TPFB 24

Chapter 24

Medicinal Herbs

Soft sunlight streamed into a private room of the audience hall. As silk curtains swayed gently, I sat down before a glass table that sparkled brilliantly.

Across from me stood Hermann, a traveling merchant from a neighboring country, bowing with refined courtesy. Strapped to his back was a large leather satchel, and at his feet were several small wooden boxes stacked neatly.

“This time, I have prepared a specially selected collection, exclusively for Her Highness Princess Lilybell.”

As he spoke, he took out seedlings of plants in colors I had never seen before, along with beautifully decorated ceramic pots. There were also small cloth-wrapped packets of seeds, handled with great care.

“Oh my…!”

I gasped.

The moment I saw them, I knew.

Among them were seedlings almost identical to what Lilybell had been growing in my dreams.

“These were collected in a village at the foot of the Edelbald Mountains, in the eastern part of the continent. In particular, these seeds here are extremely rare—available only a few times a year. I’ve prepared a list with the names of each plant.”

What Hermann pointed to was a small burlap pouch containing glossy black seeds.

The same flower as in my dream.
A legendary medicinal herb.
And many plants whose names I didn’t even know yet.

I wanted to gather them all and grow them myself.

“Wow…! They’re all so wonderful.”

“These are… incredibly rare items.”

As I excitedly pointed at one thing after another, Sir Keith beside me also let out a voice of amazement.

Earlier today, while Keith and I were in the middle of a study session, Berne had come to summon me. That was why Keith had accompanied me here.

Seeing even Keith—who knew far more about medicinal herbs than I did—looking so captivated, I couldn’t help but smile to myself.

Seeing your favorite person happy really is the best.

“Brother Luke!”

I had been crouching down in excitement, but I sprang to my feet and turned around.

“Would it be possible to purchase all of these?”

I pointed toward the mountain of seedlings and boxes filled with seeds. Some were planted in delicate, expensive-looking pots, while others were bundles of herbs whose medicinal properties seemed imaginable just from their scent alone. The more I looked, the more it felt like a treasure trove.

Leaning back against his chair, Brother Luke studied me intently.

“About the payment,” I continued, “given my current financial situation, what sort of procedure would be necessary? Or would it be possible to issue an invoice and receipt later…?”

After all, I had no money on me whatsoever.

There was no wallet, no banking app—and I didn’t even know how Lilybell usually purchased personal items. I wanted to ask if deferred payment would be possible.

“Lilybell.”

Brother Luke shrugged and smiled gently.

“I called this merchant for your sake. Take them without worrying.”

“But—”

Before I could finish, Keith interjected calmly.

“Would it not be best to accept his kindness honestly, Lady Lilybell?”

“…Honestly?”

“Yes. Honestly. Luke has a great deal of money.”

“That phrasing feels somewhat off, but broadly speaking, it’s true. Go ahead, Lilybell.”

“Broadly…”

Faced with their blunt insistence, all I could do was repeat the word back at them.

In the end, I accepted their generosity with gratitude.

“Come to think of it, I hear you’ve been studying with Keith quite a lot lately.”

After nodding in satisfaction, Brother Luke shifted his gaze toward Keith.

“Ah—y-yes…!”

Without thinking, I glanced at Keith’s face.

His profile was as expressionless as ever, but for just a moment, I thought I saw his eyelashes tremble.

“It seems I underestimated your seriousness. You appear to be in good health as well. I could formally arrange instructors for you going forward—particularly in pharmacology and medicine.”

At Brother Luke’s words, I glanced at Keith before turning back to my brother.

(With proper teachers, I could study seriously. It’s a rare opportunity. But…)

After studying together, I now understood just how vast Keith’s knowledge was. Even as a layperson, I could tell he was exceptionally skilled in pharmacology and medicine.

At the same time, it was true that I was taking up his time.

Brother Luke was surely concerned about that—after all, Keith served as his aide.

“No, this arrangement is fine as it is.”

It was Keith who answered.

His amber eyes were fixed on me.

“I see.”

Brother Luke raised the corner of his lips meaningfully.

“And what about you, Lilybell?”

“As long as it isn’t a burden on Sir Keith… I—I would like to continue studying together, if possible.”

It was my honest feeling.

There were very few people who could teach someone like me—lacking both knowledge and experience—so clearly.

And above all, I enjoyed our time studying.

As long as I didn’t overstep, I thought he was the best teacher I could ask for.

“Very well. Do as you wish. For your information, Keith graduated at the top of his class in both medicine and pharmacology. The court physicians lamented deeply that he chose not to become a doctor.”

“What? Is that true?!”

“Oh? Keith didn’t tell you?”

“N-no, not at all…”

No wonder he was so incredible.

Realizing only now that I’d been learning under someone like that left me stunned.

Keith himself, however, looked completely unfazed.

“Still, I will assign instructors for your other studies,” Brother Luke said lightly. “Understood, Lilybell?”

“Huh…?”

I let out a rather foolish sound without thinking.

Ignoring my confusion, Brother Luke continued naturally.

“As royalty, you must properly acquire the education and conduct befitting your position. Academics, etiquette, history, languages… at the very least, there is an enormous amount you must cover—especially to make up for lost time.”

“…Yes! Thank you for this opportunity, Brother. I’ll do my very best!”

I answered brightly.

Apparently satisfied with my response, my brother smiled faintly and nodded.

Thus, in addition to my study sessions with Keith, the rest of my time would now be firmly integrated into a full royal education curriculum.

“Oh, one more thing,” Brother Luke added.

“I received a report this morning that the renovations on the detached palace are complete. You may return to your room starting today. These items will be delivered there.”

So the renovations had finally finished.

Traveling from the guest quarters to the herb garden and the spring had been inconvenient, so this was welcome news.

“Brother Luke… thank you so much. I’m really happy.”

Cradling the seedlings against my chest, I smiled softly.

That place didn’t seem to be only a lonely memory for Lilybell after all. A sense of relief quietly bloomed within me.

With a light signal from Brother Luke’s fingers, the waiting knights moved silently into action, efficiently lifting baskets and bundles and carrying them away.

“Then, I’ll be heading out right away!”

“I shall accompany you, Lady Lilybell.”

Keith stepped closer and bowed politely.

Together, we left Brother Luke’s office, following behind the knights. The path ahead was bathed in the gentle glow of dusk.

When I glanced sideways, I saw that Keith was matching my pace perfectly.

“…I’m a little nervous about returning to the detached palace.”

It was the place where I’d lived with my mother.
A place I wanted to run from—yet cherished deeply.

When I murmured those complicated feelings, Keith nodded quietly.

“Once the environment is prepared, your studies will progress more smoothly. The garden should also be easier to maintain than before.”

At that, I smiled brightly.

—This time, I will live by my own will.