The Lady Only Deals With the Real Ones - Chapter 169

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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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16. What Was Left Behind and What Was Left

“I’ll stake the name of House Devin and formally apologize once more.”

Eloise, who had been hanging her head low, clenched her fists and declared resolutely.

“Never again, truly never again will I drink such things…!”

If the Marquise of Devin had been here, she would have stopped her saying ‘That’s not the point!’ But?

Fortunately or unfortunately, the Marquise was still at the safe house, saying there were matters left to discuss.

I decided to just go along with it as I received this oddly misguided apology from Eloise, who had stopped packing the items she bought from the pawnshop.

“It’s fine, there’s absolutely nothing you need to apologize to me for.”

“But I couldn’t keep our appointment time…”

Eloise mumbled and glanced at me cautiously.

‘No wonder I smelled champagne when we met at the showroom.’

Unlike now, she had seemed excessively excited and cheerful then, and it was all because of alcohol apparently.

“I, I wasn’t trying to ignore you on purpose! Really not!”

Eloise hastily added.

“When I opened my eyes, so much time had passed that I was shocked too, and it wasn’t even the hotel I was staying at. So I rushed out frantically and…”

“You ran into the anxious Marquise, I take it.”

“Yeah, you don’t know how much I got scolded. How could you just accept such a brochure, and why did you drink so much in the first place!”

It wasn’t just anyone but the Duke asking about his daughter’s whereabouts, so how flustered the Marquise must have been.

The Marquise, who had come to the Imperial Capital via magic circle just in case and arrived at the hotel where her daughter was supposed to be staying, was horrified to find an empty room.

She tried to inquire at nearby hotels, but unfortunately Eloise had been drunk and scribbled her signature illegibly, making even that difficult.

I recalled the Marquise hitting her forehead repeatedly, saying it was her fault for minimizing the attendants to let her move around freely.

‘The Marquise didn’t seem as strict as the rumors suggested.’

“I know I was being stupid, I know.”

Eloise’s face looked dejected as she mumbled.

She must be feeling hurt that her mother scolded her first instead of worrying about her nearly getting into big trouble, right?

I shook my head and said.

“This time, thanks to the alcohol, Princess didn’t get involved with the gambling den. Plus, because you received that brochure, I was able to find the gambling den’s location.”

The shill at the showroom had definitely approached Eloise with intent.

Rich, naive about the world, and moreover a foreigner – perfect prey for the gambling den to fleece.

“The Marquise knows this too. That it was fortunate. She’s just scolding you first because she’s too shocked right now.”

“Then, then…”

“Yes, she was that worried about her daughter. So don’t feel hurt and have a good talk with her next time.”

“…You’re really kind.”

Eloise’s face turned red as she continued rambling.

“What you just said, and how you rushed into such a place to save me after meeting me only once. I’m grateful for everything.”

I pointed to the items Eloise had bought and joked around.

“Of course I had to step in, what wouldn’t I do to protect such an excellent customer?”

“Excellent customer? Puha, that’s right!”

Seeing her laugh comfortably, it seems Eloise has cheered up.

But Eloise, is it really okay to buy this much?

‘You got permission from your mother, right?’

She practically swept up all the jewelry in the pawnshop.

Eloise, who was writing a check, glanced at my expression and grinned.

“I have lots of money! She said I could spend at the pawnshop as much as I saved in taxes. Don’t worry.”

“How much did you save in taxes?”

“20%! Originally it was 5%, but when I said I’d spend money at the Imperial Pawnshop, the Captain of the Royal Knights gave me an additional reduction?”

It was surprising that Belastard did that, but it was even more surprising that taxes could be slashed in chunks for such personal reasons.

Should I try asking Lina to reduce the pawnshop taxes a little too?

I was seriously pondering how to phrase it to seem less materialistic when Eloise held out a small box.

“This is what you asked me to bring as evidence, right? Here, take the necklace.”

“Ah, thank you. If it’s adopted as evidence, the cost you paid will be compensated from the money recovered from the criminals.”

“Really? That’s great!”

“When the investigation is over, I’ll return the necklace so you can keep it.”

