Resetting Lady - Chapter 85

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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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Raymond took Verdick’s hand and shook it. Moderate grip strength, moderate height—an ordinary man. His hands were soft, suggesting he didn’t enjoy hunting. Raymond had such thoughts while grasping those strangely smooth hands. Verdick smiled brightly as he clasped that hand in return.

 

“There’s no need for that. It’s a lie, after all.”

 

“…Pardon?”

 

“I said it’s a lie, young Raymond. Just a little joke.”

 

He watches Raymond’s confusion as if finding it amusing. Verdick turns his face to the baron and speaks with a smile.

 

“Indeed, just as you said, Baron, he’s a good young master who can’t even tell small lies.”

 

“As you can see, he’s healthy too. His appearance is decent as well.”

 

“Yes, it seems so. Now… he resembles your former appearance quite a bit, Baron.”

 

As he says this, Verdick stares intently at Raymond’s jaw and grabs his shoulders.

 

“His height is quite good for his age too, and he’ll likely grow much taller. Excellent.”

 

“What are you doing right now?”

 

Raymond swatted away Verdick’s hands. It was unpleasant. Getting too close on first meeting was also against etiquette. Moreover, his attitude wasn’t meant to show intimacy.

 

‘Merchandise.’

 

Those were the eyes of someone selecting cattle or sheep.

 

“This is unpleasant. Why are you treating me like this?”

 

When Raymond protested to Verdick, the baron growled.

 

“Raymond, show proper manners in front of Mr. Verdick.”

 

It sounded like he was being more considerate of Verdick.

 

“Haha, don’t be so harsh on him. He’s still young, isn’t he? Family should get along well.”

 

Why was this man he’d never met trying to interfere in his family matters? Who was this stranger who casually spoke about things even relatives would carefully suggest? But Raymond couldn’t speak rashly. Both of them were talking without paying attention to him.

 

“If he doesn’t meet your satisfaction, I’ll make sure to correct his attitude thoroughly.”

 

“No, no. It’s fine… But some education seems necessary.”

 

“…I’ll keep that in mind.”

 

“So, about that. Hmm.”

 

Verdick looked at Raymond with eyes that seemed slightly troubled as he smiled. The baron turned his head toward Raymond.

 

“Mr. Verdick Evans. I’d like to ask what you’re discussing with my brother, leaving me out.”

 

“He has a somewhat provocative temperament too.”

 

“I apologize, Mr. Verdick. Go out, Raymond. The adults have things to discuss.”

 

“No, he should have some masculine qualities, shouldn’t he?”

 

Raymond stood up at that attitude of complete disregard for him. The baron had clenched his fists. As Raymond rose, he looked at Verdick’s oiled hair. And he understood why he felt like he’d seen him before despite never meeting him. It was because he had the appearance of an utterly ordinary noble man. As if desperately dressed up.

 

Verdick left the castle much later. As soon as he left, Raymond quickly knocked on the baron’s study. His fear of the baron couldn’t compare to his curiosity. Moreover, it was about himself.

 

“Marriage? Me?”

 

“I got engaged at your age too. Though I was broken off due to decreased value now. How wonderful is that? You’re becoming a son-in-law to a wealthy family. You’re young so you might not know well, but the Evans Family is truly rich. It’s a good thing.”

 

Raymond sat in the chair and held back a groan. It was a common occurrence.

 

“Surely you’re not going to say you’ll live your life as you please in our current situation.”

 

Even without family decline, how many men and women marry according to each other’s conditions? His own parents’ marriage was also decided through family introductions. Though it was decided much earlier than he’d thought, it was common and not a tragedy. It’s fine. It’s fine.

 

“…No.”

 

“That’s right.”

 

Yes, it’s a common thing. But the baron should have said it. He should have told him what his price was.

 

“How much did you receive?”

 

“That’s not something you need to be curious about.”

 

How much did you get for my body price? What’s the value of my body? How much did you receive for making children with a woman I don’t even know and giving her a surname? How much did you pay to maintain that swollen body of yours, brother? Raymond swallowed the words he couldn’t spit out.

 

“I don’t like that person.”

 

“Disliking him is your feeling, but don’t show it in front of him.”

 

The baron seemed quite satisfied that the deal was made, appearing relaxed for the first time in a while. So Raymond felt even more pressure. What and how much had that seemingly full-bellied face received and consumed?

 

“The way he looked at me was exactly like selecting livestock.”

 

The way he looked at his brother seemed like looking at defective goods.

 

Hearing Raymond’s words, the baron waved his hand dismissively as if it were trivial. Like shooing away flies.

