For the Lady's Wise Regression - Chapter 18

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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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Chapter 18
Will she truly bite at the bait I’ve cast so carefully?
“……For instance?”
If I were to name it as a marriage condition, there was one piece that would be ideal beyond measure.
The place where the Ernasila Young Couple had met their tragic end, and which had subsequently been closed due to the deaths.
Until the Leonard Marquess family later purchased it at a bargain price, no hand had touched that mine.
Looking at it purely in terms of results, it had been concluded as a simple accident, so no one thought deeply about it…….
But by sheer coincidence, if the Cheliagho Duchy and the Gidion County took a massive loss, one family came to mind that would be delighted.
So this was purely Vanessa Sharloze’s reasoning—my reasoning, that is.
Perhaps nothing more than a fantasy.
“The Marguula Mine.”
At Vanessa’s words, Ian’s eyes widened perceptibly.
Genuine surprise flickering across them.
Confirming that, my mood began to lift gradually.
In my past life, even when Carlisle I spoke of such things, she’d dismiss me, saying that as a marquess’s wife my only duty was to support the household—she wouldn’t listen to a word of it.
It was precisely here that the Marquess Leonard’s wife, no matter how keen her instincts, had earned the treatment of a broken clock.
She had absolutely no sense for reading the situation or grasping the relationships between families.
So she would have delegated everything through Mareo.
“The Marguula…… I see. Even if minerals are discovered, the baroness as the owner would find it difficult to claim ownership.”
This is what it means for conversation to flow well.
More than flower arranging or needlework, I far preferred reasoning through hidden cards like this.
“You’re saying the maintenance of the mine was taken as a gift in place of wedding funds?”
“It seems they’re about to resume mining operations.”
Rather than confirm Vanessa’s question directly, Ian offered a subtle deflection.
“Apparently. Ernasila mentioned it—the lights have come on at the Marguula Mine.”
Ian, glancing sidelong at Vanessa, drew up the corner of his mouth slightly.
Why the Gidion County and the Cheliagho Duchy were now trying to seize the Marguula Mine, and why, among so many families, it had to be Ernasila.
He seemed unable to grasp that much.
But even setting that aside, Vanessa Sharloze’s reasoning at present was nearly spot-on.
One might have thought ‘that’s possible’.
But to connect it to the mine.
And when given one piece, to take it and push further—he possessed that instinct as well.
This sort of conversation did seem to be his pleasure.
“The position of Crown Prince’s Advisor has opened up. Aren’t you interested in taking a shot at it?”
At Ian’s words, Vanessa’s hand fumbled.
“……Is that a joke?”
“I thought it might be nice for you to follow in your father’s footsteps.”
“Stop it. I couldn’t possibly…….”
“I’ve sensed it for a while now, but your prejudices run deeper than I expected.”
“No, what——! That and this are entirely different matters——!”
“Does a keen mind depend on one’s sex? Then the first Emperor Raflaeaon Decart must have been male. Congratulations. You’ve just correctly guessed the gender of the first Emperor, whom history had shrouded in mystery.”
This wretched man…….
***
“I hear the Princess Sharloze is to marry Duke Ruscliffe.”
“My daughter-in-law passed along the invitation just this morning—so the rumors were true? It seems the absence of a mother weighs heavily.”
“Isn’t it better to withdraw when one still can, rather than discover the mismatch only after entering the chapel?”
“Even so, announcing a breakup when invited to see dress designs—that’s like being slapped across the face without warning.”
“Young people these days don’t enter marriages lacking sincerity like we did. Lady Ragmelda was always griping about political marriages…….”
“Lady Margrita.”
“I only mean to say it—that affection grows when you live together, that excuse only worked in our day. I was actually struck by how thoughtful Princess Sharloze’s decision seemed.”
The one addressed as ‘Lady Margrita’ sipped at the tea set before her, her gaze sweeping across those gathered.
An inferiority complex, they say, cannot be cured.
Finding fault with a princess young enough to be one’s child—what did she hope to gain?
Did the heart grow softer as one aged, working against reason?
‘They say to age gracefully, yet look at her—wrinkles settled in with such spite.’
“Now that I think of it, reading the latest reports, Lord Leonard hardly seems the sole victim…….”
“I seem to have arrived late.”
