TDNT 42

TDNT

Chapter 42

Where on earth had these people heard the rumors?
Whether noble or commoner, the tea shop was packed to the brim.

“…I’m sorry, Dylan.”

“What for?”

“You didn’t even get to have lunch because we were so busy.”

Making him skip lunch as well—especially today, when she had overslept and Dylan had to run the apothecary alone—made Sophie feel both grateful and guilty.

Even though he must have been tired, he had worked quietly without complaint.

“There’s nothing to be sorry about. I’m more worried about you, Sophie. You haven’t eaten anything since this morning.”

“Well, that’s true, but…”

“Aren’t you hungry?”

“A little, yes.”

“As it happens, we’re out of milk. Let’s close the shop for a bit, go buy some, and have a meal while we’re out.”

At this point, they might as well give up on having a peaceful and quiet tea shop.
Truth be told, Sophie did feel rewarded seeing customers drinking her medicinal tea.

After all, she had heard people say their health had noticeably improved after drinking it.
And even if she was busy, there was a certain satisfaction in watching people find peace over a cup of her tea.

Seeing people blow gently on a steaming cup to cool it, taking comfort in the warmth, made Sophie feel soft inside for reasons she couldn’t explain.

So she didn’t think today’s chaos was all bad—
aside from the part where she was so busy she could hardly breathe.

“We’ve already run out of milk?”

“Yes. With so many customers, it went quickly. Will it be alright to close for a bit?”

“Yes. I could use the break, too…”

Valentis and Rolf had left for the Valliphos Mountains to deal with monsters. Arabelle, who used to chatter beside her, had also gone off to manage the territory for the first time in a while.

Thanks to that, Arthur was sitting idly in the corner of the apothecary, waiting for his tea.

Sophie and Dylan, meanwhile, had been running around as if their feet were on fire.

“Shall I make His Grace’s tea?”

“No, I’ll do it myself.”

Even after hiring staff, Sophie always prepared the Crown Prince’s and the Duke’s tea personally—after all, the tea’s curse-breaking effect only worked if she brewed it herself.

As she was preparing Arthur’s tea with the familiar blend of Hedelia and Santerfic, Sophie suddenly noticed something strange.

Did I ever tell Dylan about Arthur’s true identity?

Dylan was perceptive enough to know that many of their customers were nobles, but he had never tried to use that fact for his own benefit, nor had he ever mentioned it.

For safety reasons, Sophie had never told him who Valentis and Arthur really were—there was always the risk of the secret leaking.

She trusted that he was a decent young man, but she still didn’t want to burden him with such sensitive information.

Did I slip up and mention it? Or did he overhear?

If it had been Arabelle, her loud voice could easily have carried far enough for Dylan to hear. And if Dylan was as discreet and considerate as she thought, he might have known all along and simply pretended otherwise.

If that was the case, she should probably be grateful for his tact.

Or perhaps he had overheard regulars talking—sometimes high-ranking officials recognized Valentis and Arthur and reacted in surprise, despite her telling them to be careful with their words.

“Hedelia tea.”

Dylan handed the cup to Arthur.

“I’ll enjoy it.”

Nodding politely, Dylan went straight back to work.

“You seem very busy, Sophie,” Arthur remarked.

“I’m always busy.”

“I wish I could stay and help, but I need to leave right after this.”

“You must have a lot on your plate?”

“Yes. There was an incident in the Valliphos Mountains, so I’ve been busy handling that.”

Princes and dukes were always busy, of course. Still, they made time to come personally for Sophie’s tea.

“That area has been my responsibility lately, and I heard Paul was injured.”

Paul. It had been a while since she’d heard that name—just hearing it made her ears ring.

“Injured? Badly?”

“He was attacked by monsters, but fortunately not as badly as last time.”

“Is there anything I can do to help?”

“You’ve already helped me a great deal, Sophie.”

After finishing his tea, Arthur soon departed.

“Thanks for the tea, Sophie.”

“Finally, I can breathe a little.”

“Good work, Dylan.”

“I’ll handle the cleanup—just get ready to head out.”

“Are you sure?”

“Of course.”

Her joints ached, her back hurt, and her legs were swollen from standing so long.

