Chapter 24
“Don’t accept all the evaluations others make about you.”
Valentis said.
“It’s better to be evaluated by someone who is by your side. That’s more objective.”
“……”
“And after watching you for some time now, I’ve concluded that you’re actually quite a good person.”
Somehow, it seemed like he was smiling just a little.
“So, you can keep walking forward just as you are now.”
Sophie hadn’t expected Valentis to say something like that.
With wide eyes, she fidgeted with the teacup in her hands, trying to ease the awkwardness.
“…Why?”
Valentis tilted his head slightly as Sophie simply stared at him.
“I’m just a little surprised…”
She answered in a whisper.
“I never thought Your Highness would say something like that.”
“I’m not the type to say things I don’t mean.”
He replied casually.
“So trust what I say.”
“…Yes. Thank you.”
Valentis had a kind of presence that overwhelmed others—whether it was his intense gaze, imposing aura, or his towering physique.
He smelled more like a warrior than an emperor on a throne. She never thought someone like that would say such embarrassing things.
But somehow, his words gave her strength.
“And compliments help boost the morale of the troops, too.”
…He really didn’t need to add that.
Seriously, he was so bad at reading the room.
With cold eyes, Sophie took a small sip of her tea.
Not long after, Sophie made a full recovery.
Hearing the news, Valentis let out a small sigh of relief and turned back to his official duties.
“Marquis Shericas…”
As he sifted through the reports sent from various regions, his eyes landed on a particular name that now caught his attention.
“Your Highness?”
Valentis, ever straightforward in both personality and work, rarely fixated on a single report like this.
“Is there something concerning in Marquis Shericas’s report?”
“When is the marquis expected back from the Kingdom of Gronern?”
“It’ll probably take at least five months. There’s still much left to handle there.”
The Kingdom of Gronern had only recently begun trading with the Siloc Empire.
Marquis Shericas had been dispatched directly to the kingdom to spearhead negotiations for favorable prices on minerals and agricultural products.
He was a well-trusted marquis and had never once caused any kind of scandal.
His personality was so upright that even minor gossip never followed him.
“…I believe the marquis has a son?”
“Unlike his father, the son entered an academic faction and is currently focused on research.”
So why was the prince interested in Marquis Shericas?
“Um, Your Highness, if you find anything suspicious, should I investigate it?”
“No. That won’t be necessary.”
Valentis shook his head.
‘They probably don’t have much of a relationship.’
Sophie rarely spoke about her past.
So perhaps her relationship with the marquis wasn’t good.
“Anything else that needs handling, Your Highness?”
“That will be all for now. I plan to have a light sparring match with the troops this afternoon.”
Valentis set down his quill and picked up a teacup resting in the corner.
The tea had long gone cold, but he drank it with satisfaction.
It was tea Sophie had made at the apothecary. She had brewed it and sent the whole kettle.
Sometimes, when he was too busy to visit the apothecary, he drank it like this.
“…?”
As he drank, Valentis suddenly sensed someone watching him and looked up.
Robin was smiling warmly at him.
“…Your gaze is quite unpleasant.”
“I apologize, Your Highness.”
Loyal Robin bowed his head immediately.
“It’s just… I’m happy to see you more at ease lately, and I didn’t mean to stare…”
“…Ah.”
Valentis nodded.
“You used to only look for liquor, but now you’re drinking tea like this… See? I told you alcohol isn’t good for you.”
“……”
“And now that the intense pain is gone, you’re even sparring with the troops again.”
Robin felt like it was all thanks to Sophie.
It was as if the Valentis he once admired and respected had returned.
“Speaking of Sophie, Spirit Master Rolf is coming to the capital.”
Robin said cautiously.
“He mentioned the weather’s been acting strange lately.”
Beyond the Siloc Empire, the continent was full of lush greenery, fertile land, and abundant resources.
Especially in Siloc, the climate was mild, and water and food were plentiful.
But recently, with the emergence of monsters, the climate had also begun to change.
Valentis found this entire series of events increasingly unsettling.
“So, has he gathered any useful information?”
“He wasn’t sure. Just said it was strange.”
Robin replied.
“So he’s coming to the palace to consult His Majesty…”
Robin added that it might be a good opportunity for Sophie to meet Rolf.
Above all, Rolf was someone quite trustworthy.
He had even rolled up his sleeves to help Valentis when he obtained a dragon’s heart.
