Chapter 04
I Found Someone I Like
(2022.07.14)
“What makes you think you can help me?”
You?
She didn’t say the rest out loud, but it felt like she did.
Thinking back on how I was just a few days ago, it was completely understandable that the Duchess had such low expectations of me.
A few days ago, I was… well…
‘A total mess…’
As if telling me to go on, the Duchess smiled leisurely.
When she raised her fan to cover her lips, her heavily made-up eyes stood out beautifully.
As expected of the Duke’s wife, she had an overwhelming presence similar to when she stood beside the Duke.
I placed the bottle of medicine I had prepared on the table.
“What is this?”
“An antidote.”
“An antidote?”
“Yes. It’s an antidote for the pesticide you recently developed, my lady.”
“…What are you talking about?”
The Duchess stared at me with a completely expressionless face.
“I obtained your poison and tried making an antidote.”
“And you expect me to believe that?”
“I don’t expect you to.”
“…You’re not trying to make a fool of me, are you?”
Her tone was elegant, but her presence was suffocating.
Don’t back down in moments like this.
I reminded myself of that and spoke firmly.
“Instead of doubting me, why not try it?”
I didn’t retreat and spoke with confidence.
‘I guarantee the effect!’
I said it boldly, but honestly, I didn’t expect a positive response.
If she rejected me once, I’d ask again. If twice, I’d try a third time.
But then—
“Very well. I was bored anyway, so I suppose I can humor you for a moment.”
“…!”
I was startled by how readily she agreed.
“Of course, if this turns out to be a foolish prank, you’ll pay the price.”
Naturally, a warning followed.
With a sharp snap, she closed her fan and stood up. After calling over the caretaker of the poison garden and giving a few instructions, she glanced at me.
“Follow me.”
I quietly followed behind her.
She led me to a greenhouse located in the rear garden.
It was filled with rare medicinal herbs and poisonous plants from across the continent, each section equipped with magical devices to regulate temperature—a place that drained money just to maintain.
A cultivation site for poisonous plants and also a laboratory.
It was my first time entering.
I had only ever admired it from afar before.
I looked around in awe, observing the rare plants.
‘Wow! That flower only grows in the Far East.’
‘And that tree—even the imperial family failed to cultivate it.’
I was once again amazed by the wealth of the Ferdia family—and the Duchess.
The money I used to spend recklessly was probably nothing compared to this.
As I admired the plants, I suddenly realized how quiet it had become.
Startled, I looked up to find the Duchess watching me.
“Elodie.”
“…Yes!”
She shook her head slightly, then gestured gracefully.
“…Never mind. Come here.”
On her worktable were all kinds of rare ingredients used for making poison.
Powder from fairy butterflies of Elu Forest, luminescent moss from the cliffs of Eiteim territory, and even the red-horned mad mushroom that required a magical barrier just to store.
Among them, she pointed to a transparent glass box.
Something wriggled inside.
“Do you know what that is?”
“It looks like a bug. A big one.”
“That’s the worm responsible for the recent pest outbreak—Wormk.”
It looked oddly cute, but apparently it was the cause of the continent-wide crop failure.
“It’s not an ordinary insect. It has become a magical creature—its survival and reproduction abilities are extremely tenacious.”
“I see.”
“Then let’s test your antidote.”
I was confident—but now that it was happening, I felt nervous.
Unlike me, the Duchess moved without hesitation.
She poured pesticide into the box. The worm’s movements slowed.
It looked like it would die at any moment.
Then my antidote was poured over it.
One second. Two. Three…
Nothing happened.
‘That can’t be right…’
Just as I was panicking—
The worm, which had looked dead, suddenly started scurrying around energetically.
Even more lively than before.
“Wow! It’s alive, my lady!”
“….”
“Ah—sorry!”
Realizing I got too excited, I quickly stepped back.
‘That must’ve been rude…’
I carefully looked up.
The Duchess was staring at me, her face slightly stiff.
“Elodie.”
“Yes.”
“How did you make this antidote?”
Her serious expression made me certain.
‘She’s hooked!’
My plan had worked.
The effect was undeniable.
But now came the important part—negotiation.
I lowered my head with a regretful expression.
“I’d like to tell you, but the risk is too great… I hope you understand.”
When I glanced up, her eyes had narrowed dangerously.
“There’s nerve… and boldness in you, Elodie.”
“I apologize if I offended you.”
“I’m not offended. Just… intrigued.”
Her blue eyes studied me.
“The timid girl who trembled before me… what changed so suddenly?”
I swallowed dryly.
“And now you dare propose a deal to me.”
After a brief moment of thought, she said:
“Fine. What do you want?”
“…!”
I had successfully reached the negotiation table—with the Duchess of House Ferdia herself.
“I want you to sell this antidote under your name.”
“…What?”
“And give me a percentage of the profits.”
“Why not use your own name?”
“No one would believe it. That I, Elodie Ferdia, made it.”
Who would believe that a notorious troublemaker suddenly created an antidote?
“It would only cause doubt.”
“…Is that all?”
“I also don’t want to stand out.”
“…I see.”
“Please keep everything a secret.”
After a moment, she nodded.
“Very well. I have nothing to lose.”
My conditions were accepted.
Then, as per her request, I explained how I made it.
“I awakened my divine power recently.”
“Divine power?”
She looked surprised for the first time.
“It seems to be an ability that destroys poison.”
(It was actually purification.)
I explained further.
My power required me to ingest poison first, then purify it into an antidote.
It was useful—but painful.
“…I see. So that’s why it’s risky.”
“I don’t want misunderstandings.”
She understood.
“I have no intention of threatening your sons’ positions.”
“….”
“Please don’t worry.”
She said nothing for a long time.
‘Yes! I made money!’
Though production was limited, I finally had personal income.
Despite feeling exhausted, I couldn’t stop smiling.
‘I’ll save up and become independent!’
As I headed toward my room—
“Miss!”
Martha ran toward me.
“What is it?”
“You have a guest.”
“…A guest? I don’t have friends though?”
“That’s true.”
“…Martha.”
“Anyway, you must come quickly.”
“Who is it?”
“The First Prince.”
Ah.
I froze.
‘Right… the engagement…’
I forced myself toward the reception room.
‘Time to break it off.’
Elodie Ferdia had gone mad.
That was the only conclusion Prince Adenmir could reach.
“We have something to discuss, don’t we?”
“Yes. The annulment is sincere.”
“…What?”
“I apologize for forcing this engagement.”
Apologize?
Elodie Ferdia?
“…Is something wrong with you?”
“No.”
“…Then why?”
She smiled brightly.
“I found someone I like.”
“…What?”
