I Inherited a Beautiful Wife and a Territory - Chapter 68

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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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Inheriting a Beautiful Wife and Estate Episode 068

68. Berkheim’s Return Gift

“No, where have you been all this time?”

Berkheim Baron was delighted at Belgur’s appearance after not seeing him for a while.

Though he felt somewhat disappointed that Belgur had disappeared when he was most needed, he was fundamentally glad to see him. And his mouth was itching to tell Belgur about the results that had occurred during his absence.

“Look here. These are the treasures that Ellemis Baron came and offered to me while you were away. Hahaha.”

Berkheim Baron had always relied on Belgur, and thus had been subtly looked down upon.

This time too, Berkheim Baron’s nose was rising with pride at his diplomatic achievement(?) accomplished without Belgur. And Belgur noticed this and played along to humor him.

“Are you really saying that Ellemis Baron offered all these treasures to you, my lord?”

“Hmph. That’s right.”

“Truly, the world is full of surprising events one after another. Phew. At least that’s fortunate.”

Belgur let out a sigh.

It was a breath mixed with relief, but somehow his expression looked anxious.

That made Berkheim Baron anxious as well.

“…Why are you like that?”

“While investigating the attack on the Elimis Merchant Guild this time, I witnessed something truly tremendous.”

“Something tremendous?”

“It was the army of the Renhein Family.”

“What?”

The Renhein Family had no grudge against the Berkheim Family, but they were a family located right nearby.

They were also a traditional military family famous for having strong soldiers. The name of those famous soldiers had just come up.

“It seems likely that… the soldiers of Renheim attacked the Elimis Merchant Guild.”

“No, why would they…?”

“I don’t know the reason. But the problem is that’s not all. The corpse of knight Monse from the Renhein Family was there along with Renhein Family troops.”

“Gasp!”

Belgur’s report was shocking.

And it stimulated Berkheim Baron’s anxiety.

“This… has nothing to do with us, right? It’s a fight between the Renheim and Elimis families, isn’t it?”

“That’s true, but… I’m concerned that Ellemis Baron handed over the supplies he had to you, my lord.”

“Don’t tell me…”

Berkheim Baron gradually realized the true nature of the gift and trailed off his words.

Belgur heard those words and nodded his head.

“Yes, that’s right. Perhaps… the Elimis Family has dragged us into their conflict with the Renhein Family.”

“What we ate was poisoned fruit!”

Even the dim-witted Berkheim Baron could understand now. Due to this incident, the Renhein Family would surely think they had sided with the Elimis Family.

And the Renhein Family might be greatly angered by this.

There was another problem.

“Monse of the Renhein Family is one of the top knights in this region. If such a person was defeated… I don’t think they’d believe the merchant guild’s escort had that level of skill.”

“Then…?”

“They might think we cooperated with the merchant guild’s escort to attack the Renhein Family’s troops.”

“Th-that would be a big problem, wouldn’t it?”

Berkheim Baron was already small-hearted to begin with.

His earlier arrogant appearance had disappeared and he had changed to a timid look.

Belgur spoke as if to comfort him.

“It won’t necessarily be like that.”

“…?”

“Renheim’s elite soldiers including Monse died. What defeated them was merely the escort of the Elimis Merchant Guild. Doesn’t this mean the Elimis Family’s power is stronger than the Renhein Family’s?”

Berkheim Baron nodded at what Belgur was saying.

It made sense.

“That would be right.”

At his agreeing words, Belgur continued his explanation.

“So this is rather fortunate. Now that even Monse is dead, rather than the Renhein Family, let’s form an alliance with the Elimis Family since things have come to this. That’s our way to survive.”

“Th-then what should we do…?”

“Since we received a gift, shouldn’t we also give a return gift to the Elimis Family?”

A return gift to the Elimis Family?

“That’s right.”

Berkheim Baron nodded without any thought.

This was natural among nobles. The only difference was what to give as that return gift.

“If we give a gift smaller than what he gave, an alliance cannot be formed. If the Renhein Family might soon become hostile to us, what would we do without support from the Elimis Family?”

“Gulp.”

“Conversely, if the Elimis Family’s army comes to support us, we won’t need to fear the Renhein Family, who lost even Monse and many of their troops this time.”

It was all correct.

“Th-then what should we give him?”

“First, since the Elimis Merchant Guild must always pass through here, let’s give them the right to conduct business in our estate and tax exemption benefits like passage fees and customs duties.”

This was the first thing.

Berkheim Baron nodded immediately without any thought about this.

“I’ll do that.”

“And next, you must prepare sufficient gold coins.”

“G-gold coins?”

“Hmm. If gold coins are difficult, the Elimis Family would also be pleased if you provided furs and such.”

The Berkheim Family had many animal hides.

This was because hunting took place in the forest they bordered.

“If it’s just that much…”

“Let’s prepare both high-quality leather and common leather, and hand over all the leather we have.”

“Gasp. Then our estate’s finances will…”

“But don’t we have the supplies the Elimis Merchant Guild gave us? Also, if we can’t secure an alliance this time, how will we protect those hides from the Renhein Family’s spears and swords? Didn’t you see what happened to the Ballard Family not long ago?”

“Hmm. That cannot happen. Yes, you’re right.”

Berkheim Baron nodded his head.

Berkheim Baron still looked uncomfortable. As if to comfort him, Belgur opened his mouth again.

“I will also offer all my possessions. Please say that my house will serve as the Elimis Family’s embassy, and that all my wealth will also be given to the Elimis Family.”

