Violet asked without stopping her embroidery.
Cynthia slowly blinked as she thought over the question.
Well, it was true that she kept thinking about Grand Duke Tession Romanov.
Come to think of it, quite a lot had happened between them. Having met him in person, she had found him to be an incredibly kind and gentle person, and after learning about parts of his past by chance, she couldn’t help but worry about him.
Besides, they had met and talked several times now, and she felt they had grown fairly close.
“I can’t help but worry about him…”
“Why?”
“Because he’s someone I feel sorry for. For some reason, he’s the kind of person who keeps tugging at my heart.”
She muttered quietly and hugged her knees to her chest.
Violet glanced at her before speaking.
“Then why don’t you give him what he wants too?”
“What he wants?”
“Yes. Like you said, if everyone gets what they want except for him, wouldn’t that be unfair?”
Cynthia fell into deep thought.
Violet had a point! Then what did Tession want?
Money? He had plenty.
Status? More than enough.
L-love? That’s not something I can…
“Violet, what do adult men in the Dirotein Empire usually like?”
“That’s a very difficult question. I don’t really know. Why don’t you ask Sir Dale?”
“Ugh, absolutely not!”
Cynthia immediately shook her head.
Rather than ask that annoying aide, I’d rather think until all my hair falls out!
Frowning, she pondered for a moment before suddenly parting her lips.
Ah…
“I’ve got it… I know what he wants!”
And it was something Cynthia could actually give him.
“Really? That’s good.”
Violet replied casually and continued embroidering at an even faster pace.
Cynthia jumped off the bed and shouted,
“Violet! I’m going out for a bit. Oh, and I don’t need the lenses! I’ll just wear my own clothes!”
“Huh? All of a sudden?”
Grinning broadly, Cynthia answered,
“Yep. I’ve got somewhere I need to go.”
****
After riding a Bailey family carriage into town, Cynthia carefully pulled back the curtain beside the window.
The Grand Duke’s restaurant wasn’t far from here. I wonder if the fire situation was resolved…
Just thinking that Tession might be somewhere nearby made her oddly happy.
“Miss! Shall I drop you off here?”
When the carriage stopped, she heard the coachman call from outside.
Cynthia quickly got up, opened the door herself, and hopped down.
“Yes! Thank you for bringing me here.”
The coachman smiled warmly, removed his hat, and greeted her.
What a polite gentleman!
Even though she wasn’t a member of the Bailey family, he had kindly brought her all the way into town. Cynthia bowed in gratitude.
After the carriage departed, she turned around and looked at the wide road stretching out before her.
“I need to find a pharmacy!”
Without hesitation, she headed toward the magical pharmacy she remembered.
She had never visited it since arriving in this world, but she roughly knew where it was from passing by several times.
“I think I turn right here…”
As she naturally turned into a large alleyway, she sank into thought.
What was the recipe for that vision-restoring potion that appeared near the end of the novel again?
She had come looking for the potion she wanted to give Tession as a gift.
Restoring his sight was surely what he wanted most! If he regained his vision, the sadness of a broken engagement would be nothing in comparison.
But the closer she got to the magical pharmacy, the more she realized she was forgetting the most important details.
“So… Elizabeth once obtained a Titronia flower to use in bed, but she forgot about it and left it in storage for a long time. Then a maid happened to find it, put it in a vase, and dried it out nicely…”
What happened after that again?
No matter how many times she had read the novel, enough time had passed that the details were now vague and blurry.
“Was it a magical pharmacist who came to see Elizabeth then? I think the dried flower ended up in the pharmacist’s hands, and by pure luck it became the medicine that restored Tession’s sight…”
She couldn’t remember the exact process or circumstances.
Still deep in thought, Cynthia stopped in front of a glass door.
This is the place!
She looked up at the sign indicating that the building was a magical pharmacy.
She didn’t know the method, but the pharmacist who had originally created the medicine was here, so she could simply ask him for the recipe.
Though now that I think about it, that magical pharmacist had quite a significant role in A Long Journey too…
“Which means…”
Muttering to herself, Cynthia pushed open the glass door.
The small bell above it chimed, and through the sound came a lazy voice.
“Welcome.”
That man was one of the men in Elizabeth’s reverse harem!
As Cynthia stepped inside, she spotted a man sitting among shelves packed with potions and unconsciously stopped walking.
Slightly drooping eyes, a dark beauty mark beneath one eye, and a sleepy-looking gaze.
…Why does he look so unintelligent and untrustworthy?
“What medicine are you looking for?”
“Are you really a pharmacist?”
“What?”
“Oh, nothing. That just slipped out.”
Cynthia quickly shook her head. She had meant to keep that thought to herself…
Swallowing nervously, she spoke.
“I came looking for a potion that can restore sight—”
“There isn’t one.”
The man answered before she could even finish.
Cynthia blinked in shock.
“There isn’t?”
“Nope. No matter how freely you can use magic, that’s impossible. How are you supposed to restore eyesight that’s already been lost?”
What do you mean impossible?! You made it yourself!
