“Viscount, have you been waiting long?”
Rachel descended the stairs in a red dress, and Alex gave her a languid smile.
“You’re always beautiful. But isn’t Aselin at the manor?”
“No, she’s not here. She seems busy these days.”
A flicker of doubt crossed Alex’s face.
Last time, she missed him because he arrived unannounced, but this time, he’d sent word in advance.
Yet Aselin was still out?
The woman who used to eagerly await him like a loyal puppy—why was she acting so differently?
It wasn’t just a feeling; her demeanor had subtly shifted.
Could she… have noticed something about me and Rachel?
As the thought deepened, Alex’s expression darkened.
If that were true, things could get complicated.
With a marquisate within reach, this could ruin everything.
The Second Prince, whom he was currying favor with, might turn his back on him.
While Alex was lost in thought, Rachel slipped into his arms like a cat.
Her pale hand slid dangerously up and down his thigh.
“Viscount, what cologne are you wearing today? It smells divine,” she whispered in his ear, gripping his thigh tightly.
Yet Alex couldn’t shake thoughts of Aselin.
Just then, the manor door opened, and Aselin entered.
Her silver hair gleamed brilliantly, haloed by the sunlight behind her.
“Aselin, it’s been a while!”
Alex jumped up, rushing to her.
“What brings you here?”
Her eyes, once warm when they looked at him, were now as dry as a doll’s.
She’d never gazed at him so coldly before.
The more unattainable she seemed, the more thrilling Alex found it—especially with the dangerous liaison he shared with Rachel.
But the moment he saw Aselin’s icy stare, when he’d thought her a caught fish, a jolt like electricity surged through his chest.
For the first time, Aselin seemed different, no longer a wilted petal, and a strange glint flashed in Alex’s eyes.
What’s with all these lavish gifts?
Aselin stared at the pile of extravagant items in her room.
A large ruby necklace, expensive dresses, shoes—a flood of gifts.
All sent by Alex.
What a cunning fox.
Is he nervous I might call off the engagement?
Not a chance, you fool.
I smirked and tossed the dress I was holding.
It landed crumpled on the new bed I’d bought.
A few days after agreeing to a contract marriage with Prince Claude, he sent word that he’d received the Emperor’s approval for our engagement.
The Emperor, who thought I was to marry Alex, was initially puzzled but eventually consented.
A reclusive First Prince, who rejected every marriage proposal and holed up in his castle, stepping forward to marry must have been hard to refuse.
I’d urged Claude to keep it secret until the wedding day.
Two weeks had passed since our clandestine engagement.
As agreed, I visited the castle weekly to treat him.
Through my research, I’ve found a way to extend the mana herb’s potency.
How much time has passed since then?
Leaning back on the sofa, I mulled it over.
With Claude’s engagement approved and Alex’s wedding a month away, it was time to enact my revenge plan.
Smiling slyly, I prepared to leave and stepped out of the manor.
“Lady, you’re here! What potion did you bring today?”
“It’s a healing ointment, gentle enough for children.”
“My goodness, it absorbs so smoothly! This’ll be versatile—I’ll give you 300 trangs for it.”
Clink. Betty pocketed the coins with a grin.
I handed her the ointment from my cloth bag, smiling back.
“Thanks for always being generous.”
“No, thank you for selling exclusively to me! People love your products. The stamina pills you brought last time sold out instantly.”
“Really? Those are easy to make since the ingredients are common. Would 30 more pills do?”
Betty’s eyes widened at my hesitant offer.
“Only 30? You’ll need at least 100! They’ll sell out in ten days.”
“That many?”
My jaw dropped, and Betty nodded, beaming.
“Your medicines are so popular, one general store can’t keep up. Ever thought of opening a pharmacy?”
“A pharmacy?”
I rolled my eyes, thinking, then chuckled.
“Running a pharmacy means staying at the shop, and I don’t have time for that.”
“Then hire a manager and run it remotely. Think it over.”
Betty said as she arranged the ointment on the shelf.
Selling in bulk would be more profitable than small batches.
As I pondered, I saw Betty packing herbs into a cloth bag.
Their vivid blue hue gleamed with freshness.
“Oh, is that Lazeraan mana herb?”
“Yes. When I mentioned it was for His Highness, suppliers were clamoring to provide it.”
“Perfect. This’ll make enough for a month’s worth of medicine.”
“Oh, and this came from an herb gatherer.”
Betty handed me a rolled-up map.
Unfurling it, I saw a detailed guide to mana herb types and locations.
“Wow, this is more precise than mine. The empire’s got mana herbs hidden everywhere.”
“Right? That map’s on the house.”
“Thanks, Betty.”
Smiling brightly, I tucked the map and herbs into my bag, then casually broached a topic.
“By the way, Betty, can I ask a favor?”
“Of course, anything for you.”
“Could you find me a detective?”
“Piece of cake. I’ve got connections in that world. What do you need?”
“I need someone who can gather evidence—like photos.”
“Hmm, that’s usually the work of affair specialists, but they’re often rough types, not suited for you. May I ask what kind of evidence you’re after?”
“An affair specialist is fine. I need proof of infidelity.”
“What? Don’t tell me the Viscount’s cheating? Oh, I noticed you’ve seemed down lately—sorry, I shouldn’t have…”
Betty rambled, trailing off, and I replied casually.
“You’re right.”
“What?”
“Viscount Alex is cheating.”
“What?! That rotten bastard!”
Betty’s eyes widened, her fists trembling with rage.
“He needs to be crushed. There’s a refined affairs specialist known for getting solid evidence. Should I connect you?”
“No, I’d rather not meet them myself. Can you handle it? Money’s no issue—just get the best.”
Betty snapped her fingers with a sly grin.
“I’ll set it up perfectly, as you wish.”
“Thanks.”
“It’ll hurt for a while after breaking it off, but stay strong. You’ve ditched the dung cart—your golden carriage will come soon.”
I gave a light laugh at her words.
Betty’s eyes narrowed, sensing something.
Then they widened.
“Don’t tell me… the golden carriage is already here?”
As expected of Betty, sharp as ever from years at her mother’s shop.
It’d come out in a month anyway.
She’s trustworthy, so telling her now wouldn’t hurt.
“It’s happened. We’re just engaged for now. The wedding date’s not set, so keep it quiet.”
“Of course, my lips are sealed. Wow, you’re incredible, my lady! You deserve lifelong happiness this time.”
Sorry, I’ll explain the one-year contract later.
Smiling awkwardly, Betty’s lips curved subtly.
“Perfect timing. We got some Shunya herb in. Want to see?”
“Shunya herb? What’s that?”
“A miracle herb that turns your groom into a beast at night.”
Ta-da! Betty unveiled a black cloth, revealing an oddly shaped herb.
I gasped, turning my head away.
It looked disturbingly like a man’s… well.
“This is my engagement gift to you.”
“No, I’m good!”
I waved my hands, my face burning.
“Even noble ladies lose sleep over this—it’s that potent.”
“No, potent or not, my fiancé doesn’t need it.”
“Why not? Is he…?”
Betty’s cheeks flushed as she playfully nudged my arm.
“Already impressive enough?”
I shook my head vigorously.
“No, the opposite.”
“What?”
Betty tilted her head, brimming with curiosity.
It’d soon be common knowledge across the empire.
Betty’s trustworthy, so it’s fine to tell her.
Like a confession, I whispered with my hand near my mouth.
