CHAPTER 59………………
A cornered rat will bite the cat.
With that mindset, the Marquis went to see his former son-in-law, Duke Muton.
It was a desperate attempt to escape the tightening noose closing in on him and his wife.
He could not simply hand over House Ravello to Franz.
“What brings you here, Marquis?”
The Duke received him with clear displeasure.
There was no joy in meeting the father of his ex-wife, especially since their relationship had ended in disaster.
Before the man who was seven years his junior, the Marquis forced a servile smile, rubbing his palms together.
“I trust you’ve been well, Duke. I’ve wanted to inquire after your health, but I restrained myself, not wishing to impose.”
“You should have continued restraining yourself. Why are you here?”
“Ah, come now, why so cold? After all, we’re family.”
The Duke scoffed, openly derisive. His eyes swept over the Marquis with a mix of contempt and ridicule.
“I heard there’s been some disgraceful business with your son lately. You must be doing better than expected if you’re here calling on me.”
“What are you saying! Since sending Alex away, I’ve spent sleepless nights, tormented by endless worries…”
“Enough. State your business.”
The Duke cut him off bluntly.
The Marquis’s ears flushed with embarrassment, but he swallowed his pride and forced a genial smile.
“Duke Muton, would you lend me some money?”
At the straightforward request, the Duke’s brow furrowed sharply.
“…Marquis Ravello, have you lost your mind?”
“You know my fondness for cards, don’t you? Well, I happened to make a mistake and got caught up in some unfortunate trouble.”
A “mistake,” he called it—what he meant was he had gambled away his fortune.
The Duke, who had once married Priscilla thanks to that very gambling habit, let out a hollow laugh.
“Not interested. Leave.”
“Duke! Please, I beg of you! I’ll repay you without fail—just lend me some money!”
The Marquis was nearly on his knees in supplication.
Now the Duke grew curious. How massive must the debt be for a man to humiliate himself so thoroughly?
“How much do you owe?”
“…1.19 million gold.”
“You’re insane.”
The Duke could not hide his astonishment.
In truth, it was 880,000, but since he intended to cover his wife’s debt as well, he was prepared to sacrifice his reputation.
The Marquis rubbed the back of his neck in embarrassment and tried to excuse himself.
“I-I’m a victim too! I was ensnared by a vile moneylender, forced into this mess!”
“And what does that have to do with me? You’ve never had the means to repay such a sum.”
The Duke waved him off dismissively.
But the Marquis could not retreat now.
With debt pressing from one side and Franz from the other, if there was even the narrowest path through Duke Muton, he had to try.
“Think of what I’ve done for you, Duke.”
“What have you done? Given me an unfaithful daughter as a wife?”
“Not just that… I also covered up your secret, did I not?”
The Marquis’s gray eyes gleamed snake-like, his voice dropping to a sly whisper.
The Duke’s shoulders stiffened slightly.
His brows knit, and his cold gaze locked on the Marquis.
Trying not to show his unease, the Marquis straightened his back.
“You mustn’t forget that.”
“…Are you threatening me?”
“No, I’m begging for your help.”
Once again, the Marquis bowed low, pressing his hands together in plea.
“Help me, and I’ll never mention your secret again.”
The Duke’s sharp amber eyes bored into him, unrelenting.
At length, he finally spoke.
“Give me time to think.”
“Fine, but decide within three days. Otherwise, interest will be added.”
The Duke gave a small nod to the Marquis, who looked at him as though he were a last lifeline.
Their secret meeting was soon exposed by Theodore, who had set a tail on the Marquis.
“It seems he went to the Duke seeking aid.”
“…But the Duke wouldn’t help him.”
Brian Muton was a man indulgent only to himself, never to others.
It was hard to imagine such a miser lending money to his former in-laws.
“Yet, money has begun moving unusually quickly around the Duke.”
Theodore’s calm rebuttal was telling.
They had watched House Muton closely once the Marquis went there, and suspicious movements were soon detected—
as if they were preparing to raise liquid funds.
