Chapter 49
“Hmm… We’d need to run some tests, but occasionally, people exhibit such symptoms after being bitten by insects parasitic to certain trees. You should brew Jueudy fruits with Elime leaves and observe the reaction.”
The woman’s questions continued, and Herion excitedly answered them one after another.
She didn’t know why the woman was asking these things, but it didn’t matter.
The process of exchanging knowledge was immensely enjoyable and fun for her.
***
“Ceres, where do you go around this time every day?”
Chaian couldn’t help but ask, observing Ceres disappearing at the same time every day for the past ten days.
The time she was gone wasn’t long, so he had initially pretended not to notice, but it was becoming too consistent to ignore.
“Tests.”
“Tests? What kind of tests?”
“Seeing if someone is capable of being entrusted with the future.”
“The future? Wait a second! The future? Are you saying you’ve found someone special?”
“What nonsense are you spouting all of a sudden?”
“Well, what kind of test is it? Can I take it too? I’ll do my best…”
“Do you know what Dike flowers are used for?”
“…What’s that? Do I need to know that to take the test?”
“…Are you doing your job properly? How’s the defensive magic coming along?”
“Aha! You’re avoiding the question now!”
When a question was met with another question, Chaian let out a short sigh.
He thought they had grown closer, but she still remained full of secrets.
“The external installations are done, and now we just need to finish the interior.”
“That’s quick.”
“Of course. Because I’m here.”
“…”
Looking at his overconfident expression, Ceres’s face grew stiff.
‘Master of the Tower, can you help with this?’
‘No, that’s something you can handle yourselves.’
Thinking about yesterday’s incident made her want to sigh.
‘Chaian, could you help us with this?’
‘Relying on others isn’t a good habit. Do it yourself. It’ll be an experience that benefits you later.’
Recalling how he avoided helping anyone just hours ago, Ceres felt exasperated.
“Chaian.”
“Yeah?”
“You’ll live a long life.”
“Really?”
“Yeah.”
Because you’ll have been cursed so much.
All Ceres had seen so far was a lazy Chaian dodging the requests of the Tower mages who were pleading for his help.
“Want some tea? Should I bring it to you?”
Even though she was only a temporary assistant, she figured she should at least handle such tasks.
As if dealing with a troublesome child, Ceres got up from her seat, about to make tea.
“Ceres.”
“What? Don’t want tea?”
“Have you been here before?”
“…No.”
“Hmm.”
“Can I really trust this?”
Chaian recalled the actions she’d taken since her first day here, unable to hide the suspicion in his eyes.
‘What’s that large area used for?’
‘It’s the herb storage room.’
‘And what’s the one next to it? A kitchen? There’s smoke coming out.’
‘That’s where they brew medicinal herbs.’
‘Really? And how do you know that?’
‘…I just figured.’
For someone who claimed it was her first visit, she seemed to know the estate’s layout far too well.
It wasn’t just the kitchen.
Watching Ceres retrieve items and find her way around without needing a servant to guide her would make anyone suspicious.
That day, their guide was a novice healer.
With the aftermath of the Black Forest incident and the upcoming family meeting—the first since Creel became the head of the family—senior healers were stretched thin.
By the time the novice healer made her fifth mistake in guiding them, Ceres stepped forward with a smile.
‘You can go now. I’ll handle it.’
‘Huh? B-but…’
‘I’ve figured out enough while walking around.’
‘Still…’
‘Just go.’
‘Y-yes.’
“Are you sure? You really haven’t been here before?”
“I swear.”
Ceres scratched her cheek under Chaian’s doubtful gaze.
It wasn’t a lie. She had never visited this place in her current identity as Ceres.
“What?”
“Really?”
At that moment, their conversation was interrupted by voices floating in through the open window.
Looking outside, they saw a few maids deep in conversation.
“Why was the meeting date moved up all of a sudden?”
“Wasn’t it supposed to be in two months?”
“I don’t know. The head maid is panicking because there’s so little time to prepare.”
“Is that why there was shouting near the lord’s office earlier?”
“Shouting? Why?”
“No idea. Maybe the lord was upset about the date being changed?”
‘Meeting date… They must mean the family meeting.’
From the maids’ conversation, Ceres could piece together the situation.
She also knew better than anyone why the date was moved up.
“Did you hear that rumor?”
“What rumor?”
“The lord’s ring—it’s fake.”
“What? That’s ridiculous!”
“Watch your mouth! You could get in serious trouble saying things like that!”
“I know, but… Don’t you think it’s a bit strange?”
“What is?”
“The lord. He’s never demonstrated the ring’s power even once.”
“That’s probably because he’s never had a reason to.”
“They say he turned down a request for help from the royal family.”
“Oh! I heard that too. He refused even though he wasn’t particularly busy.”
“Rumor has it he declined because the ring is fake.”
“Seriously?”
Hearing the maids’ conversation, Ceres’s lips curled into a sly smile.
‘Guess who started that rumor?’
It was me.
—
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