Episode 75

A subtle scent of grapes lingered in the air. It was due to the numerous wine barrels that had been brought into the courtyard of my annex.

“Where should we move these?”

“There’s a basement in the annex. Store them there.”

Surprisingly, these were wines sent by the former Baron Bullian—the very one who had produced the wine used in the fateful communion where I had drunk the poisoned cup in Chris’s stead.

“The way the world works is truly unpredictable.”

After I collapsed from drinking that wine, the reputation of Bullian estate’s wines had plummeted.

In the end, the Duke had stripped the Baron of his title, forcing him to relinquish his lands to a distant cousin.

Exiled from his own estate, the former Baron found himself wandering with an enormous stockpile of unsold wine. Many of the vineyard workers were also dismissed in the aftermath.

But things took an unexpected turn.

“Truly. Who would have thought that incident would turn out to be a blessing in disguise?”

Marie, standing beside me, watched as the barrels were moved, her voice filled with amazement.

Because shortly after I collapsed from drinking that wine, rumors of my scandal with Chris had erupted, bringing renewed attention to Bullian’s wines.

In fact, an even more absurd rumor had begun to spread.

That the wine had the power to turn even enemies into lovers—an elixir of love.

The former Baron Bullian’s unsold stock started flying off the shelves.

Around that time, I sent him a letter.

It was right after I had sold most of the villas granted to me and invested the money. Once I received my first massive dividend, I reached out to him.

[I will invest in you. I will provide vineyards—create a new wine. You may even rehire all your former workers if you wish.]

Of course, there was a condition.

[Produce a wine suited for aging in barrels made from northern timber. Make use of the flavors of conifer wood.]

I hadn’t expected much when I made the proposal… but then…

“Who would have thought he had such talent?”

“He’s probably driven by revenge more than anything.”

The former Baron Bullian had truly produced remarkable wines—enough to stir the entire empire.

Among them, the wine aged in northern pine barrels had become wildly popular with certain circles.

As a result, demand for northern timber had also skyrocketed, leading to an unexpected economic boom.

High-end restaurants even began serving wine with thinly sliced pine bark, infused with ginger and honey. It was a variety of pine that only grew in the North.

As an investor, I had seen substantial returns.

As gratitude, Baron Bullian had sent a portion of his harvest to me.

Marie suddenly leaned in and whispered.

“With wine this exquisite, perhaps we should use some for the engagement ceremony.”

“……”

“Oh my, my lady. Are you embarrassed?”

“Be quiet.”

I absentmindedly touched the ring on my left ring finger.

A bright silver band set with a small purple gemstone—the same shade as Chris’s eyes.

‘This time, don’t even think about hiding it because you find it too precious.’

Recalling those words sent a warmth fluttering in my stomach.

Of course, Chris had also respected my wish to make a grand announcement in front of everyone.

“It’s a good idea. We were planning to announce our engagement at the Harvest Festival, after all.”

That was our final decision.

Though, in truth, we were already engaged, we had agreed to make it official before the entire empire during the Harvest Festival.

“By then, these wines will be perfectly aged.”

Marie smiled softly at my words.

Ever since returning from the Imperial Summer Villa, even the maids I had brought from the Duke’s estate had been whispering among themselves with flushed faces.

One of them leaned in and murmured.

“Before we left, there was quite a commotion in the Young Duke’s office.”

“Oh?”

“The servants say it seemed like the Young Duke was arguing with someone from a guild.”

I had already suspected as much.

Since Oracle tended to act with caution, it was likely not them but someone from the Mercenary Guild instead.

More specifically, the mercenary who had tracked me during the hunting festival.

‘Well, I’ll do as you ask, but are you sure it’s wise to let those bastards live?’

Marshall had looked at me with suspicion.

Before her mercenary group was officially incorporated into the Northern forces, I had given her a quiet suggestion—to capture one of the mercenaries who had attacked me during the hunting festival and release the other.

‘It could be dangerous. That man tried to kill you, after all.’
‘With Chris by my side now, he wouldn’t dare. Just make sure to plant a little seed before letting him go.’
‘And how exactly should I do that?’
‘Mention Seth’s name.’
‘Sethril Reinhardt?’
‘Tell them they were captured because Seth got scared at the last moment and ran. That he betrayed them to save himself.’
‘That’s a lie. Do you lie, Lady?’

Marshall had clearly thought it was a clever idea. I could tell by the glint in her eyes, even as she taunted me.

But instead of asking whether she agreed with me, I had simply smiled at her.

‘Compared to the fact that they nearly killed me, I’d say it’s a pretty small lie.’

So now, this was happening.

‘That mercenary must have gone looking for answers.’

