Chapter 12: 12
Anyhow, Zion was getting close to the reckless noblewoman.
If he wanted to maintain and further develop their relationship, he had to help her generously.
He couldn’t afford to be underestimated in front of Duke Adelaira.
‘There must be a place where the money goes, whether it’s on drinks or gambling…’
It was a well-known rumor that the reckless noblewoman enjoyed drinking and gambling.
However, she never met with other noble children, and only her bodyguard stayed by her side.
Probably, her spending was significant, and Zion might be covering part of her expenses.
‘Hanette has never hit or killed anyone. She isn’t a person who gets swayed by alcohol or gambling.’
This part surprised Freed as well.
Usually, when alcohol or gambling is involved, someone gets hurt or killed.
But the reckless noblewoman had never caused an accident; she just enjoyed drinking and gambling regularly.
That’s why Duke Adelaira kept giving her an allowance.
‘Is it safe now?’
Before the engagement, Freed had investigated the reckless noblewoman thoroughly.
Even in a marriage of convenience, his youngest son shouldn’t face any problems.
But most of the information was based on rumors, so he couldn’t shake off his anxiety.
‘If the marriage goes through, the business interests can be protected.’
The Marquis Laird family had maintained power and honor as royal officials for generations.
However, not all descendants could become royal officials, so they eventually turned to commerce to increase their wealth.
Freed wanted to protect the business interests like his predecessors and arranged a marriage of convenience with Duke Adelaira based on mutual interests.
‘There is a way to align with the Duke of Ternain, but it wouldn’t be more beneficial.’
If he had intended to align with the Duke of Ternain, he wouldn’t have proceeded with a marriage of convenience.
The movements of the Duke of Ternain were unusual, and some nobles were gradually noticing.
In other words, the Duke of Ternain was not a good choice for Freed and might abandon him later.
‘Is he seeking power with the Duke title? If he fails, he can’t handle the consequences.’
In the history of the Kingdom of Allaine, there was only one instance of a strategic marriage between a Duke family and the direct royal family.
That Duke family, protected by the king, wielded endless power and military force, oppressing lower-ranking nobles and commoners, seizing their labor and wealth.
Eventually, after the king’s death, they tried to manipulate the royal succession, but other Duke families and nobles united to oust them.
As a result, only two Duke families remained, and subsequent kings implicitly prohibited strategic marriages with Duke families.
‘Even if I break off the engagement and leave, it won’t be seen positively. There’s no turning back now.’
It was something he had already committed to.
Once he sided with one, he had to face the other as an enemy.
If he chose nothing, he would be isolated and slowly wither away.
‘Since both have arrived, I should go see them.’
Freed left his office, deep in thought.
He had explained the strategic marriage to Zion, but he wasn’t sure if Zion fully understood.
Even if Zion didn’t understand, just getting along well with the reckless noblewoman was enough.
‘… She is indeed an unusual lady. She doesn’t try to present a tidy appearance.’
Freed adjusted his clothes as he went down the stairs.
The reckless noblewoman only wore a dress on the engagement day and dressed in formal wear like noble children on other days.
She didn’t overly embellish her appearance and didn’t act demurely like other noblewomen.
She was simply appreciated for being the lady of a Duke family with outstanding beauty.
‘Hmm… If that’s what Zion likes about her…’
As Freed arrived at the first-floor hall, the butler and maids stepped aside.
Kaltz was already out, and Zion and Hanette had just entered the mansion.
Freed nodded slowly as Zion and Hanette greeted him.
“You’re here. I thought you were coming alone.”
“Well… I suggested it first. I thought it would be nice to come together.”
Zion lied smoothly, exchanging glances with Hanette.
Hanette quickly understood and continued the conversation.
“Um… Since my fiancé was returning home, I thought it would be good to come along.”
“… Have you two become close already?”
“Well… Zion has been treating me well, so I couldn’t ignore him.”
Hanette struggled to find an excuse and answered as politely as possible.
The Marquis Laird must have considered her a reckless noblewoman.
Trying to be nice now wouldn’t change much, but she had to present a decent appearance.
‘Maybe she has changed a bit.’
Freed looked between the two and then carefully observed Hanette.
He had seen her a few times before the engagement and more carefully on the engagement day.
Her expression, which used to be forced, now seemed natural, and her voice had softened a bit.
Only now did her beauty start to stand out, and a peculiar atmosphere seemed to emanate from her.
‘… Did Zion do something? Is that why she changed?’
Freed looked at Zion with faint satisfaction.
He hadn’t expected the reckless noblewoman’s personality to change.
He had even worried that she might bully or harm Zion.
