Chapter 10
Sophie was happy.
She loved living as the owner of the apothecary.
She took great pride in her work, and each day brought her joy.
[Lady Sophie, the weather’s getting really cold. I think the herbs drying outside might freeze.]
“Then let’s bring them in quickly. I’ll go.”
[No! We’ll do it. We’re your precious friends, after all!]
The adorable spirits always helped Sophie. They were her loyal friends and family. Just like Sophie, they respected and loved all life—be it plant or animal.
They tended leaves with their tiny hands and even shared snacks with the occasional stray dog that wandered by.
[I’ll carry more!]
[No way! I can carry even more than you!]
As they moved herbs drying outside the greenhouse, the spirits got into a childish competition. To Sophie, it was nothing but adorable and amusing.
“Sophie, do you have anything fresh today?”
“Chégesol finally bloomed.”
“Really?”
And then, there were the villagers who needed her. They visited Sophie’s apothecary even for the mildest of colds.
Her medicine was just that effective. It was even rumored that drinking her free tea once would keep you healthy for a whole month.
The villagers loved Sophie. She was someone they couldn’t live without.
“You’re the first customer of the day, so I’ll give you a discount.”
Loved by both spirits and villagers, living quietly as the apothecary’s owner—this was Sophie’s ideal life.
She didn’t want conflict, only to be known as a diligent, kind person who quietly did her job.
Rather than riches, she chose peace and tranquility. That’s why she never went to the capital and settled in a small village.
Sophie wanted to live like a calm, deep lake.
But…
That peace was becoming harder to hold on to lately.
Each morning brought a new wave of anxiety.
“Sophie?”
One of her regulars called out.
“What’s wrong? Are you waiting for someone?”
Sophie had been anxiously staring out the window for a while, as if expecting an attack.
“No, I’m not really waiting for anyone…”
“You’re not?”
“There are just… people I hope won’t come.”
She rubbed her forehead. To be precise, she was referring to her patients.
“People? Are you talking about bandits or something?”
“No, not exactly… They’re patients who need my help.”
Very high-ranking patients. Too high, in fact.
“I heard some nobles came by recently. Is it them?”
“Yes… they’re noble patients.”
“They’re not being rude or aggressive, are they?”
“No, nothing like that.”
“Nobles? A baron, maybe? Don’t tell me a viscount?”
Even a baron was high-ranking by village standards.
Sophie didn’t have the heart to say that a prince and a duke had come.
“…Yes, something like that.”
“Well, as long as they’re not mistreating you, that’s good. Still, nobles are never easy to deal with.”
Sophie sighed heavily at the customer’s sympathetic words. It wasn’t that they were hard to handle.
She just couldn’t shake the feeling that something was going wrong. She was anxious.
They’re only visiting for treatment…
Just coming to have a cup of tea—surely no big incidents would occur.
But Sophie worried her peaceful life was on the verge of collapse. Drastically so.
“Hello, Sophie. How have you been?”
Arthur showed up not long after.
He seemed wary of Valentis, so now he came more often during the day.
“Yes, hello, Your Grace.”
“Then I’ll have a cup of tea today, as usual.”
He said it sweetly, then gave her a dazzling smile.
He’s so handsome…
Sophie blanked out for a moment, forgetting to answer.
Arthur and Valentis visiting the apothecary daily was exhausting. But Arthur always glossed it over with that beautiful smile.
By the time she came back to her senses, she was already brewing tea for him.
“Looks like I arrived first today, right?”
Even something as petty as arriving first to the apothecary gave these two a strange sense of victory. It was such a childish contest that Sophie could only scoff.
In the end, since they couldn’t take her to the capital, they had to settle for visiting every day.
Sophie chose to stay to protect her privacy—but somehow, the peace and quiet she had once cherished was beginning to slip away.
“…”
“Your Highness. You’re late,” Arthur said brightly to Valentis, who had just arrived and found him drinking Sophie’s tea.
