Chapter 81…
The unexpectedly high amount made Cynthia’s debt-ridden instincts react first. Almost as if bewitched, she turned her head toward Enoch.
“If you work just one month, you’ll earn at least forty thousand mint. That should be enough to leave the capital, don’t you think?”
“Forty thousand mint…?”
“You can stay hidden in my pharmacy while you work. Because of the nature of the job, you won’t even need to go outside.”
Cynthia’s eyes trembled rapidly.
A monthly salary and lodging solved… and even a reliable, safe companion?
For someone who had been completely lost about her future, his offer was far too tempting.
Maybe… maybe she should stay here for a while, at least until she figured out what to do next.
After running through a quick mental calculation, focus returned to Cynthia’s eyes. Smiling lightly at Enoch, she spoke:
“All right. When do we sign the contract, boss?”
“Last night, the magic pharmacist went to the debt collectors’ office on Miss Cynthia’s behalf and repaid forty-five thousand mint, part of her debt.
Since His Grace already cleared all of Miss Cynthia’s debts, the newly received forty-five thousand mint has been retrieved and is being kept safely.”“Where is Cynthia now?”
“It seems she’ll be staying at the magic pharmacist’s shop for the time being.”
The edge of the papers in Tesion’s hand crumpled slightly.
In the quiet study, facing a man in a dark robe, Tesion frowned wearily.
“Why is she staying there?”
“Perhaps she needs money… I think she took a part-time job.”
“She never takes the easy way out.”
Tesion murmured softly.
Perhaps he had expected as much. Cynthia wasn’t the kind of person to come running back to him just because she’d lost all her money.
“Still… I didn’t expect her to go to another man.”
He set the documents down on the desk, lifted a hand to brush back his hair, and sighed.
“How about the Baileys?”
“They appear to be quietly searching the capital and the nearby territories. They haven’t officially announced that Lady Elizabeth Bailey has returned home.”
“So I’m the only one they informed.”
“It seems they only sent letters to a few houses with close interests involved. They didn’t expect Miss Cynthia to disappear midway.”
“They must’ve been desperate. Make sure the Baileys don’t find Cynthia.”
“Understood. I’ll keep watch.”
Knock knock.
Someone tapped on the office door.
“Your Grace, I brought the latest income and expense ledgers from the Retemper trading company…”
The person who entered was the aide, Ruth.
He stepped into the office without much thought, but froze when he saw the man already inside.
“Ledian, you can go now.”
At Tesion’s quiet words, the man called Ledian bowed slightly and turned to leave.
Ruth watched him pass silently, then asked:
“Your Grace… why was he here? Is it something you’re investigating in secret?”
“Yes.”
“You could’ve sent me instead! That man—he’s infamous for shady dealings.”
“And you’re assuming I need someone shady for the job.”
“P-pardon?”
Ruth blinked in confusion. Tesion only shrugged, unfazed.
“Don’t worry about him. Now, bring me what you came with.”
“Ah, yes, of course!”
As Ruth hurried forward, Tesion’s violet eyes darkened.
It was time to tighten the wide net he had cast.
“Something feels off.”
In the back of the magic pharmacy, Cynthia crouched down, searching for ingredients Enoch had asked for.
Enoch, busy mixing potions and powders at the counter, leaned in.
“What did you say? I didn’t catch that.”
“I said, something’s weird. Is your pharmacy really doing well? How can there not be a single customer all day?”
“Customers come and go. Some days they’re here, some days not.”
He tried to sound casual, but Cynthia caught the twitch in his yellow eyes.
So he is surprised the place is this empty.
Scratching his cheek awkwardly, Enoch muttered:
“Still… yeah, it’s unusually quiet today.”
“Did another pharmacy open nearby? Or did everyone in the capital suddenly get healthy overnight?”
“It’s just a dry spell. Soon they’ll flood in again, so get the materials ready in advance.”
Cynthia stared at him silently.
Ten thousand mint per week…
Could he really afford to pay her? What if the place went bankrupt?
Reading her expression, Enoch barked, half guilty:
“Hey, even if I have to pay from my savings, I’ll make sure you get your wage! So stop giving me that suspicious look.”
“Y-yes, sir.”
Cynthia turned away and continued organizing the supplies.
Just then, the bell over the door jingled—someone had entered.
A customer!
Cynthia couldn’t step outside, so she pressed her ear close to the curtain divider.
“Welcome.”
“Ah, yes. Hello.”
The voice belonged to a thin-voiced middle-aged man who didn’t step fully inside.
“I didn’t come for medicine. I just have something to say.”
“Go ahead.”
“Well… starting this month, I’ll have to raise the rent a bit.”
The landlord?
Cynthia edged closer to listen. Enoch’s startled voice followed.
“Raise it? But you just said a few weeks ago you’d already done that!”
“Ah, things changed.”
“But raising it again so soon—”
“Can’t be helped. You’ve been paying much less than other places anyway, so please understand.”
What the…?
No customers and a rent hike? Was the entire capital’s economy collapsing or something?
“How much more?”
“Four thousand mint on top of last month’s.”
Four thousand mint?! Was that man out of his mind? Who raises rent by that much in a few weeks?
Cynthia grimaced behind the curtain.
“That’s… too much.”
“I know. But if it’s too much for you, you’ll just have to close up shop. Anyway, I’ve given notice, so goodbye!”
“Wait—!!”
Despite Enoch’s desperate call, the bell rang again as the door shut. Silence filled the shop.
After checking outside, Cynthia lifted the curtain and peeked out.
“Enoch…”
“Cynthia, running a shop isn’t easy.”
“What’ll you do? You’ve been here a long time. Will you move?”
“If the numbers don’t work, I’ll have to.”
Leaning against a back shelf, Enoch scratched his head.
“I’ve had a good deal here for a long time. Guess I can’t complain.”
But…
Cynthia looked around the pharmacy sadly.
He’d been here for years; every shelf and counter bore his handiwork.
Even the rows of medicine racks along both walls—he’d built those himself to fit the space perfectly.
Could he really just abandon this place now?
“Hey, Enoch.”
“Done organizing? Should I check?”
“No, it’s just…”
After a pause, she finally spoke:
“Raising the rent by four thousand mint all of a sudden… that’s a big burden for you. Especially when customers have dropped so much lately.”
“That’s not something a part-timer needs to worry about. I’ll handle the shop, you just focus on your work.”
“That’s why…”
Cynthia lifted her head, determination in her eyes.
“I think it’s better if I leave.”
