IAYA 13

Chapter 13

The sun rose, and morning came.

As I was getting ready to head to work, someone suddenly thump, thump knocked on my door.

“Who is it?”

I wasn’t expecting anyone, so I opened the door with a puzzled look.

Standing outside was the attendant who had first guided me here on behalf of Jer.

“The Marquis sent me. I thought you might not know, so I came to tell you.”

Before I could even ask what he meant, the attendant silently handed me a folded piece of paper.

I accepted it, a little confused, and saw that it was a map with a location marked on it.

“What is this?”

“It’s the Camar Academy dining hall. Technically, students can use it too, but most nobles eat in their own lodgings, so it functions more like a staff cafeteria.”

Though I hadn’t been working at Camar Academy long, I had no idea such a place existed.

Perhaps it was because of lingering noble habits, but after reading Jer’s note yesterday, I had simply assumed the chef would prepare my meal and send it up to my room.

But apparently, I had to go receive my meals myself.

“If this inconveniences you, I apologize. But after yesterday’s incident, it would look too suspicious if only the apothecary’s meals were treated differently. We had no choice.”

“No, it’s fine. I’ll be eating there not just today, but in the future as well.”

I didn’t want any special treatment from Jer.

Even if they tried to make it discreet, Camar Academy was full of people. If rumors spread, they could twist in dangerous ways.

Besides, Petrin, my senior in the apothecary, already disliked me. I didn’t want to make more enemies.

“This is your staff ID card. The Marquis told me to deliver it. You’ll need it for meals.”

“Alright, thank you.”

I accepted the staff ID. The attendant gave a polite bow and left.

He said exactly what was needed and vanished—cold, but also impeccably efficient.

Fiddling with the ID in my hand, I returned to my room.

‘Actually, this is a good thing.’

Back at the Ferrington estate, I had dismissed all the maids and cooked three meals a day myself.

Out of sheer noble habit, I thought breakfast would naturally be delivered to my room. But the truth was, not having to cook with my own hands was a blessing in itself.

Going to pick up my food was nothing compared to cooking everything myself.

Without realizing it, a smile spread across my lips.

‘Good. This will save me a lot on food expenses while I’m here.’

In hindsight, the academy’s policy of providing three meals daily was excellent staff welfare.

Tucking a book on medicine under my arm, I headed to the dining hall. I wanted to read at least a few more words while eating breakfast.

I had thought a lot last night.

But my answer was always the same.

‘I need to grow stronger.’

There were far too many things I couldn’t do right now.

If I wanted to live without relying on anyone, I had to build my own abilities.

I didn’t want to waste this chance of being young again. I would work harder than anyone, again and again.

As I diligently followed the map the attendant had given me, I suddenly realized something.

I was walking through Camar Academy no different from the students.

Even this early, there were students clutching books to their sides, striding quickly. And I was among them.

My chest tightened with emotion.

I had thought I would never again be given such an opportunity.

The simple fact that I could study brought tears to my eyes.

I quickly rubbed at them and hurried my steps.

‘I’ll work harder than anyone.’

With that silent vow in my heart once again—

The staff dining hall was packed.

Everywhere I looked, people were in academy uniforms—clearly, nearly everyone working here was present.

Awkwardly holding a plate, I moved to where the food was being served.

One of the nutritionists at the front glanced at my face, then at my staff uniform, and asked:

“New face. Let me see your staff ID.”

“Oh, yes.”

I quickly produced the ID I had received that morning. It said I was part of the apothecary and bore the name Belia.

I had worried I might be the only one without a family name listed, but when I looked around, everyone else’s cards bore only their given names too.

“Ah, so you’re the new apothecary teacher. Madam, give her the usual, please.”

At the nutritionist’s words, the woman serving food turned to me with a broad grin.

“Right!”

Their cryptic exchange left me confused, but I couldn’t just stand there blocking the line.

I retrieved my ID, held out my plate, and waited.

Then it happened.

The woman placed a heap of bright red raw liver on my plate.

‘What the—?!’

I froze in shock.

Before I could react, another woman beside her piled blood pudding on top and said,

“Try not to drink coffee or tea today, dear. It interferes with iron absorption.”

“Excuse me… what?”

Before I could object, the rest of my plate was filled with healthy green vegetables.

“It might seem odd, but the alchemy professor specially prepared this menu for nearby staff. It’s good for anemia. Enjoy!”

At her words, Jer’s note from yesterday suddenly resurfaced in my mind:

[I told the chef to prepare something nutritious. Eat it and rest well.]

So that’s what he meant…

I had heard of some nobles eating raw liver or blood as a trend lately, but I had never seen it in real life.

Awkwardly, I nodded.

“Ah, thank you.”

Holding the plate, I made my way to a seat. I noticed something then—

Those eating normal bread, coffee, and bacon looked cheerful, chatting away. But those with plates like mine—liver and blood pudding—wore gloomy expressions.

And mine, no doubt, was the gloomiest of all.

‘How am I supposed to eat this…?’

The sight of raw liver, with blood still dripping, made my stomach churn before it even touched my lips.

I had been excited for my first meal in the dining hall, but now I was left with food I couldn’t possibly stomach.

“Haa…”

I sighed without thinking—when suddenly, a familiar woman appeared.

