Chapter 61
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Dear, I believe you may be misunderstanding.
Episode 61
"Grace Oellin seems to have quite a fragile constitution."
"...Is that so? Well, when she was young, naturally. Everyone catches minor illnesses in childhood. But she's been perfectly fine since reaching adulthood."
Capren Oellin grew anxious, worried that Grace's weakness might become a flaw that diminished her value.
Lucas Black shrugged with a knowing smile.
"Well, that's of no concern. It's simply that, given Grace's delicate health, I wish for the Duke's Residence to provide comprehensive and dedicated care before the ceremony takes place."
"Ah.... I see. Indeed."
Capren Oellin secretly wiped his chest in relief.
"It seems the Marquess Oellin's Estate lacks the capacity to give Grace sufficient attention. I've heard that Norman Oellin has been injured."
"You've heard correctly. Yes, he's currently at the Temple undergoing treatment."
"My, was it a serious injury? However did it happen...."
Capren Oellin couldn't bring himself to mention that it was caused by a horse, and simply shook his head bitterly.
Lucas Black, who had been smirking, clicked his tongue sympathetically.
"Since the young Marquess is injured, I'm concerned about where Grace can properly rest and recuperate."
"That is a matter our Marquess Oellin's Estate will handle ourselves, so please do not worry excessively."
Capren Oellin threw out an unnecessary threat toward Lucas Black and gave a forced cough.
It seemed he might actually be able to gain something worthwhile from this. He lifted his chin with a somewhat relieved expression.
"I see. Then I have something to show the Marquess. Haem."
"Yes, sir."
At Lucas Black's call, Haem approached with a document case in hand.
"Pardon the intrusion."
Haem bowed respectfully and placed the heavy case upon the table.
'What is that?'
Capren Oellin stared at the stack of documents emerging from the case with a furrowed brow.
Lucas Black skimmed through the papers briefly, then handed them to Capren Oellin.
"I've brought a few things that should help the Marquess make his decision more easily. Please take a look."
"...?"
Capren Oellin frowned stubbornly and examined the thick bundle of papers.
Before even a minute had passed, Capren Oellin's eyes began to tremble.
"This, this is...."
"Twelve cases of tax evasion from last year. Twenty cases involving unlawful confinement, kidnapping, and fraud allegations. And the year before that, the young Marquess committed quite a serious incident.... The details are all here. Have you seen them?"
Lucas Black added with a faint smile, his voice measured and deliberate.
He uncrossed his legs and held out an empty teacup to Haem.
Fragrant tea poured from the still-steaming pot.
"Th, that is...."
"The youngest daughter of Viscount Inglekson, correct?"
Capren Oellin's mouth snapped shut.
Damn it!
He came knowing everything!
He glared at Lucas Black with a pallid complexion.
Lucas Black calmly sipped the tea that had cooled to an appropriate temperature.
His elegant and composed demeanor only further irritated the Marquess.
Two years ago, Norman had traveled with close friends.
It was to the maritime city of Aperium, where he had harassed the daughter of a minor noble and caused an incident.
'...Damn it.'
To prevent it, he had brought out several gold bars.
But that damned rural viscount refused, saying he disliked money and land alike, insisting on bringing the matter to a noble tribunal.
Ha! What was he trying to do?
It was precisely when Capren Oellin had entered the assembly.
His reputation could not afford even the slightest blemish.
So Capren Oellin changed his approach, giving the money intended for that viscount to others instead.
Amusingly, he had politely warned them that alley dwellers could be somewhat violent.
Madmen.
Did he think the methods of those who rolled about in alleys would be elegant and clean? Hmph!
Of course, Capren Oellin paid it no mind.
He had only emphasized that no traces must be left behind.
'But... how on earth did this man find out about it?'
And of all things, an incident from nearly three years ago!
Capren Oellin bit the inside of his trembling lips hard and forced a laugh.
"I, I have no idea what you're talking about. Haha. Besides, Duke, you shouldn't put me in such an awkward position, should you?"
"Why... shouldn't I?"
Lucas Black answered leisurely and set down his teacup.
Lounging back in his seat as he regarded Capren Oellin, he resembled the very king of this mansion.
In that moment, Capren Oellin felt this space he visited daily had become strangely unfamiliar.
"Well, you see, I am the father of Grace, who will become the Duke's wife, am I not? My shame would inevitably become the Duke's shame."
"Haha!"
Lucas Black burst into laughter.
With his thick brows furrowed, he raised his hand apologetically as he laughed, and Capren Oellin stared at him with evident bewilderment.
"Just moments ago, you were saying there was another man—no, person—courting her ardently, and that you could now call off the marriage. Were you not?"
At his nakedly sarcastic tone, Capren Oellin's face flushed crimson.
He had to clench his trembling fists tightly to hide his shaking hands.
His eyes, burning with indignation and humiliation, glared at Lucas Black before falling away.
"That was, simply. I was merely saying there was someone with that level of enthusiasm!"
"Ah, I see. That's possible. Family, yes... family. I understand. Then, to prevent me from exposing these improprieties... that is, the weaknesses of the Marquesses, it would be best if Grace became my wife as soon as possible. Would it not, Marquess Oellin?"
'Grit.'
Capren Oellin ground his teeth and glared at Lucas Black.
Lucas Black shrugged his shoulders and snapped his fingers at Haem again.
"Pardon me."
Haem withdrew another document from his briefcase and presented it.
'Damn it, what is this now?!'
The Marquess glared at the envelope before him with trembling eyes, regarding it as though it were his mortal enemy.
"Open it. It will be just as shocking as before."
When Lucas Black spoke those words, it became even harder for me to bring myself to touch it.
Yet I couldn't simply ignore it either.
After swallowing hard, I extracted the papers from the envelope with shaking hands.
As Capren Oellin scanned the deed with apprehensive eyes, his expression hardened.
He looked at Lucas with confusion and asked.
"A deed, is it not?"
"Precisely. The deed to the Brueha Mine in the Orman Region."
The Orman Region was renowned throughout Zeronium for its mineral wealth.
The gems that emerged from that region were particularly coveted across the entire continent.
However, the annual yield of ore was not substantial.
This scarcity only drove prices higher.
'And the Brueha Mine, no less?'
It was the mine that produced Brueha diamonds.
My breath caught in my throat.
I was holding a deed to a diamond mine!
Gulp.
My throat constricted even more violently than before.
This single mine deed alone was worth more than selling every last parcel of land in the Oellin Territory.
'The Black Family possessed ownership of this place all along!'
The Orman Region was largely administered by the Royal Family.
While there were rumors of nobility acquiring fragments of the region, to possess an actual diamond mine!
Only then did I truly comprehend that Lucas Black was far more formidable than I had imagined.
What else was he concealing?
"One month."
"One month...?"
Lucas Black dangled the carrot before me with a smile.
"Should the marriage proceed within one month, I shall present this deed as a wedding gift to House Oellin."
I inhaled sharply without thinking. The mere thought of possessing this left my mind reeling.
Lucas Black, having made such an extraordinary declaration, wore a composed expression as he now produced the whip.
"However, should even a single day pass beyond that month."
"...Pass?"
"Those documents you saw earlier will find their way into the world. When that happens, well, you understand the consequences better than anyone, Marquess."
"...!"
Lucas rose from his seat with a thin smile.
"I would appreciate your written response by the end of today. We have much to prepare on our end as well."
He glanced at his watch, then accepted his hat from Haem and placed it upon his head.
"Well then, I must take my leave."
Brought to you by Valir Scans! To support our team and enjoy the latest releases, please read directly on our official site: valirscans.org