IHDOE Ch 97

3 days ago

12 min read

[Dc. Duskel] "To be honest, I borrowed some money for a business venture."

[Satina] "I see."

[Dc. Duskel] "But the lenders turned out to be notorious scoundrels. They took advantage of my inexperience and demanded interest several times the principal. Now they use that as an excuse to repeatedly demand various favors from me."

[Satina] "Various favors...?"

The Grand Duchess offered a guarded look.

[Dc. Duskel] "Ahem, well. You don't need to know the details."

[Satina] "Ah, yes."

She is definitely hiding something.

Regardless of her suspicions, Satina maintained a docile expression as she listened.

[Dc. Duskel] "Ha! What is the big deal about borrowing a pittance? Wouldn't you agree?"

[Satina] "Indeed. Anyone can borrow a little money."

[Dc. Duskel] "When I failed to repay the debt on time, they began blackmailing me with threats to inform my husband."

[Satina] "Oh my. That sounds terribly concerning."

[Dc. Duskel] "Well, such a sum is trivial compared to my family's fortune. What could those fools possibly achieve by causing a scene? However, I refuse to lose my husband's trust over something so petty or stir up scandal within the family. As you know, the imperial court is rather conservative."

[Satina] "Yes."

[Dc. Duskel] "Marchioness Riermont told me you possess a talent for resolving delicate matters."

[Satina] "Thank you for your high opinion of me."

[Dc. Duskel] "After all, are we not destined to become family in the future? Go to those ruffians and teach them a stern lesson."

[Satina] "A stern lesson...?"

Satina wore an innocent expression, which clearly irritated the Grand Duchess.

[Dc. Duskel] "Handle them properly so they never approach me again! Surely House Bersabet employs people for such tasks."

[Satina] "I understand. You want me to teach those predatory loan sharks a lesson and warn them never to come near you again."

[Dc. Duskel] "Precisely! Of course, this must be handled with the utmost secrecy. Nothing good comes from a public scandal. Do this for me, and I will gladly write as many recommendation letters as you desire."

Satina paused to think.

She's hiding something... Ah!

She remembered a scandal involving the Grand Duchess from the game. Back then, she had nearly suffered a divorce over a gambling addiction.

The hidden truth explained why the Grand Duchess had chosen Satina for this task. She claimed she had borrowed money for business, but she had undoubtedly racked up debt at a gambling table. If the Grand Duke discovered this, divorce was a certainty.

From the Grand Duchess' perspective, burying the scandal quietly was paramount. In her desperation, she had sought out Satina. After seeing how cleverly she found Marchioness Riermont's nephew, she assumed Satina could handle sticky situations using House Bersabet's assets.

Furthermore, even if she uncovered the gambling secret while confronting the loan sharks, the Grand Duchess surely believed she could easily control someone of Satina's standing.

So I just need to stop the loan sharks from reaching her.

While the Grand Duchess panicked at the thought of her husband finding out, the task presented no real challenge to Satina.

A bit of coin should settle it. If things get complicated, I can pull out early.

As long as she secured the recommendation letter, nothing else mattered.

Satina took the Grand Duchess' hand reassuringly and offered a gentle smile.

[Satina] "Don't worry. I will handle this matter cleanly."

After parting ways with Satina, the Grand Duchess visited a discreet restaurant rather than returning home.

Coraline leapt to her feet as the Grand Duchess entered the private room, greeting her warmly.

[Coraline] "Aunt! How did it go? Did that creature agree to handle it?"

Strictly speaking, the Grand Duchess was not closely enough related for Coraline to call her "aunt." However, Coraline frequently used the term to project intimacy.

The Grand Duchess sank into her seat with a heavy sigh.

[Dc. Duskel] "Yes, she agreed to resolve it."

[Coraline] "See? What did I tell you? That wretched girl is so desperate for recommendation letters these days, she was bound to accept!"

Coraline arched an eyebrow, infuriated by the mere memory of Satina's face.

[Coraline] "Hmph. As if a girl like her could become the Empire's Golden Star. What a joke. But well... that ends now. She'll never secure that final letter anyway. By the way, what did the Crown Prince say when he saw her?"

[Dc. Duskel] "Nothing in particular. He returned in a fierce rage. I nearly caught the brunt of his temper myself."

[Coraline] "See! I told you His Highness feels absolutely nothing for her!"

She watched Coraline burst into laughter and spoke anxiously.

[Dc. Duskel] "Is this really safe? If she uncovers the truth and informs my husband..."

