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22. Indeed, he was currently absorbed in his research on Demon's Claws. Fortunately, it seemed I had arrived at just the right moment. She exhaled a breath of relief. Rebecca had once read a newspaper featuring an interview with Eustaf. In the interview, he had revealed that numerous noble houses had extended employment offers, which ‌‌‌he had rejected, and that he somewhat regretted the hardships ‌‌‌he had endured as a result. He had also mentioned that he was most fond of spring potatoes from Montfort. 'The laboratory I saw in that photograph wasn't nearly this shabby. It seems he's earned quite a substantial sum from Demon's Claws.' ‌‌‌Rebecca organized her recollections and observed Eustaf with keen, discerning eyes. "If you have something to say, say it quickly. I need to refuse and return to my research." "You seem quite interested in Demon's Claws." At her sudden remark, Eustaf's eyes flickered with a hint of wariness. Rebecca gestured toward the books scattered about, and his eyes immediately brightened. "Oh, so you can tell just from the books here? Do you have an interest in ‌plants?" Rebecca smiled upon seeing Eustaf display a measure of favor. She then caressed a fresh leaf hanging beside her and spoke. "I wouldn't say I have none. ‌‌‌Though it is unfortunate ‌‌‌‌‌that such rare plants are being neglected like this." "Neglected? Do you have ‌‌‌any idea how ‌‌‌‌carefully I tend to them...!" ‌‌"I notice there are ‌‌mottled discolorations here. Isn't the temperature off?" "So you've changed tactics? Sending an expert to reproach me?" "Unfortunately, I have no connection whatsoever to the count you're referring to." "Then who are you, some person ‌‌of high standing?" "I might be someone of considerable standing, ‌or I ‌might not be." "What does that even mean?" "In any case, it shouldn't matter to you. What you're really curious about is what I can offer you, isn't it?" "That may be true, but no one has ever been able to provide ‌‌what I actually want." "I'll have a large greenhouse built for you." "Hmph. That's something most people have already proposed." "In Montfort, though. Does that make it the same as ‌‌‌‌what others have offered?" "In Montfort...?" Eustaf's eyes widened, and he straightened ‌‌‌‌his posture. Montfort, located ‌in the Duchy of Johannes, was a renowned port city. Because of this, goods arriving from around the world could be received faster than anywhere else. It was the ideal location for procuring rare plants that could only be found abroad. Moreover, with fertile land adjacent ‌‌to it, ‌‌‌it was a dream come true for those engaged in agriculture ‌‌or plant cultivation. However, the land prices were correspondingly exorbitant. People ‌‌believed that living in the Duchy of Johannes allowed one to receive the goddess's ‌‌‌blessings twofold. This perception, combined with the various advantages of the Montfort region, had driven land prices to astronomical heights. Rebecca watched Eustaf's intense reaction in silence before speaking. "Yes. And I won't interfere with whatever research you conduct. Whether you cultivate carnivorous plants or blood-drinking plants, do as you please." Eustaf's eyes momentarily gleamed with temptation, but suspicion quickly clouded his gaze. "You'd go that far for me? What exactly are the conditions?" "My throat is parched. Could I trouble you for a cup of tea first?" "Ah, forgive me—I've been so preoccupied ‌‌I've neglected my guest. Just a moment, please." Eustaf rose ‌‌hastily from his seat and made for the kitchen. The moment he disappeared, I rifled through the documents scattered across the table. I wanted to gauge how far his research had progressed. Among them, I picked up a notebook worn smooth by countless hands. 【When I placed the dried demon's claw into poisoned water, it bubbled violently before the ‌‌‌‌water purified itself. Based on these results, if a human were to consume this plant....】 My eyes ‌‌widened. He had discovered the properties of demon's claw long ago. I surmised the lengthy ‌‌timeline stemmed from the financial burden of conducting such research. And there was likely another obstacle as well. "Here, drink this. A refreshing herbal tea." I accepted the cup Eustaf offered ‌‌‌and took a sip. It was the finest tea I had ever tasted. Truly, he was an expert in all matters botanical. I savored the herbal aroma before speaking. "You need test subjects, don't you?" "Pfft." Eustaf spat out his tea. "H-how did you know?" "While you were away, I glanced through your notes. Forgive my rudeness—they were simply lying open before me." "And?" "Your theory is fascinating. It's precisely the sort that would capture my employer's interest. So here's what I propose: ‌‌you asked about conditions, didn't you? They're simple. Conduct your research on demon's claw under my employer's patronage. I'll provide both test subjects and demon's ‌‌‌claw seeds." "No." "Why not?" "Because if I succeed this way, that ‌‌‌high-and-mighty lord will claim all the credit, won't he? I've seen countless colleagues abandoned in exactly this manner." "Ah, if that's your concern, rest assured. My employer already possesses considerable prestige and has no interest in such petty accolades. Let's say they're driven by intellectual curiosity." "Petty accolades? Do you realize what impact this discovery would ‌‌‌have?" "Tremendous. A fortune, certainly. It's practically a panacea, after all. I'm genuinely impressed you uncovered something like this." Eustaf's eyes bulged wide. His face flushed as he struggled to contain his excitement. The academic world had called him mad and deranged countless times, but never had he received praise quite like this. "You're the first to recognize the ‌‌true value of my theory." 