Episode 124. Mud Fighting Is No Good
“Just say the word. I’ll trample that woman as much as you want.”
The Grand Duke of Artaeum spoke coldly as he chased after Rose.
“I can inflict as much pain on that woman as you want, or even more.”
The Grand Duke’s quiet words somehow made him seem like a villain. Of course, even that was cute to Rose.
“You too, Grand Duke.”
Rose chuckled and dismissed the Grand Duke’s words.
Rose, she alone, could possibly laugh so heartily at that remark.
“Did you really take that as a joke?”
Neruan stared at Rose and the Grand Duke with a look of incomprehension.
“Don’t worry too much. I can handle it.”
Rose smiled, as if she had an idea.
“What are you planning to do?”
Such confidence. The Grand Duke was curious about Rose's plan.
"We should do it legally. So that Doana's department store opening can be delayed as much as possible."
"..."
The Grand Duke was visibly disappointed by the less-than-expected answer. Neruan was the same.
"By the law... I wonder if it's expending too much energy."
"That's right. There must be more reliable methods."
A gleam of disbelief gleamed in the two men's eyes.
"For example, we could tear down the building so it can't be built."
“Just say the word. I’ll trample that woman as much as you want.”
The Grand Duke of Artaeum spoke coldly as he chased after Rose.
“I can inflict as much pain on that woman as you want, or even more.”
The Grand Duke’s quiet words somehow made him seem like a villain. Of course, even that was cute to Rose.
“You too, Grand Duke.”
Rose chuckled and dismissed the Grand Duke’s words.
Rose, she alone, could possibly laugh so heartily at that remark.
“Did you really take that as a joke?”
Neruan stared at Rose and the Grand Duke with a look of incomprehension.
“Don’t worry too much. I can handle it.”
Rose smiled, as if she had an idea.
“What are you planning to do?”
Such confidence. The Grand Duke was curious about Rose's plan.
"We should do it legally. So that Doana's department store opening can be delayed as much as possible."
"..."
The Grand Duke was visibly disappointed by the less-than-expected answer. Neruan was the same.
"By the law... I wonder if it's expending too much energy."
"That's right. There must be more reliable methods."
A gleam of disbelief gleamed in the two men's eyes.
"For example, we could tear down the building so it can't be built."
"Or we could purchase the building and land registered in that woman's name."
Of course, through various threats.
As the Grand Duke and Neruan glared at each other, Rose quietly shook her head.
"I don't want to get into a mud fight over business."
Her voice was soft but firm.
The Grand Duke and Neruan stared at Rose in silence.
"I refuse to be treated like Doana."
Yes. Rose would hate to be treated like Doana.
Rose was a person of inner strength and gentleness. She appeared gentle on the outside, but inside, she was stronger than anyone.
She wanted to succeed according to her own convictions.
Without resorting to any dirty tricks, solely on her own strength, uprightly.
That, for her, was true success.
“Doana’s business was fraught with problems from the beginning. Not only did she not pay the key money and deposit, but she also raised the rent twentyfold—it was absurd.”
Rose gazed leisurely out the carriage window.
“And, people died during the forced eviction.”
She slowly closed her eyes, then slowly opened them.
“Not one or two, but fifteen.”
Doana claimed that fewer than five people died during the forced eviction, but that wasn’t true.
In reality, more people died. And dozens were injured.
It was truly an inhumane act.
“They announced the eviction, but they didn’t meet the legally mandated deadline. They took extreme measures to speed up their business.”
The eviction had to be done with ample time. But Doana didn't do that. She proceeded with the demolition immediately after the unilateral notice.
"I'll assign lawyers to the affected businesses, in the name of our Serviat family. And I plan to provide condolence money to the families of those who lost their lives."
Rose calmly explained her plan.
"Among those killed or injured, there must have been those who were responsible for their families' livelihoods. If their families so desire, I'm willing to hire them as special employees in my department store."
Of course, through various threats.
As the Grand Duke and Neruan glared at each other, Rose quietly shook her head.
"I don't want to get into a mud fight over business."
Her voice was soft but firm.
The Grand Duke and Neruan stared at Rose in silence.
"I refuse to be treated like Doana."
Yes. Rose would hate to be treated like Doana.
Rose was a person of inner strength and gentleness. She appeared gentle on the outside, but inside, she was stronger than anyone.
She wanted to succeed according to her own convictions.
Without resorting to any dirty tricks, solely on her own strength, uprightly.
That, for her, was true success.
“Doana’s business was fraught with problems from the beginning. Not only did she not pay the key money and deposit, but she also raised the rent twentyfold—it was absurd.”
Rose gazed leisurely out the carriage window.
“And, people died during the forced eviction.”
She slowly closed her eyes, then slowly opened them.
“Not one or two, but fifteen.”