“Oh……! Madam, how lovely to see you.”
Lady Ragmelda, who until moments ago had been defending the Leonard Marquess family with fervor, expressed her delight.
“I heard my son’s name mentioned—what were you all discussing?”
Margrita’s gaze drifted toward the back of the room.
Belladonna Leonard.
At her words, Piede, who had just mentioned “Prince Leonard,” flinched noticeably.
“I was merely saying that the Prince must be finding things quite… difficult, madam.”
……
“By the way, madam—my daughter Ernasila is getting married this time, and I was wondering if I might ask your advice? There are a few matters weighing on my mind……”
Piede, whose shoulders had sagged just moments before, now glanced toward Belladonna to gauge her reaction.
“Of course, madam. I’ll make time for you later.”
At her words, Piede’s face brightened considerably.
“Thank you! I was hoping to offer some consolation regarding your son……”
“That’s hardly something you need concern yourself with, madam.”
She had been attending these gatherings for barely a year.
‘I’m Belladonna Leonard. Oh my… I was told that one mustn’t speak of one’s house in this circle, and I’m terribly sorry, godmother. Since this is my first time being invited to such distinguished company, I think I was simply too nervous.’
Behind what she’d framed as an innocent mistake lay unmistakable intent, and from that moment on, Margrita had viewed her with less favor.
No doubt she’d noticed that among those present, only the godmother outranked her in title.
Beyond mere dislike, there was something else about her that unsettled Margrita—something that kept her deliberately at arm’s length.
“Speaking of which, Madam Belladonna—those Medicinal Herbs you mentioned some time ago. I made inquiries, and they truly did exist. My mother-in-law sent her thanks, saying she was able to ride again for the first time in ages.”
“Oh my… I only mentioned them on a whim, so I’m relieved they proved helpful. Do be careful not to use too much, though—there’s a risk of dependency.”
“Thanks to you, my husband was able to depart safely. With rain expected all evening, I was beside myself with worry, but just as you said, the next day dawned perfectly clear. I’m truly grateful. Oh, and regarding the silk—I’ve already spoken to my husband. If the contract goes through, the documents should arrive at the estate.”
“How fortunate the weather cleared. I do hope your husband returns safely. Honestly, I hadn’t dared hope for the contract to succeed… but I’m grateful for your words alone, madam.”
“Knowing how much my husband struggled with the weather, I should be thanking you instead.”
That was precisely why.
She didn’t merely scratch where it itched—she solved problems that bordered on intractable, which made her prominence in this circle entirely natural.
Perhaps even more so than the godmother herself.
“You seem to have excellent instincts, Madam Belladonna.”
Ragmelda, seated nearby, offered the comment, and Belladonna merely smiled quietly in response.
‘Can that really be called mere instinct?’
Margrita brought her teacup to her lips, studying Belladonna over its rim.
The expensive jewelry draped about her looked rather like a child’s balloons caught on the branches of an ancient, gnarled tree.
Though she herself seemed to believe she wore them beautifully.
Who could have known that rare Medicinal Herbs, which grew only in the most remote regions of the North, would be precisely what the second-ranking woman in this gathering needed?
And she hadn’t even properly heard the symptoms.
As if she’d already known that these herbs were the answer.
The same held true for the weather.
A week ago, on a day when rain poured down.
No one had imagined the next day would dawn clear.
‘If the rain doesn’t stop, I’ll procure a ship for you myself. I’ll also compensate for any damaged cargo.’
There had been a certainty to it.
As though she’d glimpsed the future and returned.
Not a moment’s hesitation.
Those words had startled more than just Margrita.
Even for a marquess, purchasing a ship at full price would be a considerable burden.
Everyone present knew without saying so that the House of Leonard was not renowned as a particularly wealthy family, which only deepened the shock.
Yet when asked what she wanted under the hypothetical condition, she had merely opened her mouth softly.
‘Well then, there is a fabric called “silk.” Could you arrange a supply contract between my desired merchant house and your own, if such a thing were possible?’
It was tantamount to laying a new bridge across the trade routes between empires.
Oddly enough, it seemed only Margrita had grasped this.
As Margrita considered who truly belonged in that vacant seat of honor, she let out an inward scoff.
‘So Princess Vanessa does know how to read people.’

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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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