A cold smile crossed Earl Ster's stern face. "All I need to know is how the blood tastes different, don't I?
"Isn't the rest your job?"
Finch laughed in surprise. "Huh... that's a strange thing to hear from a man who's worked so hard to raise his children as mages!"
Earl Ster gave him a disdainful look. "When you can't take what you want from an opponent but still need it, joining them is the sensible choice.
"What does liking it have to do with anything?"
"Ah, nobles. Always thinking about preserving their legacy for generations," Finch sighed.
Earl Ster burst out laughing. "That's particularly funny coming from someone in the Finch Family."
Countess Ster hurried over after the butler informed her. "So what's wrong with this orchid, Mr. Finch?"
Finch answered at his leisure. "Its scent has changed. The old one refreshed the mind. This one leaves people dazed.
"Anyone who breathes in too much might feel as though they've just gotten drunk.
"That's the biggest sign something is wrong.
"The shape of the flower has changed slightly, too. The previous appraiser was meticulous enough to describe even its stamens as a cluster of thin, straight filaments.
"But as you can see, those stamens have become petal-like tongues that curl outward.
"I don't know what made these flowers suddenly mutate like this. Earl Ster, may I dig up the soil?"
"Wait." Countess Ster frowned, her expression grave. "What does the Golden Cloud Orchid's mutation have to do with silk?"
"Crystal Fruit is the finest ingredient for brewing wine." Finch raised an eyebrow. "But while it's still on the branch, it can serve as the main component of an Emotion Array. You already knew that, didn't you?"
Earl Ster regarded him coldly. "You're proud of eavesdropping?"
"Well... Lady Ellie was