The Lady Only Deals With the Real Ones - Chapter 153

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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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15. The Hand is Faster Than the Eye

“A love affair rumor?”

Early morning.

Where I was located was Valerie’s Clothing Shop.

“Hmm, it is the main topic of conversation among the customers who visit our shop. Though someone like Hanna is a bit different?”

Beside Valerie, who spoke with a smile, was Hanna.

When I said I was going to Valerie’s clothing shop, she said she also had clothes to get altered and asked to come along, but now she was completely absorbed in a book.

Valerie, who had been looking at Hanna as if she found her cute, cleared her throat.

“By the way, that man over there is…?”

“Hello, I’m William. Don’t mind me.”

William, who peeked his head out from the corner, grinned.

Valerie playfully rolled her eyes.

“I know you’re the Information Guild leader, so how can I not mind? I saw your eyes sparkling when we talked about love affair rumors.”

“How did you figure that out? You have quite the eye for detail. I should hire you as an Information Guild member right away.”

“William.”

“Alright, alright. I’m not the guild leader today, I came as the pawnshop manager’s bodyguard. So I promise I won’t use any information I hear here.”

“Really?”

“Of course, you can trust me. This is not only my professional ethics but also directly related to my survival…”

William, who shuddered as if thinking of Tesagh, disappeared back into the corner.

Valerie, who had tilted her head at the word “survival,” soon smiled and asked.

“By the way, I didn’t know Elisha was interested in things like love affair rumors. Whose story are you curious about?”

“Well, um. Someone rather high-ranking.”

“There are always rumors about unmarried high-ranking nobles. Like young lords grabbing each other’s hair and fighting to win a princess’s heart…”

Valerie, who had been counting on her fingers as she spoke, lifted her head with an “Ah.”

“But the hottest topic recently would probably be the rumors surrounding the duke from the neighboring country?”

Achoo!

A vigorous sneeze came from William’s direction.

I glanced that way and asked as calmly as possible.

“A duke? Duke of Moro?”

“Yes. He’s still unmarried, and there isn’t even talk of an engagement, so it’s somewhat mysterious? Though they say his temperament is quite fierce and rough.”

“Achoo!”

“And there are princesses who appreciate that aspect. I don’t agree, but they think unlike the weak Empire nobles, he has a wild charm and would be fun to tame?”

“Achoo!”

“Some even said he might secretly have a colorful history with women…”

“Achooooo!”

“Are you alright, Guild Leader?”

“Ugh, yes, I’m fine… Don’t mind me…”

Valerie shrugged at William’s strange behavior.

I was thinking, what kind of person treats someone like a legendary creature.

At the next words, this time I almost sneezed.

“But that’s all in the past. There’s already a woman who has tamed the duke, isn’t there?”

“Tamed, cough, tamed woman?”

“Yes. There was an incident in some western marquessate. When that fierce and scary duke saw a woman about to get hurt, he completely changed his expression…”

My face burned with embarrassment the entire time I listened.

“I heard he blocked a chandelier falling from the ceiling with his own body? Then he swept up the unconscious woman and ran out like a knight. Without even caring for his own wounds.”

That woman being described with Tesagh like some lovers of the century was exactly…

‘Me!’

This is maddening.

As I clutched at my dress hem, I looked up at the next words.

“He called that woman’s name so desperately that even the listeners were moved to tears. Um, I think her name was ‘Eloise’?”

Eloise.

Right, that’s correct.

[…Exclusive: Duke Tesagh Alister Moro’s Love Affair? “The Other Party is!” Shocking Report…]

The last line of the newspaper article Milton showed me yesterday was absurdly.

[…Who is this woman? Revealed in the next issue!…]

That’s how it ended.

It was an article filled with determination to hook people and make them buy the next issue without fail.

Anyway, thanks to that, Milton and the Imperial Palace were able to work together to block the follow-up article.

I wouldn’t be surprised if they slapped them with a hefty fine.

‘I heard refund requests flooded the newspaper office, but well, that’s not my concern.’

It’s a newspaper that publishes rumor-based initial articles. It deserves to go under.

But the problem is.

“We blocked the article for now, but… what about the rumors?”

As Milton said, it was the rumors.

There were quite a few witnesses who saw the situation at Delphia Manor.

Although most had fainted or were too terrified to remember the situation properly, and they had strictly silenced those who were relatively coherent.

Unfortunately, there seemed to be people who saw Tesagh’s face when the magical device broke.

‘They must have picked up that Tesagh was a duke during the investigation. There are always people everywhere who want to show off by gossiping.’

Wouldn’t it be okay to share a little gossip?

