Chapter 19
Sedem was lively.
No one knew that their lord had disappeared.
Why would they?
Duke Gloria’s villa was still buying food and wine every day for its parties, and the generous duke had even sponsored a festival in the Sedem market.
“Come on, everyone, let’s drink!”
“Bring more meat!”
“What’s the band doing? Why aren’t they playing?”
People laughed loudly and clinked their beer mugs together.
Urian, hiding his face and body under a long robe, watched closely among the crowd to see if anyone was acting strangely.
At that moment, he was less concerned about the west—or, more accurately, he believed that rather than ignoring the west, he ought to have publicly looked for Claudio.
“Did I make a mistake?”
At that moment, he was less concerned about the west—or, more accurately, he believed that rather than ignoring the west, he ought to have publicly looked for Claudio.
“If the duke got hurt because of my mistake…”
He would be tormented by guilt until the day his life ended.
Urian clenched his fists hard.
The veins on the back of his hands stood out like they might burst any moment.
“No, Berry!”
Urian heard a different voice from the joyful crowd.
A woman with red hair ran to a muscular man.
“I’ve seen that woman before.”
He recalled that he had met her when he inquired about Bomian.
She wandered around when knights rushed in, and her eyes were filled with fear.
“Is Marsha not here?”
“No. I suggested she come, but she seems to enjoy studying pharmacy.”
While answering, Berry scratched her cheek.
“While studying is important, she should go out and enjoy herself on days like this. Free food and beverage! She is not self-care oriented.
“Right? I’m worried too… Oh, wait.”
Berry quickly gave Petro a cloth pouch that she had been carrying.
“You mentioned that you were trying to find herbs that aid in digestion. Right here. She also requested that I apologise for being late.
“Oh, you brought this in the middle of your busy day. How much is it?”
“Don’t even try to bargain for the price; that was the warning, too.”
Petro smiled bitterly.
“My feelings of gratitude disappeared in an instant…”
“Wait a moment. I’ll bring some money.”
“Oh, can I borrow a container to put this food in? I’ll bring it to Marsha.”
“Of course. I’ll give you the biggest one.”
“A small one would be fine. She lives alone, so if I bring too much…”
Berry hesitated, rolling his eyes, then quickly shook his head.
“No, never mind. Just give me the biggest one! Even if she can’t finish it, I want to bring a lot. When else is she going to eat so much meat?”
“Right? Might as well enjoy some luxury while someone rich is paying.”
Listening quietly to their conversation, Urian thought,
“Was there a woman living alone in that village?”
No.
There wasn’t.
Urian remembered the recent land registry for which he had done a lot of research.
Since the death of an elderly person living alone a few years ago, no woman has lived alone in the area.
“Something’s going on.”
Urian had keen eyes and cautiously trailed behind Berry.
***
Marsha stared blankly at the nearly empty pot.
“…Maybe I should have asked Berry to buy some ingredients.”
But she felt sorry already for leaving herbs with them; she couldn’t burden them with heavy things, too.
‘That guy… eats way more than I expected.’
She knew a big guy would eat well, but…
“Are you hungry? Didn’t you just eat?”
How is that enough to be full?
That ridiculous expression he made when he said that…
And Claudio didn’t just eat to fill his stomach—he enjoyed his meals.
“Does it taste good?”
“It’s delicious.”
It was strange.
It was surprising.
She had assumed he would have a refined taste in food.
Since he was a patient, she also thought he wouldn’t have much appetite.
“I feel a little proud.”
Marsha was not good at cooking.
Her only option was to add anything and create a spiced stew to flavour it.
It tastes good with olive oil, garlic, and oregano added. Depending on the situation, adding tomatoes occasionally makes for a delicious meal.
She always followed her grandmother’s stew recipe, but no matter how much she made it, it never tasted like her grandmother’s.
She was always a bit disappointed…
“Maybe it wasn’t good enough for someone else to eat.”
Or maybe his taste was unusual?
“…Could he be a noble?”
Well, she was a noble too, but she liked her grandmother’s stew.
Yet, this man didn’t seem refined for a noble…
‘And his body. How could a noble have so many scars?
Marsha looked up, sighing, feeling upset for no apparent reason.
The ceiling was old and worn, but in her mind, she pictured Claudio’s expression when he heard that question.
“If someone comes looking for you… What should I do?”
Claudio had looked at her, a little surprised, then slowly opened his mouth.
“What are you asking?”
Did he truly not understand?
Marsha looked closely at his face.
“…I think you know why I asked that question.”
Claudio’s eyes, which had widened slightly, slowly returned to their normal size.
“My comrades are probably looking for me. So if someone comes looking for me, there’s a good chance they are my comrades.”
“Good chance?”
Claudio nodded.
“Unfortunately, I don’t know what happened to the person who tried to kill me. Maybe that person’s allies are still looking to finish me off. Maybe they’ll even disguise themselves as my comrades and come looking for you.”
Marsha’s face turned pale.
“This is just in case. Honestly, it’s unlikely, but not zero percent, so I can’t just tell you not to worry.”
Then… If someone comes looking for you, I can’t trust them, right?
“That’s right.”
Marsha nodded slowly, white as a sheet.
So don’t hesitate if someone comes looking for me. Simply let them know where I am.
What?
Marsha frowned.
“But you said they might be dangerous.”
“Yes. So bring them to me, and then run away.”
“Then what about you?”
“I have to kill that bastard.”
With a calm smile, Claudio said harshly.
“W-What did you say?”
“I’m not used to being mistreated, so I don’t want to just let it go.”
“Ha, don’t say ridiculous things! You’re a patient. What can a patient do…!”
Marsha shivered and said firmly, “Anyway, I’ll act like I don’t know if someone comes looking for you.” When you get better, you can leave on your own, okay?”
Claudio insisted she do as he asked, but how could she do that?
After that, Marsha thought this man must be connected to the duke’s family.
But…
‘He might not be a noble.’
No matter how cold Gloria Duke was, if a noble under his rule disappeared, he wouldn’t hold a feast and a festival for the people like nothing had happened.
‘Unless the duke is strange.’
Marsha nodded to herself.
‘Anyway, what should I eat for dinner tonight?’
It was too hard to go to the market with a patient.
Should I get a little something from Berry’s house? But that’s just a temporary fix…
Just then, Marsha heard a knock at the door.
“Who is it?”
“Marsha…!”
It was Berry’s voice, but something was wrong.
She sounded urgent, like she was being chased.
Suddenly, Marsha thought of the attacker who targeted Claudio.
That dangerous person, more dangerous than a wolf, could still be in the forest!
Marsha hurried out.
“Berry…!”
When Marsha opened the door, she was shocked.
Berry’s clear and lovely face was gone.
Instead, there was a tall pile of cloth-wrapped items stacked on a big pot.
“C-could you help me carry this…?”
Berry begged from behind the mountain of stuff.
Marsha quickly helped put the things down on the floor.
“What is all this?”
“Th-there are carrots and celery…”
As each item was put down, Berry’s voice grew calmer.
“And potatoes, and wine…”
Finally, when the heaviest pot was in Marsha’s hands, Berry smiled, sweating.
“This is meat!”
“Meat? All of it?!”
“Yes! The duke generously gave us meat. There was so much good-quality beef, Petro and I packed it up. It’s for you to eat!”
“This heavy thing…”
Marsha trailed off, unable to hide her guilt. Berry just giggled.
“It was heavy, but not too much. It’s for you! I wish we could have brought more.”
