A Korean Office Worker Who Became a Nuisance Villainess in a Zombie Story - Chapter 169

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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“All of the family’s assets belong to the Grand Duke, the head of the house. Aspara is not the Grand Duke.”
“But Princess, this document is genuine and legally binding. Do you see? The Minor Duke’s signature is right here.”
“So Aspara borrowed money using a mansion that isn’t even his as collateral, and the bank lent him that amount without bothering to verify it?”
Let’s say I arbitrarily used this cafe as collateral to borrow money from the bank.
(They wouldn’t have lent it to me in the first place) If I don’t repay it, does the cafe become the bank’s property?
When it’s not even mine?
“This contract is void. You shouldn’t have written such an absurd agreement in the first place, let alone lent money based on it.”
“But he’s the Minor Duke!”
“The Minor Duke is not the Grand Duke. Are we going to repeat this conversation?”
“Then what are you saying—that you won’t repay the debt?”
“That’s something for you and Aspara to settle between yourselves from now on. Leave the mansion out of it.”
“Surely you’re aware that the Minor Duke has no means to repay!”
“It’s Princess, not Princess.”
“…Surely you’re aware, Princess, that the Minor Duke has no means to repay!”
“Then you won’t be receiving it.”
I stuck my tongue out mockingly.
“You charged such exorbitant interest because there was a possibility you wouldn’t get paid back, didn’t you? Then you should have accepted that risk.”
“That’s right! I’m incompetent! I can’t repay the money! So, so I don’t have to repay it?”
My younger brother butted in from the side, fidgeting nervously.
Don’t you dare tell anyone you’re my brother.
Ignoring Aspara, I turned to the Incense Merchant.
“Now I’d like to question you. Just how stupid do you think the Grand Duke’s House is? Presenting such shoddy documents.”
“I beg your pardon?”
“Did you think there wasn’t a single person in the Grand Duke’s House intelligent enough to recognize that this document is garbage?”
“That is to say…”
“Did you really think that if you presented something like this and demanded the mansion, we’d simply accept it and leave quietly?”
We probably would have, in truth.
Before my regression, I was foolish, and Aspara was no better. As for Mother, who never left the house, she would have been too busy cleaning up after Aspara’s messes to do anything else.
That’s why they grew careless.
But what can they do now?
I’ve regressed.
How dare they try to squeeze money out of someone like me, a money-loving bird…!
The Incense Merchant apparently hadn’t anticipated a counterattack and had made no preparations whatsoever.
I lifted my chin defiantly at the Incense Merchant, whose face had turned pale.
“According to your own words, tell me how Aspara, who has absolutely no means to repay, is supposed to pay you back. If you can.”
But he won’t repay, will he?
The Incense Merchant trembled and shouted.
“The Grand Duke will repay it! His love for his son is well-known. If the Minor Duke has a debt, he will surely find a way to repay it! For his son’s honor!”
Every time the Incense Merchant shouted, the flesh on his cheeks quivered.
I sneered at the Incense Merchant as he raged.
“You really don’t know our mother well yet.”
How petty and selfish could she be?
“If she realized the debt didn’t need to be repaid, she’d never pay it back.”
“I can’t just back down like this….”
“And what will you do if you don’t?”
What, file a lawsuit?
“Take those documents straight to the Emperor. Whine and plead for him to order the Grand Duke’s House to repay the debt. Let’s see what happens then.”
If her neck doesn’t get sliced by the sword the Emperor always carries, that would be a miracle.
The Incense Merchant, now utterly dumbfounded, collapsed to the ground.
Cyprus caught my eye from beside me with a questioning glance.
‘Can I step in now?’
I nodded, and he immediately inserted himself into the conversation.
Cyprus gave the Incense Merchant sitting on the floor a light kick and spoke.
“I should use your name, but it’s tedious. I’ll just call you pig.”
“Pig….”
“Pig, do you honestly think these loan interest rates are acceptable? This is worse than back-alley loan sharking. Don’t you know that charging this much interest is prohibited by law?”
“That, that is….”
The pig’s—no, the Incense Merchant’s face drained of all color.
“Your family supplies incense to the Imperial Family, doesn’t it? You must have profited considerably using the seal of Imperial trade.”
“….”
“But that seal comes with obligations. The Emperor is strict about maintaining Imperial dignity.”
As his most beloved nephew, I can guarantee it. Cyprus smiled with his eyes.
“Once His Majesty learns of this, he won’t just order all dealings with your family severed—he’ll revoke your titles as well.”
“So the Incense Merchant will just be a wealthy commoner then, Cyprus?”
“Exactly. That is, assuming he still has money left after paying an astronomical fine.”
I’m taking these documents as evidence.
Cyprus rolled up the papers and tucked them into his pocket.
“Did I do well, Yusara?”
“Excellently.”
“Was I helpful?”
“Very much so.”
“Sister….”
Aspara’s face brightened with emotion, and he threw his arms around me.
“Sister, thank you so much…. I love you. I promise I’ll do better from now on.”
