The Mansion Awaits Spring - Chapter 81

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————

Chapter 81
“You know about it?”
When Miller pressed him, Jeff answered.
“People kept dying at the factory where they extract the fuel.”
……
“Since that same fuel is also buried in Lunos Territory, he said he’d move those factories south of Lunos Territory unless she accepted the engagement dissolution.”
“Who said such a thing?”
“And instead of choosing between the two, the lord and lady of the Lunos Family decided to murder the Grand Duke.”
At his words, Miller’s jaw clenched audibly as he questioned him.
Jeff poured out the tea that had gone cold despite the fire, no match for the cool air, then poured fresh tea and continued speaking.
“The girl had to keep her mouth shut until all the trials were finished. And who knows what else they’d have buried. But now, even if that child actually took part in murdering the Grand Duke, all the trials are over, so she’s free, and the time has come for the Grand Duke to pay for his crimes. And yet…… if you keep her from being free, she won’t stay silent anymore.”
Miller stopped laughing. Jeff left his warm tea untouched and rose from his seat.
* * *
He didn’t interrupt his wife’s rare moment of enjoyment with her friends, but hurried alone toward the Central Bank.
No matter how he thought about it, the only way to save his niece right now was to pay the price. He meant to see with his own eyes how much it was and try to reduce it as much as possible.
So when he arrived at the Central Bank, he happened to spot someone coming out—Renald Kay, who managed the assets of the Grand Duke’s family.
Renald recognized Jeff, whom he hadn’t seen in ages, and his eyes widened.
“Jeff! What brings you here? How are you getting around?”
Having graduated from the same school, Renald welcomed him warmly, pulling him into an embrace and asking. Jeff hugged him back, patting his shoulder, then spoke.
“Renald, good timing. I have a question about money.”
“Ah, if it’s about the gas bill, I just finished paying that and was leaving.”
At this unexpectedly smooth reply, Jeff faltered.
“What…… what did you say?”
“Pejin handled it with his trust fund. For now, anyway.”
“Why would Dieusz…… solve my niece’s problem?”
When Jeff asked suspiciously, Renald couldn’t speak but only smiled.
Jeff shook his head and continued.
“Dieusz wouldn’t have helped April out of the goodness of his heart.”
“Didn’t Pejin investigate this through the Special Investigation Bureau once before? Back then he concluded the gas pipe had been cut. Since a massive bill came due because of that……, it seems he thought paying immediately was the solution, given that the wretched gas company is preparing a lawsuit.”
“So why would Dieusz—”
“Not just Dieusz, but Pejin Dieusz himself paid it.”
“But that boy…… even if he has a trust fund, how much could he possibly have to settle such a large amount?”
“Ah, thanks to his rather remarkable talent for investment. After all, the economic scale of this Grand Duchy and the Empire isn’t so different, is it? This amount is perfectly manageable.”
At Renald’s reassurance, Jeff’s face grew even paler.
“……Is the difference really that great?”
“Sorry?”
“The economic scale of Right Island and Left Island, I mean.”
“Ah. Yes. It’s that different. If you compare it…… it’s about the difference between a parent and a child receiving allowance from that parent.”
Jeff squeezed his eyes shut without realizing it.
Seven years ago, when the Lunos Family was still holding on, the gap wasn’t this wide.
Before the Lunos Family practically dissolved and lost all its maritime trade routes to the Empire.
In any case, even if Pejin had more wealth than expected, the amount claimed by that scoundrel, the gas businessman, was substantial. Not enough to ruin him, but it was taking a considerable portion. Jeff still couldn’t understand why he’d paid the bill. It was suspicious.
Just then, Renald tilted his chin toward a female employee at the entrance who was receiving customers.
“Go have a look. She’s currently assisting with the Lunos Family’s banking affairs.”
“She’s not even a banker?”
“No, but she’s from Birta.”
“A member of the Birta Family working as a banker?”
Confused about what had happened over the past seven years, Jeff was kindly brought up to speed by Renald.
Now understanding, Jeff nodded heavily.
He expressed his gratitude to Renald, who had generously shared what he knew. After Renald left, promising to contact him about having drinks soon, Jeff approached Mille Birta with slow steps.
“Miss Birta?”
“Yes?”
“I’m Jeff Merrow.”
“Oh! You’re the husband of Lady Eleonora Merrow, aren’t you?”
“Yes, that’s right.”
Jeff nodded, then asked in his characteristically courteous tone.
“I’d like you to manage my assets, if you’d be willing. Are you busy?”
At his question, Mille’s eyes widened when a woman’s voice came from behind.
“I’ll entrust mine too.”
“L-Lady Merrow!”
Several bank employees rose from their desks upon hearing the voice of Eleonora Merrow, who had come in search of her husband. From the Central Bank’s perspective, there was no choice but to make room for Mille Birta.
* * *
After learning that Pejin had paid the bill in her stead, April fell silent for a time.
From the moment he’d told her to return not to the Grand Duchy Police Station but to Lunos Residence, that man must have intended to cover the cost.
She wondered why he hadn’t told her sooner, but soon found the answer herself. If she’d heard he was going to pay the bill, she would have refused in anger immediately. He must have known that too.
After returning to the residence by carriage, Baumann, who had been waiting for April to step down but found her lost in thought instead, spoke carefully.
“Miss.”
“Hmm?”
When April turned her head to him, Baumann spoke.
“No matter how much I think about it, I can only feel grateful toward Pejin.”
……
“The money you have now isn’t just pocket change, is it? It’s capital to rebuild the Lunos Family. By whatever means necessary.”
“I know that too. How grateful I should be. And yet…… it’s just…… .”
April sighed deeply and lifted her head, her gaze drifting into the distance.
“Ah, the world isn’t what I thought it’d be.”
“Isn’t it?”
“Still, it’s not bad now. Back then, I only had myself to protect, so I had no fear.”
April murmured while watching the backs of Two Children rush toward the kitchen, saying they ought to make her something delicious since she was home.
“Now people’s faces pass before my eyes, and somehow I keep becoming a coward.”
Baumann gazed at April’s face with warmth as she murmured. For all her talk of becoming a coward, there was no braver person in the whole world to his eyes.
April took a deep breath with determination and stepped down from the carriage, speaking.
“I need to repay it quickly. There’s so much to prepare.”
“Yes, I understand, but for now, please rest.”
“There’s somewhere I need to go right away—”
“Just three days. Please. It’s this old man’s only wish.”
“……All right.”
Baumann was aware that he was becoming increasingly fussy with April, but he couldn’t help it.
Left to her own devices, she’d harm herself without hesitation. Having been isolated during her adolescence and spent seven years away, she was headstrong in certain ways.
If she wanted to starve, she’d starve until dizzy; if she wanted to sleep, she’d sleep as much as she pleased; and if there was something she wanted to do, she wouldn’t return to her bedroom.
In the end, after Baumann’s nagging, April returned to her bedroom to bathe.

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————