“What? What do you mean, sir?”
Domingo asked without realizing. Irritated, Philip extended the documents he had written to Domingo.
“Just as you heard.”
“Uh, sir. I understand about the alimony, but the finances are not like that. May I say something about that…?”
“I don’t want to hear more now. After sending off the Viscount, put the agricultural rights of the southern wheat fields in the territory on the exchange.”
Domingo’s eyes widened in surprise at Philip’s instructions.
“What? The southern wheat fields? That’s land measuring a million square meters, but…?”
“I know. Today was the loan’s maturity date. You’ve worked hard. The request is here. And this is additional alimony to be given to Ellen. Process it quickly.”
Domingo, who doubted his ears, asked Philip with a bewildered expression.
“Master, are you serious?”
“Have I ever been insincere in my paperwork?”
“That’s true, but…”
Domingo first examined the documents that Philip handed him.
One was the instructions Philip had just given. And the other was about granting Ellen the long-term right to use the bamboo forest within the territory.
In Domingo’s eyes, both documents seemed very peculiar.
“Are you giving the bamboo forest usage rights as alimony? To the mistress… No, to the former mistress?”
“For the Countess, it wasn’t too insignificant for her dignity. Since it was needed, I decided to grant the usage rights. It seems even that is too little; I might give more in the future.”
“I have no objection to that part. Please proceed as you wish, sir.”
Philip thought Domingo could now go out to handle the respective documents.
“But sir, even though the loan maturity has been settled, why are you planning to put the agricultural rights of the wheat fields on the exchange?”
“Domingo, today…”
Philip, who was about to express his frustration, realized there was something strange in Domingo’s words.
“The loan maturity has been settled?”
“Haven’t you received the message from the court to the Countess? The Morris family’s finances were completely normalized yesterday.”
“I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
Domingo, who had been watching his expression carefully, spoke again.
“I received a call from the bank today. They said the final loan has been processed. As of today, the Morris family has no debts, not even a penny.”
Domingo, with a bright expression, held out the silver tray he had brought to Philip again.
“The madam has completely settled all debts.”
“All… debts? How?”
“I checked the source of the funds. A large sum came from the sale of artworks. This document contains related details.”
Philip finally began to check the documents Domingo had laid down.
Seeing Philip’s eyes narrowing gradually, Domingo smiled slyly and respectfully bowed his head.
“Then, I’ll send away the impolite guest.”
Philip, who had quickly stood up, put on his frock coat. Now was not the time to deal with this; he had to meet Ellen. If he couldn’t meet Ellen now, he didn’t know when he could.
“Tell Viscount Ondera that I won’t forget today’s insult.”
“Yes, sir.”
“Oh, right.”
Philip, who was about to walk away, quickly turned back to Domingo with an expression of realization.
“Do this as well.”
Through the butler Domingo, who had sent questions to Philip, Viscount Ondera sat somewhat arrogantly on the sofa.
He continued to puff out the fragrant pipe smoke, and as soon as the maid had laid out tea, water, and a dessert tray on the table, he spoke.
“I will have my butler handle the rest, so leave the room.”
Once the maid left, the butler cautiously spoke.
“Master, won’t Count Maurice be displeased with the questions you just sent?”
“Who’s the one already displeased.”
After blowing out a long puff of pipe smoke and licking his lips, Viscount Ondera spoke.
“What? Is it because you’re busy? Just wait; I can’t believe it.”
“Still, the Morris Count’s family has a very high reputation…”
“Noisy. That’s all in the past. The former Mrs. Morris used to brag a few times, but now the household is probably on the verge of bankruptcy with no money.”
“Still, you are involved in important matters with the King, aren’t you?”
“Even if we look at it, once everything is over, the one who will become our stepfather is the one. There are rumors that he’ll also release the territory usage rights.”
The viscount, who slyly glared, smoked his pipe with great delight.
“Considering his rank, it’s plausible, but being audacious about money when there’s none…”
At that moment, Domingo entered and bowed politely.
“Is that so? Did that woman lie?”
Domingo, with a calm face, stood upright, chest puffed out.
“To the impolite question of Viscount Ondera, I, Domingo, the butler, will answer on behalf of Lord Philip Morris.”
“What?”
The viscount noticed that Domingo’s attitude and the way he referred to his master had clearly changed from before.
Earlier, he was clearly treated as an honored guest, but now it seemed like he was being viewed as an insolent person.
“First of all, his lordship wants to let Viscount Ondera know that he won’t forget the rudeness you displayed today.”
Domingo looked straight into Viscount Ondera’s eyes.
“Also, the financial situation of the Count’s family is comfortable. And it is true that, under the pretext of alimony, Lord Morris transferred additional usage rights of part of the estate to the former Mrs. Morris, and he plans to give more in the future.”
Viscount Ondera was suspicious of Domingo’s unexpected attitude.
“Is that possible? Isn’t the situation where they can’t incur any more debt?”
“You are misinformed. We are in a state without a single penny of debt.”
Domingo stated coldly.
“Lastly, his lordship mentioned that Morris Mansion is smoke-free unless it’s a special day. As someone who should know, it seems difficult for you to follow basic etiquette.”
Faced with the unprecedented response from the butler, Viscount Ondera’s mind went blank. Domingo, who saw his stuttering reaction, stepped forward.
“Butler Domingo! Are you in your right mind?”
“I am very much in my right mind.”
Domingo calmly replied and was about to turn away. At that moment, Viscount Ondera, who had turned red, clutched his pipe and raised his voice.
“Is this what Lord Morris instructed me to do? Are you not senile?”
“Oh dear!”
Startled by his words, Domingo turned back. And with a respectful bow, he addressed the viscount.
“I seem to have forgotten to do as you instructed, Your Excellency.”
When scheming men desperately battle for her favor in the male harem
This one’s also on my reread list! The rivalry, scheming between the men in the imperial harem are just as intense and thrilling as in classic palace drama novels, where concubines fight to the death. Give it a read, girls! I promise you won’t be disappointed.
Synopsis:
“I am not worthy of her… but I still want to be by her side, even if only as a loyal dog…”
Those were the painful whispers of Yue Guanyi – the proud Crown Prince of the Great Qi, who was torn between deep love and a guilty conscience. Despite holding the supreme power of the Imperial Guard, he still could not forget the dark past when he was sold into a brothel.
Fate played a cruel twist when Qiu Shuzhi – a young female official who had just passed the imperial examinations with top honors – stepped into his life. She did not know that she was the one who had saved him from a tragic fate many years ago. And now, her heart was the target of pursuit for both Yue Guanyi and the powerful Empress Dowager Qin Qing.
While Yue Guanyi only dared to silently care for and protect the one he loved from afar, the Empress Dowager Qin Qing openly expressed his feelings and did not hesitate to take advantage of his power to approach Qiu Shuzhi. The covert struggle between the two most powerful forces in the imperial court began…
Trigger warning: All men in this novel are yandere style.
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