“Why did the late young duke lose his life?”

“There were no external injuries, so they didn’t realize his internal organs were damaged and he didn’t receive timely treatment due to misdiagnosis. Since then, my husband doesn’t trust physicians.”

Succession changes weren’t common in noble families, but she hadn’t known there was such a story behind it.

Duchess Lenox continued speaking.

“I… I like my husband, but he doesn’t seem to love me. I know he’s not a bad person. He’s just blunt and awkward by nature.”

“I see.”

“When I’m sick, he calls for a priest and sometimes buys me expensive dresses, jewels, or bouquets.”

The relationship between the ducal couple didn’t seem that bad from what Cynthia had briefly observed.

“I want to have a child that resembles him as soon as possible. If we have a child, we might become closer. But unlike me, my husband doesn’t seem to want children. So I would appreciate your help.”

Cynthia was perplexed.

What could she do for the rigid Duke Lenox who wouldn’t take medicine or see physicians?

But on the other hand, she felt sympathetic, wondering how desperate the Duchess must have been to seek help from her, an unmarried apothecary.

Cynthia first began with simple questions to understand the couple’s tendencies.

“First… the atmosphere between you two seems somewhat rigid. Do you have any hobbies that match?”

“My husband and I have opposite preferences. I enjoy embroidery while he enjoys horseback riding.”

“Is there nothing you do together?”

“No… But unless my husband is away at the Imperial Palace or I’m out, we always have tea time together. Before going to bed, my husband drinks brandy or wine, and I drink warm milk because I have headaches.”

Wait. He likes alcohol?

“It’s not excessive drinking, just a glass or two. He seems to like somewhat unique alcohol. He occasionally drinks beer or ale too. That’s about it.”

Cynthia’s eyes sparkled.

This might be easier than I thought.

“Should I or my husband take some medicine to have a child quickly?”

“Duchess, you seem too anxious. I understand your situation, but please try to keep your mind at ease.”

“That’s not easy for me.”

Seeing her face as if she were being chased by someone, Cynthia felt the urge to help.

While there were herbs and supplements to aid pregnancy, none of these guaranteed conception.

There didn’t seem to be any special physical issues for this young and healthy couple. So Cynthia decided to change her approach a bit.

First, she needed to ease the stiff and rigid atmosphere between them.

Since the Duke refused medicine, she decided to try a different prescription.

“You said the Duke likes alcohol, right?”

Duchess Lenox slowly nodded.

At the quick response, Cynthia asked for a moment and opened the cover of the shelf where she stored food items.

Inside were various herbs, including several bottles of bushclover liqueur she had made for Kaisel.

Cynthia handed the Duchess a transparent brown bushclover liqueur and a tea container filled with dried kama.

She was glad she had strained all the leaves and transferred them to pretty bottles.

“What kind of alcohol is this?”

“I thought you might have tried all the famous ones, so I brought this. It’s a liqueur made from herbs I grew and harvested myself. And in this tea container are dried tea leaves of herbs that are good for men.”

“It looks just like lightly brewed coffee.”

“Right? Please serve this when you have tea with the Duke. Kama has a nutty flavor like nuts, so have him drink about a cup a day with honey. And it would be good to have a glass or two of the liqueur before going to bed at night.”

The Duchess’s eyes widened, having been anxious about what kind of medicine would come out.

“I’ve separated the amounts in case the Duke’s constitution might not match. Please drink according to the specified amount if possible, and if side effects occur, stop and send me a letter. I’ll look for other methods.”

“…Can a child be conceived with these?”

Countess Moridge, who had been silently listening, looked at the alcohol and tea Cynthia handed over as if she didn’t trust them at all.

But Duchess Lenox thought differently.

Considering all the bizarre things the Dowager Duchess, her mother-in-law, had made her do for having a child, including magical treatments, alcohol and tea were really nothing.

“Thank you, Miss Cynthia.”

Cynthia hoped to eliminate the obsession of having to have a child and ease the tension between the awkward couple.

Though blunt, the Duke clearly seemed to love and care for the Duchess.

