Revenge Comes with Interest - Chapter 35

The newspaper article published in Galdensia was a complete bombshell.

After the shocking report revealing the identity of the person behind the famous Chainer lace, which had thrilled women across many nations, Hamilton General Store was thrown into chaos.

Customers lined up to demand refunds. Some even went as far as throwing eggs and stones at the shop.

“I know everything there is to know about Chainer.”

James said this with a serious face as he watched Terran reading the paper. At that, Luke stepped forward and spoke with a scolding tone.

“There must be a spy among the Duke’s staff.”

“Luke, that’s impossible. Do you know how thoroughly the head maid and I train our employees?”

James responded defensively. However, the article had included everything, from Chenera’s background and favorite foods to her habit of splashing in the garden pond on rainy days.

Because of that, James found himself in a very difficult position.

“Luke is right. A rat has been hiding inside the Duke’s household, sneaking information outside.”

The fact that the Galdensia Imperial News had published the article first was also suspicious. Something felt off.

It needed further investigation, but the presence of someone’s strong influence was clear. It wasn’t just interference. The right word was conspiracy.

Terran’s cold response made James lower his head.

“Find out who it is. As soon as possible.”

“Yes, Your Grace.”

James had gone pale. Among the most important rules for employees of the Duke’s estate was to never speak of internal matters to outsiders.

Now, with the once impenetrable estate compromised, the situation had become extremely serious.

“Has Grace seen the article?”

“She must have by now.”

The same report had been printed in the newspapers for several days, so even an older paper would have shown it clearly.

At that moment, Luke hesitated as he looked at Terran. He looked like someone who had something urgent to say but was unsure how.

“Her Majesty the Empress has sent a letter.”

“The Empress?”

Terran quickly opened the envelope and read the contents. A frown appeared on his face.

Just then, Lea arrived with Pauline to see Terran. Understanding the moment, Luke quietly stepped out.

“Terran.”

Lea’s eyes focused on the letter in his hand. The royal seal made it clear that it had come from the Empress.

“Is that from Her Majesty?”

“Yes. To be exact, it was addressed to Grace.”

As soon as Terran finished speaking, Lea walked over and reached out her hand. But Terran, holding the letter, didn’t want to give it to her.

“You’re not protecting me by keeping this.”

Lea spoke in the calmest tone she could manage as she tried to reason with him.

She had already guessed the contents weren’t pleasant. But this wasn’t something Terran could protect her from.

Finally, Terran handed her the letter meant for Grace. Lea read the contents quickly.

“The Empress is inviting me to a royal tea party.”

Lea tried to sound indifferent. But that was just an excuse. It was a gathering that all the noblewomen of Lavonne would attend.

It would be the official event where the Chainer lace was introduced, and the moment Grace Vizak would be expected to answer for the truth about Chenera.

“You know this is not just a tea party. It’s a hearing.”

“I know. I have no reason to avoid it.”

Lea answered firmly. It was as if she had seen this coming all along. But Terran looked deeply concerned.

If she made even the slightest mistake in front of the Empress, the consequences could be serious.

And that wasn’t the only concern. The most powerful noblewomen in Lavonne would all be there. It wasn’t something Grace could face on her own.

“You should enter the palace with me.”

Lea hesitated for a moment. Part of her wanted to say she could handle it by herself and that he didn’t need to overprotect her.

“Grace has to face this.”

Surprisingly, Terran was the one who drew the line first.

Lea was surprised but soon understood what he meant when she looked into his determined eyes.

“Thank you for treating me like an adult. But still, please come with me.”

“Will there be anything I can do?”

The words sounded cold, but in truth, Terran was giving her the chance to face it herself.

“As long as you’re by my side, I’m not afraid.”

When Lea said that, Terran lowered his head. It was the sweetest thing she had ever said to him.

“I don’t want to be coddled just because I’m your fiancée. Not that you’re the type to do that anyway.”

“I trust you, Grace.”

A gentle smile appeared on Terran’s face as he looked up. He stood from his chair and walked gracefully over to where Lea was standing.

“Don’t forget. You’re the fiancée of Duke Courtois.”

“And I will hold onto that pride to get through it.”

Her words sent a strange, thrilling sensation through him. His heart began to burn with a quiet intensity. Day by day, he was falling deeper into the feelings he had for Grace.

“You can’t just endure it.”

“Then believe in me, believe that Grace Vizak, the businesswoman, will overcome her first true challenge.”

When did she become such a strong woman?

Watching her transform day by day, like a butterfly breaking free of its cocoon, filled Terran with admiration.

At that moment, Lea walked up to him gently and placed a soft kiss on his lips.

“What…?”

“Thank you. For coming to the palace with me.”

With those words, Lea turned around and left the study.

