I Became the Villain’s Bride – Chapter 9
It was because of their hopeless parents that Rose had to act as the de facto head of the household.
Pricia wanted to drag them down from their positions immediately, but neither her father nor mother had any intention of giving up their nominal titles, even though they had delegated all actual authority.
“Since your parents can’t repay the loan, we’ll have to take the estate instead.”
“You want us to vacate the estate based on just a few pieces of paper? What kind of nonsense is that?!”
As Lily stubbornly argued, Pricia calmly stepped forward, shielding her from the Marquis of Gondair.
“My parents are currently in care. They wouldn’t have even been eligible to borrow money.”
Their long history of disasters had all been cleaned up by Rose.
At this rate, the family really was on the verge of collapse. Using memories from her past life, Pricia had found a way to have her parents declared legally incompetent.
Rose had hesitated until the end, but ultimately agreed to Pricia’s plan.
“This was from a previous loan. It has nothing to do with that.”
“What?”
“I didn’t want to go this far either. But Rose just doesn’t seem to understand.”
Taking the unexpected promissory note, Pricia began carefully reading through the details.
Though the date on the document was from ten years ago—right around the time her parents were wreaking havoc—the format felt oddly familiar.
The seal and handwriting were unmistakably her parents’, yet something about it made her uneasy.
Rose had paid off most of their debts, but the compound interest accumulated over ten years was now enough to justify forfeiting the estate.
Even with Rose’s sharp mind, paying it all off at once was impossible.
Hugging the tearful Lily close, Pricia reviewed the documents again, this time with even more focus.
“This is ridiculous. Compound interest? How can that kind of absurd interest rate be allowed?”
“It was legal until eight years ago. Perhaps Lord Napier’s naïve son should keep his nose out of this.”
Until eight years ago, when predatory lending was still legal, such extortionate interest rates were unfortunately enforceable.
“This is clearly a standard loan form.”
“Of course. Surely you’re not denying it even with this legitimate document in hand?”
“The original loan was for 50,000 galleons. With interest, the total due now is 1 million galleons, right?”
Given that 1 galleon was worth around 10,000 won, that meant the debt was a staggering 10 billion won. Her father had been insane to borrow 500 million in the first place—but the fact that the interest had increased twenty-fold was simply unbelievable.
“Naturally. Prices have gone up, life’s gotten harder. Our family deserves that much.”
The document, heralded by the Marquis of Gondair as a marvel of compound interest, clearly spelled out the final repayment amount after ten years.
But something about it didn’t sit right with Pricia.
“Standardized loan forms weren’t introduced until last year.”
“What?”
“Let’s not play childish games, Marquis.”
Pricia had quickly realized the document was a forgery.
Still, the Marquis shamelessly declared,
“We’ll see who’s bluffing soon enough. It’s going to court now.”
What in the world gave him that kind of confidence?
As Pricia stood dumbfounded, a sharp voice rang out from the front entrance.
“Coming all the way to our home—what do you think you’re doing?!”
“Ah, Rose. Just in time.”
Wearing a greasy smile full of ambition, the Marquis reached out and grasped Rose’s hand, giving her an uncomfortable look.
“It’s a large debt, yes, but if we become in-laws, I’m willing to overlook it. If you agree to become my daughter-in-law, the title of Count Deblanc can pass to my son.”
“What are you saying?!”
“If you don’t give me a favorable answer by tomorrow, I’ll have no choice but to take this to court.”
Why did her once-strong elder sister’s back look so small and frail today?
In front of the entire family, the Marquis waved around the absurd contract to pressure Rose.
“Everyone, return to your rooms. Everything will be fine.”
“But Miss Rose…”
“Matthew, you should go home too.”
As unreasonable as the Marquis was being, this was still a private matter within the Deblanc family.
“Don’t tell your father anything. I won’t trouble your family any further.”
“But sister!”
“Please go home for now. I need to speak with my siblings.”
Even as she maintained her composure, the Marquis spoke to her in a sleazy, insidious tone, pretending to be considerate.
“It’s too heavy a burden for you to carry alone.”
