Chapter 13
Arabel had truly adopted the attitude of a learner.
Though she had said lightly that she would do it too, it was probably just out of pointless jealousy.
“Good morning, Sophie!”
She even came to Sophie’s pharmacy at dawn. Ever since she heard that Sophie started her day early, she did the same.
Determined to learn everything that happened in the pharmacy, Arabel worked diligently.
Her dedication was admirable—even Sophie had to acknowledge it.
To think someone would work this hard just to learn about the pharmacy that the man she liked often visited.
“Good morning, Lady Arabel. You’re early again today.”
“I can’t let you work alone, Sophie.”
“You really don’t have to…”
At this level of effort, Sophie thought Arabel could achieve anything. Shaking her head in disbelief, Sophie assigned her a few small tasks.
And on top of that…
‘I told you, I don’t like Arthur.’
Arabel watched Sophie like a hawk, scrutinizing even the smallest of her actions.
Especially when Sophie approached Arthur, it felt like sparks were about to fly from Arabel’s eyes.
Sophie was a full-grown adult, while Arabel was still a minor.
Arabel also used that fact cleverly, making sure Arthur felt responsible enough to care for her.
“What state should the flame be when I pierce this?”
“How many times do I have to stir it when roasting?”
Sophie answered every single one of Arabel’s persistent questions.
Whenever Sophie turned her back, Arabel glared at her fiercely.
Seeing Arabel’s reflection in a mirror, Sophie let out a small sigh.
‘Patience, patience.’
Even so, Arabel dirtied her delicate hands with soil, determined to learn everything Sophie knew.
She was quite fired up about it.
She even found out where Sophie’s favorite handkerchief was made.
‘Let’s just call it a cute case of puppy love.’
Sophie decided to let Arabel’s attitude slide for now.
After all, who wouldn’t get flustered when such a handsome duke kept visiting the pharmacy?
‘Patience.’
Sophie continued to be patient.
Even when Arabel glared at her for two straight weeks.
Even when Sophie felt like holes were burning in her back under Arabel’s gaze.
Sophie kept telling herself this would pass.
‘I’m an adult, after all.’
Let’s just think of it as helping a cute child’s one-sided love.
That day too, Sophie woke up at dawn and visited the greenhouse. As the pharmacy owner, checking the state of her herbs before even washing the sleep from her face was her duty.
“Lady Arabel?”
The dawn was pitch dark with short winter days. Arabel had come alone to Sophie’s pharmacy.
She hadn’t missed a single morning. Never oversleeping even once.
It took considerable time to get here from the marquisate, yet she kept coming, sacrificing sleep and everything.
“Sophie! This time, I won! I was first here today!”
It seemed Arabel had run all the way here with only one thought in mind—to arrive first. Sophie, momentarily at a loss for words at her cuteness, chuckled softly.
“Oh dear, well done. The weather’s gotten so cold… aren’t you freezing?”
“Hmm… a little!”
Arabel loved dressing up and wore pretty clothes even at the cost of warmth. It was the typical cuteness of her age.
Her hair wasn’t fully dried either, with the ends slightly frozen. Her dress was too thin for this cold, and her shoes and outfit were completely unsuited for working with soil.
Sophie decided to open her heart a little toward this girl, who was working so hard out of love.
“Lady Arabel.”
“Yes?”
Arabel, who had been curiously looking at the herbs in the greenhouse, turned her head.
“I’ll lend you some clothes and shoes. You really can’t work comfortably like this.”
“…I’m fine though.”
Arabel only wanted to dress prettily for Arthur.
“You like Lord Arthur that much?”
“Eek!”
At Sophie’s direct question, Arabel’s face turned bright red.
“W-Was it obvious?”
Yes. Very, very obvious.
“I tried so hard to hide it…”
“I only noticed because I was watching carefully.”
Sophie gave a vague answer to protect the young girl’s innocent feelings.
“Really? People always said it’s hard to read my mind.”
It wasn’t hard to read—it was just that everyone around her pretended not to notice. Clearly, Arabel had only kind and gentle people around her.
“I think so too. But still, your clothes seem really uncomfortable for this cold.”
“It’s bearable.”
“If your dress gets dirty, it’ll be troublesome. Same with your shoes.”
Yet Arabel still hesitated.
“Actually, if Lord Arthur sees you working hard in different clothes, he might praise you.”
“…Could I ask you for a set, Sophie?”
At the mere mention of Arthur, Arabel quickly changed her stance.
Even as a fellow woman, Sophie found Arabel absolutely adorable. For a moment, she even felt resentful toward Arthur. How could he not like someone this cute?
