Revenge Costs Interest [EN]: Chapter 29

Revenge Comes with Interest 29. Duel Request (29/200)

Duel Request

August 29, 2023

Leah couldn’t forget Terrence’s eyes, which seemed to desire her every moment.

He sometimes seemed like an infant craving love, and other times like a beast starved for lust.

“Pauline, there’s something I want to ask you.”

She asked Pauline, who was brushing her hair before bed.

“What is it, miss?”

“Well, what if a man is sexually incapable?”

“Who is?”

Pauline’s expression in the mirror was a sight to behold. Leah hadn’t expected such a strong reaction.

“Oh, it’s just something from a novel. I was reading… and I got a little curious.”

“Ah! You scared me.”

“If someone is incapable of sexual function, does it make sense, logically, that they would still kiss, hold hands, and be obsessed with a woman?”

“Well, that’s…”

Pauline’s eyes darted around as she pondered. She seemed to wish she had experience with such a man to give an accurate answer.

“But, I don’t think physical limitations would eliminate emotional desires.”

“Do you think so?”

“Ask Dr. Wilson when he comes.”

“I should.”

Indeed, emotional love was also important. A woman wouldn’t even want to hold hands or kiss a man she didn’t have feelings for.

But men, they say, can enjoy a night with a woman without necessarily loving her. Is it because their physical structure is different?

‘Terrence’s eyes.’

The way he looked at her when taking pictures was that of a perfectly normal man.

‘Wait a minute….’

Leah’s face suddenly stiffened.

Had she ever seen that kind of look from Allen during their long relationship?

He said he loved her like a greeting. But he never showed the kind of desperate desire Terrence displayed when he looked at her.

He always smiled and said nice things, like she was beautiful, kind, and the only one for him.

‘But it was different at the funeral.’

When she met Allen as Grace, not Leah, he had a look she had never seen before. He couldn’t hide his strong affection, and his eyes sparkled.

‘Why didn’t I realize it?’

If Leah Hamilton had been able to read men’s expressions, she wouldn’t have been manipulated by Allen. She suddenly felt resentful.

‘Leah, you were so naive.’

She was frustrated that she couldn’t accept Terrence’s love because of trash like Allen.

In fact, even if she couldn’t love him, she was willing to marry him, because it was hard for a woman to live without a husband in this world.

But she was afraid that she might genuinely fall in love with Terrence, that she would turn into someone else, lose her way again, and forget her goal.

‘Ugh! I don’t know what to do.’

She was confused about what was right and what to do, even within her own heart.

Among all the conflicting emotions, the biggest contradiction was that she didn’t dislike Terrence’s relentless advances.

‘Am I being hypocritical? I don’t want to fall in love, but I don’t want him to drift away either.’

She didn’t know how she had become such a selfish woman.

* * *

Leah spent several days carefully crafting advertisements.

She needed to take them to the newspaper company to see if they could be published as is, and she was quite satisfied with how they turned out.

“Chanel, don’t wander off on your own when we go outside.”

Pauline put Chanel’s coat on her, almost hypnotizing her with her careful attention.

“Yes, I’ll only hold onto your hand, sis.”

“Yes, if you let go of my hand, we’ll never see each other again.”

It was almost like a threat, but Leah understood Pauline’s concern. There was also Rapa’s advice… Chanel’s face turned pale.

“That’s enough. Let’s go, Pauline.”

“Yes, miss.”

The three were planning to go to the largest newspaper company in the Lubek Empire. But why were they so nervous, as if they were soldiers going to war?

“Chanel, it’s very dangerous outside. If you stay with us, I’ll buy you a delicious cake.”

“Really? Grace is the best!”

Leah comforted Chanel and carefully put the photos and flyers into a large envelope.

The three of them headed downtown in a carriage. She felt uneasy not telling Terrence that she was going out, but it was also true that things had become awkward between them after their argument.

‘I told James, though.’

Leah tried not to worry about Terrence, at least for today. Just going to the newspaper company was stressful enough.

Finally, the carriage stopped in front of the Lebon Newspaper Company. As the best newspaper company in Lubek, the building itself was impressive.

She had heard that this newspaper was published not only in Lubek but also in every country on the continent.

“Pauline, stay in the lobby with Chanel. I’ll go meet the advertising manager.”

“Are you sure you can go alone? It’ll look strange if a woman comes alone without a maid.”

At Pauline’s words, Leah finally looked around. There were quite a few women visiting the newspaper company.

But none of them came alone like her. Most of them came with men and maids.

“It’s okay.”

If Chanel stayed quiet, it would be fine, but if she went to an unfamiliar place and said something strange, the newspaper staff might become suspicious.

Leah steeled herself and headed into the newspaper company. But the inside of the newspaper company was much more complex and chaotic than she had imagined.

