Chapter 12

You should focus on the profit, not interfere with the management.

‘In the end, it’s this, isn’t it?’

Upon receiving Alan Medoff’s counterproposal, Siena stroked her hair while pondering deeply—a habit she always indulged in before making important decisions. It started when she was twelve, when she ordered the execution of a maid who stole her necklace. Although petty theft by maids was a common occurrence, typically dealt with through whipping and expulsion, Siena, after deep consideration, had the thief executed. Although she did not personally carry out the execution, she vividly remembered the pleading expression of the maid who cried out for mercy.

Of course, it wasn’t about entertainment; it was necessity.

‘If even what little I have is taken, it can’t be allowed. That remains true now.’

Enjoying the sight of people helplessly flailing in surprise or watching them tiptoe to avoid offending her wasn’t unpleasant either. But fundamentally, her motivation stemmed from a desire to safeguard her wealth and rights.

Whether intentional or accidental, those who infringed on this principle were unacceptable. However, others could be somewhat tolerated under different circumstances.

‘Is Alan trying to take mine?’

…Not really.

His proposal seemed, on the surface, quite rational:

“I will allocate 49 percent of the shares to you. My retaining 51 percent is a measure to secure managerial control.”

“Your Highness’s advice will be heeded, though final judgments will rest with me. It’s the most efficient arrangement, which Your Highness acknowledges.”

“Your Highness’s intelligence is something I appreciate fully. However, does Your Highness not have matters far more important than the opium business?”

Though having Alan control 51%, leaving her with 49%, was irksome, it was a deal where he would handle all the dirty work after all. She would merely support from the sidelines while collecting her portion of the profits. It wasn’t exactly a harmful bargain.

‘And nurturing Alan isn’t necessarily a bad idea either.’

While boasting was not her nature, it was true that her circle lacked people she could trust or rely on. While there were many servants and staff in Temseugung Palace, where she resided—not to mention the soldiers and indentured slaves—none could be considered close allies. Those who could potentially aid her in the succession competition had already been recruited by her sister, Victoria, or her younger sister, Anais. The unrecruited ones, who insisted it was “too early” to pick sides, largely avoided her.

In the end, only undesirable individuals loitered around her, those unwanted by anyone else. In such a situation, if Alan could elevate his status through this business, it would be a welcome development.

In an era where even a commoner earning enough wealth could secure a title like Baronet, Alan’s potential value was higher still, given his martial abilities. An expert swordsman, one of the elite, who excels at both combat and profit-making—how could anyone dare to underestimate or neglect him? Perhaps his notorious past could even be somewhat overshadowed by success.

However, one concern remained before acceptance.

‘Can I truly trust him with the decision-making?’

Handing authority over to someone else kept nagging at her. Although Alan’s rise might not risk outright betrayal, there was still the chance that he could become overly demanding once elevated. After all, his reluctance to share details about opium or psilocybin raised suspicions.

Regardless of how she looked at it, holding merely 49 percent of the shares seemed insufficient.

‘I need proof. Proof that he won’t turn against me.’

As Siena deliberated, her gaze fell on the sword Alan carried.

Thinking about it, he too was a knight.

Even in an age where guns and cannons dominated, the pride of knights who rose to prominence with a blade was immense, at times manifesting in warped ways. Some knights mocked military officers as “those who failed to become knights and thus ended up in military academy.” Elite officers, in turn, frequently dismissed knights in reciprocal rivalry.

Perhaps Alan was no exception. Though known to favor blunt weapons over swords and often preferred overpowering defenseless opponents to noble duels, his pride in knighthood must still have lingered.

‘This could serve as the test.’

It might be a harsh move for Alan, but it was a necessary one.

Siena resolved and spoke.

“Alan. It’s a good offer.”

“Thank you, Your Highness.”

“My gratitude is due. Still, managing this business will be burdensome for you. You might have to deal with people you wouldn’t normally, even going so far as to depend on them.”

“An apt observation.”

“My status as your bodyguard could resolve many trivial issues. But that’s not what you want, is it? You aim to succeed in your own name, don’t you?”

“That’s true.”

“Then, it makes sense to set aside your identity as a knight for now. Don’t you think?”

This was a demand for Alan to display his resolution: if he truly intended to independently manage the business and reject interference from Siena herself, he needed to show his commitment.

“…Yes. I understand what you mean.”

