Episode 13: I’m not asking to borrow. (1)
On the way to Raybold, Belinda asked.
“So, are you really not buying a gift? Are we just going like this?”
“…Well, I could buy a flower or something.”
“You think that’s enough for someone we haven’t seen in a long time? I don’t think she’ll be very happy about it.”
“I don’t care. I have no desire to impress her.”
“Hmmm…”
Ghislaine was serious.
In his past life, when he knew nothing, he always worried because he had a crush on the pretty Amelia, wanting to make a good impression.
But now, he had no desire to impress a woman who was clearly going to be his enemy in the future, nor did he want to keep their engagement.
‘This time, I won’t let her squeeze me for money.’
Without financial independence, no matter how strong the military might be, it’s all useless.
War consumes a tremendous amount of money and supplies. If there’s no money to maintain an army, it’s like having no army at all.
Didn’t he painfully feel that while confronting the constant material onslaught of the kingdom in his past life?
Without the money to properly feed and arm the soldiers, there was nothing he could do.
‘I need to move faster.’
It was good to have returned to the past, but the current situation wasn’t great.
At this time, the Duke Delphine had already extended his reach to most territories and was starting to gain a foothold in the North.
Killing Elena was part of that plan.
Ghislaine suppressed his impatience.
‘Amelia, if I don’t want to be embarrassed, I’ll have to squeeze out some good money.’
The horse carrying him galloped tirelessly toward Raybold’s territory.
Imagining how much he’d squeeze out of Amelia made his heavy heart feel a bit lighter.
*
The group arrived safely at Raybold Castle.
Other than being covered in dust from days of riding, there were no other problems.
As Ghislaine made his way straight to the castle’s main gate, Belinda grabbed him.
“Wait, are you really going in without washing up? You’re covered in dust! Young Lady Amelia won’t like it.”
“I don’t need to impress her.”
“Wow, why the sudden change?”
Belinda stared at Ghislaine’s back, bewildered.
It was hard to believe that he was the same person who would blush at just the mention of Amelia a few months ago.
Just a month ago, it was unimaginable to think that Ghislaine, who would blush at the mere mention of Amelia, was the same person.
“Are you trying to give off a bad boy vibe? This just looks like a dirty guy…”
“Seriously, I told you. Well, since I’m here after such a long time, should I buy a visiting gift?”
Ghislaine simply carried a bouquet he bought from the marketplace and headed for Raybold Castle.
“Stop right there. What’s the matter?”
The guards blocked Ghislaine with relaxed expressions.
With so few attendants and covered in dust, they couldn’t immediately recognize him as a noble.
Bellinda stepped forward.
Unlike her usual playful demeanor, she had a serious and composed attitude.
“This is His Grace Ghislaine, Grand Duke of Perdium Territory. I’m here to see my fiancée, Princess Amelia, so please relay the message.”
It’s customary for nobles not to approach directly when their attendants are present.
Ghislaine just watched what Bellinda was doing.
“G-Ghislaine, Your Grace?”
The guards wore hesitant expressions.
They knew how much of a loser Amelia’s fiancé was from the rumors.
Seeing their hesitation, Bellinda frowned.
“What are you doing? Hurry up and pass the message inside.”
“O-Okay.”
One of the guards turned and muttered curses as he entered the castle quietly.
Not long after, the guard returned with a troubled expression.
“Um… I’m sorry, but the Young Lady is currently unwell, so I must ask you to return as you are…”
Before he even finished, Bellinda approached the guard with fire in her eyes.
“Are you saying that the Grand Duke came all this way, and you won’t even let him meet her or provide accommodations? Does our Perdium Territory seem so trivial to you?”
The guard mumbled a response. To be honest, they couldn’t help but think poorly of it, but they couldn’t say that outright.
“It’s not that… It’s just that the Young Lady…”
“Hey!”
As Bellinda emanated a terrifying aura, the guard stepped back, his face drained of color.
‘W-What is this? She looks like a maid, but the atmosphere… is she some sort of secret guard?’
The pressure pouring down made the guard tremble. Only then did Ghislaine step forward.
“Enough, Bellinda.”
“But, Young Master…”
“It’s fine. I’ll talk now.”
With that, Ghislaine restrained Bellinda and approached the guard, whispering quietly.
“Tell them I need to discuss something about the merchant group. If we go back like this, I don’t know what I’ll say. I can be quite loose-lipped.”
“Y-Yes, understood.”
The guard hurriedly rushed back into the castle.
A little while later, the guard rushed out, bowing his head to Ghislaine.
“The Young Lady requests you to come inside.”
With the sudden change in response, Bellinda’s eyes widened as she stared at Ghislaine.
She was curious about what he had said that made them change their minds so easily.
Ghislaine chuckled and whispered to Bellinda.
“I guess I’m quite likable. Ah, this popularity…”
“Oh my, where did this sudden confidence come from?”
Bellinda teased Ghislaine, noting how much cockier he was getting. However, she looked much better than when she had been fuming all day.
Sel scolded him. Still, he looked much better than when he was throwing tantrums all day.
The group was led into a lavish reception room. Ghislaine admired the surroundings as they walked, glancing around in awe.