Could it be that it was such a rare medicine that he kept it hidden from ordinary people? Or maybe he hadn’t developed it yet?
Forcing a smile, Cynthia asked,
“There is, though.”
“There isn’t.”
“Then… what about that potion you’ve only imagined in your head? Why not try making it? If you put in the effort, it seems possible.”
“It isn’t.”
The man scratched his ear with his pinky and answered casually.
Looking annoyed, he frowned.
“If you’re not buying anything, please leave. I’m busy.”
Busy? Is that really how a busy person acts? You look like you have absolutely nothing to do!
Though exasperated, Cynthia took a deep breath and held back her frustration.
“Then I’d like to officially commission it. I’ll pay you well.”
“How much?”
He smirked.
“Just so you know, if a vision-restoring potion could be made, it would be very expensive.”
“…One hundred thousand Mint.”
For Tession, I can definitely spend that much!
Taking a deep breath as though making a major decision, she answered.
“Ha.”
The man glanced at her and laughed.
“Go home.”
“…Two hundred thousand Mint.”
“I said leave.”
Cynthia flinched.
Then, as though making up her mind, she clenched both fists and spoke.
“Five hundred thousand.”
“Let’s make it six hundred thousand.”
“Deal.”
Afraid he might change his mind if she hesitated, she immediately agreed.
The man stood up and smiled brightly.
“Welcome, valued customer. Shall we sit over here and discuss the details?”
What a complete crook…
Grinding her teeth, Cynthia stomped over to where he was sitting.
How did Elizabeth even have fun with a guy like this? Her taste is ridiculously broad and bizarre!
After offering her a chair, the pharmacist put on a friendly business smile and asked,
“So, what medicine were you looking for?”
“A potion that restores sight. Something that can return vision to someone who can no longer see.”
“My lady, haven’t you been reading too many novels?”
Resting his pointed chin on his large hand, the man asked.
Huh? Well… I have read a lot of novels…
His blunt answer left her unexpectedly embarrassed, and her eyes widened.
“Where in the world would such a medicine exist? Improving poor eyesight slightly is one thing, but restoring vision entirely to someone who is blind?”
“…It exists.”
Cynthia muttered with a frown.
And you’re the one who made it with your own hands.
But she couldn’t exactly say that.
“For your information, I’m an honest pharmacist. I could mix together some random ingredients, hand them to you, and happily pocket six hundred thousand Mint, but I don’t do that. If something can’t be done, I tell you clearly that it can’t.”
“So?”
“I can’t make it. Consultation over. No charge for the medicine, but the consultation fee is fifty thousand Mint.”
With a bright smile, the man held out his hand.
Fifty thousand Mint just for a consultation? You scammer…!
He waved his large hand in front of Cynthia’s face, clearly signaling for her to hand over the money.
His shameless, irritated attitude finally made her snap.
“Try using Titronia flowers!”
“What?”
“Titronia flowers! And apply that elixir or whatever it is that you’re so good at making! If you combine things properly, doesn’t it seem like it could work?”
“Use Titronia flowers to improve eyesight?”
The man blinked in surprise before awkwardly curling his lips into a smile.
“I thought you were some innocent young lady, but you know about a flower that only certain people know. Titronia flowers are known for their strong hallucinogenic effects, so they’re usually used in much more… discreet places.”
“I’m talking about a use other than those dirty purposes!”
Cynthia stomped her foot in frustration.
The man raised an eyebrow and looked down at her small foot.
“You’ve got quite the temper.”
“Titronia flowers cause hallucinations because they release substances that disrupt the nervous system, right? What if you use that property properly and apply it to dormant optic nerves?”
“That’s not a bad theory. But how exactly do you extract those substances separately?”
Remember, Cynthia…! Come on, remember!
Furrowing her brow, she desperately tried to recall the original novel.
The memory felt just within reach, yet she couldn’t quite grasp it.
The flower had been left abandoned in storage for years. A maid found it and put it in a vase. But it wasn’t plain water, was it? The solution she used was…
“Besides, if you’re talking about that sort of thing, you’d be better off finding a chemist. I happen to know a very talented scientist, and I could introduce—”
Ah, I remember now.
“Kirchi sap.”
“What?”
Enoch stopped mid-sentence.
Smiling triumphantly, Cynthia said,
“If you use Kirchi sap, you can isolate only the active compounds that provide the proper stimulation to the nerves.”
“Kirchi sap…? Isn’t that just a cheap nutritional supplement commoners buy?”
At his question, Cynthia slowly nodded.
The maid who had discovered the Titronia flower had poured water mixed with Kirchi sap into the vase, hoping to revive the wilted flower.
The problem was that Kirchi sap wasn’t actually a plant nutrient.
A poorly educated maid had mistakenly used a cheap supplement meant for people instead of plant fertilizer, and that mistake ended up helping.
“I don’t know exactly why, but some ingredients in Kirchi sap will separate out the toxic compounds responsible for the hallucinations.”
“What?”
The playful smile that had never left Enoch’s face slowly disappeared.
But Cynthia didn’t notice the change and continued talking.
