The Mansion Awaits Spring - Chapter 139

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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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Chapter 139
Leon took a deep breath, then spoke.
“I’ve decided.”
The two of them turned to look at him, and Leon continued.
“You were right. This is the Lunos Fiefdom, and the factory should belong to April. That’s the correct choice.”
April nodded.
“Yes, so that’s decided then.”
“The real reason, though…”
Leon shrugged and went on.
“I just want to take that factory away from the Empire people. They’re simply insufferable.”
At his words, Pejin let out a quiet laugh, and April nodded in agreement.
The phrase “simply insufferable” felt like the most certain of reasons. In truth, there was no clearer one than that.
Leon and Pejin verified and re-verified the documents they’d smuggled from the factory, all to place it in April Lunos’s hands.
And methodically, they began to devise a plan that would force the Empire to relinquish the factory.
April, unfamiliar with the workings of the factory and with Empire culture, had no choice but to step back from the planning itself.
Fortunately, Pejin provided her with detailed cultural context so that she could understand the strategy fully.
At one point, Leon seemed troubled by something, but when Pejin frowned and shook his head as if to say not to speak, Leon relented with reluctant agreement.
April sensed something unsettling in that brief moment, but when she asked the reason, both men simply deflected.
After the plan was complete, Leon spoke.
“The problem is… this plan requires a grand party. At the Lunos Residence.”
“That’s the most important part.”
With that, Pejin and Leon both looked at April.
April asked.
“What kind of party, specifically?”
Pejin folded his arms and thought for a moment before speaking.
“First, I’d like the Grand Duchy to attend.”
“That’s already not easy.”
“And more importantly… I’d like some influential Empire nobles to come. Is that too difficult?”
“So we need Empire people to attend too…”
He meant they needed a party that would bring even the Empire nobility.
April thought for a moment, then answered.
“The only thing that could manage that would be a wedding between me and an Empire person.”
“…Actually, you’re right.”
“If I married Shaper Meyer, it would be perfect. My mother is the Empire Princess, so the imperial family would send someone.”
“You don’t need to sacrifice your entire life for this trivial scheme.”
Pejin shook his head as he spoke, and April countered.
“You really don’t like Shaper that much?”
“No. And I don’t like you getting married either. Why can’t you just live alone? Do you have to marry?”
“You’re going to the Empire to marry.”
“No, I’m not. And neither should you.”
“Why are you being so childish today?”
As the two bickered back and forth, Leon looked between them with a tilted head and spoke.
“It seems like the problem could be solved if the two of you got married. Is that difficult?”
At Leon’s words, both of them stopped and turned to look at him.
Leon continued.
“If you two married, the Grand Duchy would attend and so would the Empire people. And since you’ll be going to the Empire in December and won’t be able to return, it would essentially be the same as both of you living alone.”
A marriage between a Dieus and a Lunos was something never spoken of. So it had been completely excluded from both their minds, until it spilled out through a third party’s mouth.
“…”
“…”
Both Pejin and April were silent for a moment.
Leon spoke as if defending himself against their complicated expressions.
“It’s just strategy. You said so yourself — that you’d entrust the assets to April for the complete economic independence of the Grand Duchy. For people like me, marriage might be about love, but for the Dieus or the Lunos Family, it’s really a matter of property and power, isn’t it?”
“…”
“So I’m suggesting you think of it as strategy. You can each pursue romance separately — in the Empire and the Grand Duchy.”
When Leon finished, Pejin looked at April. This wasn’t a decision he could make alone.
Pejin opened his mouth.
“I’m fine with it, obviously. It’s April who’d object.”
“I haven’t said I object. It’s just sudden.”
Since she didn’t refuse outright, Pejin pressed forward.
“If you’re going to decide, do it as quickly as possible. We need to send invitations to the Empire. Usually they should be sent three months in advance. Before I leave for the Empire.”
“How long do I have to decide?”
“A week. Just give it a week.”
“That’s plenty of time, enough.”
