The Baby Raising A Devil - Chapter 97

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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 97

* * *

A sunny morning.

I sat on the garden swing and reviewed the documents Seria had sent me.

These were compilations of rumors or information that Hope Trading Company’s information seagulls had brought back.

The most notable story was that a massive horseback riding racing track would soon be built on the outskirts of the Imperial Capital.

‘So horse racing is about to become popular now.’

Horse racing, a form of gambling, started among commoners and spread to nobles. After the racing track was built in the Imperial Capital, even central nobles participated in large numbers and placed bets, later becoming a headache for the Imperial Palace.

My eyes sparkled.

‘This could be a way to earn pocket money!’

I know which horses will win.

When I lived as a beggar, I once worked with my gang to secure spots at the horse racing stadium, so I remember the results.

‘If I have Seria sweep up all the money…’

I covered my mouth with both fists and giggled, “Ehehe.”

In my mind, gold coins jingled and fell down like rain.

I was even imagining myself climbing on top of a pile of gold coins and counting money with a blissful expression when I thought, “Oh right,” and turned the page of the documents again.

‘This isn’t what’s important right now.’

The Grand Duchess said she would introduce me at a social gathering.

She planned to gather around ten noble ladies and young ladies for a light tea party, so I needed to prepare quickly.

‘Madame Georges… her son received failing grades at the Academy? Then she won’t be in the mood to come to a party.’

Pass on her then.

‘Lady Mollywood, ugh! She had an affair with Lady Jedes’ fiancé? Those two absolutely cannot be invited together.’

Pass on this too.

Most nobles rack their brains over their first introduction gathering. It was the first step in social activities, so absolutely nothing could go wrong.

‘But I’m different.’

Since I have the Grand Duchess behind me, I just need to prepare a list and she’ll review it and send out invitations on my behalf.

Besides, who would dare refuse an invitation from the Grand Duchess?

The Grand Duchess asking me to create a list was just to give me some experience.

‘I really made the right choice having Grand Lady Camilla as my godmother!’

Thinking this, I compiled the list, gathered the documents, and left the garden.

Just as I was about to go up the stairs, a secretary came running into the central courtyard.

“Your Excellency!!”

Looking closely at the shouting secretary, I noticed silver cufflinks on his sleeves.

‘He must be from the intelligence department under Viscount Dubois.’

Wondering what was happening, I quickly put the documents in my room and went to Father’s office.

Administrative officers and my brothers were already in the office.

“Medium-Range Teleportation Circle?”

At Isaac’s words, the secretary answered with a pale face.

“That’s correct.”

“I already knew they had completed development. But didn’t you say there was still time left before it would be distributed to the market?”

“They’re preparing for distribution. After consulting with the Temple, House Valois has decided to launch a trading company to sell teleportation circles.”

Isaac clicked his tongue.

“They’re getting damn rich off just one teleportation circle.”

I nodded inwardly.

‘They’ve already started distribution.’

House Valois was a prestigious noble family with a long history, and having produced countless scholars, they were called a treasure trove of information.

By opening all their materials and joining forces with the Temple, they succeeded in creating teleportation circles different from before.

‘Up to this point it’s the same as my previous life, but the distribution timing is too early.’

Valois’s teleportation circles required very special materials.

I didn’t know exactly what it was, but it was very, extremely, incredibly expensive, so they moved after securing capital.

If they received investment, they’d have to give up shares of the teleportation circle business, and there’s no way a greedy Duke Valois would do something that benefits others.

Especially since the Temple’s share when selling Valois teleportation circles was enormous.

‘Well, in my previous life they secured capital through tea leaf trading rights, but now that would be difficult.’

Because I prevented the tea leaf trading rights from falling into his hands.

Henri, who had been narrowing his eyes as if gauging something, spoke to Father.

“Shouldn’t we also secure teleportation circles on our side?”

Then the secretary said with a troubled expression.

“They say traders will be screened according to strict internal standards.”

Isaac let out a scoff as if it was ridiculous.

“What bullshit. When selling bread, do they check whether the buyer is starving or not before selling?”

“They’re saying they’ll strangle the nobles with teleportation circles.”

As Henri’s voice lowered, the secretary replied.

“For now, it seems they plan to unveil the teleportation circles at the First Prince’s birthday banquet next month.”

“They plan to present it to the Emperor for sure advertising.”

At Henri’s words, Johan, who had been silent until now, nodded.

“And he’ll probably also demand pardons for his wife and child.”

Father was tapping the table, trying to organize his thoughts.

I quietly went to his side and rested my head on the desk.

“Father, do you need teleportation circles?”

“It wouldn’t hurt to have them. In war, there’s nothing as valuable as teleportation circles. Tactics would completely change depending on how far you can teleport.”

“Then I’ll make teleportation circles! Really good ones.”

When I raised both arms and spoke, the heavy atmosphere in the room crumbled.

“How can Young Lady be so adorable!”

North laughed heartily as if he found me adorably irresistible.

Henri and Isaac also patted my head from both sides.

“Don’t bother yourself with troublesome things.”

“Yes, we’ll handle all the troublesome matters, so just focus on having fun.”

‘But I already have it in my hands.’

A teleportation array far superior to Valois’s, that is.

Leaning against Father’s large hand stroking my cheek, I smiled wickedly to myself.

* * *

A few days later, I went out to the commercial district with the Grand Duchess.

We were going to check out the salon that would be used for my introduction.

