TNCFO 36

~Chapter 36~

“Is the redevelopment of Latium still difficult?”

“Even if the bloodline is cut, the sanctuary remains. It’s better to approach that more cautiously.”

It was rare for Noxian to step back with such words instead of giving a clear answer.

The King nodded without asking further.

“Indeed, you must be suffering because of it.”

“I’m only paying the proper cost.”

The King glanced at the expressionless young man’s face and sighed deeply.

“Cost… yes, you’re right. We are all paying the price of that tragedy.”

Noxian turned his gaze away instead of frowning. That’s not the real tragedy.

Two years ago, he hadn’t told the King the full truth.

Even if the Marquis family had provided justification for the war, if their total destruction and deaths from excessive retaliation were called a tragedy, there was nothing left to say.

“I know your burden and responsibility are especially heavy.”

The fall of the Marquis Argen family had shaken the whole kingdom.

If the King hadn’t quietly supported Rubellot out of guilt for breaking the pact and for what happened to Noxian, the situation would have been far worse.

“You must chew slowly and long if you don’t want indigestion.”

“Just digesting this much in two years is worthy of high praise. The Duke must be pleased, having such an excellent heir.”

The King spoke sincerely.

Noxian noticed his wistful glance toward the Crown Prince’s palace but pretended not to.

“My father only delays retirement because of his high standards.”

“Ereb sets the bar too high. By the way, who is the young lady that came with you today?”

At the sudden topic change, Noxian fell silent for a moment. The King spoke casually.

“Rumors travel fast, but since it’s about you, it already reached my ears.”

“She’s Rubellot’s benefactor. Skilled in medicine, she came with Sir Barren to the Association.”

“Oh? A benefactor? Then could she be…?”

“No.”

Noxian cut him off firmly.

Whether Shariette was Shasha or not, no one else—including the King—needed to know.

A rumor spread quickly—about an unknown apothecary who passed a 100-minute exam perfectly in less than 30 minutes.

“See? My eyes are accurate.”

Heron smirked proudly.

His pride swelled—he had been the first to discover and claim such a talented successor.

“Miss Shariette Verdette, please sign here.”

An employee held out the registration forms.

For the first time since signing the contract with Noxian, Shariette wrote her full name and signature.

The second time came easier.

After registration, the employee handed her a scroll and a pendant with a coin-sized emblem.

“Here is your certificate and license. Congratulations. Now you may officially work as an apothecary anywhere in the kingdom.”

He explained kindly:

“This pendant serves as both license and ID, so it cannot be transferred. If lost, you must report it and request a reissue.”

Shariette held the emblem up to the light.

The silver-plated medallion bore a crest of herbs and scales on the front, and her name with a registration number engraved on the back.

—Royal Medical Association, Licensed Apothecary.

This certifies the above qualification.

Words like official and licensed felt strange and ticklish to her.

Heron smiled. “See, I told you it would be simple? Now you don’t have to work under some rotten bastard anymore.”

Shariette rolled the pendant in her hand. The cold, hard metal didn’t look like much.

Plated, worthless if sold, not even shiny…

And yet—something inside her stirred.

“Is it already finished?”

A firm voice cut in, interrupting Heron’s suggestion.

Shariette turned her head. It was Noxian, who had disappeared into the palace after arriving.

People gathered to see the new “rumored newcomer” whispered among themselves.

‘It’s Young Lord Rubellot!’
‘See, I told you! Why else would he sign as guarantor when Heron’s recommendation was enough?’

Noxian, feeling the eyes on them, said:

“You have a talent for stirring up rumors wherever you go.”

“Not as much as you.”

Shariette shot back, rolling the pendant in her hand again. She traced her engraved name with her fingers.

Strangely, her heart pounded.

Like two years ago, when she had first stepped outside Latium.

Suddenly she realized something important.

She looked straight at Noxian and declared proudly:

“I’m not illegal anymore. Threats of fines or labor camps won’t work on me now!”

Her words echoed in her mind—

“Unlicensed drug manufacturing and selling for profit. Fine: 3,000 luca. Or 5 years of labor camp.”

Noxian froze for a moment, surprised.

He looked at Shariette’s triumphant face. Her bright eyes and flushed cheeks showed how elated she was.

‘Distrust of Lady Shariette has spread among the servants. Likely Eden Evans’s doing.’

Luke’s report hadn’t been a surprise.

‘Even if no one doubts her skill… if someone wanted to attack her, her origins and lack of license would be the weakness.’

Even after saving lives and doing the impossible, if she could be humiliated just for lacking an official title—

Noxian couldn’t accept that his person would be dragged down by such petty attacks.

That would be mocking me, too.

So he had chosen Heron Barren to back her. The stubborn old man, betrayed once by Eden, would be the real test.

With skill like hers, and no greed, I knew he’d approve.

And indeed, it worked exactly as expected.

Noxian looked down at Shariette, holding both the certificate and the pendant tightly.

She likes it.

Her expression hardly changed, but the excitement was clear. Seeing that, something that had long irritated him seemed to fall away.

“Good. Well done, Shariette.”

She shrugged.

“The questions were too easy. Sleep-inducing and sustaining drugs—simpler than the ones I make for you.”

“As expected. For my physician, it’s like drinking soup.”

Feeling proud, Shariette began explaining the technical details with enthusiasm.

Noxian listened to her cheerful chatter and allowed himself a satisfied smile.

Then he took the pendant from her hand and bent down toward her.