Claire frowned in confusion.
“But House Muton’s situation should be strained right now. How…?”
Since her awakening, the Duke’s household had sharply reduced its use of the power of blessings.
Their income would have dropped accordingly, leaving them little margin.
Theodore’s next words resolved her doubts.
“Especially the mana-stone mines—the activity there is unusual.”
Ah, mana-stones.
The Duke’s wealth rested on two pillars: blessings and mana-stone mines.
With the former dwindling, he was clearly leaning on the latter.
After thinking for a while, Claire asked,
“Do you know the current market price for mana-stones?”
“Twenty gold apiece.”
“I see… Alright.”
A faint smile curved her lips as a plan took shape.
She had no intention of allowing the Marquis and the Duke to cooperate again. Her eyes flashed with resolve.
Hours later.
Claire sat face-to-face not with Teddy, but with Theodore, at Franz’s mansion.
Because of her urgent summons, Theodore had hastily returned in his capacity as Crown Prince to meet her.
“Forgive me for calling on you so suddenly.”
“It’s fine. What do you need to say?”
“Would you take a look at this?”
She handed him a newspaper.
Theodore obediently read it. The main article reported an epidemic in the slums.
“A few months ago, the price of mana-stones was ten gold each. Now it has doubled to twenty, all because of the epidemic cure.”
“I’ve been following the matter, so I know roughly.”
Claire smiled faintly, encouraged, and got to the point.
“I once found a mine—less than the Duke’s, but still with a fair reserve of mana-stones.”
It dated back to Priscilla’s days.
While managing the Duke’s finances, she had been scouting additional mines when she discovered it.
Fortunately—or unfortunately—she had been betrayed before purchasing it.
“If Your Highness were to sell those stones cheaply for the treatment of the poor, what do you think would happen?”
The price of mana-stones would naturally fall, and House Muton’s finances would take another hit.
Leaving them unable to lend the Marquis any fortune.
Of course, if Claire acted directly, both houses might suspect her and move against her.
But if the Crown Prince acted in the name of benevolence, it would appear natural.
“It would also raise your reputation, Your Highness. A good deed and good politics at once.”
“A fine proposal.”
Theodore smiled faintly in agreement.
For him, embroiled in a quiet struggle for the throne, this was a welcome advantage.
And for Claire, it was equally beneficial.
“Tell me the location of the mine, and I’ll purchase it immediately.”
“I’ll support you,” Claire said readily. Since it was for her sake, she felt she should bear the cost.
Theodore, however, regarded her with quiet amusement and chuckled.
“Why, are you planning to pay me an allowance?”
“What? No, I—”
“I’m not without means. You don’t need to tally every coin.”
He refused gently but firmly, promising to take responsibility since he had agreed.
Claire nodded, but as she stole a glance at his flawlessly handsome face, she spoke carefully.
“If I offended you, I’m sor—”
“No apologies allowed.”
He cut her off at once, adding,
“You get three in total.”
“…And if I make more than three mistakes?”
“Then you’ll simply be the sort of lady who makes mistakes and never apologizes.”
“That’s a bit…”
Claire blinked, flustered, and he couldn’t suppress his smile.
“You’re unexpectedly fun to tease.”
“…You’re unexpectedly mischievous.”
She gave a small shake of her head, laughing softly.
She didn’t feel upset or uncomfortable—only surprised to see the Crown Prince tease her like this.
In the past, he had bristled like a hedgehog at all times.
“It’s evening already.”
Claire glanced out the window at the darkened garden lit by lamps.
“I’m sorry for calling you so late…”
“Have you already used one?”
Startled, she covered her mouth mid-apology.
So it hadn’t been an idle joke earlier, after all.
“Pretend you didn’t hear that just now.”
“If you wish.”
Theodore shrugged, willing to let one slide.
“I should be going.”
As he rose, Claire also stood.
While seeing him out, she could no longer hold back what had been bothering her.
“Your Highness, wait a moment.”
