to the grave.

“Why do you think so?”

“Allen knows. I feel guilty about Leah and the master. Maybe Allen will expect the Lady’s grave as a place where there might be evidence. That’s the psychology of guilty people.”

Leah became impatient after hearing Sarah’s words.

“Sarah, let’s go back to the Duke’s residence first. I have to discuss it with Terran.”

“Yes.”

The two hurriedly got into the carriage.

Leah had no clue that Allen would find her grave, but her soul was strongly convinced.

The day she would meet Allen was near, and she felt with her whole body that the board of his scheme was slowly turning over.