“Of course. I’ll give you a thick coat and comfortable shoes too. You can even take them with you.”
Sophie took Arabel to her house and picked out a few clothes from when she was younger. They were too small for Sophie now anyway.
Arabel couldn’t hide her joy at the clothes Sophie selected.
“You’re really giving these to me, Sophie?”
Though far plainer and more modest than the dress she was wearing, Arabel was overjoyed.
“Of course. If you want, we can go shopping for more clothes together.”
“Are you saying we should go shopping together?”
“Yes. Shopping together as girls is fun, isn’t it?”
“I’ve only ever had custom dresses made by our family’s tailor. I’ve never gone shopping with other girls before!”
Arabel exclaimed.
“Wow… I’m so happy.”
The young ladies Arabel met at social events weren’t really friends. She wasn’t unaware of the hidden interests in those relationships.
That’s why she had always longed for something as simple as going shopping with a real friend. And now she could do that! Arabel felt like jumping for joy.
“Then next time, I’ll have a dress made just for you, Sophie!”
Arabel shouted excitedly.
“No, there’s really no need for that…”
“I know the best tailor! I’ll make sure they use only the finest fabrics to make you a beautiful dress, just for you.”
Arabel was already mumbling plans for their next outings. First shopping, then visiting the tailor, then going together to see the shoemaker.
She was so happy. Sophie didn’t bother stopping her.
Wearing Sophie’s clothes, Arabel looked like a baby bear. The winter clothes were thick and heavy, but because of her small frame, she looked adorable and lovable.
“Do I look okay?”
“You do. You look beautiful.”
Now Sophie could understand why Arthur kept caring for her. Arabel had a charm that made people want to look after her.
Even if she sometimes seemed like a jealous, selfish kid, these glimpses of cuteness and sincerity made her shine. Sophie started to genuinely like Arabel.
Even if she could be a little annoying, seeing someone pursue love this earnestly made Sophie want to help her.
“Let’s go. Let’s have a cup of warm tea.”
“Shouldn’t we check on the herbs first?”
“It’s not that urgent today. We can drink tea first.”
Sophie brought Arabel back to the pharmacy and offered her a warm cup of tea.
“Have you eaten?”
“No… I got up so early I didn’t have time…”
“Then let’s have something simple together.”
“Can I?”
Arabel’s eyes sparkled.
“Of course. We’re shopping buddies now, aren’t we?”
“Yes, yes! That’s right! Then please take care of me.”
Usually, Sophie skipped breakfast or had an early lunch, but Arabel looked absolutely famished.
She’d run all the way here determined to be first, skipping food entirely. Sophie wondered if Arthur even knew how hard Arabel was trying.
Sophie prepared some simple potato soup and a bit of bread to share. The two of them enjoyed the modest but warm meal.
“How does it taste?”
“It’s delicious.”
After a spoonful, Arabel smiled sadly.
“This tastes just like the soup my mother used to make.”
When I was little, she would make it for me herself…
“I spent a lot of time alone as a child… but whenever I was sick, my mother would cook me this kind of soup.”
“…”
“But now… even when I’m sick, she can’t anymore. She’s too busy…”
For the first time, Arabel truly looked her age.
After the death of the Marquess of Dashwood, Arabel’s mother took over the family affairs. Since then, she had been too busy to care for Arabel personally.
Arabel had grown up mostly in the care of maids at the estate.
That’s probably why she became so needy, craving love and attention.
Sophie didn’t say anything, simply giving Arabel the space to process her feelings.
“I’ll make it for you anytime.”
Sophie had similar memories. But since her own mother passed away when she was very young, she didn’t really have memories of being cared for.
And her father… Sophie stirred her soup absentmindedly. Having grown up alone, she didn’t even have sentimental memories like Arabel.
“Really?”
“Really.”
If there’s anything else you’d like to eat, just let me know. Hearing that, Arabel smiled brightly and raised her arms high.
“Then next time… I want to eat a big, fat sandwich! The biggest one!”
“Isn’t that a bit too ordinary?”
“I don’t mind! And I want to drink warm milk with lots of sugar! And also…”
“First, finish this. I’ll make you more later.”
Sophie guessed that most of the foods Arabel mentioned were dishes she had shared with her mother. Nothing fancy, but full of precious memories for Arabel.
“I’ll pack some for you from time to time. You can eat them at the estate. You can even share with the Marquess.”
“Just thinking about it makes me happy! Mother will love it too!”
Excited, Arabel quickly finished her soup and bread.