Doana claimed that fewer than five people died during the forced eviction, but that wasn’t true.
In reality, more people died. And dozens were injured.
It was truly an inhumane act.
“They announced the eviction, but they didn’t meet the legally mandated deadline. They took extreme measures to speed up their business.”
The eviction had to be done with ample time. But Doana didn't do that. She proceeded with the demolition immediately after the unilateral notice.
"I'll assign lawyers to the affected businesses, in the name of our Serviat family. And I plan to provide condolence money to the families of those who lost their lives."
Rose calmly explained her plan.
"Among those killed or injured, there must have been those who were responsible for their families' livelihoods. If their families so desire, I'm willing to hire them as special employees in my department store."
She wanted to offer condolences to the dead and a realistic solution to the living.
"I'm going to make this public."
This was the first time she felt fortunate that Doana wasn't a noble.
If she had been, Rose's plan would have been cut short.
The nobility in this world wielded immense power. While killing a commoner was illegal, nobles always managed to escape the law.
The law was always lenient on nobles. And, it was utterly cruel to commoners.
"I'll make them realize the terrible price of taking human life lightly."
Rose, who had been speaking calmly, turned to the Grand Duke and Neruan.
Her eyes were filled with conviction. She seemed determined to push through, even if the Grand Duke and Neruan tried to stop her.
Grand Duke Artaeum stared at Rose silently.
He found Rose's actions, driven by her own convictions, admirable.
"Yes."
The Grand Duke nodded quietly, as if to say, "Do as you wish."
"It would be good to stir public sentiment by creating sympathy. Raising funds for the victims wouldn't be a bad idea either."
Rose's face brightened at the Grand Duke's words. Neruan, watching the Grand Duke follow along surprisingly quietly, thought to himself,
"I thought you'd say things like tying up Doana and threatening her, or crippling her limbs, or doing all sorts of cruel things."
The Grand Duke's innocent demeanor in Rose's presence was unfamiliar, no matter how many times he saw it.
After arriving at the Artaeum territory, Neruan asked the Grand Duke privately,
"Are you sure this is okay?"
"What?"
"Rose's plan."
"Ah."
When Neruan brought up the story from the carriage again, the Grand Duke nodded.
"Of course I intend to do whatever she wants."
"Are you serious?"
"Yes."
"Does that mean I don't have to work behind the scenes?"
Neruan asked the Grand Duke as if confirming.
“Yes. I will leave this matter entirely to Rose. But...”
The Grand Duke trailed off with a mysterious expression.
“Be prepared for any eventuality.”
The Grand Duke's soft voice resonated coldly.
He trusted Rose, but things in this world didn’t always go as planned.
The Grand Duke patted Neruan on the shoulder, saying that it was better to prepare in advance.
News of the deaths caused by the forced eviction spread throughout the empire.
And it also spread that the owner of the land was Eric’s mistress, Doana.
“I’m crazy, I’m crazy!!”
Tercia exploded with rage upon hearing the rumor.
“This insolent bitch! How could she tarnish the honor of the Count of Wence!!”
She was not only angry but also filled with resentment.
But how did the Count of Wence rise again...?
"I'm going to make this public."
This was the first time she felt fortunate that Doana wasn't a noble.
If she had been, Rose's plan would have been cut short.
The nobility in this world wielded immense power. While killing a commoner was illegal, nobles always managed to escape the law.
The law was always lenient on nobles. And, it was utterly cruel to commoners.
"I'll make them realize the terrible price of taking human life lightly."
Rose, who had been speaking calmly, turned to the Grand Duke and Neruan.
Her eyes were filled with conviction. She seemed determined to push through, even if the Grand Duke and Neruan tried to stop her.
Grand Duke Artaeum stared at Rose silently.
He found Rose's actions, driven by her own convictions, admirable.
"Yes."
The Grand Duke nodded quietly, as if to say, "Do as you wish."
"It would be good to stir public sentiment by creating sympathy. Raising funds for the victims wouldn't be a bad idea either."
Rose's face brightened at the Grand Duke's words. Neruan, watching the Grand Duke follow along surprisingly quietly, thought to himself,
"I thought you'd say things like tying up Doana and threatening her, or crippling her limbs, or doing all sorts of cruel things."
The Grand Duke's innocent demeanor in Rose's presence was unfamiliar, no matter how many times he saw it.
After arriving at the Artaeum territory, Neruan asked the Grand Duke privately,
"Are you sure this is okay?"
"What?"
"Rose's plan."
"Ah."
When Neruan brought up the story from the carriage again, the Grand Duke nodded.
"Of course I intend to do whatever she wants."
"Are you serious?"
"Yes."
"Does that mean I don't have to work behind the scenes?"
Neruan asked the Grand Duke as if confirming.
“Yes. I will leave this matter entirely to Rose. But...”