Above all, she couldn’t breathe properly because of the cigarette smoke the employees were emitting.

Leah asked around and was able to meet the advertising manager.

He had a gaunt body, neatly combed hair slicked back with pomade, and sharp eyes behind thick glasses.

“I came to place an advertisement.”

It was an opportunity she had gotten after waiting for almost an hour. Leah showed the manager the advertisement and photos she had created.

“Hamilton Trading Company?”

Fortunately, the manager examined the photos and advertisements very carefully.

“The advertising fee varies depending on the duration and size of the advertisement.”

“I know.”

“The advertising fee will be quite high if you include photos.”

“Yes.”

“Are you the owner of the Hamilton Trading Company?”

“What? No, I’m not.”

Only then did the manager adjust his glasses and scrutinize Grace.

“To fill out the advertising application, the head of the trading company must come in person, or you must come with your guardian.”

“I’m sorry, but I’ve consulted with the head of the trading company, and I’m an adult. Why do I have to come with a guardian?”

Leah couldn’t readily accept the manager’s words. Then the manager launched into a long explanation.

He said that not just anyone could place an advertisement in the newspaper, and that the advertisement had to be reliable and verified.

But to Leah’s ears, it sounded like prejudice, that only men were recognized.

In the end, it meant that advertisements requested by women could not be trusted.

“That’s the law of this country. Haven’t you been to a bank? A woman can’t even open an account alone.”

Leah was so dumbfounded by the absurd logic that she wasn’t even angry.

However, looking back, her father always took male employees with him when he met with the bank manager or clients when he was running the trading company.

Of course, there were quite a few female employees in the trading company. There were female employees who were skilled in accounting, but they always went out with male employees when they went out to work.

Still, Leah asked the manager to place the advertisement several times. But the answer she got was very firm.

‘Should I come with Grandpa Rapa?’

She thought about it for a moment, but there was no one in Lebon who didn’t know the name ‘Rapa’.

Moreover, there was no way the newspaper staff wouldn’t know that Rapa used to be involved in violence and smuggling.

Everyone knew except for her and Pauline. Even if they knew, they didn’t even suspect it because of Chanel.

‘It has to be someone who has influence just by their existence.’

Leah turned around and went back to the manager and said.

“I’m Grace Vizak, the fiancée of Duke Terrence Courtois. Is that still not okay?”

“Do you have proof?”

“Excuse me?”

“Come with your fiancé.”

‘I didn’t know the world well enough.’

That’s probably why Terrence said that with such confidence. He must have known that this situation would happen.

[Grace Vizak, have you forgotten? That I am your guardian.]

Leah left the newspaper company with only disappointment.

‘What a shitty world.’

* * *

She had made a pointless trip. Leah couldn’t shake off her anger even after returning to the Duke’s mansion. She was frustrated that women were not recognized as independent entities.

Galdenia had an empress who was a woman. Yet, society revolved entirely around men.

The Lubek Empire was the same. She wondered if she had to wait for the times to change, and she felt frustrated.

‘It’s not the Middle Ages, it’s the 19th century. But why?’

No, now was not the time to blame the world.

Her father used to say, almost as a nagging refrain, that times, social structure, and time itself were lame excuses that only proved incompetence.

‘Terrence is the only one who can help.’

But now, her pride wouldn’t allow her to lower herself and ask for help. She had spoken so loudly against it.

‘Is there a way to get Terrence’s help fairly without hurting my pride?’

Leah fell into deep contemplation. Originally, it was right for a desperate person to cling to someone.

But she didn’t know why she didn’t want to show Terrence a pathetic side of herself.

‘If I were a man, I would apply for a duel.’

The spirit of chivalry, to listen to the demands of the winner by having a fair sword fight.

Leah thought about what she was good at.

She didn’t know how to handle a sword or a gun, and she could sew a little, but it was impossible to ask Terrence to duel with that. Even the cows passing by would laugh.

Then suddenly, something flashed through her mind. With that, she might be able to win against Terrence.

Leah hurriedly left the room and headed to his office.

“Terrence, are you busy?”

Leah’s voice naturally became gentle. Terrence looked up from his documents and smiled, raising one corner of his mouth. It was as if he was expecting this.

“I think my guess is correct?”

“Well, unfortunately, you’re right.”

Leah tried to be as confident as possible. She hated groveling and acting pathetic, even if it meant she was sorry.

“Then ask me for a favor. Of course, you’ll have to impress me.”

‘Impress?’

Instantly, a sense of rebellion surged.

“Shall I crawl and kiss the top of your feet?”

“Lips would be better than feet. You can also beg while crying before that.”

‘Humph! No way.’

Leah blurted out without realizing it in a fit of anger.

“Terrence, I challenge you to a duel.”

“What are you challenging me to?”