Revenge Comes with Interest - Chapter 60

Allen was aghast. Contrary to his expectations, the Empress of Lubeck and her ladies-in-waiting stood out far above the rest.

When the audience saw the riding habits they wore, they rose for a standing ovation. It was a refreshing shock, as the outfits were remarkably elegant and sophisticated. Had they appeared bizarre or unsightly, the crowd would have erupted in jeers, but these outfits maintained a proper feminine line while offering complete practicality.

‘What on earth did they do? I’m certain the original habits were shredded.’

Allen’s eyes darted around erratically. He raised his hand to summon his secretary, who ran over looking pale, clearly just as shocked.

“Find out what happened.”

“Understood, sir.”

Allen had intended to enjoy the competition by Emperor Teresa’s side with a triumphant heart, but his mood, which had been soaring, plummeted to the floor in an instant. He glanced over at Terran and Lea. They were sitting close together, smiles plastered on their faces throughout the event.

‘Where did it go wrong? Or did they manage to fix it in just three days?’

Who could have done it, by what means, and how? Questions swirled in Allen’s mind one after another.

‘Damn it!’

Rather than wondering why he lost to Terran every time, he was simply consumed by rage. Furthermore, the horsemanship of the Lubeck Empress and her ladies was as brilliant as their innovative attire.

‘No matter how great the Imperial tailors are, it should have been impossible to remake them in three days.’

It wasn’t the kind of work that could be easily split among many people.

‘The general store is going to be swamped again.’

His stomach had already turned seeing people lining up to buy lace; now he was bound to see the same sight all over again.

‘Could it be… is this Lea’s doing?’

Allen began to wonder if he had failed to recognize her hidden talents because he was blinded by her beauty. At a glance, she didn’t seem particularly bright. She looked more like a “Mirror Princess” who cared only for her appearance and craved the attention and affection of men.

‘Then again, she was never an easy opponent.’

When he had invited her to his home, she hadn’t been intimidated even when surrounded by men. At the time, he had assumed it was merely the natural poise of a haughty noblewoman.

‘Am I barking up the wrong tree?’

A sense of skepticism washed over him. He had a strong feeling that he was either targeting the wrong person or was missing something vital.

Meanwhile, Teresa was impressed by the Lubeck Empress’s riding skills. She was agile, delicate, and very proactive.

“That is how one should ride a horse.”

Sitting sidesaddle with one’s waist twisted was practically a circus feat. Seeing the Empress of Lubeck ride stride-on like a man, without hesitation, was magnificent.

“Chamberlain, get in touch with the Lubeck Imperial party. Find out who came up with such a clever idea.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

If this was the Empress’s own talent, it wasn’t something to be ignored. One might say it was just a fuss over a riding habit, but national change and progress often started from such small things.

Teresa felt a twinge of jealousy. She had heard that Lubeck had not only won a great victory in the long war but also that the Imperial couple was young and unafraid of innovation. On top of that, they had an outstanding military noble like Duke Terran Courtois.

Just then, one of the Galdensian riders fell while clearing an obstacle. The audience murmured in concern.

“Oh! Why hesitate there again?”

Despite constant warnings, that chronic mistake persisted even in the competition. At this rate, they wouldn’t even place. In contrast, the Lubeck riders sped along like the wind, clearing obstacles with ease. Teresa felt a surge of irritation at the applause and exclamations of the crowd.

“Tsk, it’s over.”

As Teresa shook her head in disappointment, the chamberlain she had sent on the errand returned. He whispered in her ear for a long time, having gathered quite a bit of information.

‘It was the work of Duke Terran’s fiancée?’

Teresa’s gaze naturally searched for the couple. She had seen Terran a few years ago and recognized his face. But was the small, fragile-looking woman beside him really Grace Vizak? Furthermore, the fact that a mere Baron’s daughter was effectively managing the Hamilton general stores across Galdensia was shocking.

‘Beautiful and brilliant.’

On the surface, she looked so weak she couldn’t even lift a book. She was the type men would adore, but women would find unappealing.

‘Pathetic. To think the Emperor of a nation let her judgment be clouded by prejudice.’

Teresa reproached herself.

In the meantime, the competition ended in an overwhelming victory for Lubeck. It was clear how much they had practiced for this event that lasted less than an hour. The audience celebrated the victory with applause. The Lubeck section of the stands, in particular, was as excited as if it were a festival.

After the awards ceremony, the once-crowded seats were empty. Terran and Lea, moved by the victory, were slow to leave. Of course, Sonya and Adolf were also overjoyed, feeling as though their recent heartaches had been compensated.

“Lady Vizak.”

Vivian called out to Lea and pulled her into a tight embrace. Half of this victory certainly belonged to her.

“It’s thanks to you, My Lady, that we won.”

