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~Chapter 35~
‘Like attaching a label.’
He remembered the Duke of Rubellot in his younger days.
‘The Duke also never let go of anyone once he had them. Tsk, tsk.’
Sadly, that included Heron himself, who still hadn’t retired.
Simone, a 6-year staff member in charge of reception and licensing at the Royal Medical Association, was shocked as she looked through today’s documents.
“What is this? Heron Barren?”
Even after wiping and putting her glasses back on, the letters didn’t change.
“Why? What’s up?”
Her coworker asked, looking bored but curious.
“Heron Barren wrote this recommendation.”
“That’s unusual. Who’s the lucky person?”
“A name I’ve never seen before… career listed as 11 years, including training?!”
“11 years? Did Heron ever have such a long-term student?”
“That’s not the point. The guarantor is…”
Simone swallowed dryly.
“It’s the Young Lord Rubellot.”
“…What? Young Lord Rubellot? Noxian Rubellot?”
The entire office went silent. Everyone stopped working and turned to listen.
“I heard Heron was staying at the Rubellot House, but…”
“Still, that Young Lord Rubellot? Is this a guarantee, or is it collateral?”
It was a joke no one dared deny. Simone sighed, her palms sweating as she held the papers.
‘Why did I have to be the one receiving this…’
Luckily, waiting in the lobby wasn’t that terrifying Young Lord Rubellot, but instead a young woman with a harmless white appearance.
Her curious teal eyes and round cheeks made her look younger than the age written on the papers.
“Hello, are you Miss Shariette Verdette?”
Her searching eyes turned toward Simone.
“Yes, that’s me.”
Her attitude was plain compared to such prestigious recommendations.
Heron, standing beside her, also nodded.
“You’re still here, Miss Simone.”
“Long time no see, Sir Heron. This is the student you recommended?”
“Yes. She studied under me for a long time. She lived in her hometown until now, but I brought her here. She’s very skilled, my successor.”
Successor? Who? Shariette turned her head in surprise at the role decided without her knowing.
Heron felt her sharp stare but pretended not to notice. Words make the world move, after all.
For Simone, if Heron Barren said so, then this exam was already as good as passed. She guided the white-haired girl inside.
“Please follow me, Miss Shariette.”
Shariette trailed behind, while other staff whispered.
“Verdette? Ever heard that name?”
“No. Who is she?”
“Someone who comes with both Barren and Rubellot must be incredible.”
Their questions were soon answered.
That unknown woman finished the licensing exam in the fastest time in the Association’s history.
“Please return all personal belongings. You may only use the materials and tools provided.”
“You will have exactly 100 minutes. Even a one-second delay will be considered cheating.”
But compared to the strict instructions, the exam was laughably simple.
Make a sleep-inducing drug and a sleep-maintaining drug using valerian extract, under the following conditions:
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Only use the provided ingredients, including the solid concentrated powder.
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Prepare each drug in a different form.
Submissions:
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Completed drugs.
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List and ratio of additives.
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Graph of expected action time and release curve.
It wasn’t exactly like the medicine she made for Noxian, but the principle was the same.
“With your skill, you could pass with your eyes closed.”
Heron’s words were right. Shariette scratched her head. She really could do this with her eyes closed.
Meanwhile, outside, Heron and Simone talked.
“These days, sleep aids and memory boosters are popular research topics. This exam seems influenced by that.”
“Hmm? Wasn’t that trend over long ago?”
“Oh, you were in the north for a while. Recently, demand increased around the capital. Because prescriptions are expensive, there are cases of fake or illegal drugs being sold.”
Heron chuckled bitterly, thinking of all the things he tried because of his employer’s son, who was a major consumer of sleep aids.
“What a painful illness it is.”
“Speaking of which,” Simone lowered her voice, “I heard a young lady of a noble family almost had a serious accident because of sleepwalking.”
“Serious accident?”
“I don’t know the details, but my friend, close to their physician, said it was very troublesome.”
Heron sighed.
“Young lady with sleepwalking… must have suffered greatly.”
Before Simone could continue, the bell announcing the end of the exam rang.
She checked the clock, wide-eyed. Barely twenty minutes had passed!
Heron laughed loudly as if he expected it.
“Of all things, Miss Shariette specializes in sleep medicine.”
Meanwhile, after Shariette followed Heron to the Association’s office, Noxian headed into the inner palace.
The outer palace housed officials and administrators, while the inner palace was where the King and royal family lived.
People he passed were startled and bowed quietly.
“Young Lord Rubellot. His Majesty awaits you.”
The chamberlain bowed deeply. The meeting had been planned since the Rubellot carriage passed the gates.
“Young Lord Rubellot. Long time no see.”
Inside, a familiar, dignified voice rang across the hall.
Noxian bowed politely.
“Glory to Eilard. You look well, Your Majesty.”
“You as well. I’ve heard much, but I waited to hear from you directly.”
“My apologies.”
Though formal and cold, the King nodded without concern.
Colored light from stained glass scattered over his silver hair.
King Leonis II, called the Silver Lion of Eilard, was a wise ruler who led the kingdom’s golden age.
Though Rubellot relations had soured after failed mediation with Argen, he was still a great monarch — even Noxian admitted that.
“Let’s walk a bit. At my age, I must move often.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
They walked slowly through a sunlit corridor. Outside the arched windows, a peaceful view stretched endlessly.
‘Peaceful…’
Noxian glanced at his polished shoes, reflecting the spotless marble floor.
The sound of boots soaked in blood and medicine scraps — such things could never exist here.
The King, two steps ahead, spoke.
“Count Genoa has petitioned again. He wants tariff reductions and expanded access to the old Argen trade routes.”
Noxian knew this was already reported to his father, the Duke. It wasn’t about the issue itself.
“Even after two years, still the same.”
“He resents that you absorbed most of the Argen lands.”
Half reproach, half credit. Noxian answered calmly.
“Count Genoa doesn’t just want tariff cuts. He wants Argen’s royal trade rights. Even if we appease him, Hynt will oppose.”
The King glanced at him, searching.
Noxian read the unspoken question in his deep blue eyes and replied evenly.
“They will never unite. If you don’t want to divide access among many houses, it’s best to keep them in balance, checking each other as they are now.”
The King understood it meant he would handle it himself.
He smiled gently.
