< — Negotiation — > (3)
The Duke of Ramis opened the final document, fearing what the outcome might be this time. But then, he knit his brows and turned the page. The document contained information regarding his son’s sexual preferences, something that he had never wanted to know.
During this time, the Taran Duke’s Information Division had continued to search the red-light district for anything scoop-worthy that had to do with David. If David had a thing for abusing women, it would grow more and more extreme and they expected it to lead to an accident. During the investigation, they discovered that David had strangled a prostitute to death.
“That final document is my last resort.”
The Duke of Ramis frowned. The information in the final document had the most insignificant value among the negotiating tools that the Duke of Taran had brought today. He could not understand what the Duke of Taran wanted to use these things for, when his son was already dead. Dirty laundry such as the death of a few prostitutes, was a messy topic for nobles to talk about in rumors. Nobles liked rumors, but they were silent about rumors that hurt their reputation.
“The place where the incident happened, was Princess’ Katherine’s break room. As Gong knows as well, His Majesty has strictly forbidden referring to the scene of the incident as the princess’ break room.”
The King’s action proved to be effective and the public referred to the case as an incident that had happened within the palace. There were a lot more people that did not know that the incident had occurred in Princess Katherine’s break room. The king blocked the possibility of his sister being involved in this incident. It was similar to what Hugo had done.
“In the event of today’s negotiations breaking down, I will take that document to His Majesty. And I will inform him that two rumors will soon spread in the social circle, about Count Ramis’ ugly sexual preferences and that Count Ramis harbored lecherous feelings towards Princess Katherine. The princess’ break room happens to be the perfect place. I will ask His Majesty to choose between Ramis Gong and his sister.” (Hugo)[1]
“Are you saying that you dare…to threaten His Majesty?” (Duke Ramis)
“I’m saying that presently, there is nothing I won’t do.” (Hugo)
The Duke of Ramis’ hand holding the document trembled. After a long stretch of silence, the Duke of Ramis opened his mouth, looking very exhausted.
“What are you playing at.”
“I have to save my sacrificed knight to protect my wife’s honor.”
“Impossible!”
The Duke of Ramis responded fiercely before Hugo finished speaking.
“Let me finish. I will protect Count Ramis’ honor.”
‘While you are alive.’
Hugo added inwardly. He wanted to quickly resolve this incident, and have it disappear from people’s minds. He planned to put Roy away where eyes couldn’t reach him, but only until the Duke of Ramis was dead. And around when the incident became faint in people’s memories, they could then use the excuse that Roy was unjustly executed when the real culprit was someone else and quietly reinstate him.
To do that, he would have to re-negotiate with the king and the new Duke of Ramis, but that would not be difficult.
Hugo spoke briefly about his plan to switch Roy with someone on death row. The Duke of Ramis looked at Hugo with a strange gaze, almost like the one that Kwiz had given him. It was an expression that said, ‘How did you come up with such an idea?’
For the Duke of Ramis, his family’s honor was the most important thing to him. He had no energy to fight against the Duke of Taran. He had already grown too old. He was an old man that preferred to compromise rather than smacking heads.
The Duke of Ramis could close his eyes to his son’s death if his son’s honor could be protected, unless it was an unjust situation where his son had died an innocent death.
“In addition, not even His Majesty knows that my wife is involved in this incident. I have only revealed this truth to Gong in order to get your cooperation. I do not want this fact to be spread outside for whatsoever reason. Gong will take this to your grave.” (Hugo)
“…Alright. In return, please discard all the information you have about this youth association. And as for the youth association, I will deal with it myself.” (Duke Ramis)
“Sounds good.” (Hugo)
The negotiations had reached an agreement. Hugo took back one of the three documents, the one that contained information regarding the truth of his wife’s involvement in the incident.
“Why are you going to this extent?”(Duke Ramis)
“Just like Ramis Gong wants to protect your family, I want to protect my wife.” (Hugo)
The Duke of Ramis stared at Hugo because it seemed like he was saying ‘you want to protect the superficial face of your family while I want to protect my people’. But there was no trace of ridicule in those cold red eyes.
The Duke of Ramis was amazed every time he saw Hugo. He was the owner of the vast land called the North and as the Duke of Taran, he was very forthright. He didn’t bother himself with petty tricks and always confidently did what he wanted to do. People were not displeased with him and accepted it ‘because he is the Duke of Taran’.