But now they seemed to get along well, and their relationship might improve further.
“Lord, what are your plans for today?”
“I won’t leave the mansion. Why?”
“Could you spare some time after I’m done with my business? I have something to discuss.”
“Understood. I’ll be in my office.”
Freed immediately understood what Zion meant.
The money he took before leaving wouldn’t have been enough.
Normally, he wouldn’t give it easily, but this time he thought he should comply with Zion’s wishes.
“… Zion.”
“Yes, my lord.”
“It’s fine to take care of your business, but don’t neglect your fiancé. She is not just your fiancé but the lady of Duke Adelaira.”
“Understood.”
Freed turned his gaze, his eyes cold.
Hanette flinched but didn’t let her expression waver.
“Hanette Adelaira.”
“Yes.”
“… Rest well before you leave. And give my regards to Duke Adelaira when you return.”
“I will surely convey your message.”
“I will go up first.”
Freed turned his back after saying those words.
A faint smile lingered on his lips, and his steps felt lighter at that moment.
‘Who knew Zion had such a talent? If things went well, that’s enough.’
* * *
The mansion of Marquis Laird, the private kitchen for the family.
When the family’s size is substantial, the kitchen is divided according to its purpose.
Private for the family, separate for the staff.
Usually, each kitchen uses different ingredients and utensils, and some families strictly separate the head chef and cooks.
In the royal palace, the kitchens are even more finely divided into those for royalty, officials, and servants.
“I’ve brought everything you asked for.”
“Thank you for your hard work.”
Zion examined the herbs laid out on the table.
The leaves were tinged green, and the roots had a yellow hue.
With the leaves split in two and the roots split in three, he was certain it was Limpi Machina.
“These were quite expensive… Are you sure it’s okay?”
“It’s fine. I can always earn more money.”
Zion answered Kaltz’s question nonchalantly and slowly stepped back.
There was no need for him to personally sort out the herbs.
As a marquis’s child, he only needed to watch the employees at work.
“Are you ready? Let’s start.”
At Zion’s command, the cooks quickly took the herbs.
They put them in pots and filled them with water.
As they turned up the heat, the cooks waited quietly for the water to boil.
‘I hope I find it the first time…’
Zion paced around, frequently checking the pots.
The item he was looking for might not be there.
If it wasn’t, he would have to find Limpi Machina again and repeat the same process.
‘All I can do is hope for some luck.’
That person had spent years searching for effective herbs.
Much time was consumed in identifying the types of herbs and methods of selection.
Zion had come across that person’s diary in a novel, allowing him to immediately use the method.
“Look for the one that turns red. If the leaves and roots don’t change color together, it’s useless.”
Zion repeated the same words while moving busily.
As the water in the pots boiled, the herbs began to change.
The cooks carefully stirred the pots, trying to find the herbs Zion described.
“Nothing here.”
“Nothing in this one either.”
“Doesn’t seem like it’s here.”
Reports came in from all sides.
Zion went around checking each pot, feeling increasingly anxious.
Only a few pots remained, and if none had what he needed, it would have been a wasted effort.
“Nothing here.”
“Nothing in this one either.”
It wasn’t that there were no red Limpi Machina at all.
But most of them had leaves and roots changing color separately.
The herb Zion was looking for had to have both the leaves and roots turning red together.
“This one… oh?”
One cook hesitated, tilting his ladle.
Then some herbs attached to the ladle began to reveal their shapes.
Only after Zion confirmed it himself did he finally feel relieved.
“Got it. Take those out.”
Other herbs had already turned mushy, but that herb retained its shape without losing moisture.
The green leaves and yellow roots had turned red, and a faint unique aroma spread.
Zion checked the red herb multiple times before placing it in a bowl.
“Now, grind it up. Bring the prepared items.”
The cooks scattered and moved busily.
One started grinding the red herb, while others prepared the pre-made potion.
The potion had been prepared under Zion’s guidance and would be consumed with finely ground Limpi Machina.
“Zion, I should have asked earlier, but why are you taking that?”
Kaltz cautiously asked while watching the potion being completed.
Zion thought for a moment and then smirked.
“They say it’s good for vitality.”
“What?”
“…?”
Hanette, standing in the back, flinched at the sudden answer.
Kaltz glanced at Hanette, unable to continue speaking.
“Just kidding. Do you think I would go through all this trouble for vitality?”
“Of course not. I knew that.”
“Hah…”
Hanette glared at Zion with a displeased expression.
Zion felt her gaze entirely and looked down at the powdered Limpi Machina.
‘With this, I’ll gain immunity to mind control, and after drinking the holy water… I can freely use the Magic Sword of Darkness.’