Chapter : 118
The Bachelor Who Got Hooked on Herbs
Chapter 4 Start
I ran through the green area in the northern district of the royal capital.
Not at full speed, of course—it was my daily run.
In the early morning, when the sun hasn’t fully risen, it’s cool enough that even walking doesn’t make you sweat.
To make the most of such comfortable hours, I’ve decided that, during this season, I’ll do my running in the morning.
Claiming it’s too hot is just an excuse; if you plan properly, running can be done just as easily as in any other season.
It’s also cool at night, but darkness reduces visibility. On top of that, there are drunken people wandering around, sometimes singing with their arms around each other. It’s simply harder to focus on running.
So, running in this season means mornings.
Stopping just because it’s summer is really just finding an excuse not to run.
The green area is almost deserted.
I had already covered a decent distance, and the only people I had passed were other runners and a few morning-shift guards. This emptiness is perfect. The morning should be tranquil.
A quiet beginning sets the stage for a good day.
As I ran, I noticed someone standing ahead.
One of them was standing, while the other seemed completely exhausted.
From their hat and easily movable clothes, they looked like runners—like me.
They were blocking the path, which was inconvenient.
If you’re a runner, I’d appreciate it if you paid attention to your surroundings and didn’t disrupt other people’s pace.
“Ugh… I can’t… anymore!”
“Huh? You’re already done, Katarina? We’ve barely run any distance yet.”
“Huff… huff… this is weird. I used to be able to run more…”
“Staying cooped up in your room all the time hasn’t helped.”
“But with the air conditioning, it’s cool, so I don’t want to leave the house…”
“I understand the feeling, but exercise is necessary to stay healthy and maintain your figure. Look, Katarina, you’ve been slacking recently, and your stomach area…”
“Stop! Laura, don’t touch me!”
Looking closely, the troublesome runners were Katarina and Laura.
Katarina used to boast that she could handle a decent amount of exercise, but the summer heat and the lure of air conditioning seem to have left her completely out of shape. Pathetic.
Still, the fact that our running paths overlapped…
This green area has few people, flat paths, and is easy to run on. Plus, it’s surrounded by grass and trees, offering nice scenery, which made it a favorite of mine. But if those two are using it, I’ll have to change my route.
It will disrupt my rhythm, but it can’t be helped. Better than dealing with them directly.
I turned on my heels and decided to head back the way I came.
“I’ll have to find a new running course.”
I want my pleasant morning run to be enjoyed alone.
●
After finishing my run, I returned to my apartment.
By then, the sun had fully risen, and the temperature was gradually becoming humid and hot.
At this hour, it’s already too hot—early morning runs are definitely the way to go.
Once inside, I turned on the air conditioning, removed my clothes, and took a quick shower to wash off the sweat.
There’s something satisfying about sweating in the morning and washing it away.
Perhaps warmed by the water, my head felt clear and refreshed.
After thoroughly drying my hair with a dryer, I entered the living room, which was now completely cool.
Thank goodness for air conditioning.
I took a glass pitcher from the refrigerator.
Inside was herb water.
I poured some into a glass and added slices of lemon and a few herbs.
Taking a sip, the refreshing flavor of the herbs mixed with the subtle acidity of the lemon.
It slid smoothly down my throat, extremely refreshing.
The hydration seeped gently into my body that had been sweating.
Making herb water had become a little hobby of mine.
Just put herbs, ice, lemon, and water into a pitcher, chill in the fridge, and you have a delicious drink with hardly any effort.
During summer, people tend to lose their appetite due to the heat, but herb water passes down the throat effortlessly—it’s wonderful.
“…Maybe a little mint is missing?”
As I drank, I felt the mint flavor was a bit weak.
Last time, I added too much mint, so this time I went lighter, but it seems I went too far.
Thinking the flavor was lacking, I went out onto the balcony.
There, many pots were lined up, growing various mini vegetables and herbs—a balcony garden.
At first, even with just a balcony, I hesitated to grow plants, but trying it out wasn’t bad at all.
Herbs used for cooking are originally hardy plants that grow in harsh conditions like wild fields and mountains, so they’re easy to maintain.
They rarely die, and pests seldom come around.
I picked some mint from the pots and added it to my glass.
Freshly picked mint released a refreshing aroma, and the flavor was just right.
I added some to the pitcher too; in about an hour, the flavor would blend perfectly.
The beauty of a balcony garden is that when something feels lacking, you can immediately harvest and add it to your cooking. No need to go out and buy anything.
I don’t have many varieties yet, but now that I’m used to cultivation, maybe I can expand.
After drinking some water and taking a deep breath, the sweat that had been on my skin was completely gone.
“Time to make breakfast.”
After a short rest, I decided to get moving again.
Since I have herbs on the balcony, I’d use them for breakfast.
A herb omelet would be nice.
I grabbed scissors and went back to the balcony to harvest mint, green onions, and parsley in appropriate amounts.
Back in the kitchen, I tore the mint leaves by hand and cut the green onions and parsley with scissors.
I cracked two eggs into a bowl, lightly seasoning them with salt and pepper.
I added cottage cheese and mixed it lightly.
Dropping butter into a frying pan, it melted, releasing a creamy aroma.
Once the butter fully melted, I poured in the eggs I had just mixed.
I cooked them over medium heat, stirring lightly once the edges started turning white.
I added the green onions, parsley, and mint to the center.
Flipping the pan, the herbs were perfectly encased in the eggs.
I neatly shaped the omelet and placed it on a plate.
As a side, I prepared some bread and added mint to yogurt.
Breakfast with a Western touch, using herbs, was ready.
I moved to the living room table and started eating immediately.
First, the freshly made herb omelet.
Breaking it open with a spoon, the yolk flowed out, exposing the herbs inside.
When I tasted it, the creamy yolk and cottage cheese flavors spread across my mouth.
Following that, the texture of the green onions and the refreshing flavors of parsley and mint arrived.
It was delicious on its own, but also went well on bread. No ketchup or sauces were necessary.
The yogurt with honey, enhanced by the mint, tasted even more refreshing than usual.
Having run and built up an appetite, I finished breakfast in no time.
A breakfast made with herbs harvested from the balcony—fresh, light, and perfect for summer.
It was sure to help build a body that could resist the heat.