'Simpler than I expected.' I smiled as I watched him scratch his flushed neck bashfully. Eustaf suddenly grew suspicious again, as if struck by a troubling thought. "But if you can procure test subjects... your employer isn't involved in ‌‌illicit dealings, are they? ‌‌‌‌I intend to rise to prominence, so I can't afford legal complications." 'Ambitious, too.' This man wore his heart ‌‌entirely on ‌‌his sleeve. Yet I found such transparency preferable to the cunning of those who concealed their true nature. Rebecca simply retrieved a pendant from her bosom rather than offer a lengthy explanation. "Would this suffice as an answer?" Eustaf's breath ‌‌caught as he accepted the golden ‌‌pendant. Engraved upon it was the coat of arms of a cat with dice beneath its paws. It was the emblem of the Duke of Johannes—known even to street urchins. It was something Julian had given Rebecca at their ‌‌‌previous meeting, instructing her to use it should any difficulties arise. 'His reaction is more intense than I anticipated.' Eustaf examined the pendant carefully with trembling hands before cautiously returning it to ‌Rebecca. Even to his untrained eye—one versed only in botany—the pendant was an exquisite work of art. It could not possibly be a forgery. 'What extraordinary fortune.' Research into demon's claw demanded an obscene amount of coin. He had never even glimpsed seeds; acquiring dried leaves alone proved arduous. The inheritance left by his wealthy merchant parents had been nearly exhausted. Thus he had been contemplating taking on secondary work for some time. In truth, he had been tempted by proposals from several nobles before. Yet most of them had stipulated that he comply with their commands. And there was another matter that troubled him—his fondness for those peculiar plants that flourished in shadow. Among them were specimens that ‌‌‌grew in the lands of demons. No rigid-minded noble patron ‌‌‌would tolerate such pursuits. But here was an offer with no interference in his research whatsoever, with the sole condition being the cultivation of demon's claw. ‌‌For him, no proposal could be more enticing. Eustaf swallowed hard and hastily searched for a pen. With newfound deference, he spoke carefully. "Where should I sign?" * * * The carriage of the Duchy of Johannes, bearing Danae, advanced smoothly yet swiftly. She had never ridden in a ‌‌‌carriage fitted with a mana stone before. This luxurious conveyance—of which only five existed in the entire Empire—was a marvel of alchemy, capable of traversing an hour's journey in merely ten minutes. 'Yet she is to remarry the Duke of Johannes, who possesses such a carriage?' Danae found it utterly ‌‌unbelievable. No matter how exquisite Rebecca's beauty, the girl had scarcely ventured beyond the ‌‌‌‌estate walls. And the Duke of Johannes was three years her junior. Why would such ‌‌a man of impeccable standing choose Rebecca? As Danae lost herself in contemplation, the carriage arrived at the ducal residence. A massive iron gate bearing the image of a cat swung open slowly, as if to greet her. "From this ‌‌‌point forward, you must transfer to another carriage. The cats might become startled otherwise." A servant respectfully escorted Danae into a smaller white carriage. Though smaller than the mana stone carriage she had just departed, the white carriage was no less refined, complete even with a tea table. "The estate is still quite some distance away. Would you care for some tea?" A maidservant within the carriage attended to Danae with utmost courtesy. Danae accepted the tea somewhat bewilderedly. The carriage began its leisurely journey along the white gravel path that led ‌‌‌‌to the estate. A white gravel path stretched between dense forests on either side. And through ‌‌‌‌‌those woods, cats of every imaginable color bounded and played. Between them, dedicated servants could be seen feeding the cats or dangling toys for their amusement. 'Indeed, this household truly bears the blessing of the goddess Defria. They say this place is a paradise for cats, and it's no exaggeration.' "Allow me to ease the fatigue from your journey, even if only for a moment." The maid began carefully massaging Danae's feet. Though Danae had initially recoiled, she soon surrendered to the maid's cool touch, leaning back into the plush chair with a contented sigh. 'How long has it been since I've rested like this?' Without proper servants to help, I had managed the sprawling mansion alone, never allowing myself a moment's respite. During the most desperate times, I would even take in needlework until my eyes grew dim. Of course, I couldn't let anyone know of it ‌‌‌publicly, ‌‌‌so my maid would sell ‌‌‌the pieces on my behalf. 'I'm living comfortably thanks to our daughter.' Danae suddenly recalled that she had once lived in such luxury, and she smiled bitterly at the memory. Just as Danae was savoring this long-awaited rest, the carriage came to ‌‌‌a halt. ‌"Welcome, Madam Obelia." As Danae descended from the carriage, her eyes widened in astonishment. Numerous servants stood in neat rows before the castle, bowing their heads in greeting. ‌‌‌And standing at the center of them was a handsome young man with refined features, offering her a warm smile of welcome. "It is an honor to meet you. I am Julian of the Duchy of Johannes." The Runaway Countess Returns E-book Publication January 12, 2022 Author Long night sky Publisher Desert fox Published by Woongjin ThinkBig Co., Ltd. Submission Inquiry naver.me/54VzzLSn Blog blog.naver.com/wj_fennecfox Twitter @wjt_fennecfox

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Brought to you by Valir Scans! To support our team and enjoy the latest releases, please read directly on our ‌official site: valirscans.org

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