TVEWD 50

After Lycaon and Jed had left, the pharmacy remained busy.

Their absence left no time to worry about, and the days went by in a blur.

Because they had more than doubled the volume, Fresa had to wake up at dawn to cultivate herbs and prepare medicines.

Thanks to Loren’s diligent help, they managed to meet the demand barely, but as a result, Fresa’s personal time was almost nonexistent.

The vault that had been empty during the purchase of the Thorpe estate was now being steadily filled again.

The matter of Lord Guilespie and his wife had long since faded from her memory.

Since they hadn’t taken any significant action, she naturally pushed them out of her mind.

One busy day after another, a letter with the royal crest of Piltz arrived.

Loren, who was checking the mail on behalf of Fresa, was surprised and ran to her.

“Miss! A letter from the royal family! Queen Her Majesty sent it!”

“The Queen Her Majesty?”

Fresa also looked a bit surprised as she received the letter.

Isaac, who was examining a jar of hair ointment and mint water, also looked at the letter with interest.

Fresa didn’t hesitate and opened the envelope to check the contents first.

The letter wasn’t very long.

But it contained clear and definite information.

After double-checking, Fresa carefully folded the letter and spoke.

“They want to invite me to the royal banquet. They say they have something they want to say in person.”

“The Queen Her Majesty herself?”

“Yes.”

It was written that she knew about Fresa’s remarkable achievements and wanted to discuss related matters.

It was definitely related to business.

Isaac, who had been quietly watching, asked a question.

“What will you do?”

“If we deal directly with the royal family, it wouldn’t be bad. It’s actually a good opportunity.”

Fresa looked at Loren and Isaac, alternating with an excited expression.

However, attending the royal banquet was also a matter that required considerable resolve.

Given her recent fame for various reasons, everyone would recognize her and might gossip.

While she had become somewhat accustomed to others talking about her behind her back, it still wasn’t entirely comfortable.

Moreover, meeting the Queen directly was quite burdensome.

Until now, Fresa had been overshadowed by the Thorpe siblings and had never met royalty in person.

As Fresa hesitated for a long time, Loren stepped in.

“Miss, don’t worry too much. You’ve done well so far. This is a really good opportunity. Yes?”

“Thank you, Loren.”

Fresa held Loren’s hand tightly and smiled.

Like Loren said, Fresa had built her business well without making major mistakes.

So, there was no need to be afraid of meeting royalty just yet.

‘It seems Lycaon’s absence was a big gap.’

If Lycaon had been here, she would have gone straight without much worry.

Having a strong backing was definitely a good thing.

But then she remembered, there was someone else left for Fresa.

‘Cade was here.’

Now used to her role as a pharmacy employee, she had forgotten that he was the master of a famous guild.

Fresa turned her head sharply and looked at Isaac.

“I need a partner.”

Since Lycaon was absent, there was only one person who could accompany her.

“Cade, would you come with me?”

~·~·* . *^.^* . *·~·~

Rumors spread that Fresa had been invited to the annual banquet hosted by the Queen of Piltz.

Fresa’s return was a hot topic in many ways.

It was already astonishing enough that she was alive after supposedly drinking poison and dying, and that she had developed a new medicine in a small village and made a fortune was impressive in itself.

The story that she bought the Thorpe estate and gifted it to her trusted servant was also well known among commoners, not just nobles.

Her name had appeared several times in the kingdom’s newspapers.

Rowan Guilespie gazed at each letter of her name with a wistful look before closing the paper.

“This might be my chance to meet Fresa.”

Since Fresa hadn’t stayed in the kingdom, it had been hard to meet her.

But if it was an invitation from the Queen, she would definitely accept.

Fresa was currently expanding her pharmacy business, and making a deal with the royal family would bring enormous benefits.

“I didn’t really know much about Fresa until now, but I understand her a bit better now.”

Rowan realized how clever and ambitious Fresa was.

That made him regret even more.

Alicia was beautiful and kind, but living with her now, she wasn’t as joyful as before.

In fact, other than those two qualities, she lacked any other charm, and he found himself bored.

On the other hand, Fresa felt fresh and new.

Her unfamiliar appearance, her first-time expressions, her unknown personality—all were new to him.

It was as if he was seeing someone entirely different, fueling his curiosity.

He desperately wanted to turn her heart back.

Wasn’t it time to forgive past mistakes?

Could it be that Fresa was also waiting for Rowan to return, but couldn’t show it outwardly?

Rowan wanted to have a proper conversation with Fresa at this banquet and untangle their tangled relationship.

But first, he needed to somehow keep Alicia away, which was troublesome because no good plan came to mind.

He was still trying to maintain his marriage with Alicia, but if Fresa wanted to end this relationship, he was willing to consider it.

‘Despite everything, Fresa’s wealth and abilities are worth giving up Alicia for.’

