I Don't Need the Grand Duke's Regret - Chapter 174
The Grand Duke has become a power comparable to that of the Emperor. The atmosphere had shifted in this way.
All of this was thanks to Durante’s influence.
However, the Grand Duke, uninterested in power, remained indifferent to his own position. He neither acknowledged Durante’s contributions nor showed gratitude.
It was precisely this lack of interest in power that led Durante to try to position him as the Emperor.
But occasionally, Durante felt a stiffness in his neck due to the Grand Duke’s arrogant demeanor. Still, as his godfather, wasn’t it acceptable to expect some basic courtesy?
“I’m glad to see you’ve recovered your health.”
“Does it look that way?”
“Yes, yes…”
“It shouldn’t be.”
The Grand Duke’s indifferent reply made Durante’s face flush. He quickly blinked and pushed the woman next to him forward.
“Well, why don’t you meet our Julia? It’s been such a long time. She’s grown into quite the lady. Julia, go ahead and greet His Grace.”
“Hello, Grand Duke. I’m Julia Adalberto.”
At Durante’s urging, Julia stood and greeted with grace. Looking perfectly made-up, Julia appeared flawless outwardly.
Julia gently gathered her hands, holding her skirt and shyly spoke.
“Um, I’ve really wanted to meet you.”
“….”
“I’ve sent a letter a few times. Did you perhaps not receive them? There was never a reply. The heavy snow in Renato might have prevented the letters from reaching you.”
The Grand Duke didn’t even look at the chatterbox Julia. It was almost embarrassing to witness.
“Was this the urgent matter?”
The Grand Duke dismissed her abruptly. Julia, who had suddenly become the focus of his scorn, turned bright red.
“Your, Your Grace, Julia wanted to…”
“We’ll meet during mass.”
“Your Grace!”
As the Grand Duke stood and abruptly ended the conversation, Julia rushed to him. Her small frame clung to his arm, despite him being much taller.
“Are you leaving just like that? Please, stay a little longer.”
“Move.”
At the chilling tone of Ricardo’s voice, Julia flinched. As she stepped back, Durante sighed, watching the entire scene.
‘It’s hopeless.’
He had hoped perhaps her beauty would sway him, but it seemed Julia’s appearance was far from enough to move Ricardo’s heart.
Perhaps it was also the unmistakable display of her frivolity. Durante chose to ignore that detail.
“Julia, go back to the mansion first.”
“But father, I just met His Grace.”
“You’ve greeted him, that’s enough. Go now.”
Durante clicked his tongue, and Julia’s shoulders drooped. With a pout, she bid her farewells to the Grand Duke and Durante before leaving the drawing room.
An awkward silence filled the drawing room after Julia left.
Durante swallowed, regretting bringing her along.
“Wasn’t the business finished?”
As Ricardo broke the silence first, Durante raised his head. He let out a sigh of relief and looked at Ricardo.
The Grand Duke, who had been standing to dismiss Julia, was now leaning on the sofa with one hand.
“Julia is still young and naive. Her feelings for Your Grace must have led her to act rudely.”
“And?”
“Yes?”
“If that’s all, then we’re done here.”
The Grand Duke cut the conversation short and turned his back. It seemed like the meeting was about to end, so Durante called out anxiously.
“Didn’t you send the knights back?”
“…What?”
At Durante’s shout, the Grand Duke, who had been walking toward the door, slowly turned around. Durante took a deep breath under the sharp gaze.
“Knights?”
“The knights of Renato who guarded Adalberto’s territory haven’t returned. You remember, right? This is a promise passed down from the previous generation.”
“So, you’re saying that because Renato didn’t send knights, Adalberto won’t send grain?”
“That’s, that’s the agreement.”
Durante steadied his racing heart and spoke.
The real reason Durante had come to meet the Grand Duke today wasn’t to present Julia.
It was to somehow loosen the tightly blocked funds.
In the long term, solving the financial crisis required the ‘Fairy’s Breath’ lily bulbs. However, to obtain them, he needed to manipulate the princess.
This was the best method, but there was no guarantee when it would succeed.
Before he could get the bulbs, Durante had to settle the interest he owed immediately.
He had borrowed a significant amount of money to invest in lilies. The interest had steadily increased and was pressing him harder.
Even though he had secretly sold off expensive items and reduced his luxuries to plug the holes where money was leaking, it wasn’t enough.
Every time he barely managed to make it through a month, the next payment deadline came rushing back terrifyingly soon.
The amount Durante needed wasn’t something a typical noble could easily provide.
Only someone like the Grand Duke could manage such a sum.
“But Your Grace, even if you don’t keep the promise, I will still send the grain. If you could extend a bit of favor, of course.”
“Favor?”
At Durante’s words, the Grand Duke’s eyes narrowed. His sharp gaze seemed to probe Durante’s mind, making Durante’s palm sweat.
“Your Grace, would you perhaps be able to lend me 70,000 Brahe?”
“70,000 Brahe? Count, are you planning to start a country or something?”
The Grand Duke coldly laughed at the sum Durante had suggested.
It was understandable. Brahe was the largest currency unit in the Empire, where one Brahe could buy a kilogram of gold.
So, 70,000 Brahe was an enormous amount, enough to purchase that much gold.
Want to read more? Advanced chapters are available on Patreon:
For update pings, novel discussions and/or to send mistake reports, join our discord server~!
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE
