Revenge Comes with Interest - Chapter 29

Lea could not forget the way Terran looked at her, the intensity of his gaze lingering in her mind.

Sometimes, he seemed like a child desperate to be loved. Other times, he looked like a wild animal starving for intimacy.

“Pauline, can I ask you something?”

It was just before bedtime. Pauline was brushing Lea’s hair when Lea spoke quietly.

“What is it, miss?”

“Well, what if a man can’t function sexually?”

“Who are you talking about?”

Pauline’s expression in the mirror was dramatic. She hadn’t expected the question to be so shocking.

“No, I was just reading a novel. It made me curious, that’s all.”

“Oh, I see. You had me worried for a second.”

“In the book, the man can’t perform physically, but he still kisses the woman, holds her hand, and becomes possessive. Is that medically realistic?”

“That’s a tough one…”

Pauline looked around awkwardly, unsure of how to answer.

“I suppose even if the body doesn’t respond, emotional desire wouldn’t simply disappear.”

“You think so?”

“Why don’t you ask Doctor Wilson when he visits?”

“That might be a good idea.”

After all, emotional connection was important too. Women didn’t like holding hands or kissing men they had no feelings for. That was simply human nature.

But men were said to be different. They could enjoy a night with someone even if they didn’t love her. Maybe it had something to do with physical differences.

Terran’s eyes. The way he looked at her during the photo shoot. There was nothing unnatural about them. He was clearly a man with very real desires.

Wait.

Lea’s expression hardened for a moment.

Had Allen ever looked at her that way?

He had always said he loved her, like it was just something to say. But never once had he looked at her with hunger or longing the way Terran did.

Allen would smile, compliment her beauty, call her kind, say she was the only one. Always sweet words, always the right things.

But at the funeral, it had been different. When he met her as Grace, not Lea, his eyes had sparkled with a fascination she had never seen before.

How did I not see it?

If she had been better at reading his expressions back then, as Lea Hamilton, she wouldn’t have been so easily fooled. The memory made her feel angry with herself.

Lea, you were so naïve.

Because of someone like Allen, she had ended up rejecting the love that Terran was offering. And that was something she couldn’t help but resent.

She wasn’t sure she could truly love Terran, but she had been willing to marry him. A woman needed a husband to survive in a world like this.

But what scared her most was the idea that she might fall in love with him for real. She would lose herself again. Forget her goals. Drift in someone else’s story instead of writing her own.

I don’t even know anymore.

Even she couldn’t figure out what was right or what she should do.

What confused her most was that she didn’t dislike the way Terran approached her. In fact, part of her welcomed it.

Am I being two-faced? I don’t want to fall in love, but I also don’t want him to walk away.

She didn’t know when she had become such a difficult and frustrating woman.

For several days, Lea worked hard on her advertisement.

She had to bring it to the newspaper office to check if they could print it exactly as it was, but overall, she was pleased with the result.

“Chenera, when we go outside, you must not wander around.”

Pauline was helping Chenera into her coat and repeating the warning like a mantra.

“I’ll only hold your hand, sister. I promise.”

“Good. If you let go of my hand, we’ll never find each other again.”

It sounded almost like a threat. But Lea understood Pauline’s concern. Rapa had warned them as well. Chenera’s face turned pale at the thought.

“That’s enough. Let’s go, Pauline.”

“Yes, miss.”

The three of them were on their way to the largest newspaper company in the Lubeck Empire. For some reason, Lea’s hands were shaking. It felt like she was heading to war.

“Chenera, the outside world is dangerous. If you stay close to us, I’ll buy you some delicious cake.”

“Really? Grace, you’re the best!”

Lea gently encouraged Chenera, then carefully placed the photographs and printed flyers into a large envelope.

The three of them rode the carriage into the city. Lea felt a little guilty for not telling Terran she was going out. Ever since their argument, things had been strained between them.

But I told James.

Today, she decided not to think about Terran. Just visiting the newspaper office was nerve-wracking enough.

Finally, their carriage stopped in front of the Rebon Newspaper Company. As the most prestigious paper in Lubeck, the building itself looked grand and imposing.

She had heard that this newspaper was published not just in Lubeck, but in many countries across the continent.

“Pauline, stay here in the lobby with Chenera. I’m going to speak with the advertising manager.”

“Are you sure it’s alright? A woman walking in here alone without even a maid might draw suspicion.”

Lea looked around and realized Pauline had a point. There were several women in the building, but none were alone. Most of them were accompanied by men or maids.

“I’ll be fine.”

If Chenera said something strange in this unfamiliar place, it would attract even more attention. It was better for them to stay put.

Lea whispered quietly to herself, trying to calm her nerves, and stepped deeper into the building.

Inside, the newspaper office was far more chaotic and noisy than she had expected.

