SBMF 15

Chapter 15

“Three thousand crowns?!”

The Osburn viscount and his wife were dumbfounded at the unexpectedly large sum.

Three thousand crowns was equivalent to about six months’ wages for the staff of the viscount’s household—a massive amount.

Moreover, they had already squandered their money on luxuries.

With unpaid debts piling up, they had no cash available immediately.

But as Marquis Rockwell had said, the court had no interest in their personal circumstances.

“The deadline for repayment is two weeks. Failure to meet this deadline will result in compulsory labor.”

From that day on, Cloud went from noble house to noble house, trying every connection he had to gather the money.

“Oh, I’m sorry, but our count is currently at his estate. He won’t be back until next month.”

“I really want to help, but our situation isn’t good right now either…”

“The master says it’s difficult to meet. I apologize, Viscount.”

But no one extended a helping hand.

They feared that being associated with a viscount found guilty in the central court would draw the attention and wrath of the royal family.

“Damn it, for crying out loud!”

Even after being rejected by the last place he hoped for, Cloud kicked a stone in frustration and cursed loudly.

Would he be dragged off to the labor camp like this, helpless?

For someone who had lived his life on nothing but pride as a noble, dying would have been preferable.

‘As I thought… is this the only way?’

Cloud stopped walking.

He still had one last card, one he had refused to use out of pride.

“Excuse me? Dad? What did you just say?”

Rosena, hearing Cloud’s words when he returned home, could hardly believe her ears.

She hadn’t thought that her parents’ problem with the restitution would drag her into it as well.

“Have Evan pay the restitution for you. He runs a business; he should have some cash.”

“Dad!”

Rosena snapped at the suggestion.

Since the court’s decision, Evan’s attitude had grown noticeably cold.

Bringing up such an uncomfortable topic of money would only make their relationship more strained.

“Alright, do as your father says, Rosy. He’s family—of course you should help in times like this.”

But for the viscount and his wife, such things were meaningless.

If they didn’t pay the fine, they would be dragged off to labor. What else mattered?

They even felt they were the ones losing out.

“Three thousand crowns just to give away my daughter? She’ll inherit the viscount title eventually anyway, and that Evan fellow should be bringing in even more.”

“Of course, naturally.”

“Ha…”

Rosena bit her lip in frustration.

And she couldn’t argue against them either.

She herself had no way to come up with the huge sum of three thousand crowns.

‘I never imagined our family would be this broke…’

Of course, she never admitted that part of the reason for this mess was her own extravagance.

Until now, she had been able to stand proudly before Evan with the viscount’s prestige and wealth.

The thought of all that crumbling made her face flush with embarrassment.

Covering her head with her hands, Rosena muttered,

‘Why did things suddenly get so messed up?’

In the end, the enormous fine of three thousand crowns was paid by Evan.

After completing all the procedures, Evan left the central court, his face full of irritation.

Rosena followed hesitantly behind him.

“Evan, thank you so much. I was really worried, but I’m so glad you were here.”

“…”

Evan didn’t reply, keeping his lips pressed tightly together as he walked straight ahead.

Three thousand crowns.

He had used company funds in a rush, but the more he thought about it, the more his stomach churned.

‘Everyone else benefits from their in-laws… and me? What the hell?’

Unaware of Evan’s seething frustration, Rosena clung to him playfully.

“Don’t worry about the money! My parents will definitely pay it back.”

…Sure.

Evan swallowed his sneer.

When he had checked, the Osburns’ financial state was far from good.

Yet the Osburn family had never reduced their vanity-driven spending.

It was why Evan had been postponing entering the viscount’s household in the first place—he was horrified by their recklessness.

And now, with no servants left, the house must be in utter chaos.

It was just frustrating, no matter how he thought about it.

‘Ha… if it weren’t for the kid, this would’ve been over long ago.’

Evan exhaled deeply.

The Rosena who had once been so lovely now irritated him to the point of near hatred.

‘But if I break up with her, the Osburns will make a huge fuss.’

Her parents were the bigger problem.

After all, they were still prominent members of noble society.

And Evan’s business partners were these very nobles.

If even a rumor spread that he “got a noble lady pregnant and abandoned her,” it would be the end of him.

‘I should have done whatever it took to hold onto Cecilia back then. No troublesome in-laws, and I could’ve had the countship myself.’

But regretting it now was useless.

The fact remained that Rosena was his only choice, and that suffocated him further.

He stopped walking and let out a long sigh.

“Evan, what’s wrong? Huh? Feeling uncomfortable? Want to come to our house for dinner?”

Unaware of his inner turmoil, Rosena clung even tighter to his side.

And the more she did, the more Evan’s expression hardened.

“Line up, line up.”

The garden of the Duke Hays’ estate.

Wendy handed a letter envelope to each of the Osburn servants standing in a line.

Inside was a reference letter personally written by Rainer.

It guaranteed their experience and status under the name of Duke Hays.

Reading it, the servants’ faces lit up with relief and joy.

“With this, there won’t be any trouble finding our next job! We can go anywhere we want.”

“Goodness, a guarantee from Duke Hays himself? What luck!”

“It was worth enduring that miserable Osburn household.”

All the servants were elated.

Even those who had been doubtful at first were amazed that the letter really bore Rainer’s name.

One maid clutched the envelope and asked,

“Wendy, how did the duke know to help us?”

“Well, um…”

Wendy scratched her cheek awkwardly.

Even she had been skeptical when Cecilia first told her.

‘Duke Hays is going to help us? Really?’

Most nobles Wendy had encountered treated servants like they were nothing.

Even when the servants were victims, nobles preferred quiet solutions—firing the victims to end the matter.

Those whose livelihood was at stake could say nothing.

Yet now, without any reward, someone was guaranteeing their identity and work history.

And that someone was the great noble, Rainer?

To Wendy, he seemed like a legendary figure.

‘And he even let me into the duke’s household at the young lady’s request. He must really like our young lady.’

Wendy had no idea that Cecilia and Rainer’s marriage was a political arrangement.

She just felt proud and grateful.

Meanwhile, one impatient maid lightly shook Wendy by the arm.

“You know something, don’t you? Tell us, come on.”

“Um…”

But Wendy couldn’t tell the other servants that Cecilia had acted on their behalf.

Cecilia’s identity was still top secret.

Shrugging, Wendy fumbled for an excuse.

“It’s nothing like that. My relative works here, and the duke heard about our situation and decided to help.”

“That doesn’t… quite explain it.”

“Well, I need to finish cleaning now, so everyone, head back.”

Though unsatisfied, the servants didn’t press further and left with their letters.

Once the last maid had gone, Wendy rushed back into the duke’s residence.

“Milady! Ah, no, ma’am!”

Cecilia was inside, doing embroidery.

Seeing Wendy, a soft smile spread across her face.

“Is the work all done?”

“Yes! Everyone was really happy. Thank you so much, ma’am.”

Wendy bowed deeply on behalf of everyone.

Cecilia quickly stood and helped Wendy up.

“Don’t do that. I owe everyone so much already.”

“Milady…”

Wendy’s eyes welled up with tears.

Cecilia hadn’t forgotten the servants who had treated her kindly at the Osburn estate.

“I’m glad I could at least repay a little. And…”

Cecilia smiled playfully.

“It feels good to get back at the Osburn household a bit too.”

Wendy also laughed, tears brimming in her eyes.

But her expression soon darkened again.

“But, milady…”