Chapter 49
There was no way I could believe that the Warren sisters’ parents had left an inheritance to the Nist couple. It was more like a declaration of war than anything else.
“There’s evidence. They left us a letter,” someone said.
“What kind of will or letter could people who died in a carriage accident leave behind?”
“No, it’s a letter asking that, in case anything happened to them while they were alive, we take care of you.”
The Nist couple was completely focused on the inheritance. I inwardly smiled at that. Leuke scoffed at the words, which sounded like they were made up on the spot.
“I don’t know who you entrusted to make all this up, but let’s take a look.”
My aunt and uncle were different from Burrington. That man hadn’t prepared at all, thinking he’d naturally win, but during Burrington’s trial, the Nist couple seemed quite scared. But it was all completely wrong. How would they know what I had sued him for?
“How are we supposed to prove that the evidence is fabricated?” Leuke asked on the way home. Heh, even Leuke was deceived this time.
“Probably, there won’t be a need to.”
“Why?”
“Because I didn’t sue them for embezzling the inheritance.”
The inheritance was from 16 years ago, and revealing every detail now would be difficult. I sued the Nist couple for intercepting the money Burrington had given me.
“We’ll get back the money Burrington gave Nist. On top of the compensation Burrington owes us.”
“That was already confirmed in the previous trial!”
It was just a single sheet of paper containing the Warren sisters’ sixteen-year life. That was all we had.
“The Nist couple must return to the Warren sisters 1,005,024 gold, excluding the amount written on this paper.”
“What! Where would we even get that money? Business is already tough enough…!”
My uncle shouted, his face red with anger.
“Additionally, the Nist couple is sentenced to 16 years in prison each.”
As soon as the sentence was pronounced, the Nist couple were taken into custody on the spot. My aunt tried desperately to resist, shouting at Leuke as they were dragged away.
“Let’s see how well you live now!”
“Yes, of course. You’ll even get newsletters in prison about how well you’re living.”
The Leuke I had first seen when I came to this world—resigned and giving up on everything—was nowhere in sight.
“No matter what, you’ll regret losing to Schacht! We heard what happened during the play! The Schacht family will throw you out of the noble society!”
Even while going to prison, my aunt and uncle rained curses upon us. Leuke shrugged.
“Miss Schacht is a hundred times better.”
As a result of all the trials, we ended up with about 4.5 million gold and the mansion that originally belonged to the Nist family. My aunt’s two daughters were placed with relatives.
“I hope those relatives are better people.”
It sounded teasing, but it was partly sincere.
“Who knows.”
Leuke frowned as if he didn’t even want to think about it.
We almost sprawled across the sofas in the downstairs parlor. Now, no one could say anything even if we wandered around the entire house.
“So this is what a comfortable house feels like.”
“So quiet.”
After my aunt and uncle left, the first thing we did was invite people over. We hadn’t had a proper celebration after dealing with Burrington and the lawsuit immediately after the banquet. Anyway, all we needed to do was send invitations, so Leuke and I sat down to write them, one by one.
“It’s really exciting to write an invitation saying this is our home and inviting people over.”
Leuke smiled at me while writing. Seeing him so cheerful after such a long time made me feel warm inside. Leuke looking bright-eyed and adorable was great, but this innocent expression was the first thing I had ever seen when I came to this world!
“We’re inviting His Highness the Grand Duke too, right?”
“Of course. If we don’t invite him now, he’ll get sulky.”
Leuke narrowed his eyes and smiled mischievously. What is she plotting now?
“You seem really close?”
“Because we worked together.”
“Tell him everything in detail. I was curious back then too, but couldn’t ask because there was too much going on!”
But there really wasn’t anything to tell. Nothing particularly memorable.
“Didn’t you talk when we danced together at the banquet?”
“Something like, I’ve never seen someone dance so poorly. Besides, I was so focused on moving my body that I couldn’t speak at all.”
Leuke slumped at the desk, looking disappointed.
“I only need you…”
“Don’t say you only need me.”
Leuke preemptively spoke. But honestly, just seeing him eat well and live well was enough to make me completely satisfied.
“But that’s the truth.”
“You’re so stubborn. Never listen to anyone since you were little…”
Leuke went into “older sister mode” and started nagging again. I could only smile at the thought of their childhood I didn’t know about. Noticing my expression, Leuke stopped and frowned.
