MLWDP CH 05

Chapter 5

Meanwhile, after much hesitation, the maids finally decided to call an herbalist to treat Bibi.

The herbalist looked shocked when summoned to the Count’s estate, but since the patient was just a maid, he seemed to accept it with some relief.

Still, he never expected to actually step inside the Count’s mansion.

“C-Can I really go in?”

“Yes. I already told you—there’s someone who wants to see you.”

At first, he thought it was a joke.

Herbalists were treated worse than beggars.

The Temple branded them as “heretics,” claiming that only divine power could heal.

The persecution had gone on for generations, leaving only a few herbalists still practicing.

Nobody in their right mind wanted to live as a despised herbalist. Yet those who remained did so out of duty—because even if they couldn’t perform miracles like divine power, they could at least prevent needless deaths.

Their mission: We save lives.

“This way, please…”

Still, most herbalists worked out of desperation, with no other choice. That’s why being invited into a Count’s estate was unthinkable—practically a death sentence if things went wrong.

But the maids had begged desperately, insisting someone truly wanted to see him. Trusting only that, the herbalist followed.

His heart pounded. Could it be the Count himself?

Nervously stepping inside, he lifted his eyes and—

“…Huh?”

Instead of the Count, he saw a small girl in a frilly dress. The herbalist froze, blinking in confusion.

“The Lady of House Lushe is before you. Show proper respect!” the maids scolded.

The daughter of Count Rushe—he had heard of her. A frail child who rarely left her rooms due to poor health.

She looked tiny and pale, but her expression carried surprising maturity.

“P-Pleased to meet you. I’m Hadi, a herbalist.”

“Nice to meet you, Hadi,” Idette said warmly.

She wasn’t offended by his clumsy greeting at all. Despite her young age, she radiated composure.

Perhaps her constant illness had forced her to grow up quickly.

Hadi pressed his lips together nervously, waiting for her to speak. If this was about healing, then perhaps—this was his chance.

“I want you to treat Bibi.”

“…Bibi?”

“Yes. A maid here. She collapsed during work and hasn’t recovered for days. Please see what you can do.”

So it wasn’t for herself. Hadi had assumed the Count or Lady needed treatment, but instead it was for a maid.

If she were truly cherished, they would have summoned a priest from the Temple… Unless, of course, this was some sort of test.

Swallowing hard, Hadi turned toward the pale girl lying nearby—Bibi.

If he could save her…

“Alright,” he whispered, touching Bibi’s wrist to examine her.

***

“How long has she been sick?” he asked.

“About a week,” a maid answered.

“And the symptoms?”

“She vomits everything she eats, or has diarrhea. Her fever hasn’t gone down, and since yesterday she can’t even move. She keeps throwing up clear liquid…”

“She works in the kitchen, doesn’t she?”

Hadi asked after a few more questions.

“Yes.”

“What did she eat before she fell ill?”

The maid frowned. “We all eat the same food. If it was from that, we’d all be sick.”

“Still, tell me.”

“For breakfast—thin soup and bread. Lunch was stew with beans and vegetables. Dinner—well, the Count ordered seafood. We each got some clams.”

“Clams?”

Seafood was rare in the Empire, especially inland. Most nobles bought only small amounts, to avoid spoilage.

But Count Lushe adored seafood and bought as much as possible when he could. Since he was wealthy and generous, even the servants got to eat some.

“If the clams had spoiled, everyone would’ve been sick. Since it’s just her, it must’ve been diseased clams.”

Idette tilted her head. “Is there a treatment?”

“Yes. I can make a medicine. But…” Hadi hesitated.

“Her condition is very severe. She needs it immediately, and even then, I can’t guarantee survival.”

“That’s fine. Do what you can,” Idette ordered calmly.

“…Yes, my Lady.”

Hadi had many questions—why this noble girl was speaking to him so openly, why she believed in herbalists at all—but now was not the time.

He focused on preparing the remedy.

The herbs he needed were simple enough; he had plenty in his shop. This was a common sickness, though rare among nobles who ate seafood safely.

“Please wait. I’ll fetch the medicine.”

He hurried away and returned hours later with the prepared herbs. Idette had gone back to her chambers, leaving only two maids at Bibi’s side.

“So this will work?” one maid asked skeptically, eyeing the concoction.

“…Yes.”

“How do we give it?”

“Carefully, with a spoon. Don’t spill.”

The maids reluctantly followed his instructions, then watched anxiously.

Unlike divine power, which healed instantly, herbal remedies took time to work.

“There’s no change!” one maid snapped.

Her eyes burned with hostility, as if blaming him for everything.

“Please… wait,” Hadi said quietly.

An hour passed. Then two.

Slowly, Bibi’s breathing eased. Her fever lowered. The maids gasped in relief as her condition visibly improved.

“…It’s working,” Hadi whispered, finally able to breathe again.

One maid slipped out and returned shortly with Idette. The girl checked Bibi calmly, then turned her steady gaze on Hadi.

Hadi froze under her eyes, then dropped to his knees and bowed deeply.

“You two—leave us,” Idette told the maids.

“…What? But—”

“It’s fine. Go.”

The maids didn’t like it, but couldn’t oppose her. Reluctantly, they left the room.

Now alone with Idette, Hadi swallowed nervously.

“What is this maid’s illness called?”

Idette asked suddenly.

“…What?” Hadi’s eyes widened. He stared at her in shock. To ask about a “disease name”… that was exactly what the Temple condemned as heresy.

“…There isn’t really a name, my Lady. But the cause is clear—she ate diseased clams, which led to this sickness.”

“And the treatment?”

“If caught early, it’s simple. But since her case was severe, I used stronger herbs. Luckily, they weren’t rare.”

Idette’s eyes sharpened.

“Then… could you diagnose my illness too?”

“W-What?!”

This time, Hadi nearly screamed. He stared at Idette, half in disbelief, half in terror.