Carrying a plate identical to mine was none other than Petrin.

“You’re here?”

“Ah, senior…”

Remembering how she once scolded me to stand when greeting her, I awkwardly rose to my feet.

Instantly, I felt everyone’s eyes shift toward us.

Petrin’s face flushed red as she hissed,

“What do you think you’re doing?!”

“You told me to stand and greet you…”

“What, are you trying to humiliate me?!”

She bit her lip, glaring. I had somehow provoked her again, though I only wanted to get along as colleagues.

“Do you even realize how worried I was yesterday when I heard the east storage exploded—right after you went there? I even reported it to the guards! And here you are, calmly eating breakfast like nothing happened? Without telling me anything?”

At that, I finally understood her perspective.

After all, it was Petrin’s errand that had sent me to that storage in the first place. She had asked me to deliver Munotcho to the creatures there.

But since Teansis and I agreed to keep it secret, I couldn’t explain anything to her.

“I—I was just… overwhelmed…”

“Forget it! Do you think the world revolves around you? Just wait until later in the apothecary!”

Throwing me one last furious glare, she stomped away to her group.

I sat there, stung by another unintended misunderstanding.

I poked the liver with my fork a few times, then gave up. There was no way I could eat it.

The apothecary opened at 9 a.m.

My shift lasted until 3 p.m., after which Petrin worked until closing at 9.

In theory, that was the system. But in reality, we often overlapped, and on our alternating days off, whoever was working had to cover the full day. It wasn’t as leisurely as I had hoped.

Still, I hadn’t eaten properly since yesterday, and hunger gnawed at me. But I forced myself to head to the apothecary to open on time.

‘Maybe later, if I get a break, I can find something else to eat…’

As these thoughts wandered, I arrived at the apothecary—

And dropped my book in shock.

Tap, tap, tap.

The sound echoed as it hit the ground.

Standing before the still-locked door was a tall man.

I couldn’t even move to pick up the book.

But he, seeing my stunned face, casually bent down and retrieved it for me.

“Is my face really that surprising?”

His perfectly sculpted features, as if carved by an artist, wore an easy smile.

It was Teansis.

‘H-here? How…?’

My thoughts tangled in confusion.

While I stood gaping, Teansis brushed off the book and handed it back to me.

“Here.”

“Th-thank you… But why are you here…?”

I had never told him I worked at the apothecary. In fact, just yesterday we had spoken, and I hadn’t said a word about it.

For him to find me here within a day—impossible.

‘How did he…?’

It defied reason.

‘Is the Arcrouge family really this capable…?’

I stared at him, unable to gather my thoughts.

Then, calmly, Teansis said something completely unexpected.

“Why else would I come to the apothecary? Because I’m sick.”

“You… You’re sick?”

High nobles never visited the apothecary. They always had their family’s private physicians.

The idea that the Duke of Arcrouge would come here for treatment was absurd.

But he gave me no chance to object.

“Are you really going to leave a sick student standing here?”

His violet eyes shimmered as he looked down at me, each word heavy with emphasis.

“Teacher.”

That single word, spoken in his husky voice, made my heart pound violently.

Thump-thump-thump-thump.

I knew this wasn’t the time, but facing the man I had long admired, speaking to me like this—I couldn’t stay calm.

Clutching the book he’d returned, I forced myself to ask,

“How did you even know I was working here…?”

“I didn’t.”

He said it without a flicker of expression.

“So… am I supposed to believe the Duke really came here because he’s sick?”

“Is there a rule that says a Duke can’t come to the apothecary when he’s unwell?”

I fell silent.

Indeed, there was no such rule. Nobles simply preferred their own doctors.

“Or… are you refusing to treat me specifically?”

That struck hard.

Refusing to treat a student as an apothecary staff member could get me dismissed.

He knew this. His composure showed it. Meanwhile, I tensed under the weight of his words.

“…Fine. Come in.”

I unlocked the door and let him inside.

It still felt strange to call this place “my” workplace, but having him here was almost surreal.

I sat at the desk, forcing myself to appear calm.

“So—what’s wrong?”

“Ah.”

As if only just remembering, Teansis removed his white gloves and rolled up his sleeve.

There, on the back of his hand, was a clear burn—the very one he had gotten when tea had spilled the other day.

Seeing the raw, reddened mark, I shot up in alarm.

“You left this untreated?!”

“I forgot.”

“Didn’t it hurt?”

“Not yesterday. But today, yes.”

Whether he was exaggerating or not, I knew one thing: if left alone, it would scar.

He usually wore gloves, but still—he deserved better than that. Admiring him as I did, I wanted him healthy and happy.

I hurried over with a burn salve.

“Here, sit.”

Surprised, he awkwardly obeyed.

Carefully, I applied the ointment and wrapped the burn.

“Injuries like this should be treated by a doctor, not just the apothecary. Next time, please go to a professional. What if it scars?”

The words tumbled out before I could stop them—scolding, but out of concern.

As I finished bandaging and lifted my head—

“…!”

His face was much closer than I had realized.

I had been focused only on his hand, unaware he was watching me quietly all along.

Now, our proximity was so close it felt as if we might kiss. I froze.

A strange, charged tension filled the air.

His violet eyes glimmered with amusement as he spoke softly:

“So… are you worried about me?”