Revenge Costs Interest [EN]: Chapter 60

Revenge Comes with Interest Episode 60. A Very Bright Young Lady (60/200)

Episode 60. A Very Bright Young Lady

2023.09.29.

Allen was shocked. The Empress and ladies-in-waiting of Lubeck were far more impressive than he had anticipated.

The audience gave a standing ovation at the sight of their riding attire. It was a refreshing surprise, and the outfits were undeniably elegant and luxurious.

If the attire had looked bizarre or out of place, jeers would have erupted. Instead, it was riding attire that maintained an appropriate level of femininity while ensuring practicality.

‘What on earth did they do? Was the riding attire really torn to shreds?’

Allen’s eyes darted around restlessly. He raised his hand and summoned his secretary, who rushed over looking pale and equally surprised.

“Find out what happened.”

“Understood.”

He had intended to enjoy the competition with Empress Theresa by his side, but his spirits, which had soared, plummeted in an instant.

Allen glanced at Terrence and Grace. They were sitting close together, their faces beaming as they watched the competition.

‘Where did I go wrong? Or did they fix it in just three days?’

Who, by what means, and how? Numerous questions raced through Allen’s mind.

‘Damn it!’

He was more angry than curious about why he seemed to always lose to Terrence.

Moreover, the equestrian skills of the Empress and ladies-in-waiting of Lubeck were as remarkable as their innovative riding attire.

‘No matter how skilled the imperial tailor is, it’s hard to remake something like that in three days.’

It wasn’t a task that could be easily divided among several people.

‘There will be another frenzy at Hamilton’s General Store.’

He had been disgusted seeing the people lined up to buy lace before, and he was about to witness that spectacle again.

‘Could it be Grace’s ability?’

Allen wondered if he had failed to recognize her hidden talents, perhaps overshadowed by her beauty.

At first glance, she didn’t seem particularly intelligent. Rather, she seemed like a pampered princess who only cared about her appearance and sought male attention.

‘Well, she wasn’t ordinary.’

Even when he invited her to his house, she wasn’t intimidated despite being surrounded by men. At the time, he had dismissed it as the natural confidence of a proud noble lady.

‘Am I barking up the wrong tree?’

Allen felt a growing sense of doubt. He had a strong feeling that he was either mistaken about his target or unaware of the full picture.

Meanwhile, Theresa was deeply impressed by the equestrian skills of the Empress of Lubeck. They were agile, graceful, and remarkably progressive.

“That’s how you should ride a horse.”

Riding sideways with a twisted waist was almost like a stunt. The sight of the Empress of Lubeck riding fearlessly, like a man, was truly impressive.

“Chief Chamberlain, contact the Lubeck imperial family. Find out who came up with such a clever idea.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

If it was the Empress’s own ability, it was something that couldn’t be ignored.

Some might say it was excessive to make a fuss over riding attire, but the change and progress of a nation often begin with small innovations.

Theresa felt a pang of jealousy. She had heard that Lubeck had not only achieved a great victory in a long war but also that the Emperor and Empress were young and unafraid to embrace innovation.

In addition, they also boasted outstanding military officers and nobles like Duke Terrence Courtois.

Just then, one of the Galdenian riders fell off his horse while attempting an obstacle. The audience lamented and murmured in disappointment.

“Oh no! Why hesitate there again?”

Despite repeated instructions, the rider’s chronic mistake persisted into the competition. At this rate, they wouldn’t even place in the top ranks.

In contrast, the Lubeck riders dashed like the wind, effortlessly leaping over the obstacles.

Theresa was annoyed by the enthusiastic applause and exclamations of the crowd.

“Tsk, tsk, it’s over.”

Just as Theresa was shaking her head, the Chief Chamberlain, who had been sent on an errand, returned.

He whispered in Theresa’s ear for a long time, conveying a considerable amount of information.

‘The handiwork of Duke Courtois’s fiancée?’

Theresa’s gaze instinctively searched for the couple. She recognized Terrence’s face from a previous encounter years ago.

But the small, delicate woman beside him was Grace Bizac?

To make matters worse, it was shocking to learn that the Baron’s daughter was the one effectively managing Hamilton’s General Store throughout Galdenia.

‘Beautiful and intelligent.’

She looked so fragile that she seemed incapable of even holding a book. She was very appealing to men but often disliked by women.

‘How pathetic, for the Empress of a nation to allow her judgment to be clouded by prejudice.’

Theresa reproached herself.

Meanwhile, the competition concluded with Lubeck’s overwhelming victory. It was evident how much they had practiced to prepare for a competition that lasted less than an hour.

The audience celebrated the victory with enthusiastic applause. The Lubeck supporters were especially excited, as if it were a grand festival.

* * *

After the award ceremonies concluded, the audience seats, once packed with people, were now empty.

Terrence and Grace were so moved by Lubeck’s victory that they lingered, reluctant to leave.

