His deep gaze moved as he leisurely removed his mask.

Meeting his blue eyes, Cynthia unconsciously swallowed hard. Despite his handsome appearance, the atmosphere he exuded was utterly cold.

Unlike his relaxed appearance while playing the piano, his formal attire was different.

The black frock coat with delicate gold embroidery, his hair slicked back with pomade, and the diamond brooch attached to his soft silk cravat—everything suited him perfectly.

‘Well, with that appearance, he’d look good even in newspaper clothes.’

Cynthia didn’t even feel jealous at the thought of his otherworldly appearance. The realm of looks itself was different.

“Your Highness, good afternoon. It seems you’ve been out somewhere?”

“I visited my brother.”

His brother… that means His Majesty the Emperor!

Newly reminded that he was a noble member of the imperial family, she respectfully clasped her hands together.

Unlike the surprised Cynthia, Kaisel sighed with an annoyed expression.

“I had something to tell you, so this is fortunate.”

“Pardon?”

His mischievous voice, like that of a playful boy, rang pleasantly.

“I heard an interesting story about the Blewitt family. It seems the Viscount has a big problem.”

“…!”

Cynthia gulped.

‘What’s going on? Could they have found out I’m here and bothered Kaisel?’

Kaisel laughed softly at Cynthia’s hardened expression and answered.

“It’s not that they’re looking for you, so don’t worry.”

“Then what is it?”

“Viscount Blewitt currently doesn’t have time to look for anyone.”

She suddenly looked straight at Kaisel in surprise. Her round green eyes blinked rapidly.

“I heard all the herbs have become diseased and need to be discarded. It seems he borrowed a lot of money from here and there trying to raise funds urgently. It will be very difficult for him to bear that loss for a while.”

Cynthia couldn’t help but cover her mouth. Kaisel’s usual smile gradually disappeared at her sudden action.

‘Is she crying?’

It seemed that her desperate talk about wanting to live or abandoning her family had just been the deviation of a childish lady.

Kaisel was letting out a short laugh of derision when it happened.

“Ahahaha! This is insane. He’s ruined, absolutely ruined.”

Cynthia began laughing uncontrollably. Her laughter, beyond cheerfulness and close to sobbing, echoed throughout the mansion.

Kaisel silently stared at her as she held her stomach, tears streaming down her face.

He thought she would cry, but she was laughing. It was a reaction he hadn’t expected.

And what did she mean by “ruined”? What was ruined?

“I’m, I’m sorry. It’s just too funny. No, it’s too satisfying. Hic.”

“Hmm. It seems you’re the only one having fun.”

Kaisel’s voice was filled with coldness. Realizing her mistake, Cynthia quickly regained her composure.

Wait, why is he smiling so dangerously? His wicked smile, as if he was about to send someone to their grave, automatically made her attitude more humble.

“Actually, the disease affecting the herbs—I did that.”

“You mean the herb epidemic?”

Kaisel asked with his characteristic impassive expression.

“Yes. Before coming to the grand ducal residence, I was researching a drug that changes the material state of plants. Expensive and precious herbs are transported via gates or magic stone storage containers, but herbs that can’t afford that often spoil during transport and get thrown away.”

Cynthia added an enthusiastic explanation. Her green eyes, filled with passion, sparkled like emeralds.

Her face, which had been only faintly visible, was now clear as if it were a lie. Kaisel looked at her with an interested expression.

“I hated seeing carefully grown herbs being thrown away. In the Empire, fresh flowers are preferred over dried herbs. So the method I discovered was a substance that temporarily petrifies plants.”

“Not diseased, but turned to stone?”

“That’s right. During long-distance transport, the plants are petrified, and when they reach their destination, a neutralizer is sprayed to return them to their original state. They maintain their freshness, and it’s much cheaper than magic stone storage containers or gate fees.”

Cynthia continued, suppressing her anger.

“When I heard that my father—no, Viscount Blewitt—had scraped all my carefully grown herbs, bulbs, and seedlings to his territory, I couldn’t contain my anger. So before I escaped, I taught him a lesson.”

“Clever.”

Not expecting praise, Cynthia scratched her head in embarrassment.

“It’s a shame. I wanted to do something helpful, but there’s nothing for me to help with.”

Kaisel smiled meaningfully.

Does he really want to help? If so, I can’t miss this opportunity.

“Then may I ask for one more favor?”

