Chapter 3 – Part 2

“That’s all you have to say! Look at my son’s face! Did you think you could harm the eldest son of the Count Smith and get away with it?”
 
“I’m sorry. I’m really sorry. I will definitely cover the medical expenses.”
 
“Are you doing this because I seem short on money? I don’t need that dirty money!”
 
Despite Liese’s continued apologies, Countess Smith did not stop.
 
“I shouldn’t have sent him to a school for uneducated beggars in the first place.”
 
Her cold eyes focused on Charlie. Sharp words were hurled like spitting.
 
“From such a low place comes such a low child.”
 
Even the teachers raised their eyebrows at the insult. Liese’s grip on Charlie’s hand tightened.
 
Liese knew her place. Whatever the cause of the incident, she knew she had to bow her head and beg for forgiveness. She could take any insult.
 
And it had to be herself. Not the weak little brother who was being bullied and made a mistake in one of his outbursts.
 
“The child is listening, ma’am.”
 
Liese said, her voice trembling. Reading the unspoken message in it, the Countess narrowed her eyes.
 
“What?”
 
“I’m asking you to refrain from saying anything outrageous in front of the child. If there are any curses that need to be heard, I will hear them all, please.”
 
There was a chilling silence, like a splash of cold water in the gut. Then the countess spoke up, her face red with indignation.
 
“I’m going to go to the city police right now and sue the damned bastard! They’ll never let him off the hook, and they know it!”
 
Even though two teachers tried to stop her, she grabbed her son’s hand and left the principal’s office. The door slammed behind her. Startled, Charlie threw his arms around Liese and sobbed.
 
The desire to cry along with her brother surged within her, but her eyes were as dry as a dried-up well.
 
Nothing came to mind. She couldn’t grasp the upcoming situation or think of any way to cope with it. Liese stared down at Charlie with lifeless eyes for a moment.
 
***
 
The assigned teacher acknowledged that the cause of the incident lay with the son of the Count. Feeling the responsibility as a teacher who couldn’t prevent the accident, and he promises to keep Charlie in a separate class at Liese’s request.
 
However, aside from the bullying, there was nothing the teacher could do about the legal consequences of the incident outside of school, as one of the boys had suffered facial injuries.
 
Liese took Charlie’s hand and walked out of school. To her surprise, Ian was still waiting for her.
 
“Lieselotte, are you okay? There was a woman who walked by earlier, looking confident. What happened?”
 
To his inquiry, Liese couldn’t give any response. Whether it was due to her pale face or the seriousness of the situation, Ian didn’t press further and led the siblings home.
 
Returning home, Liese left Charlie with the nanny and hurriedly went upstairs. She took out the savings box hidden in the wardrobe, counting the money she had collected.
 
The compensation received from the Ducal estate was quite generous. After buying meat, new clothes for Charlie, and other necessities and paying Ian’s salary, it was no wonder.  
 
Even if she hadn’t spent a penny, it would still be far from enough for the settlement amount the countess might demand, an amount that was unpredictable.
 
And this was only possible if a settlement was possible. If the legal battle extended, they would need to hire a lawyer, and considering the cost, how could they manage that? Before that, she still needs to at least provide medical expenses for the countess.
 
Overcome with a deep sense of despair, Liese sat down on the parquet floor and blinked. No matter how much she thought about it, it was clear that this was a problem she couldn’t fix on her own.
 
She wondered if there was anyone out there who could lend a helping hand—anyone who could help her in her time of need in this strange city.
 
At that moment, a familiar face flashed across her mind, and her shoulders shook as if through electricity.
 
“You’re crazy, Lieselotte.”
 
She was indeed going mad. She scolded herself and fiercely shook off the image of the man that had appeared in her mind. However, once an image appeared, it didn’t easily fade away.
 
A man who used an exquisite cup, owned a mansion adorned with expensive murals and gold, and controlled this magnificent metropolis like a puppet.
 
A man who would never have to worry about money in his life.
 
‘Don’t even think about it.’
 
The evil duke wouldn’t lend her money, and even if he did, she had no idea what he might demand in return. So, as urgent as it was, she couldn’t consider the worst-case scenario. Never. Repeating it in her mind, she reluctantly returned the savings box to its place.
 
No matter how urgent it was… Lost in her thoughts, Liese paused. How deeply was she sinking into her own thoughts?
 
She couldn’t borrow money from the bank, not even a small amount. She had already mortgaged her orchard and house. It wasn’t a burdensome amount of money that she thought she’d be able to pay off someday, but now it was a mountain of debt.
 
‘Then….’
 
What if it was Ian? She wondered if there was anything more disingenuous than borrowing money from someone who had hired you, but the more she thought about it, the more realistic it was.
 
In the short time she’d known Ian, she’d learned a lot about him. He grew up in a prosperous environment without much trouble, and he’s neat and has a good heart.
 
She’ll borrow money after explaining the situation. Then she had to go to a lawyer. A court case doesn’t happen overnight, so she needs to be prepared.
 
“Hah….”
 
Liese sighed deeply. There was only one problem and one solution.
 
If only she had enough money to fill a closet instead of a tiny piggy bank, she wouldn’t have to worry.
 
She was so deep in thought that she didn’t even notice the figure that pushed its way through the door.
 
“Sister.”
 
Liese belatedly raised her head. Charlie, fidgeting with both hands, was standing in the doorway.
 
“Why don’t you answer when I call you? Are you mad at me?”
 
“…I’m not mad.”
 
“Sorry.”
 
As her apologetic younger brother approached, Liese extended her arms. Charlie, with a face expressing his sorrow, ran to her and embraced her.
 
“Sorry, sister. Because of me, you had to bow your head to that mean lady.”
 
“Don’t apologize. The one who teased and harassed you is the one at fault. You didn’t do anything wrong.”
 
Liese patted the small back of the child. Then, holding his shoulders, she looked into his eyes.
 
“But, Charlie, I want you to understand that accidents can happen anytime. Even though you didn’t intend it, that kid ended up getting hurt.”
 
“…”
 
“I told you if something happened at school, you should tell me. Why didn’t you keep that promise?”
 
“You told me that if someone bullies me, I shouldn’t just endure it and let it happen.”
 
Charlie’s face quickly showed a rebellious light. Unable to stop a sigh from escaping her lips, Liese couldn’t hold back the tears that welled up anew.
 
“I want to emphasize that I’m not blaming you. The person who tries to make an innocent person suffer is the one who is wrong, a hundred times and a thousand times.”
 
“But why are you angry at me?”
 
“I’m not getting mad at you, Charlie. I’m just saying it would have been better if you’d talked to me first before you retaliated by punching the boy.”
 
Charlie raised his eyebrows slightly.
 
“You’re always busy. You disappear at first light to go volunteer at the almshouse, and when you get back, you spend all your time with the apple tree, so when did you ever have time to talk to me?”
 
“Charlie.”
 
“I’m going to my room.”
 
Vomiting up long-held resentment, Charlie spun on his heel. She didn’t have time to catch him, and the sound of his slamming door echoed down the hall.
 
Looking at where her brother had disappeared, Liese pressed her eyes with the back of her hand. There was no way she was going to run after him once he’d slammed the door shut. She’d have to bring his favorite snack and coax him out of the door for a long time before he’d open it.
 
Once downstairs, she checked on her grandfather, then decided to take the cookies Ian had given her and head to Charlie’s bedroom. Liese brushed off the hem of her robe and stood up, staggering downstairs.
 
Soothing her prickly heart was an afterthought luxury when she had real problems to deal with right now.