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Chapter : 37
It wasn’t hard to figure out who the man standing in front of her was.
Valentis must have inherited his father’s black hair and golden eyes.
Unlike Valentis, who had the typical appearance of a warrior, the emperor appeared aged but solid, and radiated a suffocating pressure. Just standing before him made Sophie’s legs tremble.
Emperor Joseph glanced around the pharmacy, which was elegantly decorated for the Helliague Festival.
“Coming here without a single escort knight—just like father, just like son.”
Was it because he was so skilled that he didn’t need protection? Or was he just incredibly bold? Maybe it was both.
Her drunkenness vanished in an instant.
With her hands clasped behind her back, Sophie carefully observed the predator surveying the surroundings.
“Is this a tea house?”
“Strictly speaking, it’s a pharmacy,” she replied, doing her best to remain respectful. It was clear the emperor was no ordinary man.
Though he appeared to be looking at the pharmacy, Sophie could feel his gaze dissecting her. It felt like steel spikes were piercing her skin.
“We usually sell medicinal herbs and teas, but today, to celebrate the Helliague Festival, we were drinking with regular customers.”
“So your regular customers include the daughters of dukes and marquises?”
Her breath caught.
It was a casual comment, but it made her heart pound. Unlike Valentis, Emperor Joseph could execute Sophie on a whim.
Anyone who became an obstacle to his son would be swiftly removed.
“Yes. They’re frequent visitors,” she replied.
Pleased by Sophie’s respectful answer, Emperor Joseph smiled.
“I, too, would like to drink something among them…”
“Would you like some alcohol?”
“No, I’ll have a tea you brewed yourself.”
“……”
The emperor fiddled with the herbs laid out outside the pharmacy.
“I can drink alcohol whenever I want. But to taste your tea, I must come here personally, no?”
“……”
“That’s the only reason the prince bothers to visit this place himself.”
It sounded almost like a scolding—How dare you make the prince come here personally? Sophie tucked her cold hands into her sleeves and swallowed hard.
“I’m very curious to see if your tea is really worth all that effort.”
“I just didn’t want to leave this place.”
“You could’ve gone to the imperial palace. You must not be very ambitious.”
“Please call me Sophie.”
“Alright.”
The emperor agreed smoothly, but he never actually used her name.
“It’s not that I’m unambitious. More precisely, living a quiet life is both my desire and my greed.”
The emperor liked Sophie’s courage. She was afraid, but still voiced her convictions clearly.
“Come. Let’s go inside.”
As the emperor entered the pharmacy, Arabelle and Arthur were clearly stunned. Even I’m surprised.
Why would the emperor come to such a small pharmacy?
“Is there a particular tea you’d like?”
“Anything. You choose.”
Emperor Joseph could make even a duke nervous. He even sent a casual nod toward the young duke.
Her heart pounded. It was like running across a shaking rope bridge over an erupting volcano—dangerous, but something she had to face to survive.
But with dark, fiery beasts at her back, the rope might snap at any moment.
What kind of tea should I serve him?
This wasn’t like dealing with Valentis or Arthur—this was a life-or-death decision.
Inside the greenhouse, Sophie clutched her head in despair.
“Sophie! Sophie! What happened? Why is His Majesty here?”
As if the situation weren’t chaotic enough, Arabelle was freaking out.
“Why is he here? Why? It’s scary! Should we run away right now?”
Arabelle was clearly frightened by Emperor Joseph. But while she could flee, Sophie had no such option.
If she stepped outside the pharmacy trying to escape, her head might come off.
Stay calm. Stay calm…
Sophie prepared the tea. People who spent a lot of time reviewing documents often experienced shoulder and neck stiffness. She’d seen the emperor stretch earlier, likely due to the same discomfort.
“I made this tea using Suserf and Kennelmire.”
“Join me,” he said.
“…Yes.”
Even carrying the teapot and cups made her hands tremble. Sophie tried not to make any noise, afraid even the slightest clatter would offend the emperor.
But why is it so quiet in here?
While she was brewing tea, all the customers had disappeared. Fortunately, they’d paid before leaving, but… what happened?
Now only Arabelle, Arthur, and Rolf remained in the pharmacy.
Whether he noticed the awkward silence or not, Emperor Joseph sipped the tea calmly.
Sophie quietly eyed the emperor’s fingers holding the teacup. Her stomach churned. It felt like she already had indigestion.
