IATVWAMOLS 71

71. Love Beyond Gender

A love potion.

It was rumored to be a miraculous elixir that would make anyone fall deeply in love upon drinking it.

It sounded almost absurdly romantic, but astonishingly, this potion really existed.

Of course, it wasn’t something available through normal channels.

However, on the black market, there were potions with effects similar to a love potion.

In the original story, the commotion all began because of this potion.

The incident started when Count Vermond invited Seraphine to dine with him.

“Just like today.”

In the original, he summoned her under the pretext of only asking her to have one meal with him—promising no further courtship—but even then, he persistently offered her wine, just like now.

“My bad feeling is never wrong.”

I opened the item menu.

[Invincible Shield, Male Lead’s Guard (One-Time Use)]
[Upon use, you receive the male lead’s absolute protection. High chance of triggering a romance event.
※ Can be used when facing the male lead.]

[☞ Use Item ☜]

Glancing at the seat beside me, I saw Icart still sitting there with a displeased expression.

He noticed my gaze and tilted his head.

“Why?”

“Nothing, just….”

In the original, the male leads realized Count Vermond’s devious intentions and saved Seraphine.

For now, though, protecting Seraphine was my only option.

“Icart will participate as well.”

Of course, I didn’t ask for his consent, but at least for risk distribution…

[Use Item]

A brilliant light spread, scattering the item menu into the air.

At that moment, Count Vermond returned to the dining table.

“I’ve ordered the chef to replace it with a non-alcoholic drink; it will be here shortly.”

“Thank you.”

“No thanks needed; it’s only natural for a beautiful lady.”

“Haha…”

Seraphine smiled awkwardly.

Soon, the household staff began carrying drinks and appetizers.

Among the passing staff, one person stood out distinctly.

“Cayenne?”

Cayenne was among the serving staff.

Wearing the perfectly fitted servant uniform of the duke’s household, he approached the formal dining table with precise, careful steps.

The magical stone embedded in his choker caught the light and sparkled.

“Why is he here?”

Unlike my panic, Cayenne remained composed.

With an unreadable expression, he quietly filled my empty glass.

When our eyes met, I felt a shiver.

Perhaps it was his night persona, but Cayenne was like a live grenade with its safety off. Yet today, his crimson eyes were calm, like a windless lake.

His task seemed merely to serve his master; having done so, he quietly stepped back.

“?”

Surprisingly restrained. I eased my suspicious gaze.

Once the staff had delivered all the dishes, Count Vermond rubbed his palms together.

“Miss Seraphine, have you considered my proposal? Your presence here surely indicates a positive response, doesn’t it?”

“Ah, well…”

Seraphine’s face was etched with embarrassment.

“No matter how divine your beauty, there is no man who would take on your immense debts. The only person who can instantly resolve your difficulties is me.”

Count Vermond continued his relentless gaslighting.

“He’s really trying hard, isn’t he?”

It made my earlier warning to Seraphine about not drinking seem almost pointless.

He pressed her continuously, not even allowing her to touch her meal.

Unable to stand it, I intervened.

“Count Vermond, you haven’t forgotten the promise you made in exchange for our attendance at this meal, have you?”

“Oh.”

Immediately, the smile vanished from Count Vermond’s face, which had been beaming moments before.

He had promised to forgive her interest if she accepted the dining invitation.

But I suggested we wager something else instead of the interest.

“I believe the terms of last year’s arms trade with the Duke’s house were to be maintained, weren’t they?”

The idea was to let the duke’s house cover the urgent interest, but in exchange, I would arrange a meeting between Icart and Count Vermond, changing the terms of the deal.

“With Icart watching closely, Count Vermond won’t dare misbehave.”

By planting Icart as a watchdog, I also subtly ensured he would give us the upper hand.

Surprisingly, Count Vermond agreed to the new arrangement without protest.

However…

“Well, I did mention it, but I’m not sure how it will turn out.”

