Chapter 21

“I’m going to turn the Gron Merchant Guild into an herbalist guild.”

That was the flash of inspiration I had when the Duke handed me the guild and told me to try creating an antidote to the Alosi poison.

If the guild existed to make the antidote, why not use it for other things as well? What if I applied the knowledge from my past life?

It was an opportunity—my very own merchant guild. It would be a waste not to use it well. Grinning, I declared my ambition.

“We need a lot of herbs to make the Alosi antidote. No one knows which herb will counteract the poison. But there isn’t a single merchant guild that specializes in herbs, right? And most herbs are gathered directly from mountains.”

It was true. Herbs were mostly harvested in the wild by hand. Common herbs were easy to obtain, but the ones that weren’t easily found?

Even if you knew the cure and knew the herb, the price could soar astronomically if the environment changed and the herb couldn’t be found. Ordinary folk couldn’t afford that kind of medicine.

I wanted to be on the side of the weak. In my previous life, I had nothing and was always ignored. And people always said to dream big.

Puffing out my chest confidently, I announced:

“Our guild will develop its own methods for cultivating and storing herbs. And we’ll make the Alosi antidote.”

In truth, no large organization dealt with herbs. Merchant guilds only moved when there was money. Nobles spent their coin on jewelry, fine cloth, and food—no one wanted to bother with troublesome herbs.

‘Money is important, but so is health. Someone has to prove that.’

And I intended to discover the recipes for medicines that still hadn’t been found. Just having the herb didn’t mean a medicine would magically form. Many experiments were required—and for that, a steady supply of herbs was essential. That meant cultivation.

‘Especially since the herbs needed for the Alosi antidote are all rare species…’

With a guild, it would also help us trade with other continents. My speech sounded grand, but in the end, the real reason I accepted the guild was simple: I wanted to cure Evan as quickly as possible.

My parents looked at me with proud expressions, wondering when I had grown so admirable. I stood tall, full of confidence.

Then my father’s body trembled.

Why? Did he dislike something I said?

“How did our child grow up like this…? It must be because she takes after me! And she’s kind, too!”

After listening so seriously, Father suddenly hugged me tightly, overcome with emotion. My earlier tension felt foolish.

I giggled, and immediately Mother jumped in as if she couldn’t stand being left out.

“What are you talking about? Lepina takes after me. Right, darling?”

“No. I taught her well.”

As my parents argued, I burst out laughing. It meant they supported my dream.

Still holding me, Father said, “But I still worry about you. You’re our precious child. Running a guild is difficult. If you face any difficulties, tell me anytime. Your father can be a great help to you.”

The House of Clies earned its title through business. There was no one more knowledgeable than Father when it came to commerce. Whatever state the guild was in, it was a relief to have such a strong ally.

“Then… may I ask you one favor?”

“Is there anything this father wouldn’t do for his beloved daughter?”

He pounded his chest confidently, though he looked a little puzzled as he listened.

After declaring my plans to my family, I worked even harder. But even if I knew the ingredients for the antidote, nothing in the world was easy.

I had to prepare for the possibility that something couldn’t be obtained.

So I practically lived with an herbology book in my hands. My family seemed a bit displeased that I had less time for them, but seeing how hard I worked, they looked pleased, too.

That morning, after breakfast, I was in the study looking for a book.

“Hmm… I should ask Father to buy more herbology books from the bookstore…”

We simply lacked specialized books in that field.

“Aaaaah!!”

Suddenly, Piote’s scream thundered through the mansion. I nearly dropped my book.

“W-what? What happened?”

I shrugged it off—maybe he was just energetic this morning.

But then the study door slammed open. Startled, I looked toward the door to see Piote’s face twisted in fury.

“Lep! What is this document?!”

“Huh?”

Father appeared behind him, smacking Piote’s head and snatching the document. His face was stiff.

‘Did something happen? Is it about the guild?’

I reached out to Father to see the document. But he held it tightly, trembling.

“Father?”

Then he suddenly grabbed my shoulders—and began crying.

What?? Why??

Completely bewildered, I stammered.

“F-Father…?”

“Lep… Is this true? Did you tell Lord Evan that you would take responsibility for him?!”

Piote also yelled, asking if it was true.

Even though the house was in chaos just yesterday, it was loud again this morning.

I frowned.

How did Father know what I said to Evan?

When I nodded, both Father and Piote stared into empty space like the world had ended.

‘What kind of chaos is this now?’

Father wailed about not being able to give me away, asking if the guild had been given to me as a marriage gift.

I patted his back helplessly.

“What are you talking about? What is that document?”

He shoved the wrinkled paper at me—it had been crushed like an enemy. I smoothed it out.

It was a betrothal document from the House of Weiss.

“…?”

Even I was stunned.

As I stared, my head tilted, then snapped upright. My eyes widened.

Was I reading this wrong?

I looked at my crying father and Piote demanding an explanation. I rubbed my eyes hard.

‘A betrothal contract… between Evan von Weiss and… Lepina Clies?! When did this happen? When did we get engaged?’

Father’s devastated expression told me one thing—it was not arranged by him.

‘Then why?’

I wanted Evan to recover, and I wanted him to meet the heroine and live happily.

I had already asked Father to shelter the heroine and the other male candidates temporarily and gather information on the heroine.

I wanted Evan and the original female lead to be happy—not to become the heroine myself!

After calming himself a little, Piote asked, voice trembling with fury, “Lep…!! What happened?!”

But I wanted to ask that question even more.

“I-I don’t know either… Why all of a sudden?”

Father began cursing the Duke as a sly snake, insisting the guild was an engagement gift. I clamped his mouth shut.

Panicking, I decided to go directly to the Weiss estate.

“Th-there must be a mistake. I’ll go fix it!”

Why would Evan need someone like me? This had to be a misunderstanding.

I quickly took the document, dragged Mary to help me change, and headed straight for the Weiss estate.

The coachman drove fast, and despite the rattling, I kept my balance. Soon, we arrived at the estate.

The person who greeted me was the butler.

“B-Butler? W-what is going on?”

Panting, I showed him the document—but before he even looked, he said, “Butler? Please call me Liman. You are fully entitled. You are the young madam, after all.”

“…”

I was speechless. I had only learned about the engagement today, yet the butler acted as if it were already official. The servants passing by bowed deeply at me, looking moved.

‘Young… madam?’

Even a fiancée normally wouldn’t be called “madam.”

This wasn’t even a formal marriage.

My brows knit together, but Liman continued calmly.

“D-did you just… call me young madam?”

“Ahaha, did I? I must have misspoken. Anyway, please follow me. The young master is waiting.”

‘He’s slick…’

Unable to argue with that smile, I sighed and followed.

“The young master has been eagerly waiting for you.”

“Evan?”

“Yes.”

Come to think of it, he’d said something similar last time.

What reason did Evan have to wait for me? I was just his friend’s younger sister.

“You said last time he was looking forward to seeing me?”

“Yes. The young master always waits for you.”

“Why?”

“Because of course he wants to see you.”

Huh?

I tilted my head, confused.

Before I could ask further, a familiar door came into view, and the butler smoothly opened it for me.