Chapter 49
~Chapter 49~
“I almost made you out to be a bad person again,” Julian said. “But I know you’re no longer that kind of woman. I apologize for treating you so indifferently and causing you trouble.”
It was… a surprising statement.
‘What makes him think he knows anything about me?’
Of course, it was true, but as far as Julian knew, Harriet Listerwell should still be the scandal-prone troublemaker.
“How did you know?”
“If you were the same as before,” he said, “you would have clung to the Duke of Kailas at the Vanderbilt party. I mean—oh, I didn’t express that well, but what I’m trying to say is….”
“I understand.”
Julian clearly thought she had chased after him to make Cedric jealous. But she hadn’t, and that seemed to have left a deep impression on him.
‘So he thinks that’s proof I’ve changed? That’s ridiculous.’
The mere fact that he had been watching her with Cedric was already creepy enough. He might look refined on the outside, but inside he was filled with outdated notions and masculine arrogance.
And if she got close to another man, he would probably flip his attitude completely and condemn her. Simply because she had rejected his ‘brave’ confession.
‘I don’t need to feel any guilt about using this man.’
Harriet smiled sweetly and opened her parasol.
“The sunlight is quite strong.”
“Oh, allow me. I’ll hold it for you.”
“I couldn’t possibly. If you, of all people, hold the parasol for the infamous Harriet Listerwell, what would become of your reputation?”
“It would make me a gentleman extending kindness to a lady. Please, let me take it.”
Julian took the parasol as if he were her escort and carefully shielded her from the sunlight.
With Harriet walking a step ahead and Julian sticking close by her side, chattering away the whole time, there was no room for misunderstanding who was pursuing whom.
And from afar, Bella watched the scene with her eyes wide open in shock.
Meanwhile….
“Ah, Lord Kingsley, you’ve arrived!”
“Heh heh, just call me Benedict.” He laughed heartily.
“Oh, I couldn’t possibly! It’s already an honor just to be in the same club as you.”
After Cedric inherited the title, Benedict Kingsley, Viscount Kingsley, had been invited to a more elite gentlemen’s club. Even as a new member, he received a warm welcome. After all, he was the duke’s uncle.
When Rowan had been the Duke of Kailas, the family had been seen as under Princess Jeremia’s control, so Benedict hadn’t gained much from that connection.
But after Rowan’s death and Cedric’s succession, people assumed Benedict wielded strong influence over the young duke. Several reputable clubs had sent him invitations to curry favor.
He chose ‘The Golden Age’, a club where wealth mattered more than status or honor. Its members were known more for their assets than their titles.
‘These days, money is everything. It’s better to deal with substantial people than hypocrites chasing empty honors or ranks.’
It was a new era. Without money, even nobles were no better than commoners. And wealthy commoners were beginning to surpass the nobility.
The prestige of noble families now mattered less than the businesses they owned or invested in.
The members of ‘The Golden Age’ each had at least one famous business registered in their own name. Benedict had joined to enter their world.
But these members, more entrepreneurs than nobles, wanted ‘payment upfront.’ If he wanted something from them, he had to show what he could offer first.
And there was only one thing they wanted from him.
“I’ve heard the Kailas family is starting land development in Alcines. It seems they haven’t finalized the list of partners yet.”
“Ah, yes, I’ve heard something like that too.”
“Well then, actually… my son runs a lumber company. He’s very skilled, but lacks connections. Could you perhaps… recommend him?”
Another favor, another request.
Benedict scratched the back of his head and smiled awkwardly.
“Haha, well, I’m not sure I’m in a position to….”
“You’re the Duke of Kailas’s only uncle! I hear Princess Jeremia has little interest in the family business. The duke handles most of it himself. In that situation, who else would he seek advice from but you?”
“The poor boy… Shouldering such a heavy title at such a young age….”
“Exactly! If you offered him wise advice or a suggestion, wouldn’t it make things so much easier for him?”
Laughter and polite flattery filled the air. But beneath it lay sharp calculations and subtle power plays.
“Hmm, I’ll bring it up… but don’t get your hopes too high. The decision is Cedric’s to make.”
“Thank you so much, Viscount! The potato harvest season is approaching in your territory, isn’t it? Once it’s done, just say the word. You can use our trading company’s warehouses for free!”
Benedict politely declined, saying he couldn’t accept help when his recommendation might not even work.
He appeared to be a man of principle.
And of course, that was precisely the way to earn people’s trust and goodwill.
He knew exactly how to package himself to draw people in.
As expected, the other members grew even more favorable toward him.
“I hear your son has started a new business recently. The rumors say it’s very promising.”
“Well, I’m not sure myself. I just gave him a little money to try it out as part of his heir training. He’s always been interested in helping the sick, and now he wants to make medicine.”
“Amazing! Isn’t pharmaceuticals one of the most promising industries these days?”
As cities equipped modern drainage systems and public awareness of hygiene grew, people’s lifespans had lengthened dramatically.
Diseases that once sent people running to temples or shamans were now seen as treatable, and interest in medicine had exploded.
Of course, problems like fake cures, unverified ingredients, and reckless dosing still existed.
But even the empire was fully supporting the pharmaceutical industry.
“With such foresight, your son is surely destined for a bright future. The Kingsley family will prosper greatly, haha!”
“Thank you. But his business is still just taking its first steps.”
Contrary to his humble words, Benedict knew every detail of Albert’s business and was strongly supporting it from behind the scenes.
Albert had struck gold when he met a woman from the Firma Kingdom and learned about her homeland’s traditional remedies.
Even better, her father was a pharmacist from Firma, so Albert just needed to import the medicine he made. No research funds required.
“Father! This is incredible! It makes you feel better than alcohol, with no hangover! Just wait, soon everyone will be dying to buy it.”
Officially, they marketed it as a painkiller and antidepressant. But the real effect of this herbal medicine made from Dascenzo was to boost libido.
Nobles who spent endless nights at parties were the type who wouldn’t hesitate to eat bizarre foods if they believed it enhanced their virility.
Imagine how much they would love a pill that ignited desire instantly and kept the flames burning all night.
‘This business is going to be a huge hit. Those who don’t invest now will regret it later.’
Benedict and Albert were just waiting for demand for the drug to peak. Then they would rake in unimaginable profits.
The one worrisome point was that they didn’t fully understand the drug’s side effects.
“Over-reliance on Dascenzo makes it impossible to live without it. A small dose might save someone on the brink of madness from sorrow… but if you can’t quit, the withdrawal will drive you insane.”
Even the pharmacist struggled to explain the withdrawal symptoms.
Some said hands trembled, others couldn’t sleep… some sang strange songs or started dancing uncontrollably.
‘That’s not so bad.’
They couldn’t abandon such a drug over potential side effects.
Most medicines required proper dosing anyway, and some side effects were inevitable, so there was no reason to feel guilty.
‘Fame and attention will come later. First, I need to recommend that lumber company owned by the Livingston viscount’s son to Cedric.’
Since it was a capable company, Benedict was confident Cedric wouldn’t refuse.
