Revenge Costs Interest [EN]: Chapter 80

Revenge Comes with Interest Chapter 80: Memories Rushing Like a Tsunami

Chapter 80: Memories Rushing Like a Tsunami

October 19, 2023

Allen read the daily newspaper published in Lubeck every day, hoping to see news of Terrence’s death. Unfortunately, no such article appeared.

‘Duke Courtois eliminates the Basel bandits? He’s become a hero again.’

His disappointment morphed into grinding teeth. This was the perfect opportunity for Terrence to disappear, yet he was proving incredibly resilient.

“Allen, your tea is getting cold.”

Emily had arrived unnoticed, bringing tea. Allen finally put down the newspaper and lifted the teacup to his lips.

“The tea smells wonderful.”

“It’s so nice to have tea together like this.”

“Is that so?”

Allen chuckled. In truth, Emily was a satisfactory companion.

She didn’t obsess and exhaust him like Sarah. Her words and actions were always gentle, making him feel pampered.

‘That’s why background is so important.’

Even as mistresses, there was a world of difference between a noblewoman and a maid.

“I received news from my friend in Lebon that there are rumors Duke Courtois and Lady Vizak have separated.”

Allen was so surprised that he immediately put down his teacup.

“Is that true?”

“I don’t know; I haven’t confirmed it myself. But it’s certain they are living apart.”

“Do you know where Lady Vizak went?”

As he asked, a glint in his eyes, Emily felt a pang of doubt. She wondered if this man also harbored feelings for Grace.

“Allen, do you have feelings for Lady Vizak?”

Emily asked calmly. Since Grace was beautiful, it wasn’t surprising that men would be interested in her.

“I only asked because I commissioned a dress for my sister from her. I was worried there might be a problem.”

“Ah! I see.”

Emily finally smiled with satisfaction.

Even if Allen had feelings for Grace, he could never take her away from Terrence. Perhaps the rumors of their separation were just gossip.

‘He was a man who only looked at his woman during the banquet.’

At the Bellis banquet, Terrence’s gaze never left Grace. There must be a reason why they were temporarily apart.

The media always loved to write sensational articles. Just then, the office door burst open, and both of them turned their attention to the door.

“Sarah?”

She had been out of touch for so long that he thought she had disappeared completely, but here she was, suddenly appearing.

“Who is that woman?”

Sarah pointed at Emily and asked sharply. But Emily asked Allen the same question.

“She was a maid, but she went on an errand and has only just returned.”

“Ah! A maid. But her employee training is terrible. Coming into the office without knocking…”

Sarah was dumbfounded by their conversation.

It was her fault for expecting loyalty from Allen. Still, this was a clear violation of their agreement.

“Emily, could you excuse us for a moment? I need to train the maid.”

“Yes.”

Emily bumped Sarah’s shoulder as she walked out, as if to show off. Finally alone, Allen got straight to the point.

“Did you find it?”

“No. It’s impossible without the key. I even searched the old villa, but it wasn’t there.”

“Is that so? Then, there’s nothing more between you and me, Sarah.”

She had still hoped. Even if she returned empty-handed, she thought he would say, ‘You’re on my side; we have to go to the end together.’

But was she asking for too much? Or was she mistaken in thinking that Allen had any human compassion left?

Whatever it was, it was just her delusion.

But now that she had confirmation, there was no need to linger.

‘It’s okay. If you had just said that one thing, I would have given you everything I had.’

She had vaguely known it, but his true colors were truly hideous.

Sarah knew that Allen was a scumbag and a jerk, but her feelings for him were more important, so she couldn’t let go.

Sarah clenched the key necklace in her hand.

‘You don’t know that I found another key necklace.’

* * *

Terrence had fully recovered and no longer needed detoxification injections. However, it was too early to return to his official duties, so he focused on regaining his strength. But he couldn’t shake the feeling of emptiness in his heart.

“James, do you think I’ll remember my memories with Grace?”

Terrence, feeling much better, mentioned Grace and seemed eager to recover his lost memories. In any case, it was a welcome sign for James.

“Yes, if you try, you will soon remember the young lady.”

James encouraged Terrence. But Terrence shook his head with a complicated expression.

“I’ll get better eventually. My head hurts.”

He felt frustrated, but the more he tried to remember, the more sensitive he became, and a headache washed over him.

“Luke hasn’t been around lately. What’s the reason?”

“He has gone down to his estate. He didn’t ask for permission because you were ill, Your Grace.”

“Was it urgent?”

“Yes, he received a telegram from his parents asking for him.”

“Is that so?”

What is this? This feeling of being left out.

Still, at first, his mind was completely jumbled, but little by little, he seemed to be regaining his old memories, and things were getting sorted out.

‘Why does it feel like I’m almost there?’