It was a great talent as a politician to not cause jealousy in another’s heart. And that was why whenever he saw his son who was the same age as the Duke of Taran, he always felt that his son fell short.
‘It’s my virtue that fell short. Who can I blame?’
Rather than blaming his son’s shortcomings, he should have guided his son’s good points and covered him magnanimously. The Duke of Ramis deeply felt his shortcomings as a father, and as the lord of a family.
* * *
While the secret deal between the Duke of Taran and the Duke of Ramis took place, the King pretended not to know, and the situation flowed like a stream of water.
Fabian search the entire nation and found a reasonable stand-in among the prisoners on death row. While being interrogated for his crimes, the man was beaten a lot so he was in a bad shape, but that made it even more believable. After all, if the knight who killed the Duke’s eldest son was in a good shape at his execution, people would think it was strange.
The King passed down a brief statement. There was no detailed information about the truth of the case, just that Sir. Krotin had admitted his crimes and was to be executed. Since it was a case involving such a high ranked person, even though people did not know the specifics, they would only speculate amongst themselves.
Roy came out of the dungeon, wearing a sack-like hood and after walking a while in bound ropes, he was substituted in the middle. The one heading to execution was the death row prisoner imitating Roy.
The carriage carrying Roy away did not even have windows and ran straight to the gate.[2] He had to leave the capital as soon as possible without being seen by anyone. Hugo had already used his influence to make it so that Roy could pass through the gate without going through the identification process.
Lucia was still pacing up and down the receiving room, impatiently. Publicly, it was time for Roy to be executed.
Hugo went into the palace and was officially meeting with the King and the Duke of Ramis. It was a formality to show that the two close forces of the King had no animosity with each other.
‘Has he gone through the gate safely?’
Lucia felt regretful for not being able to give Roy her last farewells, but she could not take the risk of bringing a felon, who was known to be publicly executed, into the ducal residence.
When the door to the receiving room opened and Jerome came in, Lucia stopped her pacing around and lifted her head. Fabian was following right behind him and entered the room.
“Sir. Krotin…?” (Lucia)
“He left safely.”
Lucia heaved a huge sigh of relief.
“I feel so sorry, I don’t know what to do. Because of me, Sir. Krotin lost his honor as a knight and left for the north like he was being chased away.”
Hugo sent Roy to the northern border. It was the region where Roy used to stir up trouble with delight. Meanwhile, Roy had cheerfully asked if he could kill all of them(the barbarians) because his body had been growing itchy for a while.
Fabian could not sympathize with the Madam’s sadness in the slightest, but when he thought that he would not see the guy for a long time, he had mixed feelings.
“Did you tell him I was thankful and sorry, and that he should stay healthy?”
“Yes, I told him. But Sir. Krotin said that there was something he wanted to ask Milady…”
“What is it?”
That crazy bastard. Swallowing those words inside, Fabian said:
“He asked if Milady remembers all the noblewomen you meet at a party. Apparently, he was curious about that.”[3]
Roy said that with a very serious look on his face and asked Fabian to get the answer and let him know when he came to the north later. Fabian really could not understand that guy’s state of mind.
Lucia burst into laughter.
“There’s no way that’s possible. I only act like I do.”
“…Yes, I’ll tell him that later.”
Fabian replied with a sour look on his face, and Lucia laughed again.
‘Roy is really a good person. He’s being considerate of me till the end so that I won’t feel sorry.’
Lucia’s misunderstanding was growing bigger. And there was no one to correct it.[4]
Translator’s Corner:
[1] If you couldn’t understand…well, he will make it seem like David was trying to do a lil something with Princess Katherine in her break room.
[2] Reminder: a [gate] is a magical device. I think a portal is the best way to describe it.
[3] For context cues: Here or read chapter 101 [part 1].
[4] She’s misunderstanding something about Roy.
Red-light district: an area of a town or city containing many brothels, strip clubs, and other sex businesses.
*.*.*
- Forget My Husband, I’ll Go Make Money – Side Story 21 - December 14, 2024
- Emilone’s Temptation Labyrinth – Chapter 66 - December 14, 2024
- Forget My Husband, I’ll Go Make Money – Side Story 20.2 - December 8, 2024
what misunderstanding??
