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Chapter : 17
The clear sound of the wind. Birds chirping. The sharp, ticklish scent of herbs brushing the tip of her nose and the heat rising from the boiling cauldron.
These were the things Sophie loved. She loved the peace and quiet they created.
‘It’s peaceful.’
Sophie’s gaze drifted out the window.
Winter was gradually approaching, the cold deepening, yet Sophie found happiness in this moment.
“Sophie, could I get some of that Palentarum you gave me last time?”
Just then, a customer entered Sophie’s apothecary. It was Mr. Segel, the owner of the neighboring bakery.
Because he spent long hours standing while baking bread, Mr. Segel was a frequent visitor—a regular customer.
“Did the last batch work well for you?”
“It was unbelievably good.”
With Mr. Segel giving her a thumbs up, Sophie fetched the Palentarum from its usual spot.
“It’s freshly roasted, so it should have a nice, nutty scent.”
She popped it into the basket he was holding, and he burst into a hearty laugh.
“Thanks! Did you finish the bread I gave you last time?”
“I ate it all in no time.”
Mr. Segel’s bread was especially delicious. Not only the spirits, but even Valentis and Arthur, who often visited the apothecary, enjoyed it.
To win over even those picky palates—Mr. Segel was no ordinary baker.
“Then I’ll give you more.”
He began rummaging through the basket for bread, prompting Sophie to wave her hands frantically.
“Oh, no, no! I already feel bad for always receiving things…”
“I baked these with the intention of giving them to you, Sophie. If you’re grateful, just eat them happily.”
Besides, I get help from you all the time too. The broad-shouldered Mr. Segel winked as he placed a bag of bread on the table.
In this small village, it was normal for people to share things without expecting payment. Many had grown up together through hard times, so they would watch each other’s children or share food naturally.
“Enjoy it. It’s even better with milk.”
“Thank you. I’ll eat it gratefully.”
Aside from Mr. Segel, Sophie received many other gifts—like two sacks of potatoes from a neighbor who had a bountiful harvest.
The apothecary was cluttered with bread and sacks of potatoes, enough that she didn’t need to go to the market for a while.
Though the shop was messy, her heart was full.
Even when the spirits in the greenhouse squabbled over a single apple, it made Sophie smile.
Everything was peaceful and quiet.
She had long awaited days like this. She loved that, with her eyes closed, she could hear the sounds of nature.
When she closed her eyes and focused, she could hear the spirits and birds communicating, and the wind flowing down the mountains…
“Sophie!”
At that moment, the door burst open, and someone flung themselves into Sophie’s arms. It was Arabelle.
Arabelle unleashed all the pouting and affection she had never been able to show her mother onto Sophie. She loved clinging to someone.
The sudden weight made Sophie stagger.
‘Well, so much for peace.’
Following Arabelle, Valentis and Arthur entered as well—along with their aides and bodyguards.
“Oh, Lady Sophie, it’s been a while! We came for tea.”
“I’d like something strong this time.”
“Oh? There’s bread here. Did you bake it? I’d like a tea that goes well with bread.”
This isn’t a teahouse.
“…So His Highness the Prince and His Grace the Duke came together. You two seem to be getting along better.”
“Ridiculous. We just happened to meet on the way.”
Valentis muttered that there was no way he and Arthur were getting along.
They already seemed like they were, though.
“Kyaaa! Spirits, have you been well? I missed you so much!”
Arabelle’s voice rang out as she ran over to the spirits.
“Anyway, cleansing all the monsters living on the mountain is impossible. Not all of them cause harm to people…”
“We can’t say for certain whether they will or won’t.”
James, Ben, and Robin were having a rather dangerous conversation.
It reeked of top-secret matters.
“You looked into Count Getahar’s activities, didn’t you?”
“It seems he’s been siphoning funds in secret.”
Was it really okay to discuss something so important in a mere apothecary—no, teahouse?
The apothecary quickly became lively with their visit.
‘I’m used to making tea now.’
As much as she loved the quiet of the small village, she was beginning to grow fond of this bustling atmosphere too. The apothecary now had plenty of tables and chairs.
She had them custom-made because it always bothered her when there weren’t enough chairs and someone had to stand while drinking tea. But now, everyone could sit and eat together.
‘What tea would be good?’
Something that would go well with bread… and maybe she could share the potatoes too? There was no way she could eat all of them alone.
Should she brew a tea that pairs well with potatoes? Or maybe a sweet tea with milk that Arabelle would like.
Sophie set a kettle on the stove and busied herself steaming the potatoes.
“Sophie, if you need help, just call me anytime, okay?”
“You already help me so much.”
“I can help you even more!”
These days, Arabelle tended to the herbs in the greenhouse without being asked, claiming she had memorized the care instructions for dozens of herbs.
She even mentioned she was growing a few herbs back at her marquisate.
It seemed that once Arabelle accepted someone, she would endlessly shower them with affection.
She had shared the affection and devotion she had once poured entirely onto Arthur with Sophie as well.
“Oh, I almost forgot.”
Arabelle muttered, then handed Sophie a gift box.
