Chapter 82
“What?”
Enoch stared in shock at what Cynthia had just said.
“Forty thousand mint. If you just cut out the part that goes to me, you’d be able to pay the rent right away. And judging by how few customers you’ve had lately, it doesn’t seem impossible for you to run this place alone.”
“Cynthia, that’s not it.”
Enoch stepped closer, looking flustered. Cynthia forced a grin and spoke teasingly.
“Oh, don’t get the wrong idea! I’m not saying this just for your sake, you know! If your business goes under and you can’t even pay my wages, I’ll end up working for free! I’d rather quit before that happens and find something else!”
“……”
“I’m not being fired — I’m leaving on my own two feet! This pharmacy looks like it’s struggling anyway. I should be playing in a bigger pond!”
“Hah… I wanted to help you in a dignified way, but I must have looked pathetic instead. I wasn’t always like this, you know that, right?”
Cynthia smiled and nodded. In the original story she remembered, Enoch’s magic pharmacy had been the most famous and successful in the entire Dirotain Empire.
She didn’t know why it looked so shabby now, but she had no doubt that one day it would rise again.
“Anyway, if the eyesight-improvement potion I taught you works out, don’t forget about me, okay?”
“Cynthia, do you even need to say that…”
Ding.
Just then, the pharmacy door opened and the chime rang. Cynthia quickly turned her head and disappeared behind the curtain into the compounding room.
Phew, that was close — almost got caught again.
She put her hands on her hips and looked around the still-messy room.
“Alright… what do I do now…”
She’d worked at Enoch’s pharmacy for a week, so she could at least demand a fair 10,000 mint for her labor. With that, she could hire a carriage, travel to a nearby territory, and find a new job that came with lodging…
“Welcome… oh?”
She froze when she heard Enoch’s puzzled voice from outside.
Who could it be this time?
“Ah, hello. I’ve been feeling rather tired lately, so I thought I’d come buy something to help with fatigue.”
At that voice, Cynthia’s eyes widened.
Wait a second… that voice…
“Do you have anything like that?”
That pleasant, low tone — it was Tession.
The Grand Duke? Why is he here?
Cynthia froze on the spot. Enoch sounded equally confused.
“Uh… Your Grace? What brings you here? I thought you had a personal physician.”
“Is it strange for someone who’s unwell to visit a pharmacy?”
“……”
Enoch was speechless.
Of all times, when he barely had any customers, he should be welcoming one — not acting defensive!
Though, to be fair, Tession showing up here was odd…
“I heard that the magic potion that restored my eyesight was made here.”
Tession’s calm voice followed.
“When I’m fatigued, my eyes are the first to suffer. They feel sore, dry, and strained. Since this is where the eyesight potion was made, I figured it would be the best place to buy something for eye health.”
A perfectly logical reason. Cynthia unconsciously nodded in agreement.
Smart as always, Tession!
“Ah… understood. Please, come this way so we can check your exact symptoms.”
“Alright.”
Tession approached, speaking quietly with Enoch. Cynthia held her breath and listened.
She had thought that day would be the last time she’d ever see him.
Does Tession know that Elizabeth Bailey disappeared? Did the Bailey family tell him anything? Does he think I just vanished without a word?
She wondered how he felt about her now…
And if his work was still as demanding — so much that his eyes hurt from fatigue.
When he leaves, I’ll tell Enoch to use the best ingredients to make the finest tonic in the world for him!
“Ah, and I have one more request,” Tession said.
“Yes, what is it?”
“I’d like to purchase a good medicine for my fiancée as well.”
“Your… fiancée?”
Enoch’s voice slowed noticeably. Cynthia’s heart began to race.
Enoch! Don’t lose it! Act normal!
“Why does Your Grace’s f-fiancée need medicine?”
“My fiancée’s health has declined greatly. She returned to her hometown.”
“C-cough—her hometown?”
Ah…
Cynthia bit her lip.
So that’s what the Duke of Castleton told him — that she had left for her hometown.
Tession must believe that.
“Yes. She left without even sending word…”
His voice trailed off, heavy with sadness. Cynthia blinked, feeling a sharp ache in her chest.
Maybe… I should’ve explained something that day, even briefly.
“I see. Then, what symptoms does your fiancée have exactly?”
“I’m not sure. Just make something good — something that will restore her health. Something that strengthens the body and boosts immunity.”
“Understood… I’ll make a note of it.”
“Ah, and also—”
Crash!
Something fell hard outside. Cynthia flinched and spun around.
“What was that!?”
“Are you alright?”
From the sound of Enoch straining, it seemed Tession himself had collapsed.
What—?
“Ah, thank you… I suddenly felt dizzy.”
“This is serious! Forget potions — you need a physician immediately!”
“I’m fine. It happens sometimes.”
Sometimes? Cynthia’s head shot up.
She fidgeted anxiously behind the curtain, torn between staying hidden or rushing out.
Your Grace!
Calm down!
Hold him steady!
She remembered vividly — the day at the Lumanov mansion when he’d lost consciousness and thrashed in delirium.
Had he been suffering more episodes since then? Was he still having nightmares — because of her?
“Ugh… you’re heavier than you look. I can’t do this alone. Surely you have attendants nearby? Please call them so we can move you somewhere comfortable.”
“I came alone.”
“Why on earth would you—”
Enoch’s voice was full of disbelief. Tession lowered his gaze, then slowly closed his eyes.
“…I can’t see well.”
“What?”
“When I’m very fatigued, this happens. My eyes ache, then everything tightens and darkens. It’s not complete blindness — but my field of vision narrows sharply. So I’d like a potion to help with those symptoms.”
Despite describing such frightening symptoms, Tession’s tone was calm and steady.
That only made Cynthia’s heart ache more.
He’d grown used to losing his sight — as if it were normal.
“Have all these symptoms appeared recently?”
“Yes.”
“Since when exactly—”
“I’m not sure. Probably since my fiancée left me. Hah… I feel dizzy. May I sit?”
No…!
Cynthia panicked and looked around desperately. Was there anything she could use to help him?
“Ah, not on the floor — please sit over here. I’ll help you. Wait, do you exercise? Why are you built like—”
“I’ll help him!”
Suddenly, the curtain flew open and Cynthia stepped out, standing before them.
Enoch, kneeling to lift Tession, looked up in shock.
Can’t you see your fiancée is standing right here?! What are you doing—!
But when he got a proper look at her, his jaw went slack.
Her hair was brown and tied up tight under a wig, she wore a grimy pharmacist’s coat she’d found lying around, tall boots of unknown origin, and a pair of absurdly thick glasses that hid most of her face.
Even Enoch, who knew her well, would never have guessed that this was Cynthia.
