Chapter 87
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 87
“...!”
Sophia gasped sharply.
“The commercial district... Brother’s?”
“Honestly, you know it too, don’t you, Sophia?”
I kept my gaze steady and my posture relaxed. I needed to let the agitation sink in slowly but surely.
“Is there another grandchild in our Frezier family...”
I spoke to strip away the lies blinding her and reveal the truth.
“...who has received their parents’ love and support as ‘passionately’ as Tedric?”
All of this was to make her move according to my will.
“Brother Leon also...!”
Sophia’s voice spiked for a moment before she slowly calmed down.
Right.
Marquis Aster Frezier might pay for child support and whatnot, but he was a cold-blooded iceberg who wouldn't dream of actually raising a child himself. Leon Frezier’s success and fame at the Academy were entirely due to his own capabilities.
“You know, don’t you? The gifts Freziers receive after their debutante.”
According to family law, the direct grandchildren of the Frezier family were gifted land and the rights to manage it after their debutante. It was the family’s way of teaching them economic principles through direct management and giving them an advantage for their future marriages.
Compared to other families who, at most, provided a tutor or put them in charge of a single small shop owned by the family’s merchant guild, this was an incredibly grand gesture.
“Tedric took the best commercial district among all the grandchildren.”
“...”
“Thanks to your father and mother, of course. You haven’t been promised a place that good for after your debutante, have you?”
Grind.
Sophia seemed to grit her teeth instinctively.
It was only natural. When someone pokes at your insecurities, your body reacts first. Even if she was an adopted daughter, Sophia likely lived believing there wasn't a visible gap between her and the biological son, Tedric. Now, she was feeling an even deeper sense of betrayal.
“If you manage Tedric’s commercial district instead, Sophia...”
“...”
“As a future Crown Princess, you’ll become proficient in managing the national treasury, and well...”
I let a slow smile spread across my face.
“Your reputation will soar. Wouldn't the news spread throughout the entire Imperial Capital’s social circle?”
“...!”
Sophia, who had looked entranced by my words, belatedly snapped back to reality and drew a line.
“Crown Princess? Please! I’m not marrying that monster!”
“Are you going to annul the engagement then?”
“Of course! Who would ever marry such a defective product... Even if I can’t do it right now, I’ll break it off later!”
Though she shouted coldly, her eyes were busy.
Reputation.
The reputation that would spread throughout the Imperial Capital.
Directly managing a massive commercial district was an excellent marriage qualification for an unwed noblewoman. The gold earned from Tedric’s district was a secondary matter.
“...”
Sophia believed that breaking the engagement with the Crown Prince wouldn't be that big of a flaw for her.
She probably wasn't the only one who thought so. As she said, the Crown Prince was currently suffering from Divine Power Disorder—Cupid’s Disease.
“An unwed noblewoman holding such a commercial district would be an incredible bride.”
“...”
Sophia didn't answer, but she was clearly swayed. I could feel her greed churning from here.
Literally, she was just ‘swayed’ for now.
So, I decided to drive the final nail into this selfish Frezier, who was younger and far more susceptible to influence than the clever Sophia depicted in The Milk Bread.
“You know how loud the nobles in the capital can be, right?”
“...”
“When everyone is talking about you like crazy, if you have even one more thing in your hand...”
“...”
“It will be etched into the minds of countless eligible bachelors as an attractive merit.”
“...”
“Not for the you of now, but for the you of the future.”
Thump.
If I could hear the sound inside Sophia’s heart, it would probably sound exactly like that.
“...I should call the maids.”
Sophia stood up and pulled the bell cord. Her maids, who had been waiting outside, entered.
“Take all these jewelry boxes.”
“Pardon? Oh, yes, My Lady.”
Since Sophia had already closed the lids, the maids couldn't see the contents. After sending out the maids carrying the heavy boxes, Sophia looked around my room one last time.
Behind her eyes burned greed, jealousy, and anger.
I said nothing and leaned back leisurely in my wheelchair.
Good.
She’s completely hooked.
*
Knock, knock.
“Come, in.”
Creak.
The door opened, and Leon Frezier strode inside. As soon as he entered, he sniffed the air.
“What’s this smell?”
Lisian poured tea into a new cup without a word. Leon took a sip of the tea he was given and tilted his head.
“Why is it so sweet? Brother, you usually don't drink tea with such a strong sweet taste.”
What happened to all those precious, bitter teas that were supposedly good for the body?
“Did you have a sudden change of heart?”
“Tulia, s-sent it, as a gift.”
While he was busy preparing for the banquet, Adel had come by to deliver the tea leaves.
“These are the tea leaves the Young Lady likes most, Young Master.”
“Is that so?”
He had also received a message about going out to buy tea leaves together later.
Her favorite tea leaves.
He was curious. That was why he was taking the time to taste the tea even while busy getting ready.
“She said they’re the tea leaves, she l-likes, the most.”
“What?!”
Leon Frezier jumped to his feet.
“Where’s mine?!”
“There isn't any.”
“Why?!”
“W-would she give you any, when you b-bully Tulia every day?”
“Bully her?! I just acted as her horse and ran for her!”
A horse, indeed...
Lisian couldn't help but chuckle as he remembered Tulia turning pale and screaming, “Aaaah!”
Regardless, Leon was busy huffing in indignation.
“She’s really mean, isn't she?! Why does she discriminate between you and me like this?!”
Even as he fumed, Leon quickly grabbed the tongs and plopped ice cubes into his tea. The ice melted into water the moment it hit the cup. Leon continued adding ice until the steaming hot tea had cooled down, then he downed it all in one gulp.
Jump!
“I need to go and have a word with her!”
“Leon. S-since you’re going anyway.”
Lisian took another sip of his still hot and sweet tea before continuing.
“Escort, T-Tulia, here.”
Leon Frezier’s eyes sparkled.
“Got it!”
“L-like a gentleman.”
At those words, Leon’s shoulders slumped immediately.
“That’s a roundabout way of telling me not to run while holding the wheelchair. Che. Fine.”
Then I guess I have no choice but to carry her on my back and run like a gentleman?
As Leon walked away with a light, excited step, his chief physician hurried after him. No matter how monstrous Leon Frezier’s stamina was, his external injuries hadn't fully healed yet. Thus, the physician followed him everywhere.
‘The Young Master is truly something. He doesn't care about the stares at all.’
Today was, after all, Grand Duke Asis Frezier’s birthday banquet. Many people were in attendance. While outsiders couldn't enter this inner castle, the servants were busily moving back and forth.
Among them, the maids and quite a few manservants were staring at Leon with wide eyes. Having prepared perfectly for the banquet, Leon Frezier was an exceptionally handsome man, even in the eyes of his own physician.
While it was rude for servants to stare at their master’s face, it was hard to call it a slight when they were so clearly dazed.
If it was like this inside, how much more would it be outside?
Seeing him walk without a hint of agitation despite all the staring, the physician realized Leon was very used to such attention.
‘But even I have to admit, he is handsome.’
Indeed. Though they were twins, Lisian and Leon appealed to very different tastes. Both were incredibly handsome, but everyone has their favorites.
‘Young Master Leon, whom I serve, is the god of beauty himself.’
Yes, indeed.
Knock, knock.
“Come in.”
The physician, lost in thought, followed Leon into Tulia’s quarters.
“I’ve come to get you, Tulia!”
Along with Leon’s boisterous shout, the physician stepped into the room and instantly scrubbed his previous thoughts away.
‘Our Young Master was a false god!’
Leon felt the same. Seeing Tulia, who had just finished her preparations, Leon rubbed his eyes vigorously before speaking.
“...I’m looking for [Tulia]?”