Revenge Costs Interest [EN]: Chapter 59

Revenge Comes with Interest, Episode 59: The Allure of Another’s Woman (59/200)

Episode 59: The Allure of Another’s Woman

September 28, 2023

Leah hurried down the stairs on the opposite side of the hallway, heading for the cloister.

‘Allen McDowell, you are a devil.’

He was a vile and greedy piece of trash. It was shameful to think she had once loved and even married such a man.

Leah couldn’t control the anger that consumed her. She felt like a dry branch shaking in the winter wind, unable to express her resentment in any other way.

‘I will drag you to the gates of hell.’

Leah recalled the resolution she had made when she was reborn as Grace.

‘Just you wait, I’ll crush you to pieces.’

She intended to let him desire her, unaware that she was his enemy, leading him down the quickest path to ruin.

She would take her revenge so subtly that he wouldn’t even notice he was getting wet in a drizzle until he was soaked to the bone. Besides, she was no longer alone.

‘I have Terrence.’

A person whose very existence gave her strength. A person who had already given her so much.

Even if she became a wreck while taking revenge on Allen, she had Terrence to return to. That was an immense comfort and support.

Leah’s eyes reddened, the unvented anger rushing to them. But she didn’t cry.

‘Leah Hamilton, endure and endure. Until that day comes.’

Allen would pay for the sins he had committed against her. Since debts are always repaid with interest, she planned to charge him dearly.

“Hoo!”

Leah felt the approaching winter. Soon, it would snow.

She looked up at the sky and exhaled the anger that filled her lungs, but her eyes still stung.

‘I won’t cry.’

Just as she was struggling to hold back her tears, she heard someone calling her.

“Young Lady, what are you doing here?”

It was Sonia and Adolf, holding riding breeches in their arms and looking concerned.

“It’s cold, and you’re not even wearing a shawl?”

“I came out for a bit because I felt stifled while working. Have you finished them?”

“Yes, it’s possible to do most of it with a sewing machine, but some parts absolutely require hand-sewing.”

The two still seemed uneasy. They hadn’t fully gotten over the idea that their work had been damaged by the sewing machine.

Leah took one of the garments and examined it carefully. Then, the resentment she had been holding back burst forth like a dam breaking.

“Sob…!”

Leah cried as she looked at the garment, and Sonia and Adolf, watching her, were bewildered. Could it be that she didn’t like the garment?

“Young Lady, why are you crying? Did we do something wrong?”

Adolf asked in an agitated tone.

“No.”

Leah shook her head vehemently. It was definitely not because of them that she was crying.

“Indeed, you two are masters. No matter how fast the sewing machine is, it can’t achieve this level of precision and neatness. You’re truly amazing.”

“Goodness!”

Sonia also teared up, surprised. She knew it couldn’t be helped, but she had felt her professional pride wounded.

But seeing Leah’s moved expression, her past hardships seemed to fly away in the cold wind.

“This incident was an accident, so it couldn’t be helped.”

“I know. I just lashed out because I was afraid of being treated as obsolete.”

Adolf revealed his honest feelings.

“Obsolete? You two will now only make clothes for the imperial family and nobles. Paul and Tom will make clothes that can be sold in large quantities. These riding outfits will soon be sold throughout the Rubek region.”

Sonia and Adolf nodded throughout Leah’s words. Their faces looked much more relaxed, as if they had shaken off the resentment that had been in their hearts.

“Soon, there will be a Crown Princess selection banquet in Galdenia. You two must make the dress for the lady participating in the selection.”

“Really?”

Adolf was very pleased.

Leah told them that the lace dress currently being made by Chaner was also for one of the selection candidates.

Then, Sonia and Adolf became competitive, vowing to ensure that the lady wearing the dress they made would be selected.

‘Libet has no chance of being selected anyway.’

Leah smiled and nodded, but inwardly, she resolved to do whatever it took to eliminate Libet.

“Sonia, after the riding competition, let’s go to Chaner’s workshop together.”

“Yes, I’d love to.”

The tears of anger caused by Allen opportunely eased Sonia and Adolf’s hearts.

* * *

On the day of the riding competition, Allen sat not far from Empress Theresa. It was his first time seeing the Empress so closely.

Despite being a woman, Theresa refused to be called Empress and even wore the uniform worn by male emperors. Her face was completely covered with a black veil.

Rumor had it that she rarely wore dresses. Perhaps that was why the perception of her as an Empress had faded over time.

‘I wonder what the Rubek Empress will look like.’

Since he had ruined the riding outfit three days ago, they must have given up this time. No matter how hard they tried, there wouldn’t be enough time to remake it.

‘Obviously, she’ll come out wearing a frilly riding dress.’

Like the other imperial family members who participated in the competition. Rubek would be no different.

