Revenge Costs Interest [EN]: Chapter 39

Revenge Has Interest. Episode 39 Falling for a Woman (39/200)

Falling for a Woman

2023.09.08.

Terran was about to teach those young masters a lesson for treating Grace like a cheap joke.

Just as he was about to throw a punch, hurried footsteps approached.

“What’s going on here?”

The Emperor of Lubeck had arrived.

“Your Majesty.”

Terran straightened and greeted him politely. The young masters followed suit.

“Duke, you were just enjoying a pleasant conversation with me. Why the sudden anger?”

The Emperor sensed the tension and quickly assessed the situation between Terran and the young masters. Luke stepped forward to explain.

“The young masters have been exceedingly rude to Duke Kurtua.”

At the Emperor’s words, the young masters lowered their heads, looking like guilty criminals.

“Duke, you shouldn’t resort to violence against immature youths. It only stirs up discord among the nobility.”

“I apologize, Your Majesty.”

Terran maintained a polite demeanor, though his anger hadn’t subsided. He regretted the Emperor’s timely intervention.

“Everyone, apologize to the Duke.”

At the Emperor’s command, the young masters rushed to apologize to Terran.

Most begged forgiveness for their rudeness, claiming it was a joke and promising to behave in the future. However, Terran’s anger lingered even after their apologies.

Restraining himself from throwing a punch in front of the Emperor, he managed to say, “If I see any of you outside, run.”

The young masters, believing they had apologized sufficiently, were embarrassed that the Duke’s anger remained.

“If even one of you catches my eye, you won’t be safe.”

His words frightened the young masters, and they stepped back. The Emperor patted Terran on the shoulder.

“Isn’t this the age when they constantly spout nonsense? The Duke will understand with a generous heart. I will personally discipline these boys.”

‘Discipline?’

Terran was satisfied, knowing the Emperor’s methods of punishment. His anger began to dissipate.

“You will all read 《The Prince》 [a political treatise by Niccolò Machiavelli] and 《The Wealth of Nations》 [a book on economics by Adam Smith] by tomorrow and then engage in a discussion.”

“Yes?”

The young masters were surprised and turned pale.

The Emperor was known for his enthusiasm for reading and discussion. Once he began studying, he reportedly remained in the Imperial Library for days.

“Why the long faces?”

“Ah… no. It’s an honor to study with Your Majesty.”

“When else would we have the opportunity to discuss matters with Your Majesty?”

“We eagerly await your teachings.”

The young masters smiled awkwardly.

“I will do my best.”

The Emperor winked at Terran and led the young masters toward the library. They resembled livestock being led to slaughter.

“Are you finally relieved?”

Luke asked with a smile.

“No.”

“Yes?”

Terran felt suffocated. It wasn’t because of the young masters, but because of Grace.

“I don’t understand women’s hearts.”

“Is it about the young lady?”

“Just when I think we’ve grown close, she suddenly distances herself.”

He still didn’t understand why she was angry, and her expression had been severe. Unlike him, who watched her as they parted upon arriving at the palace, Grace’s attitude was cold.

He couldn’t decipher Grace’s feelings for him.

‘She said she doesn’t hate me…….’

Grace was like a butterfly, landing on a flower to enjoy its nectar, but flying away as soon as he approached.

“Shall I share a secret method?”

Luke said boastfully. While not strikingly handsome, Luke was popular with women, perhaps due to his affable nature.

“How many women have you dated?”

“Well…”

Luke began counting on his fingers but soon gave up, indicating extensive dating experience.

“Anyway, I know a foolproof way to tell if someone likes you. It has never failed. 100% accuracy.”

“Really?”

Terran was intrigued.

“Would you like to try it, Duke?”

100% accuracy… There was no reason not to try. Terran nodded. If he could capture Grace’s elusive heart, he would do anything.

* * *

Leah felt as though she had fought a war. After the tea party’s success, noble ladies flocked to Chanelle, showering her with praise.

Marchioness Valier remained cold until the end. However, the Empress’s acknowledgment of Chanelle meant the crisis had passed.

Leah sat in the now-empty greenhouse, trying to calm her complicated emotions.

“Sister! Did I do well?”

Chanelle brought her face close to Leah’s and smiled brightly.

“You did great, Chanelle.”

“Hehe!”

