Revenge Comes with Interest - Chapter 47

Lea handed 50 gold coins to the hotel staff. In contrast, the man and woman looked stunned. They clearly had not expected a complete stranger to pay for their stay.

“I am from the House of Vizak, a noble family of the Lubeck Empire. My fiancé is Duke Terran Courtois.”

“Oh, I see. That explains it.”

Lea had introduced herself in detail on purpose. If the couple truly were royal tailors from Saintebourg, they would certainly recognize those names. As expected, they quickly looked her up and down.

“Baron Vizak and Duke Courtois, heroes of the war with Wales. Of course, we know them well.”

“You said you worked for the royal family of Saintebourg?”

“Yes. My name is Sonya.”

“And I am her husband, Adolf.”

They began to explain their situation to Lea.

They insisted they were not the kind of people who would skip out on paying their bills. They spoke at length about the prestigious positions they once held.

It was clear they had deep pride in having served the Emperor and Empress of Saintebourg, and they carried a strong sense of dignity.

Still, they seemed unwilling to face the reality that the empire had fallen and that they were now wandering foreigners.

“My goodness. What incredible luck. I never imagined I would meet the royal tailors of Saintebourg like this.”

Lea placed a hand on her chest, her face filled with emotion.

She knew from experience that people who could not let go of past glory needed time to accept reality.

“Tailors? You flatter us too much, Lady Vizak.”

“May I call you Sonya and Adolf?”

“Of course.”

“Did you make the clothes you’re wearing now yourselves?”

Lea needed one last confirmation. If they really had worked for the Saintebourg royal family, surely their clothes would reflect their skill.

Saintebourg was famous for its fine lacework, detailed embroidery, stylish riding outfits, and elegant suits. Since it was a cold country, their winter clothing was also known for being exceptionally well made.

“Of course we did. We never let anyone else make our clothes.”

Pride lit up Sonya’s face.

Lea had a strong feeling that this couple could become very helpful to her.

“Sonya, Adolf, would you consider working with me?”

Lea briefly explained her business. She ran general stores across all of Galdensia, and in Lubeck she had even received a commission from the Empress herself.

“Really?”

Adolf’s eyes sparkled. For those who had served in the royal household for so long, starting over in the outside world was never easy.

It was not because they lacked skill or independence. It was because of the weight of their long-standing honor and reputation.

Still, they were standing at a crossroads. A decision had to be made quickly.

“Very well. We accept.”

Sonya and Adolf agreed to Lea’s offer.

“I will arrange a carriage for you. Go to the Courtois estate in Lubeck. When you arrive, just give them my name.”

“Thank you, Lady Vizak.”

Lea and Pauline finally left Galdensia.

Pauline hummed happily, excited to be going home. Lea, on the other hand, gazed quietly out the window, taking in the passing scenery.

“I will return here someday.”

She whispered the words to herself, trying to ease the sadness in her chest. Brassel had become a place dear to her, almost like a comfort blanket.

Leaving it behind weighed heavily on her heart. But seeing Hamilton General Stores along the way helped her regain her calm.

“Pauline, how was the trip? Are you tired?”

Lea felt a little guilty for dragging Pauline along without much notice.

“Not at all. I really enjoyed it. The McDowell estate was especially impressive.”

“Was it?”

“Yes. It made me realize just how powerful the Hamilton Trading Company must have been. But to think it all collapsed in an instant.”

Pauline could not forget the mansion. It was as grand as any noble estate.

How much money must a merchant have had to live like that? It made her realize just how powerful wealth could be.

“But those three men were just awful.”

She frowned, remembering Allen, Touajot, and the cargo ship captain.

They looked down on women, acted overly confident, and bragged constantly. Most of all, the way all three of them leered at Grace made Pauline deeply uncomfortable.

“They are the ones who framed the Hamilton Company. That is what destroyed it.”

Lea spoke the words without meaning to.

“Really? How do you know that?”

“Oh, I read it in the newspaper.”

There was no such article, of course. But Pauline did not read the paper, so it was easy to cover up the slip.

“I don’t remember seeing anything like that in the paper.”

Pauline tilted her head in confusion. Then another question came to mind.

“Can we really trust those Saintebourg tailors?”

“I believe so. When you meet enough people and see enough things, you start to learn how to read others. My father taught me that.”

“And even if I am wrong, helping someone in need is not a bad thing.”

“But what if they are con artists?”

“If they were, do you think Terran would let them get away with it?”

“Oh, that is true. No one would dare try anything shady once they find out what kind of man our Duke is.”

“That’s true.”

When Lea thought of Terran, her feelings grew complicated. She hated being in a situation where she couldn’t fully accept him, yet couldn’t completely let him go either.

