Revenge Costs Interest [EN]: Chapter 199

Side Story 19: Moderation in All Things (199/200)

February 15, 2024

Wells became a landmark in Rebon, just as expected. As anticipated, Vivian played a significant role in its success.

Just three months after switching to the Wells diet, she had regained her former slender figure.

Of course, that wasn’t the only reason. Wells became the main meeting place for poets and artists on rainy days.

“On rainy days, customers line up before the department store even opens.”

Jim Baker seemed amazed by the sight, as he enthusiastically told Leah.

However, Leah understood why customers flocked in, especially on cloudy days.

The scattering raindrops and the gray city outside the large picture windows, people walking the streets with umbrellas… it was quite a charming scene.

“Madam, here’s the order for the Imperial Palace.”

Jim Baker packed the food to be sent to the Imperial Palace and brought it over.

Today was the day Leah would go to the Imperial Palace with Terrence, so she planned to deliver it to Vivian herself. Just then, Terrence arrived.

“I’m glad the Empress has regained her confidence.”

Instead of taking the food from Leah’s hands, Terrence handed her his newspaper. Leah immediately opened the newspaper and read the article about Vivian.

‘Empress Vivian, Reclaims Her Former Beauty?’

She was happy that Wells’ sales had increased thanks to her, but a part of her felt bitter.

It was like a testament that the Empress wasn’t even allowed the freedom to gain weight. The eyes of the world were constantly on the palace. That must be the fate of royalty and celebrities.

“I’m going to settle things for sure this time.”

In the car heading to the palace, Terrence said in a determined tone. Thanks to him, Leah was able to snap out of her thoughts.

“Settle what?”

“Isn’t the President of Romerica [a fictional country] and his wife, along with the Chamber of Commerce President, visiting soon? I need to decide who will present the welcoming bouquet.”

“Who are you settling that with?”

“Who else but the Emperor?”

“Ah…!”

Usually, mothers would be creating a fuss, showing off for things like this, but Terrence and the Emperor were the opposite.

The two proud men had been in a tense tug-of-war for a very long time.

Leah suddenly felt a headache coming on. She never knew Terrence would be such an enthusiastic father.

As soon as Leah arrived at the Imperial Palace, she quickly moved to the Empress’s palace.

Even in the midst of all that, Terrence’s solemn expression was so funny that she almost burst out laughing.

If someone didn’t know better, they would think there was a national crisis and he was coming to have an urgent discussion with the Emperor.

‘He’ll have a private meeting with His Majesty. That’s a relief.’

It would be really hard to watch them bickering. But the Head Chamberlain came running.

“Duke Courtois, Duchess, His Majesty has ordered you to the guest room.”

“All of us… together?”

“Yes, Duchess.”

‘Damn it!’

She almost cursed out loud.

She knew the President of Romerica was a great person, but was it really worth fighting over something as simple as handing over a bouquet for about 5 seconds? Just imagining it made her head throb.

* * *

As expected, the guest room was noisy.

First of all, all four children were gathered and chattering, making her ears ring.

“Karl, Bella! I told you to choose one of Shakespeare’s plays and write a book report. Have you finished it?”

Emperor Karl’s stern voice made the Prince and Princess hang their heads.

Seeing this, Terrence subtly shook his head.

‘The world has changed, but Shakespeare! Tsk, tsk.’

Terrence clicked his tongue quietly.

“Killian, Ilena!”

“Yes, Father.”

At Terrence’s call, the two children answered politely and approached him.

“What kind of person is the President of Romerica?”

“He is the 10th President of Romerica, a scientist by training, and has made a great achievement in freeing slaves.”

As Killian spoke gently, the Emperor’s face hardened.

“Then, Ilena, tell me this time. What is the purpose of the President and First Lady of Romerica visiting our Lubek Empire?”

“Romerica is highly developed in politics, industry, medicine, and society, but it is putting effort into education because its culture and art, especially its history, are short. Perhaps they are coming to explore that aspect?”

“Ha! Our Killian and Ilena study on their own like this without anyone teaching them.”

Terrence said loudly, as if for the Emperor to hear. Then Vivian whispered to Leah.

“Is that true?”

“Of course not. Do you know how much Terrence has been pushing them?”

“Karl has been pushing the kids every day lately, too.”

The two women couldn’t understand their husbands at all.

Why were they so eager to show off their children to the President and First Lady of Romerica?

Leah was genuinely curious about the two men’s true intentions.

“Why are they doing this?”

“It’s a pointless rivalry.”

“Just a simple rivalry?”

