<41>
“Anesthetic? What kind of drug is that?”
“If you use this before the pain starts, you won’t feel it.”
“You won’t feel pain? Is that even possible?”
The man shook his head with a skeptical look.
He didn’t believe in its effectiveness, so the level of interest in painkillers and anesthetics was lower than expected. People walked past the booth as if it didn’t exist at all.
“Stop talking nonsense and show me a decent supplement if you have one.”
“I don’t have any supplements. But painkillers and anesthetics might be even more effective than supplements.”
At my words, a passerby stopped next to the man and joined in.
“I don’t believe these drugs work. Fraudsters dealing in these kinds of things have a long history.”
“I’ll give them out for free. You can try them and see—”
“Who knows if they’re mixed with narcotics! If there’s even a bit of it, someone could end up addicted!”
“Then I’ll take it myself to prove it.”
“If you’re already an addict, what would that prove?”
As hostile remarks piled on, even those watching with vague curiosity began to walk away.
“I got the idea from the native tribes of the Eastern Droid Highlands. They absorb herbal juices through the skin before medical procedures. After countless experiments and research, this drug was developed properly. Please, just try it once.”
“No thanks! Why should I trust you?”
The man stormed off in a huff.
Just as I was feeling drained from the confrontation, a scream erupted from one side of the fair.
“Aaaaagh! Uuugh!”
A crowd had gathered a little distance away.
Startled, I rushed over to find a man in his twenties writhing on the ground.
“What happened?”
“He fell off a ladder while fixing a partition. Looks like his leg’s broken…”
Several people tried to help the man stand, but it was pointless.
The more they tried, the louder his screams and sobs grew.
While they went off to find a stretcher, I quickly grabbed a bottle of painkiller from my booth.
As I approached to help him drink it, a woman grabbed my arm and stopped me.
“I don’t know what you’re trying to do, but don’t. Is that drug even tested?”
“It’s a painkiller. If his leg’s broken, it won’t block all the pain, but it will help ease it.”
“A painkiller? That’s heresy.”
People believed that unless it was a potion from the temple, it was heretical.
There was still a long way to go to change such perceptions.
“It’s not heresy. It’s science.”
I shook the woman off and brought the painkiller to the man’s lips.
“Drink this. It will reduce the pain.”
“Uuuuugh. Aaaargh.”
The man looked at the medicine, hesitating.
“There’s not a drop of narcotic in this. If it doesn’t work or there’s a problem, you can sue me.”
Looking closely at his leg, I could see his skin bulging from a dislocated and broken bone.
It had to hurt like hell.
To prove my point, I took a sip of the drug myself.
Then, with trembling hands, the man took the bottle and began drinking.
At first, he only tasted a bit—but soon, he drank it all in one go.
Clink.
The empty bottle hit the ground.
The man still trembled with cold sweat, and the spectators pointed at me, whispering.
I silently prayed for the drug to take effect.
The man groaned and moaned on and off.
“We need to arrest that woman!”
“She’s a fraud! Hand her over to the guards!”
Their fingers pointed at me, and I felt breathless.
The hostility made my body tremble.
Memories of being beaten by prisoners at the Inquisition flashed through my mind.
Then—
“Ah…”
The man let out a gasp.
His face visibly relaxed. The painkiller was working.
“It… it’s not a narcotic, is it?”
If it had been, he would have shown signs of drowsiness or euphoria. But no such changes appeared.
“It’s not a narcotic. It’s just a painkiller.”
People murmured as they watched the man.
“She says it’s not a narcotic.”
“Look at his face—he looked like he was about to die, and now he looks calm.”
“It’s neither a narcotic nor a temple potion, but it worked that well?”
Just then, the people who had gone to get a stretcher returned.
They loaded the now significantly calmer man onto it and carried him away.
Then the crowd fell silent.
The hush felt like the quiet of a forest after a storm.
“P-please, give me that drug. I want to send it to my son who’s joining the army!”
“Me too, please! That painkiller—sell me just one bottle!”
In an instant, people swarmed in.
This was the response I had hoped for when giving the drug to the injured man.
But now that it happened, I was overwhelmed.
“Th-the medicine…”
I glanced at my skirt, which I had unknowingly been clutching the whole time.
It was slightly damp with sweat from the tension.
‘It’s done.’
A warm hope bloomed in my chest.
“I’ll explain more at the booth over there. If you’re interested, please—”
I couldn’t finish my sentence.
A familiar voice called out my name.
“Selena?”
I turned around.
There stood Siena, her expression incredulous.
