With a jingle, the pouch that landed on his palm was heavier than he expected.
“What is this?”
“I told you, I will definitely repay my debt. This should be enough, don’t you think?”
Nobert’s eyes widened in surprise as he checked the contents of the pouch. For the lord of Ashbon, it wasn’t a huge sum, but it was a considerable amount for a fake noblewoman to possess.
“I’m not as destitute as you might think.”
Ariella spoke confidently, as if she had never been whipped by her father.
If one only looked at her financial situation, she was not an unfortunate person. Since the moment she vowed to leave Bedford years ago, she had been discreetly siphoning off her share of slush funds.
Some might point fingers at her actions and call it theft, but Ariella felt no guilt about embezzling Bedford’s wealth.
It was impossible for a woman to survive in a foreign land without a single penny. Unlike other noblewomen, she had learned this reality early on, having lived in the Marylebone Poorhouse before growing into a high-ranking noblewoman.
Of course, if she could escape Bedford, she would gladly accept being thrown out with not a single coin to her name. But if there was a way to avoid that, there was no reason to choose a difficult path and suffer.
‘After all, this was my rightful share.’
Moreover, what she had siphoned off was money that should have rightfully belonged to her.
It was an inheritance passed down to her not from Bedford, but from Alchestus. She had merely reclaimed a portion of it.
Over twenty years ago, when the current duke was still unmarried, the Bedford ducal family was not the top-ranking family it is today.
At that time, Bedford had only the honor of being a founding family of the Juvenile Empire, lacking the power to place the second prince on the throne or the wealth that would make others envious.
It can be said that it was the connection with the Alchestus Marquis family that brought Bedford to its current position.
What kind of family was Alchestus? Though it has since fallen into decline and disappeared, it was once regarded as the most powerful family in Juvenile.
The Bauer mine, long held by Alchestus, generated enormous profits every year, and every business they touched poured in money.
Yet, there were only two children to inherit it, so naturally, noble families in Edinburgh were eager to forge connections with the descendants of Alchestus over twenty years ago.
The beloved only daughter of the Marquis of Alchestus, Meredith Alchestus, was a stunning beauty who received dozens of marriage proposals immediately after her debut. She was the object of desire for all unmarried men. However, Meredith’s heart was set solely on one man.
Caleb Bedford, who had made a name for himself as an outstanding general.
With a handsome face, exceptional abilities, and a prestigious family background, he was none other than Ariella’s father.
Meredith and Caleb, surprisingly, had a love marriage. It wasn’t common in those days.
Their love was so deep and sweet that even now, some ladies would talk about those beautiful lovers when they met Ariella.
But as everyone knows, Meredith Alkestes, the Duchess of Bedford, lost her life along with other collateral descendants of Alkestes on the day of her younger brother’s wedding.
Regardless of the despair of the Duke, who lost the woman he loved, Alkestes’s inheritance passed entirely to Bedford, becoming the Duke’s business funds.
Even the share of the inheritance that should have rightfully gone to Ariella was somehow overwritten with Bedford’s name. Young Ariella accepted this as natural.
She was still an immature being within her father’s sphere, and she felt responsible for the death of her mother, whom her father so deeply mourned.
‘Nonsense.’
Of course, her thoughts have changed now.
Alkestes’s inheritance is rightfully mine. So, even if not all of it, there’s no reason not to take at least a portion. Ariella believed this, and willingly embezzled funds, evading her father’s eyes.
“This wasn’t the kind of help I offered expecting such a reward.”
Karsian’s low voice suddenly echoed in her ears. Ariella finally shook off her reverie and answered honestly.
“Yes, I know. It’s not a significant amount for Your Grace. But I wanted to alleviate my sense of debt, however slightly.”
If I repay this debt, I won’t feel this strange. Smiling with that thought, Karsian nodded with a stern expression.
“If it suits you, then so be it. I gratefully accept it.”
“Yes. Then, having given what I intended, I shall take my leave.”
As she bowed without hesitation, Karsian’s expression became even more subtle.
It wasn’t overtly noticeable, but his slightly raised eyebrows, clouded gaze, and tightly pursed lips were different.
