Chapter 11
Prince Valentis and Duke Arthur were among the young elites supporting the Empire.
Seeing the two of them looking healthier by the day should’ve been a good thing.
But whenever they met, they bickered almost immediately.
They were never particularly close, but it hadn’t been this bad before.
“I suppose I’ll arrive first today.”
The two men had taken to competing childishly over who would arrive at Sophie’s apothecary first.
“Your Highness, I assume you’re going after you finish your work?”
“I prefer to manage my duties with a more flexible approach.”
“I do hope you’ll fulfill those responsibilities before heading off to the apothecary.”
Arthur smiled sweetly as he threw out barbs without a second thought.
A far cry from his usual gentle demeanor with Sophie.
“I’d hate to hear rumors about Your Highness becoming lazy.”
Arthur simply didn’t like Valentis.
Sure, he could overlook how the prince stood by while Sophie was cursed by the monster. After all, Valentis also possessed the heart of a dragon, which meant he likely couldn’t use mana recklessly.
But what Arthur couldn’t stand—what truly irritated him—was the fact that Valentis was trying to get close to Sophie.
To Arthur, Sophie was someone precious—someone he wanted to protect.
“Duke, why can’t you go to the apothecary directly?”
“I’m waiting for the physician to come.”
“How weak.”
Valentis scoffed, mimicking Arthur’s signature smile with a mocking one of his own.
“Can you even manage state affairs like that?”
Valentis took strange pride in getting to Sophie’s apothecary first.
“No need for you to bother coming. I’ll drink your tea in your place.”
“Didn’t Your Highness say you wouldn’t be drinking any tea?”
Arthur shot back, not about to let Valentis off the hook.
“You must apologize to Sophie properly for that.”
“……”
“Don’t you feel ashamed? You said you wouldn’t drink her tea, and now you drop by constantly.”
That one landed squarely.
Noticing Valentis stiffen, Arthur grinned triumphantly.
Not wanting to drag the argument out further, Arthur returned to his estate to be examined by the physician.
He’d noticed the cursed scar seemed to be fading.
“How is it?”
Very few people knew about Arthur’s curse.
“It’s greatly improved, my lord. The scar has lightened, and more importantly…”
The physician was astonished by the visible improvement.
“You’ve also been sleeping better, haven’t you?”
“Yes. Tremendously so. How is that possible?”
“There must be a reason, surely.”
The loyal physician of House Arceneaux had tried everything to cure Arthur.
“No matter what I tried, nothing worked before…”
He trailed off, still in disbelief.
“Then—will I be fully healed soon?”
A female voice came from behind Arthur.
It was Arabelle, who had been quietly standing there for some time.
Arabelle was like a little sister to Arthur. Their families had long-standing ties, and they’d grown up together like siblings.
Though… only Arthur thought of her that way.
To Arabelle, Arthur had always been a man.
“Is it possible to be completely cured?”
She had worried about his insomnia just as much as the physician had.
Arabelle had recently returned from their family territory. In that short time away, Arthur’s condition had vastly improved.
But Arthur hadn’t explained the details of how.
“The insomnia might be gone, but the curse carved deep within your body… that will be difficult to cure.”
“Then, until the curse is broken, it still remains in me?”
“Yes, unfortunately…”
Arthur let out a bitter breath. Still, being free of insomnia was good enough for now.
“I’m glad at least the insomnia is gone, Brother.”
Arabelle said with a trembling voice.
“It must have been so painful all this time.”
“Yeah. I’m relieved too.”
“So… how exactly did you manage it?”
Even the physician perked up at that question. He had scoured the country looking for a way to lift the curse and still found no answer.
“This insomnia never improved no matter what we did. How on earth…”
Arthur hesitated for a moment.
Sophie would probably be annoyed by this…
Arabelle was quite well-known in social circles. Wherever she went, noble ladies swarmed around her.
Sophie was already exhausted dealing with him and Valentis. Bringing Arabelle into the mix would surely push things over the edge.
If she wanted to meet Sophie, he’d have to ask Sophie’s permission first.
“I’ll tell you later, Arabelle.”
Arthur replied with a slight curve of his eyes.
