Chapter 28
How to Use the Lycoris
The sudden visit from Cardinal Reblant was certainly a surprise, but in the end, we handed him one of the charms as “research material” and sent him on his way.
No matter how much he studies it, the charm isn’t a curse—so it can’t be used as proof of witchcraft.
Curses supposedly carry a sinister kind of magic, but the Holy Sword itself was made by Hephaestus, the god of blacksmiths—so in a way, it’s one of His divine creations.
The needle I used to embroider the charm carried a fragment of that sword’s power, so the charm contains blessing, not malice.
If anything, there’s a chance that Moko might get mistaken for some sort of divine messenger and end up being worshipped—but that’s not something I can really control.
Besides, even if someone tried to kidnap him, this mansion is protected by the charms’ power—no enemies can enter.
So as long as Moko doesn’t leave the estate, he’s perfectly safe.
“But… I still want to visit Miranda’s hometown.”
My personal physician, Dr. Robert, is researching whether we can make a medicine using the white lycoris that the crown prince brought.
So far, though, he hasn’t had much success.
We’ve learned that boiling the lycoris petals and drinking the tea gives some effect, but it’s not practical to prepare on the spot when a seizure occurs.
Worse, the lycoris becomes toxic once dried—so we can’t store it like normal tea leaves. That makes things rather inconvenient.
Always needing freshly picked flowers makes the barrier for use quite high.
If only we could get our hands on the golden lycoris, we might be able to create a true cure—but since Miranda’s homeland is blocked by the “Enemies Stay Out” charm, I can’t exactly travel there.
“Maybe if I boil the flowers in hot water and bottle the leftover liquid…”
But then again, bottled liquid would spoil quickly.
To prevent that, I’d need preservatives—but nothing like that exists here.
Hmm… maybe I could add something with natural antibacterial properties.
Let’s see, what would be available in this world?
Honey, perhaps?
If I added honey, it’d thicken and… wait.
Wouldn’t that turn into something like candy?
I once got into making homemade herbal candies in my past life.
All I did was brew strong herbal tea, add sugar and honey, boil it, then mix in lemon juice and let it cool—it hardened beautifully.
So using that same method… could I make lycoris candy?
“That’s it! Thinking of it as medicine makes it complicated—but if it’s just a sweet, it’s easy!”
Excited by the idea, I immediately took my maid Dorothy with me to the greenhouse where Dr. Robert worked.
“Moko, come here!”
At my call, the fluffy little creature who’d been bouncing around the room hopped right into my arms.
I hugged the soft, cloud-like Moko tightly, then took Dorothy’s hand.
“Let’s go to the greenhouse, Moko.”
After Father received the white lycoris from the crown prince, he immediately had a greenhouse built for cultivation.
Next to it, he also built a small residence for Dr. Robert—a combined laboratory and living space.
Dr. Robert had lost his daughter to magic overload, and his wife had already passed away, leaving him alone.
Researchers who live alone tend to neglect their own well-being, losing themselves in study day after day.
Dr. Robert was one such man.
And after learning there might be a way to cure magic overload, he’d overworked himself until he collapsed.
Upon hearing that, my brother arranged for him to live here—providing food, shelter, and a proper lab—so he could devote himself to his research without worry.
As expected of my brother.
He doesn’t just think about research—he thinks about the person too. How wonderful!
Dr. Robert can join the servants for meals, but he often loses track of time, so Dorothy brings him food instead.
He was apparently overwhelmed by such hospitality at first, but when my brother told him, “If you wish to repay us, then create a cure for Leticia’s condition,” he decided to stay.
Ahhhh…
My brother, I love you so much! 💖
Thank you for everything you do for me!
It feels strange—like I want to support my favorite person, but instead he’s the one supporting me—but honestly, I’m just happy, so it’s fine!
Anyway, that’s how I knew I’d find Dr. Robert in the greenhouse.
“Dr. Robert, are you here?”
As I entered the warm, fragrant greenhouse with Moko—who’d grown to about the size of a small dog—I was greeted by the heady scent of flowers.
I don’t know what lycoris smells like in my previous world, but here, it’s a bit like a softer version of lilies.
So Dr. Robert, who spends all his time working among them, always carries the faint scent of lilies.
“Lady Leticia, over here,” came his voice.
A door connected the greenhouse to his laboratory, and near it, the doctor was holding a flask, looking up as he spoke.
With his soft brown hair and eyes, and his glasses, he looked just like the gentle school infirmary doctor from the illustrations in Grand Avert, my favorite novel.
Then Dr. Robert noticed Dorothy standing behind me—and his eyes softened slightly.
Oh?
Oh ho?
I turned to look at Dorothy, and… were her ears just a little red?
Could it be…?
