Chapter 32: Ah.

Ah.

Only then did Yelena realize that Incan had misinterpreted her words.

His words were the exact opposite of the truth, but in this situation, it was a fortunate misunderstanding,

Thanks to that, she had made Incan reveal his secrets.

Her heart was pounding, and her body tense.

Instead of correcting the misunderstanding, Yelena asked another question. "You've verified the medicine's effects? How?"

"That's..."

"Did you experiment on people?"

Incan's head bobbed up and down. "Yes."

"On whom?"

"..."

"No, I mean... how did you conduct an experiment like that without anyone knowing? Isn't it interesting? At the very least, there should have been some rumors."

Yelena clenched her hand under the table to keep herself calm.

"I don't understand the medicine well. If you don't explain, it'll be hard for me to believe in the drug's effectiveness. Don't you agree?"

"... The maids."

"..."

"I tested the medicine on the maids."

Yelena's hand under the table tightened.

"... The maids?"

"That's right. All the maids came from faraway places, and without telling anyone the truth, they quietly returned to their hometown and gave birth to a child. That's why there are no rumors about the medicine."

"..."

"Is the explanation enough?"

"... Yes, it's enough."

It was a relief that the room was dimly lit.

No matter how hard Yelena tried, she couldn't control her expression.

'So that's why... that's why they all left their jobs.'

The pieces of the puzzle came together perfectly.

Six weeks to two months after Incan had visited the duchy, the maids quit. During that time period, they must've realized they were carrying a child.

The meaning of the phrase "This can't be happening" also became clear.

The maids were pregnant, despite being virgins.

That would be all they could say.

Their inexplicable confusion was warranted.

'Oh my God.'

Yelena felt nauseous.

'What did you do?'

The fact that such a drug itself existed was shocking in itself, but the fact that Incan secretly fed it to others was disgusting.

'I need to leave.'

Yelena confirmed that the video sphere in her arms was safe.

Before she entered the room, she had ensured the video sphere was turned on and tucked it into her arms.

All of Incan's words were recorded.

Yelena had no reason to stay.

'I don't want to stay any longer.'

When Yelena learned of what Incan had done, he looked more like a dreg than a human.

After silently whispering a stream of contempt-filled swear words to herself, Yelena stood while holding back her desire to kick her seat.

She didn't forget to stagger slightly like a drunken person because she was afraid he would suspect her if she looked too steady.

As Yelena raised her body, the towel from her lap fell to the floor.

Yelena kicked it secretly and sent it under Incan's chair.

Incan's gaze followed Yelena, who stood up suddenly from her seat.

"Duchess?"

"I'm glad I heard about the medicine. I'm surprised there's such a medicine. But... I think I'll have to think more about whether I'll use it or not."

"..."

"I'll send someone when I make a decision. I'm too drunk and dizzy from the alcohol, so I have to go back today. Thank you for giving me your time. Then..."

Yelena's body was forcefully stopped as she tried to turn around.

Yelena looked down at Incan's hand that held her wrist.

"What is this?"

"..."

"Let go of me, Incan Marezon."

"I'm sure the Duchess made a promise. If I solved the Duchess's problem, she'd do anything for me in return."

Yelena did say that, but it wasn't something to bring up now.

"That would be the case after I receive the medicine..."

"Do you need time to think? Why? I can give you the medicine right now."

"..."

"The Duchess's troubles have been resolved by the existence of this medicine. Please pay the price."

What was this shameless obstinacy?

Yelena furrowed her eyebrows and attempted to pull her wrist out of Incan's grasp.

He didn't budge.

'Haah...'

Yelena suddenly felt sad about the inevitable difference in strength.

When she experienced the difference with her husband, she had just been amazed.

Yelena's gaze shifted to her opposite wrist, which was not caught by Incan.

She bit her tongue slightly and swallowed her nervousness before she opened her mouth.

"You're drunk. Talk to me again after you sober up."