The problem solver’s eyes instantly filled with shock. Alongside him, a faint trace of suspicion appeared in the elderly lady’s gaze.
“Hey, miss! What’s the matter?”
As he jumped up, the elderly lady raised a hand to stop him and asked in a sharp voice:
“How did you know I was looking for business goods?”
“You showed no interest in the other herbs. Normally, the only people who come to this district are pharmacists or merchants. Or…”
People coming to hire this man.
But that didn’t seem to be the case.
As I glanced at the fixer, the old lady’s eyes narrowed. Her expression grew curious.
“If you’re not a merchant, then there’s no reason for the owner to have shown you this pill.”
“I see. But why do you think it’s not right? I found it quite intriguing.”
“Because it’s dangerous.”
I continued firmly.
“If you import and commercialize this pill in large quantities, you’ll probably end up on the front page of the newspapers.”
“If the medicine actually works, that might happen.”
“Ma’am, I’m serious. I gave it to someone suffering from an illness, and they recovered almost instantly. Since it’s made from solidified plant extract, it’s not harmful!”
The problem solver jumped into the conversation. But as the elderly lady glared at him sharply, he clamped his mouth shut.
“Tell me. Why do you think it’s not right?”
I explained to her that if this pill was the one I knew, it could temporarily relieve pain, but it was highly addictive, had serious side effects, and required increasingly larger doses over time.
The old lady’s face hardened.
“Is that completely true?”
“Yes. I don’t know where I saw it, but… I remember reading it in a book.”
“Really? But it could be something similar. And yet, you’re warning me without confirmation?”
“It never hurts to be cautious.”
Her stiff expression twisted strangely for a moment. Then she nodded a couple of times and gave a faint smile.
“If that’s the case, there’s no need to meddle with it. I almost made a huge mistake. Of course, I wouldn’t have commercialized it immediately—I would have run some tests.”
“Ah…”
“But you saved me from wasting time. I appreciate that.”
The old lady removed her hat. Her snow-white hair was neatly tied up.
“Your name is…?”
Just as she softened and asked my name—
A large hand came down on my shoulder. A low voice followed behind me.
“I’ve been looking for you, madam.”
It was Johannes Schultz.
He had said he’d find me quickly, but he was later than expected.
I turned my shoulder and stepped slightly aside. His eyebrows rose slightly.
He gave an awkward smile and turned toward the elderly lady, who now looked thoroughly shocked.
“…Duke Schultz?”
Did she know Johannes? Judging by her grace, she did seem like a noblewoman.
“Have you been well, Marchioness Russell?”
Johannes greeted her politely, and she looked between us.
“Then this young lady is Duke Schultz’s…”
“My wife.”
Johannes stood closely beside me. He seemed gentler than usual.
After removing his narrow-brimmed hat, he formally introduced the lady to me.
“Madam, this is the Marchioness of House Russell. From Bölln.”
“…Ah.”
I let out a stupid sound without realizing it.
I was flustered to learn this was the matron of the Russell estate, where I almost went to work.
I remembered how badly I was scolded over the phone. I quickly straightened my posture.
“I didn’t recognize you. I’m Edith—”
“That’s enough.”
The Marchioness of Russell cut me off coldly. Her kind demeanor from moments ago had vanished.
Was something else the matter? I tried to appear composed.
She ignored me entirely and then spoke coldly even to Johannes. Her change in tone was puzzling.
“I didn’t expect Duke Schultz to be the kind of man to be captivated merely by a woman’s looks.”
“It’s not just her appearance. My wife is remarkably talented.”
“Hah! Even so, a commoner? Your predecessor must be furious in the heavens. You should be ashamed, Duke.”
Does she hate commoners…?
Then, with an openly displeased look, the Marchioness turned to me.
“A duchess who doesn’t even know basic etiquette. It’s laughable.”
Was she upset I didn’t greet her properly because I was too shocked? I felt uneasy, realizing I had offended her.
I hurriedly bowed and apologized.
“For the peace of the house, I will be more careful from now on, ma’am.”
But she remained cold.
“I appreciate what you’ve done today, but I’d prefer you not interfere in my affairs again.”
“…Pardon?”
“I’m deeply disappointed in you, Duke. Had you married a woman beneficial to the family, you could’ve earned my support more easily.”
“I didn’t want to be calculating in choosing a partner.”
Johannes replied sharply.
You were calculating though. I swallowed those words.
The mood didn’t look like it would recover anytime soon.
I took the risk of interrupting again, keeping an extremely respectful posture.
“Forgive my interruption, madam. Did I do something wrong?”
No matter how I thought about it, I couldn’t figure it out.
Was it because I didn’t recognize her immediately? Or because of my greeting?
But then she made it clear—it wasn’t something so trivial.
“You’ve made several mistakes. Starting with interrupting this conversation.”
The Marchioness adjusted her hat again, her sharp features hidden in its shadow.
Then she tilted her chin and looked down at me.
“Duchess, I fundamentally dislike commoners who don’t know their place.”
“…….”
“The very idea of a noble marrying a commoner is a grave mistake in my eyes.”
Old, prestigious houses like the Schultzes and Russells valued status very highly.
They believed the divide between commoners and nobles should remain firm and hated those who blurred that line.
Clearly, the Marchioness was one of them.
That’s why she was humiliating me in a public place like this.
From a distance, the tension might not have been obvious. Only the shop owner seemed to notice. Others bustled around as usual.
“Status is something you’re born with,” she continued.
Though I had become a duchess, she was essentially telling me to know my place.
“So it’s best not to cross paths with me again. It greatly displeases me.”
She said sharply.
What could I say to that?
I didn’t even know why she was so hostile. I couldn’t just argue blindly.
If I did, she’d surely crush me with remarks about my commoner origins.
It was the first time I’d been so publicly humiliated. All I could do was grip my skirt tightly.
I had assumed Johannes, being a noble to the bone, wouldn’t defend me—but then:
“That’s an outdated way of thinking, ma’am. The world is changing now.”
He gently pushed back.
The Marchioness scoffed. Her pale green eyes turned icy.
“Calling an old person outdated doesn’t even begin to offend me, Duke.”
“And yet, wasn’t it the former Russell who amassed vast wealth from ventures that would anger your predecessors?”
Johannes calmly countered her.
He was pointing out that making money was not exactly a noble virtue.
But she didn’t flinch.
“Status is granted by the heavens. It’s different from chasing wealth with the tides of time.”
Then she looked back at me.
“I’ll accept today’s help with gratitude. I’ll repay you soon.”
“…There’s no need.”
I had no desire to receive anything from someone who had insulted me like this. When I declined, she showed her displeasure.
“Being indebted to a commoner is a disgrace.”
