The Baby Raising A Devil - Chapter 71

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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 71

Count Penac came to visit the Imperial Palace. It was to discuss matters regarding a new trade route.

The new trade route that Father had created required the port of House Penac.

However, when he actually arrived, he had brought the Countess and Billy with him.

I met them while being held in Father’s arms.

“They said they wanted to apologize for causing a disturbance at the Young Lady’s tea party, so I took the liberty of bringing them.”

The Count and his wife set down the gifts they had packed and brought in the Central Courtyard.

The Countess bowed her waist to me.

“I failed to properly educate my son.”

Then she tapped Billy’s back with a thud.

Billy bowed his head with a face that clearly showed he really didn’t want to apologize.

“I’m sorry.”

I glanced at the Retainers gathered in the Central Courtyard.

Opening a new trade route was an absolutely necessary business for Dubbled.

In the future, Dubbled would use this trade route as an opportunity to unite the merchants, and the Merchant Union would become the Duke’s messenger birds, diligently gathering and offering information.

Of course, it went without saying that the usage fees earned through the trade route would establish another pillar for the Family House.

I didn’t particularly want to face Billy, but I nodded for the sake of business.

“If it’s alright, perhaps the Young Lady could visit my mansion…”

When the Count was about to say something, Father spoke.

“I don’t recall giving you permission to open your mouth.”

When the cold voice spread through the Central Courtyard, the Count’s spine stiffened.

Just by standing there, he gave off a pressure that made one’s internal organs feel constricted.

‘Oh dear, Count Penac is a person with strong pride, so at this rate the deal might fall through.’

I tapped Father’s shoulder.

“I want to get down.”

Then the Duke set me down. Very carefully, as if I might fly away if blown upon or break if squeezed.

The Count and Countess took deep breaths.

The people who came with the Count were equally surprised.

“Oh my goodness…”

“So truly adorable…”

I tugged at Father’s collar.

“I want to go to the Greenhouse. Father, work hard.”

“Alright.”

He smiled faintly and stroked my head.

Another silent scream erupted, and I curtsied to the Count and Countess while holding my skirt.

“I’ll go inside first.”

The two looked disappointed but couldn’t hold me back. I was young and had no obligation to receive guests.

Today’s protocol would be handled by Viscount Dubois.

Before entering the meeting, Viscount Dubois planned to show the Count and his wife around the castle.

If I grew just a little more, I’d have to oversee the inner castle myself, but for now it was time to play around happily.

‘Though I won’t actually be playing.’

I had to approve the documents that came from Seria.

For the past five years, I had learned how to manage a trading company from the ceremonial officer and Yuni, a maid who used to be a loan shark.

The ceremonial officer taught very well too, but practically speaking, Yuni was the one who helped the most.

“Those lowlifes who mess around with money? If you catch them one by one, there’s no end to it. You have to persistently crush just one guy to scare the rest.”

“If you can’t manage taxes, it’s over, over. There’s a reason why they say you earn money only to lose it all to taxes. Actually, the best thing is to collude with tax collectors, in my case…”

And so on.

Yuni didn’t even know I was running a trading company, but whenever I occasionally asked her something, she explained it so clearly that I understood everything perfectly.

‘Tomorrow is collection day. Money coming in day~’

I hummed as I climbed the stairs.

Just as I was about to grab the door handle.

“Hey.”

I heard Billy’s voice.

“Hey?”

When I asked back, Billy approached me and said.

“Have you been well?”

“I thought you said you came to apologize for your rudeness last time.”

“Are you sulking because I came too late?”

What is this guy saying right now?

When I blinked in bewilderment, Billy grinned and stroked my cheek with the back of his hand.

Feeling disgusted, I swatted his hand away.

“Acting coy is cute, isn’t it?”

Has this guy really lost his mind?

“If you liked me, you should have just said so. Did you really need to resort to violence? I’ll have to teach you how to seduce men from now on.”

“…”

“Women, you see. Should be modest during the day, sexy at night, you know? That’s how it should be.”

“…”

“Violence can’t get my attention. Got it?”

Does he really think I hit him to get his attention?

I let out a hollow laugh looking at him, captivated by his strange confidence.

“Why would I need to seduce you?”

“Well, because I’m handsome…”

“You’re ugly.”

“Th-that’s ridiculous!”

I shook my head.

“You don’t need to be modest. It’s true. You’re really ugly. Really, truly. You’re the ugliest person I’ve ever seen. You look like a toilet brush. Amazing!”

At my words, Billy’s face turned red and blue.

“Y-you, orphan bitch…!”

I guess this is all he has to say.

I lost interest in the same pattern, but then I heard someone’s voice from behind.

“What did you just say?”

Isaac slammed down the Wild Boar he had been carrying and stared at Billy.

BANG─!!

Billy, who was instantly sent flying and slammed into the wall, groaned pitifully, “Ugh…”

Isaac approached him. The closer the footsteps got, the more Billy’s face turned ashen.

“I asked what you said.”

“I, I, ugh, I…”

Isaac grabbed the trembling Billy’s shoulder. It looked like a light grip, but instantly there was a crack, a dull sound, and Billy’s shoulder drooped.

“AAAAHHH!”

A terrible scream echoed.

“Older Brothers!”

I quickly grabbed Isaac.

‘Our Trading Company alliance!’

The precious information seagulls are flying away.

Besides, no matter what, if he kills a great noble’s son, he can’t escape punishment.

I don’t care if that future rapist dies, but…!

But Isaac, who had lost his reason, wouldn’t let go of him even though I was clinging to him.

I signaled to the Employees and Knights who came running in surprise at the commotion.

Stop him, stop him!