“Is there anything you feel like eating?”

Before leaving, she asked the spirits still lingering in the greenhouse.

[I want fruit! Strawberries would be even better!]

[I want watermelon! Watermelon!]

Where would we get watermelon in winter?

[If there’s none, I’ll just grow one myself!]

They weren’t bound to her by any contract, yet they stayed with her and shared in her hardships, especially during busy times.

Sophie tickled a spirit’s cheek and nodded as she rose from her seat.

[Are you going out with Dylan?]

[Are you going to have a baby with Dylan? I heard if a man and woman go out alone, they have a baby.]

[That’s way too fast! Humans are supposed to hold hands first.]

[Then are you going to hold hands?]

The spirits teased her playfully.

“No. I’m going out to buy food for you… but if you really want, I won’t buy it.”

[No! Dylan’s bad! Don’t get involved with that man!]

[We won’t let you go, Sophie!]

The moment their snacks were threatened, the spirits immediately changed their tune. Smiling at their antics, Sophie gathered her things and left.

The apothecary was already spotless—Dylan had clearly finished tidying up.

“Hello, Sophie!”

“Off to shop?”

Greeting the townsfolk along the way, she headed to the market. She bought the milk she needed and fruit for the spirits.

Her shopping bag grew heavy as she bought more than planned.

“I’ll carry that.”

Dylan took the bag with an easy smile. The market was fairly crowded.

“What else were we running out of…?”

“On the way out, I noticed we’re out of oranges. I think the spirits like them.”

[You knew the spirits’ preferences?]

“I’ve taken an interest. They’re fascinating.”

Dylan seemed genuinely intrigued by the spirits, even remembering their tastes. With him acting as her porter, she might as well stock up.

She was thinking about what else to buy when suddenly her body tilted sharply to the left—Dylan had pulled her toward him.

“There’s a horse coming from behind. It’s dangerous.”

“…Ah, thank you.”

“You seem to lose awareness of your surroundings when you’re deep in thought.”

His hand on her shoulder didn’t move away. Unused to the unfamiliar warmth, Sophie cleared her throat awkwardly.

From the way passersby smiled, they clearly thought they were a couple out shopping. Sophie distracted herself and eased out of his grasp.

Dylan was very knowledgeable and even gave advice on good cooking ingredients, helping Sophie choose useful items.

“You really are impressive,” she praised.

“In what way?”

“You know so much. Did you learn a lot living in the mountains?”

“Yes, my father taught me a great deal.”

“Where is he now? Tell him to visit the apothecary sometime—I’d like to give him some medicinal herbs.”

Dylan’s smile faded.

“He’s passed away. He was murdered.”

“…Oh.”

She hadn’t known he had such a past, and worried she’d touched an old wound.

But Dylan reassured her.

“It’s alright. I’ve come to terms with it.”

“…I’m sorry, Dylan.”

“Really, it’s fine, Sophie.”

He gave her a gentle smile.

“Thanks to what my father taught me from a young age, I had no trouble living on my own.”

“He must have been a remarkable man.”

“Thank you for saying that.”

Dylan had much in common with Sophie’s own past—both had lived alone from a young age, both drawn to medicinal herbs.

The more she looked at him, the more someone else came to mind. She finally realized who and chuckled.

“Why are you laughing?”

“You remind me of my younger brother. You’re similar somehow.”

“In what way?”

“It’s just a feeling. I’m not sure why.”

Though my brother was incredibly annoying… Sophie explained that her brother had a prickly personality and often fought with others—quite different from Dylan—yet for some reason, Dylan still made her think of him.

“I’m curious what your brother is like,” Dylan said.

Talking about family made them feel closer. Around then, Dylan posed another question.

“There’s something I’ve been wondering.”

“What is it?”

“You only brew tea personally for a few specific customers… why is that?”

It was obvious he was referring to Arthur and Valentis.

“Is there a special reason?”

“No… nothing in particular.”

She couldn’t reveal their secret, so Sophie simply shook her head.

“They just really like my tea.”

“Your tea, Sophie?”

“Yes. They’re very stubborn—say they won’t drink tea unless I make it.”