Catherine, the only daughter of the Medison family, was once again in the laboratory with her father, Count Medison, researching the “Black Death.”
“Father, it seems highly likely that Baron Dalent’s mother, whom we gave medicine to recently, has ‘Black Death.'”
“Catherine, but her symptoms were milder than expected. According to the research journals left by our ancestors, the Black Death kills within two to three days once it spreads.”
“Even so… all her symptoms point to Black Death. Shouldn’t we proceed with treatment assuming it’s Black Death? If it is, the empire could suffer immense damage.”
Count Medison fell into deep thought at his daughter Catherine’s words. The Black Death had last ravaged the empire around 300 years ago, and by now, it had faded from the memories of most imperial citizens.
‘The research on the Black Death must continue.’
If not for the will of their ancestors passed down through generations of the Medison family, Count Medison might have neglected the study of the Black Death as well.
“Sigh… Catherine, it’s fortunate that Baron Dalent’s mother’s condition has improved.”
“But she isn’t cured yet, is she? Father… We’ve discovered many ingredients that could treat Black Death thanks to our ancestors, but it feels like we’re missing a key ingredient.”
As Catherine and Count Medison continued their discussion in the laboratory, a servant knocked on the door.
“Count, the Third Prince has arrived.”
“The Third Prince?”
“Yes, what should we do?”
Although the Third Prince’s servants occasionally purchased bandages and ointments, the Third Prince himself had never visited.
“Invite him in.”
“Yes, Count.”
“Father, I want to go too!”
“No, Catherine, you stay here.”
Medison was worried that if his daughter caught the attention of the Third Prince, notorious for being a scoundrel, something bad might happen to her.
“Father! Didn’t you always say not to judge everything by rumors? You always taught me to verify with my own eyes, as our ancestors advised.”
Seeing Catherine’s stubborn tone, Count Medison reluctantly nodded.
“Alright. But stay quiet and let me do the talking.”
As Ian entered the reception room under the servant’s guidance, Count Medison and Catherine greeted him.
“I greet Your Highness, the Third Prince.”
“It’s an honor to meet you. I am Catherine, Count Medison’s daughter.”
“Nice to meet you.”
After Ian sat down, the Count and Catherine took their seats as well.
“Your Highness, what brings you to our family?”
“I’m here because of Baron Dalent.”
“Baron Dalent, you say?”
“I heard that you recently helped his mother.”
“That… that’s correct.”
Worried that any mention of Black Death might reach the Emperor’s ears, Count Medison hesitated. Ian spoke up first.
“The symptoms were consistent with Black Death. What do you think?”
When Ian mentioned Black Death, Count Medison and Catherine were visibly shocked and couldn’t hide their surprise.
“H-how did you…!”
“So, you already suspected it as well.”
At Ian’s calm tone, Catherine, who regained her composure faster than her father, asked,
“Your Highness, how do you know about the Black Death?”
“That’s the wrong question. Shouldn’t you be more curious about why I’ve come here rather than how I know about it?”
Catherine fell silent at Ian’s sharp response, realizing he was right.
“Your Highness, could you explain the reason for your visit? We have been suspecting Black Death ourselves, but the symptoms differ somewhat from what we know, which has left us uncertain.”
“If that’s what you’ve observed, then I understand. I came here because I thought I might be able to help with finding a cure.”
At Ian’s unexpected offer, both father and daughter were caught off guard.
“A cure, you say?”
“That’s right.”
As Ian nodded calmly, Catherine, her face flushed with excitement, moved closer to him.
“Your Highness! Do you truly know something about a cure for Black Death?”
“Catherine, calm down.”
Count Medison struggled to pull his daughter back to her seat after she suddenly approached Ian.
“Father, don’t you realize what His Highness is suggesting? If he really has a cure, it means we’ll finally be ‘free’ from our ancestors’ burdens!”
“Catherine, what do you mean by ‘free’?”
“Ah… I meant that we would finally achieve our long-standing goal.”
“Sigh… Your Highness, please excuse my daughter’s rash behavior.”
“Well, she’s better than I was during my wild days, so I’ll let it slide.”
At Ian’s nonchalant tone, Count Medison spoke respectfully.
“Your Highness, are you serious about helping us find a cure for Black Death?”
“As a member of the royal family, how could I speak out of both sides of my mouth?”
Grateful for Ian’s confident response, Count Medison silently thanked his ancestors. It seemed the rumors were indeed unreliable; the truth could only be discerned through direct experience.
“Could you share more about this cure, Your Highness?”
Ian almost instinctively responded with, “And you want it for free?” but caught himself.
“Ahem, I can help, but…”
As Ian trailed off, Catherine, frustrated, spoke up for her father.
“Father, how can you ask His Highness to give it to us for free? You should ask what he wants in return.”
Embarrassed by his daughter’s quick thinking, Count Medison scratched his head.
“My apologies, Your Highness. I was overwhelmed by the thought of fulfilling our ancestors’ wish. What would you like in return?”
