Revenge Costs Interest [EN]: Chapter 72

Revenge Has Interest. Episode 72. (72/200)

Episode 72.

2023.10.11.

Allen was now fully enjoying his sense of victory. Every daily newspaper on the continent ran articles about Terrence’s crushing defeat by Allen.

“Sir, congratulations. McDowell Company has secured the railway rights in Bertan.”

“Increasing the price by 50% is a bit concerning, but we can make up for it in other ways.”

Bertan was rich in resources and had many valuable cultural assets, so there were plenty of things to bring to Galdenia.

Now, all that was left was to seize the silk and porcelain import rights that Terrence was trying to monopolize.

‘You need to realize that all you’re good at is fighting. You ignorant fool who only knows how to use your body!’

He criticized Terrence to his heart’s content.

He probably thought Allen had just been hanging around Leah since he was fifteen, doing nothing but playing.

Allen had acquired all the information of the Hamilton Trading Company and studied management methods in his own way.

‘Is this where all that effort finally pays off?’

Allen laughed out loud as he looked at the newspaper. Among them, the extra edition article was particularly pleasing.

He was very curious to know what kind of expression Terrence would be making right now.

“I should have a party today.”

Just as Allen’s mood reached its peak, the maid announced a visitor.

“Who is it?”

“It’s Miss Emily Lant, I believe?”

Allen pondered the name for a moment, then, realizing who it was, gestured to the maid to show her in.

It was the woman who had secretly given him a love letter at the Bellis banquet. As he remembered, she was quite a beauty.

A few moments later, a woman with a strong perfume scent appeared in Allen’s office.

“Hello? President McDowell.”

“Welcome, Miss Lant.”

Allen greeted her politely.

His memory was correct. He thought she was beautiful at the banquet, but seeing her up close, her figure was quite voluptuous.

“Since I didn’t receive a reply, I came to see you in person.”

“Ah! Is that so? I’ve been busy with business, so I kept you waiting.”

“It’s alright. You have to seize a handsome man before another woman takes him.”

“Hahaha, you have quite the outgoing personality.”

Allen liked Emily’s straightforwardness.

That kind of woman wouldn’t cling when breaking up, making her perfect as a mistress.

Just in time, with Sarah gone from his sight, having a partner to satisfy each other’s desires wouldn’t be bad. But there was one problem.

“Miss Lant, there’s a rumor that you’re marrying Count Armand?”

“That’s just a rumor. The Count actively courted me, but I refused.”

“Why?”

“I have high standards. Only someone like President McDowell would satisfy me.”

Emily only said things that Allen would like to hear.

In fact, Emily had intended to settle down by marrying Count Armand. That was before she learned about his true nature.

‘Goodness, I didn’t know there could be such a cheapskate. His ex-wife must have been amazing.’

A man who would only give a silver ring as a wedding ring.

And what about the food he served? He was all show and no substance. So, she quickly said goodbye and left the Count’s house.

‘If you see one thing, you know ten. That guy is a lost cause [a hopeless case].’

She didn’t want to associate with a miser who wouldn’t spend a penny on a woman.

“Don’t misunderstand. You’re the only one I’ve given a love letter to, President McDowell.”

“Is that so?”

The two enjoyed complimenting each other in a pleasant atmosphere.

* * *

As soon as Terrence returned to the Duke’s residence from the Imperial Palace, he began to prepare to leave, and Leah became anxious.

Moreover, Chenelle’s prophecies had been eerily accurate so far, making her whole body tremble.

“Terrence, where are you going? No, what’s going on?”

Even after returning from the palace, he didn’t give Leah a clear explanation. When Leah started to tear up, he finally spoke in a calm tone.

“Grace, do you remember? The time we encountered bandits in Basel? That’s my territory. But there’s a problem.”

“Has there been a rebellion?”

“The bandits have grown too powerful and are plundering the territory’s residents.”

“So, you’re going to suppress the bandits?”

“Yes.”

Leah remembered it clearly too. At the time, Terrence had fought them alone and was shot.

However, the problem was that they weren’t just petty thieves.

Moreover, they had been hiding in the forest for a long time, so they were skilled in forest geography and excelled at surprise attacks.

Terrence was putting on his combat uniform as he spoke.

“Don’t worry. It won’t take long. I’ll wipe them out in a week.”

“A week?”

If it was as he said, it was definitely not a long period.

The problem was the ominous feeling that shook her soul. For some reason, she felt like she wouldn’t see him for a long time if she let him go like this.

“My army is the best trained. They have a lot of war experience. So, they can easily wipe out bandits and return.”

