It might not be that serious.
Jerome might have contacted Fresa just because he was worried about her, even if it was nothing important.
Fresa tried to think positively and asked again.
“Where does it hurt, how badly? And where are you now?”
Jerome still had a serious expression.
“Bedroom. I think I caught a bad cold. I thought it would be best if you came and saw for yourself, so I contacted you.”
Jerome looked at Fresa with eyes that genuinely seemed worried about Lauren.
Her heart pounded faster at his trembling voice, and for a moment, she felt a sudden fear but tried to behave calmly on the outside.
“I’ll go right now. Please watch over Lauren carefully, I beg you.”
“Don’t worry.”
Jerome said reassuringly, but Fresa still couldn’t fully trust him.
What if this is just acting?
What if Jerome is lying after hurting Lauren and then lying to Fresa…?
Fresa hurriedly turned off the magic circle and threw on any cloak hanging on the wall.
The Lizard, floating sluggishly in the air, quickly landed on her shoulder.
「Are you planning to go right now?」
“Yes. I’m worried and can’t stay here.”
「I’ll go too, so pack the potted plant.」
“Thank you.”
Fresa didn’t hesitate and carefully picked up the World Tree pot.
It shouldn’t be anything serious, but she didn’t understand why her heart was pounding so fast.
That uneasy feeling, just before something bad happens, enveloped her entire body.
“King! King!”
Clo, rolling on the sofa, jumped up and barked as if he wanted to come along.
Fresa hesitated for just a moment before making her decision.
“All right. Clo, come with me.”
If Fresa can’t return immediately, the research to turn Clo into a human will be delayed.
It would be better to go to the apothecary together and continue the research whenever possible.
Without packing anything, Fresa, along with the pot, Clo, and Reese, headed for Lycaon’s room.
“Lycaon, it’s me.”
She knocked twice and called his name, and soon after, Lycaon opened the door.
“Resa? What’s the matter?”
Lycaon’s brow furrowed slightly as soon as he saw Fresa’s face.
Was it because her expression was different from usual?
Fresa bit her lip and quietly replied.
“I’m sorry for suddenly coming. I think I need to go to the apothecary now…”
“Now? Something seems to be wrong. You don’t look good.”
Tock.
Lycaon gently brushed her cheek with his finger.
That brief touch was unusually tender today.
Fresa looked up at Lycaon and carefully explained everything.
“I heard that Lauren is sick.”
“How sick is she that you’re this surprised?”
“I don’t know the exact condition, but Jerome, who contacted me, looked serious. That’s why I decided to go right away.”
She tried to speak calmly, but her voice wavered slightly.
Fresa stopped there and closed her mouth.
Multiple bad thoughts came to her mind, but she quickly pushed them away.
She didn’t know anything for sure yet, so she shouldn’t jump to conclusions.
All she wanted was to go quickly and see Lauren.
“Resa.”
Lycaon gently held her hand and called her name softly.
Fresa blinked slowly, feeling the coolness of his touch.
Lycaon continued calmly.
“I’ll go with you, so there’s no need to worry.”
“…Thank you.”
Fresa gave a slight smile.
~·~·*· . ·*· . ·*· . ·*·~·~
Thanks to the emergency teleportation scrolls she prepared for emergencies, they were at the apothecary in no time.
As soon as she entered, Fresa quickly headed to the bedroom.
The door was wide open, and Jerome suddenly appeared, hearing footsteps.
“F-Fresa! You’re here! And what’s this dog?”
“Woof! Woof!”
Clo barked fiercely at Jerome, who was unfamiliar to him.
Jerome, looking startled, pressed himself against the wall in the corridor.
Fresa had no time to greet Jerome and hurried toward the bed.
Behind her, Clo and Lycaon followed.
Fresa stopped right beside the bed and looked down at Lauren.
Lauren, pale and exhausted, was breathing faintly with her eyes tightly closed.
Fresa softly called her name.
“Lauren, are you okay?”
“…Ah, Lady?”
Lauren, perhaps not fully asleep, opened her eyes late and looked at Fresa.
Even so, recognizing Fresa, she managed a weak, dry whisper.
Fresa’s heart ached seeing Lauren so frail, especially since she had been healthy until just before leaving, and she couldn’t say anything.
“You’re busy, I know…”
Lauren gasped, unable to finish her words, taking in hot breaths.
