Surviving as the Wife of the Swordsmanship Clan’s Troublemaker - Chapter 90

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 90

Ludvin Hermann.
The Hermann Marquis House was no mere noble family. While they lacked the renown of Bloodmere, they possessed wealth to match—for they owned the Western Empire’s largest intelligence guild.
That guild was Libra, and Ludvin was its master.
It was precisely because of this prestigious guild that he could conduct himself so brazenly toward a Duchess, despite holding only a marquis title.
In the original work, he was infamous.
When Bloodmere fell, he hastily distanced himself, claiming no connection. But later, upon witnessing Docheop’s abilities and influence, he caught the scent of profit and pursued him under the guise of family ties.
In short: a money-chaser.
A vulgar man obsessed with wealth, hardly endearing, yet I couldn’t bring myself to despise him.
“I’ll provide you with profitable information.”
As long as there was money involved, he would become my steadfast ally.
“You?”
His eyes gleamed with disdain.
“Would you speak that way to a paying customer?”
I countered with unwavering confidence.
Now it was my turn to fold my arms.

***

“…Would this much suffice as proof?”
I had an abundance of information to share.
We were still before the original story’s beginning. My knowledge was limited to what I could safely reveal.
Yet merely reciting details about Libra that only readers would know—secrets unknown to anyone else—proved remarkably effective.
‘How could it not seem extraordinary that an unconnected commoner like me rattles off information about Libra?’
In essence, I was like a shaman who had fallen into a fantasy world.
Look—goosebumps on his arms.
“…Your sister told you, didn’t she?”
He scratched his arm vigorously, pretending to adjust his bracelet.
“Did the Duchess not mention that only the hair on your back is white, Marquis?”
“Are you certain? Truly certain that the hair on my back is white?”
He feigned ignorance.
“We could verify it right now, couldn’t we?”
There was no point in denying it. Body hair could be checked in an instant.
Ludvin glared at me, his eyes—a brilliant pink brighter than rubies—fixed upon me for a long moment.
It was already over.
The very fact that he was prolonging this exchange confirmed the truth.
“What’s your source?”
“The source will cost three million gold.”
I replied in an even tone, though my small heart trembled within. He, however, possessed no information about my bean-sized courage.
Bang.
He laughed as if I were joking and struck the wall.
“Three million? Do you know whose dog’s name that is?”
“The value of information depends on the seller’s discretion.”
“So you’re telling me not to ask.”
I nodded. How many customers in every guild preferred to keep their sources hidden, just like me? Even Ludvin, who knew this better than anyone, ultimately clicked his tongue and backed down.
“I won’t pay for any information you’ve mentioned so far. It’s all common knowledge.”
“Of course. Information has value only when no one else knows it.”
I’d drawn out the preamble deliberately—to lay groundwork so he could trust my words. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have listened to anything I said.
“What information are you selling?”
“Let me set the price first.”
As the guild master, he was a master of negotiation.
If I didn’t do this, he would have shut me down.
Ludvin uncrossed his legs.
His eyes said: go ahead and try.
“I know I’m a burden to my family. But please don’t use that as an excuse to profit from Bloodmere.”
“That’s quite audacious.”
He spoke in a cold voice.
“It would be audacious if I weren’t a customer. But I am a customer, and you’re the master, aren’t you?”
I reminded him—and myself—of our positions. If that weren’t the case, he could have struck me without a word of protest.
“The investment matter is true, after all. The Hermann Marquis House has a reputation to uphold. That doesn’t come from just managing the family well or running good business. Everything is interconnected.”
“Still, asking for an entire building in the Capital is excessive. It’s coercion.”
The Marquis House’s reputation hadn’t fallen, and what did it have to do with Bloodmere anyway?
“It’s not coercion. I’m restoring the family reputation that’s been dragged through the mud because of you.”
“By uncovering some hidden secret about a noble family’s illegitimate birth?”
“You’re quick on the uptake.”
The methods information brokers use are predictable. Burying one scandal with another is a classic approach.
“Regardless, my information is worth more than that. Stop thinking about extorting something from Bloodmere because of my affairs.”
“So you’re saying you have information worth that much right now?”
“Of course. Just make sure you pay well. After all, we’re family now, aren’t we?”
“Wow, you’ve got nerve.”
He looked like he wanted to throw a punch, but he still spoke kindly because I’d called us family.
I smiled sweetly.
What should I give him?
The answer came quickly. To earn the trust of someone who only dealt in profitable information, I needed to reveal something certain and lucrative.
“How about I start with a secret about the Northern Empire’s Emperor?”
I chose this information.
It was knowledge independent of timing, yet it was also a bombshell capable of shaking the world.
‘Even if I knew, there’s nothing I could do with it.’
But Ludvin was different.
With his vast wealth and the information guild as his organization, he would undoubtedly find a way to exploit this intelligence.
“The Emperor of the Northern Empire is not actually the late Emperor’s son.”
I deemed the information valuable enough to share and spoke it aloud. Then I met his gaze directly.
“…Wait.”
But his reaction was more intense than I expected.
“Wait, wait, wait!”
“I’m just standing here quietly?”
“What kind of information is this?”
“Still don’t trust my intelligence network? Then….”
I was considering whether revealing one more secret about Libra would earn his trust.
“It’s not a matter of distrust!”
He struck the wall again. I would need to check if it was still intact later.
“You still have to believe me. As a Master, you must have heard thousands of unbelievable pieces of information before.”
“Even if I have, this is on a completely different level, isn’t it?”
Ludvin’s eyes widened as far as they could go.
Conversely, he lowered his voice so no one else would hear.
“This won’t do. Come here and explain this properly. Why are we discussing such classified matters in a corridor?”
He grabbed my sleeve and pulled me along.
“Actually, this is safer than a room. The fact that no one is around in such a wide corridor proves it.”
We were on the path leading to the Annex, so aside from the marble columns and floor, there was nothing but a well-maintained lawn. The sound of water cascading from the fountain also drowned out our voices.
“Libra conducts transactions in places with layers of walls and soundproof curtains. Come with me.”
Only then did he seem willing to treat me as a proper client. Truly, it was information worth using.
If that was the case.
“I’ll add one more condition before we go.”
“You haven’t even verified the facts yet?”
“It’s also a request. As family.”
I needed to extract everything I could.