“You’re really annoying lately!”
“Hehe.”
“Don’t laugh, fool.”
“Welcome! This is our home!”
“I expected a stiff atmosphere. It’s much cozier than I thought.”
“Really?”
We hadn’t touched much in the house since my aunt and uncle left. Nothing had changed. It was just that the people we had to be careful around were gone, making the space feel slightly more comfortable, though not fully familiar. Hearing friends say it was cozy, the house looked a bit different.
“I’m glad those annoying people are gone.”
Leon stood at the doorway, looking around stiffly.
“We’ll need to hire new servants too. Is there even a chef?”
“Ah, did you think I’d invite people with nothing? Seriously.”
Anna chuckled beside me.
“You two seem really close these days. Since when? Was it at the Grand Duke’s place right before the banquet? Or before that?”
“Not sure,” I said.
“Whatever. Anyway, everyone, sit down! I’ve got some really good drinks ready!”
I don’t know how other nobles throw parties, but the most enjoyable way I know is this: eat and drink!
“I told the chef to make it anything tasty and plentiful, just like at home.”
The chef brought out food: mashed potatoes and heavily seasoned cooked meat piled high. It was the same as what we had eaten with the troupe before.
“Ah, this!”
“What we had with the troupe back then was the best I’ve ever eaten.”
“Hmm. Are you really a noble, my lady?”
“Hey, don’t say that carelessly.”
“So what? Our parents aren’t here anyway.”
Leuke casually said something outrageous with a lovely face. Leon looked surprised at him.
“Well… honestly, why do we care about lineage? Right?”
“If you notice, Miss Leuke is even more extreme.”
The troupe members cheerfully drank their beer. Leon looked a little awkward at first but soon gulped down his beer heartily.
“This is your first time at such a gathering, Grand Duke?”
Shion teased Leon.
“Huh? No.”
Leon looked bewildered.
“You posted so much about me, yet you don’t know how I became a noble?”
Everyone widened their eyes, shocked at what he said.
“Oh. The only son of the Brabant dukedom, skilled in martial arts from a young age, slaying dragons and protecting the north… isn’t that right?”
Shion, acting as the Grand Duke, said that. Leon widened his eyes as if he couldn’t believe they truly didn’t know and then burst out laughing.
“Oh my. You really don’t know anything.”
That explained why the crown prince hated him. Leon was originally an orphan, living on the streets for a long time. When he tried to pickpocket, it happened to be Tyros. Normally, even knights couldn’t get close without being noticed. Despite being unprepared, a seven-year-old almost succeeded in stealing from him? Tyros immediately trained him in swordsmanship. Later, the crown prince took him as a student, making Leon a rival in studies. The street kid outperformed the crown prince in history, culture, instruments, and dance.
“Well, there’s that. You don’t need to know.”
“Grand Duke, you handle alcohol surprisingly poorly?”
Leon shook his head, his face unchanged, though the atmosphere felt slightly different.
“First, let’s toast to the success of the banquet and our sisters’ success!”
I raised my glass.
“To success!”
“Ah, I’m full. Let’s dance together.”
Anna grabbed my hand and jumped up. Everyone seemed to get up too. But there was no musician in the house.
“No music?”
“We can play!”
Some troupe members took out flutes and guitars. Anna danced holding my hand, and I clumsily followed. Leuke, John, Alex, and Shion all got up. Leon watched and chuckled.
“It’s been so long. What a mess.”
“Have you played like this before?”
He didn’t answer, looking slightly nostalgic. I grabbed his hand.
“You dance too, Your Highness!”
“No, I’m fine.”
“You were so good in the ballroom?”
Leon waved me off, insisting.
“Then I’ll just go!”
I shook my body wildly, mixing the flute and guitar with dance moves from my past life as if I were an idol. Leon looked astonished, then laughed so hard he almost couldn’t breathe. The troupe members looked at him, puzzled by his laughter.
“Wow, you actually know how to laugh!”
The mansion was noisy late into the night. Troupe members gradually went to their rooms or home. I was left alone cleaning up, when Leon quietly came over to help clear the table.
“Leave it. I’ll do it.”
“Why? Worried I can’t do chores?”
“No, that’s not it.”
After a long silence, helping with the dishes, he quietly said,
“Have you thought about going to the North?”
