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Chapter : 32
Sophie was overwhelmed with joy for the first time in a long while.
To think that the person she had considered her lifelong benefactor was actually Rolf—she couldn’t be happier.
“Why would you think I’d dislike you, Rolf?”
“Because I look strange.”
“Then did you dislike that filthy, ragged child who was kicked out of the marquisate?”
Overjoyed, Sophie clung to Rolf and chatted with him for a while.
“…Maybe a little?”
“Wow, that’s just mean.”
Rolf chuckled briefly at Sophie’s lively reaction.
[Master. Don’t you have anything for me to do?]
Once inside the apothecary, Hal had nothing to do. His only joy in life was strutting around proudly by his master’s side.
Now that even that was gone, he seemed rather disappointed.
At first, she had brought Rolf to the apothecary just to feed him—he had been starving.
Who knew he’d end up unemployed?
“If you’re really that bored, I’ll give you something to do.”
Sophie spoke up. She told him to help out in the greenhouse.
He couldn’t handle herbs directly, but he could do odd jobs.
He had to earn back all those snacks he ate, after all.
[Hmph! I only take orders from my master.]
“Obey Sophie.”
[Yes.]
At Rolf’s command, Hal obeyed without protest.
“I think Hal really likes you, Rolf.”
“Spirits don’t judge people by their appearance.”
Even if Rolf was a great spirit master, to others he appeared terrifying and eerie.
People avoided him, fearing he might curse them or something.
But spirits never acted like that.
“I don’t think your face or voice is strange at all.”
“…”
“One day, you’ll have to take off that robe and show me your full face.”
Even now, Rolf still kept his face hidden, even though his identity was already revealed.
It was because he feared Sophie might feel disgusted.
“Of course, that’ll take time. I understand.”
“…”
“But I’m really glad we can meet like this.”
Sophie clasped Rolf’s hand tightly.
Startled as if burned, Rolf flinched. It had been a long time since he had physical contact with someone.
“Huh? You don’t like holding hands either?”
“…”
“When I was little, you used to hold my hand.”
It was true. Back when Rolf lived an ordinary life with an ordinary face, he had held Sophie’s hand without hesitation.
But now, it felt so unfamiliar.
After that incident, no one had dared approach Rolf. Some out of misplaced consideration, others out of pure disgust.
“You really don’t like it?”
Sophie asked again.
“…No.”
“Then let’s do it often.”
“Your hands are so soft,” Sophie murmured, still holding Rolf’s hand.
Her hands, rough from handling plants and occasionally stained with soil, were a stark contrast.
Rolf’s hands, on the other hand, were pale and smooth.
His fingers were long and delicate—almost sculptural in their beauty.
Now that she thought about it, even in her memories, Rolf’s skin had been so fair and soft that he looked like a single blooming lily.
Tall, with an air of grace.
“Hmm…”
Holding hands like this made his whole body tense.
Such direct physical affection was both unfamiliar and thrilling.
As Rolf let out a flustered, pleased sigh, Sophie completely misunderstood.
“Rolf.”
“…”
“We’re holding hands, talking like this—do you really think I pity you or feel sorry for you?”
She asked. Sophie had completely misunderstood Rolf’s discomfort as him being self-conscious about his appearance.
“Or do you think I’m afraid of your face?”
“…”
“Not at all.”
“…That’s not why.”
It was because they were holding hands. Rolf swallowed the words before they could escape.
“Excuse me? Then what do you mean?”
Sophie asked again, but Rolf never answered.
He just squirmed in his seat, trying to hide the redness spreading to the tips of his ears.
“I didn’t know you and Rolf were that close.”
The man she had barely passed by in the palace turned out to be the one who saved ten-year-old Sophie.
And now, Rolf’s sudden appearance was enough to shake even Arthur, the very symbol of composure.
Rolf seemed very close and affectionate with Sophie. Most importantly, she looked at ease around him.
‘She never acted that way with me…’
Arthur smiled awkwardly.
Sophie was always annoyed by Arthur, Valentis, and everyone else that followed them around.
She had only recently started to adapt—but never with the intimacy she showed Rolf.
“Come to think of it, I should thank His Grace the Duke as well.”
Sophie said, pouring tea for Arthur.
“Thank him?”
If anything, Arthur should be the one thanking Sophie.
For relieving his curse alone, she deserved an entire villa in return.
“After meeting His Grace, I feel like I was finally able to see Rolf again.”