 

“What does it matter? The important thing is that he’s agreed to buy most of our estate.”

 

What? Raymond stared at the baron with growing disbelief. The baron met Raymond’s eyes. His cheek twitched.

 

“Why… did you sell it? Without consulting… No. You wouldn’t need to consult with me, but still. It’s land that’s been passed down continuously. Why… suddenly?”

 

Raymond felt like his throat was choking up. Marrying him off, selling the land, drinking every night and no longer going to the temple. Having no interest in the estate. Why. Then just stay completely still.

 

“Our land’s situation is getting worse and worse. We need to sell it while we can get the price that person agreed to pay. He agreed to pay double the price. We need to sell before it becomes more widely known.”

 

What is my brother saying right now? Raymond thought slowly and raised his head.

 

“…So Mr. Verdick doesn’t know our land is currently diseased?”

 

“Right.”

 

Of course. You hide the flaws when selling. That’s the basics of business.

 

The baron’s words reach Raymond’s ears. But they sounded so petty and cowardly.

 

“I understand.”

 

“What.”

 

“I need to tell Mr. Verdick. This is fraud.”

 

“Sit back down.”

 

“No.”

 

“Sit back down, Raymond!”

 

A thick hand reaches toward Raymond. The baron’s arm grabs the top of Raymond’s head. But that’s all. The baron is too slow and Raymond is fast. A few golden hairs are pulled out. But Raymond kicks open the door and leaves.

 

“Stop right there!”

 

He runs. He dashes. Raymond suddenly realizes he’s grown taller again. The joint pain wasn’t just from the baron’s beatings. Raymond shouted while running.

 

“James! Xenon! Emil! Someone bring out a horse!”

 

“Anyone who listens to him is dead!”

 

Raymond ran. The baron couldn’t stop him. There seemed to be thumping sounds, but that wasn’t important. Raymond ran to the entrance. A horse stood there. Raymond leaped up. No foothold was needed. He clicked his tongue and kicked the horse’s flank. It was raining outside.

 

He was ashamed. He was ashamed. Everything was shameful and painful.

 

The baron was shameful and he himself was shameful. Was the baron’s changed body such a small matter? If his body had been fine, would the baron have gone himself instead of sending Raymond? In the past, if Father had been alive, wouldn’t they have avoided committing fraud?

 

“Verdick Evans!”

 

Raymond rode his horse. Due to the pouring rain, his fancy carriage hadn’t gone very far. The coachman turned his head and saw Raymond. The carriage stopped. Raymond brought his horse close to the carriage. The carriage window opened. Verdick poked his head out from inside.

 

“Oh my, what’s the matter in this rain… The baron will tell you anything you’re curious about.”

 

Raymond swept back his rain-soaked bangs. His vision was obscured.

 

“I’d like you to cancel the contract.”

 

“Hmm.”

 

A strange sound came from inside the carriage. Raymond moved closer.

 

“There’s currently an epidemic among the sheep in our estate. My brother… didn’t know about it.”

 

Even if he lost money, even if he lost the family, even if he lost his health, even if he received criticism.

 

Still, Raymond didn’t want to lose the conscience within himself. Because his parents who had taught him hadn’t been dead long, because he was young, and because that’s just the kind of person he was.

 

Raymond thought tears might come from his eyes as he stood in the rain. But it was fortunate anyway. It wouldn’t show. That unpleasant merchant wouldn’t notice.

 

“I’m sorry.”

 

Don’t live shamefully. If he kept that, Father and Mother would be living alongside him.

 

“Well, this is…”

 

Verdick stroked his chin. A small girl’s head popped out from inside. Was that child his daughter? Raymond was astounded. She was even younger than himself, a young child who might not even be able to read.

 

“So the baron deceived me.”

 

Raymond lowered his head. He couldn’t raise it. Verdick said nothing for a long while. No, it wasn’t that he said nothing. After comforting his young daughter beside him, he spoke to Raymond again.

 

“I understand well. There will have to be a price paid for deceiving us.”

 

“…”

 

“But I don’t want to break off the engagement.”

 

Raymond returned. Xenon stood at the crossroads and advised that it would be better to stay at their house until the baron’s anger subsided. So Raymond didn’t know that his life had been decided between the baron’s and Verdick’s contract.

 

Shortly after, Raymond received an admission notice from military school. It was Verdick’s recommendation. What Raymond wanted wasn’t a very important factor.

 

The moment Raymond showed his face to Isela Evans inside the carriage, his fate was decided.

 

Because Isela Evans had said to Verdick Evans.

 

“That person looks like a knight. Military uniform would suit him.”

 

So Raymond came to wear military uniform.

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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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