Chapter 69

# 69

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Fortunately, Minerva was only bruised and had no cracks or breaks.

Still, pain is pain.

Nabia extended the anesthetic.

The anesthetic not only alleviated pain but also served as an anti-inflammatory.

"I'm fine...! Ah, Miss, you should use it."

"I can endure it. And I don't like seeing Minerva in pain."

Nabia's expression, with her eyebrows drooping, left Minerva momentarily speechless.

'Miss is using her charm again...!'

When this happened, Minerva had no choice but to comply.

"Yes..."

As soon as she replied, Nabia smiled broadly.

'Why is Miss so pleased about treating my injury?'

Minerva scratched her cheek.

The feeling of falling into hell and being utterly miserable just moments ago seemed like a fleeting nightmare.

A soothing balm was applied to the wounds of her heart.

'Can bad feelings really disappear so quickly?'

Bad feelings usually linger, wearing one down until they finally collapse, gradually becoming numb while trapped in a room.

Is that why...?

"I am a bastard of the Heart family."

With a calm mind, she began to recount her story.

The two people looked at Minerva.

"I learned everything quickly. Medicine, especially... I love making clothes and accessories, but I was often scolded for acting like a worker. ...At least, I was told to act like the gentry."

Minerva's genius was evident from a young age.

Because of this, despite being a bastard, the Heart family took her in and raised her, sending her to the academy to become a doctor.

As a bastard, Minerva faced much discrimination within the family and was bullied at the academy.

She said her habit of stuttering when speaking was a result of that time.

"I'm fine now. Master took me in when I had nowhere to go and gave me work..."

"Only you can make this medicine."

Lark had casually given her the formula for a medicine he had never made before.

That was Minerva's first salvation.

"This place is now my home..."

She said this with a small laugh.

Nabia listened quietly to Minerva's words and then paused.

'A bond.'

She felt the bond between Minerva and the Esselred family. It was the kind of bond she had desperately wanted...

Then, Margaret suddenly hugged Minerva tightly.

"......!"

She then opened her other arm and said to Nabia,

"Miss Nabia, come here too."

Nabia blinked in surprise.

"Come on."

Encouraged by the gentle urging, Nabia approached them stiffly.

Margaret embraced both of them tightly and said,

"Hugs are the best comfort."

Isn't that right?

Hugs and comfort.

The words felt so warm and soft, as if they would melt on the tip of the tongue.

Nabia froze at this unexpectedly loving act.

Minerva was the same.

"......Yes."

Then, Minerva also extended her arms and hugged Margaret and Nabia.

Nabia hesitated but then stretched out her small arms to both sides.

'So, I definitely found comfort in this hug.'

When she had asked for help from these people, she felt like she was falling off a cliff, and Margaret had hugged her tightly and comforted her.

The hug was surprisingly calming and provided a sense of stability. It seemed to be the best way to comfort someone, just as Margaret had said.

Nabia told Minerva what she had found comforting, just as Margaret had done for her.

"You said it well."

Minerva slowly nodded.

Tears flowed again.

This time, they were not from inferiority or despair.

They felt like ice shards melting from her heart, quietly wetting her cheeks.

Noticing Minerva's small sobs, Nabia patted her back.

This was also something Margaret had done for her.

Nabia lowered her eyes.

When Minerva had taken the two maids away earlier, their eyes and the atmosphere were not good, so she had followed them out.

They were far worse than she had expected.

'They weren't just amateurs at bullying.'

It was quite deliberate.

They had sent cruel and vicious maids to thoroughly break an eight-year-old.

And Minerva had inadvertently become another victim.

'There must be no commotion. I need to clean this up quickly.'

It was best to handle this alone.

It wouldn't be a particularly just method, and she wasn't used to relying on others.

'They are all good people here, I'm sure. They are good, but... I feel uneasy.'

It was a kind gesture, but honestly, it was burdensome.

She couldn't predict how today's kindness might turn into tomorrow's betrayal.

Nabia briefly mocked herself for being overly cynical.

'Is this a side effect of living too many times?'

People often talked about 'reincarnation.'

What if it were real? Could she go back in time, correct all the mistakes, and lead a more favorable life?

Perhaps she could create a slightly more advantageous situation.

Indeed, Nabia had reduced errors through her multiple lives.

