NOVEL NEXT Chapter 14
Chapter 14: It’s Not Like I’m Asking to Borrow
Amelia was at a loss.
Out of the blue, demanding money? Ghislaine was the first person to dare make such a request to her.
And ‘between us’? He was completely off base.
She didn’t hide her rage.
“Since you’re saying that, I also have to speak up. Raybold is already providing a lot of support to that beggar Perdium.”
“A beggar? Isn’t that a bit harsh? My father would be hurt to hear that. Calling the man who will be my father-in-law a beggar.”
“Isn’t it begging if you just show up asking for money out of nowhere? Is this also the will of Count Perdium?”
In response to Amelia’s words, Ghislaine crossed his legs and smiled leisurely.
“If we don’t stop the barbarians from the North, the kingdom will be quite exhausted. We are doing what needs to be done. You are supporting us in that. That’s a transaction, not begging, right?”
His words had a ring of truth.
Someone had to hold back the northern barbarians. That was why Perdium was endlessly fighting in the desolate borderlands.
Since Perdium was fighting in their stead, it was only natural for the royal family and other territories to share the costs of maintaining that military power.
However, Amelia only scoffed at that statement.
“So, Lord Ghislaine is fighting the barbarians? It’s Count Perdium who’s holding back the North, and my father is already providing abundant support to Perdium.”
That wasn’t wrong. Raybold was indeed sending substantial funds to Perdium.
There was no reason for Ghislaine to ask for money while arguing that.
“Well, I’m not doing it right now, but thinking about the future, it wouldn’t be wrong for you to give me money.”
“Future? What future?”
As Amelia narrowed her eyes in confusion, Ghislaine simply lifted the corners of his mouth slightly in response. There wasn’t a hint of laughter in his eyes.
“In the future, I’ll inherit Perdium. So, it’s only natural for the future Count Raybold to support me. I’m just saying I’d like to collect a bit in advance.”
“I’m saying I want to take that in advance.”
“……!”
Amelia slightly furrowed her brows.
It was a statement that could cost someone their head if overheard.
It was hard to tell whether he really knew something or if he was just a madman spouting nonsense.
A chill silence lingered between the two.
After taking a deep breath, Amelia broke the silence.
“Sir… Even as a joke, you shouldn’t say things like that. I’m a woman, and I’m not the heir of Raybold. How could I possibly become Count Raybold…? Please don’t say such ridiculous things.”
“Oh, so you’re not interested in that position?”
“Whether I’m interested or not, it’s fundamentally impossible. Besides, I’m supposed to marry Perdium, right? Who would believe that?”
“You’re not going to marry me, are you?”
“……”
Amelia bit her lip, unable to find words.
‘Who would marry a brat like you!’
If it weren’t for the promises made by the previous generation, Giselle wouldn’t even dare to dream of being engaged to Amelia, much less look her in the eye.
Giselle smirked as he noticed Amelia’s expression.
“I don’t want to stay here long, so I’ll be direct. I don’t care whether you’re interested in the Count’s position or not. I just need to get my money.”
“I have no reason to give you money, and I don’t even have that much to begin with. What makes you think I can just hand over money?”
“Really? That can’t be true. Isn’t the Actium Merchant Group thriving? Don’t you have plenty of money?”
The moment the name Actium was mentioned, Amelia’s expression hardened instantly.
There was a murderous glint in her glare at Giselle.
Yet, despite her fury trying to surface, her heart was in utter chaos.
‘How does he know?’
What had been a mere suspicion was now confirmed by his words. Giselle knew everything about her weaknesses and ambitions.
On the surface, Amelia had no connection to the Actium Merchant Group.
The current owner of the group was someone else, and she was deliberately keeping as much distance from that person as possible.
Yet, Giselle pinpointed the Actium Merchant Group directly. How on earth did he find out about that?
With an expression that was unnervingly calm, Giselle continued.
“I won’t drag this out. I won’t spread rumors, so just hand over 10,000 gold. That’s a pretty reasonable price, right? If you don’t trust me, just trust the weight of the money.”
She had no choice but to hand over the money.
If her secret got exposed now, Amelia would lose everything. Perhaps even her life.
She was caught in an inescapable trap.
Giselle knew this well and shamelessly pressed on.
‘She probably hasn’t fully taken control of her family yet. This threat only works for now.’
Amelia Raybold.
Known for her gentle and elegant demeanor and her high intellect, she was a woman called the nobility among the nobility.
And in the future, she would be known as the wicked woman dubbed the “Witch of the North” by other nobles.
Villainess.
In Ghislaine’s previous life, she imprisoned her father, Count Raybold, in a tower and killed all her half-siblings, perfectly seizing control of her family and territory.
Though she received help from Duke Delphine’s family, the biggest foundation for her obtaining the title of count was the Aktium Merchant Group.
Aktium, which grew numerous mercenaries under the pretext of protection, was not just a simple merchant group but a force with both wealth and military power.
