“Everyone was talking about me like that. That I was born after killing my mother.”
“…”
The dining hall, which had been warm until just now, had become chilly.
“Even my father looks at me with those eyes ahead of my birthday, so what about others?” Saying that, I purposely turned my gaze to Irik. “I just said one sentence, yet you made a fuss of it.”
“Older Sister, brother didn’t mean it—” Luna helped as if trying to stop Irik from embarrassing himself.
“Please think of it as my heart in honor of my mother. The dress is so pretty that it was a shame.”
However, I spoke my words without giving that sister to shield her brother.
“…”
The duke’s fierce eyes softened a little.
I didn’t know what he was thinking. But people would feel it. Clearly, the duke would feel the same way because of what happened just now. The sharp reaction that fell on Siani when she just talked one sentence. Also, the source of this was himself, Siani’s father.
“Anyway, let’s eat now. All the prepared food will get cold.”
This was enough for today. I changed the mood skillfully by changing the topic.
“Hmm. Let’s do that.”
Only then did the meal begin, but everyone seemed to have lost their appetite.
“Oh my, who made this soup? This tastes amazing.”
However, I was the only one who was eating very well. It’s not like I’ve had a meal in a situation like this once or twice in my life.
“I’m glad you like it. I will talk to Jen and make sure to set some aside for you.”
“Yes. Thank you, Father.”
That’s when the duke’s attitude toward me became noticeably softer.
“By the way, Your Excellency. Have you made your decision regarding this jewelry shop investment?” Irik, who was eating like a robot, opened his mouth. “I read the reports reported by the vassals. What do you think about it?”
“Ah, you mean the site to open a new shop, right?”
Site? Jewelry shop? Seeing that Luna understood it right away, it seemed to be an unfamiliar topic only to me.
“Yes. I’ve looked into it, and the Teika district seems more suitable than Belleng.”
“That vassals think like that too.”
“Ah, Luna. You often go to the Teika district. How does it look to you?” Irik glanced at me, who couldn’t join the conversation, and asked Luna.
“I also think Teika is better. Since the square and the road are connected, the accessibility will be good.”
“I thought you were just shopping, but you looked pretty keen too.”
“Does Brother know how meticulous I’m when I go out to the square?”
Irik praised Luna as if he wasn’t expecting this. It was a very skillful way to converse.
“We should have more greetings, but you guys see it like that…” The duke lifted his glass. “So let’s consider setting up our first jewelry business in the Teika district.”
What? I pretended not to be interested but listened to everything.
Belleng district and Teika district, the first jewelry business? Wait, if it’s like that… That business that went bankrupt? The contents of the original came to my mind. Yes, that’s right.
There was no more catastrophic failure than this. The Teika district, chosen by the duke, was the district where the temple’s prayer hall would be established a few years later. In other words, not only would the development be limited by the temple’s influence, but the shop’s location would also become very ambiguous. It was clear that the duke was staggering at the huge deficit.
On the other hand, the Belleng district… A recreational destination would be built by the imperial family there. It was only natural that the price of the land soared, and it was a perfect place to sell luxuries.
“Yes, Your Excellency. It would be better to choose Teika.”
I felt sorry for Irik, who was full of confidence. You weren’t a match for me, kiddo.
“Ah, haven’t you heard the rumors?”
I pressed the corners of my mouth. Now, it was only natural to receive the key to the underground castle…
“I heard that the Belleng district will be developed as a recreational destination owned by the imperial family.”
Should I start playing the role of a daughter who earns well?
Of course, there was no way these rumors were circulating outside. Because it was a secret, just like the emperor’s first-class treasure chest.
“So wouldn’t building it in Belleng district be better?”
“…”
An awkward silence lingered.
Tsk, tsk. I’m telling you a top-secret level of money. Not a single person took my word. Instead, they only blinked their eyes.
“Ha, I don’t know from whom you’ve heard such a rumor…”
At that time, Irik let out a laugh.
“The business of the imperial family is top secret until an official announcement is made. Rumor can’t circulate about it.”
He spoke in a calm tone because we were in front of the duke, but it was like he was calling me stupid.
“Also, the shop’s location is a matter of careful consideration. It’s not a decision made by believing rumors.”
“Irik is right about that.” The duke agreed. He also seemed to think I was swayed by the false rumor.
If you don’t like it, then don’t say anything. I just made a deal with the information I gave you… Tsk. Anyway, I told you the truth. What happened after that was the duke’s choice and his own luck.