“Sophie, this is the most popular dress in the capital right now. I bought it while getting one for myself.”
“You didn’t have to do that… Shouldn’t I pay you back?”
“No! It’s a gift!”
Arabelle added with a forced nonchalance.
“But as the recipient of this gift, you have to wear it at least once! Otherwise, I’ll just keep giving you gifts until you do!”
“…Ah, okay.”
The noisy apothecary made Sophie sigh.
‘This wasn’t the kind of peace I wished for…’
The people sitting snugly in the apothecary were quietly waiting for the tea Sophie would serve.
Even those not afflicted by curses now enjoyed Sophie’s tea.
Sophie, shaking her head, reached for the steaming pot.
Crash—!
At that moment, distracted for just a second, Sophie dropped the lid while holding the pot.
“Ugh…”
She had burned the back of her hand while she wasn’t paying attention.
“Sophie!”
Arthur shouted.
“Let me see your hand.”
Valentis, who rushed over, swiftly grabbed her hand.
“…It’s fine…”
“It doesn’t look fine.”
Valentis turned on the cold water at a nearby sink and submerged her hand.
“It looks like a deep burn. I’ll summon the palace physician.”
He said firmly.
“No! Really, I’m fine.”
To call the palace physician over a mere burn?! Sophie was horrified and tried to stop him.
“It’s quite red, but it’s not deep. It will be fine if I keep it in cold water for a while.”
“…Where’s the herb for burns?”
“Over there.”
At Sophie’s gesture, Valentis quickly fetched the herb and ground it finely.
“That was meant to be sold to customers…”
“Then I’ll buy it.”
If you don’t like it, throw it away.
‘Was this man always this kind?’
Sophie glanced at Valentis. Sensing her gaze, Valentis looked up.
“What?”
He retorted gruffly, seemingly embarrassed by his own actions.
After grinding the herb finely for Sophie, Valentis gave her a brief look before returning to his seat.
“Are you really okay, Sophie?”
Arthur asked cautiously.
“Yes, really. This is nothing…”
“Sophie, what were you steaming in that pot? Let me move it for you.”
Both Arabelle and Arthur offered to help Sophie.
“Is it an herb? Something valuable? What are you going to do about the preparation now?”
“It’s just… plain steamed potatoes.”
“…Potatoes?”
I steamed them to eat with the bread and tea… or maybe milk.
Sophie mumbled. That actually sounds nice. Arthur smiled faintly and fetched the potatoes from the pot in her stead.
Everyone in the apothecary ended up eating the steamed potatoes. Arthur added a bit of milk to his tea and enjoyed it with the potatoes.
“These are delicious! Did you grow the parsley yourself too?”
“I grow everything I need for cooking myself.”
Steamed potatoes. For Valentis, they brought back memories of eating them hastily as emergency rations during the war.
They would always be cold and dry by the time he could eat them.
Taking a cautious bite, Valentis found himself smiling.
They were surprisingly good.
Even without any seasoning, they paired perfectly with tea.
The potatoes were so soft that they would mash easily against the roof of the mouth.
“It’s a bit rustic compared to the palace tea times, isn’t it?”
“No, it’s…”
Arthur rolled the potato in his hand.
“Better because it’s different.”
It was a small, unremarkable apothecary.
Yet sharing tea and small talk with good people in such a place was a joy.
Now, even without insomnia, he would visit to spend these fulfilling moments.
“Thank you for saying that, Your Grace.”
Sophie chuckled softly as she looked at them. No matter how troublesome they were, she couldn’t drive out people who found happiness in eating simple potatoes.
“Is it that good?”
[Yes.]
The spirits took big bites of the potatoes on the table. Their cheeks puffed up adorably, making Sophie want to pinch them.
Even the prickliest people became gentle when they came here—especially Valentis and Arabelle.
“Your Highness, is this your first time eating potatoes?”
“Quiet.”
Even the distant Arabelle and Valentis occasionally joked with each other now.
“Welcome.”
Just then, another customer entered the apothecary.
“Do you sell insect repellent here?”
“Yes, we do. Is there a specific herb you’re looking for?”
“How would I know that? Just give me something that works.”
The customer snapped irritably over something trivial.
Everyone’s eyes turned toward him.
But for Sophie, who was used to dealing with difficult customers, this was nothing. If anything, it was mild.
“That will be two rooks and eighty-one rings.”
“It’s that expensive for insect repellent?”
He raised his voice again.
“Give me a discount! It’s just insect repellent; why is it so pricey?”
Talking like that just made Sophie unwilling to offer a discount, even if she had considered it. She let out a dry laugh.
“For something sold at a tiny village apothecary like this…!”
The customer’s eyes met those of the people at the table. Especially Valentis’ intense gaze.
“Uh…h-hmph! You’d better take my advice.”
The customer, muttering under his breath, handed over the money and left.
“…?”
But Sophie, who hadn’t noticed the glares, only blinked in confusion.
Why was he acting like that?
“Lady Sophie, these potatoes are really delicious.”
James grinned as he held up a potato.
“Eat as much as you like if it suits your taste.”
“Yay!” James chuckled.
