Chapter 14

Evan and the old doctor exchanged a few words before Evan let out a deep sigh.

“…More medicine.”

“You must take it if you wish to get better.”

Watching Evan mutter gloomily made me feel sorry for him. A sharp, strong smell pricked my nose—just imagining how bitter it would taste made me wince.

“Um… does this medicine happen to contain jasmine?”

There was something I needed to check before Evan drank it.

I wasn’t an expert. Honestly, I only knew the basics. Unlike in games, seeing a potion didn’t let me magically know which herbs or which parts were used. So I asked. It was better to give the physician a hint from what little I knew than stay quiet.

Both Evan and the physician turned to me. Adjusting his glasses, he narrowed his eyes.

“Come to think of it… you’re the young lady of House Clies, aren’t you? The one who identified the Alosi poison.”

“Yes.”

One corner of his mouth lifted. He looked at me with the curious, bright eyes of a child, as if age didn’t matter.

“I’ve served as the doctor of Duke Weiss for many years, but I’ve never even heard of the Alosi poison. I didn’t believe you had deduced it from symptoms alone. But… it seems His Grace was right. You do have knowledge.”

He seemed genuinely impressed, far more interested in me than moments ago.

“Doctor.”

Evan called him.

“Let’s just take the medicine. I never imagined the young master would overstress his body after complaining he didn’t have a single ache. Unless we find the antidote, it’s best not to expect too much improvement.”

He clicked his tongue loudly. Even Evan couldn’t argue back—he looked away, embarrassed. He had seemed mature earlier, but now he looked like a sulky child, and it was honestly adorable.

“I was planning to retire soon, and look what happens.”

The doctor kept grumbling. His expression was filled with worry—that was why Evan wasn’t pushing back.

‘So he does care about him. It’s just… a bit aggressive.’

“So, young lady. Why did you recommend jasmine?”

I smiled lightly and answered boldly. If my knowledge could help Evan’s health, I would say anything.

“Jasmine helps remove impurities. And it has a unique property—it pairs well with basically any herb. For someone like Evan, whose body is weakened, strong herbs won’t do. Jasmine is efficient in stabilizing things.”

The medicine Lepina used always included jasmine. I’d even cleaned out the shop more than once because we were short on it.

The doctor nodded, looking satisfied.

I felt I’d been helpful.

“Impressive. But I’ve already added it.”

“…That’s remarkable.”

The words slipped out. I glanced at Evan—if the doctor was this competent, wouldn’t Evan recover faster?

I felt a bit relieved. Even without the heroine, he might one day find the right combination.

“Lep, you’re amazing. You knew that?”

Evan gently patted my head. His fond, almost doting gaze made me embarrassed, but I couldn’t hide my growing smile. I grinned.

“I told you—I’ll get you healed. And the doctor here is incredible too.”

I said it proudly.

But the doctor’s expression gradually twisted into something bitter. I tilted my head in confusion. Evan glanced at him too.

I’d complimented him, so why the reaction?

Then I saw it—the way the doctor reached for Evan’s empty bowl.

His hand failed to grasp it at once. He groped around to find it, brushing the surface several times before finally securing it. His fingers trembled.

I swallowed hard and asked cautiously.

“…Is your vision poor?”

Silence fell.

It was spot-on.

“…”

Daily life might not be too affected, but for a physician—let alone the personal doctor of a ducal heir—it was serious. Many herbs look similar. Distinguishing them correctly is essential.

“Do you not have an assistant?”

“…”

“I’m trying to find one… but everyone is too timid. Tsk.”

“They must’ve heard my reputation.”

Evan gave a wry smile.

The Duke had revealed the Blanc family’s conspiracy. And Evan, caught up in it, was said to have been poisoned. Our family’s name was kept out entirely thanks to the Duke’s consideration.

People pretended not to notice, but Duke Weiss had drawn the empress’s ire. And the poison Evan drank was largely unknown.

Naturally, the Duke tried to hire physicians and assistants to support them—but no one dared anger the empress or deal with an unidentified poison.

I sighed quietly.

If Evan died, their reputations would crumble. No physician would risk it.

‘So that’s what he meant by timid…’

Then a good idea struck me.

“Um… would you consider taking in a talented assistant?”

Age shows. His eyesight and hands were failing, but his knowledge was immense. The fact that he’d thought of jasmine—rare—proved that.

I smiled brightly.

“You don’t mean yourself, do you?”

“Of course not. I’d like to, but my family would never allow it.”

“Exactly. There’s no way Lep will become an assistant.”

I nodded.

“Lep will be at my side in… a different capacity.”

“What?”

“…You said you’d take responsibility for me.”

His voice rumbled like a low growl—accusing me of lying.

Startled, I nodded quickly. It didn’t seem related, but I let it go. There were more important things.

“I know a very talented kid.”

“…A kid? I won’t hire someone just because they know the young master.”

“It’s fine. Just meet her once.”

“…If it’s only that much…”

“She’ll definitely pass any test you give.”

I clapped lightly. The person I wanted to introduce was the heroine.

The doctor looked tired, more desperate than hopeful. That alone told me how little help he’d received. He was rubbing his brow from squinting too much.

‘For Evan’s sake, I’ll track down the heroine later and bring her here.’

Outside, the sky had already turned orange with sunset.

‘Time flew.’

I got up quickly.

“It’s getting late. I’ll head back. I’ll come again tomorrow.”

“Be careful, Lep. Liman will escort you.”

Just as Evan said, the butler was waiting outside.

“Did you enjoy your visit, my lady?”

“Yes.”

His kindness made me smile back.

“The young master has been eagerly waiting for your visits.”

…Me? I blinked in confusion.

I was about to ask what that meant when someone appeared in the distance. A woman in a lavish dress, jeweled fan swaying elegantly.

Duchess Weiss.

“Madam, welcome.”

The butler bowed deeply, and I hurried to follow.

“L-Lepina Clies. It’s an honor to meet you.”

“Hm. So you’re…”

She trailed off, scanning me sharply. Her gaze was fierce enough to make my shoulders hunch.

I dared to glance up—but her icy glare immediately made my eyes drop again.

Her look seemed to say: How dare you poison my son?

A chill crawled down my back. My hands trembled as I held my skirt and bowed.

“Lepina, is it? Let me look at you.”

As if compelled, I lifted my head.

‘Right… this makes more sense. A reaction like this suits her.’

I froze, tense. Right before me were amethyst-colored eyes—Evan’s eyes—sharp and commanding. Her presence weighed heavily on me.

She stared for a long moment, then finally nodded.

Then she said—

“Come visit again.”

I blinked.

“She must like you, my lady.”

‘That? Like? Those were “I’ll bury you” eyes.’

But the butler insisted, so I just smiled awkwardly.

Mary nagged me for being late the moment she saw me. I quieted her and stepped into the carriage. The butler reminded me their doors were always open.

***

The duchess watched the pink-haired girl walk away.

“So it was that child.”

Lepina didn’t know, but her presence was already well-known in the ducal estate.

Evan never cared for others. Even the Duke worried about it. He welcomed people with a picture-perfect smile, but there was never sincerity behind it. All he cared for was his sword.

The only people he acknowledged were those whose swordsmanship surpassed his.

Then one day, he said he’d made a friend.

The Duke scoffed, thinking it a lie. The duchess had to ask again, thinking she misheard. Evan, who found his peers tedious, had made a friend named Piote—shocking them both.