Terran, on the other hand, stood frozen in place like a statue, unable to move.

Her soft breath had brushed against his lips just moments ago.

For a second, he thought it might have been an illusion. He raised a hand and lightly touched the spot where her lips had met his.

“Damn it, I really like her.”

Lea went to visit Grandpa Rapa with Pauline. As expected, the store, which was usually full of customers, was now almost empty.

“Customers come in asking for refunds all day. Some are even sending items back from the provinces, saying they want to return them.”

“What reason are they giving?”

Lea already knew, but she still asked Grandpa Rapa.

“They say it’s fraud. That the lace was made by a gypsy or someone mentally unstable and sold as a luxury item.”

“Hah.”

If that was the reason, it wasn’t fraud. The lace was a luxury item from the beginning.

People paid high prices for luxury because of what it represented. Most of the value came from their own vanity. What they felt now wasn’t betrayal by the product, but disappointment that their pride had been wounded.

“Grandpa Rapa, especially now—”

“I know. It was smuggled, sure, but I’ve been in this business my whole life. Don’t worry about us. Just make sure our Chenera doesn’t get hurt.”

“Chenera won’t be hurt by this.”

“Yes. And I’ll keep running this shop, no matter what. I won’t close the doors even if it kills me.”

“Thank you, Grandpa.”

Lea looked around the shop, then turned to Pauline.

“Buy the purple lace thread, Pauline.”

“What are you planning to make?”

“I was invited to a royal tea party. I have to wear something formal.”

Pauline bought the thread and some matching accessories that Lea had picked out.

Grandpa Rapa tried not to take the money, but Pauline insisted it was an order from the young lady and paid him properly.

After leaving the shop, they stopped by a famous dessert café to buy a cake for Chenera. She was probably feeling down lately with no work to do.

The two of them sat at a quiet table, waiting for the cake to be packed.

Just then, the café door opened with a soft bell.

A group of women entered, laughing loudly, and took the largest table.

“Oh, those girls.”

Pauline seemed to recognize them.

“Do you know them?”

“They work at the Duke’s estate.”

“I see.”

With so many employees at the estate, it was impossible to know all their faces. But Pauline kept glancing at them.

“I didn’t think Nancy could afford a place like this.”

Even though staff at the estate were paid fairly, it was rare for them to visit expensive dessert cafés like this.

They were probably here because they worked close to Grace. On their own, they likely wouldn’t spend money so freely. Many of the staff were from the countryside and sent most of their wages back home.

“Looks like they bought new makeup and clothes too.”

“Don’t worry about it. I think the cake is ready. Let’s go.”

“Yes, my lady.”

As Lea and Pauline stood up, Nancy and the other women at the far table jumped up in shock.

They looked pale, as if they had been caught stealing.

Lea smiled at them warmly and walked out of the café with calm grace.

“Lace is just like this, Pauline.”

“What do you mean?”

“The feeling that makes women want to come to places like this is the same feeling that makes them want to buy fine lace shawls.”

“That makes sense.”

“We can’t blame them for that kind of desire. It’s their right.”

“But…”

Pauline shook her head slightly.

As a noble lady who had always lived in comfort, Lea didn’t yet understand the world completely.

When someone’s income stayed the same but their lifestyle suddenly changed, it usually meant their money was coming from somewhere else.

There were rare cases where a maid became the mistress of a wealthy man and her life changed overnight.

But aside from those cases, a regular worker couldn’t just start spending freely without consequences.

Lea, Chenera, and Pauline sat down and enjoyed their dessert together.

“Pauline, could you bring me the lace thread we bought today?”

“Yes, my lady.”

Pauline took the purple thread out of the bag. Chenera grabbed it excitedly and exclaimed.

“Wow, it looks like ripe cherries. It’s so pretty.”

“Right?”

Lea had felt the same. The day she would stand before the noblewomen at the palace tea party was coming soon.

“Chenera, will you make me the prettiest cherry-colored dress in the world?”

“Are you going to wear it, sister?”

“Yes. I need to be a little… alluring.”

“Okay. I’ll make a dress fit for a princess. For my sister.”

“Thank you, Chenera.”

She also needed to look strong. Strong enough that no one would dare look down on her.

She had to wear something so beautiful that others wouldn’t care who made it. Something they couldn’t resist. Something that would make people open their wallets without a second thought.

She needed a dress that made people feel like they had to buy it the moment they saw it.

Just then, there was a knock at the door. Pauline ran to open it.

“Yes, Steward?”

“Please deliver this to the young lady. It’s a document from Bern.”

Pauline handed Lea a large envelope sealed with wax.

“It’s finally here.”

When Chenera first came to live at the Duke’s estate, Lea had sent a letter to Bern. The reply had finally arrived today.

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