Chapter 44

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Chapter 44

With Karen’s arrival, the Duke’s residence was very busy.

“I can’t believe that you’re already married—” Karen said, hugging me halfway as she continued her words.

“Since Laria is only fourteen.”

“So?’

Duke Icard spoke in a calm voice. He stared at her and added.

“What do you want?”

“I mean, I can’t leave her alone in the Duke’s mansion where there’s no one else besides her.”

Her arms were wrapped around my shoulders while speaking.

I was lost in thought. To be honest, if I hadn’t seen her gazing at the jewelry spread out by the jewelers, I would have believed her words to some extent.

But, her eyes were too sincere.

‘After all, you always recognize your own kind… And I don’t mean me, but the jewelry.’

In addition, I instinctively thought about how Karen didn’t rush to see me after hearing the news about my family.

“So, shouldn’t there still be a blood relative here for this poor kid to rely on?”

Huh…

Somehow, it felt as though she didn’t come here for a one-time money opportunity.

Indeed, if she had hoped for a small amount of money, she would have already visited Duke Icard by the time I got married, saying that my father owed her money. Then, the Duke of Icard would have given her everything that she wanted.

“By any chance…”

However, just in case, I did a little tinkering and asked, “Do you need money, or did my father owe you money?”

“Of course not! Look at the way I look.”

Karen said in vehement denial.

“Am I lacking anything? I came here purely because I was worried about you. How can I leave you alone? You are still young.”

‘As I thought, it wasn’t a one-time payment. So, if she doesn’t want the money right now…’

I pondered deeply.

‘She wants more money in the future.’

Karen hugged me one more time, and in a luscious voice.

“Don’t you think the same, Laria? How lonely you are that you are left alone like this…”

I was the only one who could openly dislike her. Duke Icard and Evan wouldn’t be able to be rude to the only family that came to visit me after a long time.

So, I answered, looking as innocent as possible.

“I wasn’t lonely at all because father and Evan were really nice to me. I am much happier than when I was with Count Rostry.”

At my words, Duke Icard couldn’t control his expression and coughed awkwardly. Evan, too, was straining his lips so his laughs wouldn’t leak out so hard that the back of his neck was red.

Duke Icard and Evan must have been proud of what I said, though I am hit with different emotions and feelings right now.

Even though they just had to be proud of what I said, they seemed to have mixed emotions.

‘I guess rumors spread saying Duke Icard was quite fond of me since he was wasting a lot of money fixing the villa. Yeah… there could be at least one real relative who would snoop around trying to get some soybean powder.’

[ T/N: Idiom, meaning someone who wants to get some benefits through other people’s work. ]

Well, if it was just one, it was a relief.

‘I guess it’s probably a common case to think that just because we have blood ties, I would be able to share what I have… Still, I’m a person who doesn’t fathom a thought of consideration and sharing.’

Plus, there was something else that was on my mind.

‘Don’t make Duke Icard too annoyed. He had already spent a lot of money because of me.’

If I let Karen stay here, I couldn’t know what would happen later.

At first, Duke Icard may just be annoyed with her, so he might only give her a few pennies, but if repeated, he might want to kill me quickly…

‘We need to make things clear at this point so that these arrogant relatives who want to steal money can’t come near us in the future.’

The only issue was that I couldn’t just kick her out from the duchy for no reason or justification. If so, then—

“Cough, cough, cough!”

At that, I burrowed into Karen’s arms and suddenly started coughing.

As expected…

As I smelled the new fiber on her clothes, it was evident that she had bought them before coming here. And, the fake ‘Tears of the Spring Leaves,’ as the jeweler said earlier, was a safe accessory for the blind to choose.

Karen must have come here all dressed up to make sure that we knew she was living well herself.

“Oh…! Oh, my God?!”

“Cough, cough! Coooouuuggggghhh—!”

This was the only weapon I had where I could use effectively. No wealth, no reputation, just cough… Fortunately, I was skilled at using that weapon.

“La, Laria? What’s wrong?”

“Ms. Ka-karen! Help me… I’ll have to go see Serena.”

And so, Karen was forced to help get up in the drawing-room. Well, it’s not like she could refuse after all the fuss with all the blood next to her.

“And…father… Cough!”

I spoke in a faint voice.

“I don’t think I’ll see any more jewels…but the ‘Tears of the Spring Leaves’ was so pretty. Cough! Cough! I think that would be beautiful… Cough!”

“All right, I’ll buy it right away and send it to Lisa.”

Duke Icard answered quickly, and I eventually left the room with Karen.

Helping me, she asked stealthily.

“I… I was told that you are going to get treatment. Does it hurt a lot? They said it’s not a serious illness.”

“It’s okay, Karen. Although, as Karen said, I really needed to let out a lot of blood. I think you are the most dependable. Cause we are talking about blood relatives after all.”

Because she mentioned how she wanted and was determined to come here for me, I decided to show my full dependence on her from now on.

Lisa greeted me in surprise as soon as I reached the room while I was leaning on Karen.

“Miss Laria, are you all right? You must have coughed a lot again.”

“Lisa.”

I clung to Karen and spoke softly, “Why don’t you take five days off?”

“What? Why?”

“Here’s Miss Karen Maria Rostry, my father’s cousin.”

“Oh my, hello.”

Before Lisa even could finish her hurried greeting, I smiled softly and turned to Karen.

“She said she came to the Duke’s mansion for me…Even if you’re a fallen noble, you can serve me as a maid, right?”

“Laria? Maid? What do you mean…”

“Then…”

I gasped, naively, with my eyes wide open and continued my words.

“How would we stay together?”

“Huh…?”

“If you’re not a maid… don’t tell me, you want to be Duchess here?”

I was saying it lightly, but Karen turned her head slightly in a bashful way.

“…Well. I thought it wouldn’t be too bad if I was to be with you for a long time, but—”

Oh, my God…

‘No, even if you’re greedy, you’re daydreaming.’

I knew she wanted to take a lot of money in the future, though I didn’t think she could be this shameless.

“Cough, cough, cough—Cough!”

I hugged Karen again and started coughing even more.

Even if it was disgusting, I couldn’t stay still and watch. However, the situation was still the best yet. I couldn’t possibly kick her out and say, ‘You’re here for the money!’ ss she seemed to be doing her best to deal with my coughings.

Still, I had built a nice and good appearance, good enough to kick out a devil… Nonetheless, I was someone who would find my way even in bad situations.

“Please bring Serena… Cough!”

‘If it goes according to my plan, I may be regarded by Duke Icard as the world’s poorest orphan. Still, I can’t help it. Maybe, he will be more sympathetic.’

Only a day or two would be insignificant and pathetic.

“Oh, and…”

I looked at Lisa and spoke as if something had suddenly come to my mind.

“Father will give me the original ‘Tears of the Spring Leaves’ as a gift. He said he’d deliver it to you, so when you get it, put it in my first drawer.”

“Oh my, I see. Amazingly, the genuine product is on the market. It would be better to keep it well and wear it for the first time at a banquet.”

Lisa, like a capable maid, immediately realized the name of the jewel ‘Tears of the Spring Leaves,’ and how precious it is.

…But, of course, Lisa wasn’t the only one who noticed it.

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