CHAPTER 12
Curious About What You Did in That Room
“Butler, it’s me—Jane.”
A soft knock echoed through the office, followed by a discreet voice. At the sound, Bayern looked up from the paperwork he’d been signing and set down his fountain pen.
“Come in.”
Jane glanced around nervously before slipping into the office. She approached quickly and bowed politely.
Has it already been a week?
Bayern had been having Jane, the maid assigned to the Duke’s bedchamber, report on Akkia’s condition weekly. He didn’t want her visiting too frequently and drawing unwanted attention.
He received reports from her like this every week.
It’s not like the Duke’s routine ever changes.
Whether the reports came daily or weekly, there was never anything new about the Duke’s day-to-day life.
A frail prince who never leaves his room.
Officially, no illness had been disclosed, but it was evident that the Duke was growing weaker by the day.
If only he would die already. When Bayern had first been hired, he thought the Duke wouldn’t last long. But his life was surprisingly persistent.
Clicking his tongue in annoyance, Bayern tilted his chin toward Jane, who had now reached his desk.
“Well? How’s the Duke?”
“His condition is the same as usual. Still looks sickly and continues to cough often.”
Jane took out a piece of parchment from her clothes and placed it on the desk. It was a detailed log of the Duke’s daily routine, including his meals, health status, and records of who entered or left the bedroom.
Bayern skimmed it casually, as he always did—until his eyes caught one line.
[Meals: Has resumed eating as of three days ago. Consumed approximately one-third of the meal.]
“He started eating again?”
“Yes, though not much. Just a few spoonfuls.”
The Duke had barely eaten anything from the kitchen before. It was a mystery how he’d stayed alive this long.
And now he’s eating again?
Bayern’s brow furrowed. Was this a good sign—or a bad one? He couldn’t tell.
Jane, sensing his unease, added carefully:
“I think the new apothecary changed things a bit. Maybe it’s the new medicine? That might be why he started eating again.”
She seemed eager to share more once she started talking. The mention of the apothecary made Bayern think of Lea immediately.
The apothecary…
She couldn’t be older than twenty-two. For a young, inexperienced apothecary, she had unusually sharp eyes from their first meeting. Outwardly cheerful and bubbly, she was clearly quick to read situations.
When she heard about the contract penalty, she’d instantly changed her attitude—pragmatic and sharp.
She was also the only one allowed to examine the irritable Duke Heidern daily.
And that hair of hers… it’s distracting.
Her vivid crimson hair, like it had been soaked in blood, stood out no matter where she was in the mansion. In the Croatea Empire, red symbolized nobility.
It was the color of Belarus, the lion guardian deity of the empire’s founding myth.
To Bayern, Lea’s noble appearance felt far too extravagant for someone from an orphanage. She annoyed him more often than not.
“Oh! And the Duke has been coming out of his room more frequently. He only walks the corridor on the third floor, but still.”
“Really?”
The Duke was changing. Subtly, but enough for Bayern to notice too.
“Jane, keep a closer eye on him. I want bi-weekly reports from now on.”
Whether this change was due to the new apothecary, as Jane believed, or something else, time would tell.
“Sure, twice a week then. So, um… about that…”
Jane gave him a sly smile, clearly hinting at something. Bayern immediately understood—she wanted extra pay.
Tch. Greedy little thing.
With a click of his tongue, Bayern opened a drawer, took out a pouch of coins, and tossed it on the desk.
—Thud.
The heavy sound of the pouch hitting the desk made Jane’s face flush with joy.
“Thank you! I’ll be sure to report every little detail, sir!”
Clutching the pouch, she bowed deeply and left. Once she was gone, silence returned to the office.
“…Looks like I’ll need to check in myself before that woman arrives.”
Bayern tapped his fingers thoughtfully on the desk, then curled his lips into a bitter smile.
Lea had been holed up in the infirmary making nutritional supplements for two straight days.
Aside from meal and consultation times, she had been busy mixing and formulating all day. At this rate, she should’ve collapsed from fatigue already.
But all this… it’s money!
Thinking about how every bottle she made would bring in profit, Lea forgot all about being tired. In fact, she felt excited.
