Changed Atmosphere II
As Rose’s mouth slowly opened, Lilia looked at her with her head tilted.
“How long ago did your father owe so much?”
“How could you…….”
“I bought the bonds, so I know.”
(T/N: Bonds are investment securities where an investor lends money to a company or a government for a set period of time, in exchange for regular interest payments. Once the bond reaches maturity, the bond issuer returns the investor’s money.)
As Rose opened her eyes wide, Lilia entered the front door, she took a step back as Lilia narrowed the distance between. Lilia walked ahead, and Rose simultaneously stepped back…… The distance which seemed to be narrowing between them, didn’t narrow at all.
Lilia, who had completely entered the house, looked around lightly. The small house was filled with cheap decorations. It seemed that everything that could be used for money had already been sold.
“I can get you on the road right away.”
“Are you trying to get revenge on me….”
Rose, who had been frozen, looked at Lilia with a fearful look on her face, her reaction made Lilia giggle.
“Do you want it?”
It was a casual tone, but Rose knew that Lilia could really do that. Only then did an excuse burst out of her mouth.
“I really didn’t know…….”
“I know everything, so don’t pretend to be a victim.”
Rose shut her mouth at Lilia’s sharp words.
Indeed, as Lilia said, Rose began to play with fire even though she knew that he had a fiance. As she could enjoy all kinds of luxuries with Richard. It was also thanks to Richard that she, a humble countryside noble, was able to move up to the capital.
She thought it was perfectly hidden, but Lilia found out everything and Rose was completely cut off by Richard. It was a pity, but she was more afraid of being retaliated by Bloden than being sad.
Fortunately, Lilia’s side was quiet, and Rose thought she had luckily made it through but she never dreamed that Lilia would come back now. Rose closed her eyes tightly, as if she could see her future clearly.
“I have a job for you.”
Rose opened her eyes wide at the unexpected remark. She saw Lilia staring at her with cold eyes.
“How well you’ll complete the work will determine whether you will wander on the street or continue a comfortable life.”
Lilia twisted her lips and asked with a smile.
“Do you want to hear my suggestion?”
***
A few days ago, the Marquis Tersian returned to the mansion with a pale face as if he was going to collapse. When he(Richard) asked him why, he said that the Duke of Evantheon was the reason. He said that the Duke himself approved the promotion of Heinley Bloden.
—The two didn’t seem to have any contact at all……
The Marquis murmured that there was no reason for the Duke of Evantheon to take part in Heinley’s work.
When he heard it, Richard wondered if it was possible. Obviously, Karhan Evantheon was said to be a temporary successor who was also shunned by his family. Even Karhan himself seemed to admit it. Richard, who was wondering whether to say this or not, confessed frankly to the Marquis.
—The truth is…..
When he confessed that Lilia was going out with Karhan Evantheon, the Marquis became extremely furious.
—Why are you saying that now?! Useless bastard. There’s nothing you can do right!
That day, Richard was scolded by the Marquis who was running wild on the street. And the next day, the Marquis was stranded in the palace and was prevented from entering his house. It was because the Marquis’ corruption secret broke out in the Imperial Palace.
It was only a small spark at first. However, as evidence poured out one after another, and testimony continued, the flames spread to a large fire and the Imperial family could no longer sit on the sidelines. Eventually, an investigation on the Marquis began.
The Marquis Tersian could not actively go out because of the Duke of Evantheon*. In the meantime, the Marquis’ prestige gradually diminished, and his position began to falter in the Imperial Palace. Those who offered him bribes gradually stopped coming.
(* He misunderstood that the Duke is keeping an eye on him, but in reality it wasn’t the case)
Thanks to the strong support of the Crown Princess, he did not go to trial, but he received a week of probation and a small amount of discipline.
Meanwhile, Richard’s mother, Marchioness Tersian, fell ill. She had reached the brink of bankruptcy in the business she had been putting so much effort into.
The Marchioness expected that she would be able to extort money on the pretext of Heinley. However, on the contrary, all the funds received here and there were cut off. This was because all of the partners whom she had come in contact with from Violet’s connections turned their backs on her.
It was already too late to recoup the investment, and they needed the same amount of money they had poured in, so that they could proceed ahead.
—We could have been as rich as the Blodens…, it’s all your fault!
The Marchioness, who had become extremely sensitive, blamed and shouted at Richard.
And Siona also seems to be in a bad situation. She thought this would work out, so she forced her husband to invest. Eventually she couldn’t wait and borrowed a large amount of money to invest in her mother’s business, but now it was very difficult to pay back the interest.
Siona immediately came to the Tersian mansion and told Richard to give whatever belongings he had to her. Richard, who suffered a lot from his family, could not stay at home and roamed around on the streets.
“You lived a good life because of me!”
Richard, who had a big fight with Siona, threw his coat away. Not only his family, but the whole family (branch family) was talking about money, money, and money.
