Chapter 17
As planned, Marsha went outside to gather herbs yesterday after wrapping up her talk with Claudio.
An hour was sufficient because there weren’t many herbs close to the house normally.
But maybe because she hadn’t been out for a while, there was quite a lot to pick, and she lost track of time.
Oh, right. The medicine!
With a sudden memory, Marsha hurried inside and began to boil the medication.
Fortunately, she made it in time for the medication.
After clearing the tray with empty bowls on the bedside table, Marsha placed a new tray.
“Here is your medicine and meal.”
Sweat was beading on Masha’s forehead as Claudio asked,
“You must be busy not to stay still for even a moment.”
“Yes. Nothing will come if I just stay still.”
“Hmm. I wish I could help somehow. But I don’t have anything to offer…”
Suddenly, something shone in Claudio’s eyes.
A pocket watch.
It was a keepsake from his mother.
He didn’t carry it for sentimental reasons; it was just the right size and light, so it was easy to carry.
Claudio searched his pants but found the pockets empty.
“Have you seen my pocket watch?”
“I haven’t touched it.”
Marsha answered grumpily.
“I’m not accusing you. Just asking.”
“…I haven’t seen it.”
Could he have dropped it somewhere?
“That’s a shame. It’s made of silver, so it has some value.”
“…Were you going to give it to me?”
“I’m shameless like that.”
Shameless…
Marsha tilted her chin slightly and thought for a moment, then Claudio asked,
“Why are you looking like that?”
“…If I ask you for something, would you do it?”
“Of course.”
Claudio smiled casually.
He was curious.
What could the woman who always kept her distance want?
Money?
Or maybe something else…
Just as Claudio imagined, Marsha said,
“Then could you help me prepare some herbs?”
“What?”
Claudio asked quickly.
Marsha scowled in response.
“I’m asking you to prepare the herbs.”
“I wasn’t asking because I didn’t hear you.”
“Then why did you ask again?”
It was absurd.
No one had ever dared to ask Claudio to prepare herbs.
Of course, Marsha didn’t know who he was, so she could make such a request.
But still, such a trivial task wasn’t worthy of Claudio…
“If you think you can’t, just say so. I don’t want to force you.”
His tone was blunt.
In this season, his eyes were as cold as the dawn breeze, not as cold as a harsh winter wind.
If I endure that look, I’ll become a useless man who struggles with preparing herbs.
He chuckled softly and said,
“It’s not that I can’t do it. Give it here.”
“You really will?”
Marsha’s eyes widened.
“What’s that reaction? Did you think I’d say no and run away?”
No.
Marsha had asked because she remembered her old self—hurt, needing a lot of care, feeling useless.
Maybe this man felt the same.
So she wanted to give him a small task to lighten his burden.
But when she gave him a “simple task,” she noticed how his expression changed and realised he wasn’t like her.
Yes, cooking herbs would be a dreadful task for a knight or nobleman. It would be simpler to groom animals.
Understanding his feelings roughly, she was going to say it wasn’t necessary…
“Are you able to do it?”
“What’s something you can’t do?”
The man raised one eyebrow.
“Well then, that’s good.”
As soon as they finished eating, Marsha brought a basket full of herbs.
“Look, you have to remove all the dirt, but don’t damage the fine roots. They need to stay alive to keep their value.”
Marsha demonstrated carefully while watching Claudio’s reaction.
He was so focused that he didn’t take his eyes off her hands.
I didn’t expect him to be this serious.
Her fingers felt almost hot from his gaze.
It makes me nervous for no reason.
It was a task she usually did without thinking, but now she felt like she might make a mistake.
Masha thought Claudio was concentrating on what she was doing, but in reality, he was observing her hands.
Her hands have a fascinating appearance.
They had thin knuckles and were small and attractive.
If she had done this work since she was young, her hands would be rougher than now.
Compared to someone who grew up well, her skin was a bit rough, and her fingers moved quickly.
It seemed she had done this work for a few years, but not her whole life.
“…Like this. You think you can do it?”
The plump herb roots, now clean and white, were put into a clean sack.
“Try it.”
Claudio picked up a dirt-covered herb.
It looked quite thick in Masha’s hands, but in his, it seemed pitifully small.
Be careful with the fine roots…
He tapped off the dirt, but it wasn’t easy to clean.
It looks simple, but it needs skill.
Claudio kept brushing off the dirt without stopping.
After putting in about twice as much effort as Marsha had…
“Is this enough?”
“A little more.”
He kept cleaning until it was finally good enough.
“Now?”
“Yes. Good.”
Marsha said this while brushing the fourth herb.
Claudio looked at the basket, which was still full.
When will we finish this?
“…Why don’t we just wash them with water?”
“If we do that, the medicine loses its effect.”
There was no choice then.
Claudio gripped the herbs tighter and worked faster.
“Wait. If you do that, the fine roots will get damaged.”
“They won’t get damaged that much…”
As soon as he said that, the fine roots fell off with the dirt.
“Ah.”
“See?”
Marsha said unhappily.
In the end, Claudio had no choice but to silently follow her instructions.
When the sunset hung over the trees, Masha stretched her back.
“That’s enough for today. Let’s clean up.”
“Finish it. There aren’t many left.”
“Sorry, but I have to start making the medicine now.”
“What medicine?”
“The medicine you have to take.”
Marsha looked at him as if asking something obvious and started tidying up.
“Then leave this here. I’ll finish it.”
“No, you’ve been trimming for hours and must be tired. You’re still a patient, after all.”
“You knew I was a patient and still made me do this?”
Claudio wrinkled his nose and asked.
“I didn’t ask you. You started it. Anyway, there’s a lot to do tomorrow, so rest for today.”
Yes, Marsha had mentioned that she had a lot of work to do.
But this was…
“Isn’t it too much?”
“It only looks like a lot. Once trimmed, it won’t be much. And it’s much easier than what you did yesterday.”
She tucked her hair behind her ear and picked up some herbs.
“Look.”
Marsha leaned forward slightly, calmly inspecting the herbs as she explained,
“Most leaves look healthy, but—oh, look at these leaves. They’re yellow and have bug bites. You have to remove all those.”
“…”
When there was no answer, Marsha looked up.
She was startled by how close Claudio was and quickly straightened up.
“D-Do you understand?”
She asked, turning her gaze away.
Claudio chuckled softly.
“I understand. It’s easier than yesterday.”
“It’s easier, but you have to be thorough. The condition of the herbs reflects people’s trust in me.”
“I’ll keep that in mind.”
Marsha felt relieved watching Claudio quietly pluck the bad leaves off.
I thought he’d get tired and stop quickly, but he’s focused and doing well.
Thanks to him, the piled-up work would get done faster.
As Marsha looked back at the herbs, Claudio glanced up briefly.
…She’s focused only on the herbs.
It was the same yesterday.
He didn’t notice she was so close, eyes lowered against the shining sunlight, occasionally wrinkling his nose in concentration.
No, maybe she does know I’m this close.
She just doesn’t care.
Earlier, Marsha only approached Claudio to explain about the herbs—there was no other reason.
…What kind of feeling is this?
Marsha’s apathetic actions had previously wounded Claudio, but today they were different.
It felt like being trapped in a peaceful dream world.
I’ve never had such a peaceful dream before.
This boring little task wasn’t boring at all.
Time was passing so quickly, and his mind—usually full of thoughts—was completely clear, focused on just one thing.
Marsha.
He couldn’t stop thinking about this woman in front of him.
