“But didn’t he also agree to let us see those alchemical potions that aren’t sold publicly? Since he’s willing to show us, there probably isn’t too much of a problem.”
Ai Lin walked to the bedside and said softly.
“That’s true. He was pretty hospitable to us today too. Without any solid evidence, it’s probably better not to be so suspicious of him.”
His Blackstone rubbed his chin and began pacing around the room.
“Say, you don’t actually think the situation in the town is connected to the Kurde Family, do you?”
Ai Lin lifted a corner of the blanket spread on the bed and sat down on the edge.
“Even though it is a bit strange that there are no young girls to be seen anywhere in town, who’s to say it’s not just a coincidence?”
“Hmm…”
His Blackstone murmured in acknowledgment of Ai Lin’s point.
“Anyway, stop overthinking it. Go wash up quickly and get some rest for tonight.”
Ai Lin urged. “You go first. After you’re done, I’ll go.”
“How about we go together…”
“You really mean that? Looks like… you’ve already made up your mind.”
“Huh? What decision?”
To His Blackstone’s surprise, instead of shyly rejecting his casual remark as he had imagined, Ai Lin responded with a rather serious tone.
“Of course, it’s about moving forward with our engagement.”
A slight blush crept onto Ai Lin’s face, but she kept a composed expression. “Well… if… you agree that once we return, you’ll take the initiative to discuss this matter with Duke Blackstone, then taking a bath together or something… I wouldn’t… wouldn’t really mind…”
“Th-this… I… I’ll head in first!”
His Blackstone, flustered by Ai Lin’s sincere words, fled into the bathroom.
“Hmph.”
Ai Lin watched His Blackstone’s retreating back and let out a soft, dissatisfied snort, though a small smile tugged at the corners of her lips.
“Say… do we really have to sleep this far apart?”
His Blackstone looked at Ai Lin, who was lying on the far side of the bed with her back turned to him. The last shred of hope he’d held crumbled into nothing.
“Well… I did think about it just now.”
Ai Lin turned around to face His Blackstone.
“We are still an engaged couple, after all. We really should be more mindful of appearances in this regard.”
“Ai Lin… I…”
“Alright, you don’t need to say anything.”
Ai Lin pressed her raised finger to her lips in a shushing gesture.
“Since you’re not willing, I don’t want to push you too hard either. Let’s just take things slow.”
With that, Ai Lin turned back around, seemingly not wanting to speak with His Blackstone for the rest of the night.
“…”
Ai Lin’s words tonight left His Blackstone lost in thought.
When he had first met Ai Lin, His Blackstone’s plan had been to minimize contact with her and take the initiative to call off the engagement.
But now, after spending time together, things seemed to have veered far off course from his original intentions.
Although His Blackstone could feel that there was indeed some spark between them, when it came to advancing the engagement…
He felt he still needed more time to let things settle.
“Morning.”
Lost in thought, His Blackstone soon drifted off to sleep…
The next morning, Ai Lin stood by the window and greeted His Blackstone naturally the moment she saw him wake up, as if nothing had happened the night before.
“Morning…”
His Blackstone scratched his head, unsure of what to say.
“Well, let’s go have breakfast first.”
The two had just stepped out of their room when His Blackstone spotted a strange middle-aged man standing in the hall on the first floor.
The man wore a bowler hat and carried a briefcase, looking every bit the part of a businessman.
Just then, Old Kurd also appeared in the living room with hurried steps. Catching sight of the middle-aged man in the hall, he immediately went over to greet him.
The two began conversing right there in the hall.
At first, both of their expressions were rather serious, especially Old Kurd’s. It seemed that in this negotiation, he was the one at a disadvantage.
But soon enough, smiles appeared on both their faces. Presumably, the talks had reached a progress that satisfied them both.
“Good morning to you both. May I ask what you’d like for breakfast?”
Just as His Blackstone was focused on what was happening on the first floor, Saian appeared soundlessly before them, no one knowing when he had arrived.
Not just His Blackstone—even Ai Lin hadn’t noticed when he’d come over.
“Uh, anything is fine. Keep it simple.”
Though His Blackstone was a bit surprised by Saian’s sudden appearance, his gaze quickly returned to the two men in the hall.
“Who is that man?”
“Oh, that’s Mr. Tsuku. He’s a merchant who frequently does business with the people in our town.”
Saian maintained his usual demeanor of answering every question.
“I heard he came this time to discuss a major deal with the Old Master. According to our Old Master, this could be an important turning point for the Kurde Family. If they can seize this opportunity, they might be able to change the family’s current declining situation.”
“Is it really okay to openly say the family you serve is declining in front of guests…”
His Blackstone silently complained to himself, then headed upstairs with Ai Lin.
“Young Master Blackstone, you’re awake? Allow me to introduce you—this is my old friend Tsuku. We scheduled today’s meeting a while back. You see…”
Seeing His Blackstone coming down the stairs, Old Kurd took the initiative to greet him, though his expression was somewhat troubled.
“No need to worry, Count. Please don’t mind us. We just came down for breakfast.”
“Thank you for understanding, Young Master.”
“You’re the young master of the Blackstone Ducal House? A pleasure, a pleasure! I run a modest business on the outskirts of the Royal Capital.”
Tsuku warmly extended his hand toward His Blackstone. Seeing this, His Blackstone put on a friendly expression and shook it.
After all, befriending a merchant who spent his time around the Royal Capital couldn’t hurt.
“Oh, right, Young Master Blackstone, there’s one more thing I need to discuss with you.”
Old Kurd spoke up. “Mr. Tsuku will also be staying at the manor for a few days. Would you mind if I arrange for him to stay on the third floor? After all…”
“You’re too kind, Count. This is your home. Please arrange things as you see fit.”
“Ah, that’s wonderful.”
At the dining table, His Blackstone looked at Ai Lin, who was eating her meal with focused attention across from him, and spoke up first:
“So, what kind of business do you think this Tsuku is in?”
“He came all the way out here. What else could it be? It’s definitely business involving alchemical potions.”
Ai Lin elegantly dabbed the corner of her mouth with a napkin and answered plainly.
“Uh… yeah, I guess so.”
“Are you just trying to make conversation with me?”
“Haha, you caught me.”
Seeing that his little scheme had been exposed, His Blackstone scratched his head awkwardly.