“So, to summarize! If you keep the Titronia flower in a dark room for several days and then treat it with a properly diluted Kirchi solution, you should be able to create a medicine that stimulates only the optic nerves—”
Excited that she had remembered such an important detail, she kept rambling.
Then the pharmacist suddenly grabbed her wrist.
“Huh?”
Only then did Cynthia notice the dangerous atmosphere surrounding him.
“What are you?”
“…What?”
“Who are you, and how do you know all of this?”
His yellow eyes gleamed dangerously.
The playful, carefree attitude had vanished completely.
Startled by his sudden change in demeanor, Cynthia blinked before yanking her hand free.
“What’s it to you? Anyway, can you make it or not?”
“…With a method like that, it might actually be worth experimenting.”
“By next week. Can you do it?”
Holding up a finger right in front of his face, she asked.
Enoch stared at her finger for a moment before speaking lazily.
“What’s your name?”
Whew! Good thing I didn’t wear those lenses. My unusual light-green eyes might have given away that I was connected to the Bailey family…
Pleased with her foresight, Cynthia answered,
“You don’t need to know my name. Just tell me if it can be done by next week.”
“I’m Enoch.”
He smiled charmingly.
Enoch? I think that was his name. Whatever. I only remember my favorite character!
“Fine, Enoch. Can you do it by next week?”
Cynthia asked again in a firm voice.
If you’re speaking casually, then I will too!
Enoch looked at her as though he’d discovered something fascinating, then nodded.
“I can. Come back next week.”
****
“Dale…”
“…”
“Dale, listen…”
Cynthia paced around Dale, who was seated at his desk reviewing documents.
Without replying, he raised a hand and covered the side of his face where she kept entering his field of vision.
“Dale, so…”
“What is it? Why are you acting like you’re about to ask for an impossible favor?”
Unable to bear it any longer, Dale looked up irritably.
Cynthia wasn’t discouraged.
“Could I possibly receive a very small advance on the payment you promised me?”
“How much?”
“Just one hundred thousand Mint!”
If she got another hundred thousand Mint from Dale, combined with the five hundred thousand she already had, she’d have enough to pay the six hundred thousand Mint potion fee.
Six hundred thousand Mint was certainly a large sum, but compared to the five million Mint she’d receive if everything worked out…
It was worth spending for Tession.
Tilting his head, Dale leaned back in his chair and looked at her.
“One hundred thousand Mint? What could you possibly need such an oddly specific amount of money for?”
“I… have a use for it.”
“No.”
He rejected her outright.
Leaning closer, Cynthia pleaded desperately.
“Please trust me. This is for your benefit and for the Bailey family too! You won’t regret it. Just this once! Please trust me this one time!”
“Hm… It’s rare for you to beg this much, Cynthia. You must really need the money.”
“Yes! Exactly!”
Cynthia nodded vigorously.
Come on, Dale! You’re reasonable, aren’t you? Right? You are!
After pondering for a moment, Dale smiled.
“Still no.”
…What a terrible person.
If she couldn’t get the money, there was only one option left.
A week later, Cynthia returned to Enoch’s magical pharmacy.
Marching in confidently, she spoke to Enoch, who froze upon seeing her.
“Did you finish it?”
Looking exhausted, Enoch nodded.
Stretching with a huge yawn, he said,
“No matter how I think about it, six hundred thousand Mint isn’t nearly enough. From the dark-room conditions to the concentration of the Kirchi solution… I had to start from absolute scratch. I’ve been pulling all-nighters for an entire week to make this.”
“Sounds like you’ve suffered enough. Hand over the medicine already!”
Cynthia stretched out her hand impatiently.
She could never afford to look weak in front of this magical pharmacist.
His unserious attitude and obsession with money made him seem like the type who’d stab her in the back at any moment.
Chuckling, Enoch turned around and retrieved a small glass vial filled with blue liquid from a shelf.
“Use it like eye drops. Depending on how severe the condition is, it may take multiple applications. But it shouldn’t be very painful, and the results should be excellent.”
“Perfect! Great work.”
With a satisfied smile, Cynthia reached for the vial.
Just as her fingers were about to touch it, Enoch pulled it away.
“What?”
“Money first.”
This thorough little swindler…
Narrowing her eyes, Cynthia pulled a paper envelope from her bag.
Enoch blew into the envelope and checked the bills inside.
“What is this? There’s only fifty thousand Mint in here. I clearly said the price was six hundred thousand.”
“Enoch, listen carefully.”
Frowning, Enoch looked at her.
Taking the most serious expression she could manage, Cynthia began speaking.
Please let this work…
“That potion you invented. If it really restores eyesight, isn’t it an incredible medicine?”
“Of course it is. Who do you think made it?”
“I’m the one who gave you the key recipe, Enoch. Don’t forget that.”
“What are you talking about?”
Enoch asked flatly, brows furrowed.
“If you sell those eye drops that can effectively restore vision, how much wealth do you think you’ll earn? I generously gave you the opportunity to create that amazing medicine!”
“…So what’s your point?”
“I’ll sell you my recipe for five hundred and fifty thousand Mint.”
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