Ask Away, Your Majesty - Chapter 8
As Kyle flung open the bedroom door, the sentry knights stationed outside were startled and tensed up.
“Your Highness, what’s the matter?”
Approaching, the guard visibly trembled at the sight of Kyle’s upper body fully exposed. His tightly-muscled torso seemed threatening even to the guard’s eyes, and the somewhat undressed appearance added to the shock.
“Was there anyone who entered my room today?”
“Only the maid who came in for cleaning during the day and the designated attendant who came back in the evening to check the room, Your Highness.”
Kyle’s eyes crinkled. It was always the same response. There weren’t many who had access to his bedroom. Even the maid in charge of cleaning was supervised by the attendants to ensure she did her work properly.
“Damn it.”
Kyle flung the windows wide open, allowing the crisp morning air to rush in. No matter how hard he tried, he couldn’t grasp what that smell was. It danced at the tip of his nose, elusive and unfamiliar, vanishing as if mocking him for his cluelessness.
‘What in the world is this scent? I need to figure it out as soon as possible. I need that potion to become a dog.’
* * *
Ever since that customer threw her the bag of gold coins, Lorienne had spent the entire day working overtime making potions. Not only did she already have orders for other customers, but she had to brew two potions for the perfect dog in one day. The dog transformation potion required meticulous crafting compared to the others. It took a lot of magic to make, and overnight, Lorienne’s normally pale face had darkened under her eyes and her skin had grown rough.
Looking at her face reflected in the mirror, Lorienne was taken aback. “I truly used up my magical power. It’s almost like a corpse’s skin…”
She swiped a hand across my unnecessarily pale and thin cheeks.A growling sound from her stomach reminded Lorienne that she hadn’t eaten at all that day.
“Right, I haven’t had a single meal.”
The sun was already setting. Lorienne went into the small kitchen and took out a piece of stale bread. However, the bread was so dry that even tearing a piece from it was challenging. She had only taken a couple of bites when there was a knock on the door. She put down the bread and went back outside.
* * *
With customers coming and going all day, Lorienne found herself completely drained by the time it grew late into the evening. She had hoped to make up for the lack of sleep during the day, but couldn’t find the chance to. Her eyes were heavy from exhaustion.
“I wonder if I should close up a little early after that fake Archduke arrives…”
Lorienne felt anxious about not receiving evening guests for that one day. Despite feeling unwell, earning money always took precedence. Knowing that Kyle would not return until late at night, Lorienne spread out her ledger on the long table where she made her potions. She meticulously recorded the potions sold yesterday and the ones newly ordered. It was a task that should have been done last night, but due to Kyle’s sudden appearance, she only now began doing yesterday’s bookkeeping.
“Still, thanks to the fake Archduke, the income has significantly increased. It’s still a long way off, though.”
Her faint smile was somewhat wan and lonely. Trying to shake off the sinking feeling, Lorienne vigorously shook her head.
“Being sad won’t solve anything. One minute of grieving is one minute of not brewing potions, Lorienne. Right now, my brother is…”
The resolve in her words faded. Lorienne’s eyes watered at the thought of her brother still living as a slave in Rixir.
She gritted her teeth, firmly gripping the pen. Although no one was there to listen, she declared, “I am not weak! I am incredibly resilient! The Archmage Loftis will never be discouraged!”
Lorienne bit down hard on her thick lips.
When the mind is weak, everything falls apart.
The belief in her brother’s well-being, her goal of rescuing him, and the grind to craft potions despite her weary body – Lorienne habitually spoke out loud like this when she felt her heart about to break. Even when no one was there to listen, she would declare resolutely and then fiercely bite down on her lower lip, snapping herself back to reality.
At that moment…
Knock, knock.
Someone rapped on the door.
