Chapter 18

I thought he would be free since he allowed me to enter, but he was busy looking through documents. I felt awkward asking what gift Baron Perio mentioned was. I waited for him, sipping my tea.

Then, a low, deep voice called out to me.

“Yes, I heard well from Perio. He seems to have quite taken a liking to you.”

I saw the Duke, who had put down his pen and rested his chin on his hand, looking at me. I gave a bright smile.

“I am grateful that he views me favorably.”

So? What about the gift? Was it the medicinal herb?! My eyes sparkled with anticipation.

However, at the following words, I was so startled that I couldn’t even scream. I choked and coughed continuously.

The butler quickly patted my back. I took the handkerchief offered next to me, wiped my mouth, and asked in a raised voice.

“W-What?!”

“Exactly as I said. I intend to give the trading company to you.”

A trading company isn’t a name for a doghouse. I stared blankly at Duke Weiss, who casually offered to give me a trading company.

“No, exactly which trading company are you talking about giving me?”

I was so surprised that I asked in a rather challenging tone. The Duke calmly moved his pen and replied briefly.

“A troublesome thing fell into my hands.”

“What on earth….”

“Gron Merchant Guild. Weren’t you the one who told me the details about it? That’s why I’m giving it to you.”

‘Ah… that trading company.’

The trading company Duke Weiss mentioned was one that had fallen into his grasp thanks to my advice.

I was so dumbfounded that I couldn’t even laugh, and my mouth hung open. To be frank, considering how close the Clies family and the Weiss Grand Ducal family were, why would he give me a trading company? No matter how I thought about it, suddenly accepting a trading company was too much.

“I would like the Young Lady to lead that trading company.”

‘How am I supposed to run a trading company…’

I didn’t understand the Duke’s words, who was gifting me a trading company as if giving a doll to a mere twelve-year-old girl.

When I was about to open my mouth to refuse, Duke Weiss, perhaps sensing my intention, showed his palm and said, “Just a moment.”

I closed my mouth.

“I know it is a burden.”

And yet, you still talk about giving me a trading company?

“But why would you offer a trading company to me… I am nothing to you, Duke…”

I replied awkwardly.

“Because you are putting in effort.”

“Excuse me?”

Duke Weiss gestured with his eyes toward the book I had brought. I subtly placed the book on my lap and hid it so Duke Weiss couldn’t see it.

“E-Even so, the trading company and my diligent studies have no relation.”

“Are you sure about that?”

Duke Weiss smiled meaningfully. I looked at the Duke, tilting my head.

“For your information, this suggestion came from Perio, not me.”

Baron Perio? Although I saw him as a friendly grandfather figure, he didn’t seem like the type to suddenly give me a large trading company.

“Perio told me. He said you know of medicinal herbs to create an antidote. But he also said there are many herbs and poisonous plants that he and other physicians do not know about. That is why I am giving you the Gron Merchant Guild.”

“Such a large trading company…”

“It is not a large trading company.”

To the Duke, it might be a trading company that is easily found scattered at his feet. I felt somehow hollow, and my shoulders slumped. Then, the Duke pointed out a fact I had failed to consider.

“And there is a fact you are forgetting. The Gron Merchant Guild brought in the Alosi poison. That fact does not change.”

‘The Duke is right. It was the Gron Merchant Guild that brought in the Alosi poison… Therefore, it is correct to assume they are connected to the Zeiran Empire…’ I thought deeply.

Frankly, the intelligence of the Gron Merchant Guild, which brought in the Alosi poison that no one else knew about, could not be ignored. Perhaps they might know the whereabouts of the medicinal herbs or poisonous plants I am searching for. A significant realization struck me.

And the necessary medicinal herbs existed in the Zeiran Empire. This was what he was trying to tell me.

“Then we should use it.”

Duke Weiss had a laugh full of hidden intentions. His laughter sent shivers down my spine. The butler quietly cleared his throat, and Duke Weiss stopped laughing and explained.

“Regardless of their purpose, the fact that they imported the Alosi poison does not change. Then shouldn’t we utilize that capability? The ability they used to find the Alosi poison.”

The Duke made a gesture as if rolling a dice.

Duke Weiss’s words made sense. The Alosi poison was a poison from the Zeiran Empire. And the heroine also obtained hints about the ingredients by looking at a medicinal herb book that came from that continent. His words were reasonable.

“I understand your point, Duke. However, that reason is not enough for you to give the Gron Merchant Guild to me. On the contrary, you would manage the trading company better than I would, and it would be easier for you to find out the existence or routes of the intermediary.”

If I tried to make a case for it, there were more than enough reasons for the Duke to give me the trading company. But conversely, if he cultivated the trading company himself, he would operate it with maximum efficiency.

“And would such people disclose such important information to a child like me?”

