Raising my Fiancè with Money - Chapter 65

Are You Interested in Him?

Lilia belatedly looked back on the flow of conversation.

‘Ah, she was bragging.’

Lilia belatedly realized that she had no sense. She said it without much thought because to her, that was considered ruined profit.

The Young Countess, who was comforted while trying to brag, bit her lips as if her pride had been damaged. Soon she asked sarcastically,

“You said you’ve invested before, right? How much profit did you make?”

Lilia traced her memory. Immediately, investment in trade ships came to her mind. For the first time, trade with the Northern Kingdom was breached, and a large number of merchant ships with strong support from investors departed.

At that time, Lilia invested some money in a small ship. It was because she wanted sand that only came from the Kingdom.

As time passed, she forgot that she had invested. Only one ship returned to the Empire. All the merchant ships that could not read the complex ocean currents were sunk.

The ship Lilia invested in was small, and thanks to the skillful dexterity of the captain, he was able to return safely to the Empire. As a result, the first items brought from the kingdom were sold at exorbitant prices.

“I think I’ve earned about three million.”

When Lilia calmly answered, the Countess frowned. Although Lilia earned a million more, the investment also had to pay off.

“What’s the rate of return?”

“It’s not accurate, but it’s about 3,000 times.”

Someone who was listening dropped a teaspoon. It’s possible to make that much money with a small amount of money? The Countess asked looking shocked,

“How is that possible?”

“I invested when I first traded with the Kingdom of Venice.”

The incident of the ships sinking as a group during its first trade with Venice was so famous. The Countess eventually closed her mouth.

As the surroundings became quiet in an instant, Stella frowned. Stella opened her mouth to evoke the atmosphere.

“The tea is going to get cold. I made it myself, so try it.”

At Stella’s words, everyone drank tea calmly.

“It smells really good.”

“The colors are pretty, too. I think it’ll be popular again this time.”

Flattering praises poured out, and Stella naturally drew attention. When the full-fledged conversation began, the young people participated in the story. Since everyone has similar interests, materialistic things are mainly in conversation. Things that are popular these days, auctions, investments…….

Lilia sipped tea and listened to the stories. She knew most of them, but quite useful information has also become a hot topic. Then, when the conversation fell into a pointless topic, Lilia, bored, looked at the young people sitting around in a circle.

The nobles attending the meeting were reading Stella’s countenance. From those who openly flirt with her to those who flatter her because they want to look good. Stella’s influence at this meeting was absolute. Even though they were overshadowed by the Bloden’s, the Delotta’s were a family that could never be ignored.

In addition, Stella was an object of envy not only for young people but also for married women. Her each step received attention and was at the center of the trends.

Lilia, who put down the teacup, made eye contact with Stella, who was sitting far away. Stella’s eyes became thinner. She raised her chin as if to say, take a good look.

It was to show off her influence, but Lilia picked up the cookies without much thought. After taking a bite of the cookie, Lilia quietly put it down.

‘…..Refreshments are tasteless.’

The tea was great, but the dessert was just so-so. Lilia glanced toward Stella. Stella’s plate was empty. Considering that there were no crumbs, it seemed to have been an empty plate from the beginning. She suspected that she deliberately didn’t receive the cookies because she knew they were not delicious.

When Lilia looked at Stella’s empty plate, someone who noticed it spoke quickly.

“There’s nothing on Miss Stella’s plate. I guess the employee made a mistake.”

Before Stella could say anything, she raised her hand and called the employee. The employee looked around for a while and put the plate containing cookies down in front of Stella. The woman waited for Stella to eat cookies with a very proud face.

Stella hesitated for a moment. She couldn’t even openly refuse the cookies she got served in front of everyone. Eventually, Stella ate cookies. Then the woman smiled broadly and began to recommend another dessert. Meanwhile, the flow of conversation shifted to vanity and pride.

‘I want to go home…….’

She was suffering from something she didn’t usually do. Bored, Lilia rolled her eyes. And she made eye contact with the Countess, who was talking about investing earlier. Her eyes were fierce, perhaps because of what happened before.

“By the way, I happened to read a tabloid and saw a familiar name.”

The conversation stopped for a moment at the words of the Countess. She looked straight at Lilia and opened her mouth.

