Chapter 79
Chapter 79
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 79
Chapter Title: Lady Rien's Circumstances
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“Ian.”
Meanwhile, Ian, who had stepped out into the central garden, turned his head at Romandro’s call.
“The countess from Merelrof is here, right? Where is she? It seems like the count was too embarrassed to show his face himself and sent her instead. Haha! Goodness.”
“I thought the same, but Lady Merelrof is currently in Lady Mary’s room.”
“Hm? You mean Lady Mary Bratz? Why there? I heard they’re close friends, but is she here to offer belated condolences?”
“Who knows. It’d be better if that were the case. She said she lent something to Lady Mary and is looking for it.”
“…What?”
“I don’t know. She won’t tell me even if I ask.”
Romandro tilted his head at Ian’s words. What on earth could noble ladies exchange between them? Lady Merelrof’s eccentricity, which he thought would end quickly, continued until lunchtime passed.
Creak.
“…….”
Lady Merelrof emerged from Lady Mary’s room, her expression peculiar. It seemed like she had achieved what she wanted, but also like she hadn’t……
Ian could guess from the servant who followed her out, pale-faced, that she had failed to find the item.
“Madam?”
“Ah. Lord Ian, it took longer than expected.”
“Did you find what you wanted?”
“No. It seems it went missing during the commotion. It doesn’t appear to be in the room.”
The lady brushed her hair back and smiled faintly. To a stranger, she would seem truly radiant and charming. From the look of things, she had no intention of revealing what the item was, neither earlier nor now.
In that case, there was no need for him to pry awkwardly.
“Shall we head to the drawing room, then?”
“I was just craving some tea. That sounds perfect.”
“Lady Merelrof, good day.”
“Oh! Good day. Have you been well? Your name was Romandro, I believe.”
“Yes. Madam.”
Lady Merelrof greeted Romandro warmly as he kissed her hand, then chattered away as they descended back to the drawing room. Watching from the bottom of the stairs, Berik muttered.
“I smell the scent of a madwoman who’s no ordinary nutcase.”
“…Berik.”
“It’s true, isn’t it? Why’s she acting like that?”
“Check the room once and tidy it up.”
“Got it.”
Berik gave a half-hearted reply and entered Lady Mary’s room.
By the time Ian arrived at the drawing room, Romandro and Lady Merelrof were already sharing tea.
“Lord Ian, I’ve been terribly rude.”
“Not at all, Madam. Please don’t worry about it.”
“And I mentioned earlier that I had another gift?”
“Yes, you did.”
Ian sat across from Lady Merelrof and replied.
“I hear you have to pay tribute to the central nobility.”
“Ah. How did you know?”
“Word gets around. The amount seems rather large, so we were thinking of helping out a bit.”
“From Count Merelrof?”
“Yes. It might not be the full amount you need, but we could probably lend around 5,000 gold coins.”
“Ah. You’d lend it?”
“Interest-free, in exchange for some Gula seeds. What do you say?”
Ian smiled brightly and replied.
“Not interested.”
“Khup!”
It was Romandro who choked unexpectedly. Even so, to rebuff her so bluntly. But the lady seemed unfazed, merely shrugging her shoulders.
“Is that so?”
“First, we’re grateful for Count Merelrof and your concern. However, the tribute only has meaning if we pay it ourselves, and we have the means to do so. Besides, if we compare the interest on 5,000 gold coins to the value of Gula, the latter is overwhelmingly superior. Gula seeds multiply into over a dozen without fail when replanted, solving winter famine, don’t they?”
“Even so, Gula was worth less than a single coin before.”
“That was before. You can always earn more gold, but once a life is lost, it’s gone.”
It was a remark that pierced straight through Merelrof’s situation. Their coffers were full, but there was nowhere to spend it. Lady Merelrof sipped her tea and smiled softly.
“If you’d like to buy Gula, we’d be happy to accommodate. It’s clean and looks good for both sides. After all, isn’t solving things with money the easiest thing in the world?”
“…How much are you thinking if we buy?”
“Fifty coins per sack.”
“Fifty coins?”
“Gold.”
Romandro, listening across from them, coughed and spilled his tea. Hadn’t it been ten gold per sack just before?
But Ian had clearly said ‘minimum’ ten.
“Good heavens. Selling that weed for fifty gold coins.”
“Shall I show you the size?”
Ian ignored it and called a servant. The servant unfurled an empty sack to demonstrate its size. A small sack reaching up to the calf.
Lady Merelrof raised her eyebrows, still feigning admiration.
“Wow.”
As if it were none of her concern.
“Are you mocking me right now?”
“Of course not, Madam. Aren’t you here on behalf of the count? Insulting you is insulting the count. That could never happen.”
From her attitude, Ian was convinced. She clearly had no real interest in Gula trading or anything like that. It seemed the item she’d lent to Lady Mary was her sole purpose……
“A sack holds about thirty to forty Gula seeds. If planted entirely, it’d multiply into hundreds within a month, thousands or tens of thousands after another.”
This assumed none were eaten and all replanted. In this season, edging toward winter’s belt, that was impossible, of course.
“In two months, it’d be enough to save everyone in Merelrof territory and then some. You must know well that a territory’s foundation lies in its population.”
“Hmm. I see.”