Sometimes, she felt as if the world was in her hands.

She had deluded herself into thinking she was omnipotent.

But that wasn't true.

Nabia was a powerful reincarnator but a weak individual.

An individual cannot defeat a group.

That's why she realized quite early that forming a group was the most advantageous for survival.

However, in a world where yesterday's ally could become tomorrow's enemy, and where allies from her previous life could become enemies in this one, it was only natural.

Nabia finally realized.

The only person she could trust was herself.

'Of course, it would be foolish to hastily conclude that Minerva is a bad person or will betray me.'

But not preparing for the possibility would be even more foolish.

Nabia had died eight times, and such calculations were a part of her life.

So, she often found herself thinking this way, only to suddenly feel doubtful.

Is this really living?

Nabia had her own code of conduct.

Not to give.

Not to receive.

To collaborate for mutual benefit.

'That's the least likely way to be betrayed and the least likely way to suffer a loss.'

But the warmth she was sharing now comforted her while also making her feel deeply fatigued.

This action, which directly contradicted her way of life, made her ponder again.

Margaret gently informed her.

That there are people who will help if you ask.

That while hugs won't solve problems, they can provide comfort.

These were things a past Nabia had longed for.

But now, she wasn't sure.

Nabia closed her eyes for a moment, as if to sigh.

Then, Minerva spoke with a slightly hoarse voice.

"Miss, I'm really fine now."

Minerva, with a red nose, smiled faintly.

"But what about your glasses? They're broken, right?"

In response to Nabia's question, Minerva nodded and said,

"Ah, I have more in my room. And, I need to go see Master, Miss."

Margaret also stood up to follow Minerva.

"I'll come for lunch when it's ready. Rest well until then."

"Yes, Miss Margaret."

After they left, Nabia hesitantly walked to the bed and lay down.

All activities had stopped, leaving her with nothing to do. Just yesterday, it had been bustling, but now it was overly quiet.

'The Esselred estate is indeed a bit desolate.'

But at the Agnes mansion, despite the bustling crowd, Nabia had felt alone.

She had been quite distant from everyone until she held Charlotte's hand.

'Charlotte. Did she escape safely?'

Her thoughts then turned to Edward.

"Once the announcement about the cure is made, society will be in an uproar."

Such a national blessing naturally boosts the economy.

Diana would surely benefit greatly from this.

'The tickets for the magic train were already selling like hotcakes despite the high price, and the competition will only intensify.'

Currently, the magic train runs once a day, with a maximum of 30 passengers.

With the Agnes family officially starting the magic stone trade, it would increase to four round trips a day, with a maximum of 70 passengers.

The tickets were expensive, but they were affordable for the wealthy and idle nobles.

Nobles generally had a lot of free time, as most lived off the taxes from their inherited estates.

They suppressed their boredom with gatherings, and some even deliberately started businesses.

However, once winter arrived, the social season would end, and especially for noblewomen, their husbands or sons would usually go hunting, leaving them with even less to do.

For these noblewomen, 'train travel' became a highly attractive new trend.

A new era brought about by the magic train.

Nabia planned to capitalize on this trend with a business that was bound to succeed.

'For that, I need initial funds.'

She had planned to use the compensation money for the business.

Nabia intended to create a useful business and only receive a salary from it.

'Taking a percentage of the profits would be a foolish act.'

She was only eight years old.

Moreover, she had no guardian.

Without the power to protect it, taking a slice of the pie would be suicidal.

Even if she weren't young, just receiving a salary would be better.

If she could keep the profits entirely by herself with just a bit of silence, which noble wouldn't do it?

'Anyway, this isn't the end of what I have planned.'

She had never exaggerated when she said she could be useful and earn her keep.

'But all of this depends on the Duke changing his mind.'

If she could find something to improve his mood, things might get better.

Nabia waited for Schleman to buy her a coat and shoes.

She needed them to go out.

'I want to grow up quickly.'

So she could hide in a quiet place, live a peaceful life free from anyone's influence, and die comfortably.

If she had to set a goal for this final life, it might be 'to die gracefully.'

To achieve this, she needed to deal with the maids sent by Theorban, keep Esselred alive but in a manageable state, and prepare to run away.

"There's too much to do..."

Nabia slowly closed her eyes.