Winning Favor Was The Easiest Job! (9)

That evening, a sumptuous banquet was laid out.

Although the banquet had been prepared to honor the princess, Muriel also intruded, turning it into something like a feast and drawing in merchants as well. The atmosphere grew somewhat odd, but in the end, since Princess Riana did not dislike it, things managed to pass without issue.

What’s more, Princess Riana appeared in a beautiful dress, unusually without her veil, revealing her face and astonishing everyone. Her beauty was so radiant that I could confidently declare it surpassed any woman I had seen since arriving in this world. When she smiled, the surroundings seemed to brighten.

‘Ah, is this what beauty is?’

I recalled that moment, when such a foolish thought crossed my mind, and then focused again on the Riana before my eyes.

“…At the time, I truly thought I would die.”

From her words, it seemed Princess Riana had been quite a skilled magician.

During a period when she was striving for improvement and training intensely, she lost control of her magic, causing an explosion.

It just so happened she was using fire magic at the time. The flames of the rampaging spell did not easily subside, and as they burned her to the point of recalling ‘death,’ she said now, with a smile, that it was good she could speak of it. For her, one pain had vanished and become a memory, and that brought a sense of gratitude.

‘Thanks to my medicine…’

Those were Princess Riana’s words. She said, “Thanks to your medicine, I feel like I’ve found a new life,” and those words lingered in my mind.

“What are you thinking about so deeply?”

“No, it’s nothing. I wasn’t paying much attention to the story.”

“No, I think I talked too much about myself.”

“Honestly, you kind of did, didn’t you?”

“What?”

Looking flustered, Princess Riana met my eyes, and I gave a small laugh.

“I was joking. But I’m glad it has become just a memory for you.”

“Yes… I truly am glad. I thought I would have to see the world only through a veil for the rest of my life.”

That must have been painful in its own way.

“Beyond the veil, the world was always covered in pure white. I hated it. I wondered if there was no way to cover my scars with white too, and spent my days with such thoughts.”

“Is that so? And now, what do you mostly think about?”

“Well, there were so many things I wanted to try. Now, I plan to do them little by little.”

She truly seemed to be a princess full of dreams. I heard she was twenty-one years old—a prime age for having many dreams.

If so, I was not all that different. But the woman before me had only just come through a time filled with pain. How many things must she have longed to do in all that time?

“I’ll support you. I hope you gain many good experiences.”

“Thank you. Actually, I’ve been thinking…”

Princess Riana gazed straight at me, her eyes intent, and I tilted my head at the burden of such a look. Then, suddenly, she spoke.

“This investigation is essentially finished, isn’t it?”

“Well… yes, but why do you ask?”

“Hehehe, in that case, I’d like to personally take charge of handling your medicines.”

I had no idea what she meant. Moreover, several merchants around us turned their gazes in shock at the princess’s words. A strange silence settled over the hall.

Perhaps because of that, I could not bring myself to respond to the princess, struck by an odd sense of déjà vu. Not knowing or not caring, Princess Riana opened her mouth again.

“I heard from the maids that you’ve developed many new medicines. But what the merchants here desire most is surely the ‘Blessing of the Gods,’ isn’t it?”

Princess Riana met the eyes of each merchant in turn, as though asking with her gaze, “Isn’t that so?” I wondered what this bold woman intended.

“So, regarding these new medicines, I, as a representative of the imperial family, will oversee your work.”

“Is that all right? Can you decide that on your own?”

Hearing my words, Princess Riana smiled brightly.

“There are people who encouraged me before I came.”

I had a rough idea of who that might be. The real problem was the others’ reactions.

“What?! How could this be?!”

“No… this is unfair!”

“Indeed! Your Highness, how could you take part in such base actions of merchants!”

“Yes, matters like this should be left to humble folk such as us!”

“Please reconsider!”

Starting with one, merchants began adding their voices. Meanwhile, Muriel Viscount, who had been silent all along, remained impossible to read. I could not tell why he had appeared at all.

His unbroken silence was exasperating.

“Viscount Ingrad’s medicines are unlike ordinary ones. If handled carelessly, they could cause great errors. That is why, after much deliberation, Her Majesty the Empress decided to establish a ‘state-run pharmaceutical company.’ Thus, you should be grateful that even the Blessings of the Gods can reach you through such approval.”

It felt as though she had invoked the Empress to strengthen her position. It was abrupt—one moment talking about dreams, the next suddenly making my medicines state property, then bringing up her mother. For the merchants, it was a thunderbolt. Her intent was obvious: to monopolize.

Yet I thought it was not such a bad proposal. Honestly, all I needed was profit.

If I produced the medicines, the empire would buy them all. I wouldn’t need to worry about sales, inventory, or disposal. There was no downside.

