With his mind crowded by unanswered questions, Seo-jun didn't even have time to think about what excuse he would give his father when he brought Sora into the Sebastian Hanwick estate.
As soon as their carriage arrived in the courtyard, Margaret Hanwick—who had been waiting since morning for her beloved son's return—hurried forward to greet him. But her steps came to an abrupt halt the moment she saw a strange woman stepping down alongside Adrian.
"My child…" she said softly, then fixed Sora with a wary gaze.
"Your habit of bringing unfamiliar women into the house… hasn't disappeared after all."
She pulled Seo-jun a few steps away from Sora.
"Ah, it's not what Mother thinks," Seo-jun explained quickly.
"She's my business partner. Someone who'll be working with me to develop the family enterprise."
Margaret narrowed her eyes, studying her son for a long moment.
"Are you certain?"
Her voice was gentle—but heavy with pressure.
"I am, Mother. Absolutely."
That answer—along with the affectionate form of address she rarely heard—made Margaret blush slightly. She let out a small sigh and pulled Seo-jun into a tight embrace.
Not long after, Seo-jun headed to his father's study.
As expected, Edmund Hanwick immediately questioned him about the woman's presence. His tone was firm, his gaze sharp and probing. Seo-jun gave the same explanation he had given his mother, though it was clear Edmund wasn't fully convinced.
"You know the rules," Edmund said at last.
"Until you prove yourself worthy as my heir, you are not permitted to form any attachments. Not even with a princess of the royal family."
"Yes, Father. I understand."
From that day on, Sora began to prove her worth.
She was personally acknowledged by Edmund Hanwick and granted living quarters not far from Adrian's private villa—a location deliberately chosen so she could concoct various herbal mixtures without interference. On top of that, the Sebastian Hanwick family's private forest provided an abundant supply of medicinal plants.
Production of the herbal soap began before the rubber tire project. Difficulties in sourcing raw materials forced that innovation to be postponed. Thanks to Sora's expertise, the cost of producing the soap was remarkably low—far below initial estimates.
But the calm did not last.
On the day the herbal soap shop officially opened, several emissaries from the monastery arrived at the Hanwick estate—escorted by Holy Knights.
Edmund received them with a cold demeanor.
"What business brings you here?" he asked flatly.
"Has my family committed some offense?"
One of the emissaries looked visibly uneasy. His eyes darted back and forth, clearly searching for someone.
He then began speaking of a "revelation" received by the Archbishop.
"A woman bearing a plague has appeared," he declared.
"For the safety of the faithful, she must be sacrificed. Only then can we avert a great calamity."
Seo-jun—who had just entered the sitting room—sat down and cut in.
"A sacrifice?"
His voice was icy.
"Why not take preventive measures instead? Why must there always be a victim?"
The emissary answered without hesitation.
"Cursed souls spread destruction faster than the plague itself."
Seo-jun rubbed his temple lightly.
"Impressive," he muttered.
"It seems there's someone even more unhinged than Alaric. Fanaticism truly is a contagious disease."
Edmund stood.
"That's enough," he said firmly.
"The woman is under the protection of the Sebastian Hanwick family. The ransom for her release has been paid, and the monastery has already accepted it."
The emissary grew even more agitated, yet he persisted.
"We request that the woman present herself before His Eminence Archbishop Matthias Corwin."
"No," Edmund cut him off.
"And this matter will not be discussed again."
The emissary rose to his feet, his face flushed red.
"You have defied God's will!" he shouted.
"This family will be struck by a great calamity. May you repent before it is too late!"
He stormed out with the two Holy Knights, without a single backward glance.
Edmund and Seo-jun merely stared at the closed door—
their eyes cold, sharp, and full of disdain.
Seo-jun sank back into the sofa and let out a long breath.
"Father," he said quietly,
"why are people from the monastery always so quick to blame someone whenever a disaster looms?"
Edmund calmly sipped his warm tea. After setting the cup down, he leaned back with ease.
"Because it's the easiest solution," he replied.
"If calamity doesn't subside, they simply find a new scapegoat. In the end, disasters pass on their own—and they claim it was God's will all along."
"Isn't that… narrow-minded?" Seo-jun asked.
Edmund burst into laughter, his eyes watering slightly.
"Narrow-minded?"
He shook his head, smiling.
"That's been human nature for as long as history remembers."
Then his expression turned more serious.
"But since when have you cared about things like this?"
He studied Seo-jun closely.
"You've truly changed, my son. So—how is that rubber tire project of yours coming along?"
Seo-jun straightened his posture and crossed his legs calmly.
"It will begin soon, Father," he answered with confidence.
"We're just waiting for Rowan to return."
"Rowan?"
Edmund looked genuinely surprised.
"Your youngest brother? You've been in contact with him?"
Seo-jun nodded.
"We've exchanged letters. He's already reached the tropical regions—where the raw materials we need are available."
At that, Edmund's expression dimmed.
"That boy…"
His voice lowered.
"He hasn't replied to a single letter I've sent him."
Without waiting for a response, Edmund stood and left the room.
Seo-jun remained seated.
Comforting others had never been his strength—not even himself. His life had long revolved around business and strategy, not emotions.
Feeling his thoughts grow heavy, Seo-jun decided to head to the stables. Aside from getting some fresh air, he also intended to check on Sora, who was likely busy producing herbal soap with the workers—people from her own village.
Just as he reached the front gate, hurried footsteps called out to him.
"Brother Adrian!"
Seo-jun turned. Lucien came running toward him, breathing hard—an unusual sight.
"What is it?" Seo-jun asked flatly.
Lucien gestured for him to dismount first. Once Seo-jun complied, Lucien spoke immediately.
"I want to come with you. I want to see Sora too."
Seo-jun frowned.
An unexpected request.
"…Fine," he said at last.
"You must be bored staying in the house all the time."
Lucien's face lit up instantly.
"But only to the soap factory," Seo-jun added sharply.
"Not gambling."
Seo-jun snorted softly.
"I've reformed."
Suddenly, Lucien climbed onto the same horse.
"Hey—get down," Seo-jun protested.
"Ride your own horse."
"I—I can't," Lucien replied nervously.
"I'm scared."
Seo-jun let out an annoyed sigh but didn't force him off.
Their journey was filled with Lucien's nonstop chatter—marveling at the forest surrounding the soap factory, the clear lake, the dense trees, the fresh air.
"It's beautiful…"
Lucien looked genuinely enchanted.
"I should've brought my painting tools."
That peaceful mood shattered when Lucien accidentally disturbed a patch of bushes—and a mother bear emerged, roaring in fury after her cub was touched.
Seo-jun immediately drew his sword.
With shouts and threatening movements, he managed to drive the bear away. But their horse had already panicked and bolted.
In the end, they had no choice but to continue on foot.
Seo-jun deliberately walked faster, forcing Lucien to trail behind him—the most effective way to keep the boy from causing more trouble.
When they finally reached the herbal soap production site, Sora and the workers welcomed them at once.
Lucien ran straight to Sora, while Seo-jun inspected the remaining stock of materials.
He examined the various soap variants—lavender, forest herbs, natural oils—made from local plants and coconut oil obtained through foreign trade.
Low irritation. Effective. Affordable.
Seo-jun allowed himself a faint smile.
This was the foundation of their resistance.