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Chapter : 38
It seemed the Emperor had taken advantage of Valentis’ prolonged absence to pay a visit.
Valentis hadn’t come to Sophie’s apothecary for some time. According to Arthur, he had headed off to some battlefield.
Either way, the encounter with the Emperor had come as a huge shock to Sophie.
“I thought that world would never have anything to do with me.”
Being nothing more than a pharmacist to a patient was one thing—but for the Emperor himself to visit and view her as a threat?
Sophie felt dazed and bitter. It was the same reason she had been cast out from the marquessate.
Her father, who was always away in a foreign country, could not be her reliable shield.
Yet, just staying at the marquessate posed a serious threat to her younger brother and stepmother. So Sophie left.
She could have lived comfortably as the daughter of a noble house, but surviving in that environment came at a cost. Sophie hated that price.
[Sophie… I’m so sleepy…]
Sophie was out at night gathering herbs. No matter how miraculous the power of the spirits was, she couldn’t ignore the potency of naturally grown herbs.
Even if they couldn’t overcome curses, they had incredible resilience and vitality.
That was why Sophie would come out late at night to collect herbs and return to the apothecary.
“Do you want to get in my pocket?”
[Can I really?]
“There’s a handkerchief inside. Cover yourself with it and sleep.”
The spirit climbed into Sophie’s large pocket. It peeked out briefly, yawned, and quickly dozed off.
[We’re really far from the apothecary.]
The spirit looked around anxiously.
[We’ve reached the edge of another village. Are you sure it’s okay?]
“I’ll just pick a bit more, then we’ll go back.”
[There could be bears around here, you know.]
[We’re stronger than bears!]
[You idiot! That doesn’t mean Sophie isn’t in danger.]
It seemed she had walked farther than intended while lost in thought. Her crouched legs were stiff, and the chill was setting in.
The mountain breeze was much colder than the usual wind. Sophie stood, tightening her coat around her.
“Shall we head back now?”
[Are you sure? We’ve come really far from the apothecary…]
[Let’s just go to the nearby village. It’s closer.]
[Yeah! Let’s stay the night and head out early.]
[It’s way too cold here.]
The spirits chattered anxiously, worried for Sophie’s delicate frame. They could protect her from beasts with their power—but not from the chill of the mountain wind.
Sophie tended to stay healthy until she got very sick. Once, she had collapsed from a terrible fever. At that time, the spirits had even kidnapped a physician—dragging him over without any explanation.
“Alright. Let’s go to the neighboring village.”
Her thoughts of family had left her emotionally stirred. She figured a walk in the cold would help settle her mind.
Just then, Silco—who had been silent—quietly stepped in front of her.
[Something’s here.]
Silco, unlike the talkative spirits, was stoic and serious. If he spoke, something was definitely happening.
It would be troubling if a high- or top-level monster appeared. In that case, fleeing was the best option.
Thankfully, there usually weren’t dangerous monsters near these villages… but one never knew.
[Please step back.]
The other spirits joined Silco in guarding her. Sophie could also sense a presence ahead.
Alert, she scanned her surroundings for a possible escape route.
The bushes rustled—and finally, a silhouette appeared. Was it a bear? It was huge and looked menacing.
Then the figure stepped into view.
“…!”
“You sure came far.”
“Valentis?!”
It was none other than Valentis, and he looked a mess.
His armor was stained with blood, scratches covered his cheek, and twigs and leaves clung to him. It looked like he had come straight from the battlefield.
“How did you…?”
“I heard my father visited you.”
Valentis explained.
“Even so, to come here in the middle of the night—you must be exhausted from the war.”
“I thought meeting you came first.”
He looked completely worn out, but his eyes were focused solely on Sophie.
“I wanted to see you and apologize.”
“…”
“I had hoped you wouldn’t find out… I didn’t expect my father to suddenly go to you.”
“…Well, I’ll just think of it as meeting a patient’s guardian.”
Sophie tried to joke. Valentis gave a faint smile.
“Still, it looks like you passed.”
“What do you mean?”
“If Father hadn’t liked you, he definitely would’ve done something.”
“…Was it really that dangerous?”
She had guessed, but it truly was dangerous. That was what it meant to meet the Emperor.
“He’s definitely capable of it.”