Arabelle pouted, visibly sulking. It was a face she always made when she wanted something from him—and Arthur usually gave in.
“…You’re keeping secrets from me?”
“She might not be comfortable with it. I need to get her permission first.”
“She’s someone you need permission to introduce?”
“She’s someone important to me.”
Still, Arthur wouldn’t give her any details. Who was this woman?
“I’ll introduce you when the time is right.”
Arabelle stared into his eyes—eyes filled with warmth she had never seen before.
It was the gaze of someone in love.
She recognized it immediately.
After all, she had looked at Arthur that way for more than seven years.
Something’s not right.
Arthur was definitely hiding something. Her chest tightened with unease.
“I’m hurt. Can’t you just tell me?”
She whined gently.
“This concerns you, doesn’t it?”
Gone was the cold, calculating Arabelle of high society. This was her real face.
It wasn’t intentional.
When near someone you love, your truest face tends to show.
“I’m sorry, Arabelle.”
Even as she pouted adorably, Arthur turned her down.
He had never refused her before.
Shocked, Arabelle simply stared blankly at his face.
“Oh, look at the time.”
After finishing his checkup, Arthur looked startled.
“I have to go.”
“Where are you going?”
“There’s somewhere I need to be.”
He moved quickly, face full of nervous excitement.
He’s going to see that person.
Arabelle guessed right.
The one who helped him recover.
And… that someone was a woman.
He’s really going to see a woman?
Arabelle’s anxiety grew.
Her father had died when she was young, so her mother managed the household.
She’d spent much of her life alone.
Arthur had filled that void—he had been like a father, a brother, and a man to her.
“Then… have a good time.”
But despite saying that, Arabelle followed him.
She didn’t want to invade his privacy, but this she had to know.
If he’s really going to meet a woman… what do I do?
At the very least, she had to check if the woman was a good person.
If this was someone trying to seduce Arthur for ill intent, she wouldn’t let it slide.
Arthur took a carriage to a village just outside the capital.
An apothecary?
He headed to the apothecary.
“Hello, Sophie. I’m back again.”
A woman stood at the entrance.
She wore simple clothes, but had a strangely captivating aura.
Brown hair. Graceful. Refined.
Arabelle found herself staring at Sophie without meaning to.
“…You’re here again.”
Sophie didn’t seem particularly pleased to see him.
What? Arabelle was stunned.
Arthur’s face was one you could look at for a thousand years and never tire of.
“I’m staying late tonight. You came too late today.”
“…You don’t have to, though. Isn’t there a curfew at your estate?”
“Curfew? I am the duke.”
Arthur couldn’t take his eyes off her.
His heart was fluttering again.
“Sleeping here wouldn’t be so bad. Maybe it’s Sophie’s tea, but I’ve been sleeping a lot lately. It’s almost a problem.”
Arthur muttered as he stepped inside the apothecary.
That’s her. That woman cured him.
Arabelle clutched her mouth in shock and thought.
If Sophie healed Arthur, she was her savior, too.
And Arabelle wasn’t the type to ignore someone who saved her loved one.
But Arthur… was in love with this woman.
“Is there anything I can help with?”
The naïve Valentis seemed to regret something he’d said in the past.
He kept glancing at Sophie, worried he might’ve hurt her feelings.
Not that Sophie was the type to dwell on such things.
“Then please move that box.”
If he was offering to help, she wouldn’t refuse.
But Valentis went speechless when Sophie pointed straight at the task.
Didn’t people usually decline offers like that politely?
“…Alright.”
The strongest warrior in Syloche obediently lifted the box.
“Your Highness, are you good with a sword?”
“Of course.”
Valentis replied proudly.
“Then please chop those herbs finely. But not with your longsword.”
“……”
Valentis carefully minced the tiny herbs with a knife smaller than his hand.
He’s kind of adorable.
Sophie chuckled as she happily put him to work.
Not long after, Arthur arrived and joined in.
The two men even began competing over who could mince herbs better.
“…Who is that?”
Sophie spotted a girl outside, nervously chewing on her handkerchief as she stared into the apothecary.
Oh great, Sophie thought. Here comes the cliché.
