I Decided to Kidnap the Male Lead

He did not throw out Iris, the crown prince’s aide, despite coming without a prior appointment.

Not only the count, but in the current empire, no one could reject Richard’s closest aide.

“I apologize for the sudden visit.”

“No, but what is it?”

The count made it clear that although he came to meet Iris, he did not want to sit face to face for very long.

Iris knew she recklessly visited the mourning family, so she also had no intention of holding the count for a long time.

“We’re reconstructing this case.”

“Why is the aide…”

The count was briefly puzzled. He nodded his head.

“Oh, is it because of that child?”

Iris leaned slightly towards the count referring to Hermia.

“Yes. Hermia can only return to her daily life when the case is over… I apologize.”

“No, it’s fine. The living should live.”

Not to the extent of being offended, the count waved his hand insignificantly.

At that, Iris paused.

‘Something doesn’t fit.’

Although Hermia’s fiancé was slightly lacking, he was still the count’s firstborn, yet he’s treated like this even after he was brutally murdered?

She heard that the funeral was being postponed, but it did not seem to be delayed because the case had not been resolved.

“If we want to hold a funeral, the case must be closed soon.”

“A funeral… yes. Yes, but now…”

The words of the count faded at the end; he swallowed the remaining words with a sigh.

In the end, Iris asked directly instead of speaking in a roundabout way, and so coldly that the count couldn’t stand to not answer.

“Are you saying it doesn’t matter if he’s gone because he’s an heir who couldn’t be rehabilitated from gambling?”

It was almost an insult to the count, who had lost his son, but almost frustratingly, he just smiled and waved his hand.

“I know it looks like that. But no, it’s not like that, it’s just…”

The count hesitated again, and Iris did not push further. Instead, she waited.

As the tea in her teacup cooled, the count’s heavy mouth opened.

“The family is shaking. So… I can’t afford it… It’s…”

The count’s eyes were also quivering violently when he uttered those words.

Although impatient, Iris did not press the count.

Having lost the one and only son and successor, the family was shaken to such an extent that they couldn’t fully concentrate or mourn for him; it was not something an outsider would dare to thoughtlessly poke their head in.

“Aide, maybe…”

The count closed his eyes tightly as if contemplating something, however, he didn’t say anything more

How long has it been?

In the end, the count swallowed the words he was contemplating on saying and gave an order to Iris.

“I’m sorry I couldn’t be of any help. Please go back now.”

“No. I’m the one who is sorry.”

The count left without saying anything more, and the remaining Iris left the count’s residence shortly after.

Iris got on the carriage, her face in a frown.

‘The family is shaking… hmm.’

“This isn’t a simple matter that will be easily over? It’s not about gambling or debt.”

.

Around the time Iris left the count’s mansion with a dubious feeling.

The count was taking heavy, slow steps towards the other drawing room.

Then he stopped, looked at the door in front of him, and took a deep breath.

But he couldn’t keep the person waiting like this.

The messenger of the Neir family had made a previous engagement and was alone with the count, but was forced to wait a while due to the intrusion of Iris, the crown prince’s aide.

When he thought of the messenger behind the door, his chest, which was stuffy, felt even more cramped.

He wondered if he should have talked to the aide instead, but that opportunity had already passed.

Besides, what could he even say?

‘My son’s debt is entangled with the Marquisate of Neir, and the family is literally ruined…?’

‘Now what? Could you please create an opportunity to run to the crown prince and beg?’

The count sighed, boiling from deep within, and grabbed the doorknob.

—Tachak.

“I made you wait.”

“No. Didn’t you say it was more urgent than this?”

There was an edge in the messenger’s words as he stood up and politely bowed as the count entered.

When asked if there was anything urgent enough to leave him alone again, the count did not answer, and a harsh silence fell between the two sitting face to face.

Cold tea was removed. It was when the new steaming hot tea was about to cool down.

“Is there any evidence to show that the debt has risen to that extent?”

“Of course. I was going to show you, but it’s a little late because something urgent happened.”

The messenger nodded and handed the count some papers.

The format of the documents written in various places was different, but the content was the same.

That Marchioness Neir bought all of his son’s debts.