Sophie said gently.
“So lately, I don’t find the Duke or Your Highness as annoying anymore.”
“…Haha. I suppose I should be thankful, then.”
Sophie had a tendency to coldly brush off rude or bothersome people.
She had even been quite sharp-tongued with Arthur, who had annoyed her for some time.
It was the first time someone had ever called him “annoying.”
“But, Your Highness.”
Sophie glanced at Valentis’s face.
“Your lips are cracked. Did someone hit you?”
“…?”
Arthur also grew curious. Valentis was a master of martial arts.
His swordsmanship was impressive, but in hand-to-hand combat, no one could beat him.
To think someone had landed a hit on Valentis?
‘This isn’t normal.’
What’s more, Valentis looked… oddly depressed.
“Your Grace, someone’s arrived from your estate… It seems urgent.”
Just then, Arthur’s escort knight appeared. Arthur nodded in response and stood up.
“Excuse me for a moment, Sophie.”
“Of course.”
Sophie, who remained worried about Valentis, cleared away the cold tea and prepared a fresh warm pot.
“You don’t seem to be in a good mood.”
“Not particularly.”
Sophie nodded and sat opposite him, sipping tea together.
Drinking tea alone would be tasteless, after all.
“Sophie.”
“Yes?”
“Why did you leave the marquisate?”
Valentis asked.
So suddenly? Sophie tilted her head.
“Was it because you didn’t get along with your father?”
“…No. It wasn’t that.”
Contrary to what he expected, Sophie answered without hesitation. That past no longer hurt her.
Besides, after watching Valentis for a long time, she had decided he was trustworthy.
“It’s just that… after my mother passed away, there was no place left for me in that house.”
“…No place?”
“Yes. My very smart younger brother and the marchioness were already there.”
“…”
“I don’t remember it clearly since I was only ten… but the house felt lonely. I hated it, so I left. I didn’t necessarily have a bad relationship with my father.”
After all, he was always living abroad.
“Honestly, I’m not even sure what I was thinking back then. I just believed I’d somehow survive once I got out.”
But if I hadn’t met Rolf, I might have died.
“I see.”
Valentis nodded.
‘But why does he still look upset?’
Even as she brought up her father, Sophie tried to speak more cheerfully than usual to keep the mood light.
But Valentis still seemed gloomy.
‘Is he sick?’
Thanks to the herbal tea, Valentis had regained his health and returned as a valiant warrior. Robin had been ecstatic about it.
Could it be…?
Sophie’s expression stiffened.
“…Valentis.”
“…What?”
“Has it worsened?”
“…”
“Your heart, I mean.”
Sophie whispered, not wanting anyone else to hear.
“…Huh?”
“What is it? Does it hurt a lot? Is there pain? Or is your mana acting weird again?”
Uncharacteristically, she rambled. She seemed genuinely worried.
“Maybe the herbs were wrong… I used the same batch, though. Should I prepare it again?”
“…”
“If you’re not feeling well, please tell me.”
Valentis, leaning his chin on one hand and watching her, suddenly burst out laughing.
He laughed so warmly and brightly that Sophie was completely taken aback.
It was true that Valentis had seemed gloomy recently.
Sometimes, he would look at her with a quiet gaze. Especially when she was with Rolf and Arthur, his stares would turn fiery.
She had wondered what his deal was—but now he was laughing like this?
It was baffling.
“Why are you laughing? I’m being serious here.”
She was worried, and yet Valentis only laughed harder. She couldn’t even scold him properly.
Sophie pouted, and Valentis laughed even more.
“Are you unwell or not? Just answer that.”
“It’s not pain, exactly. More like… I was agonizing over something.”
“Agonizing? Over what?”
Sophie tilted her head.
Was it too bold to ask a prince about his worries?
A single action from a prince could impact the whole empire.
Perhaps he was contemplating a great policy for the empire.
She corrected herself quickly.
“You don’t have to tell me if I can’t help with it.”
“No. You might actually be the only one who can solve it.”
“…Excuse me?”
What does that mean?
“I’ve thought it over. And I’ve made my decision.”
What kind of nonsense is this?
“…What are you talking about? What decision?”
“Our relationship.”
“…What?”
“We’re no longer patient and apothecary.”
“…”
“From now on, I’m going to treat you differently.”
Valentis declared. He could no longer ignore the emotions and desire he felt toward Sophie.
