Chapter 13

‘As expected, it’s faster to study the soil while examining it directly.’

After a few attempts to formulate the alchemy, I couldn’t hide my proud smile and poked at the gray soil that had turned into a color resembling red soil.

It was a satisfactory result.

‘It’s pretty moist.’

The moist soil seemed hydrated enough to grow crops even though it was not dampened with water.

“Madam, the Grand Duke has come.”

I hurriedly nodded at Rona’s announcement after writing down the formula I had just used in my book.

“Yes. Open the door.”

“Yes, Madam.”

As the heavy wooden door creaked open, Joseph entered the room.

“I heard you were looking for me, Wife.”

“I have something to show you.”

Since I didn’t want to waste his precious time, I quickly lifted the flask on the desk.

“Can you guess where this soil came from?”

“Isn’t it red soil?”

He replied with a calm expression as if the answer was obvious, but I slowly shook my head.

“This is the soil from the Kensteen Plains.”

If even Joseph couldn’t guess correctly, it meant that my alchemy had worked to some extent.

‘But I still want to test whether this soil is really suitable for crops.’

Still, it was quite a smooth start.

With a sigh of relief, I switched my gaze to Joseph, who seemed impressed as he looked around my office.

“This office has become your laboratory.”

Joseph muttered as he slowly surveyed the study that was filled with alchemy books, new tables, and glass bottles containing various dried materials.

He was usually a bit distant, but I clenched my fist in surprise upon seeing his face was particularly cold today.

‘Did I offend him?’

He might have been offended since I made the office into a temporary laboratory without his permission.

“Uh, um, I’m sorry.”

“What are you sorry about?”

A small wrinkle appeared on his forehead as if he was puzzled by my apology.

Trying to read his mood, I spoke carefully.

“..I changed His Highness’ office without permission. There is no other place for me to put my equipment.”

Although Rona was working hard to move materials to my secret research lab in the forest, there was no place as big as the Master’s office for temporary storage of my tools.

“Wife.”

He heaved a sigh when he saw my timid attitude.

“Have you forgotten that you are the Grand Duchess of Katan?”

I tilted my head hearing his firm tone.

“Pardon?”

“We are equal here. No one will say anything even if you use this office as a stable.”

Of course, I wasn’t a weirdo who put horses inside a precious office filled with old books!

‘That’s right, he has always been a kind person.’

It seemed he didn’t want an outsider like me to worry for no reason.

I appreciated Joseph’s consideration, but on the other hand, I was worried about his overly-generous attitude.

‘He treats me nicely even though I’m the daughter of his enemy. I don’t want others to think he’s a pushover!’

Fortunately, his beloved woman would never take advantage of him.

Because she was a perfect saintess.

‘What a relief.’

I nodded and handed him my research plan to improve Katan’s gray soil.

“Can you show this research plan to scholars living in Katan?”

There were no alchemists in Katan, but there were many scholars studying the plants and monsters that only exist in the north.

‘The Wizards’ Tower plans to establish a branch in Katan, so I can borrow their skills.’

I nodded to myself while Joseph looked through the research plan seriously.

‘You won’t understand even if you’re reading it...still, you’re reading so diligently!’

Joseph was a magnificent knight and strategist, but not a scholar.

In addition, alchemy and chemistry have only recently begun to gain popularity...

Even if he was well-educated as a member of the royal family, basic alchemy was very difficult, and many nobles did not pass even the introductory lesson.

However, Joseph let out a huff that sounded like admiration, as if he understood my formulae.

“Is it really possible to change Katan’s soil into something as nutritious as the red soil?”

My eyes opened wide in surprise — he actually understood the purpose of my formula!

“Have you ever studied chemistry, Your Highness?”

“For a short time, when I lived in the Imperial Palace.”

Meanwhile, George, living his whole life in the Imperial Palace where all the outstanding scholars were gathered, did not understand a single formula. He just brushed it aside, dismissing it as nonsense.

“...It makes it easier to explain since you understand the formula. Your Highness, I’m thinking of turning Katan’s land into red soil.”

“I don’t know alchemy so I barely understand your formula. But these ingredients are difficult to prepare with Katan’s current budget.”

Joseph pointed his finger at the plan and frowned regretfully.

“If it’s half of this amount, maybe I can consider..”

“No, it’s only a plan, so I can’t use your private property.”

My formula was meant to be the basis of the experiment.

The ingredients could be mixed incorrectly or a minor mistake could lead to completely different results.

“I won’t use Katan’s budget until I’ve proven my formula. You don’t have to worry because the inheritance that I will receive as a Cardinale is quite hefty.”

“..Why are you going this far?”

Joseph tilted his head as if he couldn’t believe what I had said. But I wasn’t offended when he doubted my purpose.

“I care about Katan as much as you do. If I say this, you wouldn’t believe it, right?”

A blatant lie that anyone would find hard to believe.

I was indebted to Katan, but there was no way I treasured Katan as much as he did.

“But I want to do my best for Katan during my time as Grand Duchess.”

“During your time as Grand Duchess?”

As if asking what it meant, Joseph lifted one eyebrow.

‘Why is this expression new to me?’

Joseph seemed to have a hard time understanding my words.

“I guess you haven’t read the proposal I gave you.”

“Was there a clause like that?”

It was me, not him, who needed the contract, so he might be not interested.

I sighed at Joseph’s belated question and searched the drawer.

Placing the ‘marriage contract’ on the table, I grasped my quill pen and began to recite the clauses one by one.

These clauses were not bad for him, since there were clauses such as helping Carlo ascend the throne safely and increasing Katan’s property.

“..Just like this, I will work hard to develop the territory as the Grand Duchess of Katan.”

“I had heard that you are a great alchemist, but you’re more incredible than I thought, Wife.”

‘You are being very respectful while implying that my plans are fruitless, aren’t you?’

I chuckled a little thinking about how his answer was so like him.

“I’m not going to ask you to trust me right away. Please look forward to it.”

“..Is this the only thing you want from me, Wife?”

Joseph asked in a low voice. His was deeper than most men’s voices, and the whisper that caressed my ears as he bent his body toward me sounded ever so sweet.

I looked down at the clause that he had indicated.

[When the time comes, we will have a clean divorce.]

“Yes. If the day I leave Las Vecchia comes, please don’t look for me.”

That was the only thing I wanted from him.

If everything went well and I could leave Katan with Yvonne, I wanted to give my child a happy life without anyone’s interference.

‘I don’t want Yvonne entangled with Laurencia’s oracle.’

I knew how horrible one could become after getting blinded by the power of the throne, which madness had resulted in the death of my beloved daughter.

‘At least, the George that I know was not cruel enough to kill an innocent baby girl.’

Even if I defeated George as planned, I wanted to prevent Yvonne from entering the throne fight.

“So, are you saying you’re doing all of this for the sake of Katan..”

Joseph pursed his lips as if he was worried.

“Are you asking me not to look for you when you disappear one day?”

“Yes.”

Joseph wouldn’t reject my offer for sure. It might sound unbelievable right now, but it was too tempting to refuse.

‘I should disappear for Joseph so he can be happy with the woman he loves.’

“I don’t think there is any loss for you in accepting this proposal.”

But his response was delayed.

“..Alright.”

I couldn’t understand why he was so hesitant to answer.