Chapter 9

"Is that the new wife of Prince Icard?"

"Yes, but there are a lot of strange things."

Duke Icard, Evan, and Laria were seen by everyone at the race.

That's because they didn't even think that Duke Icard, who was now being called to the power at a frightening speed, would appear at such a race venue.

While most people thought that Duke Icard was just competent, some people who read the flow were all suspicious of him.

As if he were trying to sway the empire behind him…

They didn't know why, but it was vaguely possible to guess that the board he was making was bigger than they thought.

All kinds of information guilds analyzed that the imperial family is the only one who can keep him in check after a few years.

If his only son Evan had been married to the royal family, no one would have been able to stop Duke Icard.

"That's strange."

Sven Vestian, the head of the Vestian Dark Information Guild, tilted his head.

"Why did he bring that child?"

Laria was not a helpful daughter-in-law at all.

The Count and his wife died suddenly in a carriage accident and had no assets left to their children.

But Duke Icard immediately took her as his daughter-in-law because Laria had nowhere to go.

As soon as he took her in as his daughter-in-law, he submitted the marriage registration to the imperial family.

Even the Count had a lot of debt left, and Duke Icard paid it all. Of course, the amount of that debt wasn't a big deal when it came to Duke Icard's wealth.

"That doesn't make sense. A man like Duke Icard would not move for such a human reason."

Until now, the majority of people who wanted to read the political version were pointing to Elani as Evan's wife.

Elani was the first to be old enough for Evan, and the next to be the first to succeed to the throne.

It would take some time for the emperor to be so young that he would eventually become the master of the empire.

However, breaking everyone's expectations, he married Evan and Laria and hit everyone in the back of the head.

"There must be a reason."

It is true that his checkers lost their cause, but it was inefficient to use his only son's marriage card like this.

Even his son Evan became a married man without knowing the truth.

"In addition, the three of them are going side by side to side for the horse racing event…"

Sven clicked his tongue.

No one knew that Duke Icard was raising his son Evan as if he were neglecting him.

But it was certainly strange to suddenly have a happy family.

"There's a reason."

His eyes turned to the girl with pink hair.

A child who often walks with a cute posture and smiles like a sparrow, but still catches the eye.

A 14-year-old with no background, no characteristics.

"I'll have to wait and see."

Sven's gray hair fluttered slightly in the wind.

"I need to know Laria Rose Icard to read the Duke's cards."

Sven was a dark intelligence dealer who painted his own big picture.

It was a frustrating and insane obstacle regardless of whether Laria was useful or not.

Later on, whether he sold the information or not, he was dying to know why he brought Laria as Evan's wife.

He quietly hid his presence and hid close to Duke Icard.

***

The special seat that Ordy showed me was absolutely wonderful. It was a high spot where the horses ran at a glance.

Evan was pondering over the dividend table brought by an official at the race venue.

While he was serious about the number of cases, I had only one concern.

"Excuse me…"

I spoke to Evan with a sigh.

"Can you lend me some money?"

"What?"

"I want to bet for fun, but I don't have money."

With pride completely swallowed, I said with a poor look on my face.

I thought Duke Icard would give me pocket money if I came to the race. But the duke said nothing, and I had to hang on to the comfortable Evan.

"I'll pay you back."

I feel so sorry.

It was sad to have no money.

I will never forget this moment and will never waste money even if I make a lot of money in the future."

"You don't have cash?"

"No…"

When I mumbled in a low voice, Duke Icard stepped in with his arms crossed.

"I guess the butler hasn't budgeted you because you're not an adult yet."

"Yes."

I blinked and looked up at the Duke sitting next to me. And said as pitiful as possible.

"Of course there's no inconvenience, but I still don't have cash."

"Come on."

The Duke took a coin out of his pocket and it to me.

A gold coin, I was surprised but accepted quickly.

"It's the price of the picture."

Picture? I thought you didn't like it.

"Thank you."

Oh, my God. I'm so happy.

Evan said seriously when he saw my wide mouth.

"I have to tell my butler about the budgeting. Even if you're a minor, you have the surname of Icard, shouldn't you have the cash available for you?"

However, the duke did not answer. Then he said after a long time.

"Why do you give so much money for a painting?"

"What?"

"Draw if you need some money."

Does that… sound like you're going to pay for a painting if I draw a picture in the future?

'It took less than 10 minutes to scribble that. But one gold coin? I am not the hourly market.'

He meant that he would not make a budget anyway.

It didn't matter anyway. After this moment, I won't be disappointed with cash!

I put out a gold coin to the racecourse official. Although it was only one, it was the largest monetary unit here, and it was a considerable amount.

"I'll bet all of this."

And I checked the betting paper that the official had put out with a pen without hesitation.

When I saw my betting paper, the eyes of Evan and his associates, Duke Icard, who had no interest, widened.

"Laria? Are you sure you want to bet like this?"

Evan asked with his head close.

"Yeah, I'll bet like this."

"You're spending other people's money too carelessly."

The duke laughed and murmured.

"Well, it's a kid's joke anyway."

A gold coin for a joke…

Soon after, gunfire rang out and racehorses began to run.

***

At today's event, the male lead, Seymour Litshua, of the original work, is here.

He was a commoner who wanted to be an aristocrat, and his eyes were turned to buy a title.

'He is a monster born of typical capitalism.'

And a man whose money is pouring down to the male lead buff.

What was unusual about the original book, "The Great Deal of the Empire," was that the male lead's movements were described in considerable detail.

So despite the romance, it was fun to see the process of Seymour increasing his wealth.

He made astronomical sums of money by running land and making investments, as well as tracking the ancient magic items on the continent, which are only three.

Anyway, the important thing was that Seymour made his first big hit here.

'Now he's my role model.'

The episode, which first served as an opportunity for him to lay the groundwork for a title, took place at this horse racing venue.

'Sorry, Seymour. Let's split it up. I'm in a bit of a hurry.'

I bet on a horse with a huge dividend.

At today's race venue, a horse that no one expected won first place.

Knowing the development already, I did not even think about it and checked the betting paper fairly.

[1st Placement — Black Horse]

A black horse that appeared without anyone's attention, the first place that no one expected, a huge dividend.

The Black Horse's record was not very good. He even had few experiences as a racehorse.

'But he'll win first place today.'

Seymour happened to see the black hose before the race and bet with confidence. Evan that meant no matter how interested he was, he couldn't beat the male lead.

Everyone looked at me with a look of throwing away my money, but I was as cool as a cucumber.

Then when the gun rang and the race was over…

The racetrack was in a mess.

A horse that no one expected, the black horse, won first place.

The dividend was 34,012 times higher.