Chapter 17
I frowned slightly at Knox’s words—they felt a little off.
Is this guy a pervert or something?
I quickly took a few steps back. Knox burst out laughing.
“It was a joke. Just a joke.”
“Really? That’s supposed to be a joke? Weird person.”
I stepped back a little further, keeping my guard up. Dangerous. Not because of the joke just now, but because Knox really gave off a dangerous aura.
“So, what’s the real reason? Answer me.”
He pressed persistently.
“It’s just a hobby.”
“Huh?”
“I only have money in my life, so I look for unusual forms of entertainment.”
Oh. Even coming from my own mouth, that was perfect. Anyone would find it plausible.
Knox widened his eyes and stared at me. He blinked in disbelief for a moment, then suddenly clapped his hands.
“That was pretty impressive just now.”
“Aristocrats don’t usually like to show off their wealth, you know.”
“I’m different. I prefer uniqueness over refinement. I can’t stand anything uninteresting.”
“Ah, I see.”
“…….”
“…….”
“……That’s it?”
At that moment, Eden came walking out from the left hallway.
“What are you talking about?”
He must have used the moment when I was conversing with Knox to look around the room.
“I was introducing the mansion. Shall we go over there first?”
Anyway, I seated Knox and Eden at the banquet table. Then I served them tea. Apparently, the fact that I brewed it myself amazed them.
Ignoring their curious gazes, I asked Knox:
“So, what did you want to tell me?”
“I’d like to speak with you alone.”
Eden’s face immediately soured as he glared at Knox.
“What? Alone? Suspicious. Are you close to Cherry? You’re not close, so why do you want to be alone with her? Weird.”
This time I interjected.
“I’m not close to Sir Eden either. By that logic, I’m the weirdest for inviting two men I’m not close to into my house alone.”
“I’m a police officer, though.”
Eden said that, then awkwardly ran his fingers through his hair, clearly realizing his argument was flimsy.
Knox, sitting cross-legged leisurely, said:
“I personally dislike Lancaster. So I’d like this guy out of here.”
“I dislike you too, you bastard. So no, he’s not going anywhere.”
Knox and Eden growled at each other.
Why did I even bring these two together? I regretted it instantly.
In the original story, Eden and Knox didn’t get along either.
Their rivalry had started during their days at the Royal School, Rubridge Benton College.
Surprisingly, Knox was the one who constantly provoked Eden because he didn’t like him. And Eden, being inherently kind, often fell for Knox’s provocations.
Unlike Knox, the youngest son of the Rudfisher Marquis, Eden was the sole heir of the Duke of Lancaster—a noble among nobles, raised in the public eye.
Yet he had no real interest in the Lancaster heirship, and his personality was unusually rough for a noble.
That alone was enough to irritate Knox, who valued elegance and refinement.
While I was lost in thought, the argument between the two continued. I finally decided it was necessary to mediate and spoke firmly to Eden:
“This isn’t going anywhere. I’ll talk to Mr. Rudfisher alone. Sir Eden, we’ll meet tomorrow.”
“Cherry.”
“Sorry for sending you off, worker. Thank you for coming. Take care.”
Eden frowned, narrowing his eyes as he alternated glances between Knox and me.
But he no longer had any reason to persuade me. Eventually, Eden donned his proper police hat and left.
Knox waved at Eden with a smile.
“Take care.”
“I’ll see you tomorrow, Cherry. Please be careful.”
Eden ignored Knox and addressed me directly, clearly reluctant to leave.
After confirming that Eden had crossed the garden and exited the gate, I asked Knox:
“Alright. That’s done, right?”
“Thanks for your consideration, Lady.”
Knox smiled lightly. I exhaled and leaned back in my chair. Somehow, today felt very long.
The sun was already setting. I finally got up and turned on the banquet hall lights.
After closing the lid of the oil lighter, I returned to my seat and looked across at Knox’s face.
Knox, who had been quietly observing me, finally spoke.
“How much do you know about Elpinus herbs?”
“Huh?”
It was an unexpected question—but not a strange one, since our meeting today was all about Elpinus herbs.
