Episode 15
But does Harrison know about this too?
Knox was, in fact, related to Harrison by marriage. Harrison had once married a daughter of the Rudpert family, only to lose her early—and her younger brother was none other than Knox. In other words, from Harrison’s perspective, Knox was his brother-in-law.
Ah, whatever. Let it all go to hell.
I was already swamped trying to build a shelter. Did I really need to worry about the original novel’s protagonists too?
Just preparing for my own survival was more than exhausting enough.
“Are you sure it’s just an herb? Did you really examine it properly?”
Eden asked again, disbelief plain on his face as he looked at Knox.
By now, it had to be at least the fifth time he’d asked the same question.
Ugh. This again.
Shaking my head, I leaned forward and rested my forehead against the table. From the corner of my vision, I watched Eden and Knox continue their exchange.
“Then what kind of herb is it?”
“Elphinus,” Knox replied lightly. “A fairly ordinary medicinal herb that helps restore stamina. It isn’t common, though. Seeing it here again is rather… interesting.”
Knox smiled slyly at the way Eden’s face twisted. The grin was playful—almost teasing.
‘Ordinary’ is not how I’d describe something that looks like that.
The herb looked disturbingly similar to a centipede.
That thing being a vaccine ingredient was honestly shocking in itself.
Still, Nox’s words from earlier lingered in my mind.
“Seeing it here again is rather interesting.”
Something about it felt loaded.
As I tilted my head, lost in thought, I suddenly felt a prickling sensation on the back of my neck.
What now?
When I turned around, the people staring at me hurriedly averted their gazes—one after another, like a wave of eyes retreating.
It finally clicked.
Word had spread through the village that I’d been arrested by Eden and dragged to the police station.
Everyone had gathered to see me.
This attention… these stares. They’re not unfamiliar.
If anything, they felt nostalgic.
Smiling brightly, I waved at the onlookers.
Yes, yes. Go ahead and stare all you want.
I’m Cherry Sinclair.
The villagers responded with awkward chuckles before hurriedly looking away, as if they’d seen something they weren’t supposed to. They all seemed oddly shy.
Before long, their interest shifted from me to Knox, and whispers broke out.
“That doctor’s supposed to be incredibly famous.”
“They say he’s the youngest son of Marquis Rudpert. Good heavens… I’ve never seen a real noble in my life.”
Excuse me? The police officer standing right next to him is also a noble—and with even higher status than Knox.
I grumbled silently while listening in.
“The village head said he’s extremely well-known.”
“Yeah, right? Even more famous than that Cherry Sinclair woman, or whatever her name was.”
Excuse me?! Obviously I’m more famous. What nonsense is that?!
I badly wanted to correct them, but sadly, this was one rumor I couldn’t refute out loud.
After listening to the women chatter back and forth, I dropped my head against the table again.
Nox really is a big deal doctor in the capital.
In the past, doctors hadn’t been particularly respected—especially surgeons, since anesthesia didn’t exist.
But the Rudpert family changed medical history by developing anesthetics, playing a major role in elevating physicians into an elite profession.
Given that background, Knox serving as a narcotics consultant wasn’t strange at all. In earlier eras, substances like cocaine had even been used in place of anesthetics, so doctors naturally studied drugs and alcohol extensively.
In the novel Fatal Love, Knox—himself a doctor—played a significant role. He saved people bitten by monsters through emergency amputations, rescued both mother and child with his obstetric knowledge, and carried out major surgeries without hesitation.
He really is indispensable in a survival scenario.
If I tried recruiting him as Happy House’s dedicated physician, he’d probably laugh in my face.
What a shame.
As I was lamenting that, Eden finished speaking with the narcotics investigator and approached me with a heavy expression. Sensing the shift in mood, the gathered villagers quietly filtered out of the station—everyone except Nox.
Nox, lollipop still in his mouth, watched us like he was enjoying a show.
Does he recognize me?
Anyone even slightly active in high society would.
I should make sure he keeps his mouth shut…
But first, I had to deal with Eden.
I lifted my gaze and looked up at him quietly. He said nothing, only stared down at me. An uncomfortable silence settled between us. His eyes—locked onto mine—were filled with complicated emotions.
After a long pause, his lips finally parted.
“…I—”
“Yes?”
