Chapter 49
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 49
“I nearly caused you trouble again, my lady. However, I realize now that you are no longer that sort of woman. I apologize for my thoughtless behavior.”
It was a rather surprising statement.
What do you know about me?
While his assessment was technically correct, it would have been more natural for him to still view Harriet Listerwell as a notorious scandal maker.
“How did you come to that conclusion?” she asked.
“Had you remained your former self, you surely would have clung to the Duke of Kailas at the Vanderbilt gala. Ah, well, that is a bit of an awkward way to put it, but what I mean is…”
“No, I understand.”
Julian seemed to have assumed that Harriet wouldn't miss the chance to latch onto Cedric when he approached to drive Julian away. But she hadn't given Cedric the time of day either, and that, apparently, had impressed him.
That’s his proof that I’ve turned over a new leaf? What a ridiculous man.
The very fact that he had been watching her and Cedric so closely was utterly unsettling. He might possess a polished exterior, but inside, he was a man riddled with prejudice against women and a deep-seated inferiority complex.
It was obvious that if she were to ever develop a relationship with another man, he would undoubtedly flip his attitude and criticize her, simply because she had rejected his ‘courageous’ confession.
I shouldn’t feel bad about using a man like this.
Harriet offered a faint smile and opened her parasol.
“The sun is quite strong today.”
“Ah, please, allow me to hold it for you.”
“I couldn’t possibly impose. What would become of Sir Julian if he were seen carrying the parasol of the troublesome Harriet Listerwell?”
“He would become a gentleman showing kindness to a lady. Please, give it here.”
He took the parasol as if he were her sworn escort, carefully adjusting it to ensure not a single ray of sunlight touched her.
Harriet walked half a step ahead, with Julian Faith constantly engaging her in conversation. From a distance, no one could possibly mistake who was pursuing whom.
And from that distance, Bella watched the scene with wide, disbelieving eyes.
*
“Ah, Viscount Kingsley, you’ve arrived!”
“I’ve told you, please call me Benedict. Haha.”
“How could I! It’s an honor just to be a fellow club member.”
Benedict Kingsley, who had been invited to a more exclusive gentlemen's club after Cedric inherited his title, was a very welcome figure to the newer members. After all, he was the Duke’s uncle.
When Rowan was the Duke, the perception was that the Kailas family belonged to Imperial Princess Jeremia, so Benedict hadn't benefited much.
But after Rowan's death and his nephew Cedric’s ascension, expectations arose that Benedict would wield significant influence over the young Duke. Consequently, invitations to several prestigious gentlemen's clubs began to arrive.
Most members of the <Golden Age> club were renowned more for their vast wealth than for their titles or honor.
In this day and age, money is king. It’s far more advantageous to associate with pragmatists than with hypocrites who fuss over social standing and honor.
It was an era where even nobles were no different from commoners if they lacked coin—and where wealthy commoners aspired to noble status. In such times, a family name was less important than the businesses they controlled and the companies they owned.
Every member of the <Golden Age> had at least one venture they could boast about, and Benedict had joined specifically to get his hands into their affairs.
However, these members, who functioned more like merchants than aristocrats, demanded ‘payment upfront.’ If you wanted something, you first had to show what you could do for the club.
Naturally, those who were far wealthier than the Kingsley family wanted one specific thing from Benedict.
“I hear the Kailas family will soon be undertaking the Alkines Reclamation Project, and the collaborating companies haven't all been finalized yet.”
“Ah, I believe I heard something to that effect.”
“Hmm! Well, actually, my son owns a logging business. He’s very skilled, you see. He’s just a bit short on connections and hasn’t made a name for himself yet… Would you perhaps be able to give him a recommendation, Viscount Kingsley?”
Another request for a favor.
Benedict smiled, scratching the back of his head as if troubled.
