Revenge Costs Interest [EN]: Chapter 177

Revenge Has Interest 177. Channer’s Crisis (177/200)

177. Channer’s Crisis

2024.01.24.

The Duke’s mansion was in an uproar. Oliver, in particular, was running around busily.

“Oliver, are you that happy?”

James looked at Oliver and smiled contentedly.

Oliver was attending Landes’ boarding school and was doing well in his studies. He was currently back at the Duke’s mansion for vacation.

“James, it’s a lunar eclipse after ten years. This one will be huge.”

“I’m worried about how much bigger you’re going to get.”

Oliver, who had grown rapidly over the past few years, was taller than most adult men.

“I have to show the lunar eclipse to Ilena and Killian too.”

“Do you think four-year-old babies will even know what a lunar eclipse is?”

“They will. They’re both very bright.”

Oliver headed to the garden, as it was time for Terrence and Leia to take the children for a walk.

The garden, which used to seem so large, could now be crossed to the fountain in just a few steps.

“Duke, Duchess, I’m here.”

“Oliver, perfect timing.”

As soon as Terrence finished speaking, Killian and Ilena ran towards Oliver in unison.

It was amazing that they remembered him even though they only met during vacations.

“Today, I’ll take care of the little ones. It’s the day of the lunar eclipse.”

“Thank you, Oliver.”

Leia smiled brightly as she replied. She was incredibly happy to have some quality time alone with her husband.

“Is the department store doing well?”

“Do you like the car?”

“It’s great. We’ve sold a lot too. I ended up in business because of Grace. Thanks to that, I’m making a lot of money, though.”

“You donate a lot too, don’t you?”

It had been well over four years since the department store was built.

In the meantime, many changes had taken place, and among them, ‘Fantasia Department Store,’ built behind Lebon Station, became a major milestone in the transition from the 19th to the 20th century.

The construction of the department store was a historic event, covered as a scoop by all the media on the continent.

“We have to acknowledge Empress Theresa’s competitive spirit. She’s determined to build a second Fantasia store in Galdenia.”

Terrence clicked his tongue.

When he announced his plans for the department store at the children’s first birthday party, a big fight almost broke out.

Of course, it wasn’t a nasty fight with insults flying. More like excessive tension and a battle of wits.

“Princess Salamera and Duke Louis are studying business administration, so they’ll do well.”

Leia patted Terrence on the shoulder.

He lamented that Vivian and Theresa’s power struggle at the party celebrating his children’s birth had been quite embarrassing.

Even after several years, the tension from that time had not been forgotten.

“Terrence, you weren’t any better. You and another man were competing to get a better car than our Emperor, changing cars as if your lives depended on it…”

“Grace, a car is a man’s pride. I’m the president of an automobile company, so I have to drive the most luxurious car, don’t I?”

It was the same conversation with the same answers every time. The two strolled through the garden arm in arm.

People’s lives had changed since the department store was built.

Pauline and Tom became heads of women’s and men’s clothing, respectively, and Sonia and Adolf only made custom clothes for VIPs [Very Important People].

Other items were still in the developing stages, with new employees being hired.

“Aren’t you going to sell Hamilton’s General Store?”

“No, I’ll keep it until the general store is no longer needed. And Grandpa Rapa puts so much love into the general store.”

“That’s true.”

Time changes people, environments, and even eras, but there are always things that remain constant in that flow.

Channer’s purity was the same as when they first met.

No, ‘Channer Lace’ had firmly established itself as a luxury brand, so it wasn’t right to say that nothing had changed.

“Were your ears itching? [An expression meaning someone is talking about you.] Luke is coming.”

Terrence’s gaze turned towards the main building.

As if he knew they were talking about Channer, Luke appeared just in time.

However, his expression as he got closer was not good.

“What’s wrong, Luke?”

Had Luke ever had such a serious expression before? Leia’s heart sank.

“Duke and Duchess, I think we need to take Channer to the hospital.”

“Why, what’s wrong with Channer?”

“She started having a fever since dawn, and it won’t go down even after taking fever reducers.”

“What does Dr. Wilson say?”

“Dr. Wilson said we might need to go to a bigger hospital.”

Leia didn’t even listen to all of Luke’s words.

She quickly walked towards the main building to see Channer, followed by Terrence and Luke.

‘Is there no perfect peace?’

Leia had a feeling that something ominous was about to happen. As soon as she entered the main building, she said to James,

“Call Grandpa Rapa. Tell him to come to the Duke’s mansion.”

Following electricity and telegraphs, telephones had recently become widespread. She realized once again how useful telephones were in such emergencies.

