“Is something wrong? You seem a bit off.”
“…I walked a little fast, so it’s hot.”
“Oh, I see. I’ll bring you a glass of cold water.”
“Thank you, Madame Korsol.”
“Did you treat the wound? I’m worried since it shouldn’t be left untreated so it doesn’t scar.”
As the topic shifted, Pristin gradually regained her composure.
Pristin forced a smile and nodded her head.
“Young Lord Bachell treated me well.”
“It’s impressive. To hold the title of head herbalist at the palace at such a young age, he must have remarkable skills.”
“Yes, by the way…”
Pristin remembered something that she had briefly forgotten due to her encounter with Jerald earlier.
“I received a proposal.”
“A proposal?”
“Yes. The young lord asked me if I would like to work as an herbalist at the herbal garden.”
“An herbalist?”
Aruvina’s expression was quite surprised.
“Do you have an interest in herbs? Well, I guessed since all the books you borrowed were related to herbs…”
“I used to gather herbs before I entered the palace.”
“Oh, I see.”
Digging herbs was the work of commoners, not nobles. So Pristin wondered if Aruvina would show a contemptuous attitude toward her when she heard this, but Aruvina showed no sign of it. It seemed that she had already known the fact that Pristin was a fallen noble, so her reaction was natural.
“To receive a proposal to become an herbalist, how admirable, Your Ladyship.”
“I was embarrassed because the young lord seemed to overestimate me.”
“Oh, no. Even at first glance, he is the best herbalist in Limburg.”
Aruvina encouraged Pristin with a benevolent voice.
“If someone like that made the proposal, it means that you also have the potential and skills of that level, Your Ladyship. Have confidence.”
“Do you think it would be good for me to work in the herbal garden, Madame Korsol?”
“I think it would be nice. You’ve been feeling bored lately anyway.”
Aruvina nodded with a very pleased expression.
“If you have something to do, Your Ladyship, your life in the palace will be filled with more vitality, right? Since you’re here, I believe it’s important to lead a happy life.”
“It’s just I’m not sure how long I will stay here… I’m worried about unintentionally causing trouble to others.”
“There’s nothing that can be calculated and planned out for every little thing, Your Ladyship.”
Aruvina advised Pristin in a gentle voice.
“Since it seems like you already have the desire to do it, don’t hesitate and accept. You can think about the consequences later.”
In response to Aruvina’s heartfelt words, Pristin nodded with a smiling face. It seemed like her heart had been swayed.
‘But before that, I have someone to talk to.’
───── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ─────
“I’m thinking of working as an herbalist at the Imperial Palace Herbal Garden.”
It was at dinner that evening that Pristin brought it up to Claret. Claret, who was cutting the steak with fern-like hands, widened her eyes and stared at Pristin. She seemed quite surprised, her hand holding the knife frozen in place.
“An herbalist?”
“Yes.”
“All of a sudden?”
“I received an offer from Young Lord Bachell today. He asked if I have any interest in working in the herbal garden.”
“Oh, my God. ‘That’ Akkad Bachell made an offer?”
“Is there a problem…?”
“No, it means Akkad Bachell really liked Pristin.”
“Yes?”
“I’ve never heard of Akkad Bachell bringing someone into the herbal garden while being the head herbalist.”
Claret said, raising her left thumb up.
“Wow, then Pristin is the first? Congratulations!”
“Ah… Is he really that demanding?”
“He’s known for his good looks.”
Claret said, giggling.
“He’s not someone with a bad temper or anything, but he’s such a perfectionist that it tires people out. But when you think about it, his words are right on the mark, so you can’t really argue with him.”
“Aha…”
“At any rate, anyone he picks will cause a lot of curiosity! It seems like Pristin is destined to become a famous person.”
“Don’t flatter me, Your Highness. It’s embarrassing.”
“But it’s the truth, isn’t it?”
“Everyone who sees me is praising me as a benefactor who saved Your Highness’s life. I can’t bear to add any more adjectives to that.”
“I can’t help it. Pristin is just so irresistibly charming.”
Claret took a sip of the orange juice next to her and congratulated her.
“Anyway, congratulations, Pristin. I’ve been a bit worried because you seem a bit bored these days.”
“Ah… Did you notice?”
“Of course! I’m interested in you, after all.”
Claret replied, shrugging her shoulders.
“Pristin, you’re diligent unlike me. I was worried that you might get bored, so I was wondering if there was something else you could do while staying with me.”
“Princess…”
Pristin’s expression showed her gratitude towards Claret’s consideration. Claret smiled and spoke to Pristin.
“In any case, it’s fortunate that you found something to do! And on top of that, you love herbs and you’re smart too!”
“Thank you for your compliments. I will do my best to ensure that I don’t tarnish the name of Your Highness.”
“You’ll do well! Trust me!”