Fresa’s eyes stung, and she clenched her lips. Soon, she sat on a chair beside the bed and examined Lauren’s condition.
‘Her temperature is quite high. But her complexion is so pale. Like someone who’s lost a lot of blood… She’s become very thin…’
All symptoms were concerning, but the most striking was the black spots on Lauren’s neck.
The spots varied in size but were all round.
If it were just a simple cold, as Jerome said, she would recover soon, but it was clear it wasn’t just a cold.
Fresa suppressed her troubling thoughts and looked back at Jerome standing behind her.
“When did this start?”
Jerome, looking uneasy, glanced nervously at Fresa and answered cautiously.
“I think… about a week ago. Though at that time, her condition wasn’t as bad as now…”
“Why didn’t you contact me immediately? Don’t tell me…”
Fresa narrowed her eyes, about to press further, but Lauren’s fragile hand caught her sleeve.
Lady… I told you not to contact anyone… It’s not Jerome’s fault… Cough…!”
It seemed she was already used to not being called “young master.”
Or perhaps she was conscious of Fresa.
Either way, Fresa looked at Jerome with some discomfort and then turned her gaze back to Lauren.
“Did you try any medicine? The ones I prepared with non-magical ingredients?”
“I tried everything, but nothing helped,” Jerome answered, speaking for Lauren who was too weak.
Since she had already asked Jerome, and not Lauren, Fresa didn’t wait for Lauren’s reply.
「It’s definitely not just a cold. Her condition isn’t good.」
Reese, who touched Lauren’s forehead to check her fever, muttered quietly.
Lycaon said nothing but had the same thoughtful expression.
Fresa stared at Lauren for a long moment, then softly said,
“I’ll make some fever medicine first. And I need to look for some books. Rest now, Lauren. Jerome, keep an eye on her.”
Jerome nodded quickly, having been watching Fresa’s expression.
Fresa grabbed Lauren’s hand tightly once more, then stood up briskly and left the bedroom.
Instead of saying much, she decided to act.
There was nothing to be gained by just feeling sorry here.
Fresa stood in the corridor, took a deep breath, and looked back at Lycaon who followed.
Clo, unusually, was standing quietly beside Lycaon.
Reese was sitting on Fresa’s shoulder. As she carefully examined them, Fresa felt an oddly calming sense.
‘Having trustworthy people around — this is what it feels like.’
To avoid being overwhelmed by this unfamiliar emotion, she quickly spoke.
“I don’t think medicine will be enough. I don’t think we can diagnose what kind of illness it is. I’m not a doctor, after all. Could I ask for your help?”
Without hesitation, she directly asked Lycaon for assistance.
She was only a pharmacist, not a doctor. She could check minor symptoms, but in this case, it was difficult.
Lycaon answered without hesitation.
“I will seek help from the Imperial Temple. I will send a priest. Don’t worry.”
Lycaon said calmly.
If it’s the Imperial Temple, I heard it’s quite strict, but with Lycaon’s status, there shouldn’t be any problem.
After all, Lycaon was the hero who saved the empire and the emperor’s brother.
Fresa felt a quiet sense of relief and expressed her gratitude.
“Thank you, Lycaon.”
“I feel like I hear ‘thank you’ too often lately.”
“It’s better to express it immediately.”
Fresa gave a faint smile, but it quickly faded.
She needed some time to organize her thoughts.
“I need to look for some records. There might be something documented.”
As if waiting for her to finish, Lycaon spoke.
“I’ll go to the Imperial Temple. If anything happens, contact me.”
“Magic won’t work, you know?”
Fresa hurriedly added, worried that Lycaon might teleport again with magic.
Lycaon smiled without understanding and replied.
“I’ll be back soon. Just wait for me.”
Before she could say anything more, Lycaon tore the teleportation scroll.
In an instant, he disappeared.
Fresa stared at the empty spot for a moment, then looked alternately at Clo and Reese.
“Now, let’s get started on what we need to do.”
~·~·*· . ·**##^^##**· . ·*·~·~
Hey there, It’s Green Rose 😉
Since I human I might have make some mistakes while translating so please if you find them let me know here in the comments or in the Discord group so I can correct them and be careful in the future so they do not repeat.
Thank you so much for reading, I hope you enjoyed this chapter.
~~~Next Chapter~~~
Next week I will release extra chapters!!! And now they will be for free after some time so I hope you all enjoy them!!
Next chapter will be released on November, 24.
See you then!!
