Chapter 44

The apothecary had plenty of medicine and medicinal herbs. There were even poor people waiting outside in need of those herbs. And yet, they couldn’t sell them—why?

“The old man suddenly fell ill early this morning…”

This was the problem with relying completely on one person. If something happened to them, everything ground to a halt. Sir Ferrin, who had gone to check the situation, returned and reported to Edelis.

“He forced himself to come out, but he wasn’t in good shape, so the city patrol sent him back home.”

“Is it that serious? What about medicine?”

“He made something with the herbs he already had, but it doesn’t seem to be helping.”

“Why would he do that? There’s plenty of high-quality herbs here that are far more effective!”

“Tom said the herbs here weren’t his, so he couldn’t just use them without permission…”

Tom, the previous owner of the apothecary, was apparently not one for bending the rules. Edelis entered the apothecary. Since Tom was said to have a serious cold, she gathered herbs good for colds and prepared some medicine. She then asked Sir Ferrin to deliver it to Tom.

“You can even do this…?”

Thinking no one was nearby, Sir Ferrin had started to raise his voice in surprise but quickly toned it down upon spotting the patrol captain.

“I studied it before.”

“You’re pretty good for someone who just ‘studied it.’”

“For about three years.”

She had learned this in preparation for a possible escape—medicine was hard to come by, and medical treatment even more so.

‘Didn’t think it would come in handy like this, though.’

While Sir Ferrin left to deliver the medicine, Sir Pasis, who had been standing guard in the distance, came to Edelis.

“What shall we do?”

He whispered quietly enough so others wouldn’t hear.

“I want to sell the herbs, but we don’t have an herbalist…”

“I don’t know much about this, but couldn’t you do it?”

“Me?”

The patrol captain nodded.

“You seem to know herbs, and you’re the one who suggested running this apothecary in the first place.”

“That’s true, but…”

Edelis had only planned to check on the operation and return to the palace immediately. Even if Lehan had told her to act freely, it wasn’t ideal for the Empress to be absent for long.

‘Selling herbs is easy, but dosage differs for each person. I can’t just leave it to anyone.’

Opening today was important, but she wasn’t sure she could return tomorrow. Eliana was coming.

“Should we head back now…?”

Sir Pasis suggested awkwardly.

“But Ferrin isn’t back yet.”

“It’s fine. I can just tell him you left.”

Sir Pasis clearly wanted Edelis to return quickly. Even with the patrol guarding them, the slums were dangerous.

‘Pasis must be worried.’

Edelis glanced out the window, then tried to reassure him.

“There are people who came for medicine. I think we should stay, even if it’s just for a bit.”

“……”

“I’ve never sold anything before, so I’m nervous—but you’ll help me, won’t you?”

Sir Pasis looked clearly displeased, but Edelis was the one in charge. By the time they finished talking, Sir Ferrin had returned.

“He took the medicine and said he’ll return as soon as he feels better. Also said to thank you.”

“Then isn’t that even more reason for us to leave?”

“What’s going on?”

“The patrol captain asked if I could sell the herbs for now.”

“That sounds fun. Let’s do it.”

“Really?! Thanks!”

Edelis beamed, and Sir Pasis looked even more grim. Sir Ferrin quietly said to him: “We don’t really have the right to stop Her Majesty from doing something.”

“But we can stop her if she’s making a mistake.”

“I don’t think this is one.”

He smiled and went to prepare the shop under Edelis’ direction.

***

As soon as the doors opened, one of the hesitant onlookers stepped inside.

“Welcome!”

Edelis, startled by the patrol captain’s greeting, realized she should greet customers, too.

‘Oh, of course. I’m supposed to greet them.’

It was obvious, but after a few weeks living as Empress, she’d grown unaccustomed. It helped that the patrol captain, who seemed to like her, stayed inside the shop.

“Welcome!”

“Welcome.”

As Edelis greeted the customer, so did Sir Pasis and Sir Ferrin. The man walked over hesitantly.

