I Don’t Need a Dad Like This! - Chapter 52
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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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【Chapter 52】
“We always repay what we’ve received. That little one called Rie who dragged Mary into prison. Don’t we need to get revenge?”
Serena’s ears, which had been drooping, perked up.
“How are you going to get revenge?”
“Well…”
Serena clapped her hands at Count Greenlenton’s following story.
“My goodness… I’ll help you wholeheartedly!”
It was a plan that felt satisfying just to hear about.
‘Another child being sacrificed… anyway, that child is from an orphanage, so life must have been hard for her. It should be fine for multiple reasons!’
Having rationalized it to herself, she returned to the banquet hall humming a tune.
Without realizing that she was truly becoming like ‘us’.
* * *
The next day, Nelson and Rie stood side by side in front of the front door of the Birdwell Barony.
“It’s surprising that you, Nelson, would readily take the child, but have a good trip.”
The family members came out to see them off without much opposition.
Nelson nodded.
“Yes. I’ll bring the child back tomorrow morning.”
“Alright.”
“Grandmother, Grandfather, Mother. Sister Mary. I’ll be back!”
After cheerfully finishing her greetings, Rie got into the carriage with her uncle.
How many hours had passed?
“We’ve arrived.”
“Wow-!”
Along with Nelson’s blunt announcement, the child’s exclamation burst out.
To him as an adult, the fig orchard looked quite modest, but to young Rie’s eyes, giant trees stretched endlessly.
“Is all of this… Uncle’s?!”
When Rie spread her short arms wide, he answered shyly.
“Mother’s, Grandfather’s, Grandmother’s. Uncle’s. And 0.5 person’s share.”
“Woooow-!”
That’s when it happened.
“Hey, Nelson! Did you also talk with Duchess Serena?”
Someone approached from far away, swaggering.
They were men dressed in worn tunics and comfortable pants.
‘Uncle’s… staff members?!’
Whoever they were, greet the adults!
Rie put her hands together and greeted them cheerfully.
“Hello!”
“What’s with the little one?”
“Looking at her clothes, she seems like a noble?”
“She’s my niece’s child.”
With Uncle’s brief introduction, massive legs blocked Rie’s view.
Nelson stood as if protecting Rie.
“Your niece… then she’s Emilia’s daughter?”
“Wow. Then that means you’re from the Theodore family bloodline. You know, that kid who was in the newspapers – the one who gave up his duke title and went to his mom.”
“I saw that too! It was quite the commotion back then. So a celebrity was here?”
One man chuckled and bent his knee.
A man chuckled and bent his knees.
“Little one. Greet us again.”
“Hey kid. Say hello again.”
When Rie bowed her head again after her deep bow, giggling laughter erupted.
“Hahahaha!”
When Rie, who had bowed deeply, lowered her head again, a giggling sound burst out.
‘Strange? People should be happy when they laugh, but why do I feel uneasy…?’
Rie tilted her head in confusion.
“My goodness, in all my life I never thought I’d receive a deep bow from a noble. Oh, right. Nelson, you’re a noble too! I just thought you were a farmer who owned an orchard!”
“Hahahaha!”
Then a man whose eyes met mine wiped away his tears.
Nelson’s voice became slightly menacing.
“Hahahaha!”
“Did you also make a contract with Duchess Serena? I heard that Duchess Serena took all the fig business in this area recently?”
“I haven’t made any contract, but please tell me the details.”
Nelson’s voice became a little frightening.
These were farmers from the fig orchards in this area, planning to supply figs to nobles and businessmen participating in the reverse auction.
“Did you also make a contract with Duchess Serena? I heard that Duchess Serena has taken over all the fig business in this area lately?”
“But Duchess Serena set aside other fruits and gathered people who cultivate ‘figs’ specifically to make contracts.”
However.
“I heard that the Theodore Ducal House is holding a reverse auction for specialty goods this time, so everyone’s struggling to sell for even a penny cheaper.”
“Why figs specifically?”
“Yes.”
‘Huh…’
Rie didn’t know what exactly it was, but she realized it was bad news.
But.
Regardless, the men continued chattering.
“Why figs of all things?”
“Absolutely not. Your land is already tiny as a booger, how will you produce the volume?”
“It’s fine. I won’t be participating in the reverse auction.”
‘Huh…’
Rie realized it was bad news, though she didn’t know what exactly it was about.
Because Uncle Nelson’s face darkened.
Regardless, the men kept on chattering.
“So all the fig merchants except you would participate in the reverse auction as one team… Do you think you can compete against that?”
“Absolutely not. The site is already tiny as it is, how are we supposed to pump out that kind of volume?”
“It’s fine. I won’t be participating in the reverse auction.”
The men who had been mocking him were startled by Nelson’s firm response.
“What? Why?!”
“When the bridge connecting to the northern region is built this time, southern fruits will sell like crazy! Just participating will be great publicity. Besides the Duke, other businessmen will line up to observe!”
Suddenly, one man lowered his voice and whispered.
“I heard Duchess Serena is coming here today. There are still farmers who haven’t signed contracts, so she’s coming to make rounds and get them all signed. So go and at least greet her.”
Still, Nelson shook his head.
“I won’t do it.”
“Come on, you have to make a living somehow. You’re popular with women too.”
“Right. Who knows, if you act charming with that handsome face, she might include you?”
“Hahahaha!”
Another burst of crude laughter erupted, but Rie’s arm was already raised up in the air.
Nelson had taken the child’s hand.
“No need to listen to any more of this. Rie, let’s go.”
“Y-yes.”
Rie held the rough but gentle hand and moved her little legs earnestly.
She didn’t forget to turn her head and secretly glare at the men.
‘Those men are looking down on Uncle Nelson. I saw everything!’
She was thinking she should quickly go into the orchard and help Uncle with his work.
Suddenly, a huge carriage stopped in front of Rie and Nelson.
It was the Theodore Family Carriage.
“Oh my, she must have arrived already. Let’s go greet her!”
The men who had been looking down on Nelson and Rie just moments ago came running over frantically and bowed their heads.
When the door opened, a woman appeared who was splendid yet elegant, unsuited for an orchard.
‘It’s Aunt Serena!’
“Hello. You’re all gathered here, I see. I came because there’s one orchard that hasn’t signed a contract.”
“Are you talking about Nelson? Oh my, we figured as much and were having a conversation with Nelson.”
The man rubbing his hands like a fly pointed to Rie and Nelson.
“He’s over there. Please go have a talk with him.”
“Thank you.”
She smiled like an angel and walked over with clicking steps to stand before Nelson.
“Rie, hello. It’s been a while. Have you been well?”
‘Eek!’
As soon as she heard the voice, goosebumps rose.
Rie’s twin braids stood up like cat fur.
Rie hid between Uncle’s legs and greeted with only her head peeking out.
“H-hello.”
“Yes. By the way, the owner of this orchard is… Nelson. We’re acquainted, aren’t we?”
“…Yes. I greet the Duchess.”
“I think we met at a banquet, but meeting in front of an orchard as businesswoman and farmer feels strange. Oh, not farmer but orchard owner!”
She clapped her hands and smiled brightly.
“I’m thinking of participating in the Theodore Ducal House’s reverse auction this time.”
“The Duchess?”
“Yes! For fun. I think my husband would like it too.”
Her calm tone carried a subtle disdain toward Nelson.
“So I’d like to contract Nelson’s products as well. Is there perhaps a space where we could sit and talk?”
“I won’t make any contracts. Well then.”
It was the moment Nelson was about to turn around.
“You should earn even small change. For your family’s sake.”
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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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