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chapter 8
“Did you see something?”
“T-There was… a transparent, sky-blue butterfly flying around. I’m sorry for getting distracted.”
I quickly apologized to the Grand Duchess for letting my thoughts wander for even a moment.
Would I be scolded for that? Shrinking a little, I glanced at her cautiously.
But instead of displeasure, her eyes held the sharp curiosity of a researcher examining something rare.
She was looking me over as if I were some curious spectacle.
All I could do was blink in confusion.
Was spotting a butterfly that strange?
Bewildered, I tilted my head slightly and took another sip of tea.
Judging by the atmosphere, it didn’t seem like I was about to be reprimanded, so I let out a small breath of relief.
Lady Penelope looked at me once more, then spoke in her soft, gentle voice.
“I suppose I’ve been holding onto Healer Iriele for too long. You must be busy, so let’s end things here.”
It was a graceful way of saying the tea party was over.
Since the rosehip tea was nearly gone anyway, I simply nodded in agreement.
When she stood first to leave, I rose as well and gave a small bow.
“Thank you for inviting me today, Lady Penelope.”
She smiled brightly as she accepted my thanks.
“The pleasure was mine, Healer Iriele. Rest well. Ah, and one more thing!”
She turned while walking away, raising a finger as if suddenly remembering something.
“Before the day is over, your contract will be finalized, Healer Iriele. My son will handle the process, so don’t feel pressured. I truly hope you’ll stay with us for a long time.”
With a smile in her eyes, she left the greenhouse.
The moment she departed, all the tension drained from me, and I collapsed back into the chair.
It hadn’t been like walking on thin ice—she had been far too kind for that.
And somehow, that kindness had frightened me even more.
Not knowing why she was treating me so warmly made it all the scarier.
“…But this counts as passing the test, right?”
I exhaled into the warm greenhouse air, finally able to relax.
“Hehehe.”
Penelope let out an enigmatic laugh at her unexpected discovery.
She walked gracefully, inhaling the natural scents that filled the air.
Among wolf beastkin, her sense of smell was especially sharp.
Becoming a spiritist had heightened her senses even beyond the ordinary.
That was why the natural body scents of others often tormented her.
Worse still was the stench of mana that clung to witches—it was unbearable.
But today’s witch was… different.
Instead of that noxious aura, she had smelled like fresh grass, soothing and pleasant.
So much so that it had left me startled, my expectations turned upside down.
Smiling faintly, Penelope recalled the timid, small-animal-like healer who had kept stealing anxious glances at her.
Unlike a witch, she had seemed pure, even endearing… adorable, really.
And that snow-white hair—beautiful beyond words.
But surely, such a girl would never have been truly accepted among witches.
After all, witches despised white, loathed it with a passion.
That poor child, Iriele, must have endured rejection and scorn all her life.
“Flashy, barbaric creatures obsessed only with appearances…”
Penelope’s lips curled into a bitter smile, teeth grinding faintly.
Even now, she still swallowed down her anger, remembering how those witches had once wronged her son.
She dared not let her emotions spill too strongly—it could affect the spirits.
Behind her, a transparent, sky-colored butterfly fluttered gently in the air.
It circled her before coming to rest upon her shoulder.
Smiling, she murmured softly to it.
“That girl saw you. What did you think of her?”
The butterfly beat its wings lightly, scattering sparkling dust.
Though it gave no real answer, Penelope’s smile deepened as she whispered.
“I see. She really is a curious child, isn’t she?”
The butterfly flitted around her in agreement before vanishing into the air.
Penelope calmly watched it fade, then resumed walking forward.
Once the Grand Duchess left the greenhouse, I stood frozen in place for quite a while.
The main reason I didn’t dare wander was simple—the mansion was far too big. I was certain I’d get lost.
Thankfully, the same attendant who had guided me earlier came to lead me back to the main estate where my quarters were.
“Ugh… I’m exhausted.”
My whole body felt sore, maybe from all the nervous tension I’d been holding in.
I couldn’t help but think about slipping into a warm bath to unwind.
But wait… where were the bathrooms and washrooms in this place? I hadn’t asked!
“Will I even manage to wash up tonight?”
