Chapter 24

“There were rumors you struggled because there were no female applicants. Yet you managed to come to the report meeting.”

“Indeed.”

“So you probably didn’t even get to conduct the trial. Isn’t this the time the Duke finally casts you out?”

Erin narrowed her eyes at Viscount Talben, who was showing off in his white suit with a pink gemstone.

Even in that moment, the odd pettiness of the gem he wore caught Erin’s eye.

‘What is that?’

She hadn’t seen many gemstones before, but that tiny, dull pebble-like stone…

‘That’s just a pink cubic zirconia, isn’t it?’

When she realized it, she looked around and saw that the attendees’ jewelry and fabrics varied widely.

Some wore suits made of cheap material, while others managed decent, higher-quality fabrics.

The pink gemstones worn as jewelry were also all different qualities. Some didn’t wear any, and some wore pink boutonnieres or corsages instead.

Looking closely, Erin was the only one dressed in the finest fabric and matching pink sapphire set.

Those as well-dressed as her were either from powerful families or from the middle class or above.

‘Strange?’

It seemed less like the Duke had provided everyone with the same clothes and jewels, and more…

‘It looks like everyone just matched the announced dress code themselves…’

“Well, it was odd for the Duke to sponsor your trial to begin with.”

Viscount Talben’s words pulled Erin from her thoughts.

“Of all things, a contraceptive. Life is a blessing, after all…”

He wasn’t even devout, but was picking a fight.

Not feeling it was worth answering, Erin just sipped her champagne.

Viscount Talben raised his eyebrows and boasted,

“Think about it. Everyone else’s research is sacred, useful, a step for humanity…”

“I think contraceptives are the same.”

“Huh? How could a drug that blocks life…”

“At the very least, it saves women from misery thanks to irresponsible gentlemen.”

“……”

“And it prevents unhappy children from being born to unhappy mothers. Think about all the noble bastards in the world and how they’re treated.”

It wasn’t a noble’s answer, but Erin hadn’t lived much like a noble anyway. She still didn’t care how others saw her.

She spoke confidently, shrugging her shoulders, and Viscount Talben narrowed his eyes. Erin continued calmly.

“Duke Aston also pities those women and children…”

“Hmph! Of course the Duke wouldn’t want more bastards!”

Erin narrowed her eyes at his words.

“Are you really believing the rumor that the Duke is developing contraceptives for his mistresses…”

“That, and there’s the rumor the Duke himself is a bastard.”

“What! Is that true?”

“Is Duke Aston really a bastard?”

Talben’s boastful rumor made several nearby jump in, excited by the topic.

“I heard he’s not just any bastard. The previous Duke took in an imperial bastard and had to raise him, crying all the while.”

“They say he was an unforgivable child, and was scarred on the face as soon as he was born.”

“That’s why he’s so mysterious!”

The gossip swelled, rolling like waves.

Since the Duke wasn’t attending today, the guests felt relaxed and each added their own comments.

Erin’s expression grew darker.

“Hey, even so, Duke Aston is our patron. Isn’t it wrong to talk behind his back…”

“What does it matter? He’s not even here.”

“Lady Leshamur, I thought you’d have the most grudge against the Duke.”

Those speaking wore brazen expressions. Among them, Viscount Talben’s words were the worst.

“Anyway, rumor has it he sponsors contraceptives because he doesn’t want more children born into his own miserable situation.”

“……”

“And now you’re about to disappoint the Duke’s expectations. Who knows, maybe he’ll scar your face in a rage.”

Earlier he’d criticized her research as something that shouldn’t be done, and now he was criticizing her for not succeeding.

Most of all, his words went too far.

Erin replied coldly.

“My, what a vile thing to say, Viscount.”

The mood around them chilled.

Soon, those who thought Talben had gone too far began to quietly slip away.

“Well. Maybe I’m not wrong?”

But Talben didn’t stop. He’d clearly drunk too much champagne and didn’t care.

“So maybe, even now, you should join the research teams of more successful people.”

“Huh?”

“For example, I could add you to my ‘Rejuvenation Potion’ research group.”

He said it while laying a greasy hand on Erin’s shoulder, making her face twist in disgust.

‘This guy’s like a jade mattress scammer!’

Honestly, his research was all talk and had no real benefit.

The Duke probably kept his lab around because, in researching rejuvenation, they cataloged all sorts of herbs and medicines like an encyclopedia.

He didn’t fire Talben because Talben sometimes drank mercury or poison and called it medicine, and it amused the Duke.

‘He’s always risking his own life, so the Duke doesn’t need to dirty his hands.’

Erin wore a jaded expression, while Talben boasted,

“From the Academy, Lady Leshamur, you always a remarkable talent.”

“Yes.”

“It was so annoying how you always took first place. I bet the professors gave you bonus points for your pretty face.”

That reminded Erin of one of the rumors from the Academy.

That she seduced professors with her looks.

‘So he was the one who spread that rumor.’

She wasn’t surprised. Erin replied simply,

“Aha. Then I suppose the professors gave you academic warnings because your face was disgusting.”

“…Anyway, Lady Leshamur.”

Talben’s face flushed, then regained composure. He looked at Erin with a greasy smile.

“After today, your sponsorship will end.”

“I see.”

“But if you came to my lab, I’d give you the best treatment…”

Erin forcefully removed his hand from her shoulder.

“I’m not going.”

“You’ll regret it.”

“I said I’m not going.”

No way would she buy his jade mattress scam.

Thinking so, Erin turned away in disgust.

Rather than keep listening to his nonsense, she decided to rest in the lounge and maybe meet Ash.

But Talben was persistent.

“Lady Leshamur!”

“Why are you following me?!”

Erin, heading into a deserted hallway outside the hall, was followed by Talben, who babbled endlessly.

“I told you! After today, you’ll lose your sponsorship. This is the last time we’ll meet!”

“Yes, that’s great. So why are you following me?”

“I already said—I’ve had my eye on you since the Academy. Plenty of men like me have noticed you.”

“Yes. But why should I care?”

“…I know you’re drowning in debt! You don’t have many options! If you joined my lab, you’d be much happier!”

“I’m happy now.”

She felt like a parrot repeating herself. Erin narrowed her eyes, tired of it.

Panting as he caught up, Talben’s eyes roamed her neck and chest, landing on the luxurious pink sapphire necklace nestled at her collarbone.

He shouted,

“Ha! I don’t know who your new sponsor is, but I could give you something better than that pink sapphire…”

He grabbed Erin’s wrist with a sticky, unpleasant hand.

‘…That’s it. I can’t take this.’

At that moment, Erin remembered Ash hitting an applicant in the face with a menu, and throwing a glass at a reporter’s head.

‘Maybe I should…’

Smack!

Her fist flew before she realized it.

“Ugh!”

Coincidentally, it was the hand with the ring.

The ring hit Talben squarely between the eyes, sending him screaming and stumbling back…

Crash!

He hit his head on a vase displayed in the hall.

“Ugh…”

“Aah!”

Erin jumped back in alarm.

Luckily, he didn’t split his head open or bleed out—he just clutched a big lump on the back of his head, groaning.