Chapter 78

However, it is not so regrettable that Seidrick has achieved two big things.

One is Alyssa’s freedom.

Another one is Kendrick’s remains.

The king promised to return Kendrick’s remains if the shipbuilding business flourished and earned a fixed limit. He looked more like a businessman than a king of a country. He’s asking only what he wants with a face that doesn’t know what he’s thinking.

The king was spending so much money on building a tower.

Anyway, he got what he wanted…

Seidrick lifted his head while fiddling with a contract with the king’s seal. Pauline was staring at Seidrick with strange eyes.

“You’ve been out of energy for days, and you look at ease when you hand over hundreds of millions of gold to the king.”

Oh, those unpleasant eyes.

Seidrick grinned.

“I think it’s okay because I got more value instead.”

“I don’t think so, but… but…”

Pauline coughed in vain.

“…Yes. I think people come first. Now, then, now you have to work to make up for the loss, right? Fortunately, the Duchess is said to wake up today or tomorrow, so don’t worry about it…”

It was when Pauline put the papers she had in her arms on his desk with a thumping sound.

Knock, knock-

“It’s me, Alyssa. Are you inside?”

Seidrick and Pauline’s eyes met. The startled Seidrick woke up and sat back. What a situation! He never thought that Alyssa would have woken up already, and he didn’t even think she would come right after the news came.

Pauline pointed at a random place with her finger.

‘Where?’

‘Under the desk! Under!’

Pauline screamed silently, whipping her mouth. She doesn’t know how that is possible, but anyway.

Seidrick nodded his head and quickly hid under the desk. Fortunately, there was a space for an adult man to hide under a large old wooden desk. Pauline was busy tidying up the Duke’s desk.

She doesn’t know why Seidrick is avoiding Alyssa. He was anxious about her and handed over big money to rescue Alyssa from the royal family. But Seidrick acts urgently, and she helps him without knowing. Besides, in such an urgent situation, they couldn’t argue.

Pauline took a deep breath to catch her breath.

‘It’s okay, Pauline. You won’t be caught. I can do it well.’

Then she moved her mouth in the shape of a curve and smiled brightly.

“Yes, Duchess.”

She answered naturally and opened the door.

“Ah. You were inside.”

Alyssa smiled with a more neat beauty, perhaps because she was sick. Pauline admitted she felt sorry for the money Seidrick spent.

Alyssa was a beautiful woman who made passing people look back. So let’s look back at Seidrick that is like a rock.

By now, she seems to understand a little bit of Seidrick, who will be curled up under the desk like a child. Pauline moved her body so Alyssa could come in.

***

“Come on in.”

“…”

Alyssa peeks in her head and looks inside. Only after realizing that there was no one inside, she sighed and stepped inside.

“…Where has the duke gone?”

“Because construction is always running. There is something important, and he is out of town.”

Pauline quickly approached the desk and struck Seidrick’s protruding finger with her foot. Fortunately, Alyssa, sitting on the sofa looking around the office room, didn’t seem to notice.

“I see. Actually, I came because I wanted to ask something. Can you answer for him?”

“It seems to depend on what the question is, Duchess. What I know about His Excellency is limited.”

“I see.”

Alyssa nodded her head.

Then she clenched her lips again and again, then opened her mouth.

“I’ll cut back and ask the main question first. How much did the Duke spend on getting me out of the royal family?”

This was Alyssa’s conclusion. The royal family loves money, and the king was spending a tremendous amount for himself. Even if the people starved to death, the kingdom could not reduce the royal family’s budget.

Unsurprisingly, it was concluded that the king would have asked Seidrick for money. Did he hand over the ownership of the iron ore?

“…that…”

“I want to repay as much as I can, assistant.”

“Yes?”

Pauline opened her eyes wide.

Did Alyssa have any other source of income? She has never been concerned about the Duchess’ private life, so she doesn’t know what she usually does. But she knows she doesn’t go out much outside the mansion…