“You’re already planning to bathe, Iriele?”
“Eeeek!”
The sudden voice from behind made me shriek and jump out of my skin.
Like a startled cat, I fluffed up and leapt away, trembling as I turned to face the source.
It was Rudels.
Hands in his pockets, he was smiling serenely at me.
“Did I scare you?”
Of course he had! He’d done it on purpose!
“You did scare me!”
My voice cracked with both outrage and near-tears, accompanied by furious sniffling.
Who moved around without a single footstep, sneaking up like that?
He chuckled, stepping closer.
“My, you really are startled, aren’t you?”
“Of course! Whispering from behind like that—anyone would nearly faint!”
I wailed at him.
Though honestly, it wasn’t the whisper itself that shocked me most, but the warmth of his breath brushing my ear…
It had tickled so much I’d been overwhelmed.
Still clutching at my ear, I peeked at my employer.
He was still smiling at me—no anger, no irritation.
Instead, it felt like I’d just given him some new excuse to tease me.
I’m not a toy, you know!
Rudels narrowed his eyes playfully.
“How was your tea time with my mother, Healer Iriele?”
“Eh? Oh, um, it was nice! Of course…”
“Hmm?”
His suspicious tone made me wave my hands quickly.
“It’s true! Lady Penelope was very kind to me. And it was the first time I ever had such delicious tea and tea food in a greenhouse!”
“Lady Penelope, you say?”
He repeated the name as though he’d misheard.
“S-sorry! The Grand Duchess herself asked me to call her by name! I’ll never slip like that again, I promise!”
My cheeks burned with embarrassment.
At the same time, fear prickled inside—what if he grew angry that I’d spoken his mother’s name so casually?
I trembled, bowing repeatedly.
But instead of scolding me, Rudels just muttered in confusion.
“My mother… gave you permission?”
“I really am sorry!”
Still apologizing, I bowed again.
He looked bewildered for a long moment, lips parting as though to say more—but all that came out was a long sigh.
“It’s fine. If Mother said so, then it’s fine. Lift your head, Iriele.”
At his gentle tone, I raised my gaze.
He was smiling again, extending his hand toward me.
Glancing at his much larger hand, I hesitantly placed mine on top.
He clasped it firmly, laughing warmly.
“Seems you made quite the impression on Mother. You may end up seeing her a lot more from now on.”
Huh? Made an impression?
I tilted my head in confusion.
So I hadn’t done anything wrong? But… what exactly had I done right?
Thinking back, all I could remember was sipping tea, nibbling on desserts… basically eating.
That’s all I did—eat!
While I was puzzling over it, he leaned closer, voice teasing.
From up close, his deep blue eyes glimmered like the sea.
I found myself frozen, unable to look away, until he finally turned his head and tugged me along.
“Where are we going?”
“To draft the contract, of course. Making you the family’s official magical healer.”
His smooth smile was framed by the faintest flick of his tongue across his lips.
I couldn’t help but stare, entranced.
Get a grip! You can’t fall for that!
I pinched the back of my hand hard, praying not to be swayed by the dangerously handsome wolf beside me.
If he caught on to my thoughts, I’d be teased for life—or worse.
But I didn’t notice how Rudels shot me a sidelong glance, smirking faintly.
“Um… Rudels?”
“Yes?”
Sitting across from me at the negotiation table, Rudels rested his chin on his hands, smiling slyly like a cat.
Meanwhile, I anxiously examined the contract from every angle.
Finally, I pushed the paper back toward him and asked:
“You said this contract promised safety and room and board, right?”
“That’s correct.”
“Then why does it also say an annual salary of 2,000 gold?”
I stared blankly at the listed sum I’d never even mentioned.
He slid the paper back toward me with a casual shrug.
“Iriele, what did I tell you when I showed you the estate? Where do we place the most emphasis?”
“Um… employee welfare…?”
“Exactly. Employee welfare. We can’t let the family’s prestige drop, after all.”
“Y-Yes, of course.”
“And it wouldn’t make sense for our household’s magical healer to be underpaid, would it? Even personal physicians in other noble houses make at least a thousand gold.”
“W-Wait… a thousand gold?!”
