Chapter 81
“Know what?”
When Miller asked, Jeff answered.
“People died consecutively at the fuel extraction factory.”
“…”
“Since that fuel was also buried in Lunos territory, you said you would move those factories to the south of Lunos territory if they didn’t accept the broken engagement.”
“Who says such things?”
“And instead of choosing between those two options, the Lunos family heads decided to assassinate you, Your Grace.”
At his words, Miller gritted his teeth audibly.
Jeff poured out the tea that had quickly cooled despite the fire, then poured fresh tea and continued.
“I had to keep quiet until she completed all the mourning rites. I didn’t know what else might be pinned on her. But now, even if that child had actually participated in the attempt on Your Grace’s life, all mourning has ended so she is free, and it’s time for Your Grace to pay for your crimes. Yet… if you continue to deny her freedom, I will no longer remain silent.”
Miller no longer smiled, and Jeff left, leaving the warm tea untouched.
❖ ❖ ❖
Without disturbing his wife’s rare enjoyment with her friends, he hurriedly made his way alone to the Central Bank.
No matter how he thought about it, the only way to save his niece right now was to pay. He planned to first verify how much the payment would be and try to reduce it as much as possible.
So when he arrived at the Central Bank, he happened to spot someone leaving – Reneld Kay, who managed the Grand Ducal family’s assets.
His eyes widened upon seeing Jeff after so long.
“Jeffrey! What brings you here? How are you out and about?”
Having graduated from the same school, Reneld embraced Jeff with unrestrained joy. Jeff patted him back and said,
“Reneld, good to see you. I have something to ask about money.”
“Ah, if it’s about the gas payment, I’m just leaving after paying it.”
Jeff froze at this unexpectedly easy answer.
“W-what did you say?”
“Young Master Fejin handled it with his trust fund. For now, at least.”
“Why would a Deus… resolve my niece’s problem?”
When Jeff asked suspiciously, Reneld could only smile without answering.
Jeff soon shook his head and continued.
“There’s no way a Deus would help April out of goodwill.”
“Didn’t Young Master Fejin investigate this first through the Special Investigation Headquarters? He concluded then that the gas pipes had been cut, yet such a massive payment was demanded… Since that damned gas company is preparing a lawsuit, he must have thought paying the money was the immediate solution.”
“But why would a Deus?”
“Not just any Deus, but Young Master Fejin Deus paid it.”
“That child… even if he has a trust fund, how could he have enough to resolve such a large sum?”
“Ah, thanks to the young master’s talent for investment. Originally, the economic scales of the Grand Duchy and Empire are different, aren’t they? He can easily spend this much.”
At Reneld’s words meant to ease his worry, Jeff’s face grew pale instead.
“…Is the difference that big?”
“Pardon?”
“The economic scale between the Right and Left Islands.”
“Ah. Yes. The difference is that significant. To compare… it’s like the difference between parents and a child receiving allowance from those parents.”
Jeff unconsciously squeezed his eyes shut.
Seven years ago, when the Lunos family was still holding on, the difference hadn’t been this great.
Not before the Lunos family was effectively dismantled and lost all shipping routes to the Empire.
Anyway, even if Fejin had more wealth than expected, the amount that swindler gas merchant demanded was substantial. Though not enough to ruin someone, it would take a large portion. Jeff still couldn’t understand why he had paid the fee. It was suspicious.
Then Reneld nodded toward a female employee handling customers at the entrance.
“Go see her. She’s helping with the Lunos family’s banking matters.”
“But she’s not even a banker?”
“No, but she’s a Virta.”
“A-a member of the Virta family isn’t a banker?”
To Jeff, confused about what had happened during the past seven years, Reneld kindly explained recent events.
Jeff finally understood and nodded heavily.
He thanked Reneld for freely sharing what he knew. After Reneld gave his contact information suggesting they should drink together soon and left, Jeff slowly approached Mille Virta.
“Miss Virta?”
“Yes?”
“I am Jeff Merrow.”
“Ah! Mrs. Elenora Merrow’s husband!”
“Yes, that’s right.”
Jeff nodded and then asked in his characteristically polite voice.
“I would like Miss Virta to manage my assets. Are you busy?”
As Mille’s eyes widened at his question, a woman’s voice came from behind.
“Manage my assets too.”
“M-Mrs. Merrow!”
Several bank employees stood when they heard Elenora Merrow’s voice as she entered looking for her husband. From the Central Bank’s perspective, they could no longer avoid creating a position for Mille Virta.
❖ ❖ ❖
After learning that Fejin had paid the fee on her behalf, April was silent for a while.
From the moment he said to return to the ‘Lunos mansion’ rather than the Grand Duchy police station, that man must have been planning to handle the payment.
She wondered why he hadn’t told her earlier, but soon found the answer herself. If she had heard about him paying the fee, she would have immediately refused in anger. He must have known that.
After returning to the mansion by carriage, Baumann carefully spoke to April, who remained lost in thought, unable to get out.
“Miss.
“Yes?”
When April turned to him, Baumann said,
“No matter how I think about it, I’m just grateful to Young Master Fejin.”
“…”
“The money you have now is capital, isn’t it? It’s money to rebuild the Lunos family. By any means necessary.”
“I know that too. How grateful this is. And yet just…”
April sighed deeply and lifted her gaze to the empty air.
“Ah, it’s different from what I thought. The world.”
“Is that so?”
“But now isn’t bad. Back then I had nothing to protect but myself, so I was fearless.”
April muttered, watching the backs of the two children running to the kitchen, saying they needed to make something delicious since she had returned.
“Now people’s faces keep passing before my eyes, and I keep becoming a coward.”
Baumann looked warmly at April as she muttered this. Though she called herself a coward, in his eyes there was no one braver in the whole world.
April took a strong breath and got out of the carriage, saying,
“I should pay it back quickly. There’s much to prepare.”
“Yes, I understand, but please rest first.”
“I need to go see…”
“Just rest for three days. Please. This old man’s wish.”
“…Alright.”
Baumann was aware that he was increasingly nagging April, but it couldn’t be helped.
Left alone, she was the type of person who would readily harm her own body. Having been isolated during puberty for seven years, she was willful in some ways.
When she wanted to starve, she would starve until dizzy, when she wanted to sleep, she would sleep thoroughly, and when she had something she wanted to do, she wouldn’t even return to her bedroom.
Finally, after Baumann’s nagging, April agreed to return to her bedroom for a bath.