Only after the unwelcome guest had left did Pricia take Rose’s trembling hand in hers.
“I’ll buy us time. For now, we’ll just agree to the engagement and quickly find matches for you and Lily.”
“Do you really believe that fake contract?”
“The contract is fake, but the debt is real.”
“What?!”
“There’s a record of a loan from ten years ago. No formal promissory note, but Father personally received a bank transfer.”
“Then…”
“They thought we’d fall for the forged note and take it to court, where we’d lose. If it goes to trial, we really will lose.”
In that case, they’d have to sell the estate and even their titles just to repay the debt.
“Where the hell did Father use all that money?!”
“He blew it all at the Marquis of Gondair’s casino. Every last coin.”
Though it was infuriating that their parents had caused this mess, the debt being real made finding a way to repay it even more impossible.
“How much can we raise?”
“Even with the estate as collateral, 200,000 galleons is the limit. If we scrape everything together, maybe 300,000—but the total, with interest, is a million. It’s just not realistic.”
“This is insane. A million galleons?! That sounds like someone’s fantasy character’s name.”
They already had business debts. If news of this new massive debt spread, Rose’s ventures would collapse.
“They don’t expect us to pay it back. Even if we go to court and reduce the interest, I still don’t think I could cover it.”
Backed into a corner, Rose could only sigh again and again, forcing a smile through clenched lips.
“The Deblanc name should’ve ended with our parents. I’m just finishing the job. If I sell the business, I can at least prepare your dowries.”
“Sister!!”
“I won’t let this touch either of you.”
She’d taken on everything—she’d even declared her own parents legally incompetent to protect her siblings.
At only twenty-four, she was too young to be considered a full adult, but she had become one alone, never once complaining.
“You’re planning to take all this on by yourself?”
“I won’t drag you into it. Let’s get some rest. I’m tired.”
Her foolishly noble sister never once cried or asked for help, always bearing her burdens alone.
Miléva hurried after her, and left alone, Pricia let out a bitter laugh.
“Sister… what happens to us now?”
Lily, having just seen Matthew off, returned and asked quietly.
Pricia quickly composed her face and comforted her.
“It’s okay, Lily. Everything will be fine.”
She hugged the young girl tightly and sent her to Rose’s study.
Then, Pricia walked out with heavy steps.
“I need to go out for a while.”
Though she insisted on going alone, the old stable master volunteered to drive her.
“My life isn’t worth much anyway. If you’re going somewhere dangerous, this old life should go first.”
“Old man…”
“My grandson will take my place. I’ll take you wherever you need to go.”
She knew all too well what it meant to go to him at this hour.
That strange man with his ever-calm demeanor—perhaps he’d known all about their situation all along.
Casting one last glance at her sister’s still-lit window, Pricia climbed into the carriage.
Lily and Rose would surely try to stop her if they knew what she was planning.
But right now, there was no other choice.
“Stop! Pricia!”
It was Matthew, lingering outside the mansion. He blocked the carriage, eyes desperate.
Pricia signaled to halt, locking eyes with her childhood friend.
He was trying everything he could, but Rose had a point—no matter how kindly he and his parents had treated them, begging them for help again would be unforgivable.
Lily might be better off with Matthew. Even in the Imperial Palace, she would never be out of place.
“I’ll talk to my father. I won’t let Rose take all the blame.”
“Matthew, it’s okay.”
“I saw the proposal letter. Don’t tell me… are you really going to the Duke of Cromfort?”
The duke, desperate to settle a title inheritance issue, only needed a wife for appearances.
It wasn’t strength like Rose’s or beauty like Lily’s that he sought—he had chosen Pricia for a different reason, and she understood it better than anyone.
In a way, it might be worse than marrying the Marquis of Gondair’s son. Far worse.
He wouldn’t hesitate to kill if necessary. There wasn’t even a trace of compassion behind his inborn arrogance.
“I won’t let my sister sacrifice herself alone.”
“Pricia, I…”
Matthew, overwhelmed with emotion, finally spoke with pain in his voice.
“I love you.”
It was the one thing she had hoped not to hear—but painful intuitions, as always, never failed.