“M-My child’s had a fever for days…”

“Any other symptoms?”

“He has a light cough.”

“Please wait a moment.”

Edelis mixed herbs for a four-year-old child. Likely underweight compared to noble children, so she reduced the dosage accordingly.

“Have him drink plenty of water and give him medicine after meals.”

“H-How much is it…?”

“Please wash your hands first. If there’s dust on them, the medicine could be harmful.”

“O-Okay.”

Though the herbs were in a pouch and wouldn’t touch his hands, Edelis emphasized hygiene for disease prevention.

“Scrub well!”

The man washed his hands with ash soap and rinsed them in clean water.

“Whoa…”

He gasped at his clean hands, then coughed in embarrassment and approached Edelis again.

“I-I washed my hands…”

He couldn’t bring himself to say he couldn’t afford the medicine. He had already lost his first child to fever and came here desperate, prepared to beg or grovel if needed.

“Here you go.”

But to his surprise, Edelis handed over the medicine without hesitation. Her face was hidden by her hood, but she didn’t seem reluctant at all.

“T-Thank you.”

Still stunned, he stood there nervously, afraid leaving without paying might get him accused of theft.

“P-Price…?”

“One dong coin.”

It was cheaper than even low-grade medicine had been before.

“What?”

“But please tell others: if they wash their hands well, they can get medicine too.”

She couldn’t offer incentives for catching rats, but encouraging hygiene was fair game.

“And this is just for today. If you need more, come back tomorrow.”

Giving only a day’s worth prevented reselling. The man carefully placed a single coin on the counter.

“…This really covers it?”

“Yes.”

Tears welled in the man’s eyes. His hands trembled, and he began crying uncontrollably.

“Are you alright?!”

“Yes. Thank you. Truly.”

He thanked her over and over, then rushed off to give the medicine to his child. Edelis wanted to ask why he had cried like that, but more patients were already pushing inside.

The patrol captain had them wash their hands, Sir Pasis managed the line, and Sir Ferrin grabbed a broom to stay busy.

“Just one coin?”

Each time, Edelis nodded. Word spread quickly, and the crowd grew.

By afternoon, Tom returned, looking healthier.

“Is it okay for you to be back already?”

“The good medicine helped.”

“You should still rest…”

“Lying around is worse.”

He laughed and got to work. Since he truly seemed recovered, Edelis let him take over and stepped aside.

She watched people wash their hands, receive medicine, apply ointment, or take their doses on the spot.

“There’s more people than I expected…”

“They probably think the good herbs are just for today.”

The patrol captain, overhearing her mutter, responded. Her guards were wary as he approached, but relaxed once they confirmed he was unarmed.

“I can keep bringing good herbs like this.”

“How?”

“…Someone I know can supply them.”

According to the finance minister, Edelis had the largest discretionary budget any Empress had ever had—even more than the famously extravagant ones. Lehan’s generosity made it possible.

“Anyway, thanks. For healing me, too.”

“You’re the patrol captain. You need to be healthy.”

“Right… still, thank you.”

Though disappointed by her curt tone, he quickly recovered.

“Who are they to you?”

He pointed at Sir Pasis and Sir Ferrin. She didn’t want to reveal they were her guards, in case her identity was compromised.

“He’s my older brother, and he’s my younger brother.”

“Good thing you don’t look like your older brother…”

The comment made Edelis laugh. Seeing her smile, the captain brightened.

“Will you keep coming here?”

“Not personally. It’ll be hard.”

“Yeah… you’re not from around here.”

He sounded genuinely disappointed. Her guards frowned.

“But I’ll keep checking on the place.”

“How?”

“My brothers will tell me.”

“I’ll tell you myself.”

“Huh?”

“If herbs run low, I’ll let you know. If someone causes trouble, I’ll handle it. I’ll take your place.”

Blushing but determined, the patrol captain looked straight at her.

“So… could you tell me how to contact you?”

“……”

“Actually… I want you to stay here. If this place is uncomfortable, I could find you a place nearby. So, um…”