Just as she immersed herself in the process again—
—Knock knock.
A man peeked into the infirmary.
“Yes? Who are you?”
“You’re the apothecary, right?”
He had deep navy-blue hair and looked familiar. She recognized him as one of the estate’s workers.
“Yes, and you are…?”
The man smiled awkwardly and limped toward her desk.
“My name’s James. I take care of the gardens. I fell from a ladder while trimming the trees earlier.”
Lea glanced at his left leg. The way he winced with each step made it clear—he was in real pain.
“It didn’t hurt earlier, but now that I’m trying to sleep, the pain’s intense. I hope it’s not too late to see you…”
“Not at all, I was working anyway. Come in—I’ll take a look.”
Initially, Lea thought her job was solely to tend to the Duke. But when other patients began showing up, she realized she was responsible for all the estate workers as well.
She rolled up his trouser leg and examined his ankle. As she touched the swollen area, James winced in pain.
“Does it hurt?”
“Yeah. It hurts whenever I move or you press on it.”
Lea nodded as if she’d expected that.
“It’s a sprain. Looks like you twisted it when you fell. Not too serious, but come back if the swelling gets worse.”
“I see…”
“Try to rest as much as you can. Soaking your foot in cold water frequently will help reduce swelling.”
Rest was the best treatment for a sprain. James stared at her as she gave a calm and clear diagnosis.
He’d heard rumors that the new apothecary was greedy—obsessed with selling supplements. That had made him wary of visiting.
But now, after being treated, he changed his mind. Her skill was impressive.
After applying a splint, Lea straightened up.
“Here’s some medicine. Don’t overdo it. If the pain worsens, I’ll give you more.”
“Thank you.”
James thanked her repeatedly before leaving. As the door closed behind him, Lea clapped the dust off her hands and muttered,
“Alright, back to work.”
The smell of corn starch in the air snapped her back to focus.
Still so much left…
She had only finished about half the orders on her list. Glancing out the window, she noticed the sky had gone completely dark.
I’ll just finish this batch and call it a night.
Sighing, Lea turned back to her work—but then—
—Creak.
The door opened again.
“James? Did you forget something?”
Lea kept her head down, expecting James to reply. But there was no answer.
Only the sound of slow footsteps approaching her desk.
Lea lifted her head.
“Tell me what you—huh?”
She froze.
It wasn’t James.
The man standing before her was someone else entirely, his voice cold and unfamiliar.
“Who’s James?”
“…Your Grace?”
Lea’s eyes widened in shock.
“I asked who James is.”
His sharp gaze glinted under the flickering candlelight. Those deep red eyes bore into her.
What’s going on…?
She had no idea why he was so upset.
“He’s the gardener. James is just the gardener.”
“Gardener, huh…”
He repeated the name as if trying to memorize it.
“How did you end up here?” Lea asked cautiously.
“What? Am I not allowed here?”
He tilted his head, his tone oddly challenging.
“No, that’s not what I meant…”
It was the first time the Duke had come to the infirmary—and this late at night too.
Lea tried to figure out why he was here.
But Akkia didn’t seem interested in her thoughts. He looked around the room instead.
“And what are you doing here at this hour? Weren’t you supposed to be at the annex today?”
“…Annex?”
She blinked blankly, then clapped her hands together.
Oh, right!
Today, she was supposed to work on the antidote with the Duke in the annex. But she’d been so absorbed in making supplements, she completely forgot.
Lea let out a small sigh of disbelief at herself.
So that’s why he came all the way here…
He must have waited and eventually come looking for her. She finally understood why he was angry.
Feeling guilty, Lea hurriedly gathered her things.
“I’m so sorry! I completely forgot. We still have time, though—let’s go now! We can still get an hour of work in…”
Just as she was about to rush out—
—Clack.
The half-open door shut again, this time by the Duke’s hand. Lea tilted her head in confusion at his sudden action.
“Your Grace?”
“I was curious.”
“…About what?”
Something in his demeanor felt off. A strange unease crept over her.
“What you were doing in this room.”
“……”
“Why don’t you show me too? Whatever it was you were doing with James.”
