I Bought the Villains With Money - Chapter 59

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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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Episode 59.
I deliberately dressed slowly. That way, I could think carefully about my decision regarding Kolkos.
Everything was calculated and prepared—spilling the water, having Matthew brought in, and even the time it would take to change clothes.
‘I suppose I can go back in now.’
Wondering how the atmosphere might have shifted, I opened the Conference Room door.
As I entered, the assembled members rose awkwardly. I felt their gaze upon me so keenly that a strained laugh escaped me.
‘No matter how young I am, this treatment is pitiful.’
I grasped my position within the House. Making them respect me—that’s my second task, I thought, and proceeded with the meeting.
“Now then, shall we resume our discussion? Let me state my thoughts on the matter of a Guardian first. I wish to delay the appointment of a Guardian.”
The room fell silent as if they had anticipated my answer.
“How long do you intend to delay? The legal deadline approaches steadily. There will be pressure from the Crown regarding the Guardian’s appointment. We wish for House Irenber to restore itself as soon as possible.”
Kolkos nodded continually.
I had expected the atmosphere to change after the break, but it hadn’t. I was disappointed. I wondered what thoughts they harbored. I decided to observe a bit longer.
“And?”
The conference room fell silent once more.
I waited for their answer, counting to one hundred in my mind.
‘So they think a Guardian must be appointed, but they won’t push for Kolkos.’
This was the level I had aimed for. I just needed to convince Karman and secure his permission for the marriage by the next vassal council meeting.
“Come now, speak up. Surely you’ve considered some candidates.”
Kolkos spoke restlessly, his leg bouncing and his lip bitten raw. He seemed quite anxious.
Yet no one opened their mouth.
They would all be thinking the same thing.
The anecdote about Kolkos that had circulated when Noel stepped down, and Matthew’s presence here.
The anxiety and distrust that none of them knew when they might be abandoned.
Trust had been broken, so the choice before them was clear.
Rather than take the risk and forcefully recommend Kolkos, they would wait and see.
“If the Guardian’s appointment continues to be delayed, what becomes of our subsidies? Does the young lady have a solution?”
Ermas, whose circumstances were the most difficult, could not hold back and raised his hand.
‘Perhaps I should set aside some funds specifically for Ermas’s region.’
But if I kept slipping money like this, there would be no end to it.
How could I resolve this?
That was when it happened.
A knock sounded at the door—tap, tap.
During a vassal council meeting, it was an unspoken rule not to make contact unless it was urgent.
Yet Matthew had entered, which meant this must be a matter of great importance.
“Young lady, a letter has arrived from the Crown.”
Indeed, it was very urgent news.
A rolled letter lay atop an ornate silver tray. The moment I saw the sealing wax bearing the royal stamp pressed clearly into it, I had a hunch.
‘This is a gift from Karman!’
Whatever it was, there was no harm in reading it at once.
“A—a letter from His Majesty?”
Kolkos stammered the question. I was surprised too, but he seemed even more so.
“Yes, sir. A letter for Miss Diana. His Majesty instructed that it be delivered directly to her personally.”
Through the door opened wide behind Matthew, I could see the royal messenger.
The man, dressed in official regalia for delivering a royal letter, kept his gaze fixed on me as if to confirm the letter was being received properly.
Ordinarily, a royal letter would be delivered directly by the royal messenger himself, but out of respect for the House Irenber vassal council, he had entrusted the letter to Matthew.
That Karman would show such consideration.
It made me realize his regard for House Irenber was exceptional.
“Since it is a letter from His Majesty, we must read it first.”
The assembled members looked as though they were dying of curiosity about my connection to Karman.
It was hardly common for a king to write a letter himself. Much less to a mere successor, not even the House Head.
“I haven’t been long since seeing His Majesty, so I wonder what this could be about.”
I spoke as though thinking aloud, making sure all could hear, then deliberately moved my hands slowly.
I lifted the letter resting gracefully on the silver tray, untied the red ribbon, and broke the seal on the firmly fastened wax.
Having drawn things out this far, I wanted to read the letter slowly as well, but I found I could not.
I was far too curious about what Karman’s gift might be.
Karman’s letter contained none of the usual flowery language. It was a letter with only what needed to be said, written matter-of-factly.
“Oh!”
Having finished reading the letter, I hastily covered my mouth with both hands. And I bowed my head deeply.
“What is it? What does His Majesty say?”
Count Kolkos leaned in close, his curiosity evident in every line of his face.
He was desperate to catch even a glimpse of the letter’s contents, straining toward my hands as though the words themselves might leap out.
With trembling fingers, I passed the letter to him. He snatched it as though afraid I might change my mind.
My shoulders heaved. I wrapped my arms around myself, trying to still the tremor running through my body.
“Are you well, miss?”
Matthew, noticing my distress, regarded me with obvious concern.
A handkerchief appeared suddenly beneath my lowered gaze.
He’d mistaken my reaction for tears.
“An… engagement? What are you talking about, Diana? You’re engaged to Prince Cassion?”