“What?”

The sacrifice Belgur was also making.

At those words, Berkheim Baron could no longer say his property was precious. When a retainer had offered everything first, the lord couldn’t keep making weak sounds.

Rather, he spoke boldly.

“Ahem. I can’t let only you sacrifice. I’ll prepare 1,000 silver coins.”

1,000 silver coins was only 10 gold at most.

But it certainly wasn’t a small amount of money. In the Yusta Peninsula, even that much was precious.

“And…”

“Is there more?”

When Belgur trailed off, Berkheim Baron raised his voice.

Though he had been swayed by Belgur’s words about offering his property, he still felt uncomfortable.

“This will be the last thing.”

Belgur said to such a Berkheim Baron.

“The most important thing would be someone who can speak up for the main family while beside Ellemis Baron, wouldn’t it?”

“Mm. That’s right.”

“Send your grown children there as retainers. They’ll become Ellemis Baron’s attendants or administrators and speak favorably for Berkheim.”

Berkheim Baron, who had been listening to everything Belgur said, accepted it all.

Watching that Berkheim Baron, Belgur smiled strangely.

‘Easy.’

The Shadow that had consumed Belgur thought so.

The Former Ballard Family Mansion.

The door of the carriage that arrived in front of it opened. And the most beautiful woman in the world stepped down from the carriage.

In the woman’s arms was a baby wrapped in swaddling clothes. The woman who followed also stepped down carrying swaddling clothes.

“Welcome, Priscilla.”

“Is this… the place where Sophia lived?”

“Yes. That’s right.”

Cliff nodded at her question.

Priscilla looked around the Ballard Family Mansion with curious eyes.

“It’s bigger than the Main Family Estate, isn’t it?”

“That’s right. And…”

“But this place lacks something compared to the Main Family Estate.”

“Really?”

She opened her eyes wide in surprise.

Looking at those round eyes, Cliff grinned.

“This place has no atmosphere, no atmosphere. Don’t you get that kind of feeling from the Main Family Estate?”

“The feeling that ghosts might appear?”

She asked, realizing Cliff’s playful expression.

Cliff nodded upon hearing those words.

“Right. Exactly that.”

Cliff was very busy.

“This place doesn’t seem like ghosts would appear. It seems like only people would live here.”

“Hehe.”

She laughed softly at Cliff’s words.

“You’re saying the Main Family Estate is old, aren’t you?”

“That’s part of it. Gradually…”

Cliff trailed off.

“I think it’s time to build our house anew.”

And he continued with the rest of his words.

This was what Cliff had been trying to say. Hearing those words, Priscilla simply nodded obediently.

“You are the master, so I’ll follow the master’s will.”

“If you have any preferred style, make sure to tell Belgimov in advance. You are clearly the mistress of that mansion.”

“Eh?”

“If you’re not too busy taking care of the child, I’d like you to design the mansion and garden.”

Hearing Cliff’s words, Priscilla’s large eyes wavered.

“But Nigel said that women shouldn’t be involved in such important matters…”

Women should only obey and follow.

At Priscilla’s words, Cliff made a ridiculous expression.

“Look at your husband. He’s already busy as it is. You don’t expect me to design the house too, do you?”

Though Cliff’s line was delivered with exaggerated attitude, Priscilla smiled at those words.

Seeing her smile, Cliff also let out a small chuckle. Priscilla nodded.

“Alright. Then as the master commands, I’ll try doing that work.”

“Gather the women together and work hard on it.”

“…Yes.”

She nodded and smiled.

Cliff, who was always busy as he said.

Watching him, she sometimes had such thoughts. Wasn’t there something she could do for him too?

And the words Cliff had said.

That story about how he lived busily for the sake of his child.

‘Isn’t there something I can do for my child too… besides just nursing?’

Cliff wasn’t the only parent.

She was also the mother of twins. As a mother, she wished there was at least one more thing she could give to her two children.

So if she could design the house where the twins would grow up with her own hands, that would be truly wonderful.

Those eyes filled with motivation.

‘Good.’

Cliff was impressed seeing this.

Priscilla’s personality and attitude had definitely changed from before. Previously, she would have done what he asked, but she would have given off the nuance of doing it because she was told to.

But now she was showing motivation after hearing these words herself.

“Build it very beautifully and magnificently. I want to live in the most beautiful palace on this Yusta Peninsula if possible.”

A large and magnificent Lord’s Castle.

Cliff placed his order.

She nodded at those words.

“I will do so.”

Afterwards, Priscilla really did gather the women together to discuss this matter.

Sophia, the maid.

And Leticia, who always followed by her side and somehow naturally joined in.

Lin was also there.

‘They’ll handle it well on their own.’

During that time, Cliff went to the study and talked with others.

Jaide’s surprised face.

“For the Berkheim Family to give such a generous return gift…”

Seeing his widened pupils, Cliff smiled.

“We didn’t lose out, did we?”

The supplies that had been handed over to Berkheim Baron.

This was more than worth their value. Most importantly, the future exemption from tolls and customs duties was significant.

‘Our Trading Guild has to pass through Berkheim Domain frequently.’

They had also secured a mansion where they could stay there.

They had also swallowed up all the wealth that Belgur had accumulated.

Though still young and lacking in ability, they had acquired talent they could put to work. Berkheim Baron had many children and had sent as many as three – two sons and one daughter.

As Cliff said, it was no loss at all.

“I think we actually profited from this.”

Jaide nodded in agreement. Cliff smiled.

“Soon… we’ll gain even more profit.”

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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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