RTGD 37

Chapter 37

“What we want from you, Little Duke, is two things. First, as His Highness mentioned, please agree to trade with the North.”

“That won’t be difficult. I’ve recently taken an interest in the North myself.”

Unlike before, when she couldn’t even meet his eyes properly, Litricia now expressed herself calmly and clearly. Peter let out a silent whistle.

At the moment, most merchants in the capital avoided contact with the North for fear of falling out of favor with the Empress Dowager. But Peter had no intention of watching the imperial family’s mood, so he could easily agree.

Of course, if Duke Godwin ever found out, he’d probably burst a blood vessel in his eye — but so what? This was much more interesting.

Peter adjusted his glasses with the most proper expression while entertaining improper thoughts.

“Then what’s the other request?”

“It’s about the recent epidemic.”

Litricia managed to untangle her fingers from Killian’s and rubbed her arm.

“Hmmm.”

Peter made a troubled sound and spoke first.

“If you’re going to ask for help in uncovering the truth about the incident — particularly those rumors circulating about His Grace the Grand Duke — I’m afraid I’ll have to decline.”

“Why is that?”

“The Grand Duchess must be aware too, no? If it’s revealed that Patrick released the Tetrad poison, then our family will be condemned alongside him.”

Clink. Peter set the water bottle down on the table. All that remained in his hand was Patrick’s brooch.

“Why would I buy into that kind of risk?”

“You will. You’ll want to.”

Peter’s eyes narrowed at Litricia’s firm response — a far cry from the silent girl who used to stare only at the floor.

“I’m a merchant, Grand Duchess. And merchants never make trades that’ll lose them money.”

“I know. And I’m not asking you to prove the Grand Duke’s innocence either.”

“Oh? Then what kind of compensation are you offering for the information?”

“Something profitable. Sell us the Tetrad.”

Peter’s expression turned peculiar at her sudden statement.

“How would that be profitable for me?”

“I’m thinking of using it to make an antidote. Then I’ll sell the antidote back to you.”

“An antidote, you say.”

“Yes. And once the situation calms down a bit, I’d like you to reveal that the source of the antidote was us.”

Peter placed his hands together and pressed them to his philtrum, deep in thought.

It wasn’t a bad proposal.

In fact, if he could purchase and distribute the antidote, he could earn a tremendous profit — and even if the truth of the epidemic was revealed later, their entire house might escape condemnation.

The North wouldn’t be able to distribute the goods directly in the capital anyway, so Peter could monopolize the antidote.

And the rumors about the Grand Duke? Those would naturally fade away.

It was a win-win deal.

Peter rubbed his chin as he estimated the profits he might earn.

“Very well. But for now, I’ll only give you the Tetrad. If the antidote is successfully developed, we’ll continue the transaction from there.”

In the end, the deal with Peter Godwin was quite successful.

Though they didn’t get everything they wanted immediately, they had at least secured a small amount of Tetrad for research.

“What do you think, Piril? How long will it take to make the antidote?”

“Whoa… you really brought it.”

Piril wrinkled her nose, holding a Tetrad root in each hand.

“I can’t say exactly how long it’ll take. Creating an antidote for a genetically modified plant is extremely difficult…”

Her voice trailed off vaguely before she suddenly gripped the Tetrads tightly.

“But I’ll do my best to make it as soon as possible!”

Then, looking pale, she darted into the temporary lab.

“Huh? What’s with her all of a sudden?”

Litricia tilted her head at Piril’s odd behavior — until she turned around and realized the cause.

Behind her stood Killian, eyes blazing like a grim reaper’s.

“What’s with that look, Killian?”

Unlike Piril, Litricia reached out cautiously and touched Killian’s bandaged hand.

At her gentle touch, the tension in his brow softened.

“I still don’t understand why you insist on doing things this troublesome way.”

Killian let out a small complaint, unable to make sense of Litricia.

“If we need the antidote, we just need the Tetrad. Was it really necessary to keep Peter Godwin here and involve him in future plans?”

It was Peter Godwin that had triggered his reaction.

Killian had assumed the man would leave for the North once the discussion ended.

But surprisingly, Peter declared he’d be staying a few more days and took up a guest room — claiming he wanted to witness the antidote production firsthand.

A plausible excuse, but Killian wasn’t pleased with it.

His flashy appearance, reminiscent of that bastard Patrick Godwin… and that strange glint in his eye when he looked at Litricia…

Killian found Peter Godwin utterly unpleasant.

Not to mention, even in his past life, Peter had been…

“Do you dislike Little Duke Godwin, Killian?”

“I’m not fond of him, no.”

Killian pressed his thumb to his brow, brushing away the lingering memories. The pressure helped calm his nerves a little.

“…Litricia. Don’t get too close to the Little Duke.”

“…? Of course. Don’t worry. Why would I get close to him?”

After all, once this matter was over, she’d have no reason to see him again. Litricia patted Killian’s hand as if to reassure him.

Over the past few days, she had come to realize something — Killian would sometimes show this kind of inexplicable anxiety.

And whenever he did, a strange weight would settle on her chest as well.

What had started as a grain of sand now felt like something heavier, growing as their time together increased.

Feeling tightness in her chest, Litricia tapped just below her collarbone.

Killian’s eyes sharpened at the gesture.

“Are you feeling unwell again?”

“Huh? Oh, no, just a little tight in the chest, that’s all.”

“Tight? Could it be indigestion?”

Killian immediately grabbed her hand and brought her fingertips to his lips.

“Your hands aren’t cold, though.”

“It–It’s not like that…!”

Startled by the breath against her fingertips, Litricia quickly hid her hand behind her back.

It might’ve been her imagination, but ever since that rainy day, Killian’s physical contact had become more casual.

Otherwise, why would he check her hand temperature with his lips?

Trying to dull the tingling sensation in her fingertips, Litricia pressed her hand hard against her skirt.

“That… this just happens sometimes. It’s nothing serious, so you don’t have to worry.”

“There you go again with ‘it’s nothing.’ No, this won’t do. I’m calling the physician—”

“Please don’t…! Piril needs to work on the antidote!”

“You seem to have forgotten, Litricia, but I brought Piril here for your health, not for some antidote.”

Killian looked ready to drag Piril out of the lab at any moment, so Litricia quickly grabbed his hand.

Then she pressed it to her forehead.

“S-See? No fever, right? No nosebleed either. Not dizzy. I’m really fine.”

But Killian still looked unconvinced, so Litricia rose onto her toes.

“Look. My vision is perfectly fine too. See—”

Litricia stopped mid-sentence.

In her haste to prove she was okay, she had gotten too close to Killian.

Under his unwavering gaze, she lowered herself again.

The tips of her ears, poking through her pink hair, had turned the same shade as her hair.

“…Anyway, I’m really fine, so no need to call Piril.”

Unable to bring herself to meet his eyes, she turned away.

“Then I’ll go check on Allen’s condition.”

“If it’s about that, I’ll go with—”

“No, no! I’ll go alone. I’ll see you later in the study!”

Before Killian could catch her, Litricia hurried off.

Her quick pace caused her hair to flutter, occasionally revealing her flushed cheeks.

Afraid he might see how red her face had become, Litricia quickened her steps and pressed a hand to her chest.

Just a moment ago, her chest had felt heavy — but now her heart was fluttering rapidly.

It felt like a tiny bird had taken up residence inside her heart.

To calm herself, Litricia bit down softly on the inside of her cheek.