Chapter 13
Luna pointed at the line of brightly colored medicine bottles lined up on the table. There was enough medicine to fill a stomach just by taking it.
“I think we should do this. This one’s for stomach aches, this one’s supposed to help you grow taller, this one strengthens bones. And this one hardens teeth, this one protects your skin, and this one is for the bronchial tubes…”
The more she explained, the more absurd it sounded. This was, well…
“Isn’t this just a scam?”
How could someone be this naive? On top of that, hearing the price the herbalist was demanding left Luna completely dumbfounded. It was three times the market price, and Charlotte seemed ready to pay it without question. This wasn’t something Luna could overlook out of her moral obligation.
Luna turned to stare at the herbalist on Charlotte’s behalf.
The herbalist flinched and averted their gaze.
“…Let’s have a little chat.”
Luna dragged the herbalist into the back room. Charlotte tilted her head in confusion at Luna’s behavior.
“What’s with her? Is something wrong? Or did she forget something?”
Charlotte stared at the table with a serious expression. The amount was a bit expensive, but it was hard to resist when it was for the child.
At first, her main goal had been to keep Theo alive. After all, if Theo lived, so would Charlotte.
As Charlotte treated the child with her divine power, his complexion gradually improved. Eventually, he even opened his eyes, and just yesterday, she had seen him running around in the garden.
A child who should have died was now alive and moving around as if nothing had happened. Charlotte considered this a miracle.
A faint smile appeared on her face. This was proof that Charlotte had a meaningful role in her life, and it could even be considered her first real accomplishment in this place.
All she wanted was to protect this miracle, no matter how small or fragile it might be.
Shortly afterward, Luna entered the shop, dragging the herbalist with her. When Charlotte wasn’t looking, Luna shapely glare at a herbalist .
“…Actually, there’s an all-in-one multivitamin supplement that combines all of these,” the herbalist stammered. “From what I understand, the family doctor is already providing enough nutrition, so I’d recommend just one of the best options for you, Duchess.”
Luna cleared her throat loudly. “This one should be more than sufficient.”
Charlotte smiled brightly. “Then we’ll take that.”
Watching the scene, Luna let out a sigh of relief. Then, she suddenly paused.
‘What am I even doing right now?’
She couldn’t make sense of it herself.
***
The day after I bought the supplements, Theo’s doctor confirmed that they contained nutrients beneficial to children.
Pretending to enjoy tea in the garden, I waited for Theo.
I hoped he’d come out today, too. Looking back, he probably peeked around out of curiosity that day. It’s understandable. Other than giving him divine energy under everyone’s watchful eyes, Theo and I had very little interaction.
Even if I wanted to strike up a conversation, people would glare daggers at me. Charlotte, couldn’t you have been more careful with the kid?
Lately, Theo’s cheeks were growing rounder by the day, likely because he has been feeding so well. There was still a long way to go, though.
“…Are you waiting for someone?”
“Oh. Yeah. I was wondering if Theo might come out again today.”
Luna gave me a strange look.
It seemed the way people were keeping an eye on me had grown more intense lately.
“Ahem. The weather is nice, after all. Plus, I have to give him the supplements I bought yesterday.” I turned my head away to avoid Luna’s gaze.
The truth was, I wanted to see Theo. He was one of the few people in this mansion who acknowledged me—and he was adorable. Harmless children were inherently lovable.
As I waited for Theo while drinking tea, just as expected, he appeared quietly. I heard the rustling sound from the bushes.
It’s adorable how he thought he wouldn’t be caught.
I glanced at Luna and stood up carefully. She wouldn’t go running to Cassius to report that I was bothering Theo, right? I approached Theo cautiously from behind.
“Eek!”
Theo turned his head, eyes wide, and fell backward in surprise.
“G-Get away!” Theo stammered.
“You witch! You’re trying to seduce my brother and kick me out, aren’t you?”
I extended a hand toward Theo, who flinched but stared at what I held.
“…What’s this? Poison?”
“Of course not, Theo. Do you think I’d hurt you after saving your life?”
The past memories when I had crawled on the floor flashed through my mind. I had wandered the complicated paths of the duke’s mansion so many times. Even now, my knees, which had crawled back then, still ached a little.
“I had the doctor check it. He said it’s a supplement that’s good for kids.”
“…I don’t need that!”
“Huh, really? But if you take this, you’ll grow taller, gain weight, and become smarter. Don’t you want to be as tall as your brother?”
Theo’s expression faltered for a moment, but he quickly shook his head. His large, distrustful eyes glared at me.
“I’m not eating anything a witch gives me!”
“If you’re not going to eat it, why aren’t you running away? Theo, I’m telling you, if you take this, you’ll become as smart as Cassius!”
“I don’t trust witches!”
Theo slapped my hand away with surprising force and jumped to his feet. He glanced at the bottle that rolled onto the ground, looking a bit flustered, but then turned and ran off.
“Ow…”
I rubbed my reddened hand and picked up the bottle from the ground. At least he didn’t crush it. Still, it left me feeling a bit bitter. I was quite used to being disliked, though.
Even before becoming Charlotte, it had been the same. People always seemed to hate me for no reason. Even my family. It had been an issue from the very beginning, from the moment I was born.
As an illegitimate child brought into my father’s household, my fate was practically sealed. A burden. Just a kid everyone hated without a reason.
My stepmother would glare at me like I’d offended her merely by existing, and my siblings hurled insults the moment they saw me. I thought I had grown used to being hated, but—
“Madam, are you all right? I can make a strong complaint about this…”
“It’s fine. He’s just a child. Theo is still unfamiliar with me.”
How could I blame a child? This was Charlotte’s karma.
It’s okay.
I was fine.
I told myself I was fine.
After saying that, I felt okay again. I turned my head with a bright smile.
“I think I’ll have some more tea. It’s delicious. Also, could you call the atelier for me?”
“…Are you planning to shop, Madam?”
“I need some more comfortable clothes.” The ones I’m wearing now may feel modest, but they were still too much. I also intend to get rid of these dresses.
“Yes, Madam. I’ll contact Chouette Atelier for you.”
“Thank you, Luna.”
Luna stared at me with a strange look. She always did that whenever I said thank you.
Almost as if she found it fascinating.
I could imagine how Charlotte must have lived.
Theo clutched his chest with one hand, trying to catch his breath. Leaning against the building’s wall, he cautiously peeked out to observe Charlotte’s movements.
“Whew.”
The nanny had told him she was like a witch.
He pouted unconsciously at the thought. She had said not to eat anything Charlotte gave him and to stay away from her.
So, he had only been trying to watch her—just in case she was plotting something.
But something felt strange.
A witch… Was a witch supposed to be that kind?
“Supplements, yeah right… poison… it’s definitely poison…”
He couldn’t forget the look Charlotte had when he slapped her hand away. Her wide eyes and the bitter expression of hurt. Theo slumped his shoulders.
For some reason, the strange feeling of having done something terribly wrong wouldn’t go away.
He was only trying to keep her at a distance to protect his family. but now he felt like he was the villain.
“Was I too harsh?”
He ran his hands through his hair, messing it up in frustration. A shadow of worry darkened his small face.
“What if she gets angry? Oh no, what if… what if she’s crying right now?”
