“The new medicine—you mean the Astina rash ointment, right? If that’s what you’re talking about, just hold on a bit. It’s only one step away from completion.”
“How much longer do I have to wait? I promised the investors we’d unveil it this week!”
“That depends on you, dear brother.”
“What are you talking about? You’re the one making the medicine, so why am I getting dragged into this?”
I looked at Pierre’s bewildered expression and continued calmly.
“Why would I rush when all my work just ends up benefiting someone else?”
“What kind of nonsense is that? Benefiting someone else? Everything is for the sake of our family—”
“I mean, even if the medicine sells, not a single coin comes to me. Isn’t that what you call benefiting someone else?”
As I spoke with a sweet smile, Pierre’s face hardened instantly.
“So, what, you’re trying to extort money from me now?”
“From now on, we split the profits from the medicine nine to one. If you agree, I’ll finish the Astina ointment by the end of the day.”
“Nine to one? You get one, and I get nine?”
Pierre snorted, as if the idea were absurd.
I let out a small laugh and shook my head.
“No, the other way around. All you do is copy my formulas and pass them to the factory. So, fairly speaking, I should get the nine.”
“Wow, have you lost it? A tea-sipping girl like you thinks she can lecture me about business? Stop barking and go make the medicine while I’m asking nicely!”
Pierre sneered, his eyes narrowing with contempt.
As expected, he’d never accept my proposal.
A man with nothing in his head but overflowing greed.
A pathetic human who belittles and disrespects others.
You just missed the last chance I gave you.
We’ll see who has the last laugh.
“What are you doing? Go finish the new medicine! We have a meeting with investors tomorrow, so get to it now!”
Pierre shoved my back roughly.
I stood my ground, staring at the red, swollen back of his hand.
It was crusted with scabs, but he’d been scratching it relentlessly, as if the itching was unbearable.
Finally, a bead of blood appeared under his fingernail, and Pierre grimaced.
In my past life, Pierre suffered from a mysterious skin condition.
The Astina ointment was developed precisely because of his ailment.
Time to scare him a little.
I widened my eyes, feigning shock, and spoke.
“Brother, that rash on your hand… it doesn’t look like a simple irritation.”
“You said it was just a rash not long ago. What’s this now?”
“I thought so too, but looking closely, it seems like scabies—a parasite that burrows into the skin and lays eggs.”
“Parasites? What kind of bugs burrow into human skin?”
“When the plague swept through Stana village a while back, I saw it. It was scabies. The symptoms look exactly the same. Judging by the swelling, it’s been about a week since it started. Your scalp and soles are probably itching by now, right? Soon, pus will start oozing.”
As I rattled off the symptoms, Pierre’s skeptical eyes widened in alarm.
The one thing he feared most in the world was bugs.
And now, bugs laying eggs in his skin? He must be horrified.
I put on my most sympathetic expression.
“In a month, it’ll spread from head to toe. If left untreated…”
“Untreated? What happens if it’s untreated?”
I drew my thumb across my throat, giving him a pointed look.
Pierre’s eyes shook as if an earthquake had struck.
“No way, you’re saying I could die? From a skin disease?”
I lowered my eyebrows, feigning pity, and delivered the final blow.
“But what can we do? I’m the only one who knows the cure.”
With that, I turned and walked away lightly.
Behind me, Pierre’s panicked voice rang out.
“Hey! Finish the Astina ointment and the scabies cure by tonight! If you don’t, I swear I won’t let you off!”
Bark all you want. I ignored him and kept walking.
Glancing back, I saw Pierre hysterically scratching his entire body.
A cornered rat’s next move is predictable.
I smirked and descended the stairs toward the parlor.
* * *
The parlor was empty except for a maid cleaning.
“Where’s Viscount Alex?”
“Oh, the viscount finished a cup of tea and left the parlor. It’s been about ten minutes.”
“Did he say where he was going?”
“I overheard him talking with Miss Rachel in the hallway about a walk, but I don’t know the details.”
A walk…
I recalled how, in my past life, Alex often disappeared under the pretense of a garden stroll.
For someone with a pollen allergy, a garden walk seemed odd, but I trusted him and let it slide.
Looking back now, so many things didn’t add up.
His disheveled hair and clothes, as if he’d done more than just stroll.
And Rachel, always leaving the manor for “tea invitations” whenever Alex vanished.
The perfect place for a tryst, isn’t it?
I let out a low, bitter laugh and turned toward the garden.
In a secluded corner, untouched by footsteps, I reached an empty shed piled with wilted leaves and dirt.
“Oh, Viscount, what are you doing? What if someone sees us?”
A coy voice grated on my ears.
Rachel’s distinctive nasal tone.
“It’s all because you’re too irresistible. I can’t help myself when I see you.”
At Rachel’s sharp, playful tone, Alex’s voice grew syrupy sweet.
“Aselin could never compare to you. She’s so dull, no fun at all… But what’s this scratch on your arm? Did Aselin do this too?”
“…She can’t stand that I’m prettier than her, so what can I do?”
“Rachel, you’re too kind for your own good. If only Aselin were half as sweet as you.”
“…True, but you can’t change someone’s nature, can you, Viscount?”
“No comparison to you in any way. Could Aselin ever mimic your charming allure? Like mother, like daughter—they say the late Duchess was just as cold as stone.”
Filthy creatures.
My blood ran cold as I gripped my dress tightly.
“Viscount, not there… not there… ah!”
A clatter of wooden blocks rolling inside mixed with ragged breathing.
“Hah…”
My hands, clutching the dress, trembled.
How long had they been deceiving me, even before our marriage?
The urge to poison them both surged within me.
But I shook my head.
My mother’s words, as the empire’s greatest apothecary, echoed in my mind.
[Aselin, herbs are meant to save lives, not harm them. If you dirty your hands to hurt someone, you’ll never be a great apothecary.]
I buried the blade of vengeance deep in my chest and organized my thoughts.
Everyone in high society knew Alex, a successful businessman, had bought his viscount title with money.
But to climb higher, marriage was his only path.
Rachel, born out of wedlock, could never be formally recognized by the ducal family, so I was the perfect match.
Sure enough, in my past life, he was granted a marquess title right after our marriage.
It was said to be a special favor from the emperor, who valued the Rondinella ducal family’s long-standing honor as apothecaries.
Plus, Alex, with his keen nose for money, had invested heavily in Pierre’s medicine business.
A man who never takes a loss would never agree to break our engagement.
But I’m not one to give up.
No matter what it takes, I’ll end this engagement.
Once I’ve had my revenge on those two snakes, I’ll settle in a quiet southern village.
I imagined tending an herb garden, gazing at twinkling stars at night and sunlit landscapes by day, and my mood lifted.
I pushed up one corner of my mouth and stepped into the shed.
“Viscount, there you are.”
Alex’s eyes nearly popped out when he saw me.
In a panic, he shoved Rachel, whom he’d been holding from behind, away.
“Eek!”
Rachel fell to the ground, glaring up at Alex with resentment.
That man you’re so eager to cling to? He’ll never abandon me.
Because I’m the key to his status and wealth.
I smirked inwardly, feigning ignorance as I looked at them.
It seemed they’d already done the deed, as Alex hurriedly turned to adjust his clothes.
“…Aselin, when did you get here? Are you… feeling alright?”
“Just now. But why is Rachel like this?”
“…She tripped and fell. Must’ve twisted her ankle.”
Rachel glanced at Alex urgently as she spoke.
He extended a hand to her, sneaking a glance at me.
As if asking, It’s fine to help my future sister-in-law like this, right?
