I Thought It Was a Common Transmigration

“I heard that the Duchess almost got into big trouble because of the cowardly tricks of the Rigelhof guys. How can so-called nobles commit such a tyrannical act! What a bunch of shameless bastards!”

 

Although he had a serious expression on his face, Count Sinclair was actually delighted when he heard about the incident.

 

‘This is good news for us!’

 

His prediction came true wonderfully. Because of that incident, the Emperor had given the right to dispose of the Rigelhof family to the Duke of Ludwig, and he had just heard the news that all members of the Rigelhof family had their heads cut off and were taken to the imperial palace. He was trying not to laugh too much now.

 

“Well, it’s not a very pleasant memory, so I’d like to stop talking about it.”

 

“Ouch, I’m sorry. I was so angry that I couldn’t understand His Excellency’s feelings.”

 

Although he looked very sad, Count Sinclair thought things were going very well. He winked at Layla, who had gone with him, secretly mentioning the story of the northern iron ore distribution rights that he had recently acquired. Layla glanced at Killian and then quickly feigned caution at her father’s glance.

 

“By the way, Your Excellency. Have you thought about that story at that time?”

 

“What do you mean by ‘that time’?”

 

“Mr. Killian… It’s a marriage issue.”

 

At those words, Killian’s eyes suddenly became harsh.

 

“What do you mean?”

 

Count Sinclair made a benevolent yet sympathetic expression as if he understood everything.

 

“I heard that you went through a lot of trouble because you married the daughter of the Rigelhof family by convenience.”

 

“Where did you hear that?”

 

“It doesn’t matter where you heard it. Isn’t it true that the Rigelhof family gave you their daughter in exchange for the right to distribute iron ore and loyalty to His Majesty?”

 

“That’s true, but…”

 

“Rufus Riegelhoff, that man has been so wicked since ancient times!”

 

Even though Killian tried to say something more, Count Sinclair cut him off and continued to say what he wanted to say.

 

“Now that the Rigelhof bastards have finally been dealt with, you too should get a new wife. That is why I recommended to the Duke my daughter Layla, although I am ashamed to say so.”

 

Layla flushed her cheeks and made eye contact with Killian before lowering her head slightly. She tried to hold back, but her delighted smile was spreading. But Killian was not like that at all. He furrowed his brows and slowly looked back at Duke Ludwig.

 

“Father, is this true?”

 

“It is true that I received such an offer.”

 

“Did you just listen to that? I already have a wife.”

 

Then Count Sinclair came out again.

 

“I think you may not like the idea of an arranged marriage. However, more than half of marriages between nobles are arranged marriages, and aren’t you, in particular, the son of a Duke? The interests of the family must come first.”

 

“Are you saying my feelings are of no use to anyone?”

 

“Well, that can’t be possible! It seems like our Layla has been craving you for a long time. She will be a great wife who will faithfully support you. She can’t be compared to that prostitute of Rigelhof!”

 

Count Sinclair used evil language to disparage the Rigelhof family, who were the enemies of the Ludwig family, but Killian’s mood worsened even further. Duke Ludwig placed his hand on his forehead as he saw Count Sinclair licking his lips without any time to stop him.

 

“How dare Count Sinclair insult the Ludwig family’s daughter-in-law?”

 

Count Sinclair and Layla were taken aback by Killian’s increasingly hostile atmosphere.

 

“Why all of a sudden, Killian? Isn’t she already dead?”

 

“Who is death! Edith Ludwig is alive and well, no, now Countess Rysen, right? Who did you call ‘prostitute’?”

 

Killian’s fist was shaking. Only then did Count Sinclair realize that Edith was not dead and that she was still Killian’s wife. But he couldn’t just leave like this.

 

“Well, first of all, I was rude. I had absolutely no intention of insulting the Ludwig family. But Killian, think carefully.”

 

“What are you telling me to think carefully about?”

 

“She is the second daughter of Duke Ludwig, but you will soon become the Emperor’s faithful servant and the new earl. Does it make sense for you to have the daughter of a traitor as your wife?”

 

Killian would feel relieved if he pulled out a knife and cut off this human’s head right now.

 

“Killian, be patient. In any case, he is an ally of our family and a loyal subject of His Majesty the Emperor.”

 

Cliff’s hand suddenly covered Killian’s hand, which was resting on the handle of the sword. Killian let out a long breath that had melted away his anger, and then spoke in an extremely heavy and cold voice.

 

“I love Edith deeply. I’m crazy about her. She is my only wife.”

 

“W-what?”

