Chapter 36
“Mom…”
“Oh my… Zen…!”
But soon after Ceres administered treatment to the child, the mother was certain she had made the right choice.
The child’s small but clear voice reached her ears, and the tears in her eyes began to flow.
The terrifying heat radiating from the child’s body earlier was now completely gone.
“The symptoms have eased, but full recovery will take more time. You’ll need to give them the medicine for about two weeks. I’ll tell you what you need to get. Go to the nearest herbal shop and have it prepared.”
“Thank you so much!”
The mother bowed repeatedly, overwhelmed with gratitude. No matter how many physicians she had consulted, none had been able to make a difference.
Ceres, watching the mother’s reaction with a faintly amused expression, casually asked a question.
“You’ve been near an Appli Tree, haven’t you?”
“An Appli Tree?”
The mother nodded quickly.
If it’s an Appli Tree, they’re commonly found in nearby mountains. These trees bear tiny red fruits about the size of a fingernail year-round. The fruits are sweet and loved by both children and adults.
“There’s a parasite that lives on those trees.”
A tiny, almost invisible insect.
“Sometimes, when bitten by it, people suffer like your child.”
Usually, a bite from the parasite doesn’t cause serious symptoms and is easily overlooked. But rarely, cases like the child’s develop where the condition worsens rapidly.
Because it was such an uncommon occurrence, it was no wonder general physicians had prescribed only common cold remedies.
“Thank you so much! What about the fee…?”
“Forget about money.”
“Pardon?”
I’m not officially practicing as a physician. Accepting money would be illegal.
Ceres shook her head firmly as the mother hurriedly tried to pull out some cash.
“I just have a question.”
“Of course! Ask me anything.”
The mother, ready to do anything within her power, nodded vigorously.
“Are the people of the Ellsia family always like this?”
“Like what?”
“Prioritizing nobles first and making everyone else wait endlessly, regardless of urgency.”
Ceres asked, already expecting the answer but holding onto a sliver of hope.
That today was just an unlucky exception.
That things weren’t usually like this.
She hoped, however faintly, for such a response.
“This is my first time standing in line here, but I’ve heard from others that it’s always like this. At least a few days of waiting is to be expected.”
The mother’s shoulders sagged.
Even though she had heard this before, the sight of nobles leisurely entering while her critically ill child was ignored had made her lose her composure.
“And that administrator? Is he always the same one?”
“Yes.”
“Damn it…”
Ceres barely held back a curse, her lips pressed tightly together.
The child, nestled quietly in their mother’s arms, stared at her. With a click of her tongue, Ceres let out a short sigh.
“You have someone without medical training managing the gate?”
Even in her time, there had always been long lines at the Ellsia Count’s estate.
But there was no distinction between nobles and commoners in those lines.
No matter how high one’s status, even royals had to wait in line for treatment by the Ellsia family.
The only exception was for patients in critical condition, who would be treated immediately regardless of when they arrived.
“That’s why the gatekeeper’s role is crucial.”
When she had been the head of the Ellsia family, she had always emphasized the importance of the gatekeeper.
Medical treatment is only effective if the patient is alive.
Assessing a patient’s condition and prioritizing them accordingly was no simple task.
For that reason, the gatekeeper had always been someone with exceptional medical expertise.
“But this one doesn’t know anything about healing?”
Recalling the administrator she had encountered earlier, Ceres let out a bitter laugh.
And it wasn’t just a temporary replacement—this was how things were always managed?
“They’re so incompetent.”
“Excuse me?”
Startled, the mother’s eyes widened. Antonion, who had been standing quietly nearby, leaned over and whispered to her.
“She wasn’t talking to you. Don’t worry, this happens sometimes.”
“Oh, okay.”
As Ceres continued to mutter under her breath, her sharp eyes gleaming with irritation, Antonion sighed heavily.
What could have set his sister off this time?
That administrator again?
“Whatever the Ellsia family is doing, what does it have to do with us? Calm down…”
“My head’s a mess. Here, take this candy and go play by yourself for a while.”
“Who are you calling a child?!”
Antonion growled, but when he caught sight of Ceres’ expression, he gulped nervously.
Unable to say anything more, he silently fumed.
Does she even remember why we’re here? We’re at the Ellsia family estate for her treatment!
We walked an hour to get here!
And now…
“How did you know that child was sick because of a parasite living on an Appli Tree?”
Before losing her memory, Ceres had lived a life completely unrelated to healing.
So how…
“I studied while trying to make medicine for Yulia.”
Ceres brushed off Antonion’s suspicion lightly.
When spoken with confidence, even a lie can sound like the truth. If he doesn’t believe me, what’s he going to do?
Just as expected, Antonion’s expression wavered between doubt and belief.
Eventually, he let out a deep sigh and decided to focus on why they came to the Ellsia Count’s estate in the first place.
‘Should I suggest we go for her treatment now…’
“Unbelievable idiots.”
“…”
…Never mind.
Seeing the icy fury in Ceres’ eyes, Antonion quietly closed his mouth.
Even his resolve was firmly crushed by the weight of her unrelenting anger.
***
“Jay.”
“Yes?”
“Is something wrong with the lady?”
“I’m not sure. She’s been like this ever since she returned with Antonion from their outing yesterday.”
Mark, whose arm had recently healed, had come to the shop to help after a long absence.
Though moving his arm still felt unfamiliar, assisting with small tasks wasn’t an issue. Soon enough, he’d be able to resume his full responsibilities in the kitchen.
“She doesn’t seem to be in a good mood.”
“Exactly.”
The problem was that Ceres was in an exceptionally bad state today.
While she wasn’t giving them any direct hints or acting out, the sheer aura she exuded was freezing cold.
“Hey, is the Duke of Persia here or something?”
“No.”
“Then why does it feel like this?”
“Keep your voice down. I said, lower your voice.”
The customers were also sensing Ceres’ cold demeanor and carefully watching her for any reactions.
Clink.
At that moment, the door opened, and a small figure entered.
“Sister.”
The child who came running toward Ceres was none other than Yulia, her younger sister.
Ceres’ icy expression melted into a faint smile as she looked at the child.
Sighs of relief escaped from several corners of the room, as though everyone could finally breathe again.
“Yulia?”
However, as soon as Ceres saw Yulia’s red-rimmed eyes, her brows furrowed.
“Have you been crying?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“Sister…”
Ceres raised her head to look at Colin, the butler standing behind Yulia, who had brought her from the academy.
“Well…”
Colin let out a short sigh.
“I heard Dave’s father has been arrested.”
Upon hearing Colin’s words, Ceres immediately understood the situation.
Dave’s father, Nox.
Recently, Nox had been reported by the townspeople and taken into custody by the guards.
The reason? His uncontrollable outbursts, screaming morning and night.
‘I was wrong! I was wrong! I didn’t mean to kill them! Really, I didn’t!’
‘Ugh! Yes! I killed them! I killed you! Argh! So please, stop it!’
‘Ah… sob… Please… Just stop…’
Nox, now in custody, had confessed everything. He admitted to killing both his wife and his son.
He seemed to have reached his mental limit, showing no intention of making excuses.
“Sister…”
“Yes?”
“Dave… Dave…”
“…”
And now, all of this had reached Yulia’s ears—the horrific truth that Dave had been killed by his own father.
‘Is there no such thing as privacy at the academy?’
How did this reach the ears of such a young child?
Even before, rumors that Dave’s mother had run away with him had spread throughout the academy.
‘None of these are stories children should hear.’
—
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