I Did a Good Job For the Villain's Early Education - Chapter 51.1
Chapter 51.1
“The royal family?”
Before the servant could nod, a man in royal palace attire appeared.
‘Look at him.’
Even if he was of low rank, how dare he enter the mansion itself? The cheerful smile she’d been wearing twisted into a grimace.
“Baron Dane Delaphion, is that you?”
“Yes, it is. What brings His Majesty’s… attendant here?”
“A letter from His Majesty.” The white-gloved hand presented a tightly sealed letter. “His Majesty has commanded that you read it now and send a reply immediately.”
At his stiff, unapologetic demeanor, Avel’s smile deepened.
“Sis.”
“Yes?”
“Calm down.”
“I am perfectly calm.”
“Your eyes say otherwise.”
Avel stared up at the attendant, who had approached within arm’s reach, without replying. Meanwhile, Dane Delaphion’s gaze fell to the letter.
“Hmm, so…”
“….”
“His Majesty desires this estate’s land.”
“What?”
“Sis! Shh, shh!”
“To be precise, not the entire estate, but a portion. From my calculations, it’s less than forty percent of the total area.”
“Hmm.”
“It’s for a project to develop the capital and the kingdom. Your agreement would greatly please His Majesty.”
The lip service was utterly soulless. In short, the King wanted to reclaim the gift he’d given Dane in return for saving his life.
“Various theaters, museums, and other establishments will be built in the area including that land. The capital will prosper even more.”
Because of that very reconstruction project they had just been discussing as if it were someone else’s affair.
‘Well, what does it matter if he has red hair or blond hair?’
Extra families like Avel’s would just be trampled underfoot. ‘I’ll make enough money to avoid this kind of situation.’
Unfortunately, such incidents occurred more frequently than her money grew.
“I wondered what was so important that he barged in here…” A voice laced with amusement pierced the silence. The attendant, who had been waiting for Dane’s reply, finally looked at the young girl seated at the head of the table. Her pink hair shimmered, almost unreal.
“What? Do I look like someone whose special day has been ruined?”
“Sister!”
“Only forty percent? Only forty percent? Is it mathematical reasoning you lack, vocabulary, or perhaps empathy?”
“Your Highness!”
“What!”
Click!
A crack appeared on the edge of the table, hidden by the tablecloth. Avel stood up abruptly, arms crossed, and raised her voice.
“He walks into the dining room without permission, and what? Demands land? His Majesty’s pleasure? His pleeasure?”
“My lady, this is extremely, uh…”
“His Majesty’s pleasure? What am I supposed to do about that? What good is His Majesty’s pleasure?”
Her soft face tilted as if in genuine incomprehension. The attendant, already losing ground, could only open and close his mouth.
“Excuse me, Mr. Attendant. Do you know how we came to live in this vast, historic, old mansion?”
“….”
“My father received it as a gift for saving His Majesty’s! One and only! Life! In the war!”
“Ahem.”
“And now, because he’s tearing down a perfectly good city, he wants to take back what he gave?”
“It’s not taking it back, my lady. His Majesty is clearly requesting Baron’s consent-”
“Oh, dear me! People of the world! The royal family’s dignity has completely vanished! Utterly vanished!” Her tone was exaggerated, as if she were acting in a play. “Just put it all in a coffin!”
“Avel.”
“…Fine!”
Avel plopped back down onto her chair and glared at the attendant as if to say, ‘Just you wait.’ The attendant, defeated, shifted his gaze.
“I apologize. My daughter is rather spirited.”
“Ahem… She’s still young. It’s understandable. I won’t mention this to His Majesty.”
“Thank you for your consideration.”
‘Judging by his response, he’ll give it all away. He’ll give it all away.’
If Dane Delaphion were a man who looked out for his own interests, his daughter wouldn’t have had to step in. But Avel’s father was a man of rigid principles, one who followed orders without complaint, even if it meant being sent on a retaliatory mission.
‘Ugh, if he gives it all away, how much will the land be worth?’
Even if the land couldn’t be sold, actually handing it over was a different matter. Avel gripped her brother’s sleeve tightly and watched Dane. The King’s letter was folded neatly.
