Chapter 86
Chapter 86
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 86
Chapter Title: The Place to Store the Gold Coins
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The count's younger brother, who would become her brother-in-law. She dredged up a memory she had forgotten and answered.
"Yes. Exactly twice. If you go up to the east of the territory, there's a small manor house. He lived there practically in seclusion. You can't hide the bloodline, after all—his personality was just as trashy."
Hmm. Ian grimaced as he imagined the count's brother. If he were a proper member of the family, he wouldn't have allowed a slave-born woman to become the countess. Considering that things had happened without even a wedding ceremony, it was easy to guess just how much of a mess it was.
Both Bratz and Merelrof were like that.
Surely not all nobles from a hundred years ago were like this—at least, he hoped not.
"If the count dies, the only one who could raise questions would be the count's brother, right?"
"That's right. There are said to be two younger sisters, but they married abroad, so I've never seen them."
"If he's in seclusion with no contact, there's no particular cause for worry. Even if the count dies, who would suspect the wife?"
At those words, the wife stopped and stared blankly at Ian. Under the bright sunlight, he could clearly see the green mixed into her black pupils. It was the mark proving she was a dryad's child.
"Those who betray the sacred bond are abandoned by the gods as well."
She had felled a tree, but in the end, wasn't it her mother's lifeline? No matter how much it was to save her father, reality didn't change. The wife often felt the scar on her palm like the brand of a criminal.
"Even less so after killing the guardian of the forest—do you think my life will be smooth? The count's brother, who stayed quiet until now, rises up, raises questions, suspects me, it's exposed, and I'm sold back to the slave traders—is all that truly just the worst-case scenario in my imagination?"
Lady Rien knew. Even if she gained freedom, she wouldn't gain happiness. That was why she was going through all this trouble—to avoid the absolute worst.
"I'm preparing for everything I can. That's how I survive. The curse of betraying the sacred bond only ends when I die."
"Well, I wouldn't know."
"...What do you mean?"
"Those who betray the sacred bond don't even realize they've done it. The gods always soothe the wounds of those who whip themselves. I don't know the details of your circumstances, but madam, this much is clear. You're innocently naive, just like a fairy's child."
Ian had been dragged down by the man he called his uncle. In the imperial palace, blood relatives pointed swords at each other for power without a care, and even parents checked their own children. In lives where you couldn't show your back even to loved ones, that said it all.
"Innocent? Me?"
"If I've offended you, I apologize. What I mean is, don't drown yourself in self-pity. Whatever you think is right, for you."
If she thought she was cursed, then she would be, and if not, she wouldn't. It was the same reason villains strutted around without a care—they didn't think it was wrong.
Lady Rien stopped in her tracks, as if it was a perspective she had never considered.
"...I'm cursed."
"Yes. Then that's how it is."
Ian didn't deny it. He had never seen her fell the fairy's tree, nor did he know what trials she had endured.
Strangely, the wife couldn't take another step, feeling as if her life was being invalidated.
"My mother always spoke of the fairy's curse."
"Ah. I've heard that too."
Dryads and other nature fairies existed between promises and fulfillment. If you made a vow to do something, you had to do it, and if you did, the fairy would grant a wish in return.
"Those who can't rely on temples or mages often do that. They hear rumors of fairies and head to the mountains, the seas, and the unknown."
But something was odd.... Ian stopped walking as well and turned back.
"Did you make a promise with your mother? If not, there's no particular problem."
"...If I'm not cursed, then why is my life like this?"
"I told you. It's because you think you're cursed."
Lady Rien felt like someone had smashed her head with a hammer. At the same time, she was so confused she couldn't even gather her thoughts properly. Ian left her behind and approached the room where Clark was confined.
"Open the door."
At Ian's command, the soldier nodded curtly. The firmly locked padlock clunked down, and a gap opened at the same time. It was because Clark had shaken it so much that the seam had come loose.
Creak.
"Ah, Clark."
"...Lady Rien."
The two looked at each other, but that was it. As if a clear line was drawn between them, neither moved from their spots. Lady Merelrof turned her back the moment she confirmed Clark was unharmed.
"You're leaving just like that?"
"Of course. What business would I have here? I begged Lord Ian and sold myself, so seeing that he's alive is enough."
Clark didn't chase after her either. Berik whipped his head back and forth, staring at the two in fascination. He had expected hugs and tears, but the reaction was too matter-of-fact.
"What are those two doing? They must really have zero chemistry."
"You brat, your attitude has been utterly rude from the start."
"Must be brain damage from your side. My tongue won't move right. Sor~ry."
