Revenge Costs Interest [EN]: Chapter 192

Extracurricular 12. Rising in Flames

It had been eight years since Leah started managing the department store.

Though there were some initial trials and errors, it had now established itself as a solid business.

Of course, it wasn’t perfect; in a 100-meter race, it was like she had run about 60 meters.

In the meantime, May Queen Department Store, which had been a competitor, had changed owners twice. Their sales strategy, which focused too much on the upper class, was their downfall.

On the other hand, Fantasia gained the reputation of being the first department store in the Rubek Empire and in the world. Some gave it mixed reviews, calling it a ‘goose that lays golden eggs’ and ‘the source of business tactics that encourage women’s vanity and extravagance.’

Still, what was clear was that it had great economic and historical value.

Because of that, Leah and Terrence lived buried in piles of work every day and were busy talking about work whenever they met.

“It’s an honor, but it’s also a nuisance.”

Terrence frowned as he read a letter stamped with the imperial crest.

Originally, James didn’t usually deliver letters during breakfast unless it was an urgent matter.

But it was a letter from the imperial family, and the servant delivering it emphasized that it was important, so he couldn’t help it.

“Terrence, what’s wrong?”

“The President and First Lady of Romelica are visiting Rubek.”

“Really? But why is that a nuisance?”

“They want to see the department store, apparently.”

“Ah! Romelica doesn’t have a department store yet.”

It was surprising that a powerful country as big as the entire Old Continent didn’t have a department store. Except for history, culture, and art, Romelica was a country that was ahead in everything.

“Terrence, what should we do? We haven’t been able to touch the first floor of Fantasia’s East Wing because we’re using it as a warehouse. It’s not a place where people can show it off, so we’re mostly using it as a warehouse.”

Leah felt a great burden at the thought of the President and First Lady of Romelica coming to see Fantasia.

The first floor was the most important in any store, but the East Wing had been ambiguous since the building was completed.

However, Terrence remained silent, resting his chin on his hand.

“Terrence, are you listening to me?”

“Huh? What did you say?”

“Is there any other news in the letter?”

He stared intently at the letter with a serious expression. If fire had come out of his eyes, the letter would have already burned to ashes.

“I’m speechless.”

Terrence threw the letter off the table, looking annoyed.

It was the first time he had treated a letter from the Emperor like this, which made it even more surprising.

“Seriously, is he trying to pick a fight?”

He took a bite of bread and chewed it thoroughly. Soon, James, who was next to him, picked up the letter and handed it to Leah.

“The Prince and Princess will present flowers when the President and First Lady visit the department store? Why is that absurd? Instead, our children will give flowers to the Chairman of the Romelica Chamber of Commerce. That’s a big deal too.”

“Grace!”

Leah’s words seemed to add fuel to Terrence’s anger, and he shouted.

“Fantasia is our department store. Then Elena and Killian should be the ones to greet them. Why are the Prince and Princess welcoming the President and First Lady?”

“The Prince and Princess are the face of Rubek, so of course…”

“Elena and Killian are the daughters and sons of the first noble family of Rubek. Do you think that’s all? Their appearance is far superior to that of the Prince and Princess. The Emperor is retaliating because our Elena won the last equestrian competition, beating the Princess.”

‘What’s wrong with this man?’

She didn’t know where the generous and charismatic Terrence Courtois had gone.

He was an overzealous father, and his parental influence was so strong. He was always busy competing with the Emperor.

The children themselves were very close. In particular, the Prince liked Elena very much.

‘That’s right. He was jealous of that too.’

“Terrence, how long are you going to live so exhaustingly?”

“Exhausted? What are you talking about?”

“Speaking of which, you’re the parent who visits the school the most. You’re involved in everything from test scores to children’s talent shows.”

“I don’t want to lose. I will never allow my children to be overshadowed by the Prince and Princess.”

“Terrence, that’s not right…”

“What do you mean it’s not right?”

“I mean… never mind.”

Leah stopped talking. If she said more, it would turn into a marital fight.

It was natural for parents to cherish their own children and to think that they were better than other children.

Elena and Killian were already excellent in their own right, but he was always comparing them to the Prince and Princess. Did he really not know how pointless that was?

“Petty man.”

“What? Petty?”

Only after seeing Terrence’s hardened face did Leah cover her mouth with her hand. She shouldn’t have said that, but it had slipped out without her knowing.

“Terrence, I’m busy, so I’ll be going.”

