She Became My Friend’s Mother-In-Law - Chapter 73

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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 73. The New Continent Businessman (1)

‘Is it really true? That the Duchess has a bad relationship with Osburn.’

In front of the Hays Estate.

Michel was pacing back and forth, his robe pulled deep over his head.

Even he couldn’t readily explain why he had come this far.

However, if the newspaper article was true.

Perhaps he could join hands with Cecilia and clear his father’s injustice.

That thought wouldn’t leave his mind.

“Hyah!”

Michel startled at the sudden sound of a carriage from behind.

He quickly hid behind a nearby street tree.

Soon the gate opened, and a large carriage entered the estate.

Michel quietly watched this scene.

His gaze didn’t leave the coachman.

The hands gripping the reins caught his eye strangely.

‘Father…’

His father must have looked like that when working too.

He had simply worked silently for his family.

Why did he have to suffer such misfortune.

Michel unconsciously clenched his fists.

“…”

After the carriage passed.

Michel approached the slightly open gate.

Inside, he could see the well-maintained garden, fountain, and the massive Duke’s Mansion.

He could feel the prestige of the Hays Ducal House that he had only heard about.

‘Perhaps… if I could just get the Duchess’s help, Father too…’

Michel swallowed.

Just as he was about to unconsciously step inside the gate.

“Who are you?”

Michel jumped in surprise at the sudden voice and turned around.

Wendy was looking at him with a puzzled expression.

‘Oh no…!’

Michel hastily covered his face with his robe.

Since he didn’t know whose maid Wendy was, he couldn’t help but panic.

She might even be the maid of Osburn’s daughter.

“S-sorry. I took the wrong path.”

“Huh? The wrong path?”

Wendy’s eyebrows rose.

Of all places, mistaking the Hays Duke’s Mansion for somewhere else.

This place, the largest and most splendid in the capital after the Imperial Palace?

Even a passing child wouldn’t believe such nonsense.

“What kind of ridiculous— Hey!”

Wendy tried to question him further.

But Michel was already quickly escaping from the place.

Watching the fluttering hem of his robe, Wendy frowned.

“What’s that about? Don’t tell me Osburn sent him?”

Those wicked people would be more than capable of such a thing.

Wendy glared once more in the direction Michel had disappeared.

“Phew…”

Meanwhile, Michel was catching his breath in an alley far away.

His heart was still pounding.

If that maid had discovered his identity.

Imagining what would happen next made him dizzy.

‘As expected… it was a pointless act.’

Michel slowly shook his head.

His heart had wavered back and forth countless times since learning the truth.

But the wall of reality was still too high.

Seeing the splendid majesty of the Hays Ducal House with his own eyes today made it even more so.

‘Right, the Duchess would also find it difficult to give up her current life.’

Otherwise, she wouldn’t have suddenly cut off the footsteps that had followed so persistently.

Michel nodded, convincing himself this way.

“On the way back, let me buy more medicine for Sandy.”

He pulled his robe deep over his head and walked into the crowd.

Steeling his heart that settling for reality was the safest and most comfortable choice.

* * *

“My lady, I’ve received word from the information broker.”

Wendy, who had come inside, handed a letter to Cecilia.

Cecilia took it and quickly scanned through it.

「The sailing ship carrying Nigel Russ is currently crossing the strait and is scheduled to arrive in Listea next week.

His main trade items are medicinal herbs, and while the business is medium-scale by Listea standards, it’s classified as maximum-scale in the New Continent.

There are rumors that shooting is his hobby, and he looks for shooting clubs first in any city he visits.

If I find out anything additional, I will contact you again.」

“Hmm…”

Cecilia tapped the letter with her fingertips, lost in thought.

Nigel Russ.

A medicinal herb businessman from the New Continent.

It was said jokingly that if you gathered the medicines he dealt with, there would be no incurable disease in this world.

And among his distribution items was medicine for the lung disease that Michel’s sister suffered from.

“Why is that person coming all the way here? The distance is so far.”

“Since the New Continent’s market is too small, he’s probably coming to the Empire looking for a bigger stage.”

Cecilia answered Wendy’s question clearly.

In any case, Nigel’s visit was certainly good news.

“That’s good. I was thinking of inviting him in the name of Hays if necessary. This saves me the trouble.”

Cecilia muttered with satisfaction as she folded the letter.

