Ask Away, Your Majesty - Chapter 4
Most men who desired animalistic features sought to replace their lacking appearance with cute animal traits to attract favor from women. However, the stunning man before her seemed to have no need for that. Moreover, he didn’t desire specific animal features but wanted to become a real dog.
Though she clearly heard the words “I want to be a dog” from his lips, the more Lorienne looked at the man’s face, the less she could believe his words at face value.
Does he genuinely want to become a dog? Or is he seeking a magic potion to turn someone else into a dog?
The man’s eyes narrowed as he watched Lorienne stare at him wordlessly. A light snort escaped his lips as he spoke, a hint of mockery in his tone.
“You claim to be a mage who can make anything. Seems like it was all just empty gossip.”
The sharpness in his eyes now turned towards the servant sitting meekly. His icy gaze, coupled with the menacingly lowered voice, made the servant cower even more. It seemed like the servant was the one who had recommended Loftis Potion Shop.
The servant leaned forward urgently, pressing on, “Is it impossible? They say you’re an extraordinary mage who can make anything.”
His eyes pleaded desperately, hoping for her to say yes. The handsome man sitting next to him snorted and started to push himself up.
“Don’t even think about using my potions for foolishness.”
“What?” questioned the man.
“I’m saying don’t you dare think about turning someone into a dog with my potion.,” Lorienne stated firmly, as if knowing his sinister intentions.
Rather than being deterred by her resolute expression, the handsome man seemed intrigued, crossing his arms and tilting his head.
“So, you’re saying you can make a potion for me to become a dog?”
“…Yes, I can make a potion that turns you into a dog.”
“Really, is that true?!!” The previously unsettled servant sprang up, practically bursting with anticipation.
Lorienne gave a slight nod in response. “But it’s far more expensive than other potions. It also takes a considerable amount of time.”
“Yes, absolutely! I’ll pay more than enough if you create it!” The servant eagerly replied.
It was clear that his master genuinely desired to become a dog.
He’s willing to pay without even asking for the exact amount. Seems like he’s really wealthy.
Lorienne felt a twinge of regret for having misunderstood and suspected their intentions. As it was a potion for his personal use, she could charge whatever she wanted, and the payment was certainly in her favor. It seemed like a good opportunity for her.
While the servant’s face lit up at the possibility of acquiring the potion to become a dog, the handsome man’s expression remained indifferent, much like before.
“How long will it take to make?” inquired the man.
“It will take a week,” Lorienne replied.
The man’s head tilted slowly, a skeptical gaze questioning, ‘A whole week to make that kind of potion?’ he asked, doubtful. “That’s too long.”
The gaze staring at Lorienne seemed to have been arrogant since birth.
Lorienne shrugged. “If you want my potion, you’ll have to wait like everyone else.”
She gestured towards the stack of potion requests piled up next to the table. Though discomfort flickered in the man’s eyes, Lorienne didn’t avert her gaze.
“Also, I need a strand of your hair.”
“Hair?”
“I need the hair of the person desiring to become a dog for the potion. In other words, it’s a personalized potion for the guest who hopes to become a dog,” Lorienne said, once again reminding him that the potion was useless for anyone else.
“And let me tell you beforehand, the effect of the potion that turns you into a dog lasts only 30 minutes,” she explained. “If you die within those 30 minutes, you’ll die in the form of a dog, not as a human. Be mindful of that. If you administer this potion with ill intent, it can turn people into dogs without anyone realizing. Therefore, the person drinking the potion must pluck their own hair in front of me.”
The handsome man nodded in reluctant agreement. But then he arched an eyebrow, as if he had a problem with something.
“But 30 minutes seems too short. It would be better if it lasted a bit longer.”
“I can’t do that. It’s not about transforming a specific part into a dog; it’s about transforming into a complete dog. It’s a considerable strain even on a human body. It’s feasible for 30 minutes because the client is young and healthy. If they were older, even 15 minutes would have been a challenge.”
It was a firm explanation. When the man fell silent, the servant seated beside promptly plucked his hair and handed it over.
“Please make me one too. I should test it first to see if it’s suitable for my master to consume.”
“Very well. Then, I’ll prepare the request form first.”
Lorienne fetched paper, ink, and a pen.
“Please tell me your name. Of course, most people tend to use fake names, but it doesn’t matter. It’s simply to distinguish and mark the owner of the potion.”
She unfolded the notebook, dipping the nib into the inkwell and out again.
“Kyle Astum.”
Lorienne abruptly stopped writing and looked up to stare at the man.
The servant standing beside trembled, looking at his master with a horrified expression.
This is a madman, and he’s not afraid to show it.
