Chapter 11
The pouring sunlight heated my cheeks.
I frowned at the harsh sunlight and opened my eyes to see the rays streaming through the window.
Is it already morning?
As I rubbed my eyes and sat up, a page from the open book stuck to my cheek fell off.
I must have dozed off while reading.
Yawning, I continued reading the final chapter.
[The most prominent symptom of mana addiction is extreme sensitivity. In previous cases, caregivers have lost their lives due to sudden violent outbursts by patients.]
A sudden image of Prince Claude, covered in blood from my past life, flashed through my mind. It was followed by a vivid imagination of my own head being cut off.
Swallowing dryly, I read the next lines.
[Therefore, it is crucial to minimize stimulation. The methods include:
First, always maintaining a gentle tone and expression.
Second, when the patient suffers from hallucinations, physical contact or emotional exchange, such as singing, may help.
Third…]
I focused intently and read until the very last page.
Closing the book, the large title on the cover was revealed:
[How to Handle Mana Addiction Patients]
This was a famous medical book from the Western Continent, which I had found after digging through the underground library.
It wasn’t translated, but thanks to my past life’s knowledge of Rune language, I could read it without difficulty.
Stretching out my arms, I got up from the chair.
Then, I walked to the window to check on the dried Lazeren mana grass and other medicinal ingredients.
They had dried so well that they crumbled at the slightest touch.
As I examined them, I caught sight of my reflection in the window.
Messy hair, sunken eyes, and ragged clothes that I hadn’t changed for days—I looked like a beggar.
It all started a week ago when I found strands of Rachel and Alex’s hair on my bed.
For a moment, I was ready to dump a bucket of dirty water on Rachel’s bed in revenge.
But for the sake of the future, I had to hold back.
So, I left my room in my nightgown and went straight to my lab.
Since then, I had been residing here after having the butler bring in a little bed.
It was actually convenient—not having to go back and forth between my room and the lab, and I could focus on my research day and night.
Thanks to that, I was now fully prepared to make the cure.
Clenching my fists, I strengthened my resolve.
Today was the day of my appointment with Prince Claude—I couldn’t afford any mistakes.
Fortunately, rumors about toxic fumes in the lab kept Pierre away, and Rachel was too busy with social gatherings to bother me.
With no one to disturb me,
It’s time to start.
Taking a deep breath, I exhaled slowly.
Then, I carefully placed the dried ingredients into a large pot and began brewing them over low heat.
I continued adding water as it evaporated, letting the mixture simmer until the afternoon.
By the time all the ingredients had completely dissolved, a thick, purple potion filled the long glass flask.
I wrapped the bottle in a soft cloth, placed it in my bag, and stood up—only to be hit with sudden dizziness.
The exhaustion from barely sleeping two hours a night had caught up to me.
I took out a strength-recovery pill, unwrapped it, and popped it into my mouth.
A bitter taste spread in my throat, followed by a cool sensation.
I need to hurry before it gets dark.
Throwing on my robe, I quickly left the mansion.
Meanwhile…
Long eyelashes cast deep shadows as red eyes slowly opened.
As soon as the familiar pain struck, Claude’s face twisted in agony.
His long, rough fingers clutched his chest as if trying to suppress the unbearable pain.
Gritting his teeth, he crawled to the console and yanked open the top drawer.
With shaky hands, he opened a vial and swallowed its contents.
Gasping for air, he collapsed onto the sofa.
A few seconds later, his body went limp, like a puppet with cut strings.
Then, a knock sounded on the door, followed by the butler’s voice.
“Your Highness, Lady Aselin from the Rondinella Ducal House requests an audience.”
Claude barely managed to speak.
“…Who… came?”
“Lady Aselin from the Rondinella Ducal House says Your Highness will know her.”
“Aselin… Aselin.”
Uncertain whether it was a question or a private remark, Claude muttered.
Aselin…
It sounded familiar, but his mind was too foggy to remember clearly.
‘I can’t remember, I just can’t…’
His half-lidded eyes hid once more beneath his heavy eyelids.
A warm, medicinal feeling spread through his body, and his mind seemed to empty.
“Your Highness, what should we do?”
Just as he was about to fall asleep, the butler’s voice scratched at his nerves.
Claude’s eyes snapped open, veins visibly standing out.