Of course, Sonya and Adolf were also overjoyed, as if they were finally being compensated for their past hardships.

“Lady Bizac.”

Vivian called Grace and embraced her tightly. Clearly, Grace deserved 50% of the credit for this victory.

“We won thanks to you, Lady.”

“Oh… no. It’s because of the Empress and the ladies’ exceptional skills. You flatter me. Please praise Sonya and Adolf instead of me.”

Grace generously gave all the credit to the two. Vivian approached Sonya and Adolf and extended her hand. They kissed the back of the Empress’s hand in turn as a sign of respect.

“Thank you, Duke. But I don’t want to hug you or receive a kiss of reverence on the back of my hand.”

Vivian said primly, looking pointedly at Terrence.

“I don’t want that either.”

Terrence grumbled in response, but he felt a surge of happiness. Frankly, he was immensely proud of what Grace had accomplished.

“If you’re so grateful, give my woman a reward, Your Majesty.”

“It’s embarrassing to call her ‘my woman.’ Of course, I have to give her a reward; she’s the top contributor.”

The Empress didn’t outwardly show it, but she was quite surprised by the change in Terrence.

She found it hard to believe that this was the same Terrence who had been a recluse in the Duke’s residence after the war.

‘So he can smile like that. That’s a relief.’

Vivian was genuinely happy as a friend to see Terrence constantly looking at Grace with such a loving expression.

She now sincerely hoped that he would face no more hardships and only experience sweet, joyful days like these.

“There will be a celebratory banquet tonight, so I’ll see you all then.”

Vivian was about to leave the arena, now deserted, when she spotted Theresa walking towards her from afar, accompanied by the Chief Chamberlain.

Grace and Terrence’s gazes turned to Vivian’s suddenly hardened face.

“Empress Theresa is coming.”

Terrence crossed his arms and chuckled. Theresa must be upset that Galdenia, which had consistently won in previous years, didn’t even make the rankings this time, and her pride must have been wounded.

As Theresa approached, everyone, including Vivian, paid their respects.

“Greetings to the Empress of Galdenia.”

“Congratulations, Empress Vivian.”

Theresa extended her hand to Vivian first, and the two women shook hands.

The two royals exchanged pleasantries, congratulating each other with practiced humility. Then, Theresa’s gaze shifted to Grace.

“Is this young lady the one who planned that wonderful riding attire, Empress?”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

‘Has the rumor already spread?’

Vivian couldn’t completely conceal her bitterness. She should have kept it a secret. It was only natural that Empress Theresa would be envious, especially since Grace wasn’t a talent from Galdenia.

At the Empress’s confirmation, Theresa approached Grace.

“A very bright young lady.”

“You flatter me; that riding attire is the work of Sonya and Adolf here.”

Grace gestured to the two again, giving them the credit. Of course, Theresa didn’t neglect to praise Sonya and Adolf as well.

“Empress, or rather, Vivian!”

Theresa addressed the Empress informally. Terrence explained the reason to Grace in a low voice: the two were distant relatives.

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“I can’t stand losing to others. How about we compete against each other? The attire seems fair, so there shouldn’t be any problems, right?”

Vivian’s eyes flickered slightly at Theresa’s sudden proposal, but she quickly regained her composure.

“As the winner, I will accept the challenge.”

Vivian retorted confidently, refusing to be intimidated.

* * *

Only Theresa, Vivian, Grace, and the Chief Chamberlain remained in the riding arena.

Terrence had a meeting with a foreign ambassador and had to leave temporarily.

[Grace, I’ll be back soon, so please cheer on the Empress.]

[Don’t worry and go.]

Theresa stood at the starting line on a black horse, while Empress Vivian rode a white horse. Then, Theresa’s Chief Chamberlain explained the rules of the race.

“You will start simultaneously and leave the riding arena. Then, you will proceed directly to the hazelnut forest, where a flag is planted.”

“Do we turn around the flag and return to the riding arena first?”

When Vivian asked, the Chief Chamberlain nodded in confirmation.

The Chief Chamberlain added that it would take at least an hour to return to the riding arena, given the considerable distance. Soon, he stepped forward to the starting line and shouted loudly.

“Start!”

With that command, the two spurred their horses and surged forward.

To exit the riding arena, they had to circle once and pass through the main gate, but both remained evenly matched.

Grace clenched her fists and cheered for Vivian.

Just as the two were about to pass through the main gate, Theresa’s black veil came loose and fluttered into the air.

Grace got up from her seat and quickly walked towards the main gate, intending to retrieve the veil and return it to Theresa when she came back.

She was just about to pick up the veil that had fallen on the ground near the main gate when…

“Let go!”

The Chief Chamberlain shouted, his face pale with alarm.

“Why? I have to give it to Her Majesty when she returns.”

“No one should touch it!”

‘What is he talking about? Why can’t I pick up this veil?’