Revenge Comes with Interest - Chapter 59

Lea ran toward the gallery, using the stairs in the opposite hallway.

‘Allen McDowell, you absolute devil.’

He was a despicable, greedy excuse for a human being. Once again, she felt a wave of shame wash over her for the fact that she had once loved and even married such a man. Lea could not control the fury coursing through her body. There was no way to vent this resentment, other than shaking like a dry branch in the winter wind.

‘I will personally drag you to the gates of hell.’

Lea reminded herself of the vow she made when she was reborn as Grace.

‘Just you wait. I’m going to trample you into the dirt.’

She intended to let him keep desiring her without knowing she was his enemy, leading him down a shortcut to ruin. She would take her revenge like a drizzling rain that one doesn’t notice until they are already soaked to the bone. Furthermore, she was no longer alone.

‘I have Terran.’

A man whose mere existence gave her strength. A man who had already given her so much. Even if she ended up battered and broken while taking revenge on Allen, she had Terran to return to. She couldn’t put into words how much of a comfort and support that was. Lea’s eyes grew red. The unvented heat of her anger had rushed to her eyes, yet she did not cry.

‘Lea Hamilton, endure. Endure until that day comes.’

She would make Allen pay for the sins he committed against her. Since debt naturally accrues interest, she intended to charge him a very high price.

“Whew!”

Lea felt the sudden approach of winter. It would snow soon. She looked up at the sky and exhaled the anger filling her lungs. Even so, her eyes still stung.

‘I won’t cry.’

Just as she was struggling to hold back her tears, she heard a voice calling her name.

“My Lady, what are you doing here?”

It was Sonya and Adolf. The two were looking at Lea while holding a pair of riding culottes in their arms.

“It’s cold, yet you aren’t even wearing a shawl.”

“I stepped out for a moment because I felt a bit stifled while working. Is it finished?”

“Yes. While the sewing machine can do much of it, there are parts that absolutely require hand-sewing.”

The two still looked uncomfortable. They hadn’t fully let go of their anger at the thought that a machine had defiled their work. Lea took one of the garments and inspected it closely. Suddenly, her suppressed resentment burst forth like a flood.

“Sob…!”

Lea shed tears as she looked at the clothes. Sonya and Adolf, watching her, were flustered. Did she hate the design?

“My Lady, why are you crying? Did we do something wrong?” Adolf asked in an agitated tone.

“No.”

Lea shook her head vigorously. It certainly wasn’t because of them.

“As expected, you two are masters. No matter how fast a sewing machine is, it could never be this precise and clean. Truly, it is magnificent.”

“My goodness!”

Sonya also looked tearful, moved by the compliment. They knew the situation was unavoidable, but their pride had been wounded, feeling as though their dignity had been erased. However, seeing Lea so moved made all their past heartaches blow away in the cold wind.

“This was an unforeseen accident, so it couldn’t be helped.”

“We know. We just flared up because we feared being treated like relics of the past,” Adolf confessed honestly.

“Relics? From now on, you two will focus solely on making clothes for the Imperial Family and the nobility. Paul and Tom will create garments that can be sold in large quantities. These riding habits will soon be sold all across Lubeck.”

Sonya and Adolf nodded throughout Lea’s explanation. Their faces looked much more relaxed, as if the lingering resentment in their hearts had finally cleared.

“Soon, there will be a selection banquet for the Crown Princess in Galdensia. You two must create the dresses for the ladies participating in the selection.”

“Is that true?” Adolf asked, looking very pleased.

Lea told them that the lace dress Chenera was currently making also belonged to one of the candidates. Upon hearing this, Sonya and Adolf felt a spark of competitiveness. They vowed to ensure that the lady wearing their dress would be the one selected.

‘It doesn’t matter; Rivette will never be chosen.’

Lea nodded with a smile, but internally, she resolved to use any means necessary to make sure Rivette failed.

“Sonya, once the equestrian competition is over, come with me to Chenera’s workshop.”

“Yes, I would love to.”

The tears of rage caused by Allen had, quite timely, melted the hearts of Sonya and Adolf.

On the day of the equestrian competition, Allen sat in a seat not far from Queen Theresa. It was his first time seeing the Empress from such a short distance. Despite being a woman, Theresa refused to be called Empress Consort and instead wore the uniform typically reserved for male emperors. Her face was completely hidden behind a black veil.

Rumor had it that she almost never wore dresses. Perhaps that was why, at some point, the public perception of her as a “female” ruler had faded.

‘I wonder what state the Lubeck Empress will show up in.’

Since he had ruined the riding habit only three days ago, they must have given up by now. No matter how hard they tried, there simply wasn’t enough time to remake it.

‘It’s obvious. She’ll come out wearing a cumbersome riding dress.’