[Coraline] "Oh, Aunt! Why worry so much? Once Satina handles those loan sharks so they stop bothering you, I'll step in and deal with them myself!"

[Dc. Duskel] "Alright, I'll trust you."

[Coraline] "So stop worrying!"

Coraline clasped her hands together, her face brimming with anticipation.

[Coraline] "Ah... I hope Satina meets those loan sharks soon. Only then will His Highness annul the engagement, and that girl will finally realize her place."

Hedzel handed over a file.

[Hedzel] "You were right. Grand Duchess Duskel borrowed quite a sum from gambling."

Satina slowly flipped through the documents as he spoke.

[Hedzel] "I know the Duskel family is wealthy, but even for them, it's a fortune. Besides, the Grand Duke loathes poker at social galas, let alone actual gambling. If he finds out his wife frequented a gambling den and accrued staggering debt, he'll divorce her instantly."

[Satina] "So my hunch was correct. Did you look into 'the Dark Grasp,' the syndicate holding the Grand Duchess' debt?"

[Hedzel] "There's barely any need to investigate. They're notorious these days."

He waved his hand in disgust.

[Hedzel] "They formed recently, but their methods are vicious. They lend money at low interest initially, then inflate the debt to bleed victims dry. They're infamous for collecting by any means necessary.

The Grand Duchess picked the worst opponent. The gambling house she visited happens to be run by them. They undoubtedly recognized her title, rigged the tables to make her lose, and then lent her money while acting like generous benefactors."

He shrugged.

[Hedzel] "Would scum who went through that much trouble let a Grand Duchess off easily? She's the catch of a lifetime for them."

[Satina] "Meaning a simple payout won't resolve this."

[Hedzel] "They probably plan to bleed her until they extract at least one of the Grand Duchy's estates."

Satina tapped the table, lost in thought. She had assumed they were ordinary loan sharks, but they were far more infamous than anticipated. Still, solutions existed.

[Satina] "It can't be helped. If they use illegal means, we must respond in kind."

[Hedzel] "What do you plan to do?"

[Satina] "If they are blackmailing her, they must hold a promissory note signed by her. We just need to destroy it. Once it's gone, no matter how much they threaten, she can deny everything."

[Hedzel] "Wouldn't a promissory note be locked in a vault? You know as well as I do that such things are top secret within a syndicate. Investigating it stealthily won't be easy."

[Satina] "Who said anything about stealth?"

She leaned back in her chair and responded nonchalantly.

[Satina] "They don't enjoy the protection of the law anyway, so we can just go and teach them a lesson with fists. Conveniently, I have someone perfect for the job."

She glanced back at Katan standing behind her, and Hedzel nodded.

[Hedzel] "Well, if it's him... But it won't be as easy as you think. We haven't identified their boss yet."

[Satina] "Do you know where their headquarters is?"

[Hedzel] "Yeah."

[Satina] "Then that's enough. We'll break in."

Satina headed to the shabby slums housing the Dark Grasp alongside Katan. Dressed in modest attire to blend in, she looked up at the syndicate's headquarters.

[Satina] "It would be much easier if we knew who the boss was. What a shame they keep out of sight."

Standing before the largest, most extravagant building in the area, she saw clear proof of the rumors regarding their rapid expansion.

Gambling, loan sharking…

They squeeze people dry with every vile deed imaginable.

Regardless, as long as Katan breached the building and retrieved the promissory note, the task remained straightforward. The Grand Duchess could have easily resolved it using her family's knights, but fear of her husband finding out had driven her to entrust Satina instead.

As Satina paused in thought, Katan pressed her hat down firmly to obscure her face further.

[Satina] "Why?"

[Katan] "Your face was exposed."

He murmured as he tightened the hat strings.

[Katan] "I miscalculated. Even dressed like this, My Lady remains far too eye-catching. I should have prepared a veil to cover your face entirely."

[Satina] "Flattery becomes you."

[Katan] "I speak from the heart. I have never seen anyone more beautiful than My Lady."

His gaze shifted toward the alleyway, his gentle tone instantly sharpening.

[Katan] "And it seems a strange follower has already attached himself to us."

A middle-aged blonde man stepped slowly out from the alley where Katan's eyes landed.

[Man] "My apologies. I didn't intend to make either of you uncomfortable. However..."

The man ignored Katan's wary stance and stared intently at Satina's face.

[Man] "The young lady resembles my daughter... I inadvertently caused a disturbance..."