‘It seems they had several other organizations under their wing, but… Aktium was indeed the largest scale.’
After claiming the title of count and growing Aktium into a massive merchant group, Amelia’s blade is directed toward Perdium.
However, that is a matter for another day.
‘For now, hiding her influence must be overwhelming.’
Count Raybold had many children.
The differences in age and capability among the children weren’t very significant, which made the competition for the succession spot fierce.
If it were to be discovered that she was secretly building up her influence, her siblings wouldn’t just sit idly by.
She gritted her teeth and glared at Ghislaine.
‘How on earth could that fool know… Could it be that he’s aware of my connection with Duke Delphine?’
They weren’t her only concern.
Count Raybold was showing a hostile attitude toward Duke Delphine.
If he found out that Amelia was allied with Duke Delphine and receiving the funds and troops necessary to incite a rebellion, the count would sever ties with his daughter.
‘Just being suspected is already a considerable threat.’
Of course, she didn’t think Ghislaine would have any concrete evidence.
But if even one person heard Ghislaine’s story and began to suspect her, it would become dangerous.
Maybe to eliminate the evidence, Duke Delphine would move to dispose of her.
She couldn’t leave such a risk unattended.
She closed her eyes and slowly opened her mouth.
“Your Highness.”
“Why? Have you changed your mind? Are you going to give me money?”
“You have crossed the line one too many times. Regrettably, it’s time to part ways.”
“Already? You haven’t even paid me!”
Ignoring Ghislaine’s words, Amelia spoke into the air.
“Handle it.”
With that one word, a wall where a large bookshelf stood flipped over, revealing a man wielding a sword.
But Ghislaine chuckled without showing any surprise.
“If I die here, a territorial war will break out. Can you handle that?”
“It seems you trusted Count Perdium, but I’m afraid he’s not here. Your Highness and your party will be treated as having never come here.”
“Quite cold-hearted. Well, I’ve known you were that kind of woman for a while.”
Predicting the situation, Ghislaine stood up calmly and drew her sword.
But Amelia merely scoffed. It was well-known nearby that Ghislaine’s skills were pathetic.
She raised her chin and elegantly commanded.
“Get rid of them quickly. I don’t even want to see them. Let’s go, Bastet.”
Meow.
Without looking back, she turned her body.
She intended to give the order to kill Ghislaine’s party as they stepped outside.
“Thud.”
From behind came the sound of swords clashing once.
“Gah!”
And then a short scream echoed.
Amelia froze, her expression hardening as she realized that the scream wasn’t Ghislaine’s voice.
What unfolded before her was an unbelievable sight.
Blood gushed from the fallen man, soaking the carpet beneath him.
“Isn’t this hidden patch a bit weak? With all that money, couldn’t you hire someone skilled?”
Next to the man, Ghislaine nonchalantly brushed the blood off his sword.
“How, how in the world…?”
The dead man was quite capable. A newbie like Ghislaine could easily defeat him in one move.
Seeing such a person collapsing before Ghislaine was utterly unfathomable for Amelia.
Bam!
“Lady, what is going on!”
Two knights, stationed at the door, burst in as if to break down the door.
“Yikes!”
They found Ghislaine standing over the corpse, sword in hand, and were startled enough to draw their own weapons and surround him.
Calculating quickly, Amelia shouted loudly.
“Kill him! Right now, kill that guy!”
“Y-you mean the Young Master?”
“Hurry! I said kill him before anyone comes!”
The knights, left with no choice, slowly approached Ghislaine.
They were indeed afraid of the repercussions of killing the heir of another territory, but ignoring the order would mean death for them right then and there.
At that moment, a strange voice came from behind them.
“Wait a minute, knights. If you move, the lady will be in danger.”
Out of nowhere, Belinda stood there with a confident look, holding a dagger to Amelia’s throat.
Behind her, four more knights stood blocking the door.
“Seems a bit intense for a lovers’ quarrel, Young Master. What’s going on?”
Belinda winked at Ghislaine.
He replied casually as if it were nothing.
“Just had a small disagreement. Understanding a woman’s heart can be tough, you know.”
“Everyone’s like that when they’re young. They don’t know how to yield to one another.”
“But now it seems we can have a proper conversation. Right, Amelia?”
Ghislaine stepped closer to Amelia, but the knights, fearing Belinda might hurt her, stood awkwardly and could not advance.
Seeing the fury in Amelia’s eyes made Ghislaine suppress a laugh.
“Seriously, wouldn’t it have been better to just give it up when we were speaking nicely? It’d be pocket change for you. Why make it all messy?”
“You….”
“Given that things have come to this point, I can’t just let it slide either.”
Though he said that, Ghislaine didn’t expect Amelia to give in easily. In fact, he was entertained that things were unfolding just as he had hoped.
Ghislaine continued, a smile still on his face.
“I have some unfortunate news for you. It’s now risen to 20,000 gold, Amelia.”