Looking down at Raisa, who had her head lowered behind the marchioness, Richard declared,
Its over.
Richard stood up with the sa bored expression as when the eting had first started.
Youre all dismissed.
The eting, which had been convened out of nowhere, ca to an abrupt end.
The gathered all glanced at each other and then left in a hurry to find the Bolsheik who had swept away all the festival rights, leaving only the two people in the hall.
As Marchioness Neir, who had all the benefits of the festival blown away in an instant, stumbled as if her eyes were ripped out and her nose was cut, was quickly supported by Raisa from behind.
She handed sothing to the marchioness, who emptied it at once and whispered with a heavy breath.
It was you.
What are you talking about?
The liquor license.
The corners of Raisas mouth twitched and she smiled.
You can be proud.
At that, the Marchioness Neir looked at Raisa with a slightly restored complexion.
What are you doing?
My goals are always the sa as my mothers.
It was an answer without much fuss, but Marchioness Neir did not believe it straight away.
It was only because she realized, albeit vaguely, that Raisa was different from the stupid and greedy days before.
Dont be presumptuous.
Raisa didnt answer, and the marchioness didnt demand an answer like before.
Even if she got the answer she wanted, a puppet whose thread was cut wouldnt move the way she wanted it to.
Swak!
Marchioness Neir brushed off Raisas hand as if removing sothing dirty and left first.
A shady smile spread across Raisas face as she looked down at the back of her throbbing hand.
Its too late for you to do anything, mother.
Raisa stepped out of her mothers shadow, rolling the tiny, pinkish vial in her grasp.
.
Although the damage from the locusts was still severe, the festival was held as scheduled.
After the great disaster, it wasnt just farmland that was ssed up.
The people of the empire, who were worried about what to do every day, also put a smile on their tired faces for the first ti in a long while.
Hey. Are you doing it this year as well?
Thats right. Well, I dont have ti to prepare, so I cant make it big.
Every festival, when the person who made small things at ho for sale massaged his shoulder, the jewelry seller would tap his arm.
Ill help you out.
What are you doing?
I should help you in tis like this.
How about staying still? Ill help you move it, so just tell .
Around the ti when the preparations for the festival were in full swing, with citizens helping each other little by little throughout the capital, no, throughout the empire.
Lawrence, who had barely returned to the capital from the Sheffield estate, sat down with a groan as he saw the mountain of papers waiting for him.
Catherine approached him as the groan slipped out.
What, why are you making strange noises? Horrible.
What are you saying to your older brother who has just returned from a difficult, hellish place and has to walk into hell again?
If youre the next family head, its only natural that you should do that much.
At Catherines relentless words, Lawrence gave her a dry laugh and waved his hand.
He didnt have the energy left to confront his darling sister because he was trying to fix their estate that had been swept away by locusts.
Squatting beside the drooping Lawrence, Catherine tapped his arm.
So how was it?
Dont even ntion it. It was so terrible, they ate it all without leaving any seeds. Its said they leave ruins when they pass by, but that wasnt an exaggeration.
He let out a long sigh.
I personally felt the reason why His Highness the Crown Prince ca out to check on . Truly, His Highness was scary.
You an the crown prince? He went all the way to our territory?
No. He ca to the brewery. He said he was on his way to look around the locust-stricken area.
When?
The day Lady Bolsheik ca you, you are too close.
Lawrence frowned and pushed Catherines face away, which had co right up to him with shining eyes.
How?
There was no reference to anything or anyone, but looking at those sparkling eyes, he couldnt think of anyone other than Ophelia.
Oh okay.
Okay?
She is a good person.
What?
Catherines eyes turned sharp.
Is that it?
Youre making a fuss even though I said she is a good person?
Is that it for Ophelia, who is pretty, cute, beautiful, talented, and has the best personality?!
Lawrence sighed as he pressed the palm of his hand to Catherines face, which was blowing wild snorts in front of his nose.
You said not to fall in love at first sight, but isnt it too much not to fall in love with such a person?
What? Dont tell you!
Its older brother not you. And no. Shes a nice person, but it wasnt love at first sight.