“How long are you going to bother me? I don’t want to see anyone, send them away!”
His sharply honed voice scattered through the room.
As the exhaustion of the medicine washed over him, his face slowly tilted to the side, his eyes closing again.
“Yes, Your Highness, as you command.”
With the butler’s words, Claude sank deeply into sleep.
When I told the butler I was here to meet Prince Claude, he looked a bit surprised.
After asking me to wait, the butler disappeared behind the door, and after a while, the heavy castle gates opened.
“His Highness says he doesn’t remember any agreement and has ordered you to leave.”
“What? There must be some mistake. He clearly told me to come to the castle today, one week later!”
“I’m sorry, Lady Aselin. His Highness says he doesn’t remember and has ordered you to leave.”
The butler repeated the same thing, even after my questions.
‘Does his memory work like a goldfish’s? How can he forget after just a week?’
From the butler’s expression, it seemed like he was in a difficult position too.
Sighing, I almost gave up and turned to leave, but I stopped.
The effectiveness of the potion I made with mana grass only lasts for two days, and it works best if taken the same day.
If I leave now, I’ll have to throw away the hard-earned medicine.
No, throwing it away is one thing, but where am I going to find more Lazeren mana grass?
I clenched my fists tightly and glared at the closed gates.
Just then, a few cold raindrops hit my face.
Soon after, the thunder rumbled, and it started to pour heavily from the sky.
I quickly looked for cover and ran to a large tree with dense leaves.
The thick leaves shielded me from the rain, and I was relieved.
I stared at the dark sky and the pouring rain with a blank face.
Trapped in this situation, frustration rose within me.
‘Damn prince. What is this nonsense after making a promise?’
While I stood there, blankly watching the rain, sleepiness slowly crept in.
Fatigue hit me all at once, and I nodded off several times.
I kept my eyes wide open, waiting for the rain to stop, but it continued to pour without stopping.
I popped a pill into my mouth and absentmindedly watched the rain.
My eyelids felt as heavy as if they were weighed down with lead.
‘I don’t care anymore.’
I laid down on the soft grass.
Looking up at the sky, the sound of the rain felt strangely peaceful, and the cool air was refreshing.
The surrounding orange dahlias were in full bloom, and their sweet scent reached my nose.
The warmth made me feel cozy, and my eyes slowly closed.
My eyelids, which had been blinking slowly, finally closed, and my consciousness faded away.
“Ahhh! What is this?!”
A maid, who had been cleaning the garden early in the morning, screamed.
The sound startled the servants, and they rushed out of the mansion.
“Oh my! There’s, there’s a body under the tree!”
At the maid’s scream, Aselin awoke.
She tried to open her eyes, feeling the bright light, when she heard someone speaking loudly.
“Could that body… be Lady Aselin from Rondinella Ducal House, who came yesterday?”
“A body? Are they talking about me?”
Aselin, confused, tried to open her eyes, but someone placed their hand under her nose.
“Fortunately, she’s still alive. But she’s unconscious, so we need to move her to the bedroom for rest.”
“But we can’t bring anyone into the mansion without His Highness’s permission.”
“What should we do?”
Whispers filled the air.
Aselin hesitated, about to sit up, but then stopped.
Wait, they’re taking me to the mansion’s bedroom?
If they do that, I might be able to meet the prince before the potion wears off…
Aselin smiled inwardly, keeping her eyes tightly closed as she lay still.
While the servants hurriedly discussed what to do, Alvin, the prince’s assistant, arrived at the mansion.
“What’s all this noise about?”
“You’ve arrived, Lord Alvin. Lady Aselin, who visited the castle yesterday, is unconscious here, and the doctor says she needs to rest.”
“Lady Aselin? Then why are they not taking her to the bedroom right away?”
“Well, His Highness ordered her to be sent away yesterday, and we don’t know what to do…”
“His Highness didn’t meet her? He just sent her away without seeing her?”
“Yes, that’s right.”
Alvin rubbed his chin, thinking for a moment, then spoke.
“Take Lady Aselin to the guesthouse bedroom. I’ll go meet His Highness.”
A few minutes later, the servants carried Aselin on a stretcher and headed to the guesthouse.
Once in the bedroom, they gently covered her with a thick blanket.
Wait, you worthless prince.
A sly smile crept onto Aselin’s face as she lay there hidden beneath the blanket.