***

The awkwardness lingering from yesterday’s dinner quarrel had yet to dissipate.
And now this uncle who had arrived this morning was making such an unreasonable demand.
Nikolai felt his sighs multiplying by the moment.
“I will persuade my uncle myself, Mother. Please remain at ease.”
That was all he could offer Francesca. He had failed to prevent Hallara and Docheop’s marriage, but this time he wanted to resolve it himself.
He wanted to stand before his mother with dignity. He wanted to show her who she truly needed.
He would persuade Ludvin. He could not give Francesca’s building away. Instead, he intended to ask if he could provide investment capital. Otherwise, the merciless Ludvin would surely escalate the matter.
“Oh, Nikolai. You’re still here.”
Just then, Ludvin returned to the Study.
“Have you eaten?”
“I ate at the Annex.”
So he had followed Hallara there, and it seemed she had prepared a meal for him.
Ludvin went to the couch, leaned back against it, and crossed his legs. Finding his posture distasteful, Nikolai broached the subject immediately.
“Well done. Since time is precious for you, I’ll get straight to the point. I cannot give you my mother’s building.”
He would likely explode in anger. Though he smiled pleasantly in front of family, everyone knew his temperament was rough.
Nikolai quietly moved the marble ashtray out of reach.
“Ha!”
As expected, Ludvin let out something like a hollow laugh.
Nikolai swallowed hard and took a deep breath. This clearly meant he would not back down easily.
“Nikolai!”
“Yes, sir.”
“Even if we use different family names, we share the same blood as family, don’t we?”
But what came from his lips was entirely unexpected.
“Tsk! Don’t give me that look between family members. Did you think I came here to actually tear the building apart?”

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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