Looking at Princess Riana’s sly smile, I felt certain of her cunning thoughts.

“I never imagined such an honor would be bestowed upon me. Glory to Her Majesty the Empress…”

I added a little flourish, thinking the princess would respond favorably, and as expected, she did.

“Do not forget this grace, Viscount Ingrad.”

How laughable. Looking over, I saw Viscount Muriel down his wine with a frustrated expression and walk out.

It seemed he had planned to act at some point, but since I accepted the offer so smoothly, he gave up.

Then, I caught sight of Princess Riana’s sly smile, as though she were taking a firm stand against the noble faction.

“Let’s leave talk of medicines for later. Tonight, the wine tastes sweet, doesn’t it?”

Though not the finest wine, she drank it cheerfully, soon showing signs of intoxication. In less than thirty minutes, Princess Riana, drunk, left for the guest chamber supported by her guards. The remaining merchants looked at me with displeasure.

However, I had already spoken with the merchants’ representative.

Since the princess was drunk, none of her guards stayed behind. I confirmed this and spoke.

“Gentlemen, now we have matters to discuss as men. Shall we gather?”

With reluctant expressions, they gathered, and I began recounting the conversation I had with their representative. As they slowly relaxed, I continued.

“But here’s the thing…”

All eyes turned to me. After pausing for three seconds, I continued.

“The conversation with Her Highness just now was not finalized. No binding contract has been made yet.”

Several sharp merchants immediately gave me attentive looks.

“Then, is there room for reconsideration…?”

“No, not exactly. But what I mean is, I can provide you with enough supply that it won’t be a problem.”

“If it’s not a problem, then how…?”

“It’s simple. I will not sell you the medicines.”

“Then…?”

“Instead, I’ll sell the ingredients. Along with the recipes.”

“!!!”

Everyone looked at me in shock, finally realizing what I meant. One merchant raised an objection.

“I heard that if you make Viscount’s medicines with ordinary ingredients, they don’t work!”

“Generally, yes. But here’s the thing…”

I paused, gathering their attention, then smiled slyly.

“I’ve discovered why others cannot reproduce the efficacy of my medicines, even when following the recipe.”

Silence fell. Merchants were shrewd and profit-minded.

And the ones gathered here were all successful merchants—meaning they were skilled and reliable enough to work with the empire’s sanctioned trade guilds.

“You’ll make the medicines with your own hands. Then, even if they’re not ‘my medicines,’ you’ll have suitable products to sell to your clients.”

My intent was to cut out the final step of ‘manufacturing.’

If I could skip the mixing and pill-making process, I could simply prepare and sell the ingredients.

It was a simplification of production. Quick-witted merchants began pressing to strike deals with me.

Though the banquet had been for the princess, in the end, I was the one making the most out of it—very effectively at that.

The banquet wrapped up after about three hours.

While the merchants departed for rest, I still had work to do.

I had just felt my mana recovering. The medicine seemed to last roughly three and a half days. I also needed to confirm whether Hare’s had worn off.

So, though it was late at night, I had no choice but to visit. I knocked at her door, and after a moment, Hare’s face peeked out cautiously.

“I apologize for coming at such a late hour.”

“It’s fine… You’re here about the mana, aren’t you?”

“Yes. There are a few things I need to check.”

“My mana has returned. Please, come in.”

Perhaps she felt it rude to leave me in the hall, so Hare invited me inside. But once in the room, I noticed there were few signs of daily life. Did she do nothing in her room? Curious, I turned to look at her—and quickly had to avert my gaze.

“Ahem, if I’d known you were in sleepwear, I wouldn’t have come in. My apologies.”

“No, it’s all right. My mana returned just a little while ago. I had just felt it myself when you arrived, so…”

Glancing at Hare, I saw her blush. Her attire was indeed rather revealing, and she should have covered up more. Standing there with her hands clasped behind her back, she made quite the sight.

‘Ah, nameless beast, your name is man… haa…’

My gaze lingered on the soft-looking down of her stomach. It was strangely stimulating. The moonlight streaming in only seemed to settle upon her body, making me feel intoxicated.

“I think I drank too much tonight… Let’s continue this conversation tomorrow. I was too rash, barging into a woman’s room at night. Forgive me.”

I bowed my head in apology, but instead of a reply, I noticed Hare’s legs moving closer.

Raising my head slightly, I met her tilted gaze as she said,

“You smell, my lord.”

“…Excuse me? What do you mean…?”

“You smell… of wanting me… And… you must take responsibility. For touching my tail…”

I thought her words absurd, but in that moment, Hare leapt into my arms like moonlight.

‘Am I about to be slain…?’

It was at that moment that I realized one must always drink in moderation.