Suddenly, Eden straightened and bowed deeply toward me. It was a clean, precise, and impeccably formal gesture.
“I sincerely apologize, Lady Sinclair.”
Oh?
I hadn’t expected him to admit fault so quickly. That was… unexpected.
Watching him apologize, an idea flashed through my mind.
Wait. Haven’t our positions just reversed?
Right now, the one with the upper hand was me.
I immediately adjusted my posture, leaning an arm lazily against the table as I spoke.
“Exactly what are you apologizing for?”
Caught off guard, Eden looked momentarily flustered.
“Oh dear. You shouldn’t look so startled—like someone who’s just heard something they weren’t supposed to,” I continued coolly.
“You arrested an innocent person without a warrant, accusing her of drug trafficking.”
I had no intention of letting this slide. I’d hated the suspicious looks he’d been giving me all along.
Sure, Sinclair has done plenty of things that invite suspicion—but still! Usually, the police tiptoe around the Sinclair name!
I glared at him while internally spouting shameless nonsense.
Eden pressed his lips together, clearly choosing his words carefully.
“I told you before. I’m often misunderstood. But this time, I was truly offended. You dragged me here without even properly confirming the facts. You know that, don’t you?”
I added one last line, hoping to make him feel even more guilty.
Eden looked uncharacteristically worn down, yet he apologized again, calmly.
“Please forgive my rudeness. I have misunderstood you for some time, Miss Cherry.”
He was being too polite now—I couldn’t refuse the apology even if I wanted to.
“Hm. Well, I suppose it’s good that you finally realized it.”
I didn’t believe all his distrust toward me had vanished—but at least for now, he wouldn’t openly accuse or corner me again.
Come to think of it, this might actually work in my favor.
“If you’re really sorry,” I said sweetly, “why don’t you help me?”
“…Pardon?”
One of Eden’s eyebrows shot up as he stared at me, clearly wondering what on earth he could possibly help me with.
Help? Oh, there was plenty.
Since things had turned out this way, I might as well make full use of him until the apocalypse arrived. I had far too much to do.
“I’m renovating my house, but I’m short on manpower. And because you suddenly dragged me here, all my work has been delayed.”
That part was true.
I was busy enough that I couldn’t afford to waste even an hour.
“If you refuse, I’ll tip off the newspaper. About how Eden Duncan Lancaster arrested an innocent civilian without a warrant.”
“…An innocent civilian.”
Eden stared at me, speechless.
“Miss Cherry… weren’t you hiding out here?”
“Who says I’m hiding?”
Sure, it wasn’t good for people to know where I was—but I knew Eden hadn’t leaked my whereabouts to the press.
“People are always interested in me. If I file a complaint, things will only blow up further. Don’t you agree?”
When I met his gaze boldly, Eden finally nodded.
“…It was my mistake. As an officer, I will take responsibility.”
“Good. Let’s go, then. Mr. Worker.”
“…Do handsome Workers get paid extra?”
“Oh? Trying to flirt now?”
“Well, it seems flirting worked a little. Maybe give it some thought.”
We were trading pointless banter as we headed out of the station together—when Knox suddenly followed and stopped us.
Turning back in surprise, I saw him smiling with crescent eyes.
“It’s rather hurtful to pretend I’m not here.”
Ah—right.
I’d been so focused on Eden that I’d completely forgotten about Nox.
How could I forget someone with that kind of presence?
I turned to face him, and he immediately extended his hand—leisurely, like a predator approaching its prey. The ease in his movements spoke of someone who had never known failure.
“A pleasure to meet you, Lady Sinclair.”
“Nice to meet you, Mr. Rudpert. However, the villagers don’t know I’m Cherry Sinclair. I’d appreciate it if you simply called me by my name.”
I placed my hand gently atop his. Knox bowed and pressed a soft kiss to the back of it, smiling as he did.
For a fleeting moment, I recalled Eden shaking my hand earlier.
Yes. This is how it’s supposed to be.
“I’m curious about your circumstances,” Knox said lightly, “but it would be rude to ask too many questions of a lady. Very well—Miss Cherry.”
I nodded and withdrew my hand. Knox then got to the point.
“There is something I would like to ask you. Would you be willing to spare a moment for a conversation?”
