CH 66

Richard tilted his head and demanded an answer.

“It’s said you’ve swallowed all of them. Can you explain what happened?”

Marchioness Neir replied with a cold face as she looked over at the heads of families who had to forfeit their rights to her.

“It was all a fair deal.”

Marchioness Neir’s eyes became fiercer than ever.

“However, you’re driving it like you’ve done something gravely wrong.”

The marchioness, who was looking at Richard with strangely glassy eyes, added.

“You’ll have to take responsibility for humiliating me like this.”

After Marchioness Neir’s words ended, the conference hall fell into a grave-like silence.

In the silence where breathing was barely audible, the heads of the other families had to struggle to hide their doubts, bewilderment, and astonishment.

Responsibility?

Take responsibility?

No matter how high the prestige of the Marquisate of Neir, it would not be comparable to the imperial family.

To even mention responsibility against the crown prince.

Moreover, it was absurd to talk about the transaction in front of someone who could control the right.

Marchioness Neir would, of course, know that much.

The usual marchioness wouldn’t have made such a crazy response.

And as if to prove their thoughts, Marchioness Neir’s condition was indeed different from usual.

She was sweating profusely and constantly drinking the tea in front of her.

Richard looked at her gently and then parted his lips.

“Marchioness.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

“Did you say it was a fair deal?”

“Yes. I just received something of value equivalent to what I lent.”

It seemed like there was no problem just by hearing it, but everyone there knew that in reality it was not.

First of all, a ‘transaction’ of the rights granted by the imperial family was a problem in itself, and even if it was customary to pass it on, if one asked if it was really ‘legitimate’, who besides the marchioness would say that…

But the marchioness was confident. She believed none of them would say to her ‘No, that’s not it.’

There couldn’t possibly be an idiot who would reveal the secrets of their family at this meeting.

“Then I guess I can get the rights back with a fair deal.”

“I have absolutely no intention of making a deal. No matter what the Crown Prince says, that’s an unreasonable request…”

“I think you’re mistaken about something.”

With an air of indifference, Richard cut off her words.

“It’s not the imperial family who will deal with the Marquis.”

Richard’s gaze moved, and everyone’s eyes followed.

And the one who received all the attention quietly rose from her seat.

Bright red hair and electrifying blue eyes that hurt the eyes.

“Bolsheik?”

A family name that no one expected came out.

After Ophelia bowed to Richard, she faced Marchioness Neir.

In that same instant, her eyes met Raisa’s, who stood behind the marchioness like a shadow.

The deep blue eyes did not look away from the thick and unpleasant things that shimmered in the gray eyes, burning a blue flame that could consume.

The corners of Raisa’s mouth were twisted, but a faint smile spread across Ophelia’s lips.

The disgusting things wriggling inside Raisa were no longer horribly frightening.

At a time where the world was shaking, how could she be afraid of anything she did?

Even if they plot a rebellion, it would just be something that needed to be stopped.

In order to do that, wasn’t it vital to block the huge amount of money that Marchioness Neir, no, not only her, but also her daughter, would earn from this festival?

In addition, today showed the leap Ophelia thought of at the last evening party was correct to some extent.

After today, Marchioness Neir would have to be somewhat self-conscious for a while.

And it was Lady Neir, not anyone else, who provided the clue.

The details of the circumstances were unknown, but it was certain that Lady Neir was not the marchioness’ puppet.

After catching a glimpse of Raisa, Ophelia spoke to Marchioness Neir, who was staring at her so fiercely that it was as if she would burn her to death.

“I will replace the debt owed to my family by the Marquisate of Neir with the festival interests.”

“Debt?”

“What debt?”

“Is Neir indebted to the Bolsheik?”

All of the buzzing people spoke similar words in unison, and Marchioness Neir was no exception.

“Debt?”

Ophelia shook the documents at the marchioness, who couldn’t hide her ‘what’s this nonsense’ expression.

“The debt shown here. Converting the amount at the time to the current value… I don’t know. I don’t know if the Marchioness can replace it with something other than what I want.”

Her calm words were no different from what Marchioness Neir and Raisa did to other families to rob them of their festival rights.

“The amount at the time… what do you mean by that?”

“It’s a very old debt.”

So, let alone the current head of Neir, none of those present at the great meeting would have known.

Because it truly was a very old record.

If it was ten years ago, or even several decades ago, some of those still standing here might remember what they heard through rumors, but it wasn’t that much.

“It’s a debt from 120 years ago.”

Ophelia added, tapping the old record.

“It was a time when the family of Neir wasn’t as big as it is now.”

