TLVSMBU Chapter 65

Chapter 65

｡･:*:･ﾟ★ Translated by Bree ｡･:*:･ﾟ☆

‘The work must be really tough for them.’

Indeed, managing such a large Magic Tower with that few people would be exhausting.

This highlights the importance of infrastructure. To ensure the mages could continue their work smoothly, I thought it best to leave soon.

But before that…

“Your Highness, how are you feeling?”

I had an obligation to do my job diligently. Luciel smiled warmly at my question.

“Thanks to you, I’m better. Thank you, My Lady.”

“It’s me who should be grateful. The magical device you made at the right time was a great help.”

Thanks to the heated magical device, I could secure the Duke’s support.

“I’m glad it was helpful.”

Luciel’s eyes crinkled into a sincere smile. There was no shadow of worry in his expression.

Hmm, it seems the medicine had some effect. I sighed in relief inwardly.

“If you experience any other symptoms, please let me know immediately. I’ll prescribe a different medicine for you.”

“Yes, My Lady.”

Luciel nodded obediently.

‘Alright, I think that concludes the patient consultation…’

It was time to let Luciel go. I took a step back and spoke.

“Then, I’ll take my leave, Your Highness.”

“…Take your leave?”

“Yes. You must attend to the affairs of the Magic Tower, after all.”

Isn’t that why you’re here? I tilted my head slightly.

“Ah, that…”

Luciel drawled slowly. After a moment of contemplation, he smiled brightly.

“I’ve just finished everything.”

“Oh… really?”

I tilted my head again in confusion, and Luciel looked at the mages for confirmation.

“But Master, you were supposed to teach us an important magic formula today…!”

One of them mumbled.

“Shut up, will you?”

Another one quickly covered his mouth.

“It’s nothing. He didn’t sleep well last night.”

“The urgent work is done. We were just about to see the Master off. Haha!”

The mages answered sharply, almost reminding me of soldiers.

Luciel looked at me with a face that said, ‘See? I’m telling the truth.’

‘If he says so… then it must be done.’

Besides, inspecting the land with a business partner was only natural.

“Yes, if it’s alright with Your Highness, let’s go together.”

Then I turned to the mages.

“Excuse us for a moment.”

“Not at all!”

“Of course! Please, go ahead!”

The mages, who had been sighing in relief, responded with enthusiastic “Yes!” and bowed repeatedly.

Before I moved, I looked at Sukia.

“Sukia, let’s go.”

“…”

“Sukia?”

But Sukia didn’t move at all.

She stood there with her hands neatly clasped, muttering something with a dazed expression.

She was staring at none other than Luciel.

I tilted my head slightly towards Sukia.

“Make us prosper… help my family buy a house…”

“…”

Sukia’s desperate wishes weren’t much different from my own in my past life.

It seemed she had mistaken Luciel for an angel.

I could understand the sentiment, but staring at someone like that was rude. I whispered softly in her ear.

“Sukia, sorry, but he’s not an angel. He’s the Grand Duke.”

“What? He’s not an angel?”

Sukia’s eyes widened in surprise.

“But you didn’t seem surprised, so I thought I was the only one who could see him…”

Realizing her mistake, she quickly bowed her head.

“I’m so sorry!”

“Haha. It’s alright.”

Luciel smiled warmly, showing he wasn’t offended.

“This reaction is quite common…”

“What?”

“Nothing.”

Luciel murmured something and then smiled brightly.

“Shall we go, My Lady?”

He naturally took the lead, escorting me.

“If not for my crazy magical abilities, I’d have quit long ago…!”

“Think positively. You can learn more here than at any other Magic Tower branch!”

“It’s sad that we find comfort in that…”

I could faintly hear the mages grumbling in the background as I walked alongside Luciel, who was now escorting me with a familiar grace.

✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧

I had heard that Count Drave’s herb fields covered a vast area.

Hence, it was said to be in the middle of nowhere.

‘That’s actually an advantage. It’s the kind of place with good water and air I’ve been dreaming of!’

Moreover, herb fields would have a variety of tea leaves.

If well-maintained, it could even be turned into a walking path within the salon.

With excitement, I arrived at the herbalist’s shop managed by Count Drave.

“Can you believe it? Suddenly the owner changes just like that!”