Lea managed to find the advertising manager after asking around.

He was a very thin man with neatly combed hair slicked back with pomade. His sharp eyes, hidden behind thick glasses, gave off a strict impression.

“I came to place an advertisement,” she said.

She had waited almost an hour just to get this opportunity. Lea laid the photos and flyers she had prepared on the desk in front of him.

“Hamilton Trading Company?”

Thankfully, the manager took his time and examined both the photo and the advertisement carefully.

“The price depends on the size and duration of the ad.”

“I understand.”

“If you include a photograph, the cost goes up significantly.”

“Yes, I know.”

“Are you the owner of Hamilton Trading?”

“No, I’m not.”

At that, the manager adjusted his glasses and gave Lea a thorough look.

“If you want to submit this application, the trading company owner must be present. Or, you must be accompanied by your legal guardian.”

“I’m sorry, but I’ve already discussed this with the company owner, and I’m an adult. Why would I need a guardian for this?”

Lea couldn’t understand what he meant.

The manager then began a long explanation. He said not just anyone could advertise in the paper. Advertisements had to come from verified individuals with proper status.

To Lea, all his words sounded like nothing more than prejudice. It felt like he was really saying that unless a man came in, her request couldn’t be trusted.

“This is the law of the land. Haven’t you been to a bank? Women can’t even open an account alone.”

Lea was too stunned to even feel angry. But thinking back, her father had always taken a male staff member with him whenever he met a banker or a business partner.

There were many women working at the company, especially skilled accountants, but they were never sent out alone for business. They were always accompanied by a man.

Even so, Lea pleaded with the manager several times to accept her advertisement. His response remained completely firm.

Should I ask Grandpa Rapa to come with me?

She thought about it for a moment, but in Rebon, there wasn’t a single person who didn’t know the name Rapa.

And the newspaper staff were no exception. There was no way they didn’t know about Rapa’s past, full of violence and smuggling.

It was a fact that everyone except Lea and Pauline seemed to know. Even if they had suspected something, they said nothing for Chenera’s sake.

To be able to sway people, your presence alone must carry weight.

Lea turned to leave, then suddenly stopped and went back to the manager.

“I am Grace Vizak. I’m the fiancée of Duke Terran Courtois. Is that still not good enough?”

“Do you have proof?”

“What?”

“Bring your fiancé with you.”

I really don’t know how the world works, do I?

No wonder Terran said what he did. He probably saw this coming from the start.

“Grace Vizak, did you forget? I’m your guardian.”

Lea left the newspaper office feeling nothing but disappointment.

This world is so damn unfair.

It had all been a waste of effort. Even after returning to the duke’s estate, Lea’s anger didn’t subside. She couldn’t understand why women were never recognized as independent individuals.

Even in Galdensia, where the emperor was a woman, society still ran entirely around men.

The same went for the Lubeck Empire. Was the world ever going to change? The thought alone was suffocating.

This isn’t the Middle Ages. It’s the 19th century. So why is it still like this?

No, blaming the world wasn’t going to solve anything.

Her father used to say the same thing over and over. Blaming society, the system, or the times was just a way to cover up one’s own lack of ability.

Terran is the only one who can help.

But now, swallowing her pride and asking him for help felt impossible. She had been so confident, so determined.

Is there any way I can accept Terran’s help without crushing my pride?

Lea fell deep into thought. Usually, it’s the desperate person who begs for help.

But with Terran, she didn’t want to appear weak. She couldn’t explain why, but she just couldn’t bear it.

If I were a man, I’d challenge him to a duel.

Like a knight’s code, a proper sword fight where the winner’s wishes would be honored.

Lea thought hard about what she was actually good at.

She didn’t know how to use a sword or a gun. She was decent at sewing, but she couldn’t exactly challenge Terran to a duel with embroidery. That would be ridiculous.

Then suddenly, an idea struck her. One she might actually win.

She jumped up and rushed out of her room, heading straight for his office.

“Terran, are you busy?”

Her voice came out much sweeter than usual. Terran looked up from his documents and smiled with one side of his mouth. It was as if he had been expecting this moment.

“I think I can guess why you’re here.”

“Unfortunately, you’re right.”

Lea tried her best to stay composed. She didn’t want to sound desperate or beg. That was something she absolutely refused to do.

“Then ask me. But you’ll have to impress me first.”

Impress him?

Lea immediately felt a surge of irritation.

“Should I crawl over and kiss the top of your foot?”

“Your lips would be better spent elsewhere. Crying and begging would also be acceptable.”

Ha, not a chance.

Without thinking, driven by pure frustration, Lea blurted it out.

“Terran, I challenge you to a duel.”

“You what?”

Terran let out a short laugh and looked at her again.

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