“The Duke must be waiting. Let’s get you back, young lady,” Pauline said, her voice low, perhaps from the exhausting battle of wits with the noble ladies. It had been a terrifying war of flowers to witness.

“I have to go. I have much to do upon returning to the Duke’s residence.”

She needed to publish a correction article, photograph the purple lace cape she wore, and run an advertisement.

As the three were about to leave, the head maid approached.

“Lady Bizark, the Empress wishes to see you separately.”

“Me?”

“All three of you.”

“!?”

They followed her to the Empress’s Palace, passing through a long marble corridor and several exotic arched doors before arriving. Persian carpets covered the floors, and Rococo-style furniture and decorations added to the splendor. The Empress sat on a luxurious velvet sofa.

“Welcome, Lady Bizarks. And the frightened maid, too…”

The Empress scanned them and smiled at Pauline, who had turned pale.

“I am honored, Your Majesty,” Leah said, and the three sat in the opposite seats. Seeing the Empress up close, Leah perceived her differently than at the tea party.

While her face was gentle, Leah felt she couldn’t possibly know what the Empress was thinking. Yet, the Empress before her seemed simple and dignified, like an ordinary fence that one wouldn’t dare to cross.

“I personally support Grace. Her excellent ability to recognize talent and her forward-thinking ideas are commendable. Above all, I admire her enlightened thinking, free from prejudice and arrogance.”

The Empress had seen the newspaper advertisement and guessed that Grace was behind it, even though she hadn’t stepped into the spotlight.

“What is Grace’s dream?”

“Yes?”

Leah was speechless.

The Empress was praising her excessively, but she had no real dream, only revenge disguised as one.

“I want to pursue business, particularly related to women’s goods.”

Terran had told her never to discuss the business’s true nature. However, the Empress already knew, so obvious excuses wouldn’t work.

“That’s wonderful. This era is harsh for women. They need a guardian to access a bank and can’t inherit properly. I support Grace’s ideology.”

“My ideology?”

“The idea that if someone has the ability, they should be recognized regardless of their status and helped to shine.”

“You flatter me.”

The more the Empress praised her, the more uncomfortable Leah felt. Did she truly have such pure intentions? She was a vengeful spirit seeking to bring down Allen.

“Actually, I called you because I have a personal request.”

The Empress explained her situation. In three months, there would be an equestrian competition in Velis, and the Empress would participate with her maids. Other imperial families would also participate, making it a fierce competition.

“Is it a general equestrian competition?”

“Not exactly. It’s a competition to showcase horsemanship, but the problem lies in the riding clothes. As Grace knows, it’s considered improper for women to spread their legs while riding.”

“But to demonstrate horsemanship, a stable posture is essential, right?”

“Fortunately, it’s acceptable to spread your legs during the competition, which makes it possible. Therefore, each imperial family invests heavily in their riding attire.”

Hiding the legs with a full skirt would be cumbersome, while wearing men’s riding clothes would result in low artistic scores.

“Grace, I want you to design riding clothes for me. Practical riding clothes that maintain dignity.”

“Yes? Me?”

“It would be unfair to be unable to participate due to the riding clothes. I want to demonstrate that women can showcase their horsemanship as well as men.”

Leah was impressed by the Empress’s challenging spirit.

Even in her high position, she was admirable for not settling and pursuing change.

The Empress’s efforts to break free from the constraints imposed on women were inspiring.

Leah was impressed by her confidence in constantly striving and achieving.

“I will do it.”

Leah accepted without thinking. She didn’t want to be outdone by the Empress’s spirit. She also understood why Terran admired the Empress.

‘She’s a wonderful woman.’

She wished Terran’s first love was less impressive. It stirred her competitive spirit and made her jealous, fueling her desire to become an even more outstanding woman than the Empress.

“Empress, I have conditions.”

“What are they?”

“If you like the riding clothes we create, can we commercialize them?”

“Okay.”

“Also, we will provide the Empress and her maids’ riding clothes for free. However, if you win the competition, we would like to promote the fact that the Empress wore our riding clothes when selling them to consumers.”

The Empress was slightly taken aback by Leah’s bold remarks, but her answer came quickly.

“If it benefits the Lubeck economy, I will do it. That is the duty of the Empress.”

“Thank you. I will create them with all my heart.”

The Empress stood and offered Leah a handshake. Leah was captivated once more.

“Let’s shake hands on our successful partnership.”

Leah shook the Empress’s hand firmly, just like men.