“There are many reasons for pricing. We, like Count Merelrof, prioritize our territory’s people…. How much were you selling grains for back then?”
Romandro jumped in eagerly to assist.
“Essentials like wheat and corn were excluded, but side ingredients more than doubled in price. Potatoes were especially impressive. Half a gold coin per barrel, wasn’t it?”
It was a jab saying, Isn’t this what you did? You jacked up prices citing hardship when we begged for help, and now you’re getting it back in spades.
The lady shook her head and stared blankly out the window. Then, as if struck by a sudden thought, she murmured quietly.
“Truth be told, the one who opens the purse is the count, so my opinion doesn’t carry much weight. Fifty gold coins won’t be an issue if it means eating. We might even have to offer land.”
“Thank you for understanding.”
Meanwhile, inside Lady Mary’s room.
While Ian, Lady Merelrof, and Romandro engaged in their delicate negotiation. Berik, casually looking around Lady Mary’s room, sensed a presence and turned.
Creak.
“Lord Berik? What are you doing here?”
It was Hanna. She wiped her wet hands on her apron and tilted her head.
“Ah. Lady Merelrof came earlier and ransacked the room. Ian told me to check it and lock up.”
“She ransacked the room? Why?”
“Dunno. Seems Lady Mary borrowed something and didn’t return it. Ian thinks it’s in here, but I can’t find it.”
Lady Mary’s actions as she fled. Even in that urgent moment, she hadn’t stopped by the room.
“You don’t even know what it is?”
“You crazy?”
“Hmm. Definitely not an easy situation.”
Hanna rested her arms on her waist and quickly scanned the room. Then she dropped to her knees and shoved a broom under the bed.
“What’re you doing?”
“Places to hide things. Rooms have limited spots. Under the bed, or the wardrobe, bottom or back of cabinets…….”
“Checked all that.”
“Or the floor or ceiling.”
“Floor and ceiling?”
Hanna tapped the floor with the broom as she walked. Checking for hollow spots by sound.
Thud! Thud thud!
“Yes. Wooden floors can be pried up. The ceiling’s too high to reach… Ah!”
Hanna suddenly looked up at the ceiling as if realizing something. Her gaze fixed on the chandelier ornament. Wood-patterned ceiling beams radiated outward from the center, draped here and there.
“Wait. A chair won’t work.”
“Ladder?”
“Yes!”
“I’ll get it. Keep tapping the floor.”
Berik, about to dash out, paused. Come to think of it, how was she so skilled?
“But what are you, exactly? You pick locks well, sleight of hand’s great, and finding hidden stuff is a breeze.”
“Everyone from my neighborhood can do this much.”
“Doubt it…….”
Call it skills forged by environment. Hanna’s home was better off, but she’d heard of houses where ceilings collapsed from hidden drugs.
Hanna gestured to hurry, and Berik shook his head but obeyed.
“Hold it tight.”
“Wouldn’t it be better if I climbed?”
“You can’t even find clothes in a drawer, Lord Berik. Just hold it steady.”
Creak.
Hanna climbed the ladder and reached into the chandelier. The warmth of the lamps tingled at her fingertips, sticky dust clinging to her hand.
“A bit to the left… Ah!”
“What? What? Found it?”
“Uh…….”
Hanna pulled out a round object from her hand. A black glossy compact.
“Looks like this is what Lady Mary and Lady Merelrof were after…….”
“Why hide makeup up there?”
“Right? It’s nothing special!”
“Shall we open it?”
While Hanna handed over the compact and descended the ladder, Berik couldn’t wait and popped the lid. It was filled with fine powder.
“Really nothing… Huh?”
“What’s wrong?”
“This… smell…….”
Hanna asked puzzled, but Berik buried his nose in it and sniffed, unable to reply. It had a strange scent.
After a couple sniffs? Suddenly Berik’s eyes rolled back, and he pitched forward.
Thud!
“Gasp! Lord Berik!”
At the same time, the powder scattered across the floor. Hanna shook Berik, but his body stiffened rigidly, showing no sign of waking.
“Ugh…….”
“Ah, L-Lord Ian! Lord Ian!”
Hanna backed away and rushed to the drawing room, flinging the door open without knocking. Romandro, Ian, and Lady Merelrof turned to her with startled expressions.
“Lord Ian! Big trouble!”
“What’s the commotion, Hanna?”
“Lord Berik, he, he found the item. A black round compact with powder, and he collapsed right after smelling it.”
“What on earth…….”
While Ian looked baffled, Lady Merelrof bolted out reflexively. As Hanna was shoved aside, Ian followed in alarm.
“Madam? Madam!”
Tap tap tap!
Her desperate dash, clutching her dress hem, was no small thing. Ian quickly caught up and grabbed her arm.
Fwoosh!
“Madam. Please calm down a moment…….”
“Let go!”
“No, wait…….”
A brief scuffle. The lady slipped down the stairs, and Ian tumbled after. Romandro and Hanna, chasing behind, called out.
“Lord Ian! Are you all right?”
“L-Lord Ian! Are you okay?”
“Yeah. I’m fine. Madam, are you hurt…….”
“Ah…….”
So urgent she climbed the stairs gripping them. Beneath her slightly hiked skirt, her ankle showed. Skin too purple to call human.
Ian flinched for a moment, then realized it was a bruise.