I Don't Want To Work! - Chapter 15
CHAPTER 15
Ahem, ahem!
A man with an uncomfortable air about him, boasting his huge physique, blocked the path of the royal palace.
It was none other than Baron Dean, the administrator of the palace of Lottie.
“Baron!”
Immediately, the Baron’s stride halted. Someone he didn’t want to meet, no, he shouldn’t meet was running towards him from afar.
‘Ugh.’
Darn it, is there nowhere to run?
The Baron quickly scanned the surroundings, but before he could escape, a nobleman blocked his escape route.
“Why are you trying to run away again?”
“When did I ever say I would?”
The Baron brazenly raised his voice.
“I thought you were going to mention it anyway, so I took a look around beforehand.”
“Oh, so you have my money ready?”
Viscount Leron sneered.
A few months ago, Baron Dean had incurred a hefty gambling debt to Viscount Leron right in front of him.
He had been avoiding repayment until now.
Never expected to bump into him like this.
Shouldn’t have left the mansion after all.
“So when are you going to pay me back? Huh? It’s been quite a while since the agreed-upon date!”
“Why are you getting so worked up?”
The Baron casually tapped Viscount Leron’s shoulder as if nothing was wrong.
“I’ll pay you back soon. You know me, right? I’ve never broken the oath of the cards in ten years!”
“That’s nothing to be proud of.”
The oath of the cards was mainly sworn by those borrowing money in gambling dens.
Not breaking the oath for ten years meant spending more time in gambling dens than that period indicated.
Moreover, it also meant their card skills hadn’t improved enough to stop borrowing money for over ten years.
“Ugh…!!”
Baron Dean’s mustache trembled.
He wanted to curse right away, but he couldn’t.
Otherwise, he might be asked to pay back the money tomorrow.
The Baron forced a smile.
“You know I have other ways of making money, right? Hmm? That filthy piece of land.”
Filthy piece of land.
Viscount Leron’s rough face softened a bit at the mention of that word.
He knew Baron Dean was making substantial profits using Lottie.
Especially recently, the money from Princess Lottie’s share seemed to be alluring, resulting in more gambling funds.
No matter how much that person looked out for him, it was risky.
This guy didn’t even realize it and spent money recklessly.
“…Well, it seems there’s also some bad news on your side.”
“What rumor are you talking about?”
“That filthy piece of land, no, that person caught the attention of none other than Your Majesty the Good Empress.”
“……”
“Until now, you could take money because no one in the royal family paid attention to her, right?”
Baron Dean’s lips trembled again.
He knew very well.
The privileges he had enjoyed over the past ten years were due to the royal family’s indifference to Lottie.
But suddenly, the Empress is interested. Interested!
Didn’t he even say the Empress showed favor?
It’s dangerous.
“Don’t worry, it’s all just false rumors.”
“It really shouldn’t be. Many others besides me are interested in those rumors.”
He’ll repay the money by next month!
With that, the Viscount left.
“Darn it!”
Alone, Baron Dean kicked at the bushes for no reason.
‘How did that half-wit catch the attention of the Empress!’
He denied it to the nobles, but the rumor was true.
“Yes, that’s right. They often have tea time together on the occasion of a false accusation case.”
Hadn’t he heard a definite confirmation from the commoner maid about the truth of the rumors?
‘Dangerous, dangerous.’
His luck hadn’t been good lately.
Constant losses in gambling had depleted almost all his cash, and he had accrued a huge gambling debt.
He hadn’t even borrowed from anyone.
Now all that remained for Baron Dean was the mansion, a carriage, and the money coming in through the half-wit.
He had tried to use the carriage as collateral but was refused because it was worthless.
‘If those bastards find out I can’t bring in any more money through the half-wit in this situation…’
“Ha!”
Baron Dean shuddered at his own bulk.
Being caught meant death.
No, it might be even more dreadful than death.
They were the kind of people who lent money at the gambling den and would suck the marrow out of his bones!
‘No, it’s still okay.’
Baron Dean suppressed his anxious heart.
He had heard stories of memory loss.
But the half-wit he had known all along was a stupid and immature young girl.
It wouldn’t have changed much.
Give her a scare, pacify her, and if that didn’t work, threaten her using that maid as an excuse, and she’d keep her mouth shut.
‘If that doesn’t work, I’ll just chip away at her self-esteem like before.’
“Well, I apologize for saying this… but isn’t Princess Lottie’s mother also uncertain?”
“You’d better stay away from the other royal family members, Your Highness is incapable, and I’m afraid she’ll be hurt.”
“Alas, you know I am only saying this out of concern, Your Highness.”
Whenever Lottie mustered the courage to approach other nobles, Baron Dean scolded her.
And then, saying it was all for Her Highness, he showed some affection and nodded tearfully.
