Chapter 14
Valentis and Arthur were both troublesome. But the most troublesome of all was Arabelle, who watched Sophie’s every move from dawn until late at night.
Still, Sophie had grown used to spending time with Arabelle.
“Even if you brew the same tea leaves in the same way, each person makes it taste different.”
Sophie had become skilled at soothing the childlike Arabelle.
“Just as everyone’s body scent is different, the tea brews accordingly.”
She spoke in a calm voice, like telling an old story.
“The tea you brew yourself will surely be wonderful, Lady Arabelle.”
“Really?”
At that one word of praise, Arabelle’s lips curled into a soft smile.
She had a childish side and was weak to direct compliments.
“As an herbalist like me, my role is to manage the tea leaves and herbs so they bring out their best effects.”
Sophie crouched down and whispered.
“I hope these little ones I raised will help keep people healthy.”
‘Such a cool person,’ Arabelle thought as she watched Sophie.
Just as Sophie had learned things about Arabelle, Arabelle felt the same way. To Arabelle, Sophie felt like a real older sister—something she’d never had.
Strict at times, but always warm and friendly. It was as if she understood all of Arabelle’s feelings and comforted her loneliness. Lately, Arabelle found herself often forgetting that she was supposed to stay on guard around Sophie.
“I’m happy when the tea I make has unexpectedly good effects on patients.”
“Then… does that mean Prince Valentis and Brother Arthur are just patients to you?”
Ah, this girl again.
Arabelle’s eyes sparkled as she asked, and Sophie answered readily.
“Of course. I only serve tea to patients who come to me for help.”
Rather than earning hatred from a noble lady, it was better to placate her this way.
Above all, Sophie didn’t want to cause any unnecessary fuss.
And from the start, Sophie had never thought of Arthur as a romantic interest.
So she hoped Arabelle wouldn’t misunderstand and would leave quietly.
“In short, just a clinic owner and her patient. Nothing more, nothing less.”
“Wow… ahem.”
Arabelle cheered quietly at Sophie’s answer, then coughed awkwardly.
In any case, it was a relief. Arabelle had no desire to compete with Sophie.
“A-anyway, you’re amazing, Sophie.”
Valentis and Arthur were enjoying tea at the clinic. Though the two had once seen each other as enemies, spending so much time together made them occasionally discuss policy matters.
Like water and oil, they didn’t mix well, but oddly enough, they complemented each other in some ways.
Watching Arthur secretly, Arabelle lowered her head. For now, it still meant she was the person closest to Arthur.
[Lady Sophie! This silly one messed with a beehive!]
At that moment, a cluster of lights floated over to Sophie.
“Messed with a beehive?”
One spirit lay fainted with a swollen face from bee stings. But getting stung wasn’t a big deal for spirits.
Sophie chuckled at the unconscious spirit.
“What’s going on, Sophie?”
Arabelle asked. She couldn’t sense mana, so she didn’t know what was happening.
“A spirit got stung by a bee.”
“Ehh?”
Rather than explaining, Sophie decided to show her. She took Arabelle’s hand and shared a bit of her affinity. It wouldn’t last long, but it should let Arabelle see the spirits.
As the lights around her took shape, Arabelle’s eyes widened. The spirits were adorably cute.
“Wow…”
“What were you thinking, messing with a beehive, silly.”
The spirits dragged their unconscious friend by the shoulders.
“He’ll be fine after a nap.”
[This fool wanted honey and rushed at the hive without fear!]
[I tried to stop him! But this idiot poked the hive and…]
[The bees were furious. I got stung too!]
“There, there…”
Arabelle closed her mouth as she looked at the swollen-faced spirit. Too cute. To think these were the little beings that had always been around her.
Before she knew it, Arabelle cherished her time at the clinic. Seeing the herbs grow under her care made her happy, and the noisy but kind spirits were endearing.
“Sophie!”
A customer had arrived, calling for Sophie.
“Lady Arabelle, could you watch the spirits for a bit? Just give them water when they wake up.”
“Yes!”
After Sophie left, Arabelle gently poked the fainted spirit’s cheek. Its face, puffed up like a bulldog, looked hilarious.
[Arabelle! Scold him for us!]
“How should I scold him?”
When Arabelle asked back, the spirits widened their eyes.
[You can hear us?]
[Sophie shared her affinity earlier.]
[You’re our new friend! New friend!]
The delighted spirits swarmed Arabelle, sticking to her cheeks and giving her tiny kisses with their little lips.
[Mmm…]
The unconscious spirit stirred, lips twitching.
“Are you awake?”
[Hungry…]
Amused by the spirit waking up and asking for food, Arabelle gave him the sandwich Sophie had prepared earlier for the spirits.
The well-mannered spirits lined up to receive their share. Arabelle tore off a small piece and fed it directly to the fainted spirit.
‘I’m happy.’