“Um, then I will invest in the Belleng district instead of Father.”
“What?”
“The property my grandfather left me still remains in the bank.”
Actually, that was the main point from now on. I already handed over valuable information to bring this up.
“It’s my choice what and how I spend that money.”
“That’s right, but…”
The duke stroked his chin. “Suddenly buying land? For that much money, you could get the diamond you wanted.”
“What I have now is enough.”
Enough wasn’t the best to describe it. Should I say it was overflowing? Just put it aside in the future. The day would soon come when it would be sold 10 times or 100 times because of the necklace I would wear later.
“In addition, Teika is already overdeveloped.”
Each of the three people’s expressions toward me was different.
“There’s no competitiveness or scarcity because it’s overflowing as that place has everything.”
“…”
“On the other hand, I think the Belleng district is worth the investment in the long run.”
I laughed lightly.
“Above all, if the rumor is true, Father would lose nothing.”
What’s the loss? It wouldn’t be a loss even if he travels around the whole Belleng district carrying me on his back.
“Um, yes. If you’re Felicite, you should have that level of ambition and confidence.” The duke nodded.
Regardless of the truth of the rumors, I felt satisfied that he was interested in this conversation.
“Well, that’s good. It looks like with that little money, you learn about investment.”
Huh? Little money? I learn investment? I was called the gold hand in my previous life, and I couldn’t believe that I was commented like that by the duke who had the bad-luck hands.
“Anyway, I got the information from you this time too.”
The duke said while muttering inwardly.
“It’s Felicite principle to do all calculations thoroughly. What do you want in return this time?”
Return… Right. The calculation must be thorough.
“If what I’m saying is true, Father will know better how valuable this information is.”
So, I smiled and looked at Irik. “It should be something like that necklace.” To be precise, the key to the underground castle that hung around his neck.
Wait for me, Redian.
* * *
“Wow, this brat is tough. Really.”
Thud. Consecutive harsh hitting sounds echoed.
“…”
However, being bound by the shackles, Redian didn’t even groan.
“What’s the plan now if he looks like this? Is there nothing else to see?”
“Why are you acting like this? This is enough.”
“Let me go. He’s getting more and more arrogant!”
It was something that always happened. In particular, Norma, who was hard to control like Redian, was tortured or given sedatives until they were exhausted.
“Don’t you think this brat knows something? It’s clear that you have something to believe in.”
For some reason, John was particularly angry today.
“I heard that Princess Felicite is taking over Redian. Furthermore, they said that woman would become the owner of the duchy.”
If the rumors turned out to be true, she would kill him first. Memories of trusting Irik and harassing Norma at his will ran through his mind.
“…”
More and more blood dripped down Redian’s forehead.
“Y-you’re really!”
But Redian did show any slight movement. Silver hair dyed dark red, empty blue eyes… He was like a doll that couldn’t even feel pain.
“Do you think anyone out there can save you, Redian? You will have to live locked up in this cage forever.”
John gritted his teeth.
“No one will save a monster like you!”
“I don’t think so.”
But then.
“Do you know?” Redian raised his head at an angle. “Will my master save someone like you?”
“Huh! W-what are you saying?”
The trainers hardened like stones.
“Or…” Redian was smiling faintly, thinking about his master. “Would she even cut your head off for me?”
“T-this crazy!”
John’s hand, which had been tormenting him, was trembling violently.
Why? Seeing this, Redian suddenly became curious. It was something he brought up to provoke John, but… What kind of woman can make even the trainer tremble like this? She didn’t seem worth dealing with when she left the candy wrapped in the handkerchief.
“Y-you cheeky b*stard.” Getting mad, John approached Redian. “I’ll let you experience hell today.”
“Uugh!”
John’s eyes fluttered up with the intensity to the shackles.
“John, no! Calm down!”
The sharp shackles tightened, crushing down Redian’s arms, feet, and neck.
“Die! You monster, die!”
The trainers tried to stop John but to no avail. The fishy smell of blood was already lingering inside the cage.
“Ugh….”
Redian, who lost his strength, fell to the floor.
“John! Calm down!”
“Let go! This monster must die!”
But at that moment.
“W-what is it? Who!”
With a thump, the floor shook, and the light from outside began to seep in.
“Gasp. P-Princess.”
At the appearance of someone, the inside of the cage became silent.
Who is it? Redian tried to hold on to his weakened consciousness. But when the sweet scent was getting closer…
“Him.”
He couldn’t think of anything.
“Who did this to him?”
Only the red eyes looking at him were clear.