Leah left the dining room without properly explaining.

* * *

Leah headed to the first floor of the East Wing with Pauline.

On the way, they were busy complaining about each other’s husbands rather than talking about work. Leah told Pauline what she couldn’t bring herself to say to Terrence.

“The Duke wouldn’t do that without a reason, would he?”

Pauline, who had been listening well to Leah’s story, said something strange.

“There must be a reason. But the problem is that Terrence is too obsessed with the children.”

“Really? How is he with you, Madam? Is he neglectful?”

“That’s not true either. He takes care of me in his own way, especially every night.”

“What is it? Are you showing off?”

Pauline grumbled. She had been matching her tone, but in the end, it was just a happy complaint. In her opinion, Leah’s condition seemed more serious.

It was like she was screaming and showing off because she was too happy. But it wasn’t that she didn’t like it.

Leah would know better why Terrence was doing that.

“I’m not showing off. But I understand Terrence’s feelings.”

To others, he seemed like a man who had everything, but he had never truly owned anything.

Now that he had a family, he must have been filled with the desire to protect it.

If possible, he would be dreaming of becoming the happiest family in the world. Leah felt the same way.

“Still, it was a bit much to call the Duke petty…”

“Was it too much?”

“Yes.”

“I should apologize properly when I get off work.”

“Please do. Madam, imagine what kind of person you want to be to the Duke for the rest of your life?”

At Pauline’s question, Leah paused to think. Then, as if she had found an answer, she sparkled her eyes and replied.

“Well, I want to be like a lover.”

“Wouldn’t the Duke feel the same way? I think he wants to look like a man to his woman.”

“Oh! Now that I hear it, that’s true. And I didn’t even know that and called him a petty man.”

Regret washed over her. But the words had already been spoken and could not be taken back.

“You should apologize to the Duke properly, our Madam.”

Only then did Leah realize that her words, which she had said were nothing, had hurt Terrence’s pride.

Even if you’ve lived a long time and are used to it, there are things you shouldn’t say.

Leah suddenly felt a throbbing headache.

She thought she should finish the department store work quickly and return home. That way, she could apologize or do whatever she needed to do.

Before she knew it, the two had arrived in front of the east warehouse, and Pauline hurriedly tried to open the lock with the key.

“Oh! Why doesn’t the door open?”

“Did you bring the wrong key?”

“I guess so. Wait a minute. I’ll go to the office quickly.”

“Okay.”

Leah turned around only after watching Pauline disappear at a quick pace. She unconsciously touched the lock.

Thud, the lock opened very easily.

Leah took the lock out and held it in her hand before entering the warehouse. Bang! The door closed on its own.

‘It’s open, so that’s good.’

Leah turned on the light and looked around the warehouse. When she opened the thick curtains, she could see the road right away. Moreover, there were quite a few people passing by on the sidewalk.

‘It’s a big loss to leave the first floor of the department store empty.’

She had to decide whether to build a separate warehouse or move it underground.

But the problem was that there was no store that would fit in such a secluded place on the first floor.

The stores that were doing well were already located in prime locations on the first floor.

Leah measured the size of the warehouse, counted the number of windows, and wondered what it would look like from the outside, so she headed towards the window.

‘It looks stuffy.’

She felt uneasy because it felt like a dead space.

Even if a department store is small, it shouldn’t be used carelessly, but to think that a place of about 30 *pyeong* [approximately 1,076 square feet, a Korean unit of area] could only be used as a warehouse.

‘What would my father have done?’

Suddenly, Richard came to mind. He would not have tried to see even a small loss.

For some reason, she felt that if she could solve this problem, she could proudly show off the department store to Richard in two years. No, for now, three months later was the first thing.

‘I have to make a good impression on the President and First Lady of Romelica.’

She couldn’t disappoint them when they came all the way across the ocean to Rubek.

‘Let’s satisfy the President and First Lady.’

She would look at their reactions first and then prepare.

Leah wanted to succeed perfectly and prove to her father that she was his daughter.

She was about to close the window that she had opened for a moment, determined to do so. Leah made eye contact with the boys staring at her.

“Now!”

When one boy shouted, the other children threw Molotov cocktails at Leah.

The window shattered, and Molotov cocktails flew into the warehouse.

Fortunately, Leah had already run towards the door. However, the flames quickly rose due to the several Molotov cocktails.

“Fire!”

Leah shouted while holding the doorknob. But for some reason, the door was locked tight and would not open at all.