Duke Yulian Johannes initially treated him with warm hospitality.
Eustaf, tense from Yulian’s notorious reputation, felt momentarily disarmed.
He held an odd belief that handsome people always had foul tempers.
Because my own personality’s rotten.
But Yulian shook that belief.
He was always courteous, ensuring Eustaf’s comfort.
Even when Eustaf left the lab in disarray, it was spotless by morning.
Unlike past days when research consumed him, leaving no time for meals, here, balanced meals arrived promptly.
If he tried skipping, a servant would rush to spoon-feed him.
The menu, tailored to his tastes, featured fresh seasonal vegetables.
Is this paradise?
Eustaf couldn’t believe his luck.
Testing if Rebecca’s promise of non-interference was true, he’d mentioned importing a vampiric plant to the duke.
“Not difficult.”
Yulian signed the papers without a word, and days later, the plant arrived.
Money is nice.
Seeing the plant’s pristine condition, Eustaf vowed to stay forever.
But then—
Crash—
It was a day he’d fallen asleep at dawn, tending to Devil’s Claw.
Yulian burst in, flinging the door open.
“Sleeping? Now?!”
He grabbed the groggy Eustaf by the collar.
“Two months. Grow a usable Devil’s Claw in two months.”
Struck like lightning, Eustaf screamed at Yulian’s blazing golden eyes.
Damn it. I should’ve run then.
From that day, the duke visited daily.
“Still not done? I’m doubting your competence.”
“Time to eat? Guess I’ve been too lenient.”
“Are you gifted at killing plants? How does a healthy sprout die overnight?”
Duke Yulian Johannes was utterly mad. Knowing nothing about plants, he hounded Eustaf relentlessly, driving him to the brink.
Unsure why Yulian’s demeanor flipped, Eustaf couldn’t take it anymore and submitted his resignation.
“I’m done! I quit!”
But Yulian tore it up before his eyes, sneering.
“Got deep pockets? Know how much I’ve invested in you? Pay it back, then leave. Should’ve read the contract.”
But Eustaf was no stranger to dealing with lunatics.
“Fine. I knew you’d say that. I’ll grow Devil’s Claw in one month, not two.”
“Should’ve started with that.”
“But!”
“But?”
Eustaf slammed a thick file on the desk.
“A list of your verbal abuse.”
“What?”
Yulian, incredulous, flipped through the pages.
Every word he’d said was meticulously recorded—date, time, verbatim.
It reeked of obsession.
“Pay special attention to the collar-grabbing. Twenty times so far. Twenty!”
“So, you want me to kneel and apologize?”
“No! What use is an apology I can’t make jam with? Pay me for each one.”
“What…?”
“Since you can’t stop your venom, pay to spew it. I’ll gladly take it. Ten bronze per insult, one silver for collar-grabbing!”
Yulian stared at him like he was insane.
But, enticed by the promise of Devil’s Claw in a month, he reluctantly nodded.
Eustaf grinned wickedly.
“Haha! I’ll be rolling in riches! Insult me quick, Your Grace!”
Yulian’s agreement came easier than expected, and Eustaf gleefully counted his future earnings.
But after that day, Yulian stopped the verbal onslaught.
Instead, he visited more often, watching Eustaf’s every move obsessively.
That was worse, and Eustaf’s irritation boiled over.
“Stingy with money, huh? Too bad, I succeeded in under a month, so you’ll pay for past abuses.”
Eustaf smiled brightly, tallying his dues.
* * *
“Devil’s Claw is ready?”
Shortly after the news, Yulian rushed in.
Eustaf proudly presented the potted plant.
Yulian stared at it silently, his expression heavy.
Rubbing his face, he asked anxiously.
“How do you use it?”
“Chew the fresh leaves. By the way, is that boy from before the test subject? He looked frail; can he handle it?”
“Mind your own business.”
“Her? So the boy was a girl? No wonder she was pretty.”
At Rebecca’s mention, Yulian’s discomfort was palpable, worsened by his slip.
Eustaf, seizing the chance, peppered him with questions.
“Why the disguise? She looked every bit a boy. And your sudden rush… could it be…?”
“Could what?”
“A secret lover? A tragic love barred by status…?”
“Not as clever as you think.”
“How dare you! I grew Devil’s Claw in a month—everyone but you knows my genius!”
“Shut it. Take this.”
Yulian tossed a pouch of gold coins at Eustaf’s broad chest, as if to silence him.
It worked—Eustaf eagerly counted the coins.
“I keep my promises. Extra for your trouble. And…”
“Yes, yes, I deserve this much, so I’ll skip the thanks. And?”
“Sorry.”
“What?”
Eustaf looked up, thinking he’d misheard.
Meeting his shocked silver eyes, Yulian scowled.
“Pretend you didn’t hear. My temper’s foul, worse when I’m riled. I won’t do it again—can’t promise, but if I slip, I’ll pay like today.”
Eustaf, who’d never heard an apology from a noble, stared blankly.
“Stop staring!”
Yulian, slightly flushed, scratching his neck, looked oddly endearing.
Maybe he’s a decent lunatic…
But his next words made Eustaf retract that thought.
“Now, back to work.”
“What? Devil’s Claw was it, wasn’t it?”
“What? You’ve got plenty to research. Next, Rose Grapes.”
“The count’s patented variety?”
“Quick on the uptake. Find a way to blight them. One week.”
Eustaf screamed.
“Give me a break! I’m not a machine!”
Yulian smirked.
“I said I’d pay, not give you time to spend it. I’ll hire more researchers to meet the deadline.”
Demon! He’s a demon!
Imagining devil horns sprouting from Yulian’s head, Eustaf trembled with rage.
* * *
Rebecca was enjoying unprecedented popularity in the estate.
Wherever she went, servants flocked, chattering.
“Lady Rebecca, fresh apple juice. By the way, my father’s investing in transport—what do you think?”
“Lady Rebecca! My child’s entering the academy…”
Among them were hounds, cautiously approaching her in Zeppelin’s absence.
Rumors of her saintly foresight had spread to the servants.
Rebecca accepted their snacks, giving minimal answers based on her knowledge of the future.
After a barrage of questions, as she caught her breath, she overheard whispers.
“Why didn’t we know about Lady Rebecca’s powers before?”
“They say being with the count is her trial, so her powers only manifest when he’s gone.”
They nodded gravely, accepting Zeppelin as her trial.
It made sense—his prolonged absences were rare.
Rebecca nearly laughed aloud.
Powers only when he’s away?
Robert had said he’d spiced up the rumor, but this was clever.
It spared her from explaining.
Without effort, they speculated and spread the tale.
The problem was if this reached the temple.
Claiming sainthood was serious; investigators could expose her.
Blasphemy could lead to a religious trial.
But why am I not worried?
Surprised by her own calm, Rebecca felt no anxiety.
Somehow, everything would resolve itself.
“Forgot? Luck’s on my side.”
Recalling Yulian’s confident words, she smiled quietly.
People aren’t to be trusted, though.
Even if accused of blasphemy, she wasn’t without options.
Zeppelin would surely come for his “property,” giving her chances to escape.
But she hoped, if it came to it, Yulian—not Zeppelin—would be her savior.
* * *
Late at night, Rebecca was awake.
Seated upright at her desk, she awaited a guest.
Since the saint rumors spread, clandestine visitors often came to her room.
Kanna quietly set out refreshments and placed a guest’s teacup on the table.
Sipping tea, Rebecca murmured.
“They should be here by now.”
Knock, knock—
No sooner had she spoken than a hesitant knock sounded.
