Chapter 48
Everyone was giving Chaeian a very strange look when he said he was going to work.
“The secretary is going, so I should go too.”
“…….”
…Don’t laugh. I’m getting attached.
Seres lightly shook her head as she watched him grin so innocently.
‘Well, does it matter?’
At any rate, thanks to him, they were able to enter the Ellecia Count’s residence safely.
Seres turned her gaze to the current head of the family, Kreel, who was walking ahead.
The fake ring was still neatly on his hand.
‘The state of this household… it’s really something.’
She had felt this before when she had come here—nothing seemed to function properly.
From the people managing the front gate to the healers tending to the injured, there wasn’t a single competent person among them.
‘And now even the head of the family is wearing a fake ring.’
Seres barely swallowed a sigh that was threatening to escape.
“Seres? What are you thinking about so seriously?”
“I’m just wondering what to start with first.”
“What do you mean, what to start with? You don’t have to do anything—just stick close to me. Others will handle the work.”
“Ugh… I knew it. I knew this would happen…!”
“Yes. Work, my foot! You really just came to play, didn’t you!”
“Huu… Luca, please come quickly.”
The other mages following the two grabbed the back of their necks at Chaeian’s words.
Meanwhile, Seres ignored Chaeian’s comment and gazed out the window.
‘First…’
In one corner of the garden, there was a large fountain, spraying water refreshingly.
‘Let’s find the ring first.’
“Herion, what are you doing right now?!”
“Me? I’m studying.”
“I mean, do you even know what that book is about?!”
“This?”
Herion, who had been reading a medical book, had to stand up as several people approached her.
Whoosh!
“Ah…”
The woman’s face darkened as the book she was holding was taken away.
But the others didn’t seem to care.
“Only a select few are allowed to read this medical book.”
“But Ezly said it was fine…”
Herion had received direct permission from the late former head of the family, Ezly, and gave her juniors an awkward smile despite their harsh stares.
“The current head of the family, Kreel, did not give permission.”
“Ah… right.”
Herion scratched her cheek and nodded in understanding.
“I won’t read it anymore.”
The other healers’ faces twisted in frustration at her cheerful smile.
It had always been like this.
No matter how embarrassed they felt, they couldn’t understand how she could smile like that.
‘Does she have no sense?’
If it were them, they would have left immediately out of shame.
Having studied here for over ten years, Herion was in a position that the juniors couldn’t challenge lightly.
Yet for some reason, she was in Kreel Ellecia’s disfavor.
Knowing this, the staff at the Ellecia Count’s residence tacitly ignored Herion.
Even the recent tasks assigned to her—reassigning herbs—were usually given to new recruits.
“Have you finished organizing the herbs?”
“Yes, all done. But Rona…”
“Yes?”
“The Robes patient you’re in charge of… They’ve been having digestion issues since yesterday. Do you know about it?”
“Why? I already prescribed digestive medicine.”
“Well, that patient is being treated for Crew’s disease. Among the treatment ingredients is the Alto fruit.”
“Who doesn’t know that? What are you trying to say?”
Herion flinched slightly at Rona’s annoyed tone.
But her eyes still sparkled brightly, making the juniors who were provoking her hesitate.
“I’m just concerned that the digestion issues might be caused by the Alto fruit. Some people can’t tolerate it due to their constitution, and it can cause indigestion.”
“……”
“If it continues, it could eventually cause severe pain… I know I’m being overcautious, but shouldn’t we check and maybe change the medicine?”
“I-I know that much!”
“Ah, sorry. I guess I was worrying unnecessarily. I’ll be going now. Good work, everyone.”
The healers watched Herion leave, waving cheerfully, full of displeasure.
“So annoying.”
Rona, who had been criticized, bit her lip.
“Good for nothing, she’s actually skilled.”
“Yeah.”
“Why do you think she’s in the head’s bad graces?”
“Didn’t you hear? The former head favored Herion more than Kreel.”
“Really?”
“Not sure. That’s why Kreel considers her a thorn in the side.”
“Then just kick her out. Why let her stay?”
“Without reason, it would be a loss of face. She’s stubbornly staying, so it must be a headache for the higher-ups.”
“I don’t think Herion even realizes she’s being mistreated.”
“She really has no sense.”
All of them shook their heads while watching Herion disappear into the distance.
“Hmm.”
In a corner of the garden, in a shadowed area where few people walked, someone had been crouched for thirty minutes, examining something intently.
It was Herion.
She was inspecting a tiny blue-flowered plant, no larger than a fingernail.
“Where have I seen this… What herb is this?”
She seemed to remember seeing it in a book a long time ago, but couldn’t recall clearly.
What was it good for?
“It’s the Daike flower, used to treat sores.”
“Ah! Daike!”
Herion clapped her hands, happy that the mystery was solved.
“Huh?”
Then she realized the voice she had just heard was unfamiliar and quickly turned.
“Are you Herion?”
“Who are you?”
It was a girl she had never seen before.
The teenage-looking girl crouched beside her, staring at the same plant.
‘Seems like a healer.’
She knew the herb’s name, after all.
But why had she never seen her before?
‘A newly joined apprentice, perhaps?’
The girl seemed to know Herion, but Herion did not recognize her face.
Had they met before?
“You were personally taught by the former head?”
“Ezly?”
The mention of the cherished name made Herion frown.
Every time she remembered the former head, who had passed from an unknown illness, her chest ached.
She had not been able to see her properly after she collapsed.
Kreel had prevented all visitors, saying the teacher needed rest.
‘I wanted to cure her somehow.’
There hadn’t been time to even identify the illness. The progression was too fast; she had to let her go without intervention.
No, she hadn’t even been able to examine her properly, not even see her face.
Even now, she still wondered.
What illness had Ezly succumbed to?
“She was a warm person. She taught me so much even though I knew nothing.”
Thinking of her kind mentor, Ezly, Herion’s eyes instantly reddened.
“I think that’s what led to the former head’s death.”
“Huh? What do you mean…”
Herion’s eyes widened at the woman’s low, muttered words.
Led to death? What does that mean?
Could this girl know Ezly’s illness?
“Do you know how long to dry this herb?”
“One week. In the shade, not in sunlight. That’s how it works best.”
Without hesitation, Herion answered immediately. Knowing the herb’s name brought all information to mind clearly.
“What about Guks leaves?”
“Excellent for pain relief. Especially for severe stomach pain. But long-term use can cause habitual indigestion, so be careful.”
“A child has had a fever for fifteen days. Diagnosed with a simple cold and given medicine, but it didn’t help. Symptoms worsened, including vomiting, and eventually, the child lost consciousness. Should I continue giving cold medicine to this child?”
