Chapter 252: On the Way Back from the Ducal Residence
Chapter 252: On the Way Back from the Ducal Residence
The two women’s smiling faces froze for an instant, then they looked at each other. They had known I was in debt, but not who the lenders were."My husband has lent money to Lord Robin?"
The Countess turned to me, her voice carrying a sharp edge.
I had no choice.
"Yes."
"How much? Oh, how rude of me. Asking about money is unbefitting of a noble. Lord Robin, I apologize. Could you tell me quietly?"
She offered her ear.
"Um... five hundred fifty coins."
The moment the words left my mouth—
"Oh my?!"
—she cried out, and the atmosphere shifted instantly. The Duchess continued smiling as if nothing had happened. The Baroness asked:
"Our household has also lent money?"
I leaned close to her ear.
"I’ve borrowed four hundred gold coins from your son."
The Baroness said nothing and simply stared at me. When I nodded, she frowned and muttered:
"Where did that boy get that kind of money...?"
I had a feeling that once these two returned home, some kind of storm would break.
While the two ladies sat under a heavy cloud, the Duchess paid it no mind at all.
"Come, let’s have some tea. I’ve prepared delicious sweets as well."
She said brightly.
This woman is a confirmed troublemaker... I decided then and there never to go against her.
I had only come to deliver the medicine, so I never met the Duke himself. (The Duchess had said that if I was just dropping it off we could finish the conversation first.) Yet the moment I stepped out to the entrance, the Duke appeared out of nowhere. The ladies were still talking with the Duchess deeper inside the mansion, so only I was leaving early. The Duchess herself had come out to see me off.
For some reason the Duke’s spirits seemed unusually high as he approached.
"I’m so glad you came! I’m truly grateful to you. Lately my wife’s mood has been excellent, which is a great help to me. Please keep looking after her!"
He took my hand and shook it vigorously. What exactly is so helpful? I wondered. Behind him the Duchess spoke in a voice laced with ice.
"My, you’re back already? Leaving again the moment you return... you must be terribly busy. Where are you going this time?"