‘If I can get that medicine, I can save that child.’

Then Michel might open his heart too.

Of course, obtaining a bottle of medicine itself wasn’t difficult.

‘But it would be a waste to just line that man’s pockets.’

According to rumors, Nigel Russ was someone who valued money more than human life.

There were also stories that he profited excessively using life as collateral.

Because of this, Michel and many other people were suffering from unreasonable medicine prices.

‘I should buy the distribution rights entirely.’

Then I could help others suffering from the same disease too.

‘The problem would be the price. To release it at a reasonable price, I need to buy the distribution rights cheaply first.’

Cecilia was pondering the method for a moment.

“Oh right, my lady. And also.”

Wendy, who was organizing the empty envelope, spoke up.

“I saw a suspicious person at the gate earlier.”

“A suspicious person?”

“Yes, tall and thin… most of all, he had his robe pulled down to his eyes and was very suspicious.”

Wendy raised her hand right in front of her eyebrows and frowned.

“Could that wicked Count Osburn be plotting something again?”

“He might be.”

“What should we do, my lady? What if those scoundrels come chasing after us again and cause trouble?”

“….”

Cecilia didn’t answer immediately.

Wendy’s worry wasn’t just unfounded anxiety.

Right now, they might be keeping their heads down while watching the Imperial Palace’s mood.

But the moment her parents’ affair was exposed to the world, Osburn wouldn’t stay still.

‘They’ll definitely struggle desperately.’

It wouldn’t be at the level of just barging into the drawing room and causing a scene like last time.

They were already cruel enough people to harm the Count and his wife.

She needed to prepare in advance.

“Wendy.”

Having finished her thoughts, Cecilia looked up at Wendy.

“Tell the information broker. Have him select a trustworthy strong man and plant him in the Osburn Viscounty.”

“In the Viscounty?”

“Yes.”

Cecilia slowly rose from her seat.

“Someone with a big build who wouldn’t mind doing dirty work.”

“Understood, my lady!”

Wendy nodded and went back outside.

Cecilia looked down at the letter again.

‘Nigel Russ….’

The greatest merchant of the New Continent.

And the man who would become another chess piece for her.

She wondered how the deal with this sharp-minded merchant would unfold.

It seemed like it wouldn’t be entirely smooth, but she was also looking forward to it.

* * *

A few days later.

The shooting range was bustling with people from early morning.

It was because of rumors that the Duke of Hays would make an appearance after a long time.

“Hey, look over there! He really came!”

Indeed, Rainer appeared together with Harry.

People flocked toward them.

“Your Grace! I never thought you’d actually visit!”

The one who welcomed him most enthusiastically was the Baron he had seen at the park before.

When Rainer extended his hand for a handshake, the Baron’s face flushed red with joy.

“Since I received an invitation, I should naturally come.”

Rainer answered calmly.

Looking around, he saw barons, lower nobles, and commoners scattered throughout.

Normally, he wouldn’t have had any reason to come to such a place.

‘If Nigel Russ comes to this place, which shooting club would he most likely visit?’

What moved him was a single remark from Cecilia.

Harry, unaware of this, had a completely puzzled expression.

“Your Grace, why did you come to a place like this? If you wanted to shoot, wouldn’t it be better to go to the Imperial Palace and do it with His Highness the Crown Prince?”

“It’s not for me.”

Rainer answered briefly.

“It’s for someone who needs luck.”

“Pardon?”

Before Harry could ask what he meant.

Rainer was already heading toward the shooting stand.

His movements as he gripped the gun and took position were without any excess.

The way he quietly aimed at the target was like a predator holding its breath.

Bang!

With the first shot, the center of the target was pierced precisely.

“Wow! As expected!”

“The rumors weren’t exaggerated!”

“Magnificent, Your Grace!”

Exclamations erupted from the surroundings.

But Rainer paid no attention at all and immediately loaded the next round.

Bang! Bang!

With consecutive gunshots, the bullet holes seemed to overlap each other.

When the shooting ended, there was a large hole in the center of the target.

It looked like the trace of a cannonball grazing by rather than just a few bullets.

As the surrounding people made a fuss and crowded around.

“Well, to see the famous Duke of Hays’s shooting skills with my own eyes, even from my hometown. This is truly an honor.”

Suddenly, an unfamiliar man’s voice was heard from beside him.

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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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