“Wow…! So I can get this diamond for free? Thank you!”

After putting away the pink diamond necklace, I asked casually.

“Um, but what was it you wanted to tell Duke?”

“Yeah. …I have something to tell him.”

“Something to… tell him?”

“I just remembered. Well then, see you tomorrow.”

Those were Eloise’s words that had troubled me for a while.

I’m no longer concerned about the relationship between Eloise and Tesagh, but I’m still curious, you know?

So Eloise answered with a grumble.

“No, mom told me to visit Duke or the Captain of the Royal Knights separately and greet them once more. To thank them for the tax reduction.”

“…”

“But if Duke is here, instead of the troubl-, I mean, instead of the bother of going out, I can handle it all in one place, no, finish it…”

“So you wanted to finish the greeting while you were out because it was bothersome?”

“I’m not sure if I should put it that way, but to summarize, yes! …Huh, why are you laughing?”

I was laughing at the conclusion that was not just absurd but downright empty when.

A carriage stopped in front of the pawnshop. It was the Marquise of Devin’s carriage.

“Mom is looking at me with eyes that say to come out right now… Well, um, I’ll go.”

I greeted Eloise as she hesitantly tried to leave.

“Please come again next time.”

Eloise brightened up.

“Really? I can come again? That is, I mean… Am I not bothersome?”

“Of course. Why would you be bothersome?”

“Can I ask if there’s anything I don’t know about gems?”

“Of course.”

“Then, well, give me your telegraph number!”

Unexpectedly, I even got asked for my number.

“I, I want to become friends with you…! You’re the first woman, no, person! to make me feel this way!”

“…It’s an honor?”

“Then I’ll contact you!”

Eloise’s farewell was a bit strange as she waved her hands wildly before being caught by the Marquise and half-dragged into the carriage.

But I also smiled and waved back.

‘I never thought I’d end up having this kind of relationship with Eloise.’

Eloise and the Marquise accepted it without any issue even after hearing that I was the person who had borrowed her identity.

To be precise, Eloise seemed to not think much of it, and the Marquise seemed fine with it since they got a tax reduction thanks to it.

In any case, it was fortunate.

‘…They’re a close mother and daughter.’

On the other hand, watching the two of them made my heart sting a little.

‘What kind of person was my mother, Princess Beatrix?’

Grandfather and I hardly ever talked about my parents.

I even learned from Hugo that my parents had died in battle while serving as knights.

Of course, I had asked when I was very young.

“Grandfather, what kind of people were mom and dad?”

But from the moment I saw how my thoughtless question crumbled Grandfather’s expression.

“They were very wise, righteous, and upright people. …That’s what they were like.”

I couldn’t bring myself to ask any more.

However.

‘There are some things I can’t just keep buried forever.’

Not only that.

‘I’ve found two of the three stolen ruby tablet pieces. That means soon….’

“If you, Appraiser, help the Princess solve the ruby tablet theft case… I will officially grant you the title of Duke Rionet.”

It means the day when Crodil must keep his promise is not far off.

There’s no way he’ll willingly return the Rionet family to me. So.

‘He’ll try to find some disqualifying reason against me.’

It’s awkward for me to say this myself, but he won’t be able to diminish my skills as an Appraiser.

Just solving the tiara case and recovering the ruby tablet in front of everyone was proof enough.

So the strategy that despicable Crodil will likely take is.

‘He’ll try to target me and my family!’

He’ll try to completely sever the connection between me and Rionet.

By harming me, harming Grandfather, or digging into my parents’ past.

Any of the three would be problematic, but the most threatening and feasible option is.

‘…Grandfather.’

My parents have already passed away, and there are too many watching eyes like Ailren and Tesagh for him to target me.

But Grandfather is alone at the nursing home.

‘He must have seen through my lie about Grandfather traveling long ago. Since there were rumors about his illness, he might be searching hospitals.’

No matter how much VVIP treatment he receives at the nursing home, that only covers medical care and basic security.

It didn’t seem like they’d have ways to deal with force or magic.

In that case.

‘I need to move Grandfather to a safe place as soon as possible.’

I have to relocate Grandfather before Crodil’s evil hands can reach him!

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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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