Chapter 23: Chapter 23

How come a firm and steady business like their fur and paper-making suddenly collapse? Did they offend someone powerful and they take revenge by destroying their family and livelihood?

Lady Shannen didn't know what Gian is thinking right now. She is secretly getting anxious while waiting for him to speak again. Lady Shannen secretly closes and opens her palms to relax her nerves.

"Lady Shannen." Gian suddenly called.

"Yes, Lord Gian?"

"Do you happen to know the reason why your mother wanted you to marry Earl Bartilon?" Gian asked. "Don't be offended with my words, but your mother should be looking for the best candidate to be your husband and will not let you marry a widowed man."

Lady Shannen flinches from her seat after she heard what Gian had said. Of course, it didn't escape from Gian's eyes. But still, he continues on asking her what is on his mind.

"Don't get me wrong, Lady Shannen. I just want to know everything since you planned to involve me with this fiasco."

"I understand that." Lady Shannen said. She takes a deep breathe first before continuing. "My mother seems to know Earl Bartilon so well. She told me that the Earl is a great man. I heard that he owns several shops that sell wine in the small kingdom of Pardelon. My mother once mentioned to me that Earl Bartilon's businesses are doing well."

"Oh? And then?"

"Uh, well... I also heard that he also manages several lands and always helps the people in need. My mother also mentioned that he's too kind that he always donates money in church and charity." Lady Shannen said with hesitation.

"What charity?" Gian suddenly asked.

"The charity in the Northern border of our kingdom." Lady Shannen answered.

"...Oh."

"Well... That's all I know about Earl Bartilon."

"I see."

Gian doesn't need to ask an informant to know that the information that Lady Shannen has towards Earl Bartilon is all lies. First, Gian knows that the shops that Lady Shannen mentioned earlier are all non-existent. Why? Because wines are strictly prohibited in the kingdom of Pardelon.

Wine is a prohibited drink in the kingdom of Pardelon because it is a sign of betrayal for them. According to their legend, there was a beautiful woman who was cherished and deeply loved by a god. The god promised her to make her become a goddess and marry her. After making her an immortal, the beautiful woman offered the god a cup of wine.

When the god drank the cup of wine, he got sick and fell in a deep slumber. When they all thought that god will die and vanished, he miraculously woke up and punished the beautiful woman. He was so mad and disappointed at the beautiful woman who chose to betray him. And yet, he can't still kill her because of his undying love for her.

So as a punishment for her, the god isolates the beautiful woman in a faraway place. He told everyone to forget her existence. The god also forbids the kingdom where she came from to drink wine as a symbol and reminder of her betrayal to the people who live there.

So how come Earl Bartilon can sell wine and continue its good business in the kingdom of Pardelon? Obviously, he is lying. As for the part where he always donates and helps the poor, it was also a lie. And Gian was sure of it.

Gian is the main sponsor in the charity that can be found in the Northern border of the kingdom. At the young age of twelve, Gian started donating in a charity that takes good care of the abandoned children in the street and feeds the poor. Gian is not a materialistic type of person. Since his family always give him the things he needed, he doesn't need to use his money for things.

Gian found out that the director of the charity in Northern borders is a good friend of his father. Gian chose that charity and donated half of his monthly allowance together with some good stuff like food and clothes there every month.

And so, the information about Earl Bartilon donating in that charity is another lie. The director sometimes sends him a letter asking for his health and also reporting to him the well-being of the children. And the director didn't even mention the name of Earl Bartilon on the letters he previously sends to Gian. Not even once.

"So this Earl Bartilon has a lot of good qualities and great achievements in life?" Gian inquired even though he knows that it was all a lie.

"Well..."

"Seems like a scam to me." Russel suddenly said. "Or rather, this Bartilon guy is like a scumbag politician who tries to make himself look good in front of the audiences."

This is the very first time Russel speaks after Gian told him earlier to stay quiet. Listening to the beautiful lady sitting in front of Gian, Russel can't stop voicing out his opinion when he heard the evaluation of Lady Shannen's mother to this Bartilon guy. Gian takes a quick glance at the pen placed on his chest pocket before looking at Lady Shannen again.