“Oh… no. It was because of the outstanding skills of Your Majesty and the ladies. You flatter me. Please praise Sonya and Adolf instead.”

Lea redirected all the credit to them. Vivian approached Sonya and Adolf and extended her hand. They each kissed the back of the Empress’s hand in turn.

“Thank you as well, Duke. Though I have no intention of hugging you or letting you kiss my hand in reverence.”

Vivian spoke pertly as she looked at Terran.

“I don’t wish for that either,” Terran grumbled, though his mood was excellent. Honestly, he was incredibly proud of what Lea had accomplished.

“If you are so grateful, please grant a reward to my woman, Your Majesty.”

“How scandalous, calling her ‘your woman.’ But of course, a reward must be given to the primary contributor.”

The Empress didn’t show it, but she was quite surprised inside to see how much Terran had changed. She could hardly believe this was the same Terran who had lived like a shut-in at the ducal mansion after the war.

‘He actually knows how to smile like that. What a relief.’

Vivian, as a friend, was very happy to see Terran looking so consistently joyful while looking at Lea. She hoped that there would be no more trials for him, only sweet days like this.

“There is a celebratory banquet tonight, so I’ll see you all then.”

Vivian intended to leave the arena now that everyone else had gone. However, she saw Teresa walking toward them from a distance, accompanied by her chamberlain. Seeing Vivian’s face stiffen, Lea and Terran turned their gazes.

“Emperor Teresa is coming.”

Terran smiled, his arms crossed. She must be frustrated; Galdensia, which won every year, hadn’t even placed this time. Her pride must be wounded. As Teresa approached, everyone, including Vivian, showed their respect.

“Greetings to the Emperor of Galdensia.”

“Congratulations, Empress Vivian.”

Teresa extended her hand first, and the two women shook hands. The two royals spent some time exchanging congratulations and humble remarks. Then, Teresa’s gaze moved to Lea.

“Is this the lady who planned those wonderful riding habits, Empress?”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

‘Has the rumor spread already?’

Vivian couldn’t hide her bitterness. She should have kept a tighter lid on the information. It was natural for Emperor Teresa to be envious, given that Lea wasn’t a Galdensian talent. At the Empress’s answer, Teresa stepped closer to Lea.

“A very clever young lady, indeed.”

“You flatter me. Those riding habits are the work of Sonya and Adolf here.”

Lea once again pointed to the two and gave them the credit. Of course, Teresa didn’t hold back her praise for Sonya and Adolf either.

“Empress—no, Vivian!”

Teresa addressed the Empress personally. Terran whispered the reason to Lea: the two were distant relatives.

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“I simply cannot live with losing to others. How about a match between just the two of us? Since our attire seems fair now, there should be no issue.”

Vivian’s eyes wavered slightly at Teresa’s sudden proposal, but she quickly steadied herself.

“As the winner, I accept the challenge.”

Vivian replied confidently, refusing to be intimidated.

Only four people remained at the equestrian grounds: Teresa, Vivian, Lea, and the chamberlain. Terran had briefly stepped away for an appointment with a foreign ambassador.

[Lea, I’ll be back soon, so please cheer for the Empress.]

[Don’t worry; go ahead.]

Teresa, at the starting line, rode a black horse, while Empress Vivian rode a white one. Teresa’s chamberlain explained the rules of the match.

“You will start simultaneously and exit the grounds. From there, you will enter the Hazelwood Forest, where flags have been placed.”

“So we just go around the flags and return to the arena first?”

When Vivian asked, the chamberlain nodded. He mentioned that it was a distance that would take at least an hour to return from. Soon, he stepped to the front of the starting line and shouted.

“Go!”

With that sound, the two spurred their horses forward, kicking up dust. To exit the arena, they had to complete one lap and pass through the gate. For now, their skills seemed evenly matched.

Lea cheered for Vivian with her fists clenched. Just as the two were about to pass through the main gate, Teresa’s black veil came loose and fluttered into the air. Lea stood up and walked quickly toward the gate. She intended to retrieve the veil and give it to Teresa when she returned.

She was just about to pick up the veil from the ground.

“Keep your hands off it!”

The chamberlain shouted, his face turning pale.

“Why? I should give it back to Her Majesty when she returns.”

“No one must touch it!”

‘What is he saying? Why can’t I pick up a simple veil?’

Lea ignored the chamberlain’s protest. She wasn’t unaware of the reason Teresa had to hide her face. For that very reason, Lea thought it best to take care of it.

‘Wouldn’t it be more troublesome if she didn’t have this?’

“I absolutely saw nothing! You have made a grave mistake, My Lady!”

The chamberlain stamped his feet in panic and then bolted away. Lea stared blankly at him as he fled at top speed.

‘Why is picking up a veil a grave mistake?’

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