The Grand Duke trailed off with a mysterious expression.
“Be prepared for any eventuality.”
The Grand Duke's soft voice resonated coldly.
He trusted Rose, but things in this world didn’t always go as planned.
The Grand Duke patted Neruan on the shoulder, saying that it was better to prepare in advance.
News of the deaths caused by the forced eviction spread throughout the empire.
And it also spread that the owner of the land was Eric’s mistress, Doana.
***
“I’m crazy, I’m crazy!!”
Tercia exploded with rage upon hearing the rumor.
“This insolent bitch! How could she tarnish the honor of the Count of Wence!!”
She was not only angry but also filled with resentment.
But how did the Count of Wence rise again...?
She had been looking after Doana because she had looked after Eric, but she could no longer ignore her.
Tercia beat her chest and shouted at Cedric.
“Honey, get ready to leave right now. Doana, I need to go see that child!”
Cedric glanced at Tercia, who was running around, and then said quietly,
“I’m too busy to go. You go alone.”
“What on earth are you so busy with! Is there anything more important than your child?”
“Strictly speaking, it’s not your child’s business. Don’t make me worry about Eric’s government. Take care of it within your means.”
Tercia huffed and shrugged at Cedric’s harsh words.
In the end, she couldn’t join Cedric and headed to Count Wence’s house alone.
Inside the carriage heading there, Tercia fanned herself repeatedly to cool her flushed face.
“Ha, you even created a fictional character to hide the fact that you bought land and a building?”
She made a fool of her family by using the old-fashioned name of Madame Anaod.
And to top it off, she even took out a loan to buy the land. Even in the name of the Count Wence family.
Just thinking about it made her blood pressure rise. Tercia grabbed the back of her neck and groaned.
“One wrong woman and the family is in for a total disgrace.”
As soon as they arrived at the mansion, Tercia hurriedly walked away.
“Baby.”
Her destination wasn’t Doana’s room, but Beliana’s.
What on earth was she thinking, walking into Beliana’s room?
Tercia’s face was utterly powerless as she called to Beliana. She looked pitiful, as if she might burst into tears at any moment, and she was held in Beliana’s arms.
“What should I do... Doana, that child...”
Tercia trailed off, her voice trailing off as she choked back tears. Beliana couldn’t help but fall for Tercia’s shrugging shoulders.
“I see my mother heard the news, too.”
“I can’t do anything because my hands are shaking...”
Tercia’s feeble voice echoed quietly.
“I was surprised myself, but I’m sure my mother was even more so.”
Beliana nodded, as if understanding Tercia. Tercia withdrew from Beliana, her eyes reddened.
“I’m sorry. To see me like this as soon as I got here...”
She wiped away the tears she had forced out and put on a pitiful expression.
“I should have asked about your nanny first.”
When the nanny’s story came up, Beliana flinched involuntarily. Tercia watched her reaction closely.
‘As expected, what an accident. Beliana, this kid must have hurt the nanny.’
She had heard rumors, but she wanted to see it with her own eyes. And, seeing Beliana's reaction, she was sure of it.
"She still hasn't come to her senses, huh?"
"Yes..."
"Oh... You must be very sad."
"Ah... That's right."
"What can I do with all these misfortunes happening one after another? I feel like a sinner. It seems like a beautiful child like you came into our Wences family for no reason and caused all this trouble."
Tercia pretended to comfort Beliana and stroked her back.
Beliana, who had been suffering from gossip and contempt for the past few days, found herself choking up at Tercia's warm attention.
"Ah..."
She turned her head, trying to hide the tears welling up in her eyes.
"It's okay, my dear. Cry whenever you want. Since you've come here as a married woman, I'm like your mother to you."
Beliana burst into tears at the warm embrace.
“Are you having a hard time since you got married? No matter how you look at it, Doana, that child is the problem. If only she weren’t there, you wouldn’t be crying like this...”
Tercia subtly pushed Beliana to hate Doana even more.
Beliana, who was struggling with her impoverished life, sympathized deeply with Tercia’s words.
‘Yes... Doana, it’s all because of that child.’
The fact that she was falsely accused of killing a cat, and the nanny’s collapse, were all because of Doana.
If Doana weren’t in this mansion, her noble life would have been much more comfortable.
But because of her, everything was ruined.
‘If the nanny wakes up... I might never see my sister again.’
The thought was terrifying.
Living as the fake Beliana was all about meeting her sister again, but she ended up attacking the nanny because of Doana.
Tercia glanced at Beliana to see how shaken she was by her words.
'You’re reacting properly.'
She smiled involuntarily, watching Beliana’s reaction and knowing that her plan was working.
“It really breaks my heart... If Doana hadn’t been pregnant, I would have separated Eric and Doana right now.”