“Excuse me?”

Count Vermond leaned back cautiously.

“I only said I would consider it positively, not that I would sign immediately. As I mentioned, the raw material supply isn’t favorable at the moment.”

Icart let out a soft laugh of exasperation.

“This despicable man… does he think I came here to hear his wordplay?”

His Arctic-cold gaze swept over Count Vermond.

The count flinched as if ready for the table to be overturned, then quickly feigned indifference.

“What can one do when circumstances are unfavorable? Once things improve, we can arrange another meeting—”

“No. From my investigation, your situation is very different from what you said.”

At Icart’s signal, Philip handed over a thick stack of documents.

“Last year, some regions had reduced raw material supply, true. But your guild diversified sources, so the actual damage was minimal. Is that correct?”

“H-But those regions were key suppliers…!”

“Can you take responsibility for your claim? If it’s false, not only will the contract be voided, but you’ll also pay a penalty.”

“L-Let’s discuss that later; I feel faint already.”

Count Vermond slid the documents aside, his smile turning cowardly.

He quickly tried to divert the conversation.

“Anyway, Miss Seraphine, when shall we meet next? Perhaps we should set a date today—”

“Stop wasting time. Let’s continue discussing the trade.”

As the count attempted to flirt, Icart coldly cut him off.

“Viscount, it’s not something that can be decided immediately. Let’s arrange a proper meeting later—”

“Do it now.”

“Ahem. With ladies present, perhaps later—”

“Now.”

“….”

Each time Count Vermond tried to dodge, Icart interrupted sharply.

“Yes, the male lead’s shield effect works perfectly.”

Icart was generally composed, but once he clamped down, he never let go.

Speechless, Count Vermond pounded his chest and drank wine repeatedly.

The pale golden wine slid down his throat with a glug-glug.

“Drink in moderation. What are you planning to do drunk?”

“Ugh! Please stop that—”

In a fit of rage, Count Vermond abruptly stood.

[SYSTEM: ‘Invincible Shield, Male Lead’s Guard’ item effect activated!]

“Please—”

He gaped at Icart, his words stretching out like a broken record.

Clang.

He even dropped the wine glass he was holding.

Count Vermond’s face flushed with fury, his eyes glowing blindly like a zealot in a cult.

“Please, my angel…”

He fell to one knee desperately before Icart.

Meanwhile, Perwin was idly passing the afternoon at the Crown Prince’s palace.

All official documents had been cleared from his desk.

The only items left were the towering piles of letters exchanged with Seraphine in recent days.

Now, they were nothing more than worthless scraps. Perwin irritably scattered them across the floor.

His mind was as chaotic as the papers strewn about.

“Seriously, to be manipulated by one foolish woman…”

[Only formal replies have come today; I haven’t received any handwritten letters from the princess.]

[The princess finds it difficult to go out for personal reasons… Is she perhaps unwell?]

[Finally, a reply from the princess! She said to meet soon, so I’ll go to the duke’s house tomorrow.]

Perhaps influenced by Seraphine’s fantasies about Roselia’s disappearance, he hurried to the duke’s house upon hearing of the reply.

Yet seeing her perfectly healthy, his irritation grew.

“Make it disappear out of sight. Burn it if you must.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

He gestured to his attendant and then looked out the window.

The palace garden’s lake shimmered silver in the sunlight.

On it, the emperor’s mistress Shailo and her maids enjoyed a boat ride.

Their shrill laughter made him frown.

“The imperial court is in chaos. How long will you let that woman run amok?”

Perwin clicked his tongue, and the courtiers watched nervously.

Nothing pleased him.

Recently, Shailo had been staying at the Crystal House near the Crown Prince’s palace due to the empress’s extension project.

The audacious woman had intruded into his territory, inflaming his displeasure.

Moreover, with her newly assigned maids, there had been a lot of noise—Evelyn at the center of it all.