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Chapter 8
“Your son made a mistake. I apologize on his behalf, Lady Roselia. But what brings you all the way here?”
“I came to pick up the item I ordered, but I heard the blacksmith shop was closed, so I thought I’d stop by.”
“I see… I’m afraid I won’t be able to make anything for a while because of my current circumstances.”
Roselia already knew exactly why, so she smiled at him.
“That’s alright. By the way, I heard someone in your family is sick. Is that true?”
“How did you know?”
“The grandmother who lives next door to the forge happened to tell me.”
“I see. To tell the truth… my daughter is seriously ill.”
“What illness does she have?”
“The… fever that’s been spreading around this area lately.”
“Then were you able to obtain the medicinal herb?”
“Well… I searched everywhere nearby, even the neighboring villages, but the price has become far too expensive. I think I’ll have to travel much farther to find it, so I won’t be able to reopen the forge for quite some time.”
Hearing that, Roselia accepted a large sack from Mary, who had been standing behind her.
“Please take this.”
“What is this?”
“Hibiscus—the herb used to treat the fever.”
“What?”
Mark stared in shock as he opened the sack Roselia handed him.
It was filled with a large quantity of dried hibiscus.
Behind him, Cardian’s crimson eyes widened.
“I asked someone I know about it. They said if you boil one handful of this dried hibiscus in one liter of water over low heat for about an hour and have her drink it morning and evening, she should recover very quickly.”
“Th-thank you so much. Then… how much do I owe you for the herbs?”
Mark asked carefully, his eyes reddening.
“You don’t have to pay me for them. I happened to have some hibiscus, so I’m simply giving it to you.”
“Then please come by next week! I’ll make sure your gardening shears are finished and waiting for you!”
“Alright. I’ll see you then.”
After saying goodbye to Mark, Roselia headed back toward where the carriage was waiting.
As she walked away, Cardian’s crimson gaze remained fixed on her retreating figure.
* * *
According to the information sent by the Golden Whale Guild, the mysterious fever that had first appeared in the imperial capital had spread throughout the entire empire.
As Gray had predicted, hibiscus—the cure for the disease—had become so scarce that sellers could demand virtually any price.
Keeping up with all those developments made the week pass in the blink of an eye.
“I packed the nutritious soup and meat pies just like the head chef requested.”
“Thank you, Mary. Let’s go.”
They loaded the basket containing the soup and meat pies into the carriage and headed for Mark’s Forge.
I hope this helps me become at least a little closer to Cardian.
Before she knew it, they had arrived.
The misspelled sign announcing the shop’s closure was gone.
When she stepped inside, Mark greeted her warmly.
“Welcome! I’ve finished making your gardening shears.”
Standing beside the smiling Mark was Cardian.
The moment Roselia looked at him, he flinched and quietly averted his eyes.
He’s still uncomfortable around me.
Suppressing a sigh, Roselia turned back to Mark.
“How is your daughter doing?”
“Yes. Thanks to the medicinal herbs you gave us, we brewed them every morning and evening. Her fever broke after only three days. She’s resting at home now to recover her strength.”
“I’m glad to hear that.”
She carefully inspected the gardening shears Mark handed over.
“I love them just as much as the last ones. Oh, and I brought something.”
Roselia signaled to Mary with a glance.
Mary quickly set the basket onto the table.
“What is this?”
“Your daughter only recently recovered from the fever, right? So I brought some nutritious soup and meat pies. I hope they’ll help her regain her strength.”
“Th-thank you… You keep doing so much for us.”
“It’s nothing. Well then, we’ll be on our way.”
After paying for the gardening shears, Roselia left the forge with Mary.
She regretted not getting the chance to speak with Cardian, but she had clearly become much closer to Mark.
Maybe next time I should meet his older sister. Cardian treasures both his father and his sister more than anyone.
As the two of them crossed the open lot and entered the alley—
“Wait!”
Someone called out from behind them.
When Roselia turned around, she saw that it was none other than Cardian.
He had apparently run after them with all his strength; his black hair was disheveled, and he was breathing hard.