Those who received my look rushed at Isaac with faces prepared for death.

Normally he would have blown them all away, but perhaps because I was attached to him, he didn’t blow them away.

Just as Isaac finally separated from Billy, Count Penac and the Countess came running up, startled by their son’s screams.

Viscount Dubois, who had been attending to them, was with them too.

“My goodness, Billy…!”

She ran to her son who was wailing while holding his shoulder.

Count Penac also frantically examined his son.

Billy’s shoulder was completely twisted. So much so that one wondered if that bone could ever be restored.

“Huuuung… hng…!!”

Seeing their son crying out in pain while tears and snot streamed down, the couple screamed.

“Doctor! Quickly call a Doctor! What are you doing!”

“What happened, why are you in this state!”

Billy pointed at Isaac with his remaining good hand. Count Penac and his wife’s faces hardened.

“Why on earth did you do such a thing!”

When Count Penac asked as if screaming, Isaac looked at them with cold eyes.

“Shut your mouth. I held back from killing him.”

“What, what did you say?”

Isaac didn’t explain any further.

‘Idiot!’

I know why he’s keeping his mouth tightly shut.

Isaac doesn’t want to mention the words ‘orphan bitch’ with his own mouth.

* * *

Viscount Dubois spoke to Count Penac with a troubled expression.

“Well, the children’s quarrel seems to have gotten a bit out of hand…”

“Children’s quarrel?!”

The Countess screamed as if having a fit.

“Our child is in this state and you call it a children’s quarrel! What kind of child in the world would make someone this horribly injured!”

Count Penac also added his words.

“I will formally report this matter to the Imperial Palace.”

Viscount Dubois let out a troubled groan.

If reported, Isaac would be dragged away.

Of course, the Duke’s heir wouldn’t live in prison like other criminals the whole time. Duke Dubbled wouldn’t just leave him there.

The problem was that John Stephen, the head of the Security Bureau, was the brother-in-law of the Marquis Nodelli family, who were firmly at odds with Dubbled.

The Nodelli family had been hoping to catch Dubbled’s weakness, so they wouldn’t just leave Isaac alone when he was arrested.

They would use this incident as an opportunity to find something to pressure Dubbled with, even through brutal torture.

Viscount Dubois stepped forward and raised his palm.

“If that happens, not only our Young Master but also the Penac heir will face negative repercussions. Please calm down and let’s discuss compensation procedures…”

“My child is in this state, and what parents would keep quiet for compensation! My son isn’t just any child. He’s the future and honor of House Penac!”

Count Penac continued ranting furiously.

“Unless it’s something like the Founding Emperor’s Tapestry, how could the filth thrown on my family’s future and honor be compensated?”

Viscount Dubois’s face hardened.

The Founding Emperor’s Tapestry that Duke Dubbled obtained through northern conquest in the year he became Duke.

The Imperial Palace had repeatedly requested the tapestry with the Founding Emperor’s true name engraved on it, but couldn’t obtain it.

It was proof of power that even the Imperial Palace couldn’t do anything about.

Viscount Dubois’s complexion changed immediately, but Count Penac twisted his lips arrogantly.

‘Think as resentfully as you want, what can you do about it.’

Isaac Dubbled’s fate was in his hands.

That’s when it happened.

“Then what does House Penac plan to compensate for throwing filth on our honor?”

Leblaine asked while tightly holding Isaac’s hand.

Count Penac was momentarily flustered by the cool attitude unbefitting a young child. But soon he burst into hollow laughter and frowned.

“What filth did we throw!”

“The Penac heir called me an ‘orphan bitch.'”

“Wh-what…?!”

“I am the daughter of Dubbled, recognized by Duke Dubbled, my father, and approved by His Imperial Majesty. Yet calling me an ‘orphan bitch’ goes against both their wishes, doesn’t it? Who should be reported here?”

“That’s impossible! My son would never…!”

Count Penac turned pale and looked at his son. Billy was so startled he forgot he was crying.

“Th-that… that’s because that bitch… no, that girl called me ugly…!”

People’s faces contorted at his words, which were practically an admission.

Had he hurled such insults just because she called him ugly?

Even the Countess, who had been holding her son, was flustered and didn’t know what to do.

Isaac urgently shouted “Kid…!” but Leblaine placed both hands on her hips and narrowed her eyes at him.

“Isaac is stupid! I’m not scared of words like ‘orphan bitch’ at all! I didn’t have parents for a while, but now I have Father and my brothers. So I’m not an orphan bitch.”

“But still…”

“When I have a brother who gets angry for me like this but can’t say a word because he’s worried I might get hurt, why should I be afraid?”

As Isaac’s eyes trembled slightly, Leblaine turned sharply toward Count Penac, his wife, and Billy.

“As you said, how will you compensate for the insult that House Penac’s future and honor has given me?”

Count Penac’s face hardened.

‘Could it be that she was waiting until the words “future and honor” came out of my mouth?’

Since Billy had already declared himself to be House Penac’s future and honor, it couldn’t be dismissed as merely a boy’s childish behavior.

‘Th-that can’t be! How could a nine-year-old girl…!’

No, this wasn’t the time for that.

‘I need to somehow resolve this before the Duke arrives…!’

Viscount Dubois’s face was grimly twisted, and Count Penac reached out both hands toward him.

“W-wait, let’s talk… I mean, this is…”

That’s when it happened.

“We’ll have that conversation after your son’s head rolls.”

At the chilling voice, the Count, Countess, and Billy’s spines stiffened.

Duke Dubbled, Henri, and all vassals of Dubbled who had climbed the stairs were looking at them with eyes colder than the north wind in the depths of winter.

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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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