Please Support My Revenge - Chapter 55

The nobles inside the hall began to buzz at the Empress’s exclamation. Now, even their eyes started to notice the unusually sparkling surface of the stone and the gold shining from it.

“How on earth… Oh, come to think of it, Duke Ferrado did mention visiting Merdanion. Could it be…?” The Empress muttered, staring intently at the stone in her hand.

“Yes, it’s from the mines of Merdanion,” Lobelia said, smiling broadly. “The Duke helped a businessman there, and in return, he was granted a mine overflowing with gold. So, with the money Your Majesty provided, he invested in that mine.”

“The 9th mine, isn’t it?” The Empress was aware of the discussions about the 9th mine in the capital’s newspapers. After all, there was also the scandal involving Marlon regarding that mine.

The curious gazes of the nobles turned towards Marlon. Since he had also been involved in the embarrassment surrounding the 9th mine, there was a certain expectation in their eyes.

Marlon’s face paled with embarrassment and anger. He glared at Lobelia, his mustache trembling.

Lobelia, bored with the entirely predictable response, turned her gaze away. And then, she locked eyes with Aina.

‘…?’Lobelia had expected Aina to be trembling like Marlon, but she wasn’t.

Aina stared back at Lobelia with deep, expressionless eyes.

Suddenly, Lobelia remembered Aina calling her “Unni” at Lady Evion’s party, and a chill ran down her spine.

What on earth is Aina thinking?

Lobelia tried hard to glean some clues from Aina’s expression, but before she could realize anything, Aina lowered her head deeply.

“Surprising, isn’t it? Truly remarkable,” the Empress’s voice towards her brought Lobelia back from her thoughts about Aina, back to reality.

“I never dreamed that this money would be used for such a noble cause,” The Empress seemed to have forgotten about the money she had given to Lobelia.

“Well done! Very well done indeed!” The Empress couldn’t contain her joy and burst into a hearty laugh. Considering she had just been struck by a financial lightning bolt, laughter was probably the only way to keep from collapsing.

“I’ve had you all wrong,” the Empress said, handing the velvet box to Cedric and taking Lobelia’s hand. Lobelia obediently sat beside her.

“I thought you were only witty, but you have such extraordinary talent!” The Empress affectionately stroked Lobelia’s hand and continued to laugh merrily.

“I’ll open the Treasury further for you. If there’s anything else worth investing in the future, don’t hesitate. I entrust everything regarding the money I gave you to you,” the Empress said cheerfully.

“It’s an honor, Your Majesty,” Lobelia replied. Though once the 9th mine started producing gold in earnest, the Empress’s money would become unnecessary, Lobelia didn’t show it and simply felt delighted.

“Now, let’s really start the party,” the Empress said, firmly holding Lobelia’s hand and instructing the servants to bring refreshments. It was a stark contrast to earlier, when she had tried to dismiss Lobelia as only paying for the diamonds.

The theme of the salon party hosted by the Empress today was painting. Lobelia sipped her tea next to the Empress, admiring each painting the Empress had personally selected.

After the first part, focused on appreciating the paintings, ended, they moved to the greenhouse for more casual conversation and mingling.

The early summer sunlight poured generously through the glass roof of the greenhouse.

Even in the second part of the party, the Empress didn’t let Lobelia go. Instead, she showed even more favor towards Lobelia than in the first part.

The nobles, too, seemed to have fully accepted that Lobelia had become the Empress’s confidante, treating her with even more kindness.

Jade seemed slightly annoyed at having his partner stolen, but soon found himself surrounded by various people, engaging in his own busy social activities.

Thus, the salon party seemed to come to an end without any major incident.

The event occurred while the nobles were strolling freely through the gardens of the Lily Palace, having left the greenhouse.

“I’ve seen this garden hundreds of times already; it’s no longer interesting to me.”

The Empress, who had energetically led parts one and two, seemed a bit tired and decided to rest in the greenhouse. Therefore, Lobelia ended up taking a walk in the garden with Jade.

It just so happened that Lobelia also wanted to have a private conversation with Jade.

“The mine should start turning a profit in about a month,” she said.

“I want to start our second venture accordingly.”

“What kind of business are you considering?”

“Of course…”

Just as Lobelia was about to talk about her plans for her property, they sensed a strange presence behind them. Both Lobelia and Jade turned around to see Aina, with leaves stuck all over her dress, standing there.

“Aina, what…?”

Jade, taken aback, called out to her. Being a proper gentleman, he wasn’t sure how to deal with a lady who had rudely appeared out of nowhere.

