TVBDS 37

 Chapter 37

After the memories of my first life returned, I absentmindedly read the label on my mother’s painkiller medicine—and nearly fainted on the spot.

Fortunately, since my return, my mother’s condition had never worsened to the point where she needed to take the painkillers…

‘Then why didn’t I notice this in my previous life?’

After thinking it over, I could only bite my tongue.

She had passed away from an accident before any signs of addiction even appeared—how could I have known?

‘It’s a shame I didn’t realize it sooner, but maybe it’s for the best.’

Among ginseng’s many effects was the ability to alleviate the symptoms of opium addiction.

If this were formally studied and published, the world would be turned upside down.

Ah, I wish there were someone to do the research and make the announcement for me.

“Madam, is this really true? Please, tell me in more detail!”

Here he was.

Monsieur Guérin’s eyes immediately changed at the news that the addiction symptoms caused by opium had disappeared.

“Monsieur Guérin, is there something wrong with the herb?”

“No! On the contrary. If this herb truly has that effect…”

He trailed off, swallowing nervously, as if unsure how to even begin putting it into words.

Right now, his mind was probably spinning at a pace that felt like it might explode. How many nobles had spent their final years miserably, dependent on opium painkillers?

“Doctor, does this mean my mother no longer has to take the medicine?”

Please, let it be so.

“Let’s try stopping the painkillers while continuing the herbal treatment. Then we can compare it to when only the painkillers were used and determine the effects more accurately.”

Hallelujah!

I silently cheered in my heart.

It was finally time to throw out that so-called “calming syrup” or “madness syrup.”

How could they give morphine just because a child wouldn’t sleep and cried incessantly?

Hearing how I had obtained the black ginseng from my mother, Monsieur Guérin gulped down cold water as if to quench a sudden thirst.

“I swear on my medical career, if this fact becomes known to the world, everyone’s eyes will turn red as they scramble to get even a single root.”

“Is it really that valuable?”

I widened my eyes, pretending to know nothing.

But I already knew who would show interest in black ginseng first.

“By the way, I’ve heard the painkillers my mother takes are the finest used even in the royal court. Oh? Then wouldn’t the king need them too?”

Indeed, by now, he might unknowingly be showing signs of addiction.

At that, Monsieur Guérin’s expression instantly turned serious.

“Madam, I beg you. Could you perhaps share, no—sell me even a tiny root of this herb?”

“That permission isn’t mine to give—you’d have to ask Adele. Adele, is that okay?”

Monsieur Guérin turned to glare at me, his voice earnest as he pleaded.

He had spent his life as a physician, always making the best choice for his patients.

Yet as a doctor, he also knew that sometimes his choices were, in reality, the lesser of two evils.

Even so, he had no choice but to prescribe opium-based painkillers.

He couldn’t ignore the suffering of a mother dying in childbirth, a soldier with limbs blown off, or any other patient fighting the pain of death.

And now, an herb had appeared that could render his entire lifetime of prescriptions wrong in one fell swoop.

Even as this denied the treatments he considered his life’s work, the old doctor’s heart raced with anticipation and joy.

Perhaps now, at last, he could truly treat patients.

The aged physician’s eyes gleamed as though he had returned to his days as a medical student.

“Excuse me, Miss Adelaide. This herb you discovered could help many people. May I have your permission? Of course, all credit will go to you.”

He was offering to give me the credit for his lifetime of research—just imagining it was almost terrifying.

Again, my goal was a long, thin, silk-thread-like life—not a young life celebrated as a royal benefactor with a thick jeweled belt of accolades. I absolutely wanted none of that.

I smiled and answered.

“Hmmm… It’s so rare that I can’t give much. But if an official channel for obtaining it opens, I’ll contact you first.”

“That alone is more than enough!”

“And… one more thing.”

“Anything, whatever the conditions, just tell me.”

Monsieur Guérin looked like he would gladly offer his own liver if I asked.

“Please don’t include my name. I was just lucky. Researching the herb is your role, Monsieur Guérin, and receiving praise belongs to you. When it’s published, just list me as the eldest daughter of the Charmoise family—it’s enough.”

When the research is published, black ginseng’s price will skyrocket, making this a profitable situation for me.

All I needed to do was secure a ‘legal’ route to purchase ginseng in advance.

By now, the kitchen staff must have grown somewhat accustomed to the distinct smell of black ginseng extract after brewing it daily.

“Miss Adele, a letter arrived from Miss Tonelle.”

“Emily?”

Curious about what could be urgent, I hastily opened the letter Camille handed me, and a faint smell of oil drifted to my nose.

“What’s it about?”

“She said she’s been accepted into the academy and invited you to visit her workshop.”

“Oh my! That’s something to celebrate.”

“Can we go right away?”

I glanced at Camille, who shook her head sternly.

She knew that I was more practiced in etiquette than other children my age and was teaching me at a more advanced level.

“Alright. I’ll make a proper appointment, prepare a congratulatory card and bouquet. Ah! Maybe some school supplies as a gift too.”

Finally, Camille smiled and nodded.

A few days later, I visited Emily’s workshop for the first time in a while. The space had transformed into a much warmer and cozier atmosphere.

Does the mood of a space follow its owner?

“Emily!”

“Miss! It’s been a while. Have you been well?”

I ran forward to hug her but had to stop.

Emily wasn’t in a receptionist’s uniform but wore a craftsman’s apron, stained with grease and oil.

“Oh! I’m so sorry! I almost dirtied your precious clothes. I’ll go change right away!”

“No, I’m fine. This suits you better anyway.”

“Miss…!”

I handed her the bouquet with a small card, and her pure eyes quickly filled with tears, which spilled over almost instantly.

“Emily, congratulations on your acceptance to the academy.”

“Sniff… thank you so much. Everything, from start to finish, is all thanks to you!”

Tears trickled onto the bouquet, despite her best effort to hold them back.