Chapter 13
“I think you’re misunderstanding something. I’m not talking about ordinary soap. I’m going to make it using green herbs.”
“Wait. Just wait a moment.”
Ahwin quickly raised his hand.
Penelope closed her mouth and waited.
“What’s so good about making soap with green herbs?”
“First, it will have a fresh scent. It will also help keep the skin clear and moisturized.”
It would be completely different from the soap already being sold on the market.
Even commoners who can’t afford expensive fragrant oils will benefit just by washing their hands with this soap.
Penelope continued confidently.
“I think green herbs are used to make healing potions, so they should have some effect on skin regeneration. We’d need to run experiments with a comparison group to be certain.”
“That doesn’t make any sen—”
No… It isn’t completely impossible. Green herbs do have healing properties.
Ahwin quickly regained his senses, closed his mouth, and fell into thought.
If green herb tea had healing effects, then herb soap might work as well.
Even from a logical point of view, it made sense.
The dwarves were currently making the boiler and pipes for the underfloor heating system, strong enough to withstand high temperatures and pressure.
Once the boiler was finished, Ahwin planned to engrave magic formulas onto it.
Until then, he had nothing to do.
Before he knew it, Ahwin’s eyes began to sparkle.
The dangerous curiosity that could drive a mage to death had been awakened.
“This time it’s fifty-fifty. We split everything equally.”
“…Alright.”
Penelope agreed.
She could ask someone else how to make ordinary soap.
But adding green herbs required the knowledge of an alchemist or a mage.
Even splitting the profits equally might actually be a loss for Ahwin.
“Then… would you lie down on the bed first?”
“Why are you suddenly saying something so strange?”
Ahwin quietly pulled his collar together and questioned her.
Caught off guard, Penelope answered honestly.
“Well… because you look like you’re about to collapse at any moment.”
“…Stop saying nonsense and come inside first. Ah, the ingredients. We’ll need caustic soda and fruit oil. Let’s prepare the materials first.”
Ahwin hurried her inside.
His eyes were already shining sharply like tiny pieces of gold.
It would have been even better if his messy hair wasn’t covering them.
Once again, Penelope found herself wishing he would brush his hair back.
That afternoon…
Ahwin sat at his desk with several books spread out before him.
He was trying to turn Penelope’s theory into magical formulas.
As he wrote the necessary formulas into his notebook, he muttered,
“Hmm… Maybe I should start with the potion-making process and remove the reagents one by one.”
Since the process of making healing potions was already well documented, modifying the middle steps was the most reasonable approach.
In conclusion…
Making the herb extract needed for the soap didn’t seem particularly difficult.
It would simply require time and effort.
Ah… It’s boring again.
The moment he found the answer to the problem…
Life became dull once more.
Ahwin glanced at the green herbs standing in a glass bottle before resting his chin on the back of his hand.
Looking at the fresh green herbs…
One woman immediately came to mind.
The mistress of Halo Estate.
Without realizing it, Ahwin pouted slightly.
No matter how I think about it, she’s definitely intelligent. And she’s also a little strange.
He thought again.
Is she so smart that her ideas always go in unexpected directions?
She looked as if she was careful around him…
Yet she wasn’t.
She seemed afraid of him…
Yet she wasn’t afraid at all.
“She’s interesting. Most people can’t even look me in the eyes.”
These days, he lived however he pleased because everything felt troublesome.
But Ahwin stood near the very top of the human world’s hierarchy.
He was a predator.
Ordinary people naturally shrank back in front of him.
Even the Emperor had once been unable to treat him carelessly.
Yet this woman, who didn’t possess even a trace of mana…
Never froze in front of him.
“Not knowing what she’s thinking makes her even more interesting.”
Ahwin lightly tapped the green herb with his fingertip.
Immediately…
The flower bud bloomed beautifully.
A soft, sweet fragrance spread from its rich petals.
