Translator and Editor: Skye and Nabi

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Chapter 9

***

‘Is that the new wife of Prince Icard?’

‘Yes, but she has a lot of strange features.’

Duke Icard, Evan, and Laria were seen by everyone at the race.

That’s because they didn’t even think that the Duke of Icard, who is now being called a stiff and heinous person, would appear at such a venue.

While most people thought Duke Icard is just competent, some people who know better were all suspicious of him.

It was like they’re trying to shake the Empire behind you…

I don’t know why, but it is vaguely possible to guess that his board is bigger than expected.

All kinds of information guilds analyzed that the Imperial Family was the only one who could keep him in check after a few years.

If his only son Evan had been married to the Royal Family, no one would have been able to stop the Duke of Icard now.

“That’s strange.”

The head of the Vestian Dark Information Guild, Sven Vestian tilted his head.

“Why did he bring her in?”

Laria is not a helpful daughter-in-law at all.

The Countess and his wife died suddenly in a carriage accident and had no assets left to their children.

But Duke Icard immediately took her as his daughter-in-law just because Laria had nowhere to go.

He accepted her as his daughter-in-law and just submitted their marriage registration to the Imperial Family without even saying anything.

Even the debt left by the Count, Duke Icard paid it all back. Of course, the amount for debt was nothing to the Duke of Icard.

“That doesn’t make sense. A man like the Duke of Icard would not be moved by human reasoning.”

In the meantime, most people who wanted to read some political pages were looking at Elani as Evan’s mate.

Elani was old enough for Evan and the next to be the one to succeed to the throne. It would take some time to become the Emperor, but he would eventually become the master of the Empire.

However, he broke everyone’s expectations by forcing Evan and Laria to marry.

“There must be a reason.”

It was true that his checkers lost their track, but it was inefficient to use his only son’s marriage card this way.

Even his son, Evan, became a married man without knowing the truth.

“What’s more, the three of us are going side by side to the horse racing event.”

Sven clicked his tongue.

No one knew that Duke Icard was raising his son as if he were neglecting him.

Though, it is definitely strange to see them acting like a harmonious family.

“There’s a reason.”

His eyes turned to the girl with cherry blossom hair.

A child who often walks with a cute posture and smiles like a sparrow but still catches your eyes—a fourteen-year-old with no background, no characteristics.

“I’ll have to wait and see.”

Sven’s gray hair fluttered slightly in the wind.

“We need to know Laria Rose Icard to read the Duke’s cards.”

Sven is a dark intelligence dealer who painted his big picture. It is a frustrating and insane obstacle, regardless of whether Icard is useful or not.

Later on, whether he sold the information or not, he was dying to know why the Duke brought Laria as Evan’s mate.

He quietly hid his presence and hid close to Duke Icard.

***

The special seat that Ordi showed me is absolutely wonderful. It is a high spot where the horses ran at a glance.

Evan is pondering over the dividend table brought by an official at the race venue.

While he is serious about the number of cases, I had only one concern.

“Excuse me…”

I spoke to Evan with a sigh.

“Can you lend me some money?”

“What?”

“I want to bet for fun, but I don’t have money.”

With my pride completely bent, I said that while looking at him pleadingly.

I thought Duke Icard would give me pocket money if I came to the race. But the Duke said nothing, so I had to hang on to the comfortable Evan.

“I’ll pay you back.”

I feel so bad.

It is quite sad to have no money.

“I will never forget this moment and will never waste money even if I make a lot of money in the future.”

“You don’t have cash?”

“Yes…”

When I mumbled in a low voice, Duke Icard stepped in with his arms crossed.

“I guess the butler hasn’t budgeted because you’re not an adult yet.”

“Yes.”

I blinked and looked up at the Duke sitting next to me, and said as pitiful as possible.

“Of course, there’s no inconvenience, but I still don’t have cash…”

“Come here.”

The Duke took a coin out of his pocket and handed it to me. Gold coins, I was surprised but accepted quickly.

“It’s the price of the drawing.”

The drawing? I thought he didn’t like it.

“Thank you.”

Oh, my God. I’m so happy.

Evan uttered ‘seriously’ when he saw my mouth wide open.

“I’ll have to talk to the butler about the budget. Even if you’re a minor, wouldn’t you have to have the cash available for yourself, as long as you have the last name of Icard?”

However, the Duke did not answer. Then he spoke after a long pause.

“Why do you give me so much money for my painting?”

“…Why?”

He continued.

“Draw if you need some money.”

Does this mean…you’re paying for a painting if I draw it from now on?

‘It took less than ten minutes to scribble. Do you have gold coins? It is not an urgent matter.’

I won’t make a budget anyway. I meant it.

It didn’t matter regardless. After this moment, I won’t be in need of cash!

I gave the gold coin to the racecourse official. Although there is only one, it is the largest monetary unit here, and it is a considerable amount.

“I’ll bet all of this.”

I checked the betting paper that the official had put out with a pen without hesitation. When they saw my betting paper, Evan, the officials, and Duke of Icard’s eyes grew wide.

“Laria? Are you really going to bet all of it?”

Evan asked while he tilted his head sideways.

“Yeah, I’m betting all of it.”

“You’re spending other people’s money too carelessly.”

The Duke grinned and murmured.

“Well, it’s a kid’s joke anyway.”

A gold coin for a joke…

Soon after, gunfire rang out, and racehorses began to run.

***

In today’s event, the Male Lead, Seymour Leticia, is here in the original novel.

He is a commoner who wanted to be an aristocrat, and his eyes were set to buy the title.

‘He is a monster born of typical capitalism.’

And the man whom I betted on.

What was unusual about the original book, 『 The Great Deal of the Empire 』 is that Male Lead’s movements are described in considerable detail.

So despite the romance, it is fun to see the process of Seymour increasing his wealth.

He made astronomical sums of money by selling land and making investments, as well as tracking the ancient magic items on the continent, which there were only three.

Anyway, the important thing is that Seymour made his first big hit here.

Now, he’s my role model.

This part, which first served as an opportunity for him to lay the groundwork of having a title, took place at this horse racing venue.

‘Sorry, Seymour. Let’s split up…I’m in a hurry, too.’

I bet on a horse with a huge dividend.

At today’s race venue, a horse that no one expected to win won first place.

Knowing the development already, I did not even think about it and checked the betting paper quickly.

[ 1st Placement – Black Horse ]

The black horse appeared without anyone’s attention and took first place. It was something no one had expected and had a huge dividend.

The Black Horse’s record was not very good. He even had few experiences of running like a racehorse.

‘But we’ll win first place today.’

Seymour happens to see the black hose before the race and bet with confidence. No matter how interested Evan is with the horse, he couldn’t beat the original male lead.

Everyone looked at me, assuming I’m throw away my money, but I was as cool as a cucumber.

And then when the gun went off and the race was over…

The racetrack was in a mess. A horse that no one expected, the black horse, won first place.

The dividend was 34,012 times higher.

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