The Money-Obssessed Archmage's Second Life As A Broke Duke-Chapter 56 - Money Obssessed Sewer Rat

Chapter Fifty Six

[Ping!]

[Well, technically we could hear you. But, our message couldn’t reach Host.]

Ugh...

I felt a headache rise in my head as I leaned back in the chair, staring at the old picture in the study. 𝑓𝑟𝑒𝘦𝓌𝑒𝑏𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝘭.𝒸𝘰𝑚

Hans did an excellent job commanding servants to clean the study without misplacing any stuff. The castle is also in so much better condition now.

Haah... He sure does have SSS Rank people management skills. Even without him here he commanded them so well before leaving that my head is in ease.

I’m sorry, Sysi. I shouldn’t have been like that.

[Ping!]

[300 Gold Coins Have Been Transferred To Assets!]

Do you think all I care about is money, Sysi?

[Ping!]

[Yep.]

I mean... You’re not wrong. But, I’m genuinely sorry I shouldn’t have said all those mean stuff. And, I should have noticed this problem earlier.

[Ping!]

[Does Host need more money?]

Yes, I do. Obviously. But, it’s not like-

Creaaak.

"May I come in, Your Grace?" Lady Elena’s voice made my jaw clench as I sat upright and looked at her trembling figure, peaking in.

She shuffled in, her gaze glued to the carpet. "Your Grace, I’m so sorry. I—"

"I don’t think I called you here to apologize, Lady Elena."

She looked up, her eyes wide and glistening. "C... Could it be that Your Grace likes me back?"

What nonsense is this now?

[Ping!]

[Really how dense can Host be?]

I’m not dense, Sysi. She’s just messing with my head.

I stared at her, genuinely irritated and stunned for a heartbeat. "Have you lost your mind, Lady?! You hurt my daughter. You touch me without my permission. You raid my wine cellar and attack me in my own castle. By what stretch of logic do you think those acts make you likable to me?"

[Ping!]

[That’s too harsh! You dense man!]

What? I’m saying the truth?

[Ping]

[Host really lives up to his past life’s nickname. Money Obssessed Sewer Rat.]

I think it’s better to be straight to point rather than play with a female’s feeling, Sysi.

[Ping!]

[The blow can be softened is all I’m saying. Host is too harsh.]

There’s no pleasing you. Is there?

[Ping!]

[...What?]

Leave it.

"I... I’m really sorry, Your Grace. I..."

"For the record, I do not like you," I said, my voice dropping into a cold tone. "I already have a woman I... care for. I would appreciate it if you would maintain a respectable distance. I would hate to make things difficult for your brother, who has been very loyal to me."

"But I really like you—"

"Since when, Lady Elena?" I cut her off as I sighed rubbing my head.

"If it’s after I lost weight I don’t even want to hear about that crap. What you feel for me isn’t like but infatuation. It will fade with time. So, instead of piling embarassing moments in your memories I suggest you do something worthwhile and meet someone worthwhile."

"Is Your Grace pressurizing me to marry?" Lady Elena snapped, her sorrow suddenly sharpening into defensive anger, shocking me. "Is it because I am a woman?"

[Ping!]

[Go, sister! We support you!]

You traitor! How could you switch sides so easy? Weren’t you jealous of her?

[Ping!]

[What can we say circumstances changed.]

...Wow.

I sighed as I shook my head.

"There is no such thing, Lady Elena. ’Worthwhile’ does not automatically mean marrying some man and settling down."

"It does! That’s what the entire Empire thinks! It’s what my father used to think!" She stepped forward, her voice rising. "Do we, women, just exist for the sake of marriage? What about what we want to do? Are we not allowed to want more than just cooking, cleaning, and sewing? I’m sorry I liked you, Your Grace! Just—"

"Okay. Enough. Sit down first." I watched as she plopped down in a huff on the couch which was very un-ladylike, considering she wanted me to like her.

I got up, picking the glass of water as I walked to the couch, holding it out for her. "Here. Water."

"No. Thank you."

"Lady Elena," I murmured, sitting beside her with the glass in my hand while maintaining a respectable distance, "there are tears spilling from your eyes like a goddamn waterfall. Do you want people to think of me as some heartless tyrant who bullies a crying woman in his own study? Because if this continues, that’s exactly how it’ll look. If worse comes to worst they’ll probably thinks I tried to assult you."

I watched as she wiped her entire face with her sleeve."I’m sorry. I really just don’t want to marry. I’ll never appear in front of Your Grace. So, please just don’t force me to marry a stranger."

"I am not forcing you into anything," I sighed, rubbing my temples. "Let’s restart this conversation on a new premise. What do you actually like to do, Lady Elena?"

"Huh... I... I don’t think I’ve ever thought about it."

"I’m certain you have. Just say it."

She hesitated, her voice barely a whisper. "I... I do like swordsmanship. But it’s only for men. The best I could do to take out the frustration was drink and act like the men did."

I blinked. "You... Seriously? You chose to compete with men in drinking? What was your aspiration... to become a professional alcoholic?"

Lady Elena looked up, a spark of her fire returning as she took the glass from my hand, gulping the liquid down. "Your Grace is an alcoholic."

"Ouch. You’re being hurtful, Lady."

A small, genuine laugh escaped her as I smiled while sighing. "Hahaha."

[Ping!]

[The sewer rat has a heart, huh.]

I just like being direct, Sysi.

[Ping!]

[Who’s the girl you like?]

I’ll tell you someday if you can get a human form.

[Ping!]

[It would be easier if Host just asked for money.]

Nah. No fun in that.

I turned my attention back to Elena. "Anyway, I’m not asking you to get married. I’m telling you to not get tensed and do stupid stuff. And, for the record you really don’t like me, Elena. You’re really just infatuated because I look handsome."

"You’re really so self-obsessed, Your Grace."

"What the- I’m not!"

BAM!

"Master."

Nice timing, huh.