[CHAPTER 61]
* * *
I opened the ancient book I bought in the capital.
It was from a kingdom that perished about a hundred years ago and was famous for its medicine and pharmaceuticals.
Its academic influence was so great across the entire continent that some even said the Empire’s medical science originated there.
But since it had been imported from a foreign land, it was not written in Imperial language.
I had to place a dictionary at my side and translate everything letter by letter myself.
Ah, my eyes hurt.
My nose was practically buried in the book while trying to interpret the sentences, and I felt like dying.
I stretched my stiff neck once and turned to the next page.
How was I supposed to read a book that was over a thousand pages long?
Letting out a deep sigh, I read the name written above the pitch-black herb.
“Gan… Ryeong… Cho…?”
Ganryeongcho?
What was this?
Looking at the picture again, the herb had a strange shape.
Its leaves were intertwined like two people hugging each other.
I checked the dictionary and carefully analyzed the description written underneath.
「Ganryeongcho can draw the soul of the dead into one’s own body.
It can be produced using black lavender, and black lavender must also be modified.
However, if consumed more than □ times, as a side effect □ the soul □ may completely □ merge.」
I couldn’t decipher the missing parts in the middle because the letters were smudged.
How fascinating, there’s even an herb like this.
It was interesting, but I didn’t really want to make it.
Half the side-effect explanation was erased, and the whole thing felt a bit unsettling.
On top of that, there weren’t even instructions on how to modify black lavender.
Isn’t there anything here that could actually help with Ice-Blood Syndrome?
Just as I was flipping through the book, Greta knocked and came inside.
“It will soon be time for your appointment. You must leave now if you don’t want to be late.”
“Ah, alright.”
Today was the day I was to meet Nelle and Karin for tea.
I closed the book, grabbed my outerwear, and hurried to the Marquis Wagner’s residence.
Fortunately, I arrived on time and was able to lift my teacup at the same moment the two of them did.
After exchanging a few updates on our lives, Karin cautiously spoke to me.
“I heard Jenna’s trading company is hiring an enormous number of people lately. There are rumors everywhere that you pulled off something big in the capital.”
“Oh, the rumors spread already? I was trying to stay humble, but I guess that’s impossible now.”
I joked to make them laugh, but their reactions were oddly subtle.
They kept glancing at each other as if they had something they wanted to say but weren’t sure how.
“Why? Do you have something to tell me? Just say it. It’s fine.”
At that, Nelle hesitated before speaking.
“Well… actually, the rumors are spreading wider and shallower than you think. Some people think Jenna suddenly became rich overnight, and others think you signed a slave contract in the capital.”
What…?
I was a little taken aback, but I supposed it made sense.
When words spread from mouth to mouth, they were bound to be exaggerated or distorted.
It wasn’t something to be shocked about.
But the two of them seemed more concerned about something else entirely.
“The problem is that there’s someone who’s spreading those stories on purpose.”
“Really? Who?”
“People who used to be close to Lady Hoffman before she died.”
A brief silence fell.
After the Black Breath incident was resolved, the Duke of Kallard had officially announced that the culprit behind everything was the Hoffman Marquisate.
Of course people were furious, but since the entire family died under suspicious circumstances, it had become a bit awkward to remain angry as time passed.
When I heard Lady Hoffman died in the capital after being attacked by a mysterious assailant, I felt too upset to say anything.
“Those people think that regardless of Jenna creating the cure and saving the North, Hoffman spread the plague in the first place because of you.”
“So they see me as the cause of everything and hate me?”
“…Yes. And since many families suffered losses from the Black Breath, there are also plenty who simply envy you for finally receiving good news.”
“People are really awful. If Jenna hadn’t made the medicine, we don’t know what would have happened by now.”
Karin frowned and scolded them on my behalf.
I was angry too, but more than that, I felt hurt.
I didn’t develop the cure expecting praise, but that didn’t mean I wanted to be insulted behind my back either.
“I think the fact that Jenna doesn’t show up much in social circles makes it easier for them to talk however they want.”
“That’s so mean…”
“We think so too. People can be so small-minded and cold-hearted.”
Karin comforted me and patted my shoulder.
Then she took my hand and suggested something.
“So, Nelle is hosting a party soon. Why don’t you come?”
“Really?”
I almost nodded right away, but paused and asked.
“But is it alright if I attend? I’m worried I might ruin the mood…”
“What are you talking about, Jenna? That would never happen. I’d only be happy if you came.”
