Chapter 3
Sophie’s apothecary was located in a quiet area just a little ways from the capital’s royal palace.
It had more people than a forest, but not by much.
A cozy yet bustling neighborhood where the houses huddled together in rows.
Her apothecary was reputed enough that even physicians entrusted her with confidence.
She sold high-quality herbs, including ones notoriously difficult to cultivate, and above all, her apothecary always carried the scent of sweet fragrance and warm air.
“Oh my goodness…”
Late at night.
A grand and imposing carriage pulled up in front of the apothecary.
Emily, who was coincidentally stepping out of the apothecary, nearly stopped breathing when she saw the man stepping out of the carriage.
The man gave her a gentle nod of greeting as their eyes met, then strode inside.
‘He’s seriously handsome.’
Olive-green eyes, golden hair that shone brighter than the streetlamps.
Two knights followed behind him as guards.
When the man entered the apothecary, Sophie, who had been petting a spirit’s head, instantly scowled.
‘You again.’
He was a regular—always showing up at night.
“It’s gotten rather chilly, hasn’t it, Sophie? I’ve come for tea again.”
Arthur looked at the petite woman before him with amusement.
She was the most interesting person he’d met in recent times.
“If it’s tea you want, I’ll just send you the leaves.”
“You already know—tea doesn’t work unless you make it.”
Strangely enough, even when using the same tea leaves, the tea had no effect unless brewed by Sophie herself.
Which is why Arthur kept coming back.
“To begin with, I don’t exactly have the power to cure your insomnia—”
“That cake you said was delicious. I brought more. Shall we share it?”
“…I might just have the power after all. I’ll serve you with love, Your Grace.”
With a voice as calm as ever, Sophie replied—her expression unchanged.
The knights, however, looked bewildered by her deadpan tone.
Sophie, cheered by the thought of cake, hurried to prepare the tea.
“Are you sure about this, Your Grace?”
One of the guards asked Arthur cautiously.
They hadn’t brought Paul today, knowing Sophie disliked noise.
Paul would definitely need a stern talking-to later.
The knights who came instead remained wary of Sophie.
“She still isn’t someone we can fully trust.”
Loyal as they were, the knights offered to taste the tea first.
“She’s more than trustworthy. And if you don’t trust her, trust me.”
“…Your Grace.”
Arthur knew very well how much affection Sophie showed toward plants.
And with how much pride she took in her apothecary, he was certain she wouldn’t use herbs to poison anyone.
If she were to assassinate someone, she’d go with a knife or bomb instead—that was just her style.
“If you’re still worried, then drink the tea with me.”
Sophie had apparently heard them and spoke in a slightly displeased tone.
“I’ll pour it from the same pot and drink it with you. That’s fair, right?”
“It is a sleeping aid… are you really okay with that?”
“Hedelia is only mildly drowsy-inducing. And it’s nighttime anyway.”
They were going to sleep soon regardless.
The knights agreed, and the one named James took the first sip.
The three of them shared the cake Arthur had brought.
Sophie filtered out the leaves and poured a slightly dark, reddish-brown tea.
The sound of warm tea being poured echoed gently in the apothecary.
“Smells good. Thank you, then.”
“If anyone should be thanking, it’s me, Sophie.”
Sophie grabbed a piece of cake without hesitation.
“In that case, my lord, allow me to taste it first.”
James sought Arthur’s approval and then took a sip.
Arthur nodded, granting his consent with ease.
The slight bitterness and sweetness spread through James’s mouth.
The warm cup in his cold hands, the nutty fragrance tickling his nose—it all felt comforting.
“Haa…”
He exhaled an unintentional sigh of delight.
“Mmm… no poison, it seems.”
Embarrassed, James tried to joke as he finished the cup.
There were no other customers in the apothecary at this hour.
One by one, the spirits of earth hidden in the greenhouse appeared, radiating golden light.
Their warm glows circled around Sophie, occasionally brushing Arthur’s cheek or sitting on the table.
‘This feels… peaceful.’
James couldn’t help but think so.
The warm atmosphere seemed to melt away tension from his entire body.
Especially the little warmth cradled in his hands.
“Hey, hey.”
Someone tapped James on the back.
It was his fellow knight, Ben.
He leaned in, lowering his voice so Arthur wouldn’t hear.
“Hey… is it good?”
Just one cup of tea would be enough in this peaceful place.
Ben was practically dying of envy.
“Yeah.”
“…Next one’s mine.”
Ben made a vague promise to himself.
“If you’d like, would you care for a cup too?”
Sophie, sharp as ever, asked with a smile.
“Oh, may I?”
What a refined lady. Ben’s face lit up.
He glanced at Arthur, who nodded his approval.
“Yes. There’s a bit left.”
“Then thank you kindly…”
Ben sat down, grinning.
“It’s really good.”
