CH 8.25

“… … .”

“Huh, so what are you going to do? If you’ve ruined the situation to this extent, you need to come up with a plan to deal with it.”

The tone was so chilling that it sent shivers down one’s spine. It didn’t seem like how one would treat their family, but Peridot was used to it. It was simply how things were in the Crisiona household.

After the family provided roughly half of what you needed, they assessed your ability to handle it. There was no expectation of being coddled for making mistakes. That’s why Peridot admitted her error.

“As you know, Father, isolating her isn’t an option any longer.”

“So?”

“The princess obviously likes that girl, but it’s more for the purpose of keeping Crisiona in check.”

Her cheek was red and swollen.

However, Peridot slowly turned her head without groaning. She then spoke dryly, her gaze fixed on her father.

“For the time being, it’s best to watch our words in front of the princess and do as she wishes. Also, even though she is his fiance, she is not yet the archduchess until after the marriage.”

Schemes poured from her bloodless lips. Weave the plan as if you were breathing*. Make certain that you win. shine the brightest. Except for the princess, no one in society should be better than you. Your family will provide adequate support, so all you need to do is be the best.

*(a metaphor for the plan being crafted or executed naturally and seamlessly, similar to breathing.)

Peridot’s tongue moved exactly as Duke Crisiona had taught her.

“We can kill her before the wedding; the possibility of killing her has already been confirmed.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes, we experimented with cutie’s paralysis poison, and she drank it without suspecting anything.”

“Hmm, okay. If you can kill it, everything will be fine. She will disappear once she’s dead.”

Duke Crisiona slowly nodded.

Anything that could pose a threat had to be eliminated. It would be easier to do it before she became archduchess.

“I’ll proceed after enough time has passed to avoid suspicion; please wait a little longer, Father.”

Peridot bowed slowly.

Their bond was akin to that of a god and his devotee.

It was difficult to believe that a father and daughter could treat each other in such a way.

“Do you remember the child who was much better than you at chess when you were younger?”

“… … yes.”

“How old would that child have been this year? She had to be quite old now.”

It was a warning.

It means that if she fails to properly kill Titania Oberon this time, he will dispose of her and adopt another child as his daughter.

Adopting a relative’s child is not uncommon.

“If you fail again, you will have to marry the prince; keep that in mind, and make sure to improve your appearance; it’s fortunate that the prince prefers blondes.”

“…I’ll do… my best.”

Her hair fell forward as a result of her deep bow.

Peridot bit her lower lip.

She had been defeated. For the first time in her life, she had been completely defeated.

Peridot couldn’t believe it.

Until now, she had been her father’s proudest child and the Crisionas’ representative. However, that position is beginning to shift. It was utterly unacceptable.

“W-What should we do?”

“Please advise us, Your Highness; if we lose all of our investment, it will be disastrous.”

“Please, Your Highness!”

outside the front door.

When Crisiona’s knights stopped them from entering, the Viscounts in front began to cry.

The Hansen family was a county and accumulated a lot of wealth, so the damage is only minor, but the situation is different for the rest.

Peridot, on the other hand, was completely baffled.

How could they risk so much on something as speculative as a dragon’s egg?

And Aragon is a man they barely know.

‘Fools.’

They’ve been nothing but idiots since becoming Crisiona’s vassal families.

Didn’t the princess also make a fool of them in front of the desert clan?

“I’m fine.”

As she stood up, a leaf approached her.

Peridot pressed her cheek against the cold leaf and said so.

“It’s fine, go back; it’s not yet time.”

If the duke knew what lay beneath this historic mansion, he wouldn’t have slapped her like that.

There are a few potted plants inside the deserted Duke’s office, but none of them resemble the newly sprouted leaves. Only one person knew what it was or where it had come from.

Only Peridot knows.

* * *

They’re still arrogant even after losing. it’s pathetic.

The news that the ship sent to retrieve the dragon’s egg had gone missing spread as quickly and loudly as the news about Cyphelion’s plane had.

Those who did not invest any money felt relieved, but those who did felt like biting their tongues and wishing they could just die.

I asked calmly, sipping a cup of cold tea.

“Do you have any evidence?”

“What?”

“You must have proof if you’re coming to me like this, right?”

I gave a gentle smile and looked at the men in front of me.

The vassals of Crisiona gathered here, led by Hansen.

They had requested a meeting early in the morning and then gathered as a group, holding newspapers in their hands.

“You! You said you invested money in sea dragon eggs, but it’s suddenly turned into Cyphelion’s plane! How dare you make an excuse with the obvious!”

Viscount Gloucester, who was recently subjected to an intensive tax investigation, began jumping up and down, his face turning red.

I added a sugar cube to my tea and stirred it.

“Oh yeah? Did I? I don’t remember very well.”

“Wh-What?”

“Well, anyway, even if I did say so, you’re the one who invested in… sea dragon’s eggs, was it? Did I force you to do so?”

I cocked my head and looked at them. Viscount Latrus’ hands began to shake. He looked like he wanted to slap me right now.

I smiled and locked my gaze on him.

Growl. Cat, who was lying at my feet, let out a low growl with his teeth fully bared.

“You should control your anger.”

The viscounts were unable to do anything and cleared their throats at the threat of the large beast. I then spoke softly while patting Cat on the head.

“It’s not very nice to see grown men acting like this.”

“Are you claiming you didn’t try to deceive us?”

“Such suspicions, Count Hansen, are unpleasant.”

But I never say that I didn’t trick them or set them up, because my goal is to make them realize that I dug this trap “on purpose,” which they may have already deduced from my demeanor. However, they won’t be able to do anything. I said I didn’t, and they have no proof.

“Whether on purpose or not, the fact remains that I invested because of you, and I want my money back!”