Chapter 14
“Did you wait long, Baron?”
Rachel, wearing a red dress, walked down the stairs, and Alex greeted her with a lazy smile.
“You’re always beautiful. But isn’t Aselin home?”
“No, she’s not. She seems busy these days.”
A frown immediately appeared on Alex’s face.
Last time, he had visited without notice and missed her, but this time, he had sent word in advance.
And yet, Aselin was still out?
The woman who used to wait for him like a loyal puppy… wasn’t waiting anymore?
Something felt different about her attitude.
Did she find out about him and Rachel?
As the thought crossed his mind, Alex’s face darkened.
If that was the case, things would get complicated.
He was so close to securing his title as a marquis, but now it felt like someone had ruined everything at the last moment.
If word got out, even the second prince, whom he was trying to align with, might turn his back on him.
While Alex was lost in thought, Rachel leaned into his arms like a cat.
Her delicate white fingers slowly and dangerously trailed up his thigh.
“Baron, what cologne are you wearing today? It smells so good,” she whispered in his ear, squeezing his leg.
But even with her touch, Alex couldn’t stop thinking about Aselin.
Just then, the mansion’s doors opened, and Aselin walked in.
With the sunlight behind her, her silver hair shimmered like a halo.
“Oh, Aselin! It’s been a while!”
Overcome with excitement, Alex jumped up and strode toward her.
“What brings you here?”
Her eyes, which had always been warm when she looked at him, were now emotionless, like a doll’s.
Aselin had never looked at him that way before.
Alex craved things more when they were more unachievable.
That was why he had enjoyed his affair with Rachel.
But seeing Aselin’s cold gaze—the woman he thought he had already won over—why did it send an electrifying thrill through his chest?
For the first time, Aselin, who had always seemed like a wilted flower, appeared different.
A strange glint flickered in Alex’s eyes as he stared at her.
“What’s with all these gifts? This is way too much.”
Aselin looked at the luxurious presents piled up in her room.
A ruby necklace with massive gems, expensive dresses, shoes—everything was from Alex.
That cunning fox.
Was he getting nervous that she might refuse to marry him?
Not a chance, you bastard.
She let out a dry chuckle and tossed one of the dresses aside.
It landed on her brand-new bed, crumpling instantly.
A few days ago, after deciding to enter a contract marriage with Prince Claude, she received a letter from him.
It stated that he had met with the emperor and secured permission for their engagement.
Since the emperor had originally expected her to marry Alex, he had been surprised at first. But in the end, he approved.
After all, the first prince—who had always rejected marriage and secluded himself in his gloomy castle—had suddenly volunteered to wed. It would have been difficult for the emperor to refuse.
Aselin had strictly asked Prince Claude to keep their engagement a secret until the wedding day.
It had been two weeks since their private engagement.
Per their agreement, she visited the palace once a week to treat him.
Through her research, she had managed to extend the effectiveness of Mana Grass medicine.
‘Hmm… how much time has passed since that day?’
Leaning back comfortably on her sofa, she pondered.
Her engagement with Prince Claude was secured, and her wedding with Alex was just a month away.
It was finally time to begin her revenge.
With a smirk, she quickly dressed and left the mansion.
“Lady Aselin, welcome! What kind of potion did you bring today?”
“This is a healing ointment. It’s gentle enough for children to use.”
“Wow, it absorbs so smoothly! This will be useful. I’ll pay you 300 trangs for it.”
With a cheerful clink, Betty smiled as she tucked gold coins into her pouch.
Aselin handed over the ointments and smiled back.
“Thanks for always paying so generously.”
“Not at all, Lady Aselin! I’m the lucky one to be your exclusive buyer. People love your medicines! Especially the stamina-boosting pills you sold last time—those sold like fresh bread!”
“Really? The ingredients for those are common, so I can make more. Maybe 30 more pills?”
Betty’s eyes widened.
“What? Only 30? You need to make at least 100! They’ll sell out in ten days!”
“That many?”
Aselin gaped, and Betty nodded with a big grin.
“Your medicine is so popular that I don’t think my shop can keep up. How about opening a pharmacy?”
“A pharmacy?”
Aselin blinked, then chuckled.
“If I ran a pharmacy, I’d have to be there all the time. I don’t have that kind of time.”
“Then you could hire someone to manage it. Just think about it,” Betty suggested as she arranged the new stock.
