The Mansion Awaits Spring - Chapter 98

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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 98
As April turned away, Logan, who had been fidgeting, followed after her and spoke.
“I understand what you mean. But still… how can you trust that pirate fellow with your jewel?”
“If I just ran off with the jewel, there’d be an even higher chance of Irsa not being rescued.”
“Wouldn’t that be too great a loss?”
April laughed and answered.
“If it fails, Irsa pays the price and I lose one jewel. But if it succeeds, I gain two trustworthy sailors.”
She continued as she left the tavern.
“Right now I’m holding my own territory hostage just to secure my people and hold a funeral. Two sailors for one jewel is economical.”
……
“Where would I find the luxury to leave myself a safety net?”
At her words, Logan’s expression went slack for a moment before his eyes crinkled and he burst into laughter.
“Indeed, you are a born gambler, Miss April. Since you haven’t won a single card game so far… ah, would you play cards with me on the way back to the Lunos Residence?”
“And if you win?”
“I’ll brag to the Police Chief and Senior Paul. I’ll tell them I beat Miss April, whom neither of them could defeat.”
“Sounds like a pointless affair.”
“Yes, men tend to stake their lives on pointless things.”
Logan spoke cheerfully as he climbed into the carriage with April.
When he pulled out a card he carried for performing magic, April spoke.
“Shall we make a wager?”
“What sort of wager?”
“If you win even one game against me in this carriage, I’ll grant you whatever you wish. And if you lose everything, you’ll grant me what I want.”
“I’d be too favored to feel proper about this… but what do you want?”
“If that sailor tries to run away, will you arrest him for me?”
At April’s words, Logan laughed uproariously.
“You’re worried, I see?”
“Well, he’s only human, after all.”
“Ah, but you were impressive just now.”
“I’m not sorry for being unimpressive. What about you, Logan?”
“I’m quite certain of what I wish for… Won’t you be buying a ship later?”
“Yes, I will.”
“Please let me invest in it.”
“Invest?”
“Yes.”
Logan shuffled the cards as he spoke.
“I’d like to invest in you, Miss April.”
“What of mine are you trusting?”
“Well, you were impressive for a moment, at least.”
At Logan’s casual reply, April burst out laughing. Logan laughed along and continued.
“And I’ve learned that investment yields the highest returns when done boldly. And besides.”
“Besides?”
“Your win rate is quite high.”
When he said this, there was strong conviction in Logan’s voice.
“All right.”
April said this and immediately threw the first game.
“I lost. I’ll accept your investment.”
“Then, shall we start fresh now?”
Logan shuffled the cards again as he spoke.
During the ride to the residence, the two played various card games, and April won them all.
* * *
After leaving Pejin’s House, he did not come looking for April.
Once he’d returned to the residence and thought about it, he realized he’d created a situation worth being angry about. Since he’d already promised to arrange flowers for the funeral, he thought they would meet regardless of whether he reached out.
The day before the funeral, Pejin appeared at the Grand Banquet Hall as expected, with a wagon in tow.
Late at night, April, who came to greet him, checked Pejin’s face first before opening her mouth.
“Thank you.”
Despite her greeting, Pejin paid her no mind and instructed the servants to unload the flowers from the wagon.
Since he didn’t respond to her words, April didn’t know what to say and simply turned her attention to the flowers.
White hyacinths and baby’s breath were mixed together in proper proportion.
April looked back at Pejin, then at the flowers again.
They had discussed the flowers needed for the funeral, but they hadn’t reached any firm conclusions about what exactly was needed. So these flowers were entirely Pejin’s choice.
White dahlias were typically used at weddings on Right Island, but hyacinths were also popular. It was unexpected that he’d brought them to a funeral.
April opened her mouth.
“… These are flowers I wanted to use at my wedding.”
At that, Pejin spun around sharply and let out a scornful laugh before speaking.
“Oh, really? Your wedding?”
“Yes, I would have used them if I’d married your brother.”
“My brother used white dahlias at his wedding.”
“I like hyacinths.”
April remembered a fact she herself had forgotten. And Pejin, who had discovered it first, replied coldly.
“I know. That’s why I brought them like this.”
“Did Miller tell you?”
“How would my brother know what you like?”
Pejin rebuked her, and still holding onto his grievance with April, he clicked his tongue once before continuing.
“I just remembered. When you used to play pretend with me.”
“Toy? That’s harsh language.”
“Whenever you held a wedding back then, didn’t you say it?”
“There will be so many hyacinths here.”
That doll-like little girl with eyes like red jewels.
The girl with hair like gold and eyes like crimson rubies—precious beyond any jewel—came back to his mind.
April nodded and watched the flowers being unloaded from the wagon, then turned to look at him. He still paid her no mind, so April couldn’t bring herself to speak to him.
The Grand Banquet Hall filled with flowers. Pejin had bought them in such abundance they nearly overflowed. Now it was time for the people April had hired from the surrounding territories to decorate with flowers.
An enormous quantity of food for the funeral was also being continuously prepared in the kitchens.
Watching all the people who had been without work for some time come together and labor, April spoke.
“I’ll hire the ones who work well from among them.”
“Efficient.”
“The situation is too dire.”
At April’s murmur, Pejin answered.
“They’ll still come.”
At his words, April turned to look at him. Pejin continued.
“Many will come.”
“How would you know?”
When April tilted her head with a puzzled look at Pejin’s certainty, he answered.
“As a person, you’re just ordinary.”
“Yes.”
“But as the head of the Lunos Family, you’re doing well.”
April faltered at his words.
“You forgave the Lunos people and the sailors, didn’t you?”
“It’s not forgiveness. It’s necessity.”
“Right, that’s more accurate. Necessity. And when it’s necessary, you reach out.”
“That’s how it was.”
“You’re rational. I would trust your rationality.”
April gazed steadily at Pejin, who spoke in a stiff tone still bearing anger toward her.
“This is the first time I’ve been praised for rationality in my life.”
“This isn’t praise. It’s a description.”
“Positive description is the same as praise.”
As they spoke thus, the flowers finished being unloaded, and a servant hurried over to Pejin.
“We’ve transported all the flowers. You said to return immediately once they’re unloaded, didn’t you?”
“Yes, let’s go back.”
As Pejin moved toward the carriage, April grabbed his arm without thinking.
Pejin turned to look, and April blinked several times before opening her mouth.
“… Want to play pretend? Today?”
“Are you serious?”
“Yes. I want to after a long time.”
“Did you hit your head badly?”
Pejin asked with genuine concern, checking April’s face.
April narrowed her eyes at him, but kept her hold on his arm as she spoke.
“If you don’t want to, don’t.”
“I’ll do it. I need to verify your cognitive abilities are intact.”
At that, the servant immediately understood and nodded.
“Then I’ll send just the wagon ahead first, Master.”
“Yes, thank you.”
After saying this, the two left the Grand Banquet Hall.
Passing through the corridor, they arrived at April’s bedroom.
Pejin asked.
“You want to play pretend?”
“Yes.”
Pejin still suspected April had a concussion and sat down in a chair for now.
April poured tea into an ornate cup on a silver tray and handed it to Pejin. Pejin accepted the teacup in bewilderment.
“What are you doing?”
“What role do you want? A puppy or a husband?”
Pejin now understood somewhat what she meant to do, and after merely pretending to raise the cup to his lips for courtesy’s sake, he set it back on the table.
“I’m too big to be a puppy.”
“Right, then be the husband.”
April said this and sat facing him on his lap.

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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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