~Chapter 41~
“……”
“Just think about the results. If you deliver this medicine as instructed, not only will you receive the promised gold, but you might also become the Hobbes Trading Guild’s physician.”
Jacob patted the man’s shoulder.
“You understand, right?”
Yes. There was no turning back now.
The servant took a deep breath and nodded.
“Yes.”
He was the servant managing the medicine room for the day. Delivering the swapped medicine was his job.
Carrying the tray, he left, and the butler guided him.
“So that’s the medicine?”
Lady Wellington was a thin noblewoman, around her forties.
She truly looked as though years of migraines had worn her down.
But when she saw the bowl of medicine, she straightened her back.
“Was it tested for poison?”
“No traces detected.”
It was just a formality between the lady and the butler, but the servant sweated nervously.
After all, wasn’t his medicine nearly poison itself?
“I see.”
Lady Wellington gave the medicine a distrustful glance.
Then Gale, the head of the town guard, spoke.
“Since the apothecary is said to be famous, please try trusting her just once.”
Gale was ambitious. His desire to gain Lady Wellington’s favor and secure a better post was clear.
Lady Wellington glanced at him, then gave a small nod.
“Well, since you insist so much. Bring it here.”
The servant stepped forward when—
“Oh, I almost forgot.”
Gale pulled a folded paper from his pocket.
“The apothecary said this medicine has specific instructions for use.”
“Instructions?”
“Yes. She emphasized you must follow them to see results.”
Lady Wellington seemed intrigued. Gale unfolded the paper.
“I’ll read it aloud. ‘Do not drink this medicine, madam. Because it has been swapped—’”
Startled, Gale lifted his head.
“What is this…?”
Clang! Splash—
Pale-faced, the servant dropped the tray. Its contents spilled across the floor.
“You—”
Gale finally noticed the servant’s face didn’t match his memory.
But before he could draw his sword, the terrified apothecary knelt down.
“I—I’ll explain everything!”
That evening, I was able to meet Lady Wellington directly.
“So you’re the apothecary?”
“Someone blessed by the East greets you, madam. Please, just call me Lala.”
Though I wore dyed hair and a plain commoner’s dress, I knew my disguise wasn’t perfect.
That’s why I had avoided meeting nobles directly.
“You seem well-versed in etiquette.”
“I practiced. I couldn’t afford even a small mistake in meeting someone of your stature.”
Thankfully, this was our first meeting. It seemed she hadn’t often attended Eastern society due to her health.
“Hahaha!”
She accepted my excuse without suspicion.
“You’re clearly flattering me, but strangely, I don’t dislike it. How curious.”
“Then may I take it as meaning I please your eyes, madam?”
“Oh my, how bold! Yes, I suppose I should say I like it.”
She laughed heartily.
I had heard she was strict, but perhaps being free of her long torment made her cheerful now.
“One question: how did you know this was a trap?”
“Because it was suspicious.”
As a former noble myself, I had noticed easily.
Normally, nobles with chronic illnesses always had their physician check everything they consumed.
But I had only been told she had migraines—no other instructions, no checks.
And the servant had simply taken the bowl away.
That meant either the medicine was never intended for her,
or the servant wasn’t a real servant and didn’t know noble customs.
“I followed the servant out of suspicion—and found Jacob.”
Jacob had never considered the possibility of being tailed. Thanks to his carelessness, I uncovered everything and stopped it.
“Do you know why he plotted against you?”
I didn’t know for certain, but I had a good guess.
‘He must think the humiliation he suffered a few days ago was my fault.’
Over two years, I had come to understand Jacob.
He was proud, loved showing off, and proved his superiority by trampling others.
He reminded me of Charlotte in many ways.
Men like him valued pride above life itself. If anyone hurt that pride, they would destroy the offender by any means necessary.
But I didn’t say all that aloud.
I didn’t want Lady Wellington thinking I was too weak to fend off a man’s advances.
“Madam, he tried to give you medicine that was no different from poison. How could I possibly understand such wickedness?”
I hoped Lady Wellington herself would interrogate Jacob.
Even though Jacob’s father was the Hobbes Guild master, I wasn’t worried.
A merchant would always weigh profit and loss. He wouldn’t risk a noble’s wrath for one illegitimate son.
Besides, interrogating Jacob would give Lady Wellington stronger authority in the territory.
She smiled knowingly, as if she had already foreseen the same.
“Then let’s talk about something else. You’ve only been in Ermel two years. What did you do before that?”
“I traveled across the Empire, learning about herbs. Each region has different climates and plants.”
I couldn’t mention my noble past, so I made an excuse.
Thankfully, she wasn’t asking out of suspicion.
“So you don’t belong to any noble family?”
“Well, I—”
“I’ve had migraines since I was a child. I’ve seen countless doctors, taken countless medicines. But today is the first time I’ve felt so clear-headed.”
“……”
“So I propose this: become my household’s exclusive apothecary. I’ll treat you generously.”
I paused as though thinking, then bowed my head.
“I am grateful for your high regard, but I must humbly decline.”
“Perhaps you should reconsider? The Wellington family is one of the most prestigious in the East. And I fiercely protect my people. You would never need to fear harm again.”
As expected, she had guessed why Jacob had targeted me.
“I’m sorry to say, madam, but I prefer meeting many patients as I do now, rather than being tied down.”
“…I see.”
“But I can sell you the prescription I used today.”
“So, you mean if I want credit for your medicine, I must pay for it?”
“If a noble such as yourself shows me such grace, how could I refuse?”
I purposely acted boldly.
From our conversation, I realized she liked confident people.
“You insolent—!”
The estate butler, listening quietly behind her, grabbed my collar.
But Lady Wellington silenced him with a wave.
“Ahaha!”
She laughed loudly, wiping tears from her eyes.
“I prefer people who demand openly to those who pretend to want nothing. Such people leave no hidden grudges.”
“….”
“Very well. I’ll pay you for the prescription.”
“Thank you, madam.”
I lowered my head, pretending to be deeply moved.
