Chapter 133. Preparation, Part XVIII
Translator: Khan
Editor: Aelryinth
Francis donned his gown and said apathetically, "Well, I don’t really feel like it. I had a little bit of interest since I heard that she had a mole on her face. A woman who doesn’t lack family or beauty is not my taste. Isn’t she like a second Princess Haint?"
"There is no better bait than Princess Kiellini to grab hold of the daughter of the Marquis of Anais. Let’s return to the capital and press her for what has happened."
"Press?"
"Yes. You went on a vacation believing in her, and you have to blame her for allowing this to happen. Lady Anais, under pressure, will try anything. Whether it’s Princess Kiellini or Lady Anais, you don’t have to hand either of them over to Prince Killian."
"You’re telling me to have both."
"Yes, Your Highness."
"I like it. By the way, why didn’t Christine contact me about this?"
"She contacted me directly because there was no answer from you, though she continued to send letters. No matter how much pleasure you were in, it is a pity that there is no one who is loyal enough to deliver an important letter. Maybe it’s time to clean up the people around you,"
Marius said, staring at his servant Havier, who was lowering his head at the side.
"Did you hear that, Havier? Why didn’t you deliver the letter?"
At Francis’ questioning, Havier said he was sorry and bowed his head deeply.
If his excitement was broken while delivering a letter to a drug-addled Francis, his head could have been cut off at the spot. It was also the first time in a week that he was as sober. It was thanks to Marius’s message that he controlled the drug dose given the Prince since Marius would arrive in the morning.
It was only Marquis Marius who could control Francis, who ran about like a mad dog.
"Did Christine say she’s made some acquaintance with the princess?"
"All I heard was that she met the princess a few days ago. I don’t know what’s going on, so why don’t you go listen to her? And here’s one more piece of news."
"What is it?"
"I heard the princess opened a dressing shop on Eloz Street. She is said to be interested in business, unlike women who enjoy parties and gatherings, because she’s the heir to the duke title."
"A dressing shop?"
"Yes. I think she’ll take over the business of the family of the Duke by increasing her business sense using the dressing shop."
"Isn’t the main business of the family of the Duke tea business?"
"Yes, Your Highness. Sixty percent of the tea leaves in the continent are from the family of the Duke. More than half of them are tea leaves from Tilia and the northern lands of the Duke. They also purchased land to grow tea leaves in the southern part of Vicern. The wealth of the family of Kiellini could be greater than the family of Dudley."
"I hate it when a woman comes out on the surface. I like a woman who is obedient. That’s why I love Christine."
"Your Highness, remember the prophecy. Think of it as an important gateway for you to ascend to the throne. In addition, if she’s that rich, you’ll have a lot to use from place to place."
"It’s not going to be difficult unless Killian is actually involved. Our understanding of the true heart of Killian is first. If he’s done something already while I took my eyes off him for a while, killing the princess is one way. If that happens, Christine will be the highest-ranking unmarried woman, and the conditions of the prophecy will be met."
"Do you like Lady Anais?"
"I like her hazy sky-blue eyes. I wonder how those eyes will change when she is drunk on sex and drugs."
"You can get both of them in your hands. Princess Kiellini as the Empress, and Lady Anais as the Queen. As long as you become an Emperor, it will not be difficult at all. But if you stay as a Prince, you won’t be able to take the only granddaughter of the noble Duke Dudley as your concubine."
At the words of Marius, Francis laughed cruelly.
"It’s not necessary to worry about when you’re by my side. You will make me Emperor, won’t you?"
"Thank you for your trust."
"Havier, bring the meal. We’re leaving for Dublin in an hour."
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Phoebe had just been fired from a temporary position of the family of Baron Paulan as a maid today. It was quite a long way to get to and from work, but it was a valuable job, giving enough for her lodgings every day.
It was really hard for her to get a job, because she was so uncomfortable with prosthetics that she couldn’t move quickly. In the end, losing the job meant sleeping on the street starting tomorrow.
Phoebe was fired before mealtime, so she felt so hungry and walked toward her lodgings in a dark mood. Because it was a room within walking distance from the house of Baron Paulan at the end of the capital, even though it was expensive, she had no choice but to stay there, but now she couldn’t afford to spend that much money on somewhere to sleep until she found another job.
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A month ago, Phoebe had amputated her leg, and left the Eileen theater as soon as she recovered.
Maribel said she would only allow her to stay in the theater until she recovered. One day, when Maribel began to treat her as invisible, she realized that the time had come to leave the theater.
Phoebe was leaving a cozy and safe place, and delayed leaving for a day or two out of fear of starting empty-handed somewhere with no acquaintances. She decided not to be shameless and went to say goodbye to Maribel the next morning.
However, she had not responded to Phoebe’s thanks. She felt a little sorry that Maribel treated her as not there, but she did not forget the grace of saving her life and healing her leg.
After saying goodbye, she tried to escape through the back door of the theater, where theater doorkeeper Liam caught up to her from behind and held out a small pocket-sized bag. When she asked what kind of bag it was, he replied, "It’s what Maribel is giving you," and added, "Take care of yourself and live well in the future."
After seeing Liam heading back into the theater, Phoebe opened the bag and saw a suit of clothes and two undergarments to change into and two gold coins. She burst into tears. It was not enough, but she was so grateful that she would not starve.
Phoebe quickly wiped away her tears and hurried away. She thought the only way to repay this kindness was to stay away from the theater.
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Phoebe came out into the world like that and began to look for a job. But with a small body, it was hard to even find chores. Still, it was rewarding enough to go out looking for a job and eating just one meal for a few days, so she was able to find work as a temporary maid for the family of Baron Paulan, who came up to the capital Dublin for her daughter’s social debut.
The townhouse was rented during the summer social season by Baron Paulan, who had no separate mansion in Dublin. It was located on List Street, where the houses and townhouses of low-ranking aristocrats near Eloz Street were gathered. Phoebe has been working for the family of Baron Paulan after renting a room on the end of the Eloz Street where the lodges were gathered.
This morning, however, she was fired for not clearing the way the Baroness wanted. She begged and hung on, but was kicked out after being beaten half to death.
She was so tired and weak that she felt her legs tremble as she walked back the distance, which would take about half an hour in a wagon, and she was still hungry from last night.
One of the gold coins Maribel had given her had already been used while she was getting a job on her way out of the theater. Since her daily wages were spent on her room, only one gold coin was left as an emergency deposit. Since she was kicked out today without even receiving her daily wage, Phoebe thought she would have to pay for her stay and meals with her emergency money.
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After eventually arriving at Eloz Street, dragging her increasingly heavy prosthetic leg, she crossed the drive to get to her room across the street.
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