Count Kolkos shot to his feet. His voice trembled as he spoke.
“Engaged? The lady is engaged to the prince?”
The retainers crowded around me in a rush.
In all of House Irenber’s history, there had never been a union with the royal family. The crown feared Irenber’s influence growing too great, while Irenber worried the crown might use them as a stepping stone.
Yet in their hearts, the retainers had always hoped for such a connection.
If the two powers joined hands, they would hold authority beyond measure.
They understood it instinctively—that my union with the crown would elevate the house, and that the crumbs from that elevation would fall to them as well.
“Miss, might I be permitted to read the letter?”
Count Junas retrieved the royal letter that Count Kolkos had dropped. He asked with careful deference.
It was nothing like the manner he’d used when explaining the justification for appointing a guardian with such precision.
Seeing how Count Junas’s attitude had shifted on the strength of a single engagement letter, I felt certain my choice had been right.
I waved my hand, granting permission.
“Extraordinary! Miss, if this letter speaks true, then all that we discussed today was entirely unnecessary, was it not?”
Junas set the letter carefully on a silver tray as he spoke.
“This is most frustrating. Please, explain yourself, miss.”
A laugh bubbled up in my throat.
I couldn’t contain the laughter that erupted. In the end, I laughed aloud.
Then I stood and shouted.
“Yes, I’m engaged! To Prince Cassion! So there’s no need for a guardian appointment. This meeting is concluded. Is there anything else on the agenda?”
Of course not. They’d assembled for one purpose alone—to pressure me into accepting a guardian.
I clutched Karman’s letter and fled the conference room.
[To Lady Diana,
I acknowledge your wisdom.
It was only this morning that I felt confident you would make a worthy consort to Cassion.
I hope my gift arrives in time.
Cassion said if he was going to give it at all, he should give it quickly.
The season when Lifrician blooms is a season for lovers.
An ideal time to hold an engagement ceremony.
Provided, of course, that you still intend to proceed with marriage to Cassion.
Through engagement, you will receive the recognition and treatment due an adult.
Whether you are formally recognized as House Head of Irenber is your family’s matter and not mine to interfere with, but you will gain the legal standing to act as Acting House Head.
We should discuss this engagement more seriously. I’ll visit the palace soon.
Karman Brahms Petrola.]
***
“Your Highness, Prince Cassion!”
The outer garden blazed with light as though it were midday. In a night so dark you couldn’t see a hand before your face, Cassion’s Palace shone bright as noon!
The change in Cassion’s status was unmistakably apparent.
“You’ve arrived, miss.”
Liam helped me down from the carriage. I gave him a slight bow and rushed up the stairs.
There were knights guarding Cassion’s Palace, and attendants too, but not one of them moved to stop me.
So many stairs!
I’d once appreciated how grand Cassion’s Palace was, but now, racing up them, I found myself cursing its size.
I reached Cassion’s chambers without pausing once.
“Oh, miss? Your hair is—did you really run all the way here?”
I collided with Flack just outside Cassion’s door.
The normally taciturn Flack’s eyes went wide and his words came haltingly. Clearly, I looked quite disheveled.
I breathed hard through my nose and tucked my disheveled hair behind my ears, trying to compose myself.
I could go in as I was, but there was no harm in appearing presentable.
“Where is His Highness?”
My heart still hammered wildly, but my voice came out steadied.
Flack stepped aside.
I burst through the door and rushed inside. Cassion, who had been standing at the windowsill looking out, turned to face me.
I ran straight to him and swept him into my arms.
“Your Highness! We’re engaged! His Majesty has given his consent. I’m the Acting House Head now. Is there anything you’d like, Your Highness? Oh, I’ll find you a dedicated chef right away. And a guard for you, and——”
I chattered on excitedly.
At last I had a reason to help Cassion, to do all the things I’d been holding back from doing until now.
I’d never have to leave this dear fiancé of mine lonely again!
“——Where should we hold the engagement ceremony? His Majesty said he’d prefer it during the season when Lifrician blooms. Anywhere is fine, but somewhere with plenty of Lifrician flowers would be lovely, wouldn’t it? Your Highness Cassion?”
I paused mid-ramble, sensing something amiss, and fell silent.
Cassion in my embrace was rigid as a wooden post. Despite the good news I’d brought him, he showed almost no reaction.
I slowly released him from my arms.
“Your Highness Cassion?”
His response was strange.
I Bought the Villains with Money (serialized)
Author | Yi In-hye
Publisher | Kim Ju-hyeong
Published by | J Plus Media Co., Ltd. – Tiramisu
Marketing | Han Jae-hyeok
Address | 11th Floor, Ace Techno Tower 8th Building, 11 Digital-ro 33-gil, Guro-gu, Seoul (Guro-dong)
Email | [email protected]
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© Yi In-hye 2021
※This work is published by J Plus Media Co., Ltd. under contract with the copyright holder,
and the contents may not be used in any form or manner without permission from the company and author.
Violation of this may result in criminal and civil legal 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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