Leia had her own reasons for calling Rapa.

She had heard strange words from Rapa when she visited the general store a while ago.

[If Channer has any problems before the lunar eclipse, please contact me, Duchess.]

[What does Channer have to do with the lunar eclipse?]

[It’s a bit difficult to explain.]

Rapa was reluctant to speak, so she didn’t ask any further about the reason.

However, Channer’s condition, as confirmed by Leia’s eyes, was very serious. She had a high fever, rashes all over her body, and her lips were white and dry.

“Channer.”

Leia couldn’t believe that Channer, who was always bright and cheerful, was lying sick in bed.

“Luke, put Channer in the car. Let’s go to the Imperial Hospital.”

Terrence also recognized the seriousness of the situation and urged them as soon as he saw Channer.

As Luke held Channer and was about to leave the bedroom, James blocked their way.

“I received a call from Grandpa Rapa. He said never to move Channer to the hospital.”

“What? What do you mean?”

“The old man said he’s coming to the Duke’s mansion soon, so let’s wait a little longer.”

At James’s answer, everyone’s gaze turned to Luke.

It was up to him, Channer’s husband, to decide. Luke laid Channer back on the bed.

“Why?”

Terrence asked with a puzzled expression, and Luke roughly swept back his hair as he replied,

“Dr. Wilson has used all the medicine he can. There must be another reason why the fever isn’t going down.”

“That’s why we need to go to a big hospital.”

“Let’s wait a little longer until Grandpa Rapa arrives.”

* * *

Rapa didn’t come alone. He brought his brothers and stubbornly insisted on taking Channer out of the Duke’s mansion.

Of course, everyone, including Leia, found it difficult to understand. Luke, in particular, strongly opposed it.

“Channer will die if she stays here. So please, let her go.”

Rapa only repeated incomprehensible words, and Luke finally got angry.

Then, Rapa lowered his head and pondered before reluctantly opening his mouth.

“There are people among the gypsies who have spiritual powers. Such people sometimes die or live when a lunar eclipse comes. Channer was very sick when she was a child during a lunar eclipse. Since then, she has occasionally seen the future, and her intellectual development has stopped.”

“Are you telling me to believe such superstitions in this day and age?”

Luke strongly protested.

He thought that the old man Rapa would have his own way when he came, but he didn’t expect him to act so irrationally.

“Anyway, we have to take Channer and perform a ritual in our own way. So please understand.”

“Can she get better if we perform the ritual?”

“Didn’t I tell you earlier that she might die?”

“I’m going crazy…!”

Luke shouted, hitting his chest with his fist.

Terrence and Leia couldn’t say anything.

It wasn’t their place to dismiss Rapa’s words as superstition. But Luke’s concerns and doubts were also fully understood.

“Old man, don’t just take Channer, take Luke with you too.”

“Yes?”

“He’s her husband. Luke is the one who should be by Channer’s side no matter what the situation.”

“Will you do that?”

At Rapa’s question, Luke nodded.

Soon, Rapa made Luke promise not to be surprised or interfere even if he saw a bizarre sight.

Only then did Rapa take Channer and Luke together.

Leia was upset that the lunar eclipse that Oliver had been eagerly waiting for was a life-threatening crisis for Channer.

Tonight, everyone at the Duke’s mansion would gather in the garden to see the wondrous sight. But she and Terrence wouldn’t be able to watch it with peace of mind.

In the evening, Pauline came to the Duke’s mansion.

She and Tom had gotten a house in the city and were living there, but she rushed over as soon as she heard about Channer.

Leia told Pauline about what had happened during the day.

“I’ve heard that story too. Some gypsies with mysterious abilities die on the day of a lunar eclipse…”

“Channer will never die.”

Leia wrapped her arms around herself. No matter how much she imagined the worst-case scenario, it didn’t make sense that Channer wouldn’t be by her side.

It felt like she would come running through that door with a bright smile right now.

Just then, people outside exclaimed. It seemed the lunar eclipse had begun.

“Trust Grandpa Rapa.”

Pauline held Leia’s hands tightly. But even Pauline was overwhelmed with fear and burst into tears.

Meanwhile, Terrence headed towards the window. He hoped that the lunar eclipse, which the employees were watching with wonder, would end quickly.

It was a strange astronomical phenomenon for some, but a life-or-death crisis for Channer.

“Would he put his granddaughter in danger?”

“Right?”

Leia echoed Pauline’s words, trying to shake off the fear that had crept over her.

Channer was the reason she was able to live her life as Grace.

She was able to start her business because of her, and she received a lot of comfort and help.

But now that she was in crisis, there was nothing she could do to help.