I cut short Aspara’s hopeful expectations, his face now radiant with relief and joy.
“You’re no longer a Minor Duke.”
“Wh, what?”
“You sold off the family’s assets without the patriarch’s permission and nearly put me, a family member, in danger.”
“Sister, that’s….”
“You walked straight into an obvious trap, and even though the trap was only ankle-deep, you couldn’t escape it on your own. Do you really think someone like you deserves to become the highest noble of the Empire and lead this nation?”
“Sister…?”
Sister, what sister.
“You’ll become an incredibly incompetent Minor Duke in the future, ruin the nation, and torment the Empire’s people. I cannot stand by and watch such a future unfold.”
Even a thriving nation crumbles in an instant when you place the wrong person at the helm.
Yujein, Tangerine, Mascarpone, Dazling, Cherry, Muffin, Smoothie, General, Cyprus… and Praha.
This Empire has already given me far too many people I cherish and worry about (including the puppy).
I cannot place Aspara in such a crucial position and make the people I love suffer.
“There are multiple witnesses to the foolish act you committed today, and evidence exists. I will formally report this matter to the Emperor and have you removed from your position as Minor Duke.”
“Given the severity of the situation, a conclusion will be reached within ten days.”
Cyprus swiftly supported me from beside.
The dazed Aspara asked.
“Then… who will be the Minor Duke?”
“I will.”
“…You, sister?”
“Why?”
“Sister, don’t joke. How could you possibly be a Minor Duke.”
“Why can’t I? You did it.”
“Sister doesn’t have the ability.”
“You were just a Minor Duke until moments ago. If someone without any ability like you could do it, why must I necessarily have ability?”
“That’s right! And Yusara has ability!”
Cyprus interjected from beside, shouting.
I patted the back of Cyprus’s hand, his eyes asking ‘Did I do well?’
Only then did Aspara realize I was serious, and he broke down in tears again, clinging to me desperately.
“S-sister. I was truly wrong. I understand everything you’re saying. I won’t gamble anymore from now on. If I do it even once more, I’ll cut off my own wrist. Really. Really! Truly!”
His plea was so earnest it seemed 100% sincere.
It probably is sincere.
At least in this moment.
But.
‘Even if he cries and begs like this now, the human heart changes between entering and leaving the bathroom.’
You receive health check results and resolve, ‘I really must control my diet and exercise now,’ yet the moment you turn around, you’re drinking alcohol and coffee again. Everyone does it, don’t they?
If even normal people like us are like that, what about Aspara?
“Sister, surely you’re not upset because I said I’d marry you to that person earlier? That wasn’t sincere. I lied to escape the situation. It’s all a misunderstanding. I understand you’re angry. I can explain everything. Just listen to me once. Please? Sister…!”
Behind the weeping and wailing Aspara, that Imperial Knight from before approached.
He pressed silently at the nape of Aspara’s neck, and Aspara crumpled.
The Imperial Knight, supporting Aspara’s limp form, bowed his head.
“I shall escort him to the Duke’s Residence.”
“Thank you. It was getting noisy, so this works out well.”
Cyprus responded cheerfully, even waving his hand dismissively to hurry him along.
Soon, green eyes turned toward me.
Cyprus spoke.
“But listen, Yusara.”
“Yeah?”
“Your title was granted by the Emperor himself, right? Nobles have a duty to fulfill the responsibilities of their rank.”
“That’s true…?”
“So here’s the thing—why settle for Minor Duke? Just become a Grand Duke instead. The current Grand Duke isn’t fulfilling her duties either, is she?”
“Huh…?”
“Become a Grand Duke, Yusara. And take my revenge for me.”
I spun around in shock, and Cyprus flashed me a grin.
“I’m going to take these documents straight to the Imperial Palace right now and report this to the Emperor. By today, an imperial decree suspending the Grand Duke’s authority will be issued. Let’s aim for Grand Duke instead of Minor Duke. That’s better.”
“….”
He wanted to drag my mother down with me.
In that moment of hesitation, I caught sight of my palm—the one Prague had applied ointment to two days ago and healed.
My mother, oblivious even as her daughter wrapped thick bandages around her hand.
“…You know, it’s about time I graduated from unrequited love.”
“Huh?”
“Never mind. Yes, do it. I’m asking you.”
“What are you talking about? This benefits me too.”
Cyprus pounded his chest, declaring he’d trust only himself and ride without rest from here all the way to the Imperial Palace.
“Shall we go then?”
“Yeah. Sounds good. Oh, one last thing.”
I rushed toward the Incense Merchant, who had been collapsed on the ground until now and was only just unsteadily pushing himself up.
Smack!
“Oof!”
“Next time we meet, I’ll be a Grand Duke. Remember that.”
Grand Duke Yusara.
A title obtained almost by accident, yet it doesn’t sound so bad.
Right, Grand Duke suits me far better than Grand Duke’s wife.
Of course, the path to becoming a Grand Duke won’t be easy.
[Commercial District Cafe]
– Yusara, Cyprus (Survived)

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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