It felt like a very important memory was about to surface, but when he concentrated, it scattered like smoke.

“Your Grace, why don’t you go to the hot springs for the first time in a while and soak your body?”

At James’s suggestion, Terrence headed to the hot springs. Soaking in the large tub relaxed his body and relieved his fatigue. Soon, he went deep into the water.

[Terrence, I challenge you to a duel.]

[What are you challenging me to?]

He didn’t know if it was the sound from the water or a hallucination, but he heard a woman’s voice and his own voice responding.

[A duel? Guns or swords?]

[It’s nothing like that.]

[I’m good at everything. Besides, I’m superior to others in every way.]

[Yes, you’re great, Your Grace.]

The bold but bright voice wasn’t unpleasant. Besides, it was too familiar.

‘It’s the same voice as the woman who brought the horse.’

Did he know a woman? The only women he remembered were his childhood friend Vivian and Aiden’s snot-nosed younger sister.

‘Did I have another woman?’

Terrence swam freely in the water. Then, he stopped abruptly at the sound that came to his ears again.

[Tell me what you want to duel me with.]

[Swimming.]

He remembered standing side by side with a woman in the bathhouse and jumping into the water. The problem was what came after.

The fragments of broken memories were so frustrating and wouldn’t stick together, and his chest gradually tightened.

He came out of the water and sat on the railing, closing his eyes and feeling the warm water touching his feet.

Another scene appeared before his closed eyes.

The room, covered in pitch-black darkness, was lit only by candles on the wall. Even the small window with a little light had black iron bars.

‘It’s a prison.’

When he opened the door and entered, a woman looked at him in fear. Her resentful eyes were filled with clear tears.

‘Is it that woman again?’

[I didn’t…run away. I came back like this.]

[How dare you think of leaving me alone?]

He was unfamiliar with himself for blaming the woman who had left his side. Who was she that he was so angry?

Terrence’s head became complicated again. He jumped back into the water.

His head was about to break with random thoughts. To get rid of the remnants of these fragmented memories, he had no choice but to move his body frantically.

Soon, he saw a small, white woman’s hand. He handed the woman a piece of paper with grapes drawn on it and even gave her a pen.

[You have to sign.]

As the woman’s hand hesitated as if she was about to sign, he openly became impatient. He didn’t know what childish games these grown adults were playing.

Terrence swam fiercely towards the end of the bath. He wanted to wash away the childish memories that confused him with the waves.

He came out of the water and headed to the bedroom. It was still early spring, so the wind was cold, but he didn’t feel the cold at all. He tied the belt of his bathrobe tightly and walked down the long corridor in front of him.

“Cough, cough.”

White smoke filled his vision, and he coughed violently.

In an instant, the surrounding scenery changed. It wasn’t his house but a cabin in the forest with deep darkness and murderous intent.

“Gasp, gasp.”

Terrence breathed roughly. All he could see were the bodies of soldiers and thieves who had fallen from the smoke. Then, like a ray of light, her voice pierced his ears.

[Terrence, wake up! Don’t you remember me?]

The woman shouted in a desperate voice. He saw himself stabbing the woman in the neck with a knife.

He just stared indifferently as drops of red blood dripped from the woman’s white neck.

[I’m your fiancée, and we’re supposed to get married in May.]

[Who sent you? Who told you to kill me?]

[You like me a lot. I like you too.]

[Aha! You brought them again!]

The two people having different conversations looked miserable.

‘Why did I do that?’

At that moment, her words came to mind clearly.

[Terrence, you promised to defeat the thieves and come back to me. You said you’d only be gone for a week…]

Her sad face and desperate cry. Terrence grabbed his head with both hands.

Suddenly, his head ached as if an earthquake had occurred. Shaking and breaking, the direction of the space changed up and down.

The broken pieces of memory were blown by the wind and matched one by one. All he needed was one decisive piece.

‘What was it?’

Just as Terrence was muttering, the woman jumped into his arms and kissed him. But he pointed his sword at her abdomen.

‘Blood!’

Dark red blood dripped from the woman’s hand holding his side.

[I…love you. Enough to die for.]

The moment she collapsed, he remembered exactly what she had said to him, and Terrence’s memories, hidden by the smoke, returned at once.

“Grace.”

Now that the scattered puzzle was perfectly assembled, he realized why his heart had been empty.

“What have I done to Grace?”

The memories that had slowly disappeared rushed in like a tsunami, beating him wildly.

“Ugh…!”

Terrence screamed, unable to bear the pain. James, hearing his scream, rushed in and supported the staggering Terrence.

“Your Grace, are you alright?”

“James, where is Grace?”

“Yes? Isn’t she in the Imperial Palace?”

“That’s right, Grace is in the Imperial Palace, with Chenier.”

James saw the light finally returning to Terrence’s eyes.