Chapter 198: Cinderella Runs Away from Home
That evening, inside the study of the Viscount Arend Estate on Arend Island.
“W-What did you just say... Father? What do you mean you've already settled it for me?” Adele stared at Viscount Arend standing before her in disbelief.
Just moments ago, the Viscount—who spent his days wandering outside and rarely came home at night—had unexpectedly returned to the estate.
With unusual seriousness, he sought out Adele, saying he had something extremely important to discuss, and even requested that Petra and the others serving as guards in the estate excuse themselves.
To Adele's surprise...
Petra and the others cooperated without objection.
They not only withdrew, but even went downstairs instead of remaining outside the study door, giving the father and daughter complete privacy without the slightest intention of eavesdropping.
Then...
The Viscount dropped a bombshell on his bewildered daughter.
He had already found her a husband who was willing to repay the family's debts.
The news caught Adele completely off guard.
“What I mean is, I've already arranged a marriage for you. The other party is willing to pay off our family's debts, as long as I pass the title on to him afterward. Don't worry. Your father has already looked into him for you. He's not some old man—he's a young fellow just over twenty. Handsome, wealthy, influential, and...”
The Viscount had been about to add that she actually knew him.
Then he suddenly remembered Leon's warning and immediately stopped himself.
The most important thing right now was stabilizing Adele's emotions so she would agree to sign the marriage documents.
If mentioning Leon's name would only intensify her resistance...
It was better not to provoke her just yet.
First let her accept part of the arrangement...
Then gradually increase the pressure through gentle persuasion.
This sort of coaxing technique was something he had become quite proficient at over the years.
“In short, I dare say you won't find a better man anywhere in Southport County. He can solve our family's financial problems and settle your lifelong future at the same time. It's killing two birds with one stone... What's wrong, Adele?”
Halfway through his speech, Viscount Arend noticed Adele trembling as she pointed a finger at him.
He instinctively asked the question.
“You... you...” Adele was so furious she could barely speak. “You squandered the family fortune Grandfather spent his entire life building, and now you're handing our title over to someone else. You're even sacrificing your own daughter... And you actually have the nerve to say it to my face. Are you even human!?”
“Oh, now that's unfair. The title is only being entrusted to him temporarily. Isn't someone bound to inherit it eventually anyway? You're my only daughter. You'll get married sooner or later. Once that time comes, won't the title eventually pass to your children? He's willing to repay our debts and help revive the family. Isn't that wonderful?” the Viscount replied.
“Our family has fallen this far—how could anything good possibly happen to us now? Can't you use your brain for once, Father? Who would make such a losing deal at a time like this? He must have some ulterior motive! Have you even considered what happens if he takes the title and then kills us afterward?” Adele cried out in grief and anger.
In theory...
Once that man inherited the title, if both the former Viscount Arend and Adele died one after another, with no remaining heirs...
He could permanently retain the title.
There had indeed been people throughout Imperial history who had done exactly that.
Adele knew perfectly well that her father belonged to the kind of fool who would help count the money after being sold.
Otherwise...
He never would have accumulated debts of such a staggering amount.
All this time, while she had been seeking investment everywhere...
Even those wealthy nobles who admired her beauty had never considered marrying her.
Instead...
They wanted her as their mistress.
Those people weren't fools.
No matter how beautiful Adele was, time would eventually diminish her appearance.
As the Viscount's sole heir, marrying her meant inheriting thirty million Fenni in debt, taking responsibility for troublesome Arend Island, and becoming the laughingstock of local noble society.
To powerful nobles possessing vast fortunes...
The position of wife held political value.
They usually reserved it for marriages that forged alliances with other influential families.
Dragged down by her family's overwhelming liabilities...
Adele simply wasn't worth that kind of marriage.
But as a mistress...
She was an exceptional bargain.
Now, at a time like this...
Someone had approached her astonishingly gullible father, proposing marriage while offering to handle the family's debts.
Naturally...
Adele became suspicious.
Although she still couldn't understand the man's true objective...
Her instincts told her...
He definitely had ulterior motives.
“Surely... it wouldn't come to that, right? Even if he killed us, the debts wouldn't disappear. Besides, why would he get rid of such a beautiful wife? Wouldn't that be an even bigger loss?” The Viscount waved his hand dismissively after thinking it over.
“Don't overthink it.
“This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for our family to escape our predicament.
“If we let this chance slip away...
We'll never get another one.”
“You still dare say that... You're the one who plunged this family into this situation!” Adele clenched her fists so tightly that tears nearly welled up in her eyes.
Ever since her father ruined the family...
She had always felt deeply wronged.
Yet he continued acting as though nothing had happened.
“So that's why I've found us a solution! Haven't I been going out early and coming back late every day trying to figure this out? I finally found an opportunity like this. Otherwise, tell me—what other solution is there?” the Viscount asked in return.
Adele glared at him fiercely.
She deliberately chose not to mention the five hundred thousand Fenni investment she had received from Leon.
Everything was progressing extremely well.
Using the connections her grandfather had left behind, she had successfully rented a prime location at the fish market near Caster Harbor.
She had also purchased better fishing boats and equipment, leasing them to trustworthy local fishermen.
As a result...
The island's fishing industry—the Viscount family's primary source of income—had expanded tremendously.
They no longer needed to sell their catch cheaply through fish merchants at Caster Harbor.
Instead...
They could sell directly at the marketplace.
She had even negotiated long-term purchasing agreements with several dried seafood shops, increasing both the Viscount family's income and that of the local villagers.
Years ago, after mining operations on the island had become impossible because of the Labyrinth disaster...
The previous Viscount had already considered shifting the island's economy toward the fishing industry.