Still, I had no idea what Knox’s intentions were. Did he know something about the herbs’ vaccine-like properties?
“…Actually, not much. I found them on the street.”
Since I didn’t know his intentions, my answer wasn’t very satisfying. Knox propped his chin on his interlaced hands and stared at me.
He gave off a lazy yet intense vibe, like a predator eyeing a mouse trapped in a jar. But the moment our eyes met, he would smile innocently like a puppy.
An uncomfortable silence filled the banquet hall.
Did I make a mistake letting Eden leave?
Suddenly, I regretted it. Eden’s suspicion and vigilance aside, his presence had been reassuring.
Still, I was stronger than Knox, so if push came to shove, I could hit him.
Eden is a cop, so hitting him would be a problem—but Knox isn’t, right?
While pondering that, Knox spoke:
“No need to be so tense. Lancaster may be hostile toward you, but I’m very friendly.”
“That’s strange. Why would you be friendly? You have no reason.”
“I want to help. I don’t know what you want to do, but I think it would be fun to watch.”
He seemed sincere. But I replied firmly:
“I don’t need help.”
“You do. You’re planning to grow Elpinus herbs here, aren’t you?”
I reluctantly nodded.
“…Yes.”
“Growing Elpinus herbs is difficult. They’re rare, and information is hard to come by.”
It was strange to think that such rare herbs had appeared at 61 Notium Street.
“Hm… wait a moment.”
After a pause, I decided to agree with Knox. I needed help.
I left Knox in the banquet hall, went to my room, and retrieved the box of Elpinus herbs.
Then I showed them to him. I had to grow these herbs, no matter what.
If there were wild specimens, I wouldn’t hesitate to go dig them up myself.
“I plan to grow these herbs in the garden.”
“Where is the garden?”
I pointed past the banquet hall windows toward the garden. It was too dark to see much.
“I pulled the weeds today. Tomorrow I’ll till the soil and add fertilizer. In two weeks, I’ll plant crops, and I thought we could plant Elpinus herbs then too.”
“Cherry, these aren’t normal crops.”
“Not medicinal crops?”
“You can’t treat Elpinus herbs like ordinary plants. They grow in a very unusual way.”
“How unusual…?”
“They eat insects.”
“…What?”
I’d never heard of a plant that eats insects. Even in the original story, there was no mention of growing Elpinus herbs.
I looked at Knox, slightly stunned. Could that be why they look like centipedes? To gain immunity, I’d have to consume them… I felt uneasy.
“What kind of insects? How do herbs eat insects?”
“The roots absorb nutrients from the insects. And they seem to eat various kinds—centipedes and spiders, for example.”
Damn. All creatures I hate with too many legs. Their roots eat the insects, and I… eat the herbs.
“Ugh! I imagined it!”
I grabbed my hair and thrashed in frustration. Knox laughed at my expression, clearly amused. Forget being a gentleman.
Why is he so cocky? Damn it.
Anyway, according to Knox, no compost was needed.
Just plant the seeds in level soil with freshly killed insects, water them, and periodically bury dead insects nearby. The herbs would grow fine.
That’s really a unique cultivation method.
Given Knox’s advice, there were no insects now, so I couldn’t plant the Elpinus herbs yet.
Looks like I’ll have to catch insects tomorrow.
I shivered at the thought, then looked at Knox. A good idea had come to mind.
“You said you’d help me grow Elpinus herbs. You must know a lot about them.”
“If you want, I’ll help you grow them. I know Elpinus herbs very well. Not all doctors handle herbs, but my skills are exceptional.”
Knox smiled sincerely, as if committed to helping.
“Excellent.”
Nothing else mattered—just knowing he could handle Elpinus herbs was enough.
“Alright, Mr. Rudfisher. Help me grow these herbs. I’m counting on you.”
Honestly, I didn’t want to catch insects myself, but knowing Knox’s expertise would be helpful too.
“It’ll be fun.”
At my words, Knox’s eyes widened in surprise. Then he laughed heartily, filling the banquet hall with booming laughter.