Tercia began, wishing Doana had miscarried. Beliana paused at her words. She looked at Tercia in front of her.
“Yes, that’s what my mother wants too, isn’t it?”
If she laid a hand on Doana and things went wrong, Tercia would definitely be on her side.
Beliana’s eyes lit up.
Tercia secretly smiled at the situation that was going according to her plan.
Using Beliana was the best way to get rid of Doana without getting her own hands dirty.
Tercia beat her chest and shouted at Cedric.
“Honey, get ready to leave right now. Doana, I need to go see that child!”
Cedric glanced at Tercia, who was running around, and then said quietly,
“I’m too busy to go. You go alone.”
“What on earth are you so busy with! Is there anything more important than your child?”
“Strictly speaking, it’s not your child’s business. Don’t make me worry about Eric’s government. Take care of it within your means.”
Tercia huffed and shrugged at Cedric’s harsh words.
In the end, she couldn’t join Cedric and headed to Count Wence’s house alone.
Inside the carriage heading there, Tercia fanned herself repeatedly to cool her flushed face.
“Ha, you even created a fictional character to hide the fact that you bought land and a building?”
She made a fool of her family by using the old-fashioned name of Madame Anaod.
And to top it off, she even took out a loan to buy the land. Even in the name of the Count Wence family.
Just thinking about it made her blood pressure rise. Tercia grabbed the back of her neck and groaned.
“One wrong woman and the family is in for a total disgrace.”
As soon as they arrived at the mansion, Tercia hurriedly walked away.
“Baby.”
Her destination wasn’t Doana’s room, but Beliana’s.
What on earth was she thinking, walking into Beliana’s room?
Tercia’s face was utterly powerless as she called to Beliana. She looked pitiful, as if she might burst into tears at any moment, and she was held in Beliana’s arms.
“What should I do... Doana, that child...”
Tercia trailed off, her voice trailing off as she choked back tears. Beliana couldn’t help but fall for Tercia’s shrugging shoulders.
“I see my mother heard the news, too.”
“I can’t do anything because my hands are shaking...”
Tercia’s feeble voice echoed quietly.
“I was surprised myself, but I’m sure my mother was even more so.”
Beliana nodded, as if understanding Tercia. Tercia withdrew from Beliana, her eyes reddened.
“I’m sorry. To see me like this as soon as I got here...”
She wiped away the tears she had forced out and put on a pitiful expression.
“I should have asked about your nanny first.”
When the nanny’s story came up, Beliana flinched involuntarily. Tercia watched her reaction closely.
‘As expected, what an accident. Beliana, this kid must have hurt the nanny.’
She had heard rumors, but she wanted to see it with her own eyes. And, seeing Beliana's reaction, she was sure of it.
"She still hasn't come to her senses, huh?"
"Yes..."
"Oh... You must be very sad."
"Ah... That's right."
"What can I do with all these misfortunes happening one after another? I feel like a sinner. It seems like a beautiful child like you came into our Wences family for no reason and caused all this trouble."
Tercia pretended to comfort Beliana and stroked her back.
Beliana, who had been suffering from gossip and contempt for the past few days, found herself choking up at Tercia's warm attention.
"Ah..."
She turned her head, trying to hide the tears welling up in her eyes.
"It's okay, my dear. Cry whenever you want. Since you've come here as a married woman, I'm like your mother to you."
Beliana burst into tears at the warm embrace.
“Are you having a hard time since you got married? No matter how you look at it, Doana, that child is the problem. If only she weren’t there, you wouldn’t be crying like this...”
Tercia subtly pushed Beliana to hate Doana even more.
Beliana, who was struggling with her impoverished life, sympathized deeply with Tercia’s words.
‘Yes... Doana, it’s all because of that child.’
The fact that she was falsely accused of killing a cat, and the nanny’s collapse, were all because of Doana.
If Doana weren’t in this mansion, her noble life would have been much more comfortable.
But because of her, everything was ruined.
‘If the nanny wakes up... I might never see my sister again.’
The thought was terrifying.
Living as the fake Beliana was all about meeting her sister again, but she ended up attacking the nanny because of Doana.
Tercia glanced at Beliana to see how shaken she was by her words.
'You’re reacting properly.'
She smiled involuntarily, watching Beliana’s reaction and knowing that her plan was working.
“It really breaks my heart... If Doana hadn’t been pregnant, I would have separated Eric and Doana right now.”
Tercia began, wishing Doana had miscarried. Beliana paused at her words. She looked at Tercia in front of her.
“Yes, that’s what my mother wants too, isn’t it?”
If she laid a hand on Doana and things went wrong, Tercia would definitely be on her side.
Beliana’s eyes lit up.
Tercia secretly smiled at the situation that was going according to her plan.
Using Beliana was the best way to get rid of Doana without getting her own hands dirty.
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