“Hmph.”
The arrogant prince didn’t even glance at Arthur and sat far away.
“I’ll have some tea,” he said politely to Sophie.
Nodding, Sophie began preparing it.
The two men sat at opposite ends of the apothecary, clearly showing they didn’t get along.
What is even going on…
Both the prince and duke were dressed rather flamboyantly. Though they didn’t wear badges or anything, their noble aura stood out. To them, this was “plain clothing,” but to commoners, it looked extravagant.
“Lady Sophie.”
Robin, Valentis’s aide, entered as well. He treated Sophie with the utmost respect.
He was still looking for a chance to bring her to the palace.
“Lady Sophie, we’re here again.”
“Sir Paul says he’ll be coming next time.”
Even Arthur’s knight took a seat in the apothecary. Sophie couldn’t very well make the aides sit around without tea, even if only Arthur and Valentis were the patients.
So, naturally, she ended up serving them too. Even Robin had started developing a taste for her tea lately.
“I’d appreciate it if you could all keep it quiet. Guests will be arriving soon.”
“Of course, Sophie,” Arthur agreed.
“There may be patients who need your help, like me and His Highness. We’ll be respectful.”
“…I’ll trust you on that.”
As if on cue, a patient walked in. The apothecary usually got visitors either at dawn or around midday.
Dawn meant emergencies. Midday brought in patients with chronic conditions or physicians dropping by.
“Hey, Sophie!”
It was Mac, here to pick up his eczema medicine.
“Hi, Mac.”
“How’ve you been? I went on a trip recently, so I was hoping to get a bunch of—”
Mac trailed off as he stepped inside.
The place was full of people drinking tea—people dressed in glittering, noble-like fashion.
Seeing Mac’s awkward smile, Sophie pressed her forehead again.
Oh, for heaven’s sake…
The nobles said nothing, but all turned to stare curiously at the villagers.
Like a herd of meerkats.
“Just ignore them, Mac…”
“Sophie… are you okay?”
“I’m fine.”
“Do you need to report this? Want me to help?”
“…It’s not that serious.”
“If you ever need anything, just come to my house. Even if I’m not home.”
“…Thank you, Mac.”
Sophie was deeply moved by his sincere friendship. This was what true friendship looked like.
Other patients came in as well. Valentis, Arthur, and their aides didn’t stop staring. They didn’t speak, but their eyes said plenty.
Eventually, Sophie couldn’t take it anymore and made a new rule.
“When you come to the apothecary, sit in the corner. Don’t take up visible space.”
“Why can’t I look? I’m going to be emperor. Observing my people is a ruler’s duty.”
Valentis replied gruffly.
“I get that. But not in my apothecary. You’re making people uncomfortable.”
“…Sorry if I made anyone uncomfortable. It’s just, it’s been so long since I was out in public… I got excited.”
But that wasn’t the end of their mischief.
It all started when Ben gave Sophie a rare seed.
“This is Aslashif, isn’t it?”
“I was lucky to find one. I thought you’d take good care of it.”
Sophie was thrilled. And that was the problem.
Valentis, Arthur, and Robin began showering her with gifts to outdo each other.
Robin, in particular, brought expensive jewelry and dresses.
Arthur brought luxurious tea sets, and Valentis sent palace-grade furniture. A platinum table and a portrait by a famous artist—for an apothecary?
It wasn’t until Sophie yelled at them to stop that the gift war finally ended.
She couldn’t exactly kick them out, so she cautiously asked,
“You’re not telling anyone else about this place, right?”
It was already chaotic enough. If more people came, it would only get worse. So she made a pact with them.
“No one else. Only Paul knows, but he’s not here.”
“Then… that’s a relief.”
“There’s no need to bring anyone else. It might trouble Lady Sophie.”
Ah. So this is them trying to be considerate?
In any case, as long as no more people showed up, things might be manageable.
Sophie nodded, finally feeling a little reassured.