At Lawrences resolute reply, Catherine was relieved, then repeatedly choked up again.
Flicking the tip of Catherines nose, Lawrence turned his knotted shoulders and asked,
What about what I asked for?
I handled it. I got permission safely, and I set the price lower than expected. No matter if its a hobby, whats different from just solving it for free?
What hobby? And by the way, youre fast? What kind of deal did you make with the Marquisate of Neir?
No.
No? Then its not a deal.
Whats with those suspicious eyes it wasnt against the Marquisate of Neir.
You said the liquor license went to Neir.
No, the original owner Its hard to say, but it went back to the family that received the right from the imperial family. Everything that Neir robbed.
What are you talking about?
Youre supposed to be the next marquis, but why are you so slow at understanding?
Did you listen to everything and organize it like this?
Anyway, let tell you
Before long, Lawrence was updated about the series of commotions at the great eting. He admired briefly, saying,
Thats great.
Isnt it? Ophelia is amazing as expected.
Catherine shrugged her shoulders and lifted her chin, as if she was the one who had received the complint.
Although its amazing what she did against Marchioness Neir
She just gave it all back?
Yes. I wouldve made a deal using that as an excuse.
Thats what Ophelia said.
Catherine felt the sa way as Lawrence. And it wasnt just the two of them. Iris and Cooper also had the sa question.
You said you just returned all those benefits? Why?
Ophelia smiled faintly at those scrambling to ask questions and shook her head.
Theres too much work. I cant handle it on my own. But I cant throw it away, so I just gave it back.
Catherine shook her head while Lawrences eyes widened.
Oh my. Isnt that amazing to hear?
He recalled those steadfast eyes and straight back that was about to go to a dangerous place without hesitation.
Co to think of it Catherine.
Huh?
Lady Bolsheik was afraid of the crown prince. Do you know how she beca an aide?
His Highness? It didnt feel that way. Of course, as soon as Ophelia beca an aide, I did a check.
Did you find out?
I dont know. Nothing ca of it. His Highness suddenly singled out Ophelia and made her an aide.
Hmm.
What is that look?
Catherine raised an eyebrow.
What do you an?
I an that expression, every ti you make that expression, you cause trouble.
How can you know your brothers deep aning? Its all for your own good.
Lawrence nodded and Catherine snorted at him.
I dont know what youre trying to do, but I wont let you go if you touch Ophelia.
Despite her words, Lawrence didnt respond, he just smiled, showing his pearly whites.
Its the other way round.
He didnt know how Ophelia beca an aide to His Highness the Crown Prince, but he thought of saving her, who was forced to stay by his side even though she was afraid of him.
You like her so much, and she seems to be a good person herself, so if I can help, Ill do my best.
Such a deep misunderstanding of unknown cause was deepening day by day.
More than that, Catherine
No.
I havent said anything yet.
Youre going to ask for help with the paperwork.
Speaking of which
No. Today Ophelia and I are going to see the festival.
Just you two?
No, Iri no, Lady Fillite too.
What? Lady Fillite? When did you beco so close to her?
What were just going to the festival together
Catherine shook her head shyly, but she did not dispute that they had beco close.
Although she got much closer to Iris than she had expected, there wasnt a special occasion like the ti she t Ophelia.
After sharing their worries about Ophelia at the masquerade and dealing with the young ladies who flocked and bared their teeth like hungry sharks.
She just didnt want to leave a debt, and so sent an obligatory letter.
However, the letters increased by one or two, and now there was enough to fill a drawer.
You dont have to deny it and you dont have to pout.
Catherines cheeks swelled at Lawrences words, but she didnt object.
To be honest, if she didnt have correspondence with Iris, she would be bored.
Of course, their main subject was Ophelia, but as they talked about this and that, Catherine realized that, surprisingly, Iris was very communicative.
Arent you two actually close?
I didnt expect Ophelias words to co true back when I hated Iris.
Having gone very far back in her thoughts, Catherine nodded vigorously.
Credits goes to Jassie for raw providing, A for translating, and Dea for proofreading.
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