The Useless Prince Is A Gangster
Chapter 82. Way to Valarune

Chapter 82: 82. Way to Valarune

The noble carriage rattled along the dusty road. Leo slouched against the cushioned seat, boredom etched on his face.

Liana sat across from him, her hands gently stroking Nimbus, who sprawled across her lap, purring in lazy contentment. Of course, he only goes for women, Leo thought, rolling his eyes.

He sighed heavily.

They’d been traveling for a full day, and while the journey from the academy to House Caulem usually took three days, his detour to House Valarune would make it to four.

His gaze shifted to the small slip of paper in his hand, found tucked into Nimbus’s collar the day before. He didn’t need to guess who’d slipped it there. The note was, Everyone thinks the gorge only holds a little coal. He’d spent hours decoding it yesterday, discovering its cryptic meaning. What he’d uncovered made him smirk.

"Young Master Leo?" Liana’s voice snapped him out of his thoughts.

He glanced up, tucking the slip into his pocket. "What is it?"

"Why’re we visiting House Valarune in such a rush?" she asked, her eyes curious. "Is it for Miss Rin?"

Leo leaned back, his expression neutral. "Something like that. She’s one of the few people I actually talk to." He couldn’t tell her the full truth—not yet. His visit wasn’t just about Rin.

Liana’s face lit up with a bright, knowing smirk, catching him off guard. "What’s so funny?" he asked, confused.

She waved a hand, still grinning. "Nothing, Young Master. Just... happy about something."

Leo frowned, not getting it. Woman was always a bit of a mystery to him, even his lover had been.

At the Valarune manor, Rin sat at a small table in her room, a half-eaten breakfast before her. A woolen blanket draped over her shoulders. She looked out the window at the manor’s garden, its vibrant flowers swaying in the breeze.

Her pink eyes were distant, her face etched with concern. "Wonder what that crazy’s up to," she muttered, thinking of Leonhardt. She hadn’t seen him since the dome incident. After waking up, she’d been whisked back home, her health too fragile to leave the manor.

A knock at the door broke her thoughts. "Come in," she called.

Her personal maid, a kind-faced woman, stepped inside. "Madam Rin, finished your breakfast?" She glanced at the plate, her expression falling. "Madam Rin, the priests ordered us to take utmost care of you, and you’re barely eating!"

Rin shrugged, her voice soft. "Not hungry."

The maid sighed, moving to clear the table. "Oh, by the way, Miss Rin, we’re expecting guests this afternoon."

Rin’s eyes stayed on the garden, uninterested. She wasn’t big on noble socializing. "Don’t care."

The maid smiled faintly. "But I heard it’s someone from House Caulem. I believe the first son, Leonhardt, is visiting today."

Rin’s head snapped up, her face brightening like the sun breaking through clouds. "Really?" she asked, her voice suddenly alive.

The maid nodded, amused. "We got a letter confirming it."

Rin grabbed the plate, shoveling food into her mouth with newfound enthusiasm, her earlier gloom forgotten. The maid chuckled softly.

The noble carriage rolled through the ornate gates of the Valarune manor. Leo stepped out, stretching his stiff limbs, with Liana following, Nimbus cradled in her arms.

Viscount Elgar Valarune approached swiftly. "Welcome to House Valarune, Young Lord Leonhardt," he said, his tone brimming with respect.

Leo nodded, offering a polite grin. "Hello, Viscount. Good to see you. Sorry for showing up out of the blue."

Elgar waved a hand, leading them toward the manor’s grand entrance. "Nonsense! We’re happy to have you anytime, Young Lord." Servants bowed as they passed, their greetings soft but sincere.

Inside, Elgar guided them to a plush guest room adorned with velvet curtains and polished wood. Leo glanced at Liana. "Wait outside, alright?" She nodded, clutching Nimbus, and slipped out. Leo and Elgar settled into cushioned chairs across from each other. A maid set a steaming cup of coffee before Leo and left quietly.

I heard you saved most of the students from that S-rank monster, Young Lord." Elgar leaned forward, his expression grateful. "Including my daughter, I was deeply in debt to you young lord Caulem. Thank you very much."

Leo sipped his coffee, shaking his head. "Don’t give me too much credit, Viscount. Rin’s the real hero here. How’s she doing?"

Elgar’s smile faltered slightly. "Her mana, sealed since she was a baby, after curse lifted in the incident. Her body’s struggling to adjust. The priests are healing her regularly, but it’ll take a month or so."

Leo’s eyes softened, a rare warmth in them. "Good to know she’ll be okay." He set his cup down, his face turning serious. "Now, let’s talk business."

Elgar’s eyes lit up, and he spread out a stack of business reports on the table. "I never imagined fragrant soaps from simple materials could do so well," he said, chuckling. "Your idea was brilliant."

Leo skimmed the reports, each page detailing sales from various branches across the nation—all showing double profits. "Twofold in just a month?" he said, smirking. He’d adapted cosmetic ideas from his past world, keeping the approach simple but clever for marketing.

He’d never fully understood women’s tastes, but he’d cracked their behavior enough to use it. By gifting the soaps to Duchess Maria, a social powerhouse, he’d sparked a frenzy. She’d shared about them to high-society ladies, even the Empress, and word of the fragrant cosmetics spread like wildfire, lining his pockets.

Elgar leaned forward. "Want your share for the month?"

Leo shook his head, setting the reports down. "Hold onto it. I’m here for another deal."

Elgar raised a brow. "What’s that?"

Leo’s smirk grew sharper. "Can your trading company bid on a mine at auction?"

Elgar frowned, puzzled. "A mine? They’re pricey right now. Which one?"

"Cragsunder coal mines," Leo said.

Elgar blinked, confused. "Cragsunder? Young Lord, I heard it’s tapped out—no coal left."

Leo leaned back, sipping his coffee. "I still want it. The auction’s in a few months. I’ll confirm details and cover the costs. Just bid for me."

Elgar hesitated, then nodded. "Alright, I’ll handle the bid."

"Thanks," Leo said, raising his cup. A knock at the door interrupted them. "Come in," Elgar called.

Leo glanced over, and his eyes met a familiar pair—violet hair framing a curious face peeking through the doorway. Rin Valarune stood there, her pink eyes wide with a mix of surprise and excitement, a faint blush on her cheeks.

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