Well, Terrence wasn’t the type of man to flaunt his status or save face.

He also wasn’t a man who restricted his actions for the sake of honor. But he couldn’t stand losing.

The Emperor bought a Royal Royce [luxury car brand], and he stayed up all night because of it. It seemed like this pointless competition had to end.

“Um, I have a good idea.”

At Leah’s words, Terrence and Karl’s conversation stopped abruptly. The two men looked at Leah with sparkling eyes.

“How about pairing Prince Karl and Ilena, and Killian and Princess Bella?”

“Oh, that’s great! We can also show off the harmony between the Imperial Family and the nobility.”

Because Vivian supported her from the side, Terrence and Karl couldn’t object.

Terrence nodded as if he liked Leah’s idea, and Karl reluctantly agreed to Vivian’s glare.

Thus, a very simple event of giving a bouquet to the President of Romerica was concluded.

But it didn’t seem to be perfectly and neatly tied up.

At that moment, Vivian winked at Leah. It felt like a message to turn the men inside out this time.

“Duchess, I’ve had four children, and my skin has lost its elasticity. What should I do?”

“Me too, Your Majesty.”

“An aristocrat I know said her husband was disappointed in his wife’s changed appearance and had an affair.”

“Oh! That’s terrible.”

Terrence and Karl’s faces stiffened at Leah and Vivian’s conversation.

They looked serious, as if they had never bickered over the children’s affairs.

“Your Majesty, I heard from Sarah that there is a procedure to make sagging skin firm with snake venom.”

“Really? I’ve also heard of a very innovative beauty treatment. If you catch leeches living in the swamp and put them on your face, they suck out only the bad blood from your skin. It’s a bit gruesome, but after doing it once, you’ll look ten years younger.”

“Your Majesty, should we do it right away? You never know what will happen. If we get fat and old…”

As Leah and Vivian’s gazes turned to the men, Terrence and Karl smiled with pale faces.

The two men shook their heads violently, as if they thought the women’s conversation was pathetic.

“Unscientific.”

Karl opened his mouth, and Terrence answered, crossing his legs.

“Barbaric.”

“Oh, Terrence, youth and beauty require a harsh price.”

“I won’t allow it. You’re very beautiful now.”

“Vivian, don’t waste your time on useless things.”

“Ah, is it a useful thing for the Emperor of a country and the first nobleman to engage in a war of nerves just to play the role of flower boys, and is a woman’s desire to become pretty barbaric?”

Vivian hit the nail on the head, and the two men cleared their throats and closed their mouths.

“Your Majesty is right. Women’s desires for beauty are endless. So, you have to do everything in moderation.”

Leah also helped Vivian’s side.

“Your Majesty, don’t worry. His Majesty and the Duke are full of dignity and grace, so they will do a good job of receiving this guest.”

The words that drove the wedge created a solemn atmosphere.

In other words, it was a kind of warning not to be so presumptuous.

Terrence and Karl knew the two women’s hot temper, so they would have noticed that they had to stop here.

* * *

Terrence held Leah’s hand all the way back to the Duke’s residence.

“Is it true?”

He asked in a low voice.

“What?”

“I mean, I don’t care what Grace looks like. I have no intention of having an affair.”

Even in the midst of all the complexity, the words he had said seemed to linger in his mind. It wasn’t because he really thought Terrence would do that.

“Love may not change, but people can change.”

“Is that so for Grace? Are you saying that if I get fat and old, you might change?”

“No. Terrence is still wonderful. So wonderful it gives me goosebumps.”

At Leah’s words, Terrence just stared blankly at her.

‘What, is this man falling for me again?’

This makes my heart flutter… While I’m praising him, should I light a fire?

“When you walk towards me, what should I say, you’re like a demon king.”

‘Ugh…! Demon king, did I go too far?’

Leah continued, holding back. Still, she started it to lift Terrence’s spirits, so she wanted to make sure.

“With a strong aura that overwhelms people, I’m like a little bird captured by you… or something like that?”

‘I’m crazy. I’m spouting such childish words…! No, it’s the first and last time.’

Even if it doesn’t suit my taste, I have to bear it. After all, the fact that I love Terrence madly doesn’t change. There’s only one way to get through this embarrassing situation.

Terrence kissed Leah passionately. As expected, it was wiser to bury each other in each other’s breath like this, even if there were things you wanted to say.

Every time Terrence tried to pull away, Leah grabbed the back of his neck. Let’s stop the childish wordplay here.

Leah didn’t let him go until she arrived at the Duke’s residence.

Sometimes, a long kiss is more effective than a hundred words.