 

“It looks like you haven’t figured out the mood yet, so I’ll be generous and just turn a blind eye this once. If you say something like this one more time… You must be prepared to fight me, Count Sinclair.”

 

It seemed as if a subtle sense of aura was coming out of Killian. Only then did Duke Ludwig sigh and shrug his shoulders.

 

“I’m sorry, but well, it’s like this and we’ll have to end the conversation here.”

 

It was a big disappointment for Count Sinclair and Layla. But the bad news didn’t end there.

 

“Oh, and I don’t think we’ll have to bother Count Sinclair for iron ore distribution rights.”

 

“What?”

 

“When the Rigelhof family was executed, His Majesty the Emperor confiscated their right to distribute southern iron ore, but fortunately, he granted it to us.”

 

It was the worst situation for the Sinclair family. This was because, in order to stick with the Ludwig duchy, they took on the rights to distribute iron ore in the North, even at the cost of great losses.

 

‘If the biggest buyer of iron ore disappears, even if you hold the iron ore distribution rights, it will be of no use!’

 

This time Count Sinclair’s hands began to tremble. Now that it was like this, he had to hold on to something.

 

“Well, I see. By the way, Your Excellency. I felt like I should tell you before, but…”

 

“What is it?”

 

“No matter how much of a contract was written, the relationship between his parents and children is heavenly. Now please give Lise back.”

 

And that was the worst move Count Sinclair could have made.

 

“Now… Are you trying to play a joke with me?”

 

A fierceness that was incomparable to Killian’s flowed from the Duke.

 

“The contract with the Duke appears to be very funny.”

 

“But is there any law in the world against taking away a child?”

 

“Isn’t that what a man who willingly handed over his children in exchange for debt would say, Count?”

 

As the Duke responded coldly, this time Killian held Cliff’s hand and spoke.

 

“Hang in there, bro. You said it would be difficult to kill them.”

 

Cliff’s hand was holding the letter knife that was on the table. Count Sinclair and Layla, who thought he was just fiddling with the letter knife as a joke, only backed away after hearing Killian’s words. In the end, Count Sinclair became desperate as he had to return without getting anything. It was at that time, on their way out of the Duke’s drawing room, that they found Lise sitting in the first floor drawing room, basking in the fire. Count Sinclair took notice and quickly ran towards Lise.

 

“Lise! Lise!”

 

At his urgent call, Lise turned around with a puzzled look on her face.

 

“Lise, come back home now. No matter what anyone says, you are my daughter! Families should live together!”

 

“Family… This?”

 

“Yes, family! Your family is not these people with whom you are not related by blood, it is us! Forget about your childhood. From now on, this father will take care of you…”

 

“Haa!”

 

Count Sinclair, who had decided to try to seduce Lise by appealing to her emotions in some way since she was naive, was shocked and speechless when he saw her clearly ridiculing him.

 

“Not only did you give birth to me as you please, take me away from my mother as you please, and then abuse me as you please, but now you are ordering me to forget the past as you please?”

 

“Lise…?”

 

“Now that we’re family… Yes, like the Count said, let’s call it family. Then you will have to pay off the debt you owe to the dukedom. Have you prepared 30 million sena?”

 

Count Sinclair’s mouth fell silent at the mention of money. Lise smiled crookedly, as if she knew that would happen.

 

“Listen carefully. People like you, even if they are not part of the Ludwig family, cannot be recognized as family.”

 

Count Sinclair opened his eyes wide and gawked at the words, which were completely uncharacteristic of Lise.

 

“This world will not fall just because the ending you decided on does not come. In fact, a more fun and happy ending may come to you.”

 

Lise was thinking about what Edith had said. Although she was upset, it was something she had no choice but to accept for now. And now that she’s decided to do that, Lise has decided to say goodbye to her past life of frustratingly pretending to be nice. She pretended to be nice, so she always trembled and cried in front of Count Sinclair, but in reality, she always wanted to verbally rip him to pieces.

 

“Li, Lise…! Oh my god, she lived here and completely lost her personality!”

 

“What kind of rude remark would you make to someone else’s fiancee?”

 

Cliff, who was following Count Sinclair, spoke in a murderous voice.

 

“Hey, fiancee?”

 

“That’s right. She is not your daughter, she is my fiancee.”

 

“Then I will soon become your father-in-law. Ha ha ha!”

 

“Should I show you the contract again? You cannot claim any rights or connection to Lise.”

 

Count Sinclair, who was huffing at those words, exposed Lise’s words and actions.

 

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