“Don’t you think Sophie would be curious about her abilities too?”
Spirit magic was still wrapped in mystery compared to traditional magic.
Even after forming a contract with spirits, the nature of their world remained unknown, and strange and amazing things continued to happen.
“So?”
“So, I was wondering if maybe we could bring Sophie to the palace…”
“She’ll probably say no right away.”
“Yes… You’re probably right…”
Robin muttered.
“But the palace would be the best place to conduct proper testing.”
Clever Robin knew that their great prince turned into a docile man around Sophie.
He became like a loose screw—gentle and soft.
Valentis never flaunted pride or strength in front of Sophie.
It showed how much he cared for her.
If Sophie refused, Valentis would surely accept it without argument.
“Don’t you think Sophie might not like the idea?”
Arthur also voiced a pessimistic opinion.
“I’m just as curious, but I think she’ll decline. More than anything, Sophie doesn’t seem to like troublesome things.”
“So what should we do? I really hope she gets to meet Rolf for the future’s sake.”
“Is there no better method? Maybe we could arrange a coincidental meeting?”
“She’ll catch on immediately. And you said we’d need a proper place to conduct experiments, right?”
Arthur and Valentis had often run into each other at the apothecary. Naturally, they began discussing policies together and became like-minded colleagues.
Visiting Valentis’s office in person, Arthur actively joined in the discussion about Sophie.
The three of them didn’t want to bother her.
Because Sophie had already become a precious person to them.
“Should we ask Lady Arabelle? Sophie listens to her well.”
“That might backfire. It’s better to be direct.”
“I agree with Your Highness.”
“Thank you, Duke.”
“Not at all, Your Highness.”
Valentis and Arthur, bound by their concern for Sophie, found themselves in sync.
The three men decided to approach Sophie gently and even prepared a third fallback plan in case she refused.
“You’re here?”
As they entered the apothecary, it was—as expected—filled with people enjoying tea.
“There’s a seat open in the back.”
Sophie’s apothecary was always packed. Especially popular in the area, her tea was rumored to cure minor ailments quickly.
“Sophie, you look busy. Are you alright?”
“Not too busy right now. I finished the urgent stuff.”
Because I’m using spirits.
Sophie smiled brightly.
As if to prove her point, little spirits fluttered around, acting as her hands.
People were always fascinated by the spirits at the apothecary.
“Um, Sophie, there’s something we want to talk to you about.”
“What is it?”
“Do you know of a spirit master named Rolf? He came to the capital recently. He’s quite well-known. Have you heard of him?”
“Yes, I’ve heard of him. He was already famous when I was studying.”
Arthur couldn’t bring himself to say it directly, so he hesitated and spoke in circles. Then Valentis pushed him aside and got straight to the point.
“We’d like you to meet Rolf.”
“…Pardon?”
“We need to understand the effects your tea had on us, among other things.”
Valentis explained.
Isn’t that way too blunt? Arthur thought, horrified.
“Uh, Sophie… we’re just curious why these things are happening.”
Arthur said carefully.
“Of course, if you don’t want to, you don’t have to go!”
“Sir Robin is right. If it’s too bothersome…”
The three men were completely at her mercy.
“…So you want me to go to the palace?”
“Yes.”
They gulped.
“Okay. Then I guess I’ll have to finish my work before going.”
“…Pardon?”
Sophie responded far too casually.
She had agreed to go to the palace without hesitation.
The men, who had spent time preparing for her refusal, were suddenly left speechless.
“Um, really, if it’s a bother, you don’t have to go…”
Arthur added. They already felt like they were burdening her enough.
“It is a bother. Honestly.”
Then Sophie spoke.
At her firm words, the three men’s expressions sank.
“But what’s bothering me right now is the situation and the fact that Your Grace and Your Highness are the ones bothering me.”
“……”
“You both need my help, don’t you? Your ailments aren’t a bother to me.”
Because I’m an apothecary.
There was no hesitation in Sophie’s eyes.
She wanted to fulfill her duty as a healer.
“Since I can treat your symptoms, I made tea for you.”
“……”
“So finding out why this happened is, of course, something I should do for you.”
Her resolute and determined expression left the men speechless.
“I’ll do my best within what I can do.”
At her unwavering words, the three men closed their mouths.
Somehow, the trust and warmth in her words stirred something in their hearts.