“Why did you call me?”
“…”
Despite her question, Cardian only stared at her without speaking.
“If you have nothing to say, then I’ll be going.”
After waiting for a moment, Roselia turned to leave without hesitation.
Only then did Cardian finally speak.
“…No matter how long it takes, I’ll repay the debt I owe you for saving my sister… and for the medicinal herbs.”
“Huh? Repay me? Why? I already told your father I don’t want anything in return.”
She had clearly refused payment when speaking with Mark, so she genuinely couldn’t understand why Cardian insisted.
“I’m grateful that the herbs you gave us cured my sister… but I hate owing nobles… enough to die.”
Roselia fell into thought.
This feels like an opportunity I shouldn’t let slip away.
“Hmmm… In that case, how about I make you an offer that’s equal in value to the debt you want to repay? The choice is yours.”
“What… kind of offer?”
Roselia motioned for him to come closer.
He leaned down until his ear was near her lips.
Lowering her voice, she whispered.
“You see… someday I plan to get rid of a certain bad person in my family and accomplish something important.”
Stopping Sven from becoming the next count certainly qualified as something important.
“But I don’t have anyone trustworthy and capable by my side. So… how would you like to fill that role?”
“What? But I’m… just a commoner. I haven’t even received much of an education.”
True—for now. But later you’ll become a Sword Master, a Fire Spirit Master, and even the heir to the Duke of Naijer.
Of course, she couldn’t say that out loud.
“So what if you’re a commoner? So what if you haven’t studied much? I value ability and potential far more than things like that.”
Stepping back, she looked up at him with the most sincere smile she could manage.
Meeting her gaze, Cardian tilted his head upward and thought quietly for a moment.
When their eyes met again, his crimson eyes shone with resolve.
“…I accept your offer.”
Roselia was overjoyed that he had agreed much sooner than she’d expected.
She fought to keep the corners of her lips from curling upward.
“Wonderful. Then tomorrow, the first thing we’ll do is draw up a contract.”
“A contract?”
I finally got this chance. I’d better get his signature before he changes his mind.
“Yes. Surely you didn’t think I intended to keep you by my side without paying you?”
“Wasn’t that the idea? I still have to repay you for the herbs as quickly as possible.”
“Repaying the cost of the herbs is important, but people deserve to be compensated for their work, don’t they? That’s exactly why we’re signing a contract.”
After firmly arranging to meet Cardian the next day, Roselia went straight to the Golden Whale Guild.
There, Gray helped her prepare the employment contract.
Naturally, Gray once again made ridiculous comments about her “first love,” but she simply ignored him and left.
The following day.
Roselia returned to the forge and handed Cardian the contract that Gray had helped draft.
“I’m embarrassed to admit it, but I didn’t receive much schooling. I can’t read difficult writing like this.”
Blushing slightly, he handed the document back to her.
“That’s alright. Reading can always be learned. I’ll read it aloud for you.”
She slowly began reading.
The Employment Contract Between Roselia and Cardian
1. Recognizing Cardian’s potential, Roselia shall provide him with a full scholarship, a fixed salary, and appoint him as her temporary aide.
2. After completing his education, Cardian shall become Roselia’s official aide. His salary shall increase from 10 gold as a temporary aide to 100 gold as her official aide.
3. If either party reveals confidential information related to their work, discloses secrets to outsiders, or violates the terms of this agreement, they shall pay the other party 1,000 gold in a single payment as liquidated damages, and this contract shall immediately be terminated.
4. The contract shall remain valid for five years, including Cardian’s period of education.
Both parties hereby agree to the above terms and enter into this employment contract.
When Roselia finished reading the contract, Cardian’s expression became complicated.
“What do you think? Is there anything strange about it? Or anything you’d like to change?”
“…No. It’s just…”
“Just what?”
“I feel like… these terms are far too favorable for me. Besides, even if you’re a noble lady, is it really possible for you to pay someone this much money?”
Well… of course it is. This contract was written specifically to lure you to my side, so naturally it’s in your favor.
Roselia gave a small, deliberate cough to hide the turmoil in her heart.
