The Isolated Marchioness Just Wants to Make a Living - Chapter 237

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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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Part 2, Episode 42
They had come purely to thank Alpheus.
‘What’s wrong with my victim complex?’
I reflected inwardly.
‘I actually thought everyone would laugh at Alpheus’s mechanical arm…….’
Especially Count Johnston, who funneled political funds to the Crown Prince’s faction, so I’d unconsciously assumed he would dislike us all the more.
“Please, sit.”
The Count offered us seats directly.
Tea arrived, and a few unimportant pleasantries were exchanged.
After that, the Count looked at me and spoke slowly.
“I have no intention of accepting the proposal.”
It was gentle rather than resolute in tone.
Since the turn of events was entirely unsurprising, I asked quietly.
“Is it perhaps to strengthen this marriage proposal through Marcel Cardipol?”
“Absolutely not.”
The elderly Count shook his head firmly.
“I was well aware that His Highness the deposed Crown Prince was not fit to be Emperor. However, the reason I did not stand beside His Highness the Second Prince was that I disliked the confusion left behind by ‘precedent.'”
He was quite candid.
“If the principle of legitimate succession simply vanishes because of outstanding achievements, then future generations will inevitably face greater chaos. Many children of Imperial Consorts will claim their own achievements to be superior, and in that process, much more blood could be spilled.”
Without touching his teacup, he continued speaking quietly.
“Of course, I don’t mean other opinions are wrong, but at least that is how I think. Therefore, I have no intention of cooperating in elevating Marcel Cardipol to the Dukedom of Dibosthan.”
In a way, it was a terribly cruel declaration for Lea. It meant that having sent his daughter away, he now stood on the opposite side politically.
But knowing how dearly Count Johnston cherished Lea, I could sense the anguish behind his sincerity.
“However, what personally intrigues me is…… well, you’ve likely already anticipated it.”
He continued speaking quietly.
“I’ve heard you know the truth about our family’s secret. I would like to hear your account of it.”
“It’s simple.”
I spoke flatly.
“That secret…… you don’t know it yourself, do you, Count?”
For a moment, the Count’s eyes widened.
“If Lea possessed a crucial secret, there’s no way you’d send her to a family you won’t cooperate with politically.”
I had never believed from the start that Lea possessed “information worth selling to the Western Region.”
Even if such information passed only among heirs, maintaining security for eight hundred years is hardly easy—there’s no way a real secret is shared by all children.
“But given that you summoned us like this and personally verified the facts…….”
Of course, that wasn’t everything.
“There must be something—evidence that wouldn’t be recognized as proof if shown elsewhere. Evidence whose very identity even the Count’s family doesn’t understand.”
The Count let out a hollow laugh.
“……So you factored in whether or not I would send an invitation as a variable. In that case, you handled it beautifully.”
It was true. In fact, even when I told Lea, I wasn’t entirely certain. I was simply dangling bait.
“So…….”
I spoke while meeting his gaze.
“Physical evidence beyond doubt, something whose complete identity no one can fully know. You can be certain it is historically significant, yet its value would be difficult to establish anywhere. Could it be…….”
Even Alpheus was holding his breath, watching me. He had sense enough to know he shouldn’t be part of this conversation.
“A book written in a language that cannot be deciphered?”
At that, Count Johnston exhaled deeply. Then, lost in regret, he murmured.
“I wanted to send Lea to the House Nogen…… Honestly, I thought she was the sort to deserve it. In my eyes, she was the most beautiful in the world.”
He shook his head slowly as he spoke.
“But now I see—our Lea is simply no match for you.”
“No.”
I immediately denied it.
“Having a father like you, Count—Lea’s life cannot be compared to mine.”
It was my honest feeling.
Someone might compare Lea and me and declare me the victor, but I could never surpass her.
Of course, I understood it now. We were never in competition to begin with.
Life isn’t a race where you measure your speed against another’s. It’s running from your own starting point in your own direction.
So I had to move forward in my direction.
“So Count, wouldn’t it be better to accept my proposal now? I’ve already figured everything out, after all.”
“Then I cannot help but ask.”
Count Johnston regarded me intently with interest.
“Having learned everything, why would you help us? Even offering to make our territory prosper very well—essentially for free?”
“For free? The contract terms have already been presented through Lea, as I understand it. And…….”
I couldn’t hold back any longer and blurted out the truth in my impatience.
“I enjoy seeing my Territory Residents eat delicious food.”
To be honest, from the moment Lea called me “green” at something, I’d already been antsy about it.
“So would you call the Head Chef for me?”
Count Johnston finally burst into hearty laughter.
“Very well.”
The conversation moved quickly.
“Perhaps from the moment I sent the invitation, the entire matter was already concluded.”
He pulled a bell cord to summon a servant.
While he was instructing the servant to fetch the Head Chef, Alpheus whispered with a bewildered expression.
“Honestly, I couldn’t understand half of that…….”
That was hardly surprising. From Alpheus’s perspective, there was indeed much context left unsaid.
“It’s fine. Even if you had understood, nothing would have changed.”
I answered carelessly, then asked with hope.
“But just now—you felt something, didn’t you?”
After all, this was the first time Alpheus heard thanks from nobles in this place, and quite formally at that.
“Of course! It was completely rewarding.”
Alpheus whispered seriously.
“I buttoned up my coat all the way because of what you said.”
While I was thinking about Alpheus’s sacrifice, the Emperor’s incompetence, and treason on top of that—Alpheus had been grateful for buttons fastened according to Etiquette.
“I really did well enduring the heat so patiently……. If I’d known it was such an official occasion.”
* * *
Baron Forman Territory.
“Leo!”
Baron Forman greeted Leopold urgently.
Without time to marvel at the face of his Grandson, whom he hadn’t seen in so long, the Old Man’s face twisted with sorrow.
“Leo…….”
“How is my Maternal Uncle?”
Leopold asked quietly.
“Is he all right?”
“Thankfully, there’s no danger to his life, they say. But he likely won’t regain consciousness for a long time.”
His Maternal Uncle, the Director of the Magic Library, had been attacked by an unknown Intruder. Leopold had rushed here upon hearing the news.
“So…… what did the Intruder take?”
“That’s…….”
Baron Forman spoke with a pained expression.
“A family portrait of yours, Leopold.”
Leopold bit his lower lip hard.
A family portrait drawn when Leopold was about three years old, together with his parents.
Ordinarily, one does not commission a family portrait with such a young child. The convention was to wait until the child reached five years of age, then have them sit formally in noble dress before being painted.
But his father had insisted on capturing Leopold’s adorableness on canvas.
Though small in size, it was a valuable record and had been kept in the Western Magic Library.
In his childhood, Leopold would come to the library and gaze at that painting endlessly.
Baron Forman had subtly offered to take it, but Leopold declined. Having it in his room felt like bringing that sorrow too close.
Some longings are too heavy even to hold. His parents had been that way for young Leopold.
“The man concealed everything beneath a Robe, and in the dead of night, no one saw his identity, but…….”
Baron Forman’s voice trembled as he trailed off.
After a moment’s hesitation, he asked carefully.
“……Will you look at the wounds?”
Leopold nodded once and went to his Maternal Uncle’s room.
He carefully unwrapped the bandages of his Maternal Uncle, who lay unconscious.
Certainty came with devastation. There was no doubt—these were wounds left by the Air Strike.

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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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