Please Lend Me 50 Million - Chapter 40

Because Cecile was leading her away more firmly than expected, Asha held her ground with force. Even when she put all her weight into resisting, Cecile did not bend her stubbornness, so eventually, Asha pulled out a strong card.

“Cecile! Shouldn’t Bellstein have an heir by now?”

“Pardon?”

At the sudden mention of an heir, Cecile’s strength faltered. No, it would be more accurate to say her spirit faltered. Why on earth was she bringing up an heir all of a sudden? Before Cecile could grasp her intent, Asha quickly unleashed her own persuasion.

“I heard that the servants’ dissatisfaction is high because Harriet moves around to different regions so often for business! You said you’ve moved to as many as thirteen places in eight years, Cecile?”

“When did you… even find out such a thing….”

In this regard, she was beyond thorough—it was almost scary. As expected of the Halswein’s filly….

However, to turn a blind eye to Asha’s actions, Harriet—who paid her salary—was twice as terrifying. At the situation that became chilling just thinking about it, Cecile put on a deliberately firm voice.

“Even so, what’s wrong is wrong. It’s not like you’re on bad terms with the Count, so if you just wait, it’ll happen naturally. Why are you so anxious? To the point of seeking out such a ridiculous… place!”

Asha, grabbing Cecile’s hands—which were trying to tighten again—with both of her own, pulled Cecile toward her instead. Wondering how such strength came from that slender body, Cecile, who was dragged along awkwardly, tried to listen to Asha’s whispering words half-heartedly. If only the content hadn’t been what it was.

“Harriet only holds my hand when he sleeps!”

Asha whispered in indignation, and Cecile lost her train of thought for a moment. He only holds her hand? As the one who looked after Asha’s bedchamber, Cecile could hardly fail to know how often the couple shared a bed. Even recently, she had stepped aside for them several times… Were those nights all just spent holding hands? A healthy adult man and woman lying side by side in the same bed?

And Harriet and Asha, at that?

Asha, not missing Cecile’s frozen expression, raised her eyebrows as much as possible and pretended to be pitiful. Because she was so far removed from acting, awkwardness was visible everywhere, but Cecile, already in shock, didn’t notice.

“Besides… wouldn’t it be a good thing if an heir is born? If I have a child, you’ll be able to marry Melos without any worries. You were putting it off because you were worried about moving here and there. Is that all? Who am I? It’s the wedding of my aide and my maid—would I only support it by a tiny bit? A grand mansion would be nothing!”

Asha showed off her eloquence, which she hadn’t even been able to use at her business presentations, in various ways. To be precise, it was closer to boasting about money and splurging rather than eloquence, but it worked on Cecile better than expected. Otherwise, would Cecile’s firm eyes have shaken so aimlessly? Asha drove the point home by tightly grabbing Cecile’s hand, which seemed to have lost its strength.

“The wedding gift will be a diamond ring.”

Asha, smiling broadly, looked like a rascal. No, would it be more accurate to call her a devil? Otherwise, she wouldn’t be able to whisper such a sweet temptation.

“A huge one.”

“…What can I do to help?”

Cecile, having succumbed to capitalism following the class system, smiled calmly. Her two hands were tightly balled into fists and held up to her chest. It was a win-win situation—what could be better than this? Asha quickly led Cecile inside, lest her mind change.

The employee, who had been observing the situation with quick wit, approached with a soft smile, realizing that the situation had been settled. It was a gentle smile, unlike an employee of a hideous s*x toy shop.

“How may I help you, My lady?”

It was an ordinary question, but perhaps because of the atmosphere of the room, her mouth went dry. Asha quickly licked her lips with her tongue and said solemnly.

“Show me the best-selling items here first.”

The employee, smiling softly, guided Asha and Cecile into the inner depths.

It was a new world that Asha encountered for the first time.

* * *

Asha’s grand plan hit a massive obstacle before it could even properly begin.

Of all things, she had caught a severe summer cold, which they say even a dog doesn’t catch. A chilly sensation had started creeping up since morning, and once the sun set, her fever spread to the point where she couldn’t even sit in her office. If it were a cough, she could just cough it out and scratch her neck, but since a fever was boiling throughout her entire body, there was nothing she could do.

Her limbs felt heavy as if a person were hanging from each of them. Her head and ears were ringing dully, so her whole body was beyond limp—it was sagging. They say it’s sorrowful when you’re sick, and at the pain ringing sharply in her eyes, Asha let out a crying sound.

“Cecile… I think I’m going to die….”

“Oh, don’t even say that.”

Cecile scolded the whining Asha lightly and wiped her body with a wet towel. Although she spoke as if scolding, Cecile’s worry was also deepening at Asha’s condition, which showed no signs of subsiding. If she had at least looked in good spirits, she wouldn’t have worried this much, but perhaps because she couldn’t handle the boiling fever, Asha kept making crying sounds. Because her throat had also swollen as the fever rose, her voice was hideously cracked.