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Chapter 103: Boom and Bust (2)
This chapter is brought by Lady Grey and Neko-chan.
If you read this on other websites, it means it was stolen. Read the translation only on itsladygrey.wordpress.com.
“What’s wrong?”
“This is my first time seeing a noble lady who doesn’t have a noble society way of speaking as much as Lady Fiona.”
Whoops, I almost spitted my tea out hearing that very straightforward remark.
Arrendt pretended he didn’t see my face.
“You’re really a person with the surname of Heilon.”
He said that Abel and I looked alike in a very elegant way.
Suddenly, I remembered Abel bickering with the empress at that ball.
No, no way.
“The people of Heilon have been the people who always show their actions rather than words, well they’re constantly on the battlefield anyway. So there’s nothing we can do about it.” Arrendt said.
I was not like him at all!
But Arrendt kept talking, not knowing my upset mind.
“It’s so awkward, so I recommend that you just get to the point.”
“…”
“I think it’s a waste of time to talk in a roundabout way.”
“Then, I hope there are no complaints later.”
“I’m not that kind of person.”
So, let’s get to the point.
I handed over the papers I brought with me.
“What is this?” Arrendt asked curiously.
Arrendt was in charge of the finance department. So, for him, those who were accumulating wealth through illegal activities were a pain in the neck. This was what I aimed for.
I grinned.
“Do you want to catch people who don’t pay taxes together?”
This was it. If the wealth has been accumulated in an illegal way, it could be confiscated without mercy. People not paying taxes was a headache, but when those people were caught, it was called ‘hooray’.
Arrendt, who had widened his eyes in surprise, smiled briefly.
“Lady Fiona.”
“Yes?”
“I got a lot of offers from noble ladies. A suggestion to go ‘play together’ or to ‘drink tea together’….”
Of course, he would.
“However.”
Suddenly Arrendt’s face turned serious.
Did I do something wrong?
“So far, of all the proposals to do something together, this is the one I like the most. I’m so excited.”
It seems that it has been quite difficult to run the finance department recently. Especially right now because of the expensive social season.
“Ah, yes…”
Arrendt smiled with satisfaction while skimming through the documents, not caring about my awkward reaction.
“I accept that offer.”
***
If you read this on other websites, it means it was stolen. Read the translation only on itsladygrey.wordpress.com.
Arrendt Clovis promised to cooperate.
I immediately went to Sigren to tell him this good news. Of course, since it was a secret matter, I called him to the Heilon mansion.
Sigren gave a genuine disapproving expression after hearing about my achievements.
“How the hell did you convince Marquis Arrendt Clovis?”
I grinned. “A negotiation that makes my opponent flutter?”
“How did you do it?”
Sigren’s discontent look attracted me. He must have imagined something useless when he heard the word ‘flutter’. He was jealous.
There was a flash of mischief in my brain. I smiled and leaned against him. I felt the solid body that supported me stiffen. I whispered softly on purpose.
“Are you really curious about that?”
“Fiona.”
Wow, his low voice.
I kept my voice soft while barely holding myself from giggling.
“Do you want me to tell you how I did it?”
I wanted to do what Livya did to the crown prince last time, but I didn’t think I could do it because that kind of sweet tone that melted the other person’s ears was too much for me. Instead, I grinned and stroked Sigren’s cheek. Then slowly my fingers climbed down to his neckline.
“Like this.”
Sigren’s eyes grew darker.
So scary.
“Fiona, get your hands off me.”
“….”
I whispered while moving my fingers to his collarbone as if drawing a picture, totally ignoring him.
“Also like this….”
By then, Sigren’s patience had reached its limit.
“Fiona, you—”
I laughed. “Of course I didn’t, I just said—” I put my finger on his chin and grinned, “Would you like to go catch people who don’t pay taxes?”
“….”
Sigren’s expression was very spectacular after hearing my words. When my eyes met his, I couldn’t help but laugh so hard. Immediately, I got away from Sigren, and wrapped my hands around my stomach.
“Ahahaha, your face is soo….”
Only then did Sigren realize that I was teasing him, and he ground his teeth.
“Are you having fun with this?”
“Yeah, so much fun!”
Oh my god. I was really annoying, wasn’t I?
“You put me in the palm of your hand and play with me.”
“Well, because your reaction was so obvious..ahahaha!”
I laughed again seeing Sigren’s face.
As my laughter didn’t stop, Sigren ruffled his hair wildly.
“Stop laughing.”
“I’m trying…”
Sigren raised one eyebrow while looking at me. “Since you have so much fun, should I show you something more obvious?”
Sigren quickly shortened his distance from me. In the blink of an eye, he stood in front of me very closely. I opened my eyes widely and stepped back unconsciously. The wall touched my back. Sigren’s both hands touch the wall behind me.
Oh my god! I was stuck between him and the wall! I swear I didn’t expect this drama-like situation to happen.
“This posture is more convenient than I thought. First of all, because you can’t run away.”
I quickly adopted a docile attitude.
“Okay, I won’t tease you anymore.”
Sigren pulled up one corner of his mouth. “Don’t you think it’s already too late?”
Yeah… I know. But wasn’t regretting after committing crimes part of human nature? Well, in my defense, his reaction was so funny!
Then Sigren slowly lowered his head.
As his lips slowly approached, only two options came to my mind. Should I close my eyes or slap his face? But I didn’t think either of them was bad! Undecided on either option, I closed my eyes and gently raised one of my hands to slap him on the cheek.
But Sigren, who was more agile than me, grabbed my wrist.
Ah!
The soft touch of his lips was not on my lips, but on my cheeks.
I slowly opened my eyes. When our eyes met, Sigren let go of my wrist.
I felt resentful for some reason.
“Uh-”
That kiss—I shouldn’t count chickens before they hatch. I felt so embarrassed.
Sigren grinned and poked my cheek.
“Your face is blushing, Fiona.”
“…”
He really gave back my words to me.
I pushed his chest and threw the cushion at him.
Sigren laughed out loud after catching the cushion easily.
“Hahaha… so stop playing around.”
He must be satisfied seeing my reaction.
“Okay, I know!”
Seeing him smile made my heart flutter.
I sighed.
Damn.
***