LDPL | Chapter 79

Episode 79

Click. Chloe elegantly set her teacup down.

“That’s an interesting story.”

Chloe had a favorable impression of Natasha. She was competent and had played a crucial role in assisting with her divorce.

However, that was separate from handling official matters. Personal feelings had no place in business.

“I know. From the perspective of House Richard, the easiest solution would be to find the informant and get rid of them quietly.”

Natasha traced a sharp motion across her neck with her hand. Despite the grim body language, Chloe did not refute her.

“But that lawyer… He’s the illegitimate son of Count Mathieu. If you touch him, things will get complicated.”

Ironically, noble blood protected Norman even when he didn’t want it to.

He despised noble interference, yet he himself was of noble descent. It was quite the paradox.

“Count Mathieu’s family… I recall hearing about a lawyer who turned his back on them and left.”

“They might pretend otherwise, but House Mathieu must be supporting him from behind the scenes.”

“Natasha. It seems you’re forgetting something…”

Chloe’s eyes turned momentarily cold.

“This is Richard.”

Of course, Natasha was well aware of the weight that name carried.

“Do you think there’s anything in the East that Richard cannot do as they please?”

“How could I possibly doubt Richard’s authority?”

Natasha responded calmly.

“A loss for the Mage Tower in this lawsuit would be beneficial for the peace of the East as well.”

“The peace of the East, you say…”

“First and foremost, the Mage Tower will have to pay a massive amount in damages. The compensation will primarily go to the affected territories, but if House Richard also holds them accountable, they won’t be able to ignore it.”

“And?”

Chloe’s tone suggested that mere money would not be enough to move Richard.

This, despite the fact that just a few years ago, their financial situation had been bad enough that they had arranged an engagement with Count Blanche’s family.

‘They must have filled their coffers quite well in the meantime.’

Well, when Estelle was still the duchess, all those mines had likely been jointly owned by her and Richard.

“The East is a prosperous granary. You’re well aware that most of its residents are engaged in agriculture. What is the most important factor in farming? Fertile land, suitable weather, hard labor—none of them are insignificant. But in the end, farming is done to survive.”

Selling the harvested grain.

That was the key. Unsold grain was nothing but a burden, left to rot on the streets.

“What the Mage Tower did this time directly harmed the East’s most vital industry. It was an act of disregard for the East, and if left unchecked, there’s no guarantee it won’t happen again.”

“Hm…”

“I heard that the three affected territories are now in major conflict with the Liette Merchant Guild, their primary trading partner. The loss of a major buyer has put the local people on edge. This time, only three territories were affected, but what if something similar happened to the lifeline of the entire East? By then, it would be too late.”

“Haha.”

As Natasha passionately laid out her argument, Chloe let out a small laugh.

“?”

Natasha couldn’t hide her confusion, and Chloe responded as she lifted the teacup she had set down earlier.

“You’re saying the same thing as my brother.”

“!”

“The meeting currently in session is discussing the same matter—how to respond to the Mage Tower. Some lords in the East don’t want to provoke them, but my brother thinks differently.”

Fortunately, it seemed that Claude shared Natasha’s perspective.

“The East is prosperous, but that also means it relies heavily on imports for everything except grain. People need more than just food to survive. The process of converting our grain into money—any disruption there would pose a serious threat to the East. That’s what he said.”

Natasha relaxed her shoulders slightly, which had been tense with apprehension.

“But seeing you say the same thing just now, I couldn’t help but laugh. I apologize if that was rude.”

“No, it’s fine.”

As Chloe lowered her head slightly in a gesture of apology, Natasha waved it off. It was far too grand a gesture for such a small matter.

“Nothing has been decided yet, so I can’t say anything for certain… But if House Mathieu is the one initiating the lawsuit, we have no reason to back down from a fight that has already begun.”

It was a clear answer.

“Now, may I make a proposal to you, Natasha?”

“…? Go ahead.”

A ‘proposal’ to a divorce lawyer? She didn’t seem to have remarried, and Claude was still completely obsessed with Estelle.

A cousin? A relative? Or maybe a close acquaintance?

There were plenty of noblewomen who found it too embarrassing to meet with a lawyer in person. It wasn’t an unusual situation.

However, Chloe’s suggestion was something entirely unexpected.

“Would you consider becoming the mistress of Richard?”

“…Excuse me?”

Natasha froze, her teacup halfway to her lips.

“Ah! That wording was a bit misleading. I wasn’t asking you to marry my brother.”

“…”

“He only has eyes for Estelle. No matter how much I try to talk sense into him, he won’t listen. It’s quite the headache. Fortunately, Estelle doesn’t seem entirely opposed, so I’ve decided to let things be for now.”