A man’s sarcastic voice could be heard through the closed door.

I instinctively knew.

They were talking about me.

“My Lady…”

Sukia called me worriedly, but I raised my hand to show I was fine.

It was understandable for the staff to be upset about a sudden change in ownership.

‘Personnel changes always cause a lot of talk.’

People even complain about the king behind his back, so why should I be any different?

‘In my past life, they used to say even gods had 70 million anti-fans.’

So a bit of grumbling was to be expected…

“But what does a woman know about dealing with herbs?”

…until that point.

The moment I heard that, my previous resolve vanished in an instant.

“My Lady…”

“…”

Sukia called out to me with a frightened face.

But as I remained silent, she gulped and muttered, “Oh no…” nervously.

“Shall I knock, My Lady?”

Luciel leaned down, whispering in my ear.

“Or should I do something else?”

“…”

“I’m fine with whatever you choose.”

He was asking for my opinion, but it seemed like he was ready to break down the door if needed.

Hearing this, Gael flinched and shrank back with a gasp.

The atmosphere had turned icy in an instant, yet the voices from inside continued.

“What does the Lady know about cultivating herbs? Just because she grew up in a greenhouse doesn’t mean everything else will grow as well!”

“It’s just an inspection. Besides, it’s the Duke’s order, so we have to follow it. I heard she learned about herbs at the temple.”

“Tch. Let’s hope she doesn’t burn everything down. She should stick to embroidering handkerchiefs at home…”

The sarcastic remarks grew more blatant.

I raised my hand and knocked on the door.

“What’s that?”

“Who’s there?”

After a brief murmur, the sound of a chair scraping and footsteps approached the door.

“Who dares to knock so arrogantly…”

The door swung open, revealing a man with fiery red curly hair.

He was the one who had just been cursing me with all his might, mentioning handkerchief embroidery.

As it was our first meeting, I should have been polite.

“Hello.”

But since he had abandoned courtesy first, I decided to do the same.

“…Who are you?”

He looked me up and down, using formal language, probably because I looked like a noble. I smiled sweetly and said,

“The person you were just talking about.”

“…Pardon?”

“The one who’s supposed to stick to embroidery.”

“…!”

His eyes widened at my blunt words.

A clatter followed, and another man appeared—a middle-aged man who seemed to be the father figure.

“L-Lady Peregrine! You’ve arrived!”

He quickly bowed his head in greeting.

“I heard you were coming, but I didn’t expect you to arrive so suddenly. I apologize for the delay. I am Hyler, in charge of this place.”

“Nice to meet you. And this man is…?”

As I raised an eyebrow, indicating I wanted an explanation, the red-haired man hesitated before speaking.

Just then,

“…Jed? Brother?”

Sukia, who was behind me, widened her eyes in surprise.

‘Brother? So this man is Sukia’s family?’

Wait a minute, before that…

I paused, recalling a detail from the original story.

A doctor from Regarta who helped Maria defeat the plague was named-

‘Jed.’

So this genius doctor from a humble background was this man?

‘But he’s…’

Quite insufferable, actually.

While I was momentarily taken aback by this unexpected twist, the man called Jed brightened and said,

“What? Sukia, is this the person you serve? The one you said was so kind?”

Jed added a strange emphasis to “kind,” grinning.

“Brother, why are you here…?”

“Well, greet me later. Step aside for now.”

Jed pushed Sukia aside dismissively.

“Yes, apologies for the delay. I am Jed, Sukia’s brother. I’ve heard a lot about you, My Lady. I apologize for earlier.”

His apology felt insincere, making Sukia’s face flush with embarrassment.

Unbothered by his sister’s discomfort, Jed continued,

“The handkerchief remark was just a joke. As you know, noble ladies do a lot of embroidery, right?”

He raised an eyebrow, seeking agreement from Gael and Luciel.

Luciel tilted his head with an innocent expression.

“Hmm… I’m not sure. I enjoy doing embroidery myself.”

“…Pardon?”

“There’s nothing as romantic as embroidering while thinking of someone you love. Isn’t that right, Gael?”

“Yes, I think the same.”

With Gael, who also enjoyed embroidery, agreeing, Luciel smiled and added,

“Besides, categorizing who does the embroidery is such an outdated way of thinking.”

“…!”

Jed’s face turned increasingly red.