“Haha, well, what am I to say…”
“Aren’t you the Duke of Kailas’s only paternal uncle? Imperial Princess Jeremia isn’t very interested in the ducal family’s business affairs, and I hear the Duke handles most of it himself. In such a situation, wouldn’t you, Viscount, be the one the Duke trusts and relies on most?”
“Poor fellow. To have to shoulder such a massive estate at such a young age…”
“Exactly! So if you, Viscount, offer the appropriate advice and recommendations, wouldn’t it make things much easier for the Duke?”
Hearty laughter and compliments were exchanged, though beneath the surface lay sharp calculations and psychological maneuvering.
“Well, I shall speak with him, but please do not expect too much. The final decision, after all, rests with Cedric.”
“Thank you, Viscount! It’ll be potato season in your territory soon, won’t it? Just let us know when the harvest is over. We’ll lend you our merchant guild’s logistics for free.”
Benedict waved his hand, declining the offer and insisting he couldn’t accept help when he didn’t even know if the recommendation would go through—acting the part of a man with a heavy conscience.
He knew very well that such an attitude won him favor and trust.
Sure enough, other members also began to show their favor toward Benedict.
“I heard your son recently started a new business? Word is it’s going to do quite well.”
“I wouldn’t know much about it myself. I just gave him a little capital to try his hand at things as part of his training as the heir. He’s always had a soft spot for the sick, so he said he wanted to manufacture medicine or some such.”
“Excellent! A pharmaceutical company—that is one of the most promising industries these days.”
With the establishment of water and sewage systems in the cities and a growing awareness of hygiene, life expectancy had significantly increased.
Thanks to this, diseases that once required prayers at a temple or a visit to a shaman were now considered conquerable. Interest in pharmacology was exploding.
Of course, quack pharmacists, ingredients with dubious effects, and arbitrary dosages remained problematic, but even the Empire gave unstinting support to the pharmaceutical trade.
“It seems your son has great foresight. The future of the Kingsley family is bright indeed! Hahaha!”
“I appreciate the sentiment, but my son’s business is practically still in its infancy.”
He said that, but Benedict knew Albert’s business intimately and was actively supporting it.
It was an unparalleled stroke of luck that Albert had learned about the folk remedies of the Firma Kingdom from a woman of that country. Her father even knew a Firman pharmacist, so all they had to do was import the finished medicines. There were no research costs to speak of.
“Father! This is amazing! It gives you a much better feeling than alcohol, without the hangover, you know? Just you wait. Before long, everyone will be scrambling to buy this.”
Outwardly, it was marketed as a painkiller or an antidepressant. But the most anticipated aspect of <Angelic>—a medicine derived from Darsenger herbs—was its ability to increase libido.
Nobles who indulged in the nightlife would devour all sorts of bizarre concoctions if they heard it could boost their performance. How much more would they indulge in this medicine, which promised to ignite their desires all night long with a single swallow?
<Angelic> will soon be famous. When that happens, everyone who didn’t invest now will live to regret it.
He and Albert were waiting for the moment when the demand for <Angelic> peaked. When that happened, they would be able to rake in enormous sums of money.
The only thing that bothered them was the uncertainty regarding the medicine's side effects.
“If you rely too much on Darsenger, you eventually cannot live without it. If you give a moderate amount to someone driven mad by sorrow, you can save them—but if they cannot let go of the Darsenger, they will go mad again from the withdrawal.”
Even the pharmacist who warned them couldn’t precisely describe the withdrawal symptoms. They mentioned trembling hands, sleeplessness, or even singing strange songs and dancing.
If that’s all it is, then it shouldn’t be a major problem.
They couldn’t abandon such a lucrative medicine just because of some frightening withdrawal symptoms. Other medicines had side effects and required proper dosages as well; there was no reason to feel ashamed.
Gaining fame with <Angelic> can wait. First, I should recommend Viscount Livingston’s son’s logging company to Cedric.
Benedict was confident. Since the company was reputed to be skilled, Cedric would have no reason to refuse his uncle’s advice.