If I Were Reborn, I Wouldn’t Marry You - Chapter 92

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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 92

“When the earth spirit contractor gestured like this! The ground suddenly collapsed like ice breaking on a partially frozen lake where people were running around, and then water started gushing up from there…!”

He was such a good storyteller that it felt like listening to a fairy tale.

‘Tell me more! How amazing Merlin and Caspian are!’

Before I knew it, I was pretending to focus on watching the well-digging while listening to the middle-aged man’s story.

“I heard that spirit contractors appeared in the Empire for the first time in hundreds of years, and two of them at that. How remarkable.”

I pleasantly listened to the admiring responses to the eloquent man’s words.

“We’re seeing something we’d never see in our lifetime! We did well to come here.”

“That’s right. Even those noble lords in the capital probably haven’t seen anything like this!”

“A high-level water spirit contractor and a mid-level earth spirit contractor no less!”

“No wonder they seemed extraordinary.”

After thoroughly praising the spirit contractors, their compliments began to branch out in slightly different directions.

“But do the spirit contractors have original ties to the South? What brings them to dig wells in every village…? Of course, we’re incredibly grateful.”

“It’s not that. The new lord is the second son of House Duke Roderick. He seems to be friends with the spirit contractors, and knowing that the South lacks water, he’s having wells dug for us.”

“Right, House Duke Roderick is sponsoring the spirit contractors.”

“Ah, thanks to our lord, we can finally do laundry with peace of mind.”

It seemed to be Lester’s turn for praise.

‘He’s going to be a popular lord, isn’t he?’

I was feeling proud on his behalf when Lester, who had been pretending to watch Caspian and Merlin while also listening in like me, suddenly joined the conversation.

“Listen, everyone? It’s actually Young Lady Miela here who discovered and sponsors the spirit contractors. Digging wells was also our darling’s idea! It’s not thanks to the lord, but thanks to Young Lady Miela.”

It felt like he was worried my contributions might be overlooked and wanted to brag on my behalf.

“Originally, it was Miela who invited me and Merlin to visit the estate and thought of exploring for hot springs.”

Somehow having heard this, even Caspian chimed in.

Even Merlin, who was concentrating on detecting water veins, turned to look this way and nodded vigorously.

She seemed quite regretful that she couldn’t speak while communicating with spirits.

‘Everyone’s too conscientious, that’s the problem.’

They didn’t need to look out for me like this.

Since I had things to hide, I was the one who chose the path of staying as inconspicuous as possible.

It was true that I had worked hard preparing for the drought by emptying my pocket money and racking my brains, but that was partly driven by a sense of responsibility.

‘I knew the future, so I couldn’t just stand by and watch, and I am Lady Roderick and a former empress.’

Since it was something I undertook for those reasons, I never expected others to acknowledge it.

“It’s all just coincidence. At first, I just wanted to explore for hot springs for fun!”

When I spoke with a thoroughly innocent expression, Lionel gently stroked my hair and said:

“But when underground water came out, you were the one who convinced us it would be good to build wells for people in other villages too. Even if you had originally tried to find hot springs as planned, that would have been for the estate residents as well.”

Though his voice was sweet as honey, I could sense he was probing, and Lionel seemed to have somewhat figured out that there was a hidden plan behind this hot spring exploration.

That was correct, but it would be troublesome if he found out about my regression, you know?

“I really did it just for fun, you know?”

I tried to move past the situation by speaking modestly, but Leonhardt, who had been quiet, added a comment.

“Whatever purpose you started with, what matters is that you acted with good intentions and thanks to you, the estate residents worry less about water.”

Now you too?

Since being modest seemed to intensify the flattery, I decided to just enjoy the praise.

“That’s true.”

But even when I changed my approach and acted shamelessly, the praise kept getting more excessive.

“How thoughtful you are.”

“Young Lady, are you perhaps an angel sent by God for the South?”

“Should we erect a commemorative statue…?”

I had prevented hot springs from being named after me, but now it looked like a giant statue might be built instead.

“A statue? That sounds good?”

Even Lester, the lord, was very taken with the idea.

“What’s good about it!”

I tried to stop him, but as expected, it was completely useless.

By the time a large statue was completed in the middle of Bracken Estate, a real drought came to the South.

Before we knew it, two months had passed since proper rain had fallen in the South.

Gradually, people in the South began to notice something was wrong, and even people from other regions who were quick with information had heard that the situation was taking a strange turn.

Viscount Perington, who had an estate in the South, and Prince Jeffrisian were among those who knew this information.

Jeffrisian opened with an artificially crafted, sorrowful voice.

“It’s been over two months since it rained in the South, hasn’t it?”

It was such a gentle voice that anyone who didn’t know Jeffrisian’s cruel nature would have felt it was full of concern.

However, Viscount Perington, who had mostly figured out Jeffrisian’s personality over time, immediately understood his intention and replied:

“So I hear. Even the existing water sources have dried up, and the rye is withering without even forming ears. Word is that if it doesn’t rain for just a few more days, they won’t be able to salvage even half of the usual harvest.”

As if Jeffrisian’s pretentious attitude had rubbed off on him, his worried tone sounded quite convincing.

“Half the usual harvest… Since the South is the Empire’s granary, that would mean food shortages throughout the entire Empire, wouldn’t it?”

Jeffrisian and Viscount Perington briefly exchanged glances.

Then Jeffrisian smiled like a snake and added:

“According to records that only the Emperor and Crown Prince can see, the South experiences major droughts about once every few hundred years. The most recent drought was a full 700 years ago, so very few people would know this information.”

“I see…”

The two men read in each other’s eyes the calculations of how to turn this situation to their advantage.

After brief consideration, Viscount Perington carefully spoke as if confirming Jeffrisian’s intentions:

“That would be very troublesome indeed. Perhaps I should prepare in advance to ensure my estate residents don’t suffer from food shortages. I should stockpile some food. Secretly.”

Jeffrisian looked at Viscount Perington with satisfaction.

‘His situational judgment has improved considerably.’

With Roderick having sided with Leonhardt, Jeffrisian had few cards left.

Among them, Viscount Perington was the most promising card, but his somewhat short-sighted perspective, revealing his underworld origins, was problematic.

However, the effort he had invested seemed worthwhile as the man had come up with a quite decent idea.

‘A dog that faithfully carries out its master’s orders is better than a fox that acts on its own thoughts.’

Jeffrisian smiled genuinely and brightly, satisfied with Viscount Perington’s development into an excellent subordinate.

“There’s no need to cause a commotion over this.”

Viscount Perington felt relieved seeing Jeffrisian express satisfaction with the plan he had proposed.

“A drought after 700 years… Those who face it without preparation must be deeply troubled. I’ll prepare without fail.”

“I’m counting on you. If necessary, I’ll contribute my personal funds as well.”

Jeffrisian smiled sweetly, his eyes curving.

Jeffrisian’s position as the sole heir had been gradually shaking due to Leonhardt’s presence, which had been finding its place again at some point.

He needed the power of money more than ever.

Was that why?

When he saw a good opportunity in his increasingly anxious situation, he seized it as if he had been waiting for it.

Because of this, he failed to confirm the information that while most of the South was suffering from drought damage, only Bracken, where Roderick’s second son was lord, and its vicinity were barely affected.

This was their fatal mistake.

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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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