Arthur smiled brightly, visibly relieved.
‘Didn’t they say the Duke’s insomnia was cured by her tea?’
It had been so long since anyone had seen Arthur look so at peace.
Ben, though not suffering from insomnia, felt the fatigue easing from his body.
Not quite enough to fall asleep right away—but enough that if he closed his eyes, he felt he’d sleep deeply.
“Your Grace. May I ask something?”
Sophie spoke up between sips.
“Yes, anything.”
“I asked around… and it seems your insomnia is common knowledge.”
“Yes, I’d say so. The entire empire probably knows.”
Guess I was the only one who didn’t. Sophie clicked her tongue softly.
“But the part about the curse… no one knew. Was that kept secret?”
Now that she thought of it, even when they first met, he only said he had insomnia.
“It’s only known to a few close aides. I didn’t want it publicly known that I was cursed.”
“…Yet you told me.”
Sophie murmured.
“That’s how much I trust you. From the start, I never thought you were the type to gossip.”
“Me?”
“Yes, Sophie. I could tell from the first time we met.”
Say that with that handsome face, and whose heart wouldn’t skip a beat?
Good grief…
Sophie swallowed hard and struggled to suppress the grin tugging at her lips.
“So, Sophie. Would you consider coming with me to the Duke’s estate?”
Geographically, her town was still part of the capital’s outskirts.
But the Duke’s mansion in the city center was a whole different world.
Even Paul insisted they bring Sophie to the estate immediately.
But Arthur didn’t want to force her or be discourteous to someone who clearly didn’t want to leave.
“I’ll build a massive greenhouse just for you. I promise, in my name, that your life there will be full of happiness.”
That man knew all too well how devastatingly attractive he was.
Sophie blankly stared at his inhumanly handsome face.
His eyes almost seemed to shimmer like starlight.
Maybe Arthur Clafield wasn’t just a duke—but a spirit of beauty or starlight.
“I appreciate the generous offer… but I must decline.”
“May I ask why?”
“I’m an apothecary owner, not a tea leaf vendor.”
“I thought as much.”
Arthur smiled warmly, as if he’d expected her answer.
“Then I suppose I’ll just have to visit your apothecary every day.”
Oh, come on. Sophie let out a quiet sigh at his words.
“Sleep is a daily necessity—so I’ll need to visit you daily as well.”
* * *
That very night, Arthur had another restful sleep in his carriage after visiting Sophie’s apothecary.
It had been so long since he’d slept so sweetly.
Even his frayed nerves had settled.
“Your Grace! It’s such a relief to see you healthy again!”
The royal palace. Paul, Arthur’s aide, shouted in his usual booming voice.
Thanks to him, everyone in the palace now knew Arthur’s insomnia had been cured.
“Exactly. Which is why we must bring Sophie to the Duke’s mansion immediately.”
They had already tried bringing a top-class spiritist to brew tea. Useless.
Only Sophie could heal Arthur’s insomnia.
“I could visit her apothecary every day and pester her tirelessly.”
“…”
“She might give in just to stop the hassle.”
“I’d rather not insult her like that. And didn’t I tell you to lower your voice around her…? Are you trying to annoy her?”
“This isn’t annoyance—it’s called persistent negotiation.”
Paul, with his massive frame and booming voice, was persistent in both word and deed.
“No one would call that negotiation.”
Arthur let out a soft chuckle at Paul’s absurd logic.
He was finally relaxed enough to smile again.
“It just means I’m glad to see my lord recovered.”
“Yes. I’m deeply grateful for this peace I haven’t had in so long.”
Arthur’s smile lit up the palace, drawing smiles from those around him.
Arthur Clafield was known across the empire as a gentle and responsible man.
He personally visited disaster-stricken areas and took special care of the people in his territory.
He enjoyed the quiet evenings—Sophie’s grumbling but welcoming presence, the apothecary’s unique scent, and the spirits’ gentle warmth.
“I’m ready to get back to work. Any reports for me?”
“Well… they say the prince has returned from Kelapator.”
Arthur Clafield and Prince Valentis Sylon were like oil and water.
Their ideas always clashed, even in political matters.
“…I see. There he is now.”
Arthur’s soft and bright appearance resembled a fairy tale prince, while Valentis looked more like the head of a mercenary band—or an assassin.
Valentis, with jet-black hair, appeared in the distance.
Dressed in a cloak as dark as night, he led a unit behind him.
Then, with his sharp, languid eyes, he locked gazes with Arthur.
Valentis curled one corner of his mouth into a crooked smirk.
His golden eyes—predatory like a raptor’s—fixed on Arthur.
Holding his helmet, Valentis approached.
The clang of metal echoed heavily as people moved out of the way.
“It’s been a while, Duke.”
Valentis Sylon—the empire’s great warrior prince, known for his formidable might.