Nelle’s warm answer made my nose sting.
I really did have wonderful friends.
I accepted their kindness and decided to attend the party.
It would be my first social event since the Kallard banquet.
* * *
When Mother heard I had been invited to a party, she immediately called Romi to have a new dress made for me.
I insisted it wasn’t necessary and that I hadn’t even worn all the dresses I’d already received, but she was firm.
Jenna, you don’t understand. For an official party, you must always wear a new dress or you’ll be looked down on.
In the end, I followed her wishes and purchased one.
Romi brought another impossibly beautiful dress, so refusing outright had been difficult anyway.
A few days after placing the order, the finished dress arrived.
I checked the fit and was about to try it on.
“Ma’am, are you busy?”
Aizen happened to visit at that moment.
“No, not busy, but I do have something to do.”
“Then I’ll come back later.”
“It’s fine. Actually, you came at the perfect time. Want to check how the dress looks for the party at the Marquis Wagner’s?”
He turned back toward me from the doorway and nodded.
While Aizen waited on the sofa, I changed in the dressing room.
Since it was just a fitting, I wore only the dress without any additional accessories and stepped out quickly.
But the moment he saw me, Aizen, who had been sitting stiffly with a strangely tense expression, shot up from his seat.
His violet eyes swept over me, losing focus for a second.
“Is it alright, honey? Does it suit me?”
“…Too much.”
“What?”
“You’re too beautiful… I don’t think I can let you go like this. It’s dangerous.”
He joked so seriously that it took me a moment to laugh.
“Ahaha! It’s Nelle’s party. What danger would there be? Or do you mean I’m so pretty it puts other people’s hearts in danger?”
I winked on purpose, teasing him.
Aizen strode toward me, took my hand, and agreed.
“Yes.”
“…Huh?”
“There will definitely be perverts like the one who sent that strange letter, trying to flirt with you.”
He brushed his thumb over the back of my left hand, reminding me of the love letter incident I had completely forgotten about.
That was when I realized he wasn’t joking at all.
…Now I’m getting embarrassed.
Heat crept up my cheeks.
I tried to calm myself by looking out the window, but Aizen lowered his head to meet my eyes, ruining the attempt.
You idiot, don’t bring your handsome face that close. It only makes me blush more.
“So I have something I want to give you.”
“…What is it?”
“Close your eyes for a moment.”
I obediently closed them.
I heard rustling and a click.
What was he doing?
Soon, Aizen gently held my left ring finger.
A cool sensation wrapped around it, making me flinch.
“You can open your eyes now.”
I snapped my eyes open and immediately looked down at my hand.
Then I froze at the unfamiliar object on my fourth finger.
My voice trembled on its own.
“Honey, this is…”
“…Is this really mine?”
“Yes, it’s a one-of-a-kind ring I made for you.”
I couldn’t look away from it.
It fit perfectly, as if it had always belonged on my hand.
The teardrop-shaped gem looked clear like a diamond, but inside it were countless glittering stars.
Just like the night sky from the fireworks we watched together.
“It looks so expensive… how did you…”
“I told you, didn’t I? I’m earning money now. And if it’s for you, I don’t mind spending any amount.”
Aizen smiled softly.
Emotion welled up inside me, and tears filled my eyes.
My lips trembled as I threw myself into his arms.
“Thank you, honey. I’ll treasure it like my life. I won’t let it leave my body even for a moment.”
“Wear it whenever you go somewhere crowded. Let everyone know you already belong to someone.”
“Yes, I will.”
It felt strange.
When I first met Aizen, he had shown kindness but maintained a clear sense of distance.
But that distance had been slowly melting away, and now it was gone entirely.
With a kiss and now a ring, it truly felt like we were getting closer every day.
I rested my chin on his broad shoulder, then lifted my face to look at him properly.
He wrapped an arm around my waist, meeting my gaze without looking away.
His deep eyes sent a shiver to my fingertips.
I slowly closed my eyes as he leaned in, his breath brushing against my lips.
And then our lips finally met—
“Jenna, are you in there?”
The door swung open with a loud burst.
I jerked my head toward the voice, only to see Father standing there, just as startled as we were.
“Ah, uh… my apologies. I didn’t realize you two were… busy…”
Looking visibly flustered, he waved his hand awkwardly.
“C-carry on. I’ll come back later.”
The door slammed shut.
Naturally, with the mood ruined beyond repair, we didn’t finish what we started…
We simply clenched our fists and endured the crashing waves of embarrassment and awkwardness.
