The Male Leads Are Trapped in My House

Knox’s words felt a bit strange, so I narrowed my eyes.

‘Is this guy a pervert or something?’

I quickly distanced myself from him by a couple of steps. Then Knox burst into laughter.

“It was a joke. Just a joke.”

“What? Are you really kidding? You’re so strange.”

I kept my guard up against Knox as I moved a little further away from him. It wasn’t because of his joke from earlier, but because Knox exuded a truly dangerous aura.

“So, what’s the reason? Please answer me.”

He persistently asked me.

“It’s a hobby.”

“What?”

“I have a life where all I have is money, so I want to find some unique entertainment.”

Oh. It was something I said, but it was perfect. Anyone would be able to understand that explanation, right?

Knox opened his eyes wide and looked at me. After blinking blankly for a moment, he suddenly applauded.

“That was quite impressive.”

“Nobles usually don’t like showing off their wealth.”

“I’m different. I prefer characteristics more than culture. I can’t stand anything dull.”

“Ah, I see.”

“…”

“…”

“…Is that all?”

At that moment, Eden walked out from the corridor on the left.

“What are you guys talking about?”

It seemed like he took advantage of the moment when I was talking to Knox to look around.

“I was introducing the mansion. Shall we go over there?”

Anyway, I seated Knox and Eden at the reception table. Then I served them tea, and they seemed fascinated even by the fact that I personally brewed the tea.

Ignoring their curious gazes, I asked Knox.

“So, what did you want to talk to me about?”

“I’d like to talk to you alone.”

Eden gave Knox an intimidating look and glared at him.

“What? Secretive one-on-one talk? Are you close to Miss Cherry? You’re not even close, so why do you want to be alone with her? It’s strange.”

This time, I countered Eden’s statement.

“I’m not close to Eden either. If you think about it, it’s even stranger for me to invite a man I’m not close to or even acquainted with to my house.”

“I’m a police officer.”

Eden replied like that, and he seemed to realize that it was a forced response, as he awkwardly ruffled his hair with an embarrassed face.

Knox, who was sitting leisurely with his legs crossed, spoke.

“I personally dislike Lancaster. So, I hope this guy leaves.”

“I dislike you too, you bastard. That’s why I can’t leave.”

Knox and Eden growled at each other, looking at each other.

I regret bringing these two together. In the original work, Eden and Knox didn’t get along.

Their relationship started deteriorating significantly during their time at the Royal School, Lubridge Benton College.

Unexpectedly, it was Knox who constantly picked fights with Eden, claiming that he didn’t like him. And despite appearances, Eden was kind-hearted.

Unlike Knox, who was the youngest of the Ludpershire Marquess family, Eden was the sole heir to the Duke of Lancaster. He grew up amidst the attention of society, a noble among nobles.

However, he had no interest in his position as the Lancaster heir, and his personality was even less noble, more rough.

That became more than enough to be a source of conflict for Knox, who valued elegance and grace.

Lost in my thoughts, their fights continued. Eventually, I felt the need to mediate and decisively told Eden.

“It seems endless. For now, I’ll talk to Mr. Ludpershire alone. See you tomorrow, Sir Eden.”

“Miss Cherry.”

“I apologize for sending you away like this, worker. Thank you for coming. Goodbye.”

Eden made a disapproving face. He narrowed his eyes and glanced back and forth between me and Knox.

But he no longer had any grounds to convince me. In the end, Eden stood up from his seat, wearing the firmly held police hat.

Knox waved and smiled at Eden.

“Goodbye.”

“See you tomorrow, Miss Cherry. Please take care.”

Eden ignored Knox’s words and greeted me. He made it clear that he didn’t want to leave.

Anyway, Eden left the banquet hall, confirming his exit through the garden and the front gate, and then I turned to Knox and asked:

“Alright, is it over now?”

“Thank you for your consideration, Lady.”

Knox answered with a sweet smile. I sighed and leaned back against the backrest of the chair. Today has been an incredibly long day.

The sun had already set, and it was dark outside. In the end, I stood up from my seat and lit the lights in the banquet hall.

Closing the lid of the oil lighter, I returned to my place and looked at Knox’s face across from me.

Knox, who had been silently watching me, finally opened his mouth.

“How much do you know about Elpinus Herb?”

“What?”

It was a very unexpected question.

But it wasn’t such a strange question either. After all, the reason we met today was because of the Elpinus Herb.

However, I still couldn’t discern Knox’s intentions. Could it be that he knows something about the Elpinus Herb’s potential as a vaccine?

