Chapter 48
I instinctively leaned my upper body back.
“Too close.”
Even though we shared a bed, being this close still felt uncomfortable. We usually kept to opposite ends when sleeping.
Maybe he noticed my subtle discomfort, because Johannes withdrew his outstretched hand and said,
“The scar is still there.”
He should’ve been the embarrassed one, but instead, his calm tone left me more flustered for having pulled away.
Turning my head to hide my blushing face, I barely managed to reply.
“It’s fine. Anyway… I think it was good that I took some time to rest. But before that, I’d like to go to Bölln.”
Under the table, I clutched my skirt tightly. Johannes let out a shallow breath.
“It seems my wife has a real talent for ignoring her husband’s words.”
“I’m not ignoring you—”
I snapped my head up, only for Johannes to grab the armrest of my chair and turn it toward him so I had no choice but to face him.
I involuntarily held my breath.
Johannes leaned in, resting one hand on the table, his face coming so close I could see the fine patterns in his blue irises.
I was so nervous that I thought even the sound of me swallowing might be heard.
“I’m well aware of how much effort you’re putting into the matter with Sergeant Prim.”
Johannes spoke.
You know, and yet you’re doing this? I don’t have the time to wait around right now.
I swallowed the words pressing on my tongue and offered a lie I had used once before—one that was sure to be found out.
“With the balls and parties happening more frequently, I figured I wouldn’t have another chance to visit the herb market.”
I bit my lip hard.
Of course, it was an obvious excuse. I didn’t expect Johannes to believe such a poor lie, but I couldn’t bring myself to lie more convincingly either.
All I could do was desperately repeat the same excuse, hoping to confirm whether my father was alive or not.
“That’s why I want to go to Bölln. I promise I won’t go anywhere else.”
Though I would, in fact, visit the herb market.
I had heard from a lady I used to study pharmacology with that there was a fixer in that area. While they had disappeared due to royal crackdowns, they were still rumored to be taking secret requests.
I intended to find that person and ask for help finding my father’s whereabouts.
“I could just ask Johannes for help, but…”
The Schultz duchy surely had powerful intelligence networks.
But I wanted to believe the writer of that letter was truly my father, and that he wanted me to come alone without telling Johannes.
“If he insists on stopping me… then maybe that’s where this ends. I won’t destroy my relationship with Johannes over this.”
I had done everything I could. I’d already imposed too much—what more could I demand?
Johannes’ deep eyes were half-hidden by his eyelids as he blinked slowly.
“You always make me break my principles.”
Then he gently touched the wound on my temple. I winced from the sting, and his eyes narrowed slightly.
I knew well that Johannes Schultz was a man of strict principles—both by nature and as a soldier.
So I should stop here. Slowly, I opened my mouth.
“I’m sorry. Let’s pretend I never said—”
“When are you planning to go to the herb market?”
“Huh?”
I looked up at my husband, eyes wide. I could hardly believe it, but it seemed he had chosen to go along with my unbelievable lie.
“Of course, you’ll have to promise you’re only going to the herb market.”
Still blinking in shock, I quickly nodded before he could change his mind.
“Things are going to get busy soon. So, the sooner the better—how about tomorrow?”
For the first time, the always-composed expression on Johannes’ face was painted with pure bewilderment.
* * *
The next morning.
I reminded Johannes several times to dress plainly.
Even so, I was worried that his outfit would look too aristocratic—but fortunately, he looked just as ordinary as any man.
He wore a gray coat with a velvet collar and a narrow-brimmed bowler hat. Still, the fine fabric and cut betrayed its quality.
Even without that, his build and natural dignity made it hard to hide his noble status.
“I think it’s best if I go into the wholesale shop alone.”
I finally said after much thought inside the carriage heading from the train station to the Bölln trade port.
“No one who goes to buy herbs has a companion dressed like that. You’ll stand out.”
A quick look at the people on the streets confirmed this.
Most wore cheap cotton trousers or faded coats, and few even had proper hats.
Despite the chill in the air, sunburned sailors were unloading imported goods with their sleeves rolled up.
If Johannes Schultz walked among them, he would draw attention instantly.
Even passersby would notice he was of high status—let alone the merchants.
Herb vendors, especially the clever ones, could instantly identify whether a visitor was a buyer, a business rival, or even a police inspector—no matter how plainly they dressed.
So it was obvious Johannes would be pegged as a noble immediately.
I didn’t want that kind of attention. And besides, I had someone I needed to find, so I had to go alone.
But Johannes remained unbothered.
He said in a calm voice,
“Hmm. I don’t think anyone will notice.”
I stared into his indifferent blue eyes.
“Do you really think that?”
Even if the clothes could pass, those eyes—untouched by subservience—were enough to give him away. No merchant would miss that.
“No. You can’t come.”
I shook my head firmly, and Johannes shrugged.
“Then how about I check it out myself later? If you’re truly going to the herb vendor, the errand will be short. I can just go after waiting a bit.”
Was he testing me? His expression gave nothing away—I couldn’t tell if he believed me or was probing me.
“Of course. But there are so many people around, you might not be able to find me.”
“You really think so?”
His tone implied arrogance, like Do you seriously think I couldn’t find you?
It wasn’t baseless confidence, though.
I glanced at his legs—longer than most men’s. A head taller than the crowd, he could probably spot me quickly.
“In that case… yes. That sounds like a good idea. Oh…?”
I trailed off, eyes widening at the scene outside the window.
A railway line was being laid along the trade port.
“They’re building a railway here?”
Johannes replied nonchalantly,
“It was approved recently. Most cities already have tracks, so now they’re trying to connect the port and major cities. It’ll make transporting imports easier.”
“Ah…”
I nodded quietly.
Before long, the black smoke of trains would fill the port skies.
I was moving so slowly… while the world advanced at an incredible pace.
* * *
When I arrived at the herb market.
Johannes had promised to wait in the carriage and come find me later.
At the spot where I remembered the fixer might be, I found him already speaking with a previous customer.
“Where did you say this was sourced from?”
A rather stern-looking elderly woman asked in an elegant voice.
The man replied with a hint of pride,
“From the northeastern region, Madam. It’s not officially imported yet—a sailor on a trade ship brought it over after hearing it was famous in that region. He gave it to me to try.”
“Is that so?”
“Yes, yes. If you’re interested…”
I narrowed my eyes as I stared at the small pills he described.
Though I had never seen them before, they felt strangely familiar.
I abruptly snatched one and sniffed it.
“This is a dangerous pill.”
The words slipped from my mouth unconsciously.
The elderly woman looked at me with mild curiosity.
But the man’s expression instantly contorted.
“Miss, what are you doing? Are you trying to ruin my business?”
“Why do you say that?”
The woman’s pale green eyes turned to me. Though the vibrant green had faded with age, her gaze was still sharp and penetrating.
I didn’t know how I recognized the pill, but I spoke firmly.
“Madam, I’m sorry—but I don’t think this is a proper item for commercial sale.”
