PLMYP 32

Chapter 32 —

“Marquis, it’s Damond.”

“What is it?”

“Sir Hawk just arrived at the mansion with a guest.”

“Really?”

Irenea hoped it might be Leonard, but when it wasn’t, she couldn’t hide her disappointment, even if it was just for a moment.

Kiri must have noticed her expression because she let out a quiet laugh.

Irenea quickly cleared her throat and spoke again in a serious voice, as if nothing had happened.

“The guest must be tired from traveling. Take them to the guest house we prepared so they can rest. Send Hawk here. Also, tell the chef to prepare dinner for tonight.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

A short while later, Hawk entered Irenea’s office.

“Hawk Nester, I’ve completed your orders and returned.”

“Give me your report.”

“Yes. First, I went to the Mercenary Guild headquarters, as you instructed…”

When Hawk said he hired the Iron-Blood Mercenary Group for free, Irenea briefly touched her forehead in disbelief. But when he mentioned he challenged someone to a duel, she nodded approvingly.

“And I handed over the 30 million larks, just as you said.”

“Good job.”

Even though Irenea praised him, Hawk groaned softly.

“Are you sure this is okay? I mean, 30 million larks is a huge amount. I know it’s nothing compared to the 500 million you gave as a dowry, but still…”

“It’s fine. I’ll be getting double that amount back. And I’ll get rid of that good-for-nothing while I’m at it.”

From the excited sparkle in her eyes, Hawk knew she was planning something. And when she had that look, he knew there was no need to worry. He just shrugged his shoulders.

“And like you mentioned, the Count’s daughter didn’t have much luggage. So on the way back, I bought… well, a lot of things.”

Hawk handed a thick stack of receipts to Irenea. Seeing how thick it was, Kiri snatched it out of Irenea’s hands in shock.

“My gosh… how much did you spend? You even bought a necklace made of blue diamonds?! You really spent recklessly just because it wasn’t your money!”

Kiri glared at Hawk, and he hunched his shoulders in guilt.

Hawk had spent so much money in the past that he now relied on his younger sister for allowance. So whenever it came to money, he always shrunk in front of Kiri.

“But you heard the lady too, right? She told me clearly not to let the young lady feel embarrassed or inferior because of money.”

“Why? What happened?”

Irenea took the receipts from Kiri and looked through them.

Just one blue diamond cost 4 million larks. When she added up everything—dresses, accessories, etc.—it totaled 5 million larks.

That wouldn’t dent Irenea’s fortune, but it was still a hefty amount.

“Well, at the jewelry shop, a noble lady picked a fight with her. What was her name again, Schulz?”

“…Schulz?”

“Yes. I think she said she was the daughter of Baron Schulz. She looked at Miss Janice and said she had never seen her before…”

“Miss Janice?”

“Oh my, you’re already calling her by her name?”

Irenea’s frown disappeared, and her cheeks turned red. Her eyes sparkled with curiosity, but Hawk quickly waved his hands to deny it.

“It just happened, really. It doesn’t mean anything. Anyway, when that lady heard her name was Elpheus, she looked down on her for being from a poor family. So I bought everything she wanted, including the blue diamond.”

“Well, if it was like that, you had to buy it. Good job. I’ll give you a bonus.”

“Thank you, Marquis!”

“If anything like this happens again—especially if it’s someone from the Schulz family—do the same.”

Right there, Irenea gave Hawk a bonus using her seal and checkbook.

Hawk looked thrilled—but the check went straight into Kiri’s pocket, of course.

“You must’ve had a tight schedule. You worked hard. Now rest. But before that, run one more errand for me.”

“What is it?”

Irenea took out a piece of paper from her drawer and quickly wrote something down.

“Give this to Shadow.”

It wasn’t Janice’s first time in the capital, but this was the first time it felt so overwhelming.

“Welcome, Miss. You’ve arrived at the Blair Marquis’ mansion.”

“I’m Jane. I’ll be serving you while you stay here.”

“I’m Maria. Please take care of me, Miss.”

“You’ll be staying in this guest house with your companions. All the rooms on the first and second floor have been cleaned. Choose whichever you like. If you wish to go out, let us know. A carriage, driver, footman, and guide will be prepared.”

“A welcome dinner is being prepared for tonight, but if you’re hungry now, we can bring you some light refreshments.”

“Your bath is being drawn. Please wait just a moment.”

“I’ll help you bathe, Miss. If the water is too hot or cold, let me know.”

“I’ll give you a massage. Which scented oil would you like?”

“Please choose your loungewear here. Sorry we only have ready-made ones today. A tailor will come tomorrow to make custom clothes.”

The journey to the capital had been full of events, but the moment they arrived at the marquis’ estate, Janice was again overwhelmed.

When she finally came to her senses, she was relaxing on a soft sofa.

Her hair had been dried and neatly brushed, and it smelled nice. The loungewear—though “only” ready-made—was soft and luxurious.

She wasn’t the only one who got pampered either.

Madam Sarah and even Michelle had enjoyed the bath and massages. Now they were also lying around, totally relaxed. Bin and Heath had gone to the dining room, saying they were hungry.

“I can’t believe they piled up rare chocolates like this. Blair Marquis really is rich.”

“You used to eat like this too, Miss…”

Michelle tossed chocolates in the air and caught them in her mouth while Madam Sarah wiped tears from her eyes.

“Your late mother must be happy to see you treated this way. This is how you should be treated.”

“…If it were Mother, she’d probably tell me not to relax just yet.”

“Huh?”

“Don’t you think this situation is a bit strange?”

Janice hadn’t touched the chocolate or the sweet flower tea. She just fidgeted with her fancy clothes.

“I understand that Blair Marquis is marrying my brother. But isn’t she being too generous to us?”

“What do you mean? You’re about to be family. Of course, she’s treating you well. And besides…”

Madam Sarah leaned in and whispered quietly.

“I heard the Marquis fell in love with your brother at first sight.”

“That’s exactly why I’m worried. What if she brought me here as a hostage?”

Michelle burst out laughing.

“Oh, Miss, your imagination is something else! There’s no need to worry. A person like Blair Marquis wouldn’t do something so low.”

“But still… You never know what people are thinking.”

Seeing Janice blush, Michelle waved her hand.

“If that were the case, would she treat us all like honored guests? No way. The Marquis just wants to make a good impression on everyone around Ray. She’s in love, that’s all.”

“…Love.”

Michelle sounded confident and sincere, but Janice only felt more confused.

Getting married in just a month, offering 500 million as dowry, bringing her all the way to the capital and treating her like royalty—was all this really because of love?

‘Even if it’s love… who gives away 500 million like that?’

Even 50 million would’ve seemed crazy, but 500 million?

“Haa… I need some fresh air.”

“Shall I come with you?”

“No, you rest too, Madam Sarah. It’s not dangerous here. I’ll just walk around the garden.”

“Yes, Miss.”

Everyone agreed that the Blair estate wasn’t dangerous, so they let Janice go alone.

She walked into the garden, beautifully arranged with flowers and bushes, and sighed deeply.

‘If my brother were here, I wouldn’t feel so uneasy.’

Even though everything was luxurious, she couldn’t relax. There was no proper reason for this treatment.

Before her mother died, maybe she wouldn’t have felt this way. But after losing the one who protected her like a strong roof and wall, Janice learned the hard way: kindness is never free.

Those who were kind to her for a reason quickly turned their backs once that reason disappeared.

Even pity was a luxury. People laughed at her even when she begged for help.

Even the man who said he loved her dozens of times—