Raising my Fiancè with Money - Chapter 63

Hidden Under The Name of Genius

The warm sunshine flooded the table like a wave. Lilia, who was looking at it softly, turned her gaze to Violet, who was sitting opposite her.

She was gracefully holding a teacup. It’s been a while since the two of them had tea, not a meal. In silence, Lilia opened her lips first.

“How’s the Young Duke these days?”

Violet put down the teacup when Lilia asked. The sound of the ceramics clattering was heard, and Violet opened her mouth,

“He’s diligent and sincere.”

Violet, who gave a short answer, smiled lightly. Obviously, until recently, Violet used to narrow her eyebrows slightly when talking about Karhan. That was an attitude which meant she didn’t like him. Her attitude, which has changed over the past few days, felt quite unfamiliar.

Lilia recalled what happened a while ago. She took Karhan to the hall to introduce him to the knights, where he met Violet. Violet first proposed a match, and the two competed against each other with the sword. The words of Violet, who had won the match, were still vivid.

— I want to teach the Young Duke.

Everyone was stunned by the proposal. Lilia also wondered if she had heard it wrong, so she asked again.

— Are you serious, mother?

— Yes, I am interested.

Lilia, who realized that Violet was serious, immediately pushed Karhan’s back. If her mother taught him in person, she wouldn’t have to worry about teaching him swordsmanship anymore.

Thus, Violet taught Karhan twice a week. How to pose, basic skills, etiquette, attack according to the type of sword, etc. Karhan was busy stopping by the hall early in the morning to practice swordsmanship, and taking lessons in the afternoon.

“His stamina is great, so he’ll be the best with more delicacy and skill.”

Violet had a very satisfied face. It’s been a while since she saw such an expression on her mother’s face, so Lilia blinked her eyes.

“I’m very curious whether he’ll be a monster or a hero.”

(T/N: the pov shifts to Violet from here)

Mumbling to herself, Violet lifted the teacup again. Watching Karhan made Violet happy as if she were looking at herself in the past. She wondered where his unstoppable growth would end.

In fact, at first, with a little selfishness, she rolled Karhan hard. It was a very difficult schedule, enough to be called Hell Training, so anyone would have dropped out, but Karhan followed her silently. On the contrary, Violet was surprised when he did two times more than she had ordered.

And how good his strength is. He knocked down a practice log with a wooden sword and spoke naturally,

— Everyone can do this much.

Karhan had no idea he was special. On the contrary, he used to focus on training as if he was being whipped, saying he was not good enough.

Then two days ago, after a light match, Karhan handed over a towel and said.

—Madam has worked really hard.

—…..Why do you think so?

—One can tell by looking at your hands.

It was another callused hand on top of the callused hand*. She usually wears thin gloves, so it was not noticeable.

(*Karhan is giving the towel, and her hand is on top while his hand is below.)

—And the trajectory was so neat that I thought you might have practiced tens of thousands of times.

Violet felt very strange. Born in a family famous for producing outstanding knights, Violet has been told countless times that she is a genius among them. People thought that Violet could rise to the spot without trying.

—But you were able to rise this much because you are talented. (Extra Character)

—Practice? Others practice to that extent. You’re just a genius. (Extra Character)

Endless practice and bloody efforts were all obscured under the name of genius. Amidst much envy and jealousy, Violet lost her way. Violet, who reached the stage as a female swordswoman, chose a different path without looking back.

And now that a lot of time has passed. There was someone who recognized her efforts. It was also a man who didn’t know he was a genius.

“Those who work hard are not bad.”

(T/N: Violet’s POV ends here)

Lilia blinked her eyes. She seemed to like Karhan secretly.

“By the way, what are you doing at the annex?”

Lilia was silent for a moment. She couldn’t be honest about the fact that Karhan was studying with professors from all over the continent. If she brings this up, she has no choice but to mention Karhan’s family history, but it was awkward to say it herself.

“It’s okay if it’s hard to say.”

Violet retreated neatly.

“You will do very well.”

Her heart was touched for no reason because Lilia felt like her mother trusted her.

“You won’t have to worry.”

