I Don't Know the Original, I'm Too Busy Trying to Make a Living-Chapter 183

“Ah! So that’s why Countess Corindel has been absent from social circles lately. She must be searching for her daughter, terribly worried, I imagine.”

“It would be better if the countess never finds Yvette,” Emily replied with a frosty expression.

Rumors about Countess Corindel exploiting her daughter for marriage deals were common knowledge among the nobility. The countess’s cold-heartedness toward her daughter made her a frequent subject of disdain in social circles. It was even said she shamelessly arranged meetings between Yvette and noblemen old enough to be her father.

Among such rumors, the proposal involving Yvette and Grand Duke Rahinsel surfaced. The nobility was shocked, curious as to how ➤ NоvеⅠight ➤ (Read more on our source) Countess Corindel had managed to gain favor with the formidable Duchess Dowager of Rahinsel.

“How could marriage talks even happen between the two families?”

Grand Duke Rahinsel’s prolonged bachelorhood was attributed to his lack of interest in women and the relentless interference of his stepmother, the Duchess Dowager. No matter how favorable a prospective bride might seem, the duchess found fault with them all. Her reputation for being exacting and miserly was well-known.

Yet, the notoriously picky dowager selected Yvette Corindel, a seemingly insignificant choice. The aristocracy whispered theories about the dowager’s motives.

“She must want to bolster her own son, Tébés.”

It was obvious: the Duchess Dowager sought to undermine the grand duke while elevating her own biological son, Tébés. The engagement between the grand duke and Yvette seemed part of this strategy.

But then, Yvette vanished from the social scene.

At first, Countess Corindel claimed her daughter was recovering from a sudden allergic reaction. Later, she said Yvette had caught a severe cold and was recuperating at the southern estate. Violet had believed these explanations without question.

In truth, Yvette had run away, leaving behind a letter severing ties with her mother. Emily, privy to these details, had been unable to sleep, consumed by worry over her friend’s well-being.

“If only she would send a letter saying she’s safe, I wouldn’t be this anxious.”

Her greatest fear was learning of Yvette’s fate from someone else. Such news could only mean something terrible had happened.

“Emily, we’re home. Time to get out,” Violet said, snapping Emily out of her thoughts. Once again, her mind had been consumed with concerns for Yvette.

“Maybe it’s better to hear nothing,” Emily thought, trying to comfort herself. No news is good news, as the saying goes.

She reluctantly steadied herself and stepped out of the carriage. Just then, a servant approached with a letter.

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“A letter for you, Lady Emily.”

Emily’s face lit up. The envelope bore the seal of the Halo territory—Penelope’s seal.

“Is it from Baroness Halo? Open it quickly!” Violet urged, her curiosity evident.

Emily borrowed a letter opener from the servant and tore the envelope open. Her eyes widened in shock when she saw the signature at the bottom: it was from Yvette.

“It’s a letter from Yvette!” she exclaimed, trembling with excitement as she began to read.

[To my dearest Emily,

I’m so sorry for not writing sooner.

There were many reasons, but the most pressing one was my poor finances. Who knew postage to the capital could be so expensive? Thinking of how worried you must have been makes my heart ache.

Let me explain. I managed to board the train from the capital to Pellar but was pickpocketed at the station.

Yes, a pickpocket! If only I had donated the money to someone in need instead, I wouldn’t feel so bitter. I swear such humiliation will never happen to me again.

Now, try not to be too shocked as you read this.

I’m currently in the Halo territory. In fact, I’m living in Baroness Penelope’s manor.

Guess who I’m working for? Take a wild guess!

I’ve been hired as Baroness Penelope’s secretary! I’m assisting her directly.

Every day feels like a dream. Baroness Penelope is even more extraordinary than we imagined. She’s undoubtedly the greatest genius in the empire.

I have so much to tell you, Emily!

But for now, I’m swamped with work. Please forgive me for keeping this letter short.

When I have more time, I promise to write a longer letter.

Your devoted friend,

Yvette Corindel

P.S.: To satisfy your long-standing curiosity, Baroness Penelope has chosen the Tower Master!]**

Emily stared at the letter, her mouth agape.

It was only one page long.

It didn’t answer any of the questions she’d been dying to know: whether Yvette was eating well, if she’d been harmed after the pickpocketing incident, or how she’d made it to the Halo territory.

“I want to shake her by the shoulders!” Emily fumed inwardly.

Still, she couldn’t suppress the surge of excitement. “Yvette is working as Baroness Penelope’s secretary!”

Her heart pounded with exhilaration. Knowing how deeply Yvette admired and respected Penelope, Emily wasn’t entirely surprised by her friend’s destination. Even so, the confirmation thrilled her.

“Working so closely with Baroness Penelope—what a perfect turn of events!”

Unable to contain herself, Emily ran toward the front door, her excitement spilling over.

“Emily! Where are you going all of a sudden?” Violet called, startled, chasing after her sister.

“I’m going to ask Father for permission. Do you want to come with me?”

“Permission for what? Where are you planning to go?”

“To the Halo territory. I have to see it for myself.”

***

“Emily Dot has boarded a train heading to Pellar,” an aide reported.

“Who is Emily Dot?” Lianel asked indifferently, barely looking up from his paperwork.

The aide, Kael, struggled to maintain a polite smile. “She’s the closest friend of your betrothed.”

“My betrothed?” Lianel raised a brow.

Kael let out a defeated sigh. “I thought you might say that.”

It was clear Lianel had no interest in, nor recollection of, the marriage arrangements being made on his behalf. While Kael had expected this, witnessing it firsthand was frustrating nonetheless.

“Can’t you at least tell me one thing? Do you have any intention of marrying Yvette Corindel?”

“Who knows?” Lianel replied nonchalantly, turning another page of his documents.

Kael clenched his fists, resisting the urge to shout. So, is that a yes or a no?!

Lianel, oblivious to his aide’s frustration, continued reviewing his papers. Since being rejected by Baroness Halo, his thoughts seemed heavier than usual. He often drifted into deep contemplation, leaving his retainers to tread carefully around him.

“For what it’s worth, Emily Dot’s destination seems to be Halo. Both Countess Corindel and the Duchess Dowager have dispatched spies to follow her.”

Lianel froze mid-turn of the page.

“My mother? Why would she care about this?”

“As I mentioned earlier, Emily Dot is Yvette Corindel’s closest friend. It’s likely your betrothed is in the Halo territory.”

Lianel’s expression finally turned serious, confirming Kael’s suspicion that he hadn’t been listening earlier.