Even though she had run away to Galdensia, there had not been a single moment when she did not miss him.

More than anything, it still weighed on her that she had left without seeing him recover completely.

Will he be angry? Or will he turn away from me?

Lea wondered what kind of expression Terran would have when she returned. He had not sent anyone to follow her, which made it seem like he might have given up.

I do not regret this.

Leaving him behind had felt like the right thing to do. When emotions became tangled, it was wiser to keep some distance and think things through with a clear mind.

“Miss Lea, may I say something?”

Pauline seemed to sense Lea’s concern and spoke gently, her eyes serious.

“Of course. Go ahead.”

“Well, I believe the Duke truly loves you. Not the Empress.”

“Why do you think that?”

“It is like how you instantly saw the value in those people from Saintebourg. People like me, who have worked under others for a long time, develop a sense for these things.”

Pauline had often noticed things that those directly involved could not see.

The smallest changes in expression, a shift in the way someone looked at another, the quiet rise and fall of emotion, to someone like Pauline, those signs were clear.

It might sound exaggerated, but to her, people’s feelings were often visible.

Her words were convincing. Yet Lea’s expression remained troubled.

Pauline, I am not really Grace. I am an imposter. Somewhere deep inside this body, the real Grace’s soul is still asleep. And I have no idea when mine will be pushed out.

Lea did not know how she had come to live inside Grace’s body.

And she had even less idea of what would happen next. That uncertainty made it impossible to truly open her heart to anyone.

Allen had been admitted to the hospital.

His ribs, leg, and shoulder were all fractured from a sudden attack. The doctors said he would need to stay there for at least a month.

Damn it. Who were those bastards?

He ordered his secretary to investigate the group behind the ambush.

Could it be those loyal to Grace’s father?

There was no one else who would bear a grudge against him. It was also strange how well the attackers seemed to know his every move.

At least my face is fine.

His face was one of his greatest assets. With it, he had seduced Lea Hamilton and taken control of the Hamilton Trading Company.

Could it have been that Duke Terran Courtois?

With his cold and ruthless personality, he could easily be the type to plan something like this without a second thought. Still, something did not quite make sense.

Why would he let Grace go to Galdensia all alone? That seems suspicious.

Allen had seen it before. The way Terran looked at Grace had been alarming. His eyes had been full of obsession and possessiveness that could not be controlled.

He looked like a madman.

Just as Allen was lost in his thoughts, his secretary arrived.

“Did you find anything?”

“I am sorry, sir. They left no evidence behind. The investigation may take some time.”

“Useless fools!”

Allen exploded in frustration. Who would dare lay a hand on the president of McDowell Trading Company?

“What about Grace?”

“She has left for Lubeck.”

“How irritating.”

He was disgusted with himself for having let her slip away again, without achieving anything. Then he remembered Terran.

“Are we sure Duke Courtois was not behind this?”

“I actually sent a telegram, and we received a reply right away.”

“The Duke is down with a severe flu. He has been staying at home, focused solely on recovering for several days.”

That meant it was not Terran’s doing after all.

Of course. If he was sick, he would not have been able to follow Grace around like a shadow as he usually did.

“Find out who it was. No matter what, I will not let them get away with this.”

Allen gritted his teeth and gave the order firmly.

Late at night, the carriage carrying Lea and Pauline finally arrived in the city of Rebon.

Strangely, though she had not noticed it when leaving, the moment she returned, she felt as if she had come home. A quiet sense of comfort settled over her.

“Miss Lea, the Duke’s estate is just a little farther now.”

“Alright.”

Lea, whose thoughts had been tangled for so long, felt her heart finally begin to calm.

All that was left was to meet Terran and find a way to resolve the tension between them.

Just then, Pauline looked out the window and went pale.

“There are guards everywhere in the city.”

“Really? Is something going on?”

As the two exchanged puzzled looks, the carriage came to a stop. Uniformed officers approached quickly and opened the door.

“Officer, this carriage belongs to the House of Courtois,” Pauline said firmly.

On a normal day, something like this would never have happened.

“We know. Please step out of the carriage, both of you.”

“What?”

Lea and Pauline exchanged confused glances.

What on earth was happening? Not only had a city guard stopped the Duke’s carriage, but they were also demanding a search.

With their faces filled with concern, the two women stepped out of the carriage. One of the officers approached Lea directly and asked,

“Are you Lady Grace Vizak?”

“Yes, that is me. Why do you ask?”

The officer looked relieved, as if a difficult problem had finally been solved.

“Grace Vizak, you are under arrest for attempted murder.”

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