“Wow, rich people really know how to live. This was a good choice. I feel like we could get a lot of funding here!”
Unlike the rough-looking Perdium Castle, Raybold’s Castle was beautifully decorated with expensive materials all around. It was definitely a territory with plenty of money.
Belinda and the knights waited in the next room, while Ghislaine stood alone waiting for Amelia.
“She’s taking her sweet time. Well, I guess my words must have put her in a pretty complicated mood.”
Amelia had not shown up for quite a while.
Just as Ghislaine was starting to feel bored after finishing her teacup, the reception room door opened, and a woman walked in.
Her light brown hair cascaded gracefully over her shoulders. The slightly lowered eyes and lifted chin gave off an impression of arrogance and coldness.
It was Ghislaine’s fiancée, Amelia Raybold.
Meow.
A cat entered behind her, its tail held high with confidence.
With its short gray fur shimmering with bluish tones and a sleek build, it was a feline known as ‘Bastet.’
It carried an air of elegance and pride, much like its owner, Amelia, evident in its expression and each stride.
“It’s been a while, Amelia. Did you miss me? It’s been a long time for that cat too. What was its name again?”
In response to the cheeky greeting, Amelia raised her eyebrows without uttering a word.
“Who does he think he is, calling my name so casually? Did he miss me? What a pathetic guy sticking to the outskirts… Is he out of his mind?”
When Amelia first heard that Ghislaine had come to visit, she scoffed and told them to send him away.
There was no need to meet someone who barged in like that, and she had no desire to meet a dullard like Ghislaine.
She had no intention of meeting him at all, but in the end, she had no choice but to let him into the castle due to a single comment Ghislaine had conveyed.
“What on earth does he know?”
The fact that Amelia was building a merchant group was a closely guarded secret. It wasn’t just about starting a simple merchant group.
Knowing or not knowing about Amelia’s inner anxiety, Ghislaine continued with a bright smile.
“Your birthday is coming up soon, right? This is a gift for you.”
As Ghislaine presented a bouquet, a look of disdain flickered across Amelia’s face.
“Did he really bring me such a thing as a gift? How dare he, Amelia Raybold?”
No one had ever given her such a shabby gift before. She had never received something so pathetic in her entire life.
Although she wasn’t the type to judge a gift’s value, she simply found it unpleasant because it was being given by Ghislaine.
Meow!
Even Bastet let out a displeased cry.
Amelia elegantly walked over and accepted the bouquet Ghislaine offered.
“Thank you. It’s a beautiful arrangement. However, these flowers will wilt quickly. There’s really no need to hold onto them.”
Amelia flicked the bouquet into a corner of the reception room.
It was an action that would shame the person who gifted it. Even more so, if that person was a noble who valued honor above all else.
Ramen, even more!
Normally, this would be an action that shouldn’t be done, and a response that wouldn’t be given.
However, Amelia deliberately threw the bouquet as if to show off.
Intending to provoke Ghislaine into making a mistake, he leaned back against the sofa, shrugging his shoulders instead of blushing.
“Our territory is too poor to give expensive gifts. It’s the thought that counts, right?!”
With an unchanged expression and a cheeky attitude, Amelia sneered.
“Just because the territory is poor doesn’t mean you should brag about it. Isn’t it shameful? And to express your feelings, the value of the gift is important as well. True intentions can’t be expressed with trash.”
Amelia let out harsh words, trying to provoke Ghislaine.
Considering her usual temperament of rarely expressing feelings, this was unimaginable, but Amelia had no other way out right now.
To gauge what he knew, she had to shake him emotionally.
But Ghislaine replied with an indifferent expression, even after being openly insulted.
“Poverty isn’t something to be ashamed of. Unless you’re doing something disgraceful. I did briefly consider starting a bandit gang, but I decided not to do anything embarrassing.”
His words were significant, and Amelia’s expression stiffened.
His tone and behavior seemed to scream that he knew something.
‘His attitude has changed from before. He’s showing a strange confidence I’ve never seen. What’s happened?’
Just a while ago, Ghislaine couldn’t hide his feelings for her.
He always got flustered when standing in front of her and couldn’t even dare to speak first.
But right now, she felt none of that from him. Instead of trying to impress her, he seemed completely unconcerned.
Ghislaine’s sudden change in attitude instead raised her guard.
“Well, fine. What’s the reason you called me here? I’d prefer a quick talk about the main point.”
“Good that you’re quick. I need some money. I’m in a bit of a difficult situation right now.”
Ghislaine winked and curled his fingers round.
Amelia was momentarily taken aback by the unexpected request.
Who would ask for money so boldly and arrogantly?
“Hah, you came to me for that reason? Asking your fiancée to lend you money, I see you have no pride, huh?”
Then Ghislaine waved his hands as if flustered.
“No, no. You misunderstood. I’m not asking to borrow money.”
“What is it then?”
Ghislaine leaned slightly forward, bringing his face closer to Amelia and whispered.
“I just want you to give it to me. Can’t we do that between us?”
“……”
“You will do it, right?”
Hearing Ghislaine’s words, Amelia made a serious resolution.
I need to break off this engagement today!
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