The Grand Duchess was greatly pleased when she received the guest list I had prepared earlier.

She praised it highly, saying it was similar to the list she had in mind, but even better since it didn’t just consider family status and could serve as an opportunity to divide factions.

Taking the Grand Duchess’s hand as I stepped down from the carriage, I opened my eyes wide.

“Are we renting the first floor of Lobte’s Salon?”

“The second floor.”

“But the second floor of Lobte’s Salon is reserved for the Imperial Family. Only princesses can rent that place!”

It was a place used by ladies with imperial blood flowing through their veins, such as the Emperor’s nieces or the Former Emperor’s daughters, so even the daughters of powerful nobles couldn’t rent the second floor.

“For the occasion of introducing my child for the first time, this much is necessary.”

The Grand Duchess raised the corners of her mouth. I cheered inwardly.

‘A capable godmother is the best!’

Compared to renting shabby salons in my first and second lives, this was tremendous progress.

‘This will definitely draw attention.’

Lobte’s Salon was far more luxurious than what I had heard about.

From the corridors to the rest rooms, there wasn’t a single place that wasn’t opulent.

The Grand Duchess and I walked through the corridor while receiving an introduction from the salon owner.

“Godmother, I’d like to dim the corridor and place pretty lighting!”

The salon owner laughed softly and said,

“That’s a wonderful idea. The young ladies will feel like they’ve been invited to a fairy party from a fairy tale.”

When she told the Grand Duchess, “The Young Lady has excellent taste,” the Grand Duchess’s lips curved up crookedly.

“I only taught her chess once, but even my butler is no match for her.”

“My goodness. I heard that the Grand Duchess’s butler even beat Marquis Belton.”

“Whatever I teach her, she simply excels, so I’m greatly troubled about how to educate her.”

“Now I understand why the Grand Duchess, who has never educated a lady before, took on the Dubbled Young Lady.”

“It’s troublesome. How much the other godmothers will envy me…”

I smiled brightly with all my might, but inside I wanted to scream ‘Please stop!’ at the continuous bragging about me.

‘The Grand Duchess must be the type who likes to boast…’

As I was walking with that thought, people were coming out of the first floor party venue.

It was Duchess Valois and some noble ladies.

“Then Duchess, we’ll be counting on you for good news.”

“Take care. I was so delighted that you attended today.”

“I have some good tea leaves, so I’ll send someone to Valois Estate.”

Madame Georges and other people in power who wielded influence in the social circle fawned over her extensively.

Duchess Valois responded with an arrogant tone.

“I’m embarrassed by such a warm welcome.”

“Embarrassed? It’s an honor, truly an honor just to have you here! Your Grace… my husband was so excited when he heard about the teleportation circle. Please tell the Duke that he wants to purchase one no matter the cost.”

The Marchioness, famous for her haughtiness, lowered her eyebrows and grasped Duchess Valois’s hand.

She had been furious about Duchess Valois being a disgrace to the social circle for illegally taking the Imperial Palace’s scripture interpretation, but it seemed she had changed her stance because of Valois’s teleportation circle.

“I’ll pass along the message.”

“Please, I beg of you.”

Duchess Valois, who had been gracefully fanning herself while watching the slyly smiling noble ladies, spotted me and the Grand Duchess.

The Duchess’s face instantly contorted when she saw me.

The other noble ladies also noticed the Grand Duchess and paid their respects.

“We greet the Grand Duchess.”

After the greeting, Duchess Valois glanced at me sideways and spoke to the other noble ladies.

“I’m thinking of hosting a light tea party after His Highness the First Prince’s birthday banquet. I’ll invite the noble ladies and young ladies here. How about the 8th?”

“The 8th…?”

The Grand Duchess’s expression hardened.

‘The 8th is the day of my party.’

And most of the invitees were the people here.

“My husband will also be at the mansion on the 8th, so we could hold a family gathering. We’ll leave the boring talk to the titled nobles.”

It was essentially saying that if they wanted to purchase teleportation circles, they must attend.

The social circle was a world where people sought mutual benefits for their houses.

If they could obtain something as obviously beneficial to their houses as teleportation circles, they would have to attend Duchess Valois’s party even if it meant being wary of the Grand Duchess or Dubbled.

The noble ladies didn’t give definitive answers as they were mindful of the Grand Duchess, but it seemed most would likely attend Duchess Valois’s party instead of mine.

‘So she’s going to be this petty?’

I raised an eyebrow and looked at Duchess Valois, but she only smiled smugly.

The Grand Duchess spoke with a sharp voice.

“You…!”

“Godmother, I’d like to go to the bathroom.”

When I linked my arm with hers and spoke, the Grand Duchess glared at Duchess Valois and replied.

“Alright.”

“Please keep an eye on the party venue while I’m gone, okay?”

Understanding that I meant not to fight, the Grand Duchess let out a thin sigh.

I greeted the noble ladies and quickly walked down the corridor. After turning the corner, I grabbed my communication stone.

The communication stone flickered a few times and the chief’s voice came through.

[Yes, Young Lady.]

“Send all the manufactured long-distance teleportation circles to the Imperial Capital.”

[That means…]

“We’re also unveiling long-distance teleportation circles at the First Prince’s birthday banquet.”

I had planned to keep them secretly hidden and use them only for myself, but since it’s come to this, I need to see those House Valois bastards writhing in agony.

‘They’re all dead.’

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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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