“Betrayal? What do you mean by that, Your Highness?”
“You know the saying—things often change between entering and leaving the restroom.”
“There is absolutely no chance of that happening. Please, hand over the contract.”
When Ian handed over the contract, Catherine meticulously reviewed it. Having dealt with pharmaceutical deliveries for quite some time on behalf of her father, it didn’t take her long to examine the document. Once Catherine nodded in approval, signaling that everything was in order, Count Medison signed it.
After both parties had signed the contract, Ian spoke.
“The key ingredient to complete the cure is ‘Blue Fungus.'”
“Are you referring to the Blue Fungus used in making blue cheese?”
When Ian gave a small nod, Catherine asked in a trembling voice,
“Are you saying that something as simple as blue cheese is the secret to completing our cure? That’s unbelievable. We’ve used so many rare and valuable herbs…”
Catherine looked at her father, still unable to believe Ian’s answer.
However, Count Medison seemed to have an epiphany and looked at Ian with newfound understanding.
“Thank you for enlightening us.”
“So, you believe me?”
“Why wouldn’t I? If Blue Fungus is indeed the key ingredient to completing our cure, then it’s actually a good thing.”
“Because it’s something that can be mass-produced?”
“Precisely. If the most important ingredient is easily obtainable, then the cure will be perfect as a treatment.”
Catherine, now realizing what her father meant, bowed her head in acknowledgment.
“How long do you think it will take?”
“Since Your Highness has given us the key, we’ll work through the night to make it.”
“Then have the cure ready and bring it to Baron Dalent’s residence by tomorrow morning. I’ll be waiting there.”
As someone who had worked in a planning team, Ian was used to setting clear deadlines.
***
Baron Dalent, standing in front of Ian, was fidgeting anxiously, like a nervous puppy.
“Baron, perhaps you should calm down.”
“Your Highness, I—I’m sorry.”
“I understand your concern, so there’s no need to worry. How is your mother?”
“She seemed to improve temporarily, but her condition has worsened again. Has Count Medison truly completed the cure?”
“They should have. After all, they need to keep their promise.”
Ian’s calm tone actually reassured Baron Dalent.
Cough, cough.
A coughing sound came from inside the house, prompting Baron Dalent to rush back to his mother’s side to tend to her.
‘They’re running a bit late.’
It was almost lunchtime, yet neither Count Medison nor his daughter had arrived.
‘Could they have failed to complete it?’
Ian had confidence in their ability to succeed. In the original story, they had managed to develop the cure within half a day after Kyle had provided them with the knowledge of Blue Fungus.
“Y-Your Highness, Ian!”
Ian turned at the sound of a man’s voice calling out from a distance. There stood a middle-aged man with dark circles under his eyes and a young woman by his side.
“You nearly missed the deadline.”
“Huff, huff. Apologies, Your Highness. It took us a bit longer than we anticipated.”
“We gave it our all in making the medicine. You have no idea how much effort we put into it.”
Ignoring Catherine’s complaint, Ian called out to Baron Dalent.
“Baron Dalent.”
Hearing Ian’s call, Baron Dalent left his mother’s side and stepped outside.
“Yes, Your Highness. You called for me?”
As he answered, Baron Dalent’s face brightened visibly when he recognized the two familiar faces.
“Could it be… the cure has been completed?”
“Yes.”
At Count Medison’s confirmation, Baron Dalent’s eyes filled with tears of disbelief.
“We’ll need to administer the medicine to your mother to see its effects. Are you alright with that?”
No one could guarantee that this medicine would work. It was a cure based on ancestral research and what they believed to be the optimal formulation.
“It’s fine. If I lose my mother without trying anything, I would regret it for the rest of my life.”
“Then let’s proceed.”
Once Baron Dalent nodded in agreement, everyone entered the room where his mother lay. Her body was covered in red spots, a clear sign that the disease had progressed significantly. She even began to convulse at times.
At Ian’s nod, Count Medison carefully administered the cure to Baron Dalent’s mother.
It didn’t take long before the red spots visibly started to fade.
“Count Medison, is… is she being cured?”
Baron Dalent asked in a trembling voice as Count Medison began to examine his mother. After confirming that the other symptoms were also subsiding, Count Medison gave a small nod. Baron Dalent immediately dropped to his knees and bowed deeply to Count Medison.
“Thank you, Count.”
Startled by Baron Dalent’s extreme gesture, both Count Medison and Catherine quickly helped him to his feet.
“Baron, your thanks should not be directed at me. The person who made it possible to complete this cure is His Highness, the Third Prince. Without his guidance, we wouldn’t have been able to develop this medicine.”
Upon hearing Count Medison’s words, Baron Dalent turned toward Ian, bowed his head, and began to repeatedly strike it against the floor.
“I cannot repay the grace Your Highness has shown me. I dedicate my life and my remaining years to serving you.”
Ian gently lifted Baron Dalent up and spoke.
