The Abandoned Lady Lives in a Dollhouse

“It’s Juno Sergien.”

“Yes, Juno. Let’s take a closer look.”

The child followed Peter and lay down on a table under the window.

Juno approached them and asked, “Where have you been?”

“Alchemists are busy people.”

“It hasn’t been a month yet.”

“I’m a very capable person.”

It was hard to deny that. Juno learned a certain amount of knowledge within these few weeks and understood how amazing Peter’s craftsmanship was.

How much time had passed? Peter looked at her. “You’re still inexperienced, but it’s not bad.”

Juno grinned. “That’s good to hear.” She glanced at the child.

“Congratulations on becoming my official apprentice, Juno Sergien.”

She didn’t want him to think she gave up just within a few days.

Perhaps noticing the look in her eyes, Peter said, “You must have a lot to say. Get out, both of you.”

John and the child left the workshop without question.

Once the door to the workshop was closed, the old man leaned on the table. “What do you want to know?”

Juno was nervous, but she tried not to reveal it. “Why did you marry me?”

“I was asked to.”

“Ha, who can ask such a great alchemist for such a thing?” This was the same alchemist who said the emperor couldn’t do as he pleases to the emperor himself. “What’s your relationship with my father?”

“I never met him.”

“Excuse me?”

“Why do you think it was your father who asked me for a favor?”

Who else could it be? Another person came to mind. “Do you know Lilith?”

Lilith originally worked in a brothel, so it wouldn’t be surprising if she knew Peter Sergien.

Annoyed, Peter Sergien said, “Anyone else?”

His expression wasn’t hiding anything. Juno was frustrated. “Who the hell is it then?”

“You don’t need to know. And from now on, call me Teacher.”

Juno blinked. She didn’t really want to say it, but she couldn’t help herself. “I’m… your wife.”

“Do I look like I care?”

“…”

Did that mean Juno wasn’t meant to be his wife? As if the reason for why I was brought here couldn’t get more confusing. If he took Juno as his wife just because of a request, then how was the person who asked for the favor related to her?

“Who is it?”

“You don’t need to know,” Peter said.

Juno grabbed his arm. “What do I need to know then?”

“Alchemy.”

She couldn’t believe he was willing to teach her alchemy but not tell her who made the request. However, alchemy was too good of a discipline to get angry at Peter. What Juno had seen in a month was astounding. It fascinated her, and she wanted to learn more.

She looked down at her hands. Aside from the callus on her middle finger, there were faint scratches. She was doing something unimaginable. I want to learn more. I want to make it mine. That way her curiosity would be satiated. Juno now had a passion for alchemy.

“…What will you teach me?”

“Just keep doing what you’ve been doing.”

“I have to study by myself again?”

“Well, if you don’t know anything, you can ask me.”

Juno muttered, “What’s the difference?”

“Your mindset will be different. And you can ask me questions. We’re running out of time, and my time is money!”

Juno knew having and not having to ask someone weren’t the same thing, but she couldn’t believe she was learning by herself. She tried to catch up to him again, but Peter took out that object with a button on it.

“I’m hungry, so I’m going to have lunch.”

“We’re not done talking!”

John opened the door to the workshop. “Did you call for me, Master?”

“It’s time for lunch.”

“Understood.”

Juno said, “What am I supposed to be doing, Peter?”

“Teacher.”

Juno hesitated for a moment before she said, “Teacher.”

“Let’s have lunch.”

Juno stared at Peter as he walked away. What a selfish old man.

***

Peter Sergien finished his meal instantly while Juno wondered if that was normal. His table manners were more akin to an old aristocrat than an old man with a bizarre smile.

Was he like that back then? Juno watched as he put down his work. Wiping his mouth with a napkin, Peter looked at her. She didn’t avoid his gaze. She wanted to ask him more questions, but she decided to save them for later since he said he would teach her alchemy.

At last, Peter spoke. “A person must have a goal in order to work hard.”

“What do you mean?”

Peter leaned back in his chair. “I’ll be dead in two years.”

“What?” Juno was stunned. He was going to die in two years? Just like that? No, the real problem is how he can be so sure he’ll die in by then. And why was he telling her? She eyed him warily.

“You only have two years to learn alchemy from me.”

It was like his words erased any other thought she had. She didn’t need anything else. What was important were those two years.

Juno asked, “…And?”

“I’ll answer any questions you have once you can call yourself an alchemist in those two years.”

It was a good deal for Juno. “All right.”

“During that time, I’ll shut the door to the mansion.”

“Excuse me?” Do you plan to keep people out but also prevent anyone from leaving?

Even then, this was a place where most people were prohibited from entering. Does that mean Peter Sergien will no longer work as an alchemist?

As Juno tried to understand the meaning behind his words, Peter continued talking.

“Two years is not a lot of time for an alchemist.”

So not only did Juno have to work hard for two years, the two of them would be working hard together?

“I’m not going to meet with anyone else. You should do the same,” Peter said.

For a moment, Juno thought of Jupiter. But she already told him she would contact him if something happened. Not hearing anything from her meant things were going well. Jupiter will be fine.

Juno nodded. “I understand.”

Peter turned his head to John who was standing behind him. “John.”

“I’ve cleaned the room already.”

Peter rose from his seat. “Finish your meal. Starting tomorrow, visit the workshop at seven in the morning.”

“All right.”

As the door closed, Juno stared at Peter’s empty seat before relaxing and stretching out her arms. Her hands were sweaty; her knuckles hurt from clutching her eating utensils too hard. I don’t think he cared. She noticed he didn’t eat much.

Juno looked at the dish in front of her. A doll was clearing the table of empty plates and brought her another meal. It was one of the dolls that couldn’t speak. She patted it on the head.

“Thank you.”

The doll creaked and returned to the kitchen. Juno smiled as she saw her favorite food before her. She didn’t know if John requested it or the doll chose to do it, but she felt better. She also felt hungrier. Juno lifted her fork when the kitchen door opened again. The doll from earlier brought her a large bowl of ice cream.

“Huh?” Juno didn’t know if she could finish it, but ice cream was her favorite dessert. The doll was standing still and showed no signs of leaving. “Thank you. I’ll enjoy my meal, but I’m worried my stomach will explode.”

The doll went back to the kitchen. Was it her imagination that it seemed happy? Juno started to eat; the door opened, and the red-haired child ran to her side.

“My lady!”

“What is it?”

The child’s expression had never been brighter. It was beautiful to see.

“I’ve decided on a name!”

“Really?”

The child’s eyes were practically shining. “I’ll be Hebe from now on.”

“Hebe?”

“Yes.”

Juno patted Hebe’s head. “It’s a very pretty name.”

Hebe sat in a chair next to her.

“Do you want to stay here?”

A doll didn’t need to eat, so there wasn’t a reason for Hebe to be in the dining room.

Moving his legs back and forth, Hebe said, “I want to be with you. Isn’t it weird to be alone?”

“…Thank you.” Juno resumed eating as Hebe talked. This isn’t so bad.

The dolls here, alchemy, and Peter Sergien.

It wasn’t such a bad place.