That’s why, upon hearing the news, Valentis had rushed to find her. Though injured and exhausted, he needed to make sure she was safe.
If her life was ruined because of him, it would be unbearable.
“You came all the way just for me?”
Sophie asked, eyes sparkling. Valentis nodded without hesitation.
“…Thank you.”
Sophie smiled sweetly. Valentis opened his mouth slightly.
“…Yeah.”
His face felt flushed. Trying to stay composed, he barely managed a reply.
“Were you heading back to the apothecary?”
“No, it’s too late and cold. I was going to stay the night in the nearby village.”
She pointed west. Lights twinkled beyond the mountain.
“And you, Lord Valentis, definitely need rest.”
“I’m fine.”
“No, I meant—you need new clothes.”
Valentis glanced down at himself, realizing how bad he looked. He had rushed here without thinking about his appearance.
He wiped his cheek carelessly, smearing more blood.
“Oh… right.”
He hadn’t thought about how alarming his blood-stained armor would look.
As they entered the village, people gasped at the sight of him.
Covered in leaves and blood, he looked like a murderer who had just descended from the mountains.
“We should get you new clothes quickly.”
“What’s the big deal?”
Valentis tilted his head.
“In a peaceful village like this, armor and helmets aren’t common.”
To Valentis, who lived his whole life on battlefields, it was just normal attire.
“Should we report him?”
“He looks dangerous.”
“He came down from the mountain.”
Villagers whispered nervously.
“Um… are you okay, miss?”
The tailor whispered to Sophie, too quietly for Valentis to hear.
Sophie gave an awkward smile.
“Completely fine.”
To make matters worse, the village was packed with people due to a festival.
Sophie turned to the tailor, concerned.
“It’s so crowded… I guess finding an inn will be hard?”
“Very. Most people book months in advance.”
This village’s festival was so famous that people from other villages came too.
“It seems impossible to find a room.”
As Valentis changed clothes, Sophie went to check for vacancies. As expected—none.
“We could just head back to the apothecary before dawn.”
Valentis spoke casually, like staying up all night traveling was no big deal.
Getting back would take all night.
“If you get tired, I’ll carry you.”
“No way! I’ll walk on my own, thank you very much.”
In the end, Sophie and Valentis decided to return to the apothecary—though they didn’t forget to pack some chicken dishes and a little wine.
“You seem pretty comfortable moving through the mountains.”
“Sometimes, we have to secretly cross valleys or mountains to prepare for an ambush.”
He mentioned that he often bivouacked in the mountains.
That surprised Sophie. A prince bivouacking?
She thought he’d at least pitch a tent unlike the others.
“You must really care for your soldiers.”
“They’re risking their lives on my command. It’s only right.”
Valentis gave a faint smile.
Strange.
Despite trudging along a precarious mountain path, Sophie didn’t feel as tense as before.
Even though a monster or wild animal could appear at any moment.
Maybe sharing chicken and wine had made her feel closer to him.
Valentis held the wine bottle fondly, happy to be drinking after a long time.
“Father came to see you because he doesn’t trust me.”
“He doesn’t trust you?”
Sophie thought Valentis seemed perfectly capable.
“I think you’re doing fine, Lord Valentis…”
“Whatever the reason, I must not meet his expectations.”
Valentis took another drink. Watching him struggle for his father’s approval made Sophie feel a bit sorry for him.
“Are you… afraid of His Majesty?”
“…”
“Oh—sorry, that was rude. Please forget I said that.”
“It’s okay.”
Valentis chuckled.
“Still…”
Sophie hesitated before continuing softly.
“I think His Majesty does care about you.”
“Cares about me?”
“If not, he wouldn’t pay so much attention to you.”
Coming from someone whose father had never spared her a glance—it was a sincere guarantee.
“Maybe he sees potential in you—that’s why he’s watching you so closely.”
“…”
“I’ve never had anything like that…”
In truth, Sophie envied him. She kept her gaze low, following behind Valentis.
Suddenly, he slowed his steps and lightly tapped her shoulder.
“…?”
“….”
What was that?
Valentis just tapped her shoulder. Was he trying to pick a fight? It actually hurt a little.
As Sophie looked at him with wide eyes, Valentis cleared his throat.
“You look tired. Should I carry you?”
“No way!”
Realizing a moment later that it was his awkward way of comforting her, Sophie smiled
