The Nymph Wants to be Plundered - Chapter 4
“I know I shouldn’t complain. I’ve been fortunate to live well without major difficulties. Yet I still feel somewhat lonely.”
“Hoo hoo hoo!”
“I’m getting hungry.”
“Indeed. Shall we go eat something? I’ll start with the soup.”
“I’ll have…”
The sounds of wedding guests chatting excitedly carried on the increasingly warm spring breeze. They will arrive here soon. Hearing this, the elderly woman quickly took something from within her garments and handed it over.
“If you’re inclined, try consuming this. It’s a miraculous elixir that will certainly fulfill the love you desire.”
“An elixir of love?”
The rich red hair, more luxuriant than any thread Evelyn had ever seen, danced and fluttered as the elderly woman nodded.
“Indeed it is. Incidentally, its effectiveness will be enhanced if consumed at a location you favor.”
“Hmm… Very well.”
Evelyn eagerly accepted the small vial containing a violet liquid.
The hexagonal bottle with its attractive stopper was quite beautiful. It resembled the rare potion bottles said to be sold only in cities. As she gazed absently at this delicate and valuable glass artifact, uncommon in this village, the elderly woman whispered to her.
“Well then, I shall take my leave. The elixir remains effective only if consumed within three days, after which it transforms into merely delicious, sweet plum juice. Whether you transform a moment as sweet as honey into eternity, or leave it as a fleeting pleasure, that choice remains yours.”
“I see…”
“May you choose wisely.”
The old woman’s parting words resonated with the gravity of an inviolable prophecy. Thus, Evelyn found herself nodding reflexively.
Precisely two days later…
“Sigh…”
Evelyn, releasing a lengthy sigh, stood in the communal backyard of the village.
The flower garden had informed her they were short-staffed this season, and that she, despite being a novice, could commence work at any time. They assured her she would learn quickly with just a day of practice. She had few possessions to bring—perhaps a few garments and a leather bag?
Since the location was close to the village, travel between the two would not be difficult. Should she delay no longer and prepare to depart? As she lingered, idly shifting her weight from one foot to another, she extracted the object tumbling about in her pocket.
“Pfft!”
The love elixir she had received on the day of Faye’s wedding. She had taken it seriously then, but now merely handling it induced laughter. It would transform into plum juice if not consumed within three days? What nonsense! It had been nothing but plum juice from the beginning.
The old woman had likely showcased her verbal flourish out of embarrassment for receiving food without payment, but that had been unnecessary. Sharing wedding feast food with guests represented one of life’s pleasures, and Evelyn would have given it freely even to those who arrived empty-handed.
She murmured, recalling the departed elderly woman.
“Did you enjoy the food?”
Three days provided sufficient conditions for fruit juice to spoil. Thinking she should drink it quickly before it went bad, Evelyn opened the lid.
Pop!
With a pleasant sound, a sweet fragrance flowed from the opened bottle. Sensing this would taste better than any fruit juice she had ever consumed, she smiled softly.
Plum juice in spring. Though unseasonable, what did it matter?
Her steps suddenly halted beside a bare sapling with a few pale green leaves. The tree was so unremarkable it barely caught her attention. The owner of the flower garden had said that since one cannot tend to all plants, it was better to remove those unlikely to thrive early on. Had this been her own land, she would likely have uprooted this small, nameless tree immediately with her own hands.
Should she drink it here, despite her lackluster mood? Evelyn tilted her head back and poured the liquid from the transparent bottle into her mouth.
“Mmm…”
Gulp.
Ah, delicious. Yet it wasn’t plum-flavored? What then was the true nature of this fragrant, sweet liquid…?
Her vision suddenly blurred. Evelyn struggled to keep her heavy eyelids open when she noticed something strange.
‘What… what is this?’
Her fingers, precariously holding the now-empty bottle, appeared to have transformed into light brown branches. That couldn’t be possible.
‘What is this? Was it alcohol rather than plum juice? I must be intoxicated. I… I can’t handle alcohol yet…’
Thud!
Evelyn collapsed unconscious without taking a single step, her eyes closing simultaneously. As her flowing hair fell, its ends touched that same sparse sapling from before. The momentarily swaying sapling stood resilient as if nothing had happened—the virtue of a tree that remained, however barely, alive.
***
“E…velyn, Evelyn!”
“Mmm…”
“Oh, Evelyn. Wake up!”
Faye’s voice?
Evelyn barely opened her eyes. As the blurry ceiling gradually returned to its regular pattern, she became even more confused to find herself in the village chief’s home. What had happened?
‘Ah, that’s right. I drank spoiled plum juice and collapsed.’
She supposed that despite the mild spring weather, the beverage had transformed after just a few days. Plum juice was typically known for its longevity; surely the elderly woman had no malicious intent.
Discreetly moving her hand to touch her abdomen, she felt no sign of severe stomach pain.