“Baron Dalent, take care of yourself and your mother. There will be much for you to do in the future.”
“If it’s Your Highness’s command, I wouldn’t hesitate to go through hell.”
Ian smiled warmly at this and responded.
“I’ll hold you to that. Because you will indeed have to go through hell.”
However, Baron Dalent didn’t hear Ian’s remark about sending him to hell. He was only filled with sincere gratitude and loyalty toward the Third Prince, who had saved his mother.
“Dal… Dal!”
A middle-aged woman’s voice called out, causing Baron Dalent to turn quickly toward the bed. His mother, who hadn’t been conscious for days, was now wide awake and calling his name.
“Mother.”
“Dal… I’m not dead, am I?”
“No, Mother… you’re alive. You’re healthy now!”
As his mother regained consciousness, Ian turned to Count Medison and said,
“I’ll be expecting more from you in the future.”
“Trust in us.”
And so, thanks to Ian, the peace of one family was preserved.
***
Duke Blake looked at Count Liam, who stood before him, and spoke.
“Count, are you aware that the Third Prince has already met with Baron Dalent?”
The Count bowed his head upon hearing that the Duke had already learned of the Third Prince’s actions through his shadow operatives.
“M-My Lord… I didn’t expect His Highness, the Third Prince, to have met with Baron Dalent so quickly.”
“I had entrusted this matter to you entirely.”
“My apologies, My Lord. I didn’t foresee the Third Prince getting involved in a matter that His Majesty had assigned to the First Prince and yourself.”
“Count, it seems you’ve grown a bit complacent.”
Count Liam trembled slightly at the Duke’s ominous words.
“My Lord, what if we just eliminate Baron Dalent now? These things often happen during an investigation—unexpected accidents, you know?”
The Duke smiled at Count Liam’s suggestion.
“It seems the desperate version of you from the past is finally returning, Count.”
“Th-thank you, My Lord.”
“But, it’s already too late. The Third Prince is sticking close to Baron Dalent. Hmm… it’s a dilemma.”
Duke Blake began tapping his fingers on the armrest of his chair as he pondered the best way to handle the situation.
“Count, if you were the Third Prince, how would you use Baron Dalent?”
“If I were him, I’d keep the Baron close. Just having Baron Dalent in his grasp is an excellent tool to shake us. Whether the Baron lives or dies, the Third Prince would have a solid ‘reason’ to investigate us.”
Duke Blake nodded in agreement with Count Liam’s assessment.
“Exactly. I share your thoughts. The Baron could indeed be used to completely undermine our noble faction. Whether he lives to testify or dies, the Third Prince will have a legitimate excuse to dig into us.”
Count Liam vigorously nodded in agreement with the Duke’s analysis.
“But consider this, Count.”
“Yes?”
“Has the Third Prince ever acted according to our expectations recently?”
“Th-that… no, My Lord. He’s always surpassed our predictions.”
“Precisely. So, I’m starting to think it might be worth considering the opposite scenario.”
“The opposite? Do you mean the Third Prince might be trying to save Baron Dalent instead of using him as a tool?”
“Yes. Perhaps Baron Dalent has some use that we’re unaware of…”
Tap.
“My Lord.”
At that moment, Oyoung, the leader of the shadow unit, appeared beside the Duke.
“What is it?”
“I have urgent information to report.”
“Speak.”
When Oyoung glanced at Count Liam, the Duke spoke.
“It’s fine. Go ahead.”
“The Third Prince has used the Medison family to cure Baron Dalent’s mother.”
“Baron Dalent’s mother?”
“Yes, it appears that the Baron recently took leave because of his mother’s illness. He has been borrowing money here and there to fund her treatment.”
“What a shame. We could have had a strong hold over him.”
Oyoung remained silent, feeling responsible for not uncovering this information earlier. After all, it was his job to gather such intelligence.
“We have so much on our plate that we couldn’t afford to focus on someone as insignificant as a mere Baron, right?”
“I’m sorry, My Lord.”
“Dismissed.”
After Oyoung left, Duke Blake turned to Count Liam and said,
“Liam, it seems the Third Prince has indeed taken a liking to Baron Dalent.”
“That… that appears to be the case.”
“What do you think we should do?”
The Duke asked the question as if he already knew the answer, causing Count Liam to rack his brain desperately. He knew he needed to give the right answer to ensure his survival.
“I think it might be worth trying to negotiate directly with the Third Prince.”
“Negotiate?”
“Yes, while gathering additional information on Baron Dalent, it wouldn’t hurt to gauge why the Third Prince is so intent on protecting him.”
“Not a bad idea. This time, I’ll meet the Third Prince personally. Sometimes, there are things you can only confirm by looking someone in the eye.”
Hearing that the Duke would personally take charge, Count Liam couldn’t raise his head.
“Don’t worry. It might just be that this wasn’t a situation you could handle.”
The Duke lightly patted Count Liam’s shoulder and then stood up, heading out the door.
Cliche Novel 