“What is this tea good for?”
“It’s effective against muscle pain—mainly in the shoulders and neck.”
“I see. I find it harder to ignore such aches as I get older.”
The emperor liked the tea. Its aroma was pleasant, and though unfamiliar, the small, simple snacks were enjoyable.
Having lived for years in the ruthless world of politics, he could tell what kind of person Sophie was at a glance. Still, there was no harm in being cautious.
“Your Majesty…”
Arthur cautiously intervened, unable to bear the thought of leaving Sophie alone with the emperor.
The emperor, however, took interest in Arthur’s reaction. Even the duke was trying to protect her.
And then—
“…Rolf?”
Rolf and his spirit, Hal, were also present. The empire’s most promising talents had gathered here.
These were the future of the Sylock Empire.
Unbelievable.
Emperor Joseph’s eyes grew sharper upon seeing Rolf and Arthur. Sophie felt sure he was becoming suspicious.
But she had nothing to hide. She was afraid, but decided to speak truthfully.
Lying to the emperor would only get exposed immediately anyway.
“Seems one can meet all sorts of familiar faces at this pharmacy.”
What should I do now…? The emperor fell into thought. A mere pharmacist had drawn the attention of a duke, a spirit master, and even a prince.
Should he interfere, or let things be? He even considered forcibly bringing Sophie to the palace.
But Valentis had vehemently opposed it.
“Duke.”
The emperor called the young duke.
“I rarely see your face in the palace, but it seems I’ll see you often here?”
“I’ll visit more often, Your Majesty.”
Pretending to be a lonely, frail old man, the emperor spoke with subtle sarcasm.
“I’m glad we met, but I’d like a moment alone to speak with the owner of this pharmacy.”
Arthur looked anxiously at Sophie, wondering if he should insist on staying.
“Please excuse us for a moment, Your Grace,” Sophie said calmly.
She had more courage than expected. Emperor Joseph smiled, resting his chin on his hand in amusement.
Sophie composed herself and waited for him to speak.
Then, the emperor dropped a bomb.
“You’re the daughter of Marquis Sherikas, aren’t you?”
“…I’m his concubine’s child.”
“I know. I already looked into it.”
“……”
The emperor leaned back on the plush sofa. His posture was relaxed, but he never once took his eyes off Sophie.
“So should I assume the marquis’s daughter is interested in both the prince and the duke?”
“To be precise, they are the ones interested in me.”
“Then what about you, the pharmacist?”
He still didn’t use her name.
“The prince and duke say they need you. But you’re not interested?”
“I am curious about how their conditions improved… but I have no intention of using that for personal gain.”
“Why not? It would be an easy way to gain fame.”
The emperor watched her carefully. Sophie didn’t flinch or even blink. But her clenched fists under her sleeves gave away her tension.
“It might sound arrogant of me, Your Majesty…”
After a moment of thought, Sophie finally answered.
“Even if it’s an easy way to gain fame, I’m sure I’ll have to pay for it one day.”
Maybe she could enter the palace with their help. But one day, if she lost their favor, and they stopped protecting her, she would have to face the consequences.
And she wasn’t sure if she’d be strong enough then to protect herself.
Better to enter the palace on her own merit—openly and proudly.
Sophie didn’t want to depend on someone else’s help. She wanted to stand on her own.
Just as she always had.
“Right now, I don’t think I have the qualifications or ability to pay that price.”
“You’re underestimating yourself.”
“…I try to think realistically and objectively.”
The emperor laughed warmly. It had been a long time since he’d met such a pleasing young person.
“You probably don’t know this, but I was quite close with your father.”
“……”
“You’re just like him.”
Marquis Sherikas was one of the few people the emperor respected—trustworthy and loyal.
To find the same character in Sophie was both comforting and delightful.
“In that case, I suppose my son is in your debt.”
If Sophie truly wanted nothing in return, then Valentis owed her a great deal.
After exchanging a few final words, Emperor Joseph drank all of the tea and stood up lightly.
He had enjoyed both the tea and meeting this promising youth.
So he decided, like Valentis, to show her a little favor.
“I don’t have any money on me,” he said with a smile.
“Put the tea on my tab.”
“……”
“I always repay my debts generously.”
“Until next time, Sophie.”
The emperor finally called her by name.
As he departed the pharmacy, Sophie stared blankly after his retreating figure and murmured:
“We don’t usually keep tabs…”