Arabelle had never felt so satisfied as she did while spending time with the spirits.
[Arabelle… More… More…]
The spirit, with swollen eyelids, stretched out his arms like he was begging.
[Pick one: lie down or eat! Not both!]
[What a gluttonous spirit!]
[Arabelle! Don’t give him more!]
The affectionate spirits clung to Arabelle, chattering away. Arabelle looked like she was playing house with them, smiling and talking.
Rather than some prestigious noble lady, she seemed like a simple, innocent, and lovely girl.
She looked more at ease and relaxed than ever.
Watching her fondly, Sophie started chopping herbs finely.
“If it’s knife work, I could do it.”
Valentis crossed his arms, watching her.
“You cut too coarsely, Lord Valentis. This needs to be finer for better effect.”
“I’ve handled swords my whole life. I can manage that much.”
“If you put it that way, I’ve handled knives my whole life too.”
As Sophie and Valentis bickered, Arthur calmly read a book as if used to it. He said reading here helped him concentrate.
Unlike Arthur, who loved books, Valentis preferred helping Sophie. He’d carry heavy supplies or help with prep work.
They brought their work to the clinic, often discussing high-security matters and having deep conversations.
Of course, they couldn’t handle everything at the clinic, and Sophie once heard that their financial officers were being worked to death.
“Impressive knife skills.”
“Ah! Please don’t distract me while I’m working… Ouch!”
Sophie cut her finger.
“Sophie!”
Arthur and Arabelle rushed over at once. A drop of blood hung from her fingertip.
“I’ll go get medicine!”
Arabelle hurried off.
“Are you alright?”
“Ah… I’m fine. This kind of injury is common.”
It wasn’t even a deep cut. Yet the three of them made a big fuss. Getting cut while using sharp knives was an everyday thing for her.
Burning herself with steam or fire was also routine.
“I have a handkerchief! Let me stop the bleeding…”
As Arthur searched his coat for a handkerchief, Valentis, who had been silently watching, suddenly grabbed Sophie’s wrist.
“…Huh?”
Then, Valentis put Sophie’s finger into his mouth.
“Your Highness!”
“?!”
Valentis often dealt with wounded men. On the battlefield, there’s no time for treatment. Bleeding wounds were either ignored or hastily bandaged.
But Sophie’s wound was different. Without hesitation, he took her finger into his mouth.
“Ugh…”
Even Sophie, rarely fazed, was shocked. She could feel Valentis’s warm, soft tongue distinctly at her fingertip.
As Sophie blushed and stammered, Arthur quickly pulled her finger away.
“What on earth are you doing, Your Highness?!”
“Stopping the bleeding.”
…Is that a problem? Valentis said nonchalantly, leaving Arthur dumbfounded.
“I was stopping the bleeding until Arabelle brought medicine.”
“You can’t do that…”
Arthur looked at Sophie, who stood with her face flushed, lips pressed tight. Sure, in emergencies, people did that for bleeding cuts, but…
For some reason, when Valentis did it, it seemed… indecent.
“Anyway, this all happened because of Your Highness!”
“I apologize. It was my carelessness.”
Valentis immediately apologized as instructed. He genuinely felt sorry for Sophie.
“Please treat Sophie with the utmost respect and care.”
Arthur yelled at Valentis.
“She deserves to be respected.”
Sophie fiddled with her finger, remembering the sensation of his tongue more than the pain itself.
She’d had lovers before, but this sudden touch made her heart race.
“No, it’s really not that…”
A fight seemed inevitable. Knowing Arthur and Valentis’s strained relationship, Sophie stepped in to stop them.
But Arthur’s face was serious.
“No, Sophie. You deserve to be respected. I would risk my life to protect you. I will spare no affection or respect for you.”
“…”
“Please… let me repay the kindness you’ve shown me.”
His words sounded… oddly romantic.
‘Huh?’
At that moment, she noticed Arabelle.
With a face that looked ready to burst into tears, Arabelle stared at Arthur.
“…Lady Arabelle?”
Meeting Sophie’s gaze, Arabelle turned on her heel and ran straight to the greenhouse.
It seemed she was seriously upset with Arthur.
‘Oh no.’
Sophie had worked so hard to soothe her heart.
But chasing after her now didn’t seem right. She needed time to cool off and think.
If Sophie followed her, it might just make things worse.
* * *
‘She should have calmed down by now.’
Arabelle still hadn’t returned to the clinic, even with Arthur there.
‘Poor thing.’
One-sided love was always painful.
Maybe she should bring her some tea to cheer her up.
To Sophie, Arabelle felt like a little sister.
And seeing her take care of the herbs, dirt on her hands, wasn’t so bad.
“Ah…”
Perhaps she was in the greenhouse? Sophie went to check.
And then she froze.
The greenhouse was in ruins.
Leaves and stems were ripped apart as if someone had done it on purpose. The once lush greenhouse was now a complete mess.