Aina didn’t pay attention to Jade’s attitude. Her only focus was on Lobelia.

“Duke, I’m sorry, but could you please step aside for a moment? I have something to discuss with Lobelia alone,” Aina said briskly, walking towards Lobelia without even looking at Jade.

“Aina, that’s…” Jade began to protest.

“Duke Ferrado is a gentleman, isn’t he? But are you going to refuse a lady’s request?” Aina interrupted her tone firm.

Aina continued to fix her gaze on Lobelia as she spoke.

“It’s okay.” Lobelia nodded towards Jade. She was curious about what Aina was thinking anyway.

“I’ll be right here. If anything happens, shout,” Jade whispered to Lobelia before leaving, making sure Aina didn’t overhear.

“Sister,” Aina said, changing her address as soon as they were alone.

Lobelia took a step back, creating some distance between them, then looked at her.

Aina’s expression was so stiff, it was almost frightening.

“What’s wrong?” Lobelia asked, sensing an unsettling vibe.

“Sister, did you happen to visit Merdanion?” Aina suddenly blurted out, catching Lobelia off guard.

Internally surprised, Lobelia maintained a composed expression as she replied, “The Duke did visit Merdanion.”

“No, not him! I’m talking about you,” Aina said, her face flushing with excitement, evidently dissatisfied with Lobelia’s response.

Lobelia remained silent, calmly observing Aina.

Aina’s flushed face gradually regained its original color.

Soon, a shadow of perplexity crossed her face, something Lobelia found unusual for a normally innocent and naive lady.

Aina took a step forward, nullifying the distance Lobelia had intentionally created.

“Catherine Hayard, were you?” she asked.

Aina asked bluntly.

Lobelia paused for a moment, holding her breath. But it was a fleeting moment, imperceptible to anyone who didn’t know Lobelia very well.

“I’m not sure what you’re talking about, Miss Aina,” Lobelia said with a nonchalant expression.

Aina’s face contorted in frustration. While she had asked about Catherine’s identity, she hadn’t expected a confession, so she didn’t get angry at Lobelia’s evasive answer. Instead, she wore a pained expression.

“I can’t understand. Sister, why have you changed so much?” Aina asked in a trembling voice.

Lobelia remained silent. She didn’t feel the need to deny the fact that she had changed. Today, she publicly declared to the world that she was no longer the dirty bastard child of Evelentia.

“I can’t understand why you’ve changed. It’s just beyond me,” Aina said, taking another step forward.

Now the two were uncomfortably close, but Lobelia didn’t back away. She realized that distancing herself would be futile.

Instead, Lobelia erased the gentle smile from her face and looked down at Aina with cold eyes.

“You don’t need to understand my changes, Miss Aina,” Lobelia said coolly.

“Why won’t you even explain the reason?” Aina’s eyes filled with clear tears at Lobelia’s icy response. She looked fragile enough for anyone to find her pitiable.

Lobelia sighed deeply. It was the moment she deemed there was no longer any value in engaging with her.

“Am I bothering you, Sister?” Aina’s unexpected words halted Lobelia’s attempt to turn away.

Aina quickly stepped forward and desperately grabbed Lobelia’s hand. Lobelia tried to twist her arm to free herself from Aina’s grasp, but her resistance was futile against Aina’s surprisingly strong grip.

“It was me!” Aina shouted. “I admit I’ve been a little mean to you, but it was all for you!”

“For me?” Lobelia asked incredulously.

“Yes! Normally, you wouldn’t even attend, let alone be the center of attention at such a lavish party. I brought you there. I dressed you in luxurious clothes unsuitable for your status, and I allowed you to mingle with the nobles. Some of them even liked you,” Aina said, firmly believing in the truth of her words.

“Do you think you could have mingled with the nobles if it weren’t for me? Your performance today is all thanks to me! Without me, would you have been able to learn the necessary etiquette in such a setting?” Aina’s tone grew more vehement.

“Aina.” Lobelia’s voice lowered to a whisper, halted Aina’s angry tirade.

“Are you finally going to listen to me?” Aina looked at Lobelia with hopeful eyes.

Lobelia looked down at Aina, her adorable cousin and the heroine of this world, with a wide smile.

“I’m not thankful at all,” Lobelia said.

“What?” Aina’s expression faltered. Taking advantage of the moment, Lobelia twisted her arm, breaking free from Aina’s grip.

“I didn’t like anything you did for me, or rather, everything you did to me. I’ve never appreciated it,” Lobelia continued.