Richard missed his successful past very much. When he was dating Lilia, he lived a life that was equivalent to the emperor’s. People praised Richard, and there was nothing that he couldn’t have.
Richard firmly misunderstood that it was because of his greatness that he had such a golden life. Without knowing that it was all a golden sand castle built by Lilia’s hands.
“When you said you love me….”
I hate Lilia. All she did was cheat on me.
It was his first time, and Lilia could have forgiven him, but Lilia turned her back coldly. In the meantime, she seems to have met a new man, so she may have been waiting for the right time to break up with him.
Richard took a deep breath. His house has been out of order lately. It was clear that his father, who got involved in the corruption scandal, and his mother’s business bankruptcy was planned by Lilia. It made him upset, angry and made his stomach boil.
“Should I visit….”
If he says he’ll dissolve the engagement, Lilia will meet him. It was too late to restore the relationship, so it will be reasonable to extort money in return for breaking off the engagement.
He was wondering if he should ask for a building with a regular rent, but someone approached him. This person was planted as a source by Richard.
“Lilia Bloden will be attending the banquet.”
“Is that true?”
Richard, who had been listening to him reluctantly, raised his head sharply. Lilia who had been stuck in her house, regardless of numerous banquets being held, never came out of her house and if she really is attending the banquet, this was his chance to meet her.
“Get the invitation!”
Richard thought it was time to negotiate.
On the day of the banquet, he was ready to make his appearance. Even now, he could not give up on his luxury, so he sold a lot of expensive things to make a living, but he wore clothes and accessories that he had left behind just in case.
Richard, who was checking his reflection in front of the mirror, suddenly felt regretful. In the past, he would have gone out wearing new things from head to toe. All the shops that used to be like his closets have been banned.…. It wouldn’t be a bad idea to get some dressing rooms in return for breaking up the engagement.
Richard immediately left the bedroom and got into the carriage. After a long ride, his carriage stopped near the banquet hall. Even though it was early in the evening, bright lights came out from the inside of the building.
The atmosphere in the house is getting worse these days, and there are a lot of places where he had spent his money, so he had to be careful. His heart pounded because he hadn’t attended the banquet in a long time and finally he entered the banquet hall with dignified steps. Richard, who came inside, was ready to accept others’ greetings.
However, the atmosphere was strange. In the past, it was normal for people to flock in like a swarm of bees who smelled honey. It was natural for him to get welcomed as if he were the main character of the banquet.
He wondered if he had come too soon, so he looked around, and he saw people scattered everywhere. As Richard walked a little further inside, the people whispered.
“I haven’t seen him lately, but he’s here today.”
“By the way, weren’t you familiar with Lord Tersian?”
“It was because of some money, these days the Lord…”
“But just by looking at the clothes……. It’s all out of fashion.”
Those who were friendly with Richard in the past now slandered him and looked down on him.
“I heard he is breaking up with Miss Bloden, isn’t it?”
“Was that true?”
Everyone was intrigued by someone’s remark.
“And in the articles in the tabloids…… I’ve heard that Miss Bloden is going out with Lord Evantheon.”
“Wasn’t the story of Lord Evantheon a rumor? Then, did the Lord Tersian really break up the engagement?”
“Actually, it was Miss Bloden who did it.”
Everyone raised their glasses of champagne as if toasting with exhilarating faces.
“What the… “
Richard noticed them whispering as he looked at him. They were the Lords of fairly high-ranking aristocratic families. Richard and they were somehow close, but unlike usual, no one came to greet him first.
I don’t think it’s a bad idea to go say hello first, so Richard approached them.
“Hello. It’s been a long time since I saw you all.”
As Richard approached, everyone pretended to be busy or ignored him. Some even laughed out loud and mumbled among themselves. As a strange air flowed, Richard frowned.
What’s wrong with them all of a sudden?
As Richard was about to ask a question, a Marquis, who was not on good terms with him, spoke to him.
“I haven’t seen you these days, what happened?”
As he looked up and down at Richard. Richard, who became displeased, frowned.
“I heard that the situation in your family is not very good these days, is it why?”
“No way!”
said Richard, in a fit of rage. The Marquis smiled and asked the question again.
“I’ve heard a rumor. I’m really curious, did you really break your engagement?”
He added with a grin.
“You’ve been a king thanks to your good fiancé.”
Richard clenched his fist. Even though they were on bad terms, it was rare that the Marquis had a direct argument like this.
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Richard looked around to find someone who could stand besides him. Instead of stopping the Marquis, they watched the scene with a funny face. Richard was confused. Those who praised him and flattered him disappeared overnight.
At that time, the banquet hall was in turmoil. Everyone in their seats turned their heads to the entrance. Richard, like them, looked at the entrance. A woman in a light pink dress was coming in.
Gradually lifting his gaze, Richard checked her face and opened his eyes wide.
It was Lilia Bloden.
***