Thanks for the chapter
Remember at the party when he saw Lucia surrounded by all the noble women and he wondered whether she remembers all their names and faces. He was going to ask her later but didn’t get the chance on account of being arrested. So, he had Fabian ask for him instead. Lucia thinks he’s just asking a light-hearted question to divert her attention and make her feel better that he has to go away, when in reality he was simply curious if she remembered all the names and faces of the women trying to suck up to her.
I hope that explains it 🙂
Omg, why’d he ask if she remembered the noble women? Does he want to do something bad to them too???? To silence them??!? Someone please clarify!
Thanks for the chapter! 😘
Well, the guy’s an efficient soldier. He made an efficient decision without second thought and cleaned up things as thoroughly as he could given the extremely short time available. Most people with such mind set would think of making use that everything is well ironed.
Uhh, did he like asked because he wanted to like silence the noblewomen too?
Thanks.
No. It was a thought that crossed his mind way before any of this mess happened. He just never had the chance to pose the question to Lucia.
Excerpt from Chapter 101:
As soon the Duchess of Taran appeared, the surrounding noblewomen flocked to her. Seeing Lucia surrounded by layers of women, Roy wondered to himself.
‘The Madam is pretty popular. Does she remember the faces of all these women? I definitely have to ask later.’
Roy continued to watch over Lucia from a distance.
Wow I don’t remember that. Kinda fits his character. He REALLY did ask albeit not personally.
Thank you for chapter 😜😜😜😜
Thanks~ >//♡//<
I love how Roy’s simple curious inquiry got misunderstood. If only Hugo knew. 😂
I love roy! Thanks 4 the chapter.
Thanks for the new chapter!
Thanks for the update. 🙂
I am little sad I think with this roy’s role is over in fact i hope he reunite with them again very soon and I can read his antiques again.
Aww I’m gonna miss that Mad dog Roy! I hope Lucia and Hugh go back to the north soon and get a chance to visit Roy. Thank you Miss Ruby for your awesome hard work.
Lucia is a sweetheart and a saint
So cute!! Hahaha he was really curious he even relayed the question to be answered lol
more than losing some honor he is more free than ever lmao
No he was serious about that question 😑
He just simply a man who is stupid but at the same time he is genius too plus he is strong hahaha 😂😂
I wish someone could say that to her :v
Can you give Roy to me, please~😁
I’ll raise him and pet him. I wuv him~😍🤣🤣
I love how fast-paced the whole thing has been ever since the Duke left. There were a lot of things that could have gone wrong. What if the Duke left Dean instead? What if Roy didn’t notice David’s weird behavior at the start of the party? What if Fabian didn’t send someone quickly to palace when he started suspecting that something was wrong? What if Roy didn’t act as quickly and as decisively as he did? There were just so many things that they couldn’t control. I was really doubtful if even Hugo could fix this but he still somehow did, and in a believable way too. I love the team Hugo has put together. He runs a very tight ship and I think that’s one of the reasons he gets away with so much. Roy, Fabian, Jerome, his other knights and other enployees. They all just work so well together.
I’m really amazed with how well you translated everything. There weren’t any awkward parts with the translation and everything was just so smooth. I could imagine eveything really easily.
um excuse me sir roy you are under arrest for stealing my heart
Awwww~ <3 Everyone have things they want to protect and in Hugh's case, it's his lovely wife, Lucia <3
Also, I love Roy hahaha, even if it wasn't his intention, he did help Lucia feel better uwu
Thank you for your hard work! <3
He’ll only be gone for a couple of years. I think Lucia mentioned that the old duke died soon after she got married, which happened this year in the other timeline.
I just feel like everyone is forgetting Damien. Hugo wants to protect his wife from scandals, but having an illegitimate child become successor is a huge scandal. Plus, he thinks she can’t get pregnant, so they’ll be another scandal when she doesn’t get pregnant after a couple of years. It feels like his vow to protect her from scandals is something he can’t keep.
Awwwww….. I’m actually tearing up that we won’t see much of Roy in the capital nor the Duke’s estate. Love you Roy. 💚💚
Fabian search the entire nation and found a reasonable stand-in among the prisoners on death row.
Fabian in shine. Working so hard not only for the ducal couple but for the sake of the Xenon. Lol
thought that Roy had already forgotten that doubt 😂
LMAO. Roy’s a legend.