“Well, I’d like to have exclusive rights to distribute any future medications you produce through me.”
Count Medison immediately responded with a firm tone.
“Your Highness, I’m afraid that’s something I cannot agree to.”
“May I ask why?”
“Although we don’t sell our medicines for free, we do sell them at affordable prices. If the prices were to rise due to an exclusive contract with Your Highness, innocent citizens of the empire would suffer.”
Still wary of the Third Prince’s reputation as a “scoundrel,” Count Medison chose to refuse for now.
“Isn’t the Black Death cure what you need most?”
“For the sake of fulfilling our ancestors’ wish, we cannot risk the lives of ordinary citizens.”
“Wouldn’t the completion of a cure for Black Death save many more lives?”
“We will strive to complete it without causing harm to the citizens of the empire.”
Ian found Count Medison’s stubbornness rather endearing. He didn’t dislike people who held firm principles.
“Would it be acceptable if the exclusive rights applied only to nobles?”
“Father, this seems like a reasonable compromise.”
Hearing his daughter’s decisive tone, Count Medison hesitated.
“When you say exclusive rights, what exactly do you mean?”
“I don’t intend to interfere excessively. I simply want you to sell the product only to noble customers whom I’ve approved. And in the future, should I establish a merchant guild, I’d like you to distribute the medicine to nobles solely through that guild.”
Count Medison was about to protest that this might be an excessive demand when he noticed his daughter’s stern look and sighed in resignation.
“Your Highness, may I have some time to consider?”
“Of course.”
With Ian’s permission, Count Medison and Catherine stepped into a side room within the reception area to discuss.
“Catherine, why did you urge me to accept his proposal so quickly?”
“Father, this is an opportunity to fulfill our long-standing goal. And I don’t see any disadvantage for us.”
“What do you mean?”
“I understand your concern. You’re worried that the Marquess of Crius or Duke Blake’s faction might react negatively if we agree to this, right?”
“You know their influence isn’t something to be taken lightly.”
“I do. But we have a solid justification!”
“What justification?”
“The request from the Third Prince will serve as our justification. If things go wrong, the Third Prince will be the target of their ire, not us.”
Impressed by his daughter’s sharp reasoning, Count Medison gazed out the window.
“Catherine.”
“Father, have you made your decision?”
“This may not be as simple as it seems. If we align ourselves with the Third Prince, there’s a high chance that Duke Blake or Marquess Crius will retaliate against us in some way.”
“Then we’ll just have to verify something.”
“Verify what?”
“If Baron Dalent’s mother indeed has Black Death—though I dread the thought—just having the medicine to treat it would be an immense power. Would they dare oppress us?”
“Couldn’t they kidnap us instead?”
“If they’re that kind of people, it’s even more reason to align ourselves with the Third Prince. His demands were steep, but considering the value of the cure, it’s not unreasonable.”
Count Medison quietly observed his daughter. If the late Countess were alive, she would have been immensely proud of their daughter. Catherine had inherited her mother’s boldness perfectly.
“Alright, you’re right. But remember, this choice might place us in the eye of a storm.”
“The competition for the throne, you mean?”
“Yes. Given the rumors swirling in the palace, it feels like the competition is about to intensify. There are now other rumors circulating about the Third Prince, beyond just his ‘scoundrel’ reputation.”
“Then wasn’t it worth verifying with our own eyes?”
Count Medison chuckled at his daughter’s response before heading back to the reception room where the Third Prince was waiting.
Ian was leisurely sipping the tea the servant had provided.
He was confident they would accept his proposal. After all, there was no reason for them to refuse.
When the Count returned, Ian asked,
“So, have you made your decision?”
“Yes, Your Highness. We will accept your proposal.”
“Excellent.”
“But there is one thing we need to confirm.”
“Go ahead.”
“Could you tell us how you came to know about the cure?”
“That’s a much better question than before.”
Catherine couldn’t help but feel a sense of pride at Ian’s praise.
“So, would you mind telling us? And we need to verify if the cure actually works as well.”
“I learned about the cure by chance. It came from someone who claimed to be from a distant eastern kingdom, known for its refined manners.”
“Could we meet this person?”
“Unfortunately, I can’t tell you their whereabouts since they’ve disappeared.”
Hearing Ian’s answer, Catherine frowned slightly.
“Then how can we trust your word?”
“Why don’t you try treating Baron Dalent’s mother with the ingredients I provide?”
“You seem quite confident.”
“You’re quite bold. But after all, what do you have to lose?”
At this, Count Medison intervened, speaking in a firm tone.
“Your Highness, we can’t just administer an unproven medicine to a patient. It could worsen her condition.”
Ian smiled, appreciating the Count’s genuine concern for his patients.
“Don’t worry. Saving Baron Dalent’s mother is important to me as well.”
Ian pulled out a contract he had prepared in advance from his coat and spoke.
“Before I give you the ingredients, how about signing this contract? If I reveal the crucial secret of the cure and you betray me, I’ll be in a difficult position.”
Cliche Novel 