Perceptive as he was, he seemed to have grasped the implications immediately. Though calm on the surface, there was clear unease in Alan. His hand hovered over the sword at his waist before stopping, and he sighed with eyes closed. The attachment to the years spent mastering his sword and the reluctance to discard a knight’s dignity were evident.

But his hesitation was brief.

“I agree, Your Highness. I didn’t intend to approach this with frivolous determination.”

He promptly unbuckled his sword and, with great solemnity, placed it gently before Siena, in a gesture affirming he meant no offense to his mistress.

“Why are you giving me your sword?”

“It’s just a temporary arrangement to show my resolve.”

“…”

“Not merely a gesture of relinquishing a weapon. I shall abstain from sword use for now. You may not realize it, but knowing I’ve practiced without fail since I was five, you understand what this temporary abandonment entails.”

Siena’s eyes widened at his depth of commitment.

“I’m sincere. This is no casual side business for me. I’ll succeed, and I’ll become a strength to Your Highness.”

A faint smile graced Alan’s lips as he concluded, subtly implying his readiness to provide further proof of loyalty if needed.

At this point, Siena had no choice but to acknowledge his sincerity.

‘Pressuring him further here would be pointless. It might only provoke resentment.’

For another knight, surrendering their sword under such circumstances could easily result in retirement and exile. Yet, Alan demonstrated remarkable dedication in proving his allegiance.

“Understood, Alan.”

Siena was by no means foolish enough to distrust someone who had gone so far as to offer their sword.

**

The verification concluded sooner than expected.

After Alan surrendered his sword, Siena summoned a clerk to draft the agreement.

They agreed on the share ratio of 51-49, along with a cash contribution of 600,000 talers and a single slave for manual labor from Siena’s side. Alan reciprocated by investing opium into the venture. Additionally, an agreement was reached regarding role division and fund management, favoring Alan’s position in managing operations.

“There’s a modest annex palace on the west side of Temseugung. You may utilize it if you wish.”

“Understood. And I propose we name the company: Medoff Pharmaceuticals.”

“Fine, Alan.”

Even the company name bore his surname.

With this agreement reached, Alan courteously took his leave from the audience chamber.

‘In truth, I was prepared for more extreme demands.’

At worst, he’d even considered leveraging his title as a Duke to coerce Siena. Alternatives like exploiting Empress Lianhua’s fascination with psilocybin or the plight of 3rd Imperial Princess Anais were considered. Fortunately, they reached a peaceful agreement without such measures.

Of course, that despicable woman hadn’t suddenly become kind-hearted.

Siena must’ve underestimated that Alan would forsake his sword, as it was tantamount to renouncing his identity. Sensing the burden it imposed upon him, she tried subtly hinting at returning it, but…

“Thank you, Your Highness. But I’d prefer to have the sword returned once the company stabilizes. Say…perhaps when our firm approaches an IPO, should it arise—not that I expect it will be needed for capital raising, given our trade—but it could act as a measure of success.”

With this, Alan tactfully relinquished his sword to Siena, hoping to engender at least a minor sense of obligation in her.

Any sentiment of regret was absent.

True, the original owner of this body was a diligent swordsman, one who persisted with sword practice even on the day he killed someone in an altercation, and who balanced pleasures with martial training. Due to these ingrained habits, there were times when the current inhabitant of this body, Alan, found himself instinctively training, even inadvertently generating an aura during such exercises.

‘Thanks to him, at least I’ve inherited a robust physique. Beyond that, all conditions are deplorable, though.’

Inevitably, in the nature of business, violent situations may arise.

Swords won’t be necessary. Blunt weapons will suffice.

Old habits being what they are, Alan’s mace—or possibly the morning star from his previous life—seemed fitting choices, though acquiring new equipment was also possible. All his previous weapons from a former life had been blunt instruments: a broom he used in youthful protests, and even a wrench once wielded against him by a disgruntled client. Not fond memories, but they served their purpose.

However, weapon selection was a secondary concern.

Much more dangerous tools awaited deployment, and not for free, either.

If mishandled, they could lead to scenarios where mere maces or hammers would be insufficient for damage control.

‘Too distracted? Better sharpen the mind.’

Although officially operating as the president of ‘Medoff Pharmaceuticals,’ this role also exposed his location. Thus, he had critical tasks ahead, starting with acquiring capable hands ready for tough management.

Fortunately, he already had one promising candidate in mind.