Chapter 3
“So… I apologize, but could you please tell me the reason why you’re establishing a poorhouse?”
“What?”
“According to the family’s financial regulations, if you spend more than a certain amount of money, it has to be recorded. Just like during the large-scale investment in Montella.”
Since I mentioned the financial rules my father made himself, he couldn’t dodge it with a “How dare you ask me that.”
There was no need to leave records that could become weaknesses while the inheritance battle was still ongoing.
Heroth was also a fairly trustworthy butler who never hesitated to expose my darkest intentions.
“That is…”
I parted my lips slightly.
The reason I wanted to establish a poorhouse. There was only one.
“Are you seriously asking because you don’t know?”
“Excuse me?”
I glared at Heroth with wicked eyes and covered my face with both hands.
“At first, I’ll pretend it’s just for charity, but later I’ll use it as a tax evasion warehouse. That way, all of it becomes my slush fund.”
Yes, the reason I wanted to build a poorhouse…
Was to create a warm free cafeteria for Eti and his friends.
There were still a few months until the revolution, and they were so poor from investing heavily in military supplies that they couldn’t even afford proper meals.
I had quickly pulled out 50,000 Den to support them, but with so many people to care for, the money would be gone after moving to a better place and buying warm clothes.
‘Koreans survive on rice!’
As a member of a people who consider “Let’s eat” a form of greeting, I absolutely couldn’t stand seeing my favorite star go hungry.
Back when I watched Eti training with an empty stomach under the revolutionary star, I cursed the author so much.
Said that even if you work them to death, you should at least feed them.
But I had no choice but to phrase it roundabout.
“Of course, leave a reasonable record. Say it’s an investment for the reputation of the Duke of Elemoer family.”
“As expected… I thought so.”
At my words, taking into account Catrin Elemoer’s character, Heroth easily agreed.
As if this strange act of setting up a poorhouse was no big deal, his expression relaxed.
“Understood. Then I’ll go deliver a letter to the Chief Secretary right away.”
After Heroth closed the door and left, I let out a small sigh.
There were quite a lot of things to pay attention to when it came to “sponsorship.”
The revolutionary army’s tactician opened the door to their new hideout—a secret base—and guided his liege, Etias, inside with a bright smile.
Caron Pernar. The son of Baron Pernar who once served the former emperor, he had fallen into ruin after the current emperor’s ascension and joined Etias’ revolutionary army.
“There’s barely any drafts here. Also, since it’s in the city, it’s easy to access and convenient for Your Highness to commute to and from the office.”
Without the support from a patron who donated 50,000 Den, they wouldn’t have even dreamed of such a comfortable base.
“Many soldiers got frostbite at the previous base, but now we can take care of them and reduce our losses. Although we’ve nearly spent all the money because of it…”
As soon as he stepped inside and felt the warm air, Etias paused for a moment.
The anonymous benefactor who had suddenly thrown a bag of money and disappeared not long ago.
Even left him a note to remind him of what he needed the most at the time.
This time, it was a base.
“…Well done.”
Etias had never left a debt unpaid.
He always repaid it in full.
Once the revolution succeeds, he would definitely find them.
As he thought briefly, Etias opened his lips with a cold gaze.
“Is the traitor in the basement?”
“Ah, yes. We’ve detained him.”
A little later, Etias and Caron went down to the basement prison of the building.
The well-dressed prisoner flinched and looked at Etias.
Outside the bars stood his radiant lord, with black hair and blue eyes.
The man exhaled shakily and fell to his knees.
“You know what happens to traitors.”
He had sold out his comrades’ lives for pleasure and luxury, good clothes and a fine sword.
Now there would be no more chances to enjoy any of it.
Regret came too late, and spilled water couldn’t be gathered again.
“…Y-Your Highness… hic…”
The man prostrated himself before Etias.
Etias stared coldly at him and asked,
“Who did you sell it to?”
The man’s shoulders flinched.
“The revolutionary army’s list.”
He would die anyway. There was no reason to hide it anymore.
With a tear-streaked face, he confessed the truth.
“To the Duke of Elemoer… the deceased Duke of Elemoer. Hic…”
His clenched fist trembled uncontrollably.
The Elemoer family—thorn in the eyes of the imperial faction, who viewed Etias with rightful legitimacy as a threat.
“Probably now… Lady Catrin Elemoer has it…”
She inherited her mother’s legendary beauty and her father’s terrifying nature—Elemoer’s deadly rose.
That woman inherited everything from the Duke of Elemoer.
Even, probably, the confidential documents he used to keep.
“…”
Etias’ eyebrows twitched slightly.
A name he hadn’t heard in a long time.
“…Catrin… Elemoer…”
His lips moved faintly, a chilling voice escaping them.
Moments later, his shadowed face turned away slowly.
“Kill him.”
As Etias turned, Caron and the other subordinates behind him approached the prisoner.
While the sound of the traitor’s death rang out behind him, Etias walked forward, his blue eyes blazing fiercely.
“Ah… no!”
I gasped for breath and woke up from the nightmare.
In the wide and luxurious bedroom, morning sunlight streamed through the silk curtains.
So it was a dream…
But the reason I didn’t feel relieved that it was a dream was because that dream was a glimpse of the “real past.”
The wicked deeds she committed in Catrin’s memories. Just remembering them was painful.
—Date me and get some benefits, or live your whole life as a useless scarecrow prince?
I’m crazy.
Remembering the pickup line I used in the dream, I clutched my head.
In Star of the Revolution, the reason why Etias didn’t just dislike but despised Catrin Elemoer was because of their past connection.
It was definitely a bad relationship for him.
Oswell Imperial Academy.
A school where only royalty and nobles could enroll. It was there that I met Etias during four years of education.
Among all the well-groomed nobles, Etias stood out like he was living on a completely different level—he was that good-looking. It was no surprise Catrin fell for him, and thus began her infamous history.
“He has the exact same taste as I do.”
There was no way Etias would accept the twisted confession of someone as arrogant as her.
According to the novel’s description, he treated Catrin as if she were an insect.
If only Catrin had let go of her feelings at that point, it would’ve been a happy ending.
Of course, our villainess Catrin wasn’t the type to back down after a simple rejection. She had to go and do something ridiculous.
The problem was—it was something that still had lasting consequences.
What did she do, you ask?
To make Etias regret not choosing her, she got engaged to the viscount’s son, Philios Regalo, whom her uncle had introduced to her.
Etias, of course, never regretted losing Catrin.
On the contrary, he probably felt relieved to be rid of a woman who clung like a leech.
“…Sorry, Eti. I’ll apologize on Catrin’s behalf. To think she tried to replace you with that kind of guy…”
I quietly clasped my hands together.
Sigh.
Anyway, my cute little jewel box—have they moved into the new place by now?
I checked the watch screen to see if the information had been updated.
Revolutionary Army Info
Military Power: Lacking [More]
Equipment & Supplies: Severely Lacking [More]
Comfort Level: 49%
Funds: 5,010 Den
Revolution Progress: 55%