Having thought this through to some extent, Rowan gently traced Fresa’s name on the newspaper with his finger.

“Rowan, what are you thinking about so intently?”

Startled by Alicia’s sudden voice, Rowan’s shoulders stiffened.

Unaware of when she had arrived, Alicia was holding a tray as usual, unable to shake her servant’s habit.

The fragrant scent of the tea, which he didn’t like, made Rowan uncomfortable.

Wasn’t it said that losing affection makes even small things irritating?

Right now, Rowan felt exactly that way.

But since he needed Alicia until he could reconnect with Fresa, he put on his usual gentle husbandly mask and looked at her.

“Queen Her Majesty sent an invitation to the banquet, Risha.”

Alicia paused for a moment at his words but then calmly placed the tray on the table and looked at Rowan.

“Do I really have to go? I haven’t been feeling well lately and want to rest, Rowan.”

Alicia, who always attended the banquets, unexpectedly said this.

It was fortunate because she had been contemplating how to meet Fresa without her.

Rowan deliberately delayed, pretending to worry, and gently grasped her hand.

“Yes, there have been many things happening lately. You can rest, Alicia.”

“But if I go to the party alone without a partner, everyone will think strange. Just stay with me, okay?”

“How could I refuse an invitation from the Queen Her Majesty? Huh? Let’s stop acting like a child, Alicia.”

“Maybe the Queen Her Majesty will understand? She cares for you a lot.”

“That’s a different matter altogether. Weren’t you already past the age of acting recklessly?”

Rowan remained firm and eventually Alicia closed her mouth first.

A strangely tense atmosphere lingered between them, neither willing to concede.

Alicia also felt unhappy.

She knew well why Rowan was so insistent on attending the banquet.

The rumor that Fresa Thorpe had received an invitation from the Queen was already widespread.

Rowan had dismissed Alicia’s words about wanting to see Fresa because he was secretly eager.

He felt a cold sensation all over his body in anger, but Alicia tried hard not to show her feelings outwardly.

After a long while, Alicia finally moved her chapped lips.

“Well then…”

She habitually smiled softly and continued gently.

“I don’t want to leave you lonely alone, but this time, I suppose I have no choice. Sorry.”

Rowan’s expression slightly faltered but soon returned to normal.

“You don’t have to apologize, Risha. You are the most precious to me.”

It sounded like a very kind remark, but Alicia read the hidden scheming in that sentence.

‘He’s probably excited about going alone to spend time with Fresa.’

But how wonderful would it be if the world were that easy?

Alicia, now pretending to drink her cold tea, smiled while hiding her true feelings.

~·~·* . *^.^* . *·~·~

Fresa, dressed in a simple dress with a bluish tint, looked around the vast royal banquet hall.

Isaac, escorting her, waved her arm slightly to draw her attention.

“Even though it’s not your first time, why are you looking around so nervously?”

“Oh, it’s been so long I find it a bit strange. It’s unfamiliar too.”

How many years had it been?

Actually, it hadn’t been that long, but back then, she hadn’t enjoyed the banquet at all because she was preoccupied with the original story.

Therefore, her first proper participation in a royal banquet was today.

Indeed, the banquet held in the royal palace was of an extraordinary scale.

Since the queen herself organized it and invited selected nobles, every decoration was luxurious.

‘How much is all this worth?’

She knew the royal family possessed vast wealth, but spending so much in just one night always struck her as remarkable.

However, Isaac looked at Fresa with a somewhat disapproving face.

“Everyone is glancing at you now. Please avoid actions that could be seen as weaknesses.”

“Why not just enjoy watching? Cade is way too nagging.”

“I’m asking as a business partner.”

“Yeah, yeah. I got it. I’ll keep my dignity as a famous person.”

Fresa dismissed Isaac’s words casually.

In any case, her purpose in coming here wasn’t to gain the favor of other nobles.

‘The Queen has not arrived yet.’

Her main goal was to meet the queen who invited her and gauge her true intentions.

Did she really intend to discuss business with Fresa?

Or was the invitation merely to enjoy her fame?

Fresa lightly grasped Isaac’s arm and paused, lost in thought.

“…That’s Count Guilespie over there.”

Isaac furrowed his brow slightly and alerted her to the appearance of a mine.

Fresa turned her head toward where he was looking.

Rowan Guilespie was walking alone through the banquet hall, crossing the room without a partner.

Soon, he stopped in front of Fresa.

“Fresa, it’s been a while.”

~·~·*· . ·**##^^##**· . ·*·~·~

Hey there, It’s Green Rose 😉

Since I human I might have make some mistakes while translating so please if you find them let me know here in the comments or in the Discord group so I can correct them and be careful in the future so they do not repeat.

Thank you so much for reading, I hope you enjoyed this chapter.

~~~Next Chapter~~~

Next chapter will be released Tomorrow.

See you then!!