The two women's smiling faces froze for an instant, then they looked at each other. They had known I was in debt, but not who the lenders were.
"My husband has lent money to Lord Robin?"
The Countess turned to me, her voice carrying a sharp edge.
I had no choice.
"Yes."
"How much? Oh, how rude of me. Asking about money is unbefitting of a noble. Lord Robin, I apologize. Could you tell me quietly?"
She offered her ear.
"Um… five hundred fifty coins."
The moment the words left my mouth—
"Oh my?!"
—she cried out, and the atmosphere shifted instantly. The Duchess continued smiling as if nothing had happened. The Baroness asked:
"Our household has also lent money?"
I leaned close to her ear.
"I've borrowed four hundred gold coins from your son."
The Baroness said nothing and simply stared at me. When I nodded, she frowned and muttered:
"Where did that boy get that kind of money…?"
I had a feeling that once these two returned home, some kind of storm would break.