Selling in bulk would definitely make more money than selling small amounts.
Aselin was considering it when she noticed Betty filling a pouch with fresh herbs.
The leaves shimmered with a bright blue hue, a sign of their freshness.
“Oh, is that Lazeren Mana Grass?”
“Yes. When I mentioned it was for the prince, suppliers were desperate to sell to me.”
“Great. This should be enough to make a month’s worth of medicine.”
“And this—”
Betty pulled out a rolled-up map and handed it to Aselin.
Unrolling it, she saw detailed locations of different types of Mana Grass.
“Wow, this is even more detailed than the one I had! I didn’t realize there was so much Mana Grass hidden around the empire.”
“Right? Consider it a gift from me.”
“Thanks, Betty!”
Aselin beamed, packing away the map and the Mana Grass. Then, she casually brought up another topic.
“Hey, Betty, can I ask you for a favor?”
“Of course, Lady Aselin! Just say the word.”
“Could you find me a detective?”
“Oh, that’s easy. You know I have great connections in the underworld. What kind of detective do you need?”
“I need someone good at gathering evidence—especially photographs.”
“Ah, that’s usually the job of private investigators who specialize in fraud cases. But most of them are from the backstreets, so I wasn’t sure if they’d suit you. Can I ask what kind of evidence you’re looking for?”
“The kind they specialize in,” Aselin said lightly. “I need proof of cheating.”
“What?! You mean—Baron Alex cheated on you?”
Betty’s eyes went wide, and she stammered in disbelief.
Aselin answered simply.
“Yes.”
“W-what?! That filthy, lowlife bastard!”
Betty clenched her fists, shaking with anger.
“We need to completely ruin him! I know a detective with the best reputation among fraud specialists. Should I contact him for you?”
“I don’t want to meet the detective myself,” Aselin said calmly. “Just handle it for me. Money isn’t an issue—get me the best one.”
Betty snapped her fingers with a grin.
“You got it.”
“I’ll make all the arrangements perfectly, just as you asked, Lady.”
“Alright, thank you.”
“You must be feeling heartbroken after breaking off the engagement, but stay strong, Lady. You got rid of a dung cart, so a golden carriage is bound to come your way soon!”
At Betty’s words, I simply smiled lightly.
Noticing my expression, she narrowed her eyes, as if something seemed off. Then, as if realizing something, her eyes widened in surprise.
“Wait… don’t tell me the golden carriage has already arrived?”
As expected, Betty was sharp. Having grown up in the shop with her mother, she could read people like a book.
Well, everyone would find out in a month anyway. And since Betty was trustworthy, there was no harm in telling her in advance.
“That’s right. For now, we’re only engaged, and the wedding date hasn’t been set yet. So keep it a secret for now.”
“Of course! Wow, Lady, you really are amazing! This time, you must be truly happy for life.”
Sorry, but I’ll have to explain later that it’s just a one-year contract marriage.
As I gave her an awkward smile, Betty smirked mischievously.
“Actually, this is perfect timing. Among the herbs that just arrived, there’s something called Shin-Yacho. Would you like to see it?”
“Shin-Yacho? What’s that?”
“It’s a miraculous herb that turns a husband into a beast at night!”
With a flourish, Betty dramatically revealed a black cloth, uncovering a strange-looking herb.
Gasp—!
I quickly turned my head away in shock.
The shape of the herb… it looked just like a certain male body part.
“This is my engagement gift to you!”
“N-No, that’s okay!”
My face burned with embarrassment as I waved my hands in refusal.
“Noble ladies are losing sleep over this stuff! The effects are absolutely incredible, they say.”
“No, no, it’s not necessary. The person I got engaged to doesn’t need something like that.”
“Oh? Why not?”
Betty suddenly blushed and nudged my arm.
“Ahh, I get it now! He’s already that impressive, huh?”
I shook my head vigorously.
“No, that’s not it. It’s actually the opposite.”
“Huh?”
Betty tilted her head in confusion.
Well, in just a little while, the entire empire would know the truth anyway.
And Betty was trustworthy, so I figured it was okay to tell her.
Lowering my voice, as if confessing a secret, I whispered to her…
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• ❁ • ❁ • ❁ •By Freya• ❁ • ❁ • ❁ •
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Advance chapters of this novel are available of my kofi channel
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