"What kind of...!"
Lady Rien cried out in displeasure, but it wouldn't work on Berik. He already knew she was a former slave, and even her plot to kill her husband. When Berik stuck out his tongue with an "eh," she closed her eyes as if she couldn't bear to look.
"Berik. Show some respect to the lady."
"You're kidding? Do you know how much I suffered?"
"Didn't you sleep well and wake up fine?"
"That's that, and I had some mental trauma."
While Ian and Berik bickered, Lady Rien slipped into another parlor as if fleeing.
"Um, Lord Ian. What about the door?"
The soldier glanced awkwardly at the open door. Clark seemed to have lost the will to come out after seeing the wife's attitude. Ian had no intention of meddling in someone else's love life.
"Close it again and stand guard."
"Yes, understood, Lord Ian."
"Clark. Count Merelrof is at the mansion. When you return, come back and we'll decide your fate. It'd be best not to cause a fuss."
"...."
Creak.
Even after Ian's words, no reply came from Clark. After confirming Lady Rien sitting blankly on the parlor sofa, Ian ordered Hanna to guard the door.
"He's out of it. Is he okay?"
"He's probably got a lot to think about. Bring some refreshments and keep a close watch. I need to go help Lord Romandro."
Romandro looked utterly drained from dealing with Count Merelrof alone. When Ian returned, he perked up like a wilted leaf coming back to life. At his feet lay a bundle of torn papers.
"Pardon the interruption. How far did you get?"
"Perfect timing. It's the last page. The revised parts are in darker brown ink, so check those."
Ian read the still-wet ink documents and asked the count's forgiveness. He too looked worn out from revising the contract.
"Count Merelrof. Unfortunately, without the official seal yet, we'll use signatures instead."
"Fine. We just finished revising that clause too. Where's the wife?"
"She's resting in another parlor with some tea."
At Ian's words, the count stood without a reply and headed out. Once the count was gone, Romandro slithered under the sofa like melting honey.
"That stingy old coot."
"Was it tough?"
"Don't ask. First time I've seen someone like that."
"You've done well."
"But I defended the price properly. I anticipated a big slash, which helped. He asked to pack different sizes of gula, so I allowed that arbitrarily."
At Romandro's satisfied assessment, Ian smiled too. Finally, finally, with just the signatures, the moment to sell 100 gula for 3,500 gold coins was approaching.
'Why hasn't it arrived yet?'
Some time later, Count Merelrof returned, straightening his disheveled cuffs. No one else noticed, but Ian spotted a strand of woman's hair caught in his button. He couldn't hold back and had apparently gotten handsy in someone else's mansion.
Such lack of dignity....
"Hmm. Alright. Have you checked everything?"
Ian handed over the pen to finalize the contract.
"Yes. No issues. Then I'll sign, Count."
"Do it. We'll take the gula today."
"Did you bring the gold coins by any chance?"
"I can give 1,000 gold coins now, and the rest via Haiman Bank. I can go to the bank while you select the gula."
Count Merelrof muttered while checking his watch. 1,000 gold coins. He must have brought them thinking ten per gula on a whim.
Ian signed without hesitation, and the count did the same, pulling his seal from his inner pocket to complete the deal.
"Thank you, Count. Today's transaction will be a meaningful moment for both territories."
"Hm. Yes. Start selecting the gula."
"Outside, gather the workers. We're packing 100 bundles."
"Bring the sacks! Sturdy ones that stretch well! And get the crates from the wagons!"
With the contract sealed, the mansion servants bustled about. At the count's orders, servants hauled crates down from the wagons one after another. Three grown men grunted to carry what held 1,000 gold coins. They had come divided across four wagons.
"Gasp!"
When the crates were opened, golden light gleamed from within, freezing all the servants in place. Then they turned to Ian in panic.
"Living this long, first time seeing this much yellow besides corn kernels. Wow...."
"Wh-what do we do with this?"
Ian checked his watch and gave instructions. The count was busy rummaging through the gula warehouse with his men.
"Load the crates back onto the wagons. We're heading straight to the bank. Everyone else, assist Count Merelrof and his men in moving 100 bundles of gula."
"Eek! 100 bundles?"
"Did I hear that wrong?"
"They'll pack as much as they want of what they want, so no need to worry."
It was up to the Merelrof territory people to select good, appropriately sized ones. The servants just needed to supervise and guide from the side.
"The bank, you say...."
"Is there another bank in Variel? Haiman Bank."
At Ian's firm words, the servants reloaded the crates onto the wagons. Soon, they left the bustling mansion behind and passed through the main gate.