Claret raised both arms and confidently expressed her trust.
“But don’t feel pressured from the beginning, okay?”
“Yes, princess. Thank you.”
“More than that, how did you meet Head Herbalist Bachell?”
Claret tilted her head with a curious expression.
“Did you two know each other before?”
“Oh, no. We met for the first time today.”
“But you received such an offer? That’s strange.”
“We met in the palace library’s herbology section. Well… I happened to visit the herb greenhouse and that’s when I received the proposal.”
“Oh, my God, so that’s it.”
Claret said in a voice of surprise.
“The herb greenhouse is usually off-limits… I guess Head Herbalist Bachell must have recognized how amazing you are from the moment he first saw you.”
“That’s an exaggeration, Your Highness.”
“No, it’s not. Anyway, Pristin, you’re so modest.”
Then Claret clapped her hands and asked as if she had almost forgotten.
“Did you tell Brother Jerald?”
Out of the blue, Jerald’s name popped up. Pristin flinched in spite of herself. As soon as she heard his name, she remembered what had happened earlier.
Pristin brushed her reddening cheeks with the back of her hand unconsciously, not knowing if it had any effect.
“…Yes.”
“Oh, my, you two met separately today? Is that so?”
Claret interjected with an inquisitive expression, asking Pristin. Pristin tried her best to maintain a calm demeanor and answered.
“We happened to ‘coincidentally’ meet on my way from the herbal garden to Camer Palace. I told him then.”
“Oh, I see…”
Claret openly showed a disappointed expression. Of course, Pristin didn’t tell Claret everything that had happened. It wasn’t something to be shared with a child.
Pristin awkwardly smiled and subtly avoided Claret’s gaze.
“If you ever need anything, you should always tell me. Got it, Pristin?”
“I’m always grateful for your words.”
Pristin flashed a gentle smile and lifted the glass of water in front of her, taking a sip.
───── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ─────
The next morning, Pristin revisited the herbal garden.
“You’re here early, Lady Pristin.”
Akkad greeted Pristin with a surprised voice. Despite the relatively early hour, Akkad’s lab was filled with the smell of herbs. The scent was not unpleasant at all; in fact, it was strangely pleasant and made Pristin feel good for a moment.
“Yes, young lord. I came to give you an answer.”
“Already?”
“I thought it would be better not to dwell on it for too long. Both for your sake and mine.”
“I’d be happy if you gave me an answer quickly.”
Akkad asked, staring at Pristin.
“Can I expect something good?”
“I’m not sure if I can be helpful in the herbal garden, but—”
Pristin opened her mouth carefully.
“If even my mediocre skills can be of assistance, I would gladly accept your offer, young lord.”
“Oh, thank you, Your Ladyship.”
Akkad’s cautious expression quickly brightened.
“To be honest, I was worried that you would reject the offer. Thank you so much.”
“I had no reason to refuse. It would be an honor to work with someone as talented as you, young lord.”
“Coming from you, it’s even more of an honor for me.”
Pristin’s compliment brought a smile to Akkad’s lips.
‘I can’t believe a man who looks so gentle could be demanding.’
Recalling Akkad’s reputation as told by Claret yesterday, Pristin thought to herself that people can be hard to understand.
“What should I do now?”
“I think it would be best for you to learn the recipes for the medicines we make from the herbs in the garden. That will be your first task when you enter the herbal garden.”
“Oh, yes. I see. Then where can I learn how to make them?”
“Well…”
At Pristin’s question, Akkad wore a pensive expression before going to his bookcase. Pristin observed his actions with curiosity.
He pulled out a thick book from the bookshelf, one that looked like it could easily kill a person with its corners. Pristin had a foreboding feeling about it.
“This is the book I read when I first entered the herbal garden.”
“Oh…”
Pristin asked, perplexed.
“Do I have to read all of this?”
“And you have to memorize it too.”
“…”
Pristin was momentarily speechless. But soon, she changed her thinking to a more positive one.
“Well, at least it’s just one book. It’s amazing that all the information is in here.”
“Unfortunately, Lady Pristin.”
Akkad cut off Pristin’s words gently.
“This is one of twenty-four books.”
Pristin, at first, thought she had misheard.
“…Twenty-four books?”
“And there’s an additional appendix book.”
“…”
She had to read and memorize a total of twenty-five books. Pristin questioned earnestly.
“By the time I memorize about ten of these books, would it be time for me to leave the palace?”
“Don’t worry too much. The most important and practical information is concentrated in the early volumes.”
Unfortunately, those words didn’t comfort Pristin.
Just studying this one book looked incredibly difficult.
“Anyway, study at a pace that is manageable for you.”
“…I’ll do my best.”
However, no matter how she looked at it, studying this thick book seemed like a challenge she couldn’t overcome without feeling overwhelmed. Pristin had to consider if she had made the wrong choice.
