I Bought the Villains With Money - Chapter 41

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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 41.
“Diana!”
Bella’s voice rang out from beyond the lobby as she came running toward me with all her strength.
It was hardly the behavior expected of a lady, yet our parents had found such displays of hers utterly endearing.
Her abundant chestnut hair held a reddish sheen, her eyes a delicate pink, her skin pale and smooth as porcelain, her cheeks full and rounded, her lips plump and red as cherries.
Bella possessed a lovely face. Dressed in that Pink Dress, she looked exactly like those porcelain dolls that had become so fashionable among noble girls lately.
‘She is beautiful, I’ll grant her that.’
Bella was undeniably charming when you considered her appearance alone.
‘Completely unlike me.’
Where Bella held a delicate beauty that seemed fragile enough to shatter at a touch, I radiated a kind of fierce vitality—like a sunflower bursting with life.
We possessed not just different charms, but opposing attitudes toward life itself.
While I had once thrown myself into my studies, Bella dedicated herself to her appearance.
I worked for Dayson, and Bella spent the money he gave her.
Bella savored every bit of what she possessed.
Now that I thought about it, whenever we’d attended gatherings in the past, Bella had been surrounded by admirers.
Could all of that truly be attributed solely to her charm?
‘No. It was possible because of my money.’
The prestige of House Irenber, and the allure and connections that came with its wealth.
Nothing Bella possessed had been built by her own hands. That she’d harmed me despite that—thinking of it even now left me incredulous.
“Diana, I missed you so much.”
Upon spotting me, Bella quickened her pace, and with each stride, her lustrous hair cascading to her waist rippled like waves.
‘Did Dayson fall for this kind of display?’
Every time the fact that Bella and Dayson had deceived me for years rose in my mind, rage threatened to choke me.
The servants smiled warmly at her fairy-like figure.
Jennis was the only one whose expression remained sour.
“I still can’t believe what happened to Uncle.”
Bella embraced me suddenly, mentioning my father. To me, who had lived through my life once already, my parents’ death was distant as a forgotten dream. Yet whenever they were mentioned, my heart still ached.
“Diana, you must have been so lonely. From now on, I’ll be here for you.”
For yourself, more like.
A bitter laugh escaped me at Bella’s transparent falsehood.
“Are you sure you’re all right?”
Bella’s face shifted from joy to one heavy with concern as she studied me.
“Thank you for worrying about me. Really, I’m fine. Let’s not talk about my parents anymore.”
Every time you mention our parents while pretending to care for me, it makes my skin crawl.
I forced a smile and spoke the words.
“Oh, Diana. Where should I stay? Is my room still the same?”
Bella stopped midway up the stairs to ask.
Because I had no siblings, my parents had taken a shine to Bella, a distant female cousin my age.
Whenever Bella came to the Capital, she stayed with us.
As Bella’s visits to Irenber Mansion grew more frequent, a room naturally became hers there as well.
‘Identical to mine.’
Bella wanted everything to be exactly like mine. The room’s size, the clothes I wore, even the flowers in the vases.
Whenever she received something different, she would sulk and say, “I want the same things as Diana. I really love you so much, Diana.”
‘She didn’t love me—she wanted to be me.’
Now that I thought about it, the Pink Dress she wore today was identical in design to the one I’d favored. The same overly ruffled cuffs and hemline.
Thinking I should discard all clothing of similar design, I spoke to Bella.
“During the mansion renovations, I had the rooms rearranged, Bella. I didn’t want to upset you by removing your room, so I prepared a new one for you. That’s all right, isn’t it?”
Bella’s expression noticeably darkened. Other than the library and the Office, my bedroom had been the largest in Irenber Mansion. It was even larger than my parents’ chamber.
As I’d grown older and accumulated more things, I’d had no choice but to move to the mansion’s largest room.
Naturally, Bella’s room had been nearly as spacious as mine.
Bella realized her room had become smaller than before, and her shoulders sagged.
She deliberately jutted out her lower lip and remained still, as if to make a point.
“Aren’t you curious about your new room? If you’re not, I can show you later.”
But I didn’t bother responding to her sullenness and simply walked past her up the stairs.
