CHAPTER 9
“Let’s Do Something About This Outfit”
“No luck?”
Leah, exhausted and covered in dust, slumped down as the elderly apothecary asked.
She shook her head and let out a long sigh.
“That herb isn’t easy to find around here,” the apothecary said with a sympathetic tone.
“The best we can do is order it from the capital, but it’ll take a few weeks to arrive.”
“I don’t have that kind of time…”
The Duke had said, “I expect to drink that tea tonight.”
Her blood pressure spiked just remembering it.
She needed that stupid seed, but where could she find it?
She was already on her fourth apothecary visit that morning. Her back ached from pushing the cart around town.
She sat motionless for a while, then slowly got up.
“Thank you. I’ll be on my way now.”
As she left the shop, the bell above the door jingled faintly behind her.
The streets were crowded with people enjoying the late afternoon bustle. Most of them were merchants, since today was the day of the monthly market.
“Wait… the market!”
She quickly changed direction and hurried toward the square.
Stalls lined the street, offering everything from second-hand clothes to exotic spices.
She wove through the crowd, scanning each stall in search of—
“Oh! There!”
She dashed up to a stall where herbs were drying on racks.
Panting slightly, she asked, “Do you have zizyphus seed?”
The vendor looked puzzled.
“Zizyphus?”
Leah quickly explained. “Suanzaoren. It’s used for insomnia. Small, reddish-brown seed?”
The vendor rummaged through his goods, then pulled out a small pouch.
“Ah! This what you mean?”
The moment she laid eyes on the contents, her expression brightened.
“Yes! That’s it!”
“I don’t have much, though.”
“That’s fine. How much?”
The vendor named a price. Her expression stiffened.
It was double what she had expected.
“This has to be a scam…”
But she didn’t have time to haggle. Gritting her teeth, she handed over the coins.
“Thank you!”
She clutched the pouch like treasure and hurried back.
The moment she arrived at the manor, she went straight to the kitchen and began preparing the tea. After washing the seeds and drying them, she ground them with a mortar and pestle, added them to water, and set the pot over the flame.
As the tea simmered, a warm aroma filled the room. Leah closed her eyes and breathed in the familiar scent.
Back in her world, she had often used this tea when she couldn’t sleep.
“It’s not sweet, but it’s calming…”
She carefully poured the tea into a porcelain cup, placed it on a tray, and walked toward the Duke’s room.
Knock knock.
“Your Grace, it’s Leah.”
“……Come in.”
She entered to find Akkia sitting at the desk, flipping through documents.
“Here’s the tea you requested.”
She set it on the table. Akkia glanced at it and raised an eyebrow.
“That was fast.”
“I searched all over town. Just happened to find a little at the market.”
“A little?”
“Yes. It wasn’t cheap.”
She added the last part meaningfully.
But Akkia, unmoved, picked up the cup and took a sip.
His brow furrowed ever so slightly.
“It’s bitter.”
“It’s supposed to be. That’s how you know it’s working.”
She flashed a satisfied smile. He didn’t respond.
Leah watched him closely, then took out her notebook.
“How did you sleep last night?”
“I didn’t.”
“No changes, then?”
“None.”
She scribbled down notes. She had been checking his condition daily.
“Any nausea, fatigue, or headaches?”
“None worth mentioning.”
“That’s good. And if the tea helps, I’ll try to get more.”
She stood, preparing to leave.
But then Akkia spoke again.
“Let’s do something about that outfit.”
“…Excuse me?”
“It’s distracting.”
He gestured at her current attire.
She looked down at herself.
“It’s just the uniform I was given…”
A modest black dress with a white apron. A little plain, maybe, but clean and appropriate for work.
“What’s wrong with it?”
“Too plain. You look like a funeral guest.”
“That’s… a bit harsh.”
She forced a smile.
“I’ll have the tailor come tomorrow. Get something more suitable made.”
“Wait, what? A tailor?”
“You’ll need something more fitting for your position.”
“But I’m just the apothecary!”
“Exactly. You’re the apothecary for the Duke of Heidern. Your clothes should reflect that.”
“…You just said it was distracting.”
He didn’t reply. Just took another sip of the tea.
“Is this his way of saying thank you?”
Leah was too tired to question it further. She bowed slightly.
“I’ll take my leave now, Your Grace.”
As she left, she couldn’t help muttering under her breath.
“This guy’s mood swings are exhausting…”