Unfortunately...
He fell ill halfway through implementing the plan.
If she told the current Viscount about the money...
He might very well set his sights on the profits she had just begun earning and squander them.
Adele didn't even dare imagine the consequences of failing to repay Leon.
“Come now, don't be so stubborn. Our family has to find some solution. Why don't you meet him first? We can all sit down and have a proper talk. I guarantee you'll be satisfied!” Viscount Arend continued persuading her, hoping to at least keep Adele seated at the negotiating table.
“He's already waiting downstairs to meet you.”
“What did you say?” Adele's eyes widened.
This was the first time anyone had even mentioned the matter to her...
Yet this worthless father of hers had already brought the man home without the slightest concern?
No...
This family was completely beyond saving.
Adele suddenly felt an overwhelming sense of crisis.
Even her own father had taken the opposite side.
If she went downstairs now to meet that man...
The situation would likely be completely beyond her control.
After a moment's thought...
She realized she couldn't even rely on the guards Leon had stationed here.
If the man who wanted to marry her intended to manipulate the debt issue...
Then he was probably connected to Father Auden and the Watcher Merchant Consortium.
And in Adele's impression...
Leon Set belonged to the same group as Father Auden.
Petra and the others had voluntarily withdrawn downstairs just moments earlier.
And despite her father bringing guests into the house...
There hadn't been the slightest disturbance downstairs.
That only further confirmed Adele's suspicions.
They were all in this together.
Every single one of them had set their sights on her family.
Her father had been sold without even realizing it.
She alone remained isolated, with no one to rely on.
Now...
She could only save herself.
Adele took a deep breath, forcing herself to calm down.
“Very well, Father. Since things have already come to this... I'll meet the man you've been talking about.”
“Oh, I'm so glad you've come to your senses, my dear daughter.” Viscount Arend smiled.
He was genuinely delighted.
If Adele relented...
His mountain of debt would finally have a solution.
“But could you allow me to freshen up first? I'd like to change into another dress. I can't meet someone looking like this.”
“Aren't you perfectly fine as you are? You're absolutely radiant. You'd be the most beautiful woman at any ballroom!” the Viscount laughed.
“I want to make myself presentable. Grandfather always taught us to pay attention to every detail. Surely you wouldn't want him to think I'm being disrespectful by meeting him dressed too casually? Please entertain the guest first. I'll come down shortly.”
Adele insisted.
“Very well. Then we'll wait downstairs. Just don't keep our guest waiting too long.”
Seeing that she had finally relented, the Viscount breathed a sigh of relief before turning and leaving the study.
Once she was certain he had gone far enough away...
Adele's expression immediately turned serious.
She hurried over and locked the door.
Then she began rummaging through every drawer and cabinet at top speed, gathering every important document she owned.
Meanwhile, downstairs...
Viscount Arend informed Leon and Father Auden of the situation.
Leon exchanged glances with Father Auden before smiling.
“You left her upstairs all by herself?”
“What about it?” the Viscount asked, raising an eyebrow.
Leon cast Petra a meaningful look.
Petra immediately nodded.
“I'll go check on her.”
After Petra went upstairs...
Leon also stood up and headed outside.
“Where are you going?” the Viscount asked in confusion.
“To take a walk behind the house.”
Leon smiled faintly.
Meanwhile...
Inside the study...
Adele had already gathered together all the cash and valuables she possessed, packing everything into a bundle.
Her plan was simple.
Escape first.
The fishing village had villagers she knew who could arrange a fishing boat to take her to Caster Harbor.
She had money now.
At least she wouldn't end up sleeping on the streets.
Of course...
She couldn't simply abandon everything concerning the Viscount's territory.
But she absolutely couldn't negotiate under these circumstances.
At the very least...
She needed to hire some people first so she wouldn't be forced into anything against her will.
As for Leon...
Although that man was terrifying, his willingness to lend her money at least made logical sense.
Her five hundred thousand Fenni investment was progressing smoothly.
She wasn't planning to report him to the Church anyway.
Once this immediate crisis passed...
There would still be opportunities to discuss everything properly.
Right now...
This situation was far more urgent.
She couldn't afford to worry about anything else.
Walking over to the window, she looked outside.
The second floor wasn't particularly high.
But she'd probably need to tie together some curtains or blankets to climb down.
She had never attempted anything like this before...
But she had no choice except to try.
She would quietly climb down from here...
Slip out through the back door...
Circle around to the mountain path in front...
Then escape into the village.
Yes...
That was the plan.
It was admittedly reckless.
But she had no other option.
Right...
A disguise would also be necessary.
She couldn't afford to stand out too much.
Looking down at her clothes...
She frowned.
Their colors were far too bright.
They were unsuitable for escaping under cover of darkness.
After all...
She was still a noble young lady.
Her clothing differed noticeably from that of ordinary commoners.
Not to mention...
Her exceptional beauty.
Just then...
Her eyes landed on the fireplace, where ashes still remained.
After thinking for a moment...
She walked over, scooped up a handful of soot, and smeared it over her clothes.
After hesitating briefly...
She steeled herself and rubbed some onto her face as well.
At that moment...
Someone knocked on the study door.
Petra's voice came from outside.
“Miss Adele? Are you in there?”
“J-Just a moment! I'm still putting on my makeup!” Adele replied nervously as she pushed open the window.
A short while later...
A curtain tied into a makeshift rope hung down from the second-floor study.
Covered in soot from head to toe, Adele carefully climbed out onto the windowsill with a cloth bag slung over her shoulder before cautiously beginning her descent.
What she didn't notice...
Was that Leon was already standing in the backyard near the corner of the house, arms folded, watching her every move with great amusement.