Just like the other royal family members participating in the competition. Lubeck wouldn’t be any different. Allen’s heart swelled with anticipation. According to his secretary, the servant who tore the riding habit had given a different statement during the police interrogation.

[She claimed she did it impulsively out of resentment over discriminatory treatment of the employees.]

[Is that so? Money truly is wonderful. The results change depending on how much you spend.]

[It seems the Duke of Courtois has no idea who is actually behind it.]

[Good.]

He was worried that if Grace found out, things would become awkward between them, but everything had passed over smoothly. Just then, he saw Grace and Terran a few seats away. Their eyes met, and Allen tipped his hat slightly in greeting. Grace responded with a smile. It was clear she had no idea he was behind the sabotage.

‘It’s pitiful to watch. If only she had come into my arms sooner, she wouldn’t have to go through such trouble. Tsk tsk.’

However, he was surprised by his own feelings. He had never wanted a woman this desperately in his life. Usually, women were just beings to satisfy his desires or fill his material needs. But Grace was like a finely cut jewel that he coveted. Moreover, she had a certain rarity to her.

‘They say stealing another man’s woman is the sweetest victory. I can’t help it; the more he treasures her, the more I want her.’

Allen cleared his thoughts and stood up to straighten his attire. He needed to make an impression on Emperor Theresa. He approached her and bowed.

“Greetings to the Great Emperor of Galdensia.”

“Who are you?”

Theresa scanned Allen quickly. A chamberlain standing beside her whispered into her ear.

“Oh! The president of the McDowell Trading Company?”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“Nice to meet you, Mr. McDowell. Sit. Let us watch the competition together.”

“It is an honor for my family, Your Majesty.”

Allen sat next to Theresa. Then, as if she had heard something else from the chamberlain, she spoke to him again.

“I hear the McDowell Young Lady is participating in the Crown Princess selection?”

“Yes, Your Majesty. Though she is lacking, she is preparing diligently.”

“Rumor has it she is the most beautiful woman in Bracel?”

“You flatter us.”

“I have high expectations, Mr. McDowell.”

As they exchanged pleasantries, a fanfare sounded to announce the start of the competition. Three riders from each royal family began to enter in order on horseback, met by cheers and applause from the audience. Galdensia’s team, consisting of three noblewomen, appeared on brown horses.

“Your Majesty, I heard they are strong candidates for the win.”

“We shall see.”

They were wearing blue riding dresses and sitting sidesaddle. In fact, most of the riders’ attire was almost identical, differing only in the color of the dresses. It was at that moment that the crowd began to buzz at the appearance of the Lubeck riders. Cheers, applause, and exclamations of wonder broke out louder than ever before.

“Ha! Simply incredible.”

As Theresa clicked her tongue, Allen immediately turned his gaze. His eyes widened in shock.

Lea stayed with Vivian and the maids until the very end, along with Terran.

“How is it, Your Majesty?” Lea asked if the modified riding habit was comfortable.

“The clothes are very comfortable, Lady Vizak.”

“I made the ribbons on the hat a bit longer. They will look more dynamic as they flutter in the wind.”

“How meticulous. Truly, I don’t know what I would have done without our Lady Vizak.”

Vivian finally felt a surge of confidence upon seeing the outfit that would shine on the equestrian grounds. The restrained silhouette added practicality, and even though she sat astride the horse, it didn’t look unseemly at all. Rather, it looked dignified and sophisticated. At a glance, it looked like a skirt, but the fact that it was actually trousers was surprising. Beneath them, soft deerskin boots added an extra touch of style.

“Your Majesty, do not be nervous when you clear the obstacles,” Terran advised, loud enough for everyone to hear.

“I know that much myself.”

“No, you don’t.”

“Excuse me? What did you just say, Duke?”

Vivian started to flare up but managed to suppress it.

“Look. The horses haven’t been trained in a place with this many people. They will be just as nervous as the riders. So, keep reassuring your horse. Especially when clearing an obstacle; if the rider is nervous, the horse will be startled and make a mistake.”

Vivian could not counter Terran’s words. It was annoying that he was lecturing her so arrogantly, but he was entirely correct.

“I will keep that in mind, Duke.”

“Show them. Show the Galdensian Emperor exactly who the rising powerhouse is.”

Terran stoked Vivian’s competitive spirit. In previous competitions, Emperor Theresa had won every time.

“I believe in our Empress,” Lea said, gently taking Vivian’s hand. Vivian smiled at her.

“For the sake of Lady Vizak’s hard work, I will do my absolute best.”

Then, Vivian turned her gaze to Terran, her lip curling slightly as she whispered only for him to hear.

“Hey! I haven’t given up on Lady Vizak yet. As a match for my younger brother, that is.”

“Your Majesty! If you don’t win, I will mistreat and mock you for the rest of your life.”

While Terran and Vivian bickered in low voices, it became time for them to enter the arena.

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