“W-wait, Diana?”
Behind me, Bella’s voice rang out in surprise. I quickened my pace, pretending not to hear. The sound of her footsteps following me grew hurried.
It was amusing to see Bella fidgeting anxiously, unsure whether I would really show her the room or not.
“Diana, I want to see the new room. I’m tired and want to rest too.”
“Oh my, is Bella tired? I see. I was planning to go somewhere nice, but I suppose we can’t now. Let’s have a good rest in your room today.”
“Somewhere nice? Where were you planning to go?”
Bella was easy to read. She only ever tried to slip out of the moment rather than think ahead—unable to see beyond the present crisis.
The daughter of Count Colcos, and someone who’d already fooled me once, I’d meant to squeeze her for information and cast her aside. But I needed to reconsider.
‘She’ll be useful to keep close for a while. Eventually I’ll discard her, of course.’
Still, I held off on any final decision.
‘Let me watch her a little longer.’
“You said you were tired. Come, I’ll show you to your room so you can rest properly.”
Bella’s disappointment was evident, but I pretended not to notice.
I continued ahead and stopped on the second floor. Bella, who had been following obediently, tried to slip past me toward the stairs to the third floor, so I reached out and caught her hand.
Bella stopped and turned to me, eyes wide.
“Where are you going, Bella?”
“Huh? You said you’d show me my room. Isn’t it upstairs?”
No, it isn’t.
When arranging rooms in a noble residence, there are conventions.
The most fundamental of these is that the rooms of those in power are placed on the upper floors.
Created to protect privacy and guard against unforeseen dangers, this principle means that most Heads of House occupy the topmost floor.
Naturally, the first floor, where outsiders come and go, is typically used as common space. The second floor serves much the same purpose.
The third floor and above are the primary living quarters for the household’s masters—and until now, Bella had occupied a room on the fourth floor, same as mine.
But this time, I moved Bella’s room to the second floor. The floor where guests typically stay, and where the butler and housekeeping staff have their quarters.
“Bella, your room is on the second floor. Come here, let me show you.”
I pulled her hand along with me. Caught off guard, Bella followed. I threw open the door to the room I’d prepared for her.
Despite the brightness of midday, the room was dim. The window faced north, where little sunlight reached, and all the furnishings were done in shades of gray and deep navy.
Of course, the objects inside the room were far too expensive for Count Colcos to ever dream of purchasing on his means.
Yet the room was filled with furniture in depressingly dull colors and outdated designs—entirely unsuitable for a noble girl’s chamber. Bella stood quietly, eyes merely blinking, and then asked almost to herself:
“This is my room?”
“Yes, what do you think? The furniture was imported from abroad. The craftsmen nailed every single joint by hand, they say.”
Bella’s face showed she despised the room utterly. Regardless, I pushed her inside and began explaining each piece of furniture to her in detail.
“A famous designer from the Brooke Kingdom made this, you know. Quite exquisite, isn’t it? What do you think, Bella? I chose every piece with you in mind. Do you like it?”
I spoke sweetly and linked my arm through hers.
My expression grew brighter and brighter, while Bella’s grew darker and darker. Just like the curtains in the room.
Bella was gnawing on her lower lip. I was curious to see how she would react.
“Oh! Diana. What am I going to do? I just remembered I have an appointment with Father today. I won’t be able to stay at the mansion tonight. I’m so sorry, Diana! I’ll, I’ll definitely come back next time!”
Bella bolted from the room.
“Bella, you absolutely must come back next time!”
While I called out words I didn’t mean, Bella had already slipped into her carriage.
The carriage carrying Bella drove away from the mansion.
A laugh burst out of me.
I couldn’t help it.
“You certainly don’t mince words, do you, Miss?”
Jennis, who had watched the entire exchange from beside me, spoke up.
I kept my mouth firmly shut to prevent any more careless laughter from escaping, and nodded.
What had Bella learned from what just happened?
I had taken care not to show too openly that I disliked her.
But she must now understand that she could no longer have her way with House Irenber.
‘Our parents are gone—the ones who used to dote on her every whim.’
I had played the oblivious child in front of Bella, so I was curious how she would respond next.