Baron Dean even recommended quietly to Mer, the etiquette teacher, fearing that if Lottie became too clever, she might slip through his fingers.
That guy enjoyed beating around the bush under the pretext of education.
And at first, even the Emperor paid attention to Lottie, but later, he ignored her.
It was only natural.
Pandelion Empire was a world of harsh survival, harsher than the wilderness.
It had been like that for ten years.
Lottie, who used to have a little courage as a child, completely lost it.
She trusted only Betty and didn’t venture out of the palace.
Everything was left to Baron Dean.
Thanks to him, how comfortable had he been all this time.
How happy he had been just gambling with the money coming in just by breathing!
‘I can never lose.’
His happiness was how he kept himself.
‘She would never abandon me.’
If things got tough, he had planned to ask for help from the one who had supported him.
Baron Dean, strengthening his resolve, stepped into Lottie’s shabby palace.
And then.
“Oh, please come in, Baron Dean.”
He faced Lottie, who hadn’t changed much from before.
Despite having lost her memory, Baron Dean smiled contentedly at the subdued Lottie.
Indeed, everything was going according to his plan.
“It’s been a while, Your Highness.”
Baron Dean pulled up a chair and sat down next to the bed, smiling.
Lottie, leaning against the headboard, smiled awkwardly.
“Oh, I guess I should introduce myself again.”
Putting aside his harsh thoughts, a warm smile filled Baron Dean’s face.
“I am Leold Deen, responsible for managing Princess Lottie’s palace.”
“A-ah. Lottie Pandelion.”
Lottie’s words stuttered nervously. Her gaze couldn’t meet his properly, and she fidgeted.
‘As expected.’
No matter how much memory was lost, a person’s essence didn’t change.
Baron Dean soaked up his satisfaction inwardly.
‘Huh?’
Did the princess’s eyes just flicker…?
Must have been mistaken.
Adjusting the family crest brooch hanging on his chest, Baron Dean spoke up.
“I heard there was an unfortunate incident. I should have come sooner…”
Tears flowed from Baron Dean’s eyes.
“Aunt passed away before I could make it in time.”
Baron Dean shamelessly choked up about his aunt who had passed away several years ago.
Of course, even when she passed away, he had to bear some responsibility, but what could be done?
It was her fault for not remembering.
“I see. There’s nothing we can do about such things.”
“Yes, it was a bit lonely during the funeral without the flowers sent by the upper class…”
“Oh, I’m. I’m sorry. I wasn’t paying attention.”
She apologized, bowing her head slightly.
‘It’s simple, isn’t it?’
Oddly, she seemed to be behaving more dignified than before.
“It’s alright. You’ll do better next time.”
As Baron Dean mercifully smiled, Lottie’s complexion brightened.
It was a relief to see her mood improving at a glance.
Seeing that.
Perhaps, the initial concern gradually subsided, and the thought ‘as expected’ came to mind.
“Bu, but. Baron Dean.”
“Please speak.”
With courage, Lottie clenched her hands tightly and asked.
“I want to know why the palace is like this. I heard from other maids that a considerable amount of money is involved…”
‘Why did that blasted one have to blabber about it!’
In an instant, Baron Dean’s face turned harsh. It would have been better not to know about such things.
Annoying.
“Well, it was all spent for Your Highness.”
The Baron, who had barely concealed his inner thoughts, looked at Lottie with a sorrowful expression.
“For me?”
“Yes. Indeed, there is a lot of money coming down from the palace, but it’s all going out for Your Highness’ medicine.”
As he said this, he showed her a fake expenditure statement. It was disguised as the cost of a single house, but it was actually herbs commonly found by the roadside. That half-wit would never know. He had never taught her and she had no way of knowing.
“Oh…”
Lottie’s face darkened as she read the expenditure statement.
“And you told me not to be inferior to other nobles and to only spend money on expensive flowers and trees.”
“…”
“Even ordering to change the garden every month. My expenses are quite heavy. It’s a bit burdensome.”
Lottie’s head was completely bowed. When he glanced at her, her complexion was dark. It was a familiar face to the Baron. A face that blamed everything on herself.
“…It was all my fault. I’m sorry, Baron.”
“I’m fine, Your Highness.”
‘That’s it.’
The little courage she had mustered was completely crushed.
‘It’s annoying, but I need to step on it once.’
Otherwise, she might think about gathering courage again.
‘Huh?’
In the Baron’s eyes, which now needed to be closed, a small item on the bedside table caught his attention.
‘That’s it! Isn’t that the amulet of the Empress?’
That’s right. There was no mistaking it. The blue amulet, stained with fingerprints, was an item the Empress had always carried since her days as the Empress. And this half-wit had it. Was a real friendship developing?
The Baron felt a cold sweat running down his back.