* * *
After moving into the Estarion count’s household, Siena’s life had completely changed.
She now wore clothes she’d never even touched before, ate food she’d never tasted, lived in a warm home, and was treated with respect.
It was all more fantastic than any dream.
So she worked tirelessly to learn everything—reading, etiquette, knowledge.
She clenched her teeth and absorbed it all.
She wanted to stay in this place that she now belonged to, without lacking anything.
“Amelia is a truly good friend. We haven’t known each other long, but we’ve already become very close.”
Siena had been introduced to Amelia through Zion.
Amelia used the name of House Lofen to handle many matters on Selena’s behalf—and since the name of House Estarion was involved, it was inevitable that Siena would grow close to her.
Siena thought that if she took over what Selena used to do, her influence would naturally grow.
But she was just getting started, and it wasn’t easy.
‘Eventually, I’ll take over. It’s just a matter of time.’
She was eager to manage the mansion’s budget and the small business she and Amelia co-ran.
But she held back, not wanting to appear foolish by rushing in unprepared.
It was better to learn step by step.
“That’s good to hear. Are you nervous?”
“I’ve never been to an event like this, so yes, very nervous.”
It was the day of a charity party hosted by Amelia.
Originally, it was supposed to be co-hosted with Selena, but circumstances made Amelia handle it alone.
And Siena had decided to make her social debut at this event.
“You’ll be fine. You know plenty of people. I made sure to introduce you around at every gathering.”
“Still… Does my outfit look okay?”
“It’s perfect.”
“I don’t look shabby compared to the dress?”
At her words, Zion’s eyes darkened.
Siena’s lips twitched ever so slightly.
“You look very elegant—just what one would expect of someone from House Estarion.”
“I’m glad to hear that!”
As she entered the hall, Siena couldn’t hide her awe.
It was more dazzling and magnificent than she’d imagined.
The glittering chandelier, the elaborate floral arrangements, the impeccably dressed nobles—
She resolved not to be cast out of this world the way Selena had.
Following Zion, Siena greeted many people.
She was introduced to the sons of nobles Zion was close to, and deepened friendships with Amelia’s acquaintances.
“Siena, maybe it’s because you’re twins, but you really do look like Selena.”
Selena’s excommunication spread quickly through noble society.
But the reason for it remained unknown.
Likewise, the fact that she had been sent to the Inquisition was tightly controlled by House Estarion, so very few knew.
Because of that, people were intensely curious.
Selena hadn’t been especially sociable, but those who knew her knew she was a good person.
‘People don’t seem fully convinced she was excommunicated.’
Many dismissed the news as rumors. That was likely why they could mention her name so casually.
“She’s no longer part of our family. I’d appreciate it if you refrained from bringing her up.”
Zion’s polite but firm request made people exchange startled glances.
In the tense atmosphere, Grace—who had grown close to Siena—pulled her aside.
“Siena, are you okay?”
“Ah… Yes. I’m fine. Thank you.”
In truth, she wasn’t okay.
The attention that should’ve been hers had shifted to Selena.
It made her deeply uncomfortable.
But she couldn’t let that show, so she composed her expression.
“Siena, is it true Selena was excommunicated? I heard she’s nearby…”
“What? What do you mean?”
“There’s a merchant fair at the civic center, about five minutes from here. Viscount Allan said he saw Selena there.”
Siena’s eyelids twitched.
She had thought Selena was living in some shabby inn doing laundry.
But she was at a fair?
She was curious.
Just how miserable was Selena now? Had she become pitiful, like Siena once was?
Just then, Zion approached in a hurry.
“Siena, there you are. Something’s come up—I have to go. Will you be okay on your own?”
“Of course. Go ahead. I’ll stay a little longer.”
“Alright. I’ll see you at home, then.”
After Zion left, Siena stepped out of the party.
If Selena’s name came up, it was better to leave—it would make people stop talking.
So she decided to be satisfied with having made an appearance.
Then she headed to the civic center where Selena was said to be.
She planned to watch from afar, to laugh quietly at how far Selena had fallen.
But what she saw wasn’t the shabby Selena she’d imagined.
‘What… is that?’
She had laughed seeing Selena ignored for peddling a ridiculous “painkiller.”
But then Selena helped an injured man.
And people flocked to her.
Asking for the medicine. Wanting to witness its effects.
Clench. Siena’s jaw tensed with a sound.
Selena hadn’t changed.
Even in worn-out clothes, with sunken cheeks, no longer part of House Estarion—
She was a star that shone on her own.
A star that didn’t need anyone’s help, and could shine wherever she was.