Seth had only recently been released from his house arrest and was now spending his time drinking away his frustrations, night and day.

Which meant Servi had likely been the one to receive that mercenary instead.

‘Perfect timing.’

After all, my goal of driving a wedge between Seth and Servi remained unchanged.

As I thought about it, I sensed someone approaching.

Deliberately making noise to avoid startling me, even though they could have concealed their presence.

“Is this wine?”

It was Chris, just stepping into the annex garden.

“Yes. It’s from the former Baron Bullian. If the knights would like some, I can set aside a few barrels.”

“A knight’s duty is to save fine wine for the right occasion.”

Chris reached his hand out toward me.

With a mix of unease and anticipation, I placed my hand in his. The air between us felt strangely sweet.

The servants moving the wine barrels stole glances at us.

Thinking that one of them might be a spy for the Duke, I tightened my grip on Chris’s hand on purpose. His prominent knuckles felt firm under my grasp.

Chris, sensing my gesture, clasped my hand just as firmly and whispered,

“I’m planning to visit the temple. Will you come with me?”

“The temple?”

“I want our engagement officially certified.”

I flinched at his words.

“…Even though it’s just an engagement?”

“It’s the law of the Empire.”

Chris wasn’t wrong.

Imperial law required an engagement to be notarized by a priest in order to be formally recognized.

However, since engagements were far easier to break than marriages, most people simply chose not to certify them.

‘That’s why it’s been a dead law for so long.’

“I want it properly certified.”

His voice carried a quiet resolve, and once again, warmth crept up my fingertips, spreading helplessly through me.

* * *

“Oh my, what is all this?”

Aria widened her eyes at the procession of wine bottles being carried through the front gate.

The Duke, watching her reaction, smiled in satisfaction.

“They are wines I purchased in preparation for the Harvest Festival. There will be something worth celebrating soon.”

“Something worth celebrating?”

Greed gleamed in the Duke’s eyes.

Normally, he would have received wines as gifts rather than purchasing them himself. This time, however, he had spent a considerable sum—but it didn’t matter.

Lately, the spies he had planted among the servants in the annex had been reporting back with interesting news:

Something was going on between Mindia and the Grand Duke.

More specifically, it seemed that the Grand Duke had truly fallen for her. And Mindia, in turn, appeared to have him wrapped around her finger.

‘That foolish girl turned out to be a surprisingly useful harvest.’

Who would have thought that a dirty girl picked up from the streets could prove beneficial in this way?

If the engagement remained intact and led to marriage, it would be perfect.

At the right time, the Grand Duke could be eliminated.

Then, Mindia—or better yet, the Elzerian heir she would bear—could be married off to one of his relatives.

And with that, the Grand Duchy of Elzerian would become his.

Any vassals who resisted could simply be crushed.

‘If only I had thought of this method sooner.’

Feeling pleased, the Duke turned to his charming daughter and explained further.

“I plan to send a few bottles to the Grand Duke. Think of it as a gift of reconciliation.”

As he spoke, he selected a few lower-grade bottles.

Aria, who had been watching him intently, suddenly smiled.

“May I deliver them myself?”

“Hmm?”

“Please, Father.”

There was something subtly matured about her lately—an air of composure she hadn’t possessed before.

Besides, the Grand Duke was set to be engaged to Mindia soon, and Aria had already received the golden corsage.

The Duke studied her for a moment before nodding.

“Very well. Go ahead.”

“I’m so happy! Which ones should I take?”

“I’ll pick them for you now.”

As Aria and the Duke continued chatting, the servants finished organizing the wine and carefully transported the bottles to the kitchen.

Once the servants had left, some time later—

Bang!

Someone stormed into the kitchen, seething with rage.

“Dammit, dammit!”

Seth, his face flushed with fury, glared at the rows of wine bottles.

“Why the hell has my life turned out like this?!”

He had only ever wanted to do something good for his family.

And yet, his older brother never ceased to belittle him, and Chris Elzerian continued to stand in his way.

That belief had only grown stronger after his father had offhandedly mentioned that Mindia and the Grand Duke might marry.

“That woman is mine.”

She was his toy—someone he could hit, torment, and play with however he pleased.

Even during the hunting festival, he had never actually planned to kill her. He had only wanted to mess with her like always. Things had simply gotten out of hand.

And now, the idea that the damned Grand Duke would be engaged—married—before him gnawed at his stomach.

After all, Seth’s own marriage prospects were on the verge of collapsing.

“Father mentioned sending some of these to that bastard Grand Duke…”

Seth moved toward the wine bottles.

“Did you really think I’d just sit back and let you both be happy?”

A sinister glint flickered in his eyes.