Terrence tried to reassure her. As he did, he put a small frame with her picture in his arms.

A picture taken together and a frame containing each other’s images. Leah’s expression hardened even more when she saw that.

‘Why are you acting like someone who will never return?’

Leah couldn’t breathe properly. All she could do was pray for his safe return.

“I have to go, Grace.”

“Already? It’s raining heavily outside?”

“Weather doesn’t matter to a soldier. Time is the greatest strategy.”

Terrence left the room fully armed, and Luke was also ready in the hallway. As the two were about to leave the Duke’s residence, all the employees came out to see them off.

“James, don’t create anxiety. We’re just going to catch some small fry [insignificant people].”

“I apologize, Your Grace. It’s your first expedition since the war.”

James, who had been relaxed until now, also had a very excited face.

Just then, everyone’s attention turned to the sound of footsteps running down the stairs.

It was Chenelle, running with a lollipop in one hand.

“Uncle, Luke oppa [term of endearment for older brother]! If it gets dangerous, come over the north mountain! Got it?”

Neither of the two men paid attention to Chenelle’s words, her face smeared with lollipop juice. So, Leah repeated Chenelle’s words instead.

“Terrence, the north mountain. Don’t forget.”

“Why are you doing this too, Grace? What do you think of me?”

His nagging didn’t reach Leah’s ears.

“You must return to me. Then I’ll sign the last grape.”

“Ha! I have to finish early and come back, even for the sake of completing the grape bunch.”

Leah and Terrence shared a farewell kiss without either of them initiating it.

She tried to see him off bravely without crying, but it didn’t work out as well as she had hoped.

‘It’ll be alright. Terrence is the best soldier in Lubeck.’

There was no way he would be defeated by mere bandits.

Leah decided to firmly believe that Terrence would return to her in just a week.

* * *

Leah went to the lobby every evening and waited for Terrence to return. It had already been well over a week since she started doing this.

‘You said you’d be back in a week.’

The Duke’s residence without Terrence and Luke was no different from usual.

The employees faithfully did their jobs, Sonia was busy making dresses, and Chenelle and Pauline went to the workshop every day to work.

The person who stayed by Leah’s side, who was feeling anxious, was Mrs. Marie Armand.

“Marie, we can’t just wait like this, can we?”

“I know. It’s been almost two weeks since a week passed…….”

“I can’t do this. I have to meet His Majesty. I’ll try to ask him to send reinforcements to Basel.”

As Leah entered the main building to change her clothes, James blocked her way.

“Miss, please don’t go.”

“Why? It’s been almost two weeks and there’s no news. I have to ask His Majesty for reinforcements.”

“Reinforcements have already been sent.”

“What?”

That meant Terrence’s army was at a disadvantage.

Leah grabbed James and questioned him closely. It seemed that only she didn’t know, and James knew a lot.

“That’s the nature of bandits. They don’t hesitate to do all sorts of despicable things. They set traps in the forest to attack the horses, burned poisonous plants to weaken the soldiers with smoke, and then launched a surprise attack.”

“What about Terrence? What happened to him?”

“There’s no news yet.”

At James’s sorrowful voice, Leah’s body lost all strength, and her vision went white.

The sounds of Marie and James calling her echoed like a dream, and soon she fainted. But this situation was very familiar.

When she fell from the carriage and died, her soul wandered aimlessly in the dark void. Was she going to leave Grace’s body like this?

A woman’s voice was heard faintly in the distance to Leah, who was trembling with fear.

‘Leah Hamilton, please save Terrence.’

The voice, which was becoming clearer and clearer, sounded familiar. But no matter how much she looked around, there was only darkness, and no form could be seen.

‘Who are you?’

‘I’m Grace Vizak.’

‘Grace!’

Leah finally thought that the owner of the body had appeared. To think that she had to return her body at a time like this. But Grace pleaded with Leah in a sorrowful tone.

‘Terrence is in danger. Only you can save him.’

Leah was confused. It was unclear whether Grace’s words were her own worries or her actual request.

‘I’m sorry, but please go to Terrence.’

‘Grace, don’t you resent me? I’m occupying your body, aren’t I?’

She wanted to leave to find Terrence right away. But the body containing her soul was clearly Grace’s.

‘I’m grateful. Leah’s strong soul is helping my weak body endure.’

‘I like your fiancé. But you don’t hate me?’

Leah had always wondered.

If she could talk to Grace’s soul, she wanted to ask. Could she forgive someone who arbitrarily took someone else’s body and even lived their life instead?