“Okay. What about…Heinley is the only one who will say something if the Young Duke goes in and out of the mansion constantly.”

Lilia lifted her head and looked at Violet. Did you notice that the relationship between father and Karhan is better than expected? Her father didn’t even know and tried to hide it.….

Violet put down the tea cup and stared straight at Lilia.

“I have a place to negotiate a deal next time, would you like to come with me?”

“Can I go?”

“You said you were interested in business, so you should learn slowly while studying. And it’s good to build friendships.”

“Okay. Call me next time you go.”

When Lilia nodded, Violet smiled lightly.

The two stood up after drinking some more tea. Returning to the bedroom, Lilia decided to take care of the things she couldn’t do this morning.

A box filled with letters was placed on the desk and classified one by one. Lilia, who was trying to put the invitation in the trash as usual, paused. It was because she suddenly remembered what Violet said.

—It’s good to build friendships.

Up until now, Lilia has built walls with people. She was also uncomfortable hanging out with strangers, and she was busy spending time with Lee Hart. At that time, she thought she could get along well alone.

However, as long as she pledged to lead the family business, she could not stay the same as before. Business is not done alone.

Lilia looked through the invitations one by one. A banquet was burdensome, so she thought a small meeting would be appropriate. Lilia’s hand, who was checking the invitation, paused. It was a particularly spectacular invitation. She opened the envelope with a paper knife and took out the contents.

[We invite you to a gathering of young and rich people]

When she read it roughly, it seemed to be a group of noble young people who were interested in leading businesses or investing. The interests were similar, and there was nothing bad about building friendships. Lilia checked the place at the end of the letter.

It was a Delotta mansion.

“Hmm…”

Lilia just tapped the desk with her fingertips. She heard it roughly from rumours that young rich people gathered around Stella. It is also said that the information from this meeting is quite useful.

Normally, she wouldn’t have walked into Stella Dellotta’s house on her own. However, they would continue to be intertwined in the future, so there was no way to avoid her. Lilia smiled and put down the letter.

“Shall I go see if my precious customer planted the flowers well?”

***

Stella blinked after receiving Lilia’s reply that she would attend the meeting.

“…Is she really coming?”

Of course, it was an invitation she sent thinking that Lilia would not come.

“What is she thinking?”

Stella became curious about Lilia Bloden’s plan. Obviously, she wouldn’t have attended it while being ignorant. But Stella couldn’t miss this opportunity. Not long ago, all the seedlings were transferred and planted.

Stella’s rose garden could be transformed thanks to the addition of the expensive nutritional supplements so that flowers could bloom quickly. She really wanted to see Lilia, who acted as if she was superior to her in everything, surprised to see her garden.

Stella spurred the preparations for the meeting. The mansion was decorated much more lavishly than usual and a lot of attention was paid to the accessories and clothes. And finally, the day came when they decided to have the meeting.

Stella went out to the garden on time. From far away, carriages began to come in one after another. All the visitors were rich, so the carriages were colourful and luxurious no matter who was in it.

It is basic to have gold, and there were also people who put silk flags or jewellery on their wheels. The nobles, who had as much power as the carriage, got off one by one.

(T/N: the second line means nobles who have the wealth and power was shown on the decorations on the carriage)

“Thank you for inviting me.”

“It’s been a while.”

Everyone smiled and quickly looked at each other. They looked at who came with a better carriage and what clothes and ornaments they wore. Then smiled, thinking— they, themselves were a little better.

But among those here, Stella Delota was the one with an overwhelming advantage. She, who was well-known as the only child of a merchant, was an integral part of this gathering. Everyone was competing, but they were displeased because they couldn’t match Stella.

By the time most people arrived after greeting. The last guest came in. A white carriage led by four black horses from afar smoothly passed through the entrance to the garden.

Everyone opened their eyes wide to the majestic carriage. It was an exotic design that stood out even among the carriages decorated with gold and jewels.

Two handsome men got off the carriage first. Subsequently, blue shoes stepped on the simple stairs. Lilia, who came down the stairs holding the man’s hand, felt the gazes and raised her head. Lilia smiled when she saw Stella at the front.

“Did you come to meet me, Miss Stella?”