If Duke Lenox hadn’t been sincere, the Duchess wouldn’t have disguised her multiple phantom pregnancies as miscarriages.

She didn’t seem like someone who would make such excuses just because she disliked the Dowager Duchess’s wrath or being talked about by people.

There were many watching eyes and ears in the ducal family too. If nothing had leaked out as rumors, the Duke must have thoroughly controlled what was said.

Out of a desire not to see his wife hurt.

She sincerely hoped the two would confirm their feelings for each other and deepen their relationship. Then a beautiful baby would surely come.

❀❀❀

Several days had passed since the surprise visitors left. Cynthia had been in a very good mood lately.

Finally, the Helix Pharmaceutical Institute had officially begun selling Palma supplements made from Mona grapes.

Cynthia was raking in gold coins as the gummy supplements became a massive hit.

“I’ll pay three times the price. So sell it to me first.”

“Get out of my way! I reserved it first!”

The new medicine released by the Helix Institute after several years not only contained precious Mona grapes but could also be eaten conveniently like a dessert anywhere, anytime, and tasted excellent.

Above all, raga, a type of carrageenan, provided a unique texture and feeling of fullness, becoming so popular through word of mouth among noble ladies that resellers even appeared.

The Emperor’s mention of the Helix Institute’s new medicine as a topic at the banquet also played a role.

The first batch, released in small quantities to gauge reaction, had already sold out, and the second, third, and fourth batches were all booked to capacity.

Thanks to the Palma supplements, the Helix Institute’s recognition grew tremendously, recording the highest reputation among pharmaceutical research institutes in the Empire.

And sponsorships from wealthy families poured in.

With Tristan’s position elevated, he could finally realize the business he most desired.

The Helix Institute planned to make an official announcement by inviting nobles with connections to influential newspapers in the Empire.

All the prominent newspapers gathered here, curious about the supplements and expecting the possible release of another new medicine.

The reporters waited for the announcement with expressions full of anticipation and curiosity.

Wow, there are really a lot of people.

Cynthia, who had been invited early, arrived at the press conference venue.

Some nobles recognized her and whispered, making her ears itch, but she didn’t mind.

Meanwhile, Cynthia expressionlessly looked at Iris surrounded by nobles.

Iris noticed Cynthia and approached, waving her hand with a welcoming expression. She seemed to have recovered from her gaunt appearance from when they last met.

“Cynthia, you came too?”

“Yes. I received an invitation because I’m acquainted with Baron Regi.”

“Of course, I saw him at your cottage that time, right?”

Iris’s voice trailed off as if recalling that memory.

“Want to come with me over there? I’ll introduce you to some noble friends.”

Cynthia indifferently shook her head.

“No, I’m going to see the research institute people.”

“I see…? That’s a shame. Come to my side anytime if you’re bored.”

Iris scratched her cheek and unfolded her arms.

As Cynthia immediately turned away, she heard mocking voices about her from behind.

“How disappointing. To reject her sister’s kindness like that.”

“Cia isn’t that kind of person. She’s just… busy, I suppose.”

“Lady Iris, you’re too kind.”

Though Iris desperately made excuses, her words seemed to fuel the situation, making it more chaotic.

Whatever.

Cynthia headed to her seat marked with a number. Then she opened her mouth wide seeing the man sitting next to her.

“You’re late.”

“Your Highness? How did you come here? No, more importantly, why specifically next to my seat……”

All piercing gazes focused on Cynthia and Kaisel.

“Don’t misunderstand. I came by invitation too.”

Kaisel, living in his own world as always, let out a languid laugh and waved his invitation card. Then he pulled her hand and seated her.

Embarrassed by people’s gazes, Cynthia tried to withdraw her hand, but he interlocked their fingers and held on even more firmly.

She fanned herself with her hand as heat kept rising to her face due to the warm sensation.

Fortunately, as the presentation preparations were completed and Tristan appeared, the noisy atmosphere calmed down.

Reporters from prominent newspapers in the Empire took out voice recording magic tools and notepads to hear his words.