“…Honestly, I don’t know much. I found it on the street.”

Since I didn’t understand his intentions, my response wasn’t particularly confident. Knox rested his chin on the back of his gloved hand and looked at me intently.

From him, a somewhat drowsy yet fierce atmosphere emanated, as if he was looking at a mouse trapped in poison. But when our gazes met, he smiled like a puppy, as if to say, ‘When did that ever happen?’

An uncomfortable silence filled the banquet hall.

‘Did I send Eden out for nothing?’

I suddenly regretted it. It was because Eden doubted me and was wary of me.

Still, I’m stronger than Knox, so I’ll blow it with my fist if I have to.

‘It would be difficult to hit Eden because he is a cop, but wouldn’t it be Knox?’

I was thinking about that.

“There’s no need to be so tense. While Lancaster may be hostile towards you, I am very friendly towards you.”

“That’s strange. Why would you be friendly towards me? There’s no reason for it.”

“I want to help. Even if I don’t know what you want to do. I find it interesting to watch.”

Knox’s words seemed sincere. But I firmly replied.

“I don’t need any help.”

“But you probably need it, right? You’re thinking of cultivating Elpinus Herb here.”

I nodded hesitantly.

“…Yes.”

“Cultivating Elpinus Herb is difficult. It’s a rare herb, so it’s challenging to gather information about it.”

Why was such a rare herb like Elpinus Herb found at 61st Notium Street? It still seemed strange to me when I thought about it again.

“Hmm… Just wait a moment.”

After a brief moment of hesitation, I decided to agree with Knox’s suggestion. I needed help.

So, I left Knox in the banquet hall and went to my room to retrieve the box of Elpinus Herb.

And I showed it to Knox. I absolutely had to cultivate this herb.

If there was a natural habitat, I wouldn’t hesitate to go there and dig it up myself.

“I plan to cultivate this herb in the garden.”

“Where is the garden?”

I pointed to the garden beyond the banquet hall window, even though it was too dark to see anything.

“I pulled weeds today. Tomorrow, I plan to plow the field and spread compost. I plan to plant the crops in two weeks, so can I plant Elpinus at the same time?”

“Miss Cherry, this is not a crop.”

“Not a medicinal crop?”

“Don’t think of Elpinus Herb as a regular plant. Its cultivation method is a bit unique.”

“How is it unique…?”

“It feeds on insects.”

“…What?”

Feeding on insects is something I’ve never heard of before. There was no mention of cultivating Elpinus Herb in the original work either.

I looked at Knox with a slightly bewildered expression. Did that mean it looks like insects? More importantly, if I wanted to gain immunity, would I have to eat them too? It suddenly made me feel uncomfortable.

“What kind of insects? No, how does the herb consume insects?”

“The roots absorb nutrients from the insects. And it seems to eat various types of insects. It seems to favor things like centipedes and spiders.”

Damn it. They’re creatures with too many legs that I hate. The herb consumes those insects, and then I consume the herb…

“Ah! I can imagine it!”

I grabbed my hair and writhed in agony. In response, Knox looked at me with a smile, finding my expression amusing. The notion of him being a gentleman was canceled.

‘Why is that human so carefree? Damn it.’

Anyway, summarizing Knox’s words, I didn’t need things like fertilizer.

You just plant the seeds in well-chosen soil along with freshly dead insects, water it, and periodically bury dead insects. According to him, it grows well like that.

‘It’s truly an unusual cultivation method.’

Regardless, if Knox’s words were true, I couldn’t plant Elpinus Herb now because there were no insects.

‘I guess I’ll be hunting for insects tomorrow.’

I looked at Knox while gritting my teeth. I had a good idea.

“You said you would help with cultivating Elpinus Herb. You seem to know a lot about it.”

“If Lady Cherry wishes, I will assist with the cultivation. I know a lot about Elpinus Herb. Not all doctors handle herbs, but my skills are exceptional.”

Knox smiled with a face that showed he would wholeheartedly help.

“That would be splendid.”

I didn’t need to know about anything else. I just needed someone who could handle Elpinus Herb.

“Great, Mr. Ludpershire. Please help me cultivate the herb. I will trust only you.”

The truth was, I didn’t want to catch the insects myself, so I requested his assistance. But it was also true that Knox seemed knowledgeable about Elpinus Herb.

“It will be interesting.”

With my added remark, Knox’s eyes widened as if he had heard an unexpected response.

He then burst into laughter, a resounding laughter that echoed throughout the banquet hall.