Allen’s chest swelled with anticipation. According to his secretary, the employee of the Duke’s residence who tore the riding outfit had given a different account of the incident during the police investigation.

[He said he did it impulsively because he was resentful of the discriminatory treatment of the employees.]

[Really? Money is good after all. The results change depending on how much you spend.]

[Duke Courtois doesn’t seem to know who’s behind it either.]

[Good.]

If Grace had found out, it would have been awkward for both of them, but it went over very well.

At that moment, Grace and Terrence were seen a few seats away.

Allen’s eyes met Grace’s, and he slightly raised his hat in greeting. Grace soon returned the greeting with a smile.

Clearly, Grace didn’t seem to know that he was behind the riding outfit sabotage.

‘It’s pitiful to watch. If she had come into my arms sooner, she wouldn’t have to go through such hardships, tsk tsk.’

But he himself was surprised. He had never wanted a woman so desperately in his life.

Women were merely beings who satisfied his desires or filled his material needs.

But Grace was tempting, like a well-crafted jewel. Moreover, she was rare.

‘Originally, another man’s woman tastes best when you steal her. What can I do if I want her even more because that guy cherishes her?’

Allen banished his thoughts and stood up to straighten his attire. He had to make an impression on Empress Theresa this time. He approached Theresa and greeted her.

“Greetings to the great Empress of Galdenia.”

“Who?”

Theresa quickly scanned Allen. Soon, the chief of staff whispered something in her ear.

“Oh! The president of McDowell Trading Company?”

“That’s right.”

“Nice to meet you, President McDowell. Sit down. Let’s watch the competition together.”

“It’s an honor to my family, Your Majesty.”

Allen sat next to Theresa. Then, Theresa, after hearing something else from the chief of staff, spoke to him.

“I heard that the McDowell Young Lady is participating in the Crown Princess selection?”

“Yes, she is working hard to prepare, though she is lacking.”

“Rumor has it that she is the most beautiful in Brasel?”

“You flatter her.”

“I have high expectations, President McDowell.”

While they were exchanging pleasantries, a fanfare rang out, signaling the start of the competition.

Three riders from each imperial family entered in order on horseback, and the audience greeted them with cheers and applause.

Galdenia’s three riders, consisting of noble ladies and young ladies, appeared on brown horses.

“Your Majesty, I heard they are strong contenders for the win.”

“Well, we’ll have to see.”

They were wearing blue riding dresses and riding sideways. No, most of the riders’ attire was almost the same. Only the color of the dress was different.

It was then. The audience stirred at the appearance of the Rubek riders. More cheers, applause, and admiration poured out than ever before.

“Ha! Amazing.”

Theresa clicked her tongue, and Allen immediately turned his gaze.

His eyes widened.

* * *

Leah took care of Vivian and the maids until the end with Terrence.

“How is it, Your Majesty?”

Leah asked if the modified riding outfit was comfortable.

“The clothes are very comfortable, Young Lady Bizak.”

“I made the ribbon on the hat a little longer. It will look more lively when it flies in the wind.”

“How thoughtful. Really, I don’t know how reassuring it is to have our Young Lady Bizak.”

Vivian finally felt confident seeing the outfit shining in the riding arena.

The restrained outfit added practicality, and it didn’t look unsightly at all even when she straddled the horse. Rather, it was dignified and luxurious.

At first glance, it looked like a skirt, but it was surprising that it was pants. Underneath, soft deerskin boots added to the style.

“Your Majesty, don’t be nervous when you jump over the obstacles.”

This time, Terrence advised, as if he wanted everyone to hear.

“I know that much.”

“You won’t know.”

“What, what did you say, Duke?”

Vivian tried to get angry but barely suppressed it.

“Look, the horses haven’t trained in a place with so many people, have they? They will be as nervous as the riders. So, constantly reassure the horse. Especially when jumping over obstacles, if the rider is nervous, the horse will be surprised and make a mistake.”

Vivian couldn’t argue with Terrence’s words anymore. It was annoying that he was showing off and trying to teach her, but everything he said was right.

“I’ll keep that in mind, Duke.”

“Show them, especially the Galdenian Emperor, who the rising power is.”

Terrence stimulated Vivian’s competitive spirit. Empress Theresa had won every time in previous competitions.

“I believe in our Empress.”

Leah said, gently holding Vivian’s hand. Vivian soon looked at Leah and smiled.

“I will do my best, even if only for Young Lady Bizak’s efforts.”

Then, Vivian turned her gaze to Terrence, twitched one corner of her mouth, and muttered so that only he could hear.

“Hey! I haven’t given up on Young Lady Bizak yet. As a match for my younger brother.”

“Your Majesty! If you don’t win, I will mistreat and ridicule you until you die.”

While Terrence and Vivian were arguing in small voices, it was time to enter.