Episode 20
Adrian looked deeply moved.
Wait, that wasnāt my intention at all?
“I feel like Iāve just been struck on the back of the head. Ah, how should I put itāitās like youāve touched on a very high-level issue.”
What the heck did I do to bring up a āhigh-level issueā?
“Itās what philosophers always talk about, isnāt it? That humans should value inner qualities over external ones. But itās easy to sayāno one ever really tries to live by that.”
Philosophers now?
Sensing this conversation could go on forever, I waved my hands frantically to cut Adrian off.
“No, I didnāt do it on purposeā”
“But you showed up at the most talked-about event in society wearing a colorless dress that even a cat wouldnāt sit on.”
“A c-cat cushion?”
Adrian then looked at me with a serious expression.
“Youāre a warrior, Libe.”
“ā¦”
“A bold and passionate woman.”
Me?
No way. Iām someone who just wants to live a normal life.
Not on the gallowsāI just want a quiet, long life.
More than anything, Iām a modern person whoād rather return to reality.
Iāve hated taking the lead or standing out since forever.
“A woman so free from othersā opinionsāamazing.”
No, Iām someone who wants attention and hates it at the same time.
“Libe, youāve truly moved me. I thought you were just a mischievous girl when you were young. But look at how mature youāve become.”
“A-ah, no. Youāve misunderstood something very bigā¦”
I stood there dumbfounded, unable to find the right words, when Oliver, whoād gone to the study, returned holding a thick book.
“What are you two talking about so seriously?”
“Oliver, Libe is an incredible woman.”
If I stayed any longer, I was seriously going to lose my mind, so I quickly interrupted Adrian.
“I saw you at the ball!”
“Really?”
“Yes, you were with a friend.”
I hadnāt meant to bring it up, but with the conversation going off-track, I had no choice but to mention Leoni.
“A friend? Hmm, I wonder who that was. I met so many people at the ball.”
“Oh, maybe I just mistook someone else for you.”
Thankfully, Adrian didnāt press further.
With the subject changed and the conversation winding down, it was time for a graceful exit.
“Well then, Iāll be off now. My friendās feeling unwell, so I was going to get her some medicine.”
“Going to the apothecary?”
“Yes, and Iām also picking up her favorite dessert on the way.”
“Then Iāll come with you. I only came here to pick up a book anyway.”
Adrian smiled, lightly shaking the book he held.
“Itās okay, really. I can justā”
“I have someone I want to give a dessert to as a gift. I think itād be nice if you picked it out for me.”
“A gift?”
“Itās kind of awkward for a guy to go buy desserts alone. Could you help me?”
When I hesitated, Adrian lowered his perfectly shaped eyebrows and asked again.
“Please help me. Iāve only just arrived in MĆ¼tten, and the only people I know are Oliver and you.”
At that, Oliver grimaced.
“Just so you know, Iām out.”
He shook his head and stepped back, giving Adrian the chance to turn back to me.
“Please, Libe.”
ā ā ā
Inside the carriage on the way to the apothecary, Adrian was pleasantly cheerful and quite the gentleman.
He made small talkājust enough to avoid awkward silences, and very naturally.
“Wow, really?”
“Yeah, in Ostring, thatās how kids play.”
“Just hearing about it sounds fun.”
Only now did I notice his voice was quite nice too.
To be honest, when we first met, heād been teasing and talked about things I didnāt remember, so Iād only found him irritating.
āWell, since heās close with my family, I guess itās better to get along than to be uncomfortable. Plus, heās close with my brother.ā
Once weād reached a decent level of familiarity, the carriage stopped in front of the apothecary on Jenniton Street.
As we stepped inside, the faint, mist-like scent of dried herbs filled the air.
“Welcome.”
The apothecary, who had been cutting herbs with a slicing tool in the corner, greeted us gruffly.
“What do you need?”
He stood up, brushing off his hands, and asked me.
His curt and brusque tone left me momentarily speechless.
Uh, what did Leoni say was wrong again?
Come to think of it, she hadnāt said anything specific.
Just that she felt unwell and lacked energy.
While I hesitated, Adrian looked at me.
“Libe, what medicine are we here for?”
“Uh, wellā¦ sheās not exactly sick, but she said she wasnāt feeling well.”
“Then what kind of medicine are you asking for?”
The apothecary asked again, more irritably this time. Adrian stepped in.
“Something that helps with cold extremities and fatigue, please. Oh, and something calming and soothing too.”
“Understood.”
As the apothecary turned around to gather herbs, I whispered to Adrian.
“Thanks.”
“No problem.”
Honestly, if Iād come alone, I probably wouldāve blurted out nonsense and ended up with weird herbs.
Good thing he came with me.
The apothecary opened and closed wooden drawers, pulling out dried herbs and placing them on white paper.
“Boil them together as separated here.”
“Yes, thank you.”
As I nodded and reached for my moneyā
“Wait a moment.”
Adrian leaned down, spread out the herbs with his fingers, and frowned.
“Isnāt this Moiny grass?”
“Excuse me?”
“Itās an herb that prevents infection and rot. Are you saying she should drink this?”
The apothecary looked flustered.
Wait, is that not safe to drink?
“Oh dear, we have so many herbs in stockā¦ ha ha! Just a moment, please, Iāll prepare another batch.”
He began rummaging around again and brought out different herbs.
But Adrian still didnāt look satisfied.
“Pabel mushrooms are for reducing fever, arenāt they? Did I ask for a fever reducer?”
“S-sorry. Iāll try again.”
“Just bring me dried Azeldino and Polleo flowers.”
“Y-yes, right away.”
The apothecary, now sweating heavily, hurried to comply with Adrianās instructions.
“H-here you are.”
He respectfully offered the herbs.
Adrian examined them with a sharp eye. As he did, the apothecary stood nervously, hands clasped, watching him.
“You should change your drying method. The roots arenāt properly dried.”
“A-ah, yes, I apologize.”
“No need to apologize to meāyou should be apologizing to your customers.”
“ā¦”
“Donāt just sort things carelessly out of laziness. Categorize them properly based on their effects. Understood?”
“Yes, I understand.”
When we finally left the apothecary, I gave Adrian a slow nod and a thumbs-up.
“How do you know more about herbs than the apothecary? That was incredible. Thanks to you, I got the right medicine.”
“Iāve just had a lot of interest in it. Iām glad you appreciate it.”
“But why didnāt he give the proper herbs in the first place?”
“At first, I thought he was just being lazy. But by the end, I realized he didnāt even know what he was doing.”
Adrianās expression turned serious.
“I canāt just leave it alone. I wonder how heās even been selling medicine until now.”
I nodded in agreement without saying a word.
“I should inform His Grace the Grand Duke and recommend that the apothecaryās license in Jenniton Street be revoked.”
Iād been nodding along endlessly, but at the mention of the Grand Duke, I stiffened slightly and clenched my fist.
“Youāre right. Itās terrifying to think someone who doesnāt know what theyāre doing has been selling medicine.”
We almost ended up drinking something meant for external wounds!
As I spoke with an indignant face, Adrian glanced at me and chuckled behind his hand.
“Do you know whatās good to do when youāre angry like this?”
“What?”
He smiled, showing his neat teeth.
And thenā
“Eat something sweet.”