It wasn’t that it wasn’t big, but that was when it hadn’t even been given the title of marquis.

“But a debt is a debt. So I duly demand repayment from the Marquis.”

An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth.

If you do, I will too.

It was a very simple, yet very effective, and extremely barbaric countermeasure.

However, when the other person ignored all the rules and behaved as he pleased, it wouldn’t be possible to get what you want if you kept responding gracefully while adhering to common sense.

Taking advantage of the Marquisate of Neir was originally not something that could be done easily.

Ophelia touched the end of the discolored old document, recalling what had happened a few days ago.

“Mother. Are there any family records related to the Marquisate of Neir?”

“The Marquisate of Neir?”

“Yes.”

She was just asking because she was really curious. Wouldn’t there be a document with the name ‘Neir’ written on it in the long history of the Bolsheik?

If there was… She wondered if there might be a way to devise something from there. It was just a thought, like grasping straws.

“Yes.”

Her mother nodded vaguely and ordered her to bring out some documents.

An ancient document that looked very old and fragile to the touch at first glance appeared.

“Let’s see, yes. That’s right. The Neir family.”

Her mother’s fingertips pointed to the signature line, and the name ‘Neir’ was clearly inscribed.

And the contents of the document were also shocking.

“There is a debt.”

“That… That’s right. It’s even Neir’s debt.”

“Why are you so surprised? There must be countless documents like this.”

“No way… no, um… yes.”

Ophelia nodded, wondering if there was anything to reflect on the long and strange history of Bolsheik.

Watching her daughter opening the old documents as if she was going to dissect it, the viscountess said,

“I don’t know what you’re going to do, but you don’t even need to explain.”

Tucking Ophelia’s hair behind her ear, her mother whispered.

“Do whatever you want. My daughter.”

The sunlight-like warmth in her voice warmed her heart.

These reminiscences were cut to pieces by a high-pitched voice that scratched her nerves.

“This is nothing but nonsense! You’re telling me to pay off a debt from 120 years ago!”

To Marchioness Neir’s fierce resistance, Ophelia responded with just one statement.

“Debt is debt.”

At that, Marchioness Neir glared at Ophelia as if to kill, but the latter did not back down at all.

‘For a child without a title…’

A creepy gnashing of teeth flowed from Marchioness Neir’s teeth, but that was all.

—Debt is debt. This was a fact that could not be overturned by any sophistry.

It was unreasonable to insist the document itself was fabricated for the seal of the Marquisate Neir was too clear.

If even that was fake, it would be like saying with her own mouth that even this noble family couldn’t properly manage such a precious thing.

“Even if it’s a debt, it’s ridiculous to repay it with festival rights!”

“Yes. You don’t have to replace it with that. Well, here it is. Check how much you have to repay.”

Ophelia read the numbers written very loudly so that not only Marchioness Neir, but also everyone in the conference hall, would know the amount.

“Oh my god.”

“That’s…”

“No matter it’s the Marquisate of Neir…”

Sure enough, voices of lament flowed from here and there. Marchioness Neir also opened her mouth, wanting to speak but couldn’t bring herself to say anything.

The amount Ophelia was demanding was more than the 5-year budget of the entire marquisate.

She couldn’t even fault it for exaggerating the value of the old currency.

It was because Ophelia disclosed it first, as if she had already expected it.

After a long silence, Marchioness Neir finally said,

“I can’t repay such a large amount at once. Of course, I will repay.”

Her eyes were still shining brightly, but she had taken a step back.

But Ophelia simply shook her head.

“No. Please pay me back at once.”

“What nonsense!”

Marchioness Neir leaned forward as if to eat Ophelia, but a low voice fell over her head.

“Why, Marchioness. All of the fair trades the Marchioness made must have been like this.”

“Then and now are different!”

“What’s the difference?”

“I’m Neir!”

“Yes, you are the Marchioness of Neir. So?”

Marchioness Neir opened her mouth, but only heavy breathing escaped.

Ame: Karma’s a relaxing thought  Aren’t you envious that for you it’s not?

(Extended edition, cause why not?)

‘Cause karma is the thunder

Rattling your Neir’s ground

Karma’s on Neir’s scent like a bounty hunter

Karma’s gonna track Neir down

Step by step from town to town

Sweet like justice, karma is a queen

Karma takes all my friends to the summit the rights to Bolsheik

Karma is the guy on the screen girl you’re facing 

Coming straight home to me Shattering all your schemes

Dea: Thank you Ame, now you got me and probably everyone else singing haha, but for real that was satisfying!!