With that answer from April, the three of them ended their meeting.
Before Pejin and Leon left the residence, April asked them something.
“Oh, I just thought of something. Have either of you had the Coming-of-Age Ceremony in the Grand Duchy style?”
Both men shook their heads almost simultaneously.
Pejin answered first.
“I did it the Empire way.”
“I haven’t done one. I’m just legally an adult.”
“Hmm.”
Nodding at both their answers, April spoke.
“The Lunos Family has a harbor. If you’re all going to meet again in a week anyway, should we do a simple Coming-of-Age Ceremony? I haven’t done one either, so I’ve been thinking about it for a while.”
A Coming-of-Age Ceremony in the Grand Duchy required a ship. Which meant it required a harbor.
At April’s words, both Pejin and Leon answered immediately.
“I’ll do it.”
“If you’ll have me, I’ll certainly participate.”
Then Pejin asked.
“Can I bring some of the Empire Police who might want to do it? There should be a few.”
“If there are any, bring them to the Lunos Harbor. Just tell me how many beforehand.”
“Got it. They’ll be pleased.”
Pejin nodded and waved at April.
“See you at the Lunos Harbor in a week.”
“Yes, let’s do that.”
“Then I’ll be going.”
With those farewells, Pejin and Leon left the Lunos Residence.
The two men rode together in the car that Pejin had his subordinates bring. From the driver’s seat, Pejin spoke to Leon.
“About this plan.”
“What?”
“…”
“Say it.”
“You’re going to suffer badly.”
At Leon’s words, Pejin gripped the steering wheel and paused. But soon he answered as if it were nothing.
“I know.”
“You obviously know. But shouldn’t Miss Lunos know as well?”
“Why would I tell her that? I don’t mind getting hurt a little.”
“How can you not mind!”
“I mean, I don’t mind completely… Of course she’ll worry. But I’m leaving for the Empire right after anyway. The medical technology there is good. If I live like that, I’ll forget quickly.”
“…”
“I…
Pejin stared out the window as he spoke.
“I’ve always forgotten easily.”
“…”
“Originally, I’m not the type to hold feelings deeply for long. From what I’ve experienced so far.”
Leon sighed as he listened to Pejin’s murmur.
The certainty he held about himself made even those watching from beside him feel as if they were walking through a ruined city.
Leon grumbled while looking ahead.
“That’s not a face one easily forgets.”
“Well, of course not. Where else in the world would you find a face like this?”
“Why do you boast so unashamedly and then feel disgusted at your own admiration?”
“Because I deserve to. I’m someone who captivated both the Empire Emperor and Empress with nothing but this face.”
“That’s true. They certainly didn’t develop feelings because of your personality.”
“You certainly have a way with words.”
“It’s natural. One of my charms.”
The two men bickered as they departed the Lunos Fiefdom.
* * *
April watched the car carrying the two men leave the fiefdom.
Moving from a safe life toward danger was difficult. If someone made such a choice, she thought it was something worthy of respect.
“Marriage…”
She sighed and covered her face with her hands.
It was a marriage born of necessity. More than that, what was necessary wasn’t a marriage itself, but a wedding ceremony.
Yet as Pejin said, if they needed to gather the Empire nobility to the Lunos Fiefdom, a wedding between Pejin and herself was indeed the best method.
Still, with a week to think it over, she decided to consider whether there might be some better solution besides marriage.
Thinking this, April returned to her bedroom and picked up the glass jar of candy that Pejin had left behind. Then she noticed a small note rolled tightly inside it.
“…He does like writing letters.”
April murmured to herself and unrolled the note Pejin had given her.
[I see you’ve already eaten through quite a bit. You must have been angry about many things.]
The sentence was so absurd that she laughed softly.
As she unfolded the note further, the content continued.
[If it’s because of me, I’m sorry. And I’m sorry even if it’s not.]
[I’m sorry.]
[I’m truly sorry.]
April stared at the note where the word “sorry” repeated itself.

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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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