How to Survive as a Princess in a Reverse Harem Game - Chapter 61
I asked Reno and Isaac to wait for a moment and headed toward the distribution tent, but they disregarded my request and trailed right after me.
“I told you to wait.”
“We can’t leave your side, Lady Thea.”
“This time, I have to agree with Isaac. Isn’t staying with you the whole reason we’re here? What’s the point if we’re separated?”
As much as it annoyed me, they weren’t wrong. While I was far more accustomed to being without escorts, I could understand why they insisted.
Since there weren’t many people picking up the medicine, I received mine quickly. When I stood in front of the palace staff to collect it, I worried they might recognize me, but they showed no sign of recognition.
“Would you like me to give some for the two behind you as well?”
“We’re fine, thank you.”
“Alright, here you go. Just take about a fingertip’s worth each day.”
The palace attendant handed me the medicine, contained in a small wooden box that fit snugly in my palm. Judging by the amount, it seemed to be enough for a full month’s supply.
I stepped away from the distribution tent and opened the lid. Seeing the medicine inside, I was taken aback.
‘It’s not divided into portions at all?’
I hadn’t expected capsules, but I was at least hoping for something like small tablets. Yet here it was, meant to be scooped out…….
The medicine itself had a jellied, squishy texture and an overpowering odor.
“Wow…… that smell is just as bad as I remember.”
Just as Reno had warned. I hadn’t even put it in my mouth yet, but the fishy smell was already making me recoil instinctively. Although Isaac’s expression remained stoic, I couldn’t shake the feeling he was just as repulsed as I was.
‘If it’s this bad for me, I can only imagine how much children would hate it.’
Still, since I’d taken it, I figured I should at least try it.
I picked up the flat wooden stick tucked inside the box, presumably meant to help with taking the medicine.
They’d advised me to take only a fingertip’s worth…….
So I scooped up the smallest amount I could and put it in my mouth. The moment I chewed, I clamped my hand over my mouth.
“Ick!”
It was unbelievably foul……!
If I hadn’t covered my mouth, I might have coughed it up immediately. It wasn’t like the usual fishy taste, if I had to describe it, it was as if I’d swallowed a mouthful of spoiled seawater.
I forced it down, but the taste lingered, filling my mouth with such a foul aftertaste that I felt nauseous.
‘They really expect people to take this every day? Seriously?’
Eventually, as I couldn’t hold back and started to gag, Reno spoke up.
“Thea, open your mouth. Say ah.”
“Ah?”
Unthinkingly, I opened my mouth, and a tangy, slightly bitter piece of grapefruit slipped in. As I chewed the tart fruit, I finally began to feel like I could breathe again.
“Here, have this too.”
When I obediently opened my mouth again, he popped in a crisp slice of apple. The sweet flavor settled my senses, and I could finally think straight.
“I didn’t realize it would taste that bad.”
“See…… I told you not to eat it. Do you want another piece of fruit?”
“Just one more.”
I closed the wooden box and accepted another piece of fruit from Reno. Seeing me take it easily, he smirked and glanced at Isaac, saying, “See? Good thing I bought the fruit earlier, huh?”
Once the fruit had completely cleared the taste from my mouth, I stared down at the box.
“Do people…… actually eat this stuff?”
“Some people do eat it. Medicine can be quite expensive, you know. And although the first taste is intense, you do get used to it after a while to some extent.”
“But there are still more people who avoid it, right?”
“Well probably…….”
Reno trailed off, but I understood what he meant. This wasn’t just unpleasant; it was genuinely awful. No matter how beneficial it was or how freely it was distributed, it was no wonder people avoided it.
And for me, this was good news.
‘I might just be able to use this.’
