Day Three

On the third day, a smuggler sneaked into the Golden Grape Estate and met Sileus and Kestia.

“I heard you need a lot of Grute herbs? I can get them for you, but the price…” The smuggler chuckled slyly.

“Your business sense is sharp,” Kestia said, surprised. Do humans really excel at this? Seizing opportunities so fast.

“You flatter me. Someone just told us to ask you here,” the smuggler replied with a smile.

Kestia’s eyes flickered toward Sileus, who smiled silently.

After the smuggler left satisfied, she stared at Sileus. “Was it Lanche?”

Sileus smiled calmly. “I only mentioned it to Young Master Lanche. I don’t know if he did it.”

Kestia frowned slightly. Who else could it be? He was being cryptic with her.

“That guy…” she murmured, her mood tangled.

Just a good-for-nothing, yet he kept solving her most critical problems.

She couldn’t name her feelings—like regret. If only he weren’t useless. If only he had strength…

What did “if only” even mean? She felt flustered.

Sileus stood nearby, smiling slightly without a word.

“Whoever did it, arrange the Grute herb purchase,” Kestia said flatly.

“Yes, my lady,” Sileus replied, bowing respectfully with a smile.

As he turned, Kestia asked, “Mr. Sileus, do you think… he’s qualified to be my husband?”

“He’s already your husband, Your Highness. You vowed before the gods,” Sileus said, not turning to see her face.

Kestia nodded silently.

“Then, I take my leave,” Sileus said politely and walked away.

That evening, Wenbess and Tahina soaked in a bath behind the tavern.

“What do you think of Lanche?” Wenbess asked.

“What kind of person?” Tahina thought carefully. “Well-mannered, strong, and gentle.”

“Really?” Wenbess sounded doubtful.

“Yes,” Tahina nodded earnestly.

“He’s kind and patient with everyone, no noble airs. Even called a good-for-nothing, he doesn’t get angry. He helps others gladly. The tavern loves his visits.”

“But I heard he’s a pervert,” Wenbess said.

“Well… boys will be boys,” Tahina said awkwardly, smiling.

“Hmm, true,” Wenbess nodded thoughtfully.

“Wenbess sister…” Tahina hesitated.

“Relax, I won’t steal him,” Wenbess smiled.

“I—I didn’t mean that!” Tahina’s face flushed red.

“He’s married… so young, and as an in-law husband.” She lowered her head, expression dim.

“So what? He’s a pervert. He won’t refuse you,” Wenbess consoled.

Tahina smiled shyly, silent.

Anyway, as just a tavern waitress, seeing Lanche often, laughing with him in crowds, was enough.

Wenbess stayed quiet too. Lanche was special—a type she’d never met. Young, yet caring about divine matters despite being called a good-for-nothing.

The more she heard, the less she understood this strange guy.

“Achoo!” Lanche sneezed. “Who’s thinking of me?”

He glanced around doubtfully, rubbed his nose, and prepared for bed.

Kestia’s problem was solved for now. Years of street contacts made finding Grute herb sources easy.

But the real showdown was next.

Gorde, helping the two big companies hoard Grute herbs, would wait until the Claire Family couldn’t brew wine to force concessions.

What if the Claires had herbs then?

The companies would either dump their stock or double down—hunting the bastard who sold to the Claires, blocking all paths, seeing who cracked first.

Days passed. The Semos Trading Company caught on, hunting those smugglers.

Naturally, Lord Gorde cracked down hard.

But smugglers aren’t easy prey. In this world, gray-area operators need strength to survive.

Kestia’s side took it seriously, diving into the business war.

Lanche ignored it all. He brewed health tea, lounged on his homemade rattan chair, basking in the sun contentedly.

“This guy—everyone’s busy, and he’s just lazing around,” Lekui frowned.

“He solved our problem. He’s useful,” Liya coaxed.

Lekui snorted. “Petty tricks.”

“I’ll prove to Her Highness I can ease her burdens too,” she said calmly, head high.

“Huh?” Liya blinked. My dear sister, I know your smarts well enough.

“Well… good luck,” she said, not crushing Lekui’s spirit.

Soon, Lekui’s chance came.

Kestia held another meeting in her study.

“Mr. Sileus, report on talks with Count Gorde,” Kestia said evenly.

Sileus bowed, stepped forward. “In Viscount Clarein’s name, I offered Count Gorde fifty percent profits for cooperation. We only seek the Claire Family’s glory.”

“Sadly, he favors brute force. He demanded our new malt and grape wine techniques for ‘stable business’.”

“That’s outrageous!” Liya frowned.

“Greedy,” Lekui added coldly.

Sileus nodded. “I asked why Semos must sell the wine when we can.”

“His reply shattered talks.” His face darkened.

“He said: Who sells doesn’t matter. What matters is who’s under his control.”

“He set terms: Her Highness must remarry the Bolnors Family’s sixth son. And Lanche… if Lanche dies, she can remarry.”

“Pushing his luck,” Kestia said, icy cold. Her silver hair seemed frosted. The study’s temperature dropped instantly.

Sileus and the maids lowered their heads. They’d never seen the princess this intense.