Kaisel nodded languidly.

“I’d like Your Highness’s merchant guild to purchase all my herbs. Since there’s a law that diseased herbs cannot be disposed of carelessly, please buy them instead. The Viscount’s family will gladly hand them over.”

“So I’ll neutralize those herbs and resell them for you.”

“Yes. And please send some to me. I actually have a wonderful herb garden now.”

A pleasant laugh flowed from Kaisel’s mouth.

Ah, this is truly amusing.

“Mila told me about the hut. Alright, I’ll do that. You’ll soon be rich from selling herbs.”

“Thank you so much for providing me with a nice room and the hut. I’ll definitely repay you later.”

Kaisel didn’t miss her passing comment and threw out a glib remark.

“How about granting my wish then?”

“What? Your wish?”

“Yes. But since nothing comes to mind right now, I’ll postpone it.”

Cynthia turned her head and hit her own mouth. She had unnecessarily created a debt with her loose tongue.

‘I hope he doesn’t make some strange request.’

She was slightly worried but easily resigned. Thinking about it, she owed him a lot.

“Alright. But Your Highness, are you feeling better? I was worried because you didn’t take your medicine today.”

Kaisel’s eyebrow raised at the words of concern for him.

‘Does she really think I’m sick?’

After drinking the herbal tea Cynthia had given him, his physical condition had improved greatly.

The terrible headaches and pain from the curse had disappeared, and he felt comfortable as if all his previous suffering had been a lie.

He could have said he was fine, but somehow the attention he was receiving for the first time wasn’t unpleasant, so he opened his mouth with an awkward face.

“I feel a bit of a headache and weakness.”

Looking at his face, Cynthia’s eyes widened.

“Really?! Let me see.”

Cynthia stood on her tiptoes and placed her hand on Kaisel’s forehead. Startled, he instead froze in place.

‘Peach scent.’

A subtle and sweet fragrance wafted from Cynthia’s body.

“Even with medication to suppress the curse, you might still feel unwell. You don’t have a fever, but please wait a moment. I’ll quickly brew some tea for you. Please go to your bedroom and rest.”

Cynthia, her face pale as paper, scurried into the kitchen like a squirrel that had lost its food.

She looked more ill than he did, despite him being the one who claimed to be sick. Kaisel, who had been silently watching her, placed his hand on his forehead where her touch had lingered.

No one had ever touched his body for fear the curse might spread.

Not family, not even his physician. Everyone avoided contact, and that was simply how things were.

A warm, soft sensation. Was this what human skin felt like? When her hand touched him, a cool, refreshing feeling spread throughout his body.

‘Strange.’

He had been fine until just now, but his chest was starting to ache slightly. Her clear image was becoming blurry again. Kaisel quietly followed Cynthia’s retreating figure with his eyes.

Knock knock.

“My lord, may I come out now?”

Aide Victor knocked on the carriage window, shooting Kaisel a resentful look.

“How petty to block the door with magic!”

Victor, who had been crammed helplessly in the carriage, stumbled out grumbling.

“So that lady is the new apothecary?”

“Yes.”

Kaisel was still gazing absently at Cynthia’s disappearing figure.

“Shall I proceed as discussed inside? About the Blewitt family and the herbs?”

“Do everything Cynthia mentioned without missing anything. Make sure to maximize the profits. And keep digging into the viscount’s household.”

Going to be busy with all this work, Victor grinned happily. For a workaholic like him, this was good news.

While calculating the best ways to maximize profits in his head, Victor suddenly looked at his lord with concerned eyes.

“But my lord, are you alright?”

When she was no longer visible, Kaisel withdrew his gaze without hesitation. Then he turned and headed toward the mansion.

“I mean that apothecary lady. She doesn’t seem like a bad person, but… she’s rather suspicious.”

“In what way?”

Kaisel wondered with genuine curiosity if Victor also saw Cynthia’s face as blurry.

“She knows herbs that suppress your curse yet only appears now… And the fact that she happens to be your companion’s sister.”

“Victor, how does her face look to you?”

“Well, she’s beautiful. Rare pink hair with green eyes, isn’t she?”

So it was only him who saw Cynthia’s face as blurry.

What kind of magic was cast on her? Kaisel felt a hunger like a cat that had spotted prey.

“Anyway, please don’t get too close to her.”

Kaisel stopped walking and let out a snicker.