Revenge Comes with Interest - Chapter 68

Winter had passed, and with the arrival of spring, it was the day for a grand spring cleaning at the ducal mansion. The servants were busy scrubbing their assigned areas. Meanwhile, James and Luke were engaged in a serious conversation.

“James, shouldn’t we ask the Duke to let us in on the Bertan railway project? Viscount Martenpolo said the Bertan Imperial family has so much money, didn’t he?”

“I want to as well. But since it’s a top-secret matter that the Viscount only hinted at to the Duke, it feels a bit awkward to act like I know.”

“Augh! It’s such a waste! It’s a golden opportunity to make a profit several times over.”

Servants passing by stole glances at the two as they talked.

“No, they said that once Prince Buttan ascends to the throne, they’ll be laying railways across that entire vast continent of Bertan,” Luke lamented, unable to let go of the missed chance.

“Well, the Bertan continent is certainly enormous. It would be hard for one company to monopolize it. But our Duke will surely invest in the most prime real estate among them.”

“Exactly, James! What if we gather all our savings and tell the Duke we want to invest alongside him?”

“Would there even be room for people with pocket change like us?”

Luke was as excited as a man possessed by money, and even James, famous for his usual composure, seemed restless. The servants looked quite surprised at this sight.

“James!”

It was Lea who interrupted their conversation. Well, they had said all they needed to say, so there was no need to chatter further anyway.

“I have a favor to ask.”

At Lea’s words, Luke tactfully excused himself. Having been away from Terran’s side for too long, he intended to go and help with his work.

“Please speak, My Lady.”

“Not here… shall we walk toward the gallery for a moment?”

“As you wish.”

Lea passed through the lobby with James and headed toward the gallery that connected the various buildings of the mansion. Once they reached a secluded spot, Lea handed James a box. Wrapped in purple velvet, the box looked luxurious to anyone’s eyes.

“My Lady, what is this?”

“Open it.”

James opened the box with a bewildered face and gasped in surprise.

“Is this not a pocket watch? And a Laurence watch, no less…!”

He stared at the gold-chained watch, half-lost in admiration. It was a masterpiece among masterpieces, a watch every man dreamed of owning.

“It is a token of my sincerity for you, James.”

“Pardon? Why would you suddenly give me such an expensive gift?”

“Chenera told me that your watch had broken.”

“That is true, but…”

While James couldn’t take his eyes off the watch, Lea began to explain her objective in a soft, persuasive tone. However, the longer Lea spoke, the darker James’s expression became. It was exactly as she had expected.

“My Lady, that request is…?”

“James, it’s true that love letters have come from Miss Emily Lant, right?”

“That is correct. But that falls under the Duke’s private affairs, so I cannot show them to you so easily.”

“Don’t worry about the aftermath. I will handle everything.”

“Still…”

James shook his head, clearly reluctant. Lea knew that in times like this, she shouldn’t stubbornly demand help.

“Think it over. I’m not asking for an answer right away.”

“Hmm, in that case, I will think it over thoroughly before giving you an answer. As for the watch…”

James tried to return the watch to Lea, but she stopped him with her hand.

“This gift has nothing to do with my request. I would be hurt if you didn’t accept it.”

At her words, James could no longer refuse. Lea wasn’t greatly disappointed, as she had anticipated his reaction. In fact, it would have been stranger if he had agreed to the favor right away. Just then, the sound of hurried footsteps echoed.

“James.”

It seemed Luke had been searching for him everywhere. “The Duke is looking for you.”

“Go on then.”

Lea made way for him, having said all she intended to say. Now, all that remained was to wait for James’s answer.

Lea was just about to go out for a walk with Terran. The snow had almost completely melted in the fir forest, making it look perfect for walking. Still, the weather outside was cold, so the two were bundled up in their overcoats.

Just as they were about to leave the lobby, a servant walked toward Lea carrying a large bouquet of flowers.

“Flowers for the Young Lady.”

“For me?”

‘Why now, of all times.’

The moment he saw the flowers, Terran’s face turned icy. Lea accepted the flowers awkwardly, keeping a close eye on his mood. They were beautiful, but she was so flustered she couldn’t even recall the name of the flowers. Lea searched through the bouquet to see if there was a card.