Someone with the negotiating power to penetrate that distant continent—would they tell a mere child?

“Therefore, I cannot accept it.”

I flatly refused. Sensing my firm stance, Duke Weiss sighed softly.

“I have too much work. And I don’t have time to take on a trading company. If you find it difficult to manage the trading company alone because you are still young, ask for help from your family. That should solve the problem.”

“Huh?”

“You were also the one who knew about the Alosi poison, which no one else knew. The person who procured the Alosi poison is affiliated with the Gron Merchant Guild. But… well, he is a problematic fellow. I met him, but he is tedious to deal with. Someone like the Young Lady would be better.”

His annoyance was visible in his furrowed brow. Just what kind of person is he…?

“And are we merely ordinary acquaintances?”

‘No, then what are we?’ I blinked, unable to understand the Duke’s words. However, the Duke merely smiled faintly.

“It is a gift from me to you, so do not refuse. Also for Perio’s sake, who recommended it. If you knew about the Alosi poison, you will surely get along well with that person.”

I couldn’t shake the feeling that he was pushing a bothersome task onto me, but honestly, it was like hitting the jackpot for me. In my past life, it would be like a close friend’s father giving me a store as thanks for getting along well with his daughter.

‘The scale of the gift is extraordinary, though…’

Becoming the owner of a trading company, funding the collection of herbs to create Evan’s antidote, is not a bad idea.

The Duke’s decisively shining eyes belonged to someone who would absolutely not back down. I met his gaze and pondered for a moment. Then, I lifted the corner of my mouth and smiled. In that case, I should accept it.

“Yes, thank you. I will definitely succeed in making the antidote!”

‘I have the knowledge of medicine, and since I originally dealt with tea leaves, I should have a basic knowledge of plants. And if I have the person who found the Alosi poison…’

This is a good condition, not a bad one. If I find the heroine, things will proceed smoothly.

The Duke, who heard the positive answer and was waiting for this word, smiled and said, “That is a good idea. Come early tomorrow. We will go and look at the trading company together. It is late today, so you may return now.”

I gave a deep bow. I should tell my family that I have received a trading company.

‘But before that, I must tell Evan.’

After politely excusing myself, I immediately rushed to Evan’s room. As I burst through the door, I saw an unusually subdued Evan.

“Evan? Why the expression? Are you not feeling well?”

I asked, wondering if he was unwell, but he shook his head, saying he wasn’t. I told Evan with an excited expression.

“Evan, did you already know?”

“Know what?”

“The Duke entrusted a trading company to me!”

I naturally assumed it was a matter discussed with Evan. But Evan’s face hardened. And my body flinched at the ominous whisper he muttered.

“Is that… truly so?”

“W-Were you perhaps unaware?”

I asked cautiously. Was I too cheerful and thoughtless in my excitement that I might be able to create the antidote? I felt sorry that I might have made a mistake with Evan.

If I think about it clearly, the Duke’s property is also Evan’s property. Of course, he might not be pleased.

“No… I heard about it, but…”

I sighed in relief. At least he had heard something.

Evan roughly ran his hand through his hair.

“I said we should put it off for a while…”

Evan’s mumbling was faintly audible to me. Evan was smiling, but his expression was somehow worried. Then I suddenly realized.

‘Could it be that he doesn’t trust me?’

That’s possible. Honestly, who would suddenly offer a trading company to a young child? The result would naturally lead to him not trusting me. Even I was surprised when the Duke offered the trading company, and I wondered if I could do well.

Furthermore, Evan and I are not related. He might dislike the very idea of entrusting the trading company to me.

Feeling guilty, I exclaimed to Evan.

“I…! I can do well! W-While you might be displeased from your perspective, Evan, I will try my best!”

Evan was surprised by my answer for a moment, then he smiled brightly.

“I am not doubting Lep’s competence. I am sure you will do well. I believe in Lep.”

My heart tickled unnecessarily at the eyes that were solely focused on me. Unconsciously, my gaze dropped. When I lowered my eyes, I saw him slightly tilting his head, questioningly. Every small action was alluring.

I quickly shook my head.

‘Ahem, I shouldn’t think that way! Alluring…!’

My eyes instantly met Evan’s. When our eyes met, he lifted his lips and smiled, as if he had been waiting. Feeling the heat rising to my face, I fanned myself with my hand and asked.

“Then why…?”

“Won’t the time we have together decrease? That is a little… disappointing.”

I was momentarily stunned by the unexpected answer, then I bit my lip out of guilt.

Evan lived in a large mansion, but he couldn’t leave this small room.

I tightly shut my eyes in despair. Even though I didn’t want to hear it, the rumors about Evan von Weiss reached my ears.

The stories that the Blanc family attempted to poison the Imperial Family, and that Evan was caught up in the accident and ingested the poison, spread like wildfire.