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However, I wasn’t disappointed.

That’s because I had already anticipated that Benedict would respond in such a way.

‘Well, it’s better not to take it too seriously if I accept it right away.’

To succeed in business, two virtues are needed.

The determination to seize a great opportunity and proceed.

Caution in evaluating whether the business is truly safe and profitable.

Benedict was the embodiment of these two virtues.

He wouldn’t proceed with a business unless both virtues were satisfied.

The current Benedict probably…

‘Must have concluded that the Palasso cultivation business did not satisfy both virtues.’

As if he had just peered into my thoughts, Benedict spoke.

“Even if the Palasso plant has marketability, actually cultivating and distributing the plant requires a substantial capital.”

So what?

With that meaning, I glanced at Benedict.

Benedict shrugged.

“To cultivate Palasso, we need to develop farmland, employ farmers, and utilize Shumaikel’s distribution network to sell it throughout the entire Empire.”

In other words…

Tack.

I took a small purse from my handbag and placed it on the table.

“What is this?”

“It’s a jewel.”

Benedict looked puzzled for a moment.

I shrugged.

“If you feel it, you’ll understand, but all these jewels are top-notch.”

Answering like that, I looked down at the purse with a nostalgic gaze.

Really, how much I struggled to collect these jewels…

Since waking up in the body of the century’s luxurious villainess, ‘Elze Leperian.’

I began to stealthily steal jewels, avoiding Dante’s eyes.

Even though it was only at the level of taking a cup of water from a lake, compared to the jewels Dante gave me, it was nothing.

‘But with these jewels… I can earn Benedict’s trust.’

Honestly, even if I sold all these jewels, I couldn’t cover all the initial costs needed for cultivating Palasso.

But it would be enough for a trial cultivation of Palasso.

Buy a small farm, hire a couple of workers, cultivate Palasso, and then check if the fruit truly matches Quiness.

“Consider it as an investment.”

Pushing the jewel purse toward Benedict, I shrugged.

“Of course, it won’t even be pocket change for the owner of Shumaikel, but it’s my entire fortune.”

“Do you really have that much confidence in this?”

“Yes.”

I nodded decisively and added, “In return, give me half of the profits from selling the spice. Of course, you must preserve all the initial investment costs I made.”

Upon hearing that, Benedict raised both hands in an exaggerated gesture.

“Incredible, don’t you know how valuable my labor is, Lady? You’re going to exploit me by only giving me half the profit?”

“Count, you’re quite something.”

I smiled languidly.

“With this much profit, it’s more than enough to monopolize the Count… You know that well.”

A short sigh escaped Benedict’s purple eyes.

I slightly stiffened my shoulders.

Which part of my words shook this unyielding man?

…But it’s not the time to worry about that now.

Without looking directly into his intelligent purple eyes, I casually added.

“Instead, just three years.”

Benedict looked puzzled.

A brief ripple occurred above the momentary violet irises.

I stiffened my shoulders slightly.

Which part of my words shook that wall-like man?

…But it’s not the time to ponder on that now.

Without directly meeting the intelligent violet eyes, I calmly added, “Instead, just three years.”

Benedict gave me a puzzled look. “Three years?”

“Starting from the profitable point, it’s a 50-50 split for three years. After that, I’ll give up any further earnings.”

In response to my answer, Benedict furrowed his brow in confusion.

“I don’t understand. Why would you willingly give up your gains?”

Well, the reason was simple.

Within three years, I planned to part ways with all the male protagonists.

In reality, I doubted I would even last three years with my calculations.

And even if it meant holding onto the tail, I intended to discard and leave everything associated with the male protagonists.

There’s no point in steadily receiving profits if you can’t use them.

Moreover, now is the time when I need a significant sum…

“As I mentioned before, having a few secrets makes a woman even more charming, right?”

I evaded the question like that.

But this time, Benedict didn’t seem willing to back off.

“From what I’ve observed, Lady Lepherian’s actions are irrational in many ways.”

Benedict questioned me with a somewhat sharp tone.

“Just the fact that you’ve laid out all this information for me is telling. What would you do if I were to disclose this information to the outside world?”

“Would you do that?”

I calmly asked.

“…”

Benedict seemed momentarily at a loss for words and tightly sealed his lips.

I tilted my head lightly.

“No. The Count wouldn’t do such a thing.”

“…”

“If the information I provided is true, its value is truly immense…”

I concluded leisurely.

“Because the Count himself would know best.”

It seems I’ve hit the mark.

Benedict still maintained his silence.

After a moment, he spoke with a restrained voice, “Alright, let’s leave that part aside for now.”

Doubt-filled eyes scrutinized me from top to bottom.

“But according to Lady’s words, cultivating this Palasso alone can yield tremendous profits.”

“Why, then, does Lady not directly engage in this business and instead pass the information to me?” he inquired.

“Well, this information is practically unusable for me,” I replied.

“Why is that?”

“Running a massive farm alone and managing the farmers employed on the farm is impossible, isn’t it?”

I met Benedict’s gaze squarely.

“Moreover, even if successful in cultivating Palasso, there would still be issues with distributing it. So, I’m trying to join forces with the Marquess; is there a problem with that?”

In the cultivation and distribution of Palasso, there was no one more qualified than the Schmaikel top.

In fact, this had already been proven in the original work.

Then Benedict asked me matter-of-factly, “Of course, Lady cannot do such a thing. However, can’t the Marquis Offenheir do it?”

Ah, that’s why Dante chose her instead of himself; it all makes sense now.

I smiled brightly as I answered, “So, in the future, I’ll get a share of the profits. If you could open an account that won’t be traced back to the Marquess, I’d appreciate it. Deduct the cost of breaking into the account when settling the profits.”

“…”

Benedict sharpened his eyes for a moment.

Well, that was inevitable.

I’ve declared that I’ll create secrets even with Dante.

“So, Lady says…”

Leaning towards me, Benedict whispered with a secretive tone.

“Are you considering cutting ties with the Marquis Offenheir someday… is that the interpretation?”

“Well, you can make your own judgment.”

“Alright then.”

Benedict nodded without pressing further.

I don’t know why, but he seemed strangely satisfied.

Maybe the idea of me cutting ties with Dante pleased him so much?

Well, Elze’s obsessive love for Dante in the original was a definite risk.

Just then, Benedict spoke to me again.

“More than that, I’m just curious.”

“Yes, go ahead.”

“If everything progresses smoothly as Lady mentioned, there will likely be considerable wealth left behind. What do you intend to use that money for?”

“…”

I remained silent for a moment.

Money is always good, the more, the better—whether it’s for escaping from the Rose Cross Mansion or establishing a base after escaping.

Money is essential.

But the biggest reason is…

“…because there’s something I really want.”

“Something you want?”

My unexpected answer made Benedict raise his eyebrows slightly.

“Interesting. Is it something that even mentioning to the Marquess won’t help you obtain it?”

“…”

I just smiled without giving an answer.

After all, what I wanted was a magical device to awaken Lucian.