‘Please, let there be none…’

But of course, there was one, plain as day. Just as Lea was about to pull the card out, Terran snatched it away. He opened the stolen card and scanned its contents.

“How cute.”

Terran’s reaction surprised Lea even more. Based on her expectations, he should have snatched the flowers and thrown them away.

“Are you okay?”

“Of course. They’re just flowers.”

His reaction was completely different from how he treated Allen. Was it because Salame seemed more fragile than other men?

‘Looking at the envelope, it was a card from Salame. Does he pick and choose who to be jealous of?’

Lea actually felt a bit slighted. No, it was better to think that Terran was responding rationally. Still, she wanted to ask. Was he truly okay, or was he just pretending…?

“Are you not upset?”

“There’s no need to pay it any mind.”

After answering calmly, Terran offered his arm to Lea. She linked arms with him and they headed outside.

‘Terran has received so many flowers and love letters that he’s become numb to it.’

If that was the case, did it mean she shouldn’t make an issue of the many love letters sent to him? However, to help Lady Armand, she needed the letters Emily had sent.

“A person holding a jewel must always endure the envy and jealousy of others.”

Terran stopped walking and spoke while looking at Lea tenderly. Lea blushed at his words.

‘How can he suddenly be so moving? It’s making me feel guilty.’

Lea’s position—having to eventually steal his love letters—had become very awkward.

‘It’s for justice! Throw your conscience to the dogs for a moment!’

“Grace, let’s get married in May.”

Lea, who had been lost in thought, snapped back to reality at Terran’s words.

“All right.”

Lea knew she couldn’t delay the marriage any longer. She had spent a long time contemplating how to live as Grace. Surely this body belonged to Grace, not Lea, and somewhere within it, Grace’s soul was slumbering. Thus, she had reached the conclusion that Grace Vizak’s wish was more important than Lea Hamilton’s will.

‘Grace would want to marry you as soon as possible.’

It was hard for Lea Hamilton to say for certain, as she wasn’t someone who could make hasty decisions about marriage. However, she wasn’t blind to the jealousy shimmering in Terran’s eyes. She had felt the same when she saw Emily giving him a love letter. She cupped Terran’s cheeks with both hands.

“Then, the grapes won’t have any meaning.”

“That’s right! They’ll lose all meaning! Even tonight, we could…!”

“No, no!”

Lea shook her head. “If we marry in May, we can follow the proper laws. You just have to endure until then.”

“It’s only February.”

“Yes, there are only three months left.”

“Still, since we started it, we should finish it. And promises are meant to be kept.”

Terran suddenly changed his attitude. He insisted on getting the signature for the final grape and fulfilling the promise. Terran’s lips gently covered Lea’s. Between their interlocking lips, a sweet breath lingered, and a thirsty desire—craving each other madly even while together—leaked out.

‘I’m going to catch and kill every last fly swarming around you. I’ll catch them one by one and crush them.’

Terran, seized by a restless lust, endlessly sought her lips. At the same time, he did not forget his vengeance against the enemies targeting his woman.

‘Terran, the love letters sent to you will clear a woman’s grievances.’

And Lea decided to keep it her own secret that the plan included revenge against Emily, who had made advances on her man.

A few days later, James came to see Lea.

“My Lady, I will help you.”

“Really? Thank you, James.”

“However, I cannot remember exactly where I put those letters. The Duke never even read them, so I gathered them all and tied them together… Ah! There is a large study within the mansion. I believe I put them in a large storage cabinet on the right wall as you enter.”

‘Found it. It’s as good as done now.’

Lea smiled with great satisfaction. When night fell, Lea headed to the study with Pauline, carrying a single candlestick. The place was slightly secluded, even within the ducal mansion. When they finally opened the door and entered, the pleasant scent of old books wafted out.

“My Lady, there is the cabinet.”

Pauline led Lea toward the storage unit. The problem was that the drawers were packed tight from top to bottom. To find the love letters, they would have to open every single one of these drawers.

“Let’s search instead of wasting time thinking.”

“Yes.”

The two frantically opened drawers in search of the letters. James had said they were a bundle tied with twine. They spent over thirty minutes inspecting every single drawer.

“It’s not here.”

“It seems James might have misremembered.”

“I suppose so. I’ll have to ask him again tomorrow.”

Lea decided to wrap things up for the night.

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