Chapter 32
Diana’s hand paused midair as she rummaged through her alchemy cabinet.
Many of the bottles holding ingredients were half-empty, probably because she had ordered them so long ago.
She murmured quietly, stroking her chin.
“Hmm… I’m out of soft cotton wool… and star fragments from the sea too.”
She never knew when she might need certain potions.
Moreover, if Alicia ever decided to poison her ahead of schedule, she needed antidotes prepared.
Diana started writing an order list but soon put her quill down.
It would be far better to go herself and buy ingredients of guaranteed quality.
“Shane, Milan.”
At her call, Shane and Milan, who were waiting in the hallway, answered and entered.
“Yes, Your Highness.”
“Please prepare for an outing.”
It was rare for Diana to go out for personal errands.
Excited at this unusual occasion, Milan asked in a cheerful voice:
“Where will you be going, madam?”
“I’m thinking of visiting the shopping district. I’ve run out of alchemy ingredients.”
“Then you must dress beautifully, Your Highness! Which dress would you like to wear?”
Milan asked brightly.
Diana scanned her wardrobe, pondering deeply.
As it had been so long since her last outing, she didn’t want to wear just anything.
“This one will do.”
After long consideration, she chose a neat navy dress.
Though it wasn’t overly flashy, the delicate gold embroidery gave it an air of refined elegance.
It was a dress that suited Diana perfectly.
“Then I’ll fetch a matching hat.”
Shane bowed and went to get the hat while Milan busied herself with Diana’s hair.
Braiding it into two sections and lifting it into an elegant updo, she completed the styling.
“I’ve brought it.”
Once her hair was done, Shane returned with a sophisticated hat decorated with flowers.
When Diana put it on, she was ready.
She stepped outside and boarded the carriage.
The shopping district was close enough to walk, but as the Grand Duchess, walking there would only invite gossip.
“Please take me to the shopping district.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
Soon after departure, the coachman’s gruff voice announced their arrival.
Holding up her skirt, Diana descended gracefully.
The street bustled with people of all kinds, filled with the smell of everyday life.
Smiling gently, she entered the alchemy supply shop.
Alchemy materials were so expensive that only high-ranking nobles or wealthy merchants could afford them, so the store was quiet.
“Welcome!”
A young woman tidying the shop greeted her cheerfully.
Diana nodded slightly in reply.
The most basic potion ingredient was clean water—purified water, made with purification crystals.
Looking around, Diana soon spotted a jar containing sky-blue purification crystals.
The crystal was as large as a fist—she was glad she had come in person.
If she’d ordered by post, she would have only received pebble-sized pieces.
Satisfied, Diana approached the shelf.
It had looked low from afar, but up close it was taller than expected.
Rising on tiptoes, she reached for the jar.
It was just within reach, but her fingertips only brushed it lightly.
“Come on…”
She kept stretching but her foot slipped slightly, and her hand accidentally hit the jar as her body tipped sideways.
“Ah…”
Her vision spun.
If the crystal hit her head, it would be more than just a bump.
As she fell backward, she saw the crystals tumbling down toward her.
She squeezed her eyes shut.
But the pain she expected never came.
“You need to be careful.”
At the soft whisper in her ear, Diana slowly opened her eyes.
“Luerie…?”
“How have you been, sister?”
Floating above Luerie’s head were the purification crystals, levitating gently.
He had his arm wrapped around her waist.
“What are you doing here, Luerie?”
Embarrassed, Diana quickly pulled away from him, her face flushing red.
“I’m a mage.”
He grinned playfully, finding her reaction adorable.
“Of course I’d come to buy ingredients.”
“Ah…”
She felt stupid for asking. Flustered, she let out a small sigh.
“…Is your headache better now?”
Before she realised, Luerie’s face was right in front of hers, making her eyes widen in surprise.
“Your face is red… do you have a fever?”
His blue eyes dripped with concern for her.
Feeling his sincere kindness, Diana’s chest warmed softly.
“Ah, no… I’m fine now.”
She quickly turned her head away.
He was so different from everyone else at the mansion except Icel.
She didn’t know why he was so kind, but it filled her with warmth.
“I’m glad… you’re okay now.”
He gathered the floating crystals back into the jar and handed it to her with a bright smile.
Seeing him smile made her heart pound.
His large hand, which had supported her waist, flashed in her memory.
Today he wore a shabby robe, probably having come straight from the Mage Tower.
But even the dirt clinging to it couldn’t hide his beauty.
“How can a man be so pretty…”
Her face flushed again.
“It’s… quite hot today.”
Though a cool breeze blew, she fanned her face awkwardly.
Luerie tilted his head curiously.
“Do you need anything else?”
“Um… mermaid’s tears, pearl grains, golden sand…”
She listed them one by one from her mental note.
“Ingredients from the sea are on the second floor.”
Listening intently, Luerie naturally took her hand and led her toward the stairs.
“L-Luerie, are you coming too?”
“Of course.”
He replied as if it were obvious.
“You’re so small…”
Bending slightly, he teased her with a mischievous grin.
“If you fall again, I need to catch you.”
“Hmph, who’s small…”
She tried to retort but, looking up at his face far above hers, fell silent.
“What are you waiting for? Let’s go.”
She climbed the stairs ahead of him.
Luerie chuckled softly and followed quickly.
“Wait for me!”
On the second floor, as he said, were shelves lined with materials from the sea.
“So pretty…”
Diana gazed at the shimmering pearl grains with bright eyes.
Coming in person let her admire their beauty up close.
She tucked a jar of pearl grains under her arm and moved on to look at mermaid’s tears.
They sparkled like opals, yet felt jelly-like to the touch.
They were essential for detoxification potions, making them very expensive.
One small box remained, cushioned inside velvet.
Relieved, she reached for it.
“This one too… huh?”
At that moment, a thick hand reached for the box just after hers.
Turning her head, she saw a large man in luxurious clothing gripping the same box.
“I grabbed it first.”
“Ah…”
Technically, her hand had touched it first.
“Could you please let me have it? I really need this ingredient.”
She asked politely.
“I said I grabbed it first!”
Despite her courtesy, he yelled and snatched the box away, roughly shoving her aside.
She staggered backward.
“What do you think you’re doing!”
Luerie rushed forward, holding her steady, then stood in front of the man.
With a cold, growling voice, he said:
“Why are you shoving people? She grabbed it first. Hand it over.”
His eyes burned with barely restrained fury.
“I’m okay, Luerie.”
She didn’t want to cause a scene over this. It was unfortunate, but it couldn’t be helped.
“What’s with this beggar.”
The man sneered at Luerie’s dirt-covered robe.
Diana, who had been about to leave, stopped and turned back sharply.
“What did you just say?”
“…Sister?”
Seeing her angry face, Luerie was taken aback.
“Beggar?”
She marched up to the man, her cold gaze unflinching despite his towering size.
“Apologise to Luerie. Right now.”