“I wonder what surprising thing she’ll bring me after this is finished.”
Leaning back in his chair, Ahwin spoke lazily.
The afternoon sunlight reflected in his light green eyes.
His golden irises sparkled brilliantly.
For some reason…
He found himself looking forward to it.
Penelope headed toward the estate’s storage warehouse.
She had heard that a merchant was visiting the estate today.
In front of the warehouse…
The servants were sweating as they carried supplies.
They were the food and daily necessities that would be used throughout the winter.
The steward, together with the butler and the head maid, carefully inspected every single item.
The servants couldn’t hide their happiness.
Just knowing they wouldn’t go hungry or freeze during the winter was wonderful news for them.
As soon as the steward noticed Penelope, he greeted her warmly.
“Welcome, Baroness.”
“How are the food supplies?”
“They’re a little more expensive than last year, but the quality is much better.”
That was good news.
Penelope nodded with satisfaction.
“Please don’t forget to distribute the winter cloth to the servants.”
“Of course not. We’ll gather everyone this afternoon and hand out thick winter cloth. Thanks to all your hard work, we’ll also be able to pay everyone’s overdue wages.”
The servants who overheard the steward looked at one another in shock.
Their overdue wages?
It sounded like a blessing from heaven.
Bright smiles spread across their faces.
Soon…
They began working even faster.
After looking around for a moment, Penelope asked,
“Where is the merchant?”
“He’s over there. Pablo, come here for a moment.”
At the steward’s call…
The merchant, Pablo, quickly walked over.
“You called for me?”
“The Baroness wishes to speak with you. Introduce yourself.”
Following the steward’s words, Pablo bowed respectfully.
“It’s an honor to meet you, my lady. My name is Pablo.”
“…”
Inside her mind, Penelope muttered,
His name sounds a little like Pavlov…
Then she suddenly raised her head.
Hm?
Gray hair.
Blue-gray eyes.
A face that looked strangely cold and stingy.
She felt as though she had seen him somewhere before.
Pablo? I’m sure I’ve heard that name… Wait… Isn’t he the merchant who stayed beside the heroine?
She finally remembered.
He had been one of the heroine’s followers and supporters in the original novel.
But why is he here? Didn’t he become one of the richest merchants?
She remembered him helping the heroine from behind while his business flourished.
So why was he wandering around this remote northern estate?
Of course…
Penelope knew nothing about what happened after the original story ended.
“Um… Is there something you need?”
Pablo asked carefully while watching her expression.
For some reason…
He looked unusually nervous.
“Ah, it’s nice to meet you too, Pablo. There’s something I’d like to buy. May I ask you about it?”
“Please don’t speak so politely, my lady. Even if I have to search the ends of the continent, I’ll find it for you. Just tell me what you need.”
Search the ends of the continent?
He was being strangely enthusiastic.
Could his business have failed?
After clearing her throat, Penelope spoke.
“Can you get the ingredients needed to make soap?”
Pablo answered immediately.
“You mean caustic soda and fruit oil. Depending on the quality, I can easily obtain medium-grade materials.”
“Then please bring me about two thousand gold worth of medium-grade materials. I’ll use them first, and if they work well, I’ll buy more.”
“I can deliver them as early as tomorrow.”
Pablo answered cheerfully.
He was excited that the acting lord wanted to purchase something other than food supplies.
Judging by how he looks… his business must have failed, and he was probably driven out of the capital.
Well, he’s a merchant. Businesses fail sometimes.
Without thinking much more about it, Penelope turned to the steward.
“Once the materials arrive, please bring them to the workshop.”
“Understood.”
The steward nodded.
He already knew that the acting lady of the estate was trying many different ways to support the territory.
Helping her with all his heart was his duty.
“If there is anything I can do to help, please give me your orders at any time.”
“Thank you for your concern.”
Penelope replied.
The steward sincerely believed that he was fortunate to serve such a hardworking acting lord.