“…I see.”

“What I meant was… I don’t have much time left, do I?”

Chloe smiled faintly as she spoke of her predetermined fate.

“When I’m gone, my brother will be left alone in this mansion. Unless Estelle changes her mind, which I doubt will happen.”

“…”

“As I’ve said before… This house is too cold, both for me and for my brother.”

Her gaze lowered, her eyelashes fluttering like the elegant wings of a butterfly.

Beneath those finely cast lashes, an unhidden darkness flickered past.

— What do you think, Chloe? It’s a dress made from that special blue fabric you like. Do you like it?

— ……

A young Chloe stared at her reflection in the mirror. It was pretty, but far from her taste.

Still, she forced a bright smile and uttered words she didn’t mean.

— I love it. Thank you, Mother.

— …Mother?

— Thank you, Mom.

— That’s right. My sweet daughter.

The duchess wrapped her frail arms around Chloe.

— You’re such a beautiful girl…

A shiver ran down Chloe’s spine, but she pretended not to notice.

She clenched the blue dress tightly in her fists and endured. Yes, this much was nothing. A child plucked from the streets and turned into a duchess’s daughter overnight…

This little game of playing doll? I can endure it.

She repeated that to herself over and over.

After losing their youngest daughter, the atmosphere in the Richard Ducal House changed completely.

The duke rarely returned from the capital, leaving all household affairs to the duchess—a grave mistake, as she was already half-mad.

Crash!

— You there. Were you laughing?

— N-No, my lady!

— Laughing? Do you even know what today is? How dare you!

— I’m sorry! I’m so sorry! Please forgive me!

The maid prostrated herself on the floor, begging for forgiveness. But that alone wasn’t enough to quell the duchess’s rage.

— Today marks three and a half years since Chloe disappeared. If you weren’t mocking your mistress, then tell me—how dare you…?!

Whip! Crack!

As the sound of flogging filled the air, Chloe thought to herself.

This house is completely insane.

The mansion gradually became colder. No one wanted to provoke the Duchess’s temper, so they slowly buried their emotions.

Even when something joyful happened, they did not smile; even when something surprising occurred, they did not show their shock.

The Duchy of Rishar was slowly falling into ruin.

“…Lady Chloe?”

“Ah. I’m sorry. I was lost in thought for a moment.”

Perhaps that was also the reason Chloe had been so deeply disappointed in Mikhail.

Deep down, she too had dreamed of having her first “normal family.”

But because the first button had been fastened incorrectly from the start, everything had ended up completely shattered.

“I need someone to manage this mansion after I’m gone.”

“If that’s the case, wouldn’t there be a suitable person within the Duchy of Richard?”

“The head maid who assists me could temporarily take over. Or the butler could handle things. But that’s not what I mean.”

If it were just simple administrative work, anyone could do it.

“They, too, are remnants of my mother.”

“Pardon?”

“…There is nothing of my brother in this mansion. Not even now.”

Even though Claude had inherited the dukedom, this mansion had yet to escape from its barren winter.

A cold winter artificially created by the Duchess.

“You are wise and capable, Natasha. I think you could be of great help in many ways.”

And you’re also a complete outsider. Chloe deliberately swallowed the rest of her words.

“I appreciate the offer… but I don’t think I can accept.”

“Why not? If it’s about the salary, you can name any amount you want.”

That offer was tempting for a moment. Natasha’s eyes briefly glimmered with the shape of coins before she quickly suppressed it.

“For one, such a high-ranking position doesn’t really suit me. And I don’t particularly like being tied down to one place.”

Natasha declined politely. Even though the pay was substantial and the position within the Duchy of Rishar carried significant authority, it was not a role she desired.

“Is that really the only reason?”

“Let’s just say it’s for personal reasons. It would be inconvenient for me to establish a base in one place.”

Chloe’s curiosity was piqued.

It had only been three years since Natasha had separated from the Duchy of Petrov. Had something happened in that time that prevented her from settling in one place?

Or was it just an excuse to decline the offer?

Chloe studied Natasha’s expression, but there was nothing to read from the seasoned lawyer’s face.

“What a shame. If you had taken over, I could have closed my eyes in peace.”

“Did you think I would be swayed by such words?”

“Of course not. Lawyers are supposed to be heartless cold-blooded beings.”

“Prejudices like that are what make society sick.”

As lighthearted jokes were exchanged, the atmosphere softened. Chloe was the first to conclude the conversation.

“I’ll let you know about the Count Mathieu’s lawyer once the meeting is over.”

“I’d appreciate that. Then, I’ll take my leave.”

“I hope we can meet again.”

Even without saying it aloud, it was clear that the unspoken part of Chloe’s words was: “Before my time runs out.”