Since Count Delphia seemed to be the problem, wouldn’t it be fine to talk about the duke who suddenly appeared?

They must have run their mouths thinking that way.

‘Plus, since Duie called out ‘Eloise Devin,’ that name was probably imprinted in people’s minds.’

Thanks to that, they misheard Tesagh calling ‘Elisha’ as ‘Eloise.’

I remembered my conversation with Emma.

“This involves someone as high as a count, so it’ll be in the newspapers. Then Michele will see it too, right?”

“Hmm, but my story probably won’t be published.”

It was fortunate that my name wasn’t mentioned as I had thought.

But why…

‘Do I feel strange about this?’

As I pondered, I realized.

‘Is it because I’m causing trouble for Countess Devin?!’

Yes, that’s it!

I borrowed her identity and now she’s caught up in gossip, so I feel sorry! That’s why I feel strange!

It’s not my fault, but! As someone who used her identity, I feel morally responsible!

Valerie looked puzzled at me suddenly clenching my fist.

“What’s wrong, Elisha?”

“Haha, I got so absorbed listening to the story.”

I’ll think about how to resolve this moral responsibility later.

I asked Valerie to alter the vintage dress that was my original purchase, then came out with Hanna.

Glancing at William walking a bit behind us, I whispered to Hanna.

“Hanna. About the ‘Root of Blindness’ materials, I got other sources! So you don’t need to worry about it too much.”

“Oh my, really? What a relief… I’ve been worried about it this whole time.”

As we talked, I suddenly remembered what she had said at the festival.

“But why did you think it was herbs left by a dangerous person, Hanna?”

“The person who left it for appraisal, wasn’t he somewhat dangerous or… strange?”

Hanna, who had been tilting her head, opened her mouth with an “Ah.”

“Oh, right! It said something about plants that addicts use.”

“Addicts?”

“Yes. I don’t remember exactly… but I’m sure the word ‘addict’ was there. That’s why I wondered if it might be dangerous. You’re okay, right?”

I shook my head after thinking deeply.

‘It said that it was often mistaken for a poisonous plant because there were many cases of reverse addiction while using it as medicine. Is that what she means?’

“Of course. From what I found out, it is indeed a rather potent herb, but they said there’s no problem as long as you follow the proper usage.”

“That’s such a relief!”

Having lifted the weight off her mind, Hanna greeted me cheerfully and walked away.

William, who had confirmed Hanna’s departure, slowly approached.

“Young Manager.”

“Yes?”

William, who had been observing me, shook his head back and forth.

“I’ve been thinking this since you called me a person with a nice impression rather than a hyena. Your taste is, well, quite special…”

“Excuse me…?”

“No, let’s go.”

William chuckled and casually changed the subject.

“I heard some noble Princess is throwing a jewelry brand launch commemoration party. Were you invited, Young Manager?”

“No, this is the first time I’m hearing about it.”

“Really? Given the nature of the event, I thought they’d invite Manager as their first priority. Hmm.”

“But why is that?”

“If you had been invited, I was going to ask you to deliver a message to someone there. There’s someone among the attendees who owes me money. But that’s unfortunate.”

“So you’re saying you’d use me as an informant?”

“Hey, an informant! We’re just helping each other out!”

As we chatted, we had arrived at the pawnshop before we knew it.

“By the way, William, why didn’t you reply to my telegram asking for security personnel introductions?”

Could it have meant that William would take care of my security from now on?

That’s when William chuckled.

“Well, that’s because you won’t need it.”

“But I requested it because I need it?”

“When there’s someone right nearby who would do it for free if Young Manager just asked, why look far away?”

William winked.

“Look close by, close by. Well then, I’m off?”

Could he be talking about Tesagh?

I was watching William walk away with his swaying gait when I turned around at the shadow cast from behind me.

“Aren’t you opening?”

It was Patrick, who had arrived right on time.

I let out a hollow laugh and nodded.

“Yes, I should. Do you have to sit here again today?”

“I’ll try my best.”

Pushing aside my inner hope that it would be Tesagh, I turned the door sign.

[OPEN]

Today’s business begins.

*

Devin Marquis Domain of the Duchy of Moro.

“What?”

At his aide’s words, Devin Marquis gulped down his saliva.

It was an unbelievable story even after hearing it. He questioned back.

“You’re saying the Duke’s Residence summoned Eloise?”

The aide nodded gravely.

“Yes! It’s probably because of ‘that’ rumor circulating around!”

The marquis looked around with anxious eyes.

His gaze stopped on his wife’s face.

The marquis’s wife, who seemed to be thinking deeply about something, slowly opened her mouth.

“Then… we should make the most of this situation, shouldn’t we?”

Her eyes gleamed.

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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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