"Let us say that Earl Bartilon is really a great and outstanding man. But he is still a widowed man who just recently lost his wife. Not to mention the age gap between you two. But it is very obvious to me that you personally didn't know this man."

"That's why I am here to ask for your help."

"That part is still a mystery for me." Gian said.

"What do you mean?" Lady Shannen asked.

"There are a lot of outstanding men in society. So why are you choosing me to help you?" questioned Gian.

"It is because I know that I can trust you. Also, you are also very kind and gentle. I know that you can help me." Lady Shannen stated.

"You talk as if you knew me so well." Gian flatly said. "I advise that you should not trust everyone around you, Lady Shannen. You might unexpectedly get betrayed."

Gian knew so well that not all people are kind and trustable. In his past life, he already encountered different types of people and mostly half of it is bad and heartless human. There are the types where they will get your trust first then they will betray you later. There is also the type of people where they will find and explore one's weakness and use it to hurt and manipulate others.

Gian knew all of it. He had already witnessed the cruelty and harshness of human beings in this world. He always avoids these people before so he would never experience any hurtful feelings from it. But he didn't expect that now he came back in time, Gian will experience the feeling of being hurt and disappointment. And from his own family at that.

Gian fully trusted them because they are his family. This family saved him in his past life so he will continue living. But he did not expect that his family will make him feel disappointed. And so, Gian discovered that even your own flesh and blood can betray you without any rhymes.

Russel is aware of what ideas are running inside Gian's head. Even if he wanted to tell Gian the truth, Russel is still afraid of will be the consequences of his action. If not because of that beautiful but scary goddess, Russel had already tell Gian the truth.

Lady Shannen was confused about Gian's attitude just now. Gian speaks as if he already experienced being betrayed before. Or maybe he really did experience it? Lady Shannen is about to ask him when Gian speaks first.

"In any case, I think I am not the right person that can help you solve your problem." Gian stated. "I am pretty sure that you already know the rumors about me in society. I am just the second son of Marquis Cres Val who was never introduced in the society. Since I also have a weak body, I do not have any rights to inherit my father's title. I also did not possess any power or fame that will help you become a well-known lady with your peers. You should find an outstanding person, Lady Shannen."

"But Lord Gian..."

"Why don't you try asking my brother?" Gian suggested. "My older brother is excellent in every way. He already received a lot of achievements and became the youngest General in our kingdom. I am sure you already heard that it was my older brother who came up with a solution to our kingdom's problem in the shortage of tea and sugar."

"No! Never!" Lady Shannen exclaimed vigorously. This makes Gian paused and look at her with an obviously shocked expression on his face.

"I will never ask that man for any help! I would rather marry a sheep rather than asking him to help me with my problem." Lady Shannen stressed.

This is very new to Gian. He was aware that many ladies are coveting for his older brother's attention hoping to be acquainted with him. This is the very first time Gian saw a lady who hates the idea of being near or asking help from his brother. Did something happen between them?

"You... didn't like my brother?"

"Why should I? That impertinent man! How dare him to tell me what is right and what is wrong? That man is just trying to fool me! Ha! If I will be given a chance, I will kick him fiercely on his leg and make him an invalid person!"

"..."

"Bruh... Did your brother offended this lady by any chance?" wondered Russel. "She looks like a woman ready to kill your brother if she will be given a chance to do it."

When Lady Shannen noticed that she already babbled a lot of things and speak like a rough woman just now, she looks at Gian with wide eyes. What did she do? She just showed Gian her ungraceful bearing! This is so embarrassing!

"No... T-That's not what I really mean! I mean, sure I want to kick him, but... Wait! That is not what I really want—"

The more Lady Shannen speaks, the more she tells Gian a lot of nonsensical things. Gian is looking at her with a confused expression and Lady Shannen is panicking inside and out.

'What should I do?! All of my effort to show Gian my feminine and graceful sides have gone to waste!'

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