“Young Miss Bloden. What happened with the Young Lord Tersian? Please tell me more details.”

Everyone’s eyes were on Lilia at that question. Lilia didn’t answer. Perhaps because she thought she was avoiding the question, the Countess made a fuss as if everyone should hear it.

“From the title alone, it seems that Lord Tersian had an affair……. Weren’t you both getting married soon?”

She made a commotion mentioning that Lilia was going to get married, and she laughed at how it ended up like this.

“That’s right. I’m going to break up my engagement.”

When Lilia readily accepted, the Countess smiled and murmured as if she were sorry,

“You must be very heartbroken. Your fiance had an affair….”

“I know. Before the wedding.”

“Didn’t you say you dated for a long time?”

Immediately others spoke up. It was so deceitful that Lilia almost burst out laughing. Everyone was impatient to undermine Lilia even a little. Since they couldn’t lay her down with their wealth anyway, they want to make her into a miserable woman abandoned by a man.

“You must have regretted a lot right? Young Lord Tersian is one of the best grooms.”

The Countess talked about the ‘advantages’ of Richard she knew. Lilia, who was still listening, pulled the corner of her lips and laughed. When a sweet smile was made because of her good impression, everyone stopped talking. Lilia smiled brightly at those who pretended to be worried about her.

“Thank you for worrying about me.”

Ignoring their sarcastic remarks, Lilia tilted her head at an angle and asked back,

“By the way, do you think you’d like a playboy like Young Lord Tersian? You seem to have been very interested in him.”

“What…..!”

“Do you want me to introduce him to you? I think you both will look good.”

At Lilia’s words, the Countess closed her lips with a red face and eventually closed her mouth. She seems to have just realized that there is nothing to do even if she drags this topic.

Lilia glanced at Stella. She thought she’d help the Countess with something, but she has been quiet since earlier. She didn’t think so, but when she looked closely, her complexion looked noticeably bad.

When she looked closely, there was something in her mouth. Because of that, she seemed to have been quiet until now. However, the people around her continued the conversation again as if they had not noticed.

‘Should I help her or not?’

In her heart, she didn’t really want to help.  But just by looking at her complexion, Lilia felt like Stella was about to run out of breath.

‘It’s better than having someone die right in front of my eyes.’

Lilia, who was agonizing over it, opened her mouth.

“Miss Delotta. I have something to say.”

Stella raised her head and looked at Lilia.

“It’s not something to talk about here. Can you give me a minute?”

Several people openly frowned at Lilia’s words. Before they said anything, Stella got up first, nodding her head. Lilia pushed the chair and followed Stella.

Stella, who left the tea party with an urgent step, soon began to run toward the garden. And around the time she was away from the tea party venue, she stuck her head in the bushes.

Whoops, she heard the sound of vomiting. Lilia, who followed, stopped walking and hardened her face.

‘Maybe…’

The last time she was on a strict diet, Lilia doubted if she was eating and was instead vomiting.  She also seemed to be a bit more slender than when she had previously barged into the Bloden’s mansion.

Stella, who had been nauseating over and over again, wiped her mouth with the back of her hand. She looked up slowly. When Lilia made eye contact with her, Stella’s face crumpled. She seemed embarrassed to show this appearance.

“Do you want some water?”

“Why are you interfering with me!”

Stella screamed. Soon, she bit her lips and letting go and murmured,

“……I could have solved it on my own without you.”

Stella stressed that she never intended to get help. Lilia sighed inside.

‘What’s so pretty that I helped her?’

She looked at Stella, who chirped like a sparrow, said Lilia indifferently,

“You look okay now.”

Stella glared at Lilia with her mouth closed. The emotions in her eyes looked complicated. She seemed to have hurt her pride and seemed angry. However, there was no malice as usual. Stella stared at Lilia and opened her mouth.

“You’re not trying to catch my weaknesses with this, are you?”

“Why would I?”

Stella looked noticeably relieved at Lilia’s reaction. Stella, who was chewing her lips, eventually turned around. Lilia, who was looking at Stella’s back, said what Frances often used to say in this situation.

“… she’s such a jerk.”

(P/R: DAMN RIGHT)