No matter how many times the count looked at it, what his dead son had already done and the reality that came did not change.

When the visible amount exceeded the land’s three-year budget, there was no anger.

He was just at a loss.

Even if he emptied his family’s warehouse and sold everything he could sell, he couldn’t pay it back.

Struggled to swallow his sigh while crumpling the end of the documents, the count said,

“I understand. But I can’t afford to repay this amount at once. I’ll definitely do it, so please adjust the terms…”

With ease, the messenger cut off the difficult words he had uttered.

“No. You don’t have to.”

“Isn’t it the same as saying to hand over the family to repay this at once?”

The messenger shook his head at the count, who was showing disappointment rather than anger.

“It won’t be. You don’t have to hand over the family.”

“Then?”

“My generous master, out of mercy, has said that he will not recollect all the debt. Of course, there is no need to give up the family.”

Despite the messenger’s cool answer, the count could not rejoice or thank Marchioness Neir for her generosity.

It’s the Marchioness of Neir.

Anyone could see that there must be a condition that followed when she said such a thing.

The messenger rose from his seat and approached the count.

Placing his hand on the shoulder of the count who was not looking at him, he pulled out one more piece of paper.

“The master said she would write off half of your debt if you just sign this paperwork.”

“Half?”

The count then turned his head to the messenger.

The messenger laid down in front of the count a pen engraved with the seal of the Marquisate of Neir along with the papers.

“Think carefully. It’s half of the debt gone once you sign it. If you decide right away, I’ll speak well so that the other half will be appropriately adjusted.”

The whisper in his ear was just a well-packaged poison.

The count knew it, so he couldn’t help but hesitate.

“I won’t tell you to sign it blindly. Please read it carefully and review it.”

With that said, the messenger returned to his seat, picked up a cup of tea, and added as if he had just remembered it.

“Oh, my mistake, I have to tell you this too. If you don’t sign the document, you’ll have to pay off the debt in a lump sum.”

“What?”

“I’m telling you that this generous offer depends on the Count’s signature. Is the Count going to end such a venerable family in this generation and with your own hand?”

The count looked down at the messenger with an indescribable expression and lowered his head.

As long as you were in debt, the hilt of the knife was in the opponent’s hands.

If you have nothing, you could lay down to have the belly ripped off, but unfortunately, it’s only if you weren’t a count.

Besides, if you lie down to have your stomach cut off by Marchioness Neir, your real stomach would not be torn while your limbs would be cut off.

Silence like a grave fell, and time went by helplessly.

By the time the messenger’s teacup was emptied, the blank signature space on the last page of the paper the count was holding was blackened with a drop of ink.

Crushing the pen, the count finally spoke in a distressed voice without signing it.

“I’ll think over it positively.”

“I’m sh… no. Then I’ll take my leave.”

The messenger wanted to say he was surprised that he could afford to think.

A choice was given, but the count has only one choice.

There was still time until the festival, so there was no need to push too hard and gain unnecessary backlash.

Wasn’t it said that even an earthworm would wriggle when stepped on, and a mouse would bite a cat when cornered?

The messenger left, but the count remained frozen for a long time.

.

The Marquisate of Neir’s messenger, who left the county residence, arrived on horseback. But he did not head to the marchioness’ office.

Although he was a messenger of the marchioness, the place he entered was none other than Raisa’s study, avoiding people’s eyes as much as possible in the marchioness’ mansion.

“I see the lady.”

Raisa looked out the huge window and opened her mouth without looking back.

“How did it go?”

“He said he would think about it.”

At the messenger’s answer, the corners of Raisa’s lips went up.

“He must have misrepresented that he can afford to think without worrying about it.”

“I apologize. There’s only one decision the count can make, so I thought it would be better not to push too hard.”

Raisa turned slowly.

Approaching the messenger who still had his back bowed, she stopped behind him and muttered,

“Yes. I can’t get rid of the count right now. However…”

“Ugh!”

At the sudden pain in his legs, the messenger bent his knees and barely placed his hands on the floor to support himself.

Raisa, after having kicked the messenger precisely behind the knee with the sharp tip of her shoes, looked down at the top of his head.

Ame: I read ahead and it’s certain, Raisa will stick around for a long time, the main antagonist!