BOPE 83

Chapter 83 …

Despite being the owner of the house, Iara wandered restlessly as if she were a guest in someone else’s home.

Scrudge handed her a rolled-up scroll. It contained a document offering Iara, the wife of Sam, a consolation of 200 gold and a lifelong position. Iara alternately glanced at the scroll and Scrudge, then accepted it politely with both hands. She accidentally unrolled it, but she could not read the words, so she had no idea what was written.

“This is the lord’s consolation for the family of the soldier Sam, who gave his life in battle.”

Scrudge placed a small box on the worn table. When he opened it, Iara was so shocked that she covered her mouth with both hands. Her hands trembled, and tears streamed endlessly from her eyes.

“I know this cannot comfort the two of you for the loss of a beloved husband and father. But the living must continue, don’t you think? And if you wish, I can offer you a position so you can live in Grace Castle with Noah. There, the two of you will be safe. Until Noah grows up, I will be Sam’s strong shield in his place.”

Throughout Donghee’s words, Iara kept saying “thank you” without pause, tears in her eyes never ceasing.

Afterward, Donghee personally visited every household of the victims to express gratitude and deliver consolation funds. Grace’s banner flew outside their homes, and monuments were erected to honor the sacrifices. In front of a large rock engraved with the names of their husbands and sons, families wept endlessly.

Once all the compensation was delivered, Donghee strengthened security across the region. Anyone who attempted to harm the families who received the funds or steal their money was strictly warned—they would have their wrists cut off and be expelled from the territory.

When the soldiers and knights of Grace learned of the compensation and treatment for those who had sacrificed themselves for the territory, their loyalty soared sky-high.

After a long time away from Grace territory, Anna could hardly hide her excitement in the carriage. Across from her, Scrudge and Handsome seemed equally thrilled.

Donghee, who had never been outside Grace territory, gazed out the window with a mix of excitement and fear. He thought it might all be a dream that would fade after a good night’s sleep. Yet, the longer he spent here, the more the time he had lived as Hadonghee seemed distant and dreamlike.

The rattling carriage, the fresh wind entering, the smiles and gentle voices of those sitting across—all of it seemed too perfect to be real.

“Are you worried?”

Seeing Donghee’s dark expression, Scrudge asked kindly.

“No. Not really.”

According to Handsome’s information, Rey, who had no more money coming in, would take the villa documents received from Chloe to the theater. Thinking about the scoundrel who had taken money without spending a penny and now acted delighted made Donghee’s blood boil.

Fran was far busier than Donghee had anticipated. Every road traveled by carriages and pedestrians was paved with smooth, flat stones. The buildings along the streets were as beautiful and splendid as those seen in movies.

Fran belonged to a specially managed area directly overseen by the capital. There were about twenty such special districts throughout the empire, centered around castles where the emperor stayed temporarily. Nobles’ mansions and various commercial districts were also developed there.

Although far from the capital, these areas had convenience and attractions comparable to the capital, making them popular with young nobles. Hotels, dress shops, cafes, and jewelers were always bustling.

Donghee looked out the carriage window, vowing to one day develop every town in Grace to this level. Determined to absorb every detail, he studied the surroundings carefully as the carriage slowly stopped.

“Lord, we have arrived at Hallis Theater.”

Finally, they were in front of the theater in question—the very theater Rey had dared to try to contract with Chloe Grace using embezzled funds.

Donghee glanced sharply out of the carriage, then, when Red Bear opened the door, stepped out decisively.

Today, Delma and Anna were allowed to decorate the theater however they wished. Chloe, adorned with the most expensive jewels, looked as elegant and radiant as any noblewoman.

“How may I help you?”

Standing at the theater entrance, two uniformed attendants blocked Chloe, speaking in a tone that seemed to threaten expulsion had she not been intentionally dressed to impress.

Even though Handsome and Scrudge stood fully prepared as per Donghee’s instructions, their presence matched the attendants’ height and authority.

Upon hearing “Grace,” the attendants’ rigid expressions softened—but it was not a welcoming warmth; it was more a condescending acknowledgment.

“You have an appointment?”

They asked again, still with subtle disdain.

“No.”

This time it was Chloe who spoke, so confidently that the attendants momentarily hesitated, wondering if they needed to invent a non-existent appointment.

“Then you cannot meet anyone.”

“Tell the owner: if he wants his full payment, he’d better come out immediately. And as you know, all of the money Rey paid for this theater is mine. So, soon, I will be the owner of this theater.”

Donghee’s eyes narrowed, his voice threatening as he growled. The woman they had heard about—stupid, delicate, and a pampered noble—was exuding a ferocity that could tear a man’s throat apart.

“Please wait a moment. I will go inside and speak with him.”

The two attendants, who had been arrogant just moments ago, quickly scuttled inside.

Soon after, a pale-faced man came running out in a panic to guide Donghee inside.

Inside, the man who appeared to be the theater’s owner sat opposite a disheveled Rey. He reeked of alcohol, probably from a night of drinking, and his hair, once neat, was now frizzy and unwashed.

“Chloe!”

Rey jumped up as if meeting long-lost parents. The moment of expulsion was long forgotten; now, with the contract date approaching, he seemed weak-hearted.

“See? You didn’t abandon me!”

He interpreted the situation entirely to his convenience, almost as if suffering from temporary memory loss. Donghee’s irritation surged.

Rey toddled toward Chloe with arms wide, whining like a child, but Donghee ignored him and walked past. When Rey tried to follow, Handsome blocked him.

“You! How dare you! Move aside! I am Chloe’s fiancé!”

Rey raised his chin and shouted at Handsome.

“Handsome!”

“Yes, my lord.”

“If I hear you say ‘fiancé’ one more time, I will tear your mouth apart.”

“Yes, understood.”

At Chloe’s deadly glare, Handsome dropped his hands to show compliance, and Rey quickly covered his mouth. He was not truly in danger, but Chloe’s expression made it feel as though he would be ripped apart several times over.

Donghee, intrigued by the man watching, strode purposefully toward him. It was clear without asking that he was the current owner of Hallis Theater.

“Are you the owner of Hallis Theater?”

Donghee approached, and the man smiled graciously, exuding elegance and restraint from head to toe.

“You are the lord of Grace?”

“Yes, I am Edward Crayson.”

“Didn’t the one with my villa documents come here to pay the theater balance?”

“Yes.”

“But it wasn’t processed, right?”

“Yes, that’s correct.”

Donghee glanced at Rey, still held by Handsome, with disdain.

“That was when you were my fiancé. But now, you are nothing.”

“Th-That can’t be! The documents say the villa is mine! Look! My name is on it!”

At that moment, Scrudge, who had been quietly standing by, stepped forward and handed Edward a document.

“On the day your engagement was annulled, the ownership of the villa reverted to Chloe Grace. This is the certificate of villa ownership obtained this morning.”

When Chloe had foolishly transferred the villa to Rey during their engagement, Scrudge had added a barely noticeable clause in fine print:

[Chloe Grace transfers the Ferenti Villa to Rey Prad only while the engagement and marital relationship between Chloe Grace and Rey Prad persists.]