‘Will she come to me directly and ask me to buy things for her? To get things for her?’
I had my doubts. Bella, for all her lack of possessions, had always tried subtly to assert her pride in front of me.
‘This is going to be fun.’
Playing innocent in front of Bella and watching her reactions proved far more entertaining than I’d expected.
“By the way, Miss, didn’t you say you had something to tell Miss Bella?”
I was stifling my laughter, giggling despite myself, when Jennis spoke again.
“That’s right! The invitation!”
Dayson had sent a letter last night inviting her to tea. I’d meant to ask Bella to go with me!
“Shall I go fetch her and bring her back now?”
“No, that won’t be necessary.”
Seeing her once a day is enough. I’ll spare myself a second encounter for the sake of my sanity.
Besides, Bella would definitely accept Dayson’s invitation, so I could mention it to her next time.
I hummed to myself, picturing Bella’s trembling form as she dashed away.
I looked forward to the entertainment that Count Colcos and Bella would provide.
***
“Did you look into it, Kaleb?”
Karman settled onto the reception sofa in his office and loosened the cravat that had been choking his neck. Kaleb set a cup of Peppermint Tea before him.
“Yes. The young lady of House Irenber has withdrawn her designation of Casion as her regent and has secluded herself indoors.”
“She’s not looking for a new regent, then.”
Karman understood at once what the marriage Diana and Casion were demanding meant.
‘She intends to become Head of House.’
If Diana harbored such ambitions, she would have no need to seek a regent. So why the seclusion?
Karman felt a spark of genuine curiosity about Diana.
“Keep watching her. See if there’s someone pulling the strings behind her.”
A girl couldn’t harbor such bold thoughts alone. Karman was certain someone was orchestrating Diana’s moves from the shadows.
“Understood. I’ll continue surveillance. But there’s something you should see first.”
“What is it?”
Karman rubbed his tired eyes. Kaleb regarded him with a penetrating gaze, gathering his words. In the meantime, Karman took a sip of Peppermint Tea.
“The Brooke Kingdom shows troubling signs. They’re acquiring timber from neighboring nations.”
“Timber?”
Karman’s eyes narrowed and he set down his teacup. He stroked his jaw, lost in thought. Kaleb emptied the cooled water and refilled his cup with hot liquid.
“Is your suspicion what I think it is, Kaleb?”
Kaleb had been groomed from birth as Karman’s aide.
He ate what Karman ate, learned what Karman learned, and thought as Karman thought.
Kaleb had been cultivated to lighten, even if only slightly, the weight of the crown that would rest on Karman’s shoulders.
This method of royal education had proven devastatingly effective.
Kaleb understood Karman more deeply than anyone. Because of this, he could anticipate what Karman would think upon hearing his report. He had already completed the necessary follow-up investigation.
“Yes, Your Majesty. The Brooke Kingdom is preparing for a naval battle.”
“A naval battle. Which nation are they targeting? Surely not ours.”
If Kaleb had assessed that Petrola was the target, he would not be reporting with such calm composure.
Karman knew Kaleb as well as Kaleb knew him.
“No, not ours. I’ve identified two nations that the Brooke Kingdom would find worth their ambitions. Shall I report them?”
“No, that’s fine. Just manage it so the flames don’t reach us.”
The Petrola Kingdom was at peace. Karman had no desire to invite turmoil by raising alarm over a war unfolding in a neighboring land during such tranquil times.
Yet the very next day, Karman found himself forced to reconsider.
I Bought the Villains with Money (Serialized)
Author │ Lee In-hye
Publisher │ Kim Joo-hyung
Published by │ J Plus Media Co., Ltd. — Tiramisu
Marketing │ Han Jae-hyuk
Address │ Suite 1101, Ace Techno Tower 8th, 11th Floor, 11 Digital-ro 33-gil, Guro-gu, Seoul (Guro-dong)
Email │ [email protected]
Website │ http://blog.naver.com/jayplemedia1
ⓒ Lee In-hye 2021
※This work is published by J Plus Media Co., Ltd. under contract with the copyright holder,
and its contents may not be used in any form or by any means without permission from the company and author.
Violation of this prohibition may result in criminal and civil liability.

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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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