Chapter 69

The day after meeting Diora, I received a polite letter of gratitude for yesterday's tea party.

Then, the letter continued with endearing words, expressing that there was still more to talk about.

However, the text was filled with a bit too much concern, wondering if I was worried or if I had been rude during the tea party.

Perhaps she had heard some rumors about me at the palace?

"I feel a bit guilty reading it first."

"Well, if you feel that way, you shouldn't read it."

"But this is part of my job, so I have to swallow my tears and do it."

As I was reading the already opened letter, Levan interjected.

Since he probably wouldn't give me the information I wanted this time, I just brushed him off.

Feeling that it would be bad to wait, I immediately started writing a reply to Diora, thanking her for coming to the tea party and suggesting that we continue our correspondence.

I also added some words of encouragement, mentioning that I was concerned about her brother and that I believed Diora would do well at the academy.

"I really don't find you flirtatious towards the princess."

"Hey, Levan, you're being too noisy. I'll pinch your ear."

"Ah, no! Wait! My ear! Totosu? Totosu, wait!"

Iktu, who had been silent behind me, suddenly moved with fluid grace and pinched Levan's ear, pulling him away.

Levan tried to resist, but due to Iktu's perfect positioning, he couldn't touch Iktu except for the ear, and was led out of the room.

"Is the content that bad?"

I twisted my neck, thinking about the reply I was writing, which thanked Diora for coming to the tea party and suggested continuing our correspondence.

I also added some words of comfort, mentioning that I was concerned about her brother and that I believed Diora would do well at the academy.

"I think it's sufficient."

"Everything necessary is included."

Herkoff and Wearrel both said there were no issues.

However, Levan's comment, though not meant to be nasty, seemed genuine.

He probably intended to distract me from probing about the criminal organization, but was there a lack of charm or consideration?

Feeling uneasy, I called the only woman I could ask for her opinion.

"The wording seems formal. For correspondence between a man and a woman, you could add a touch of perfume, use stationery with patterns, or include a small gift. In the text, even if you've already said it in person, repeating a compliment in writing won't hurt."

"Oh, right, I didn't compliment her dress. It was really the first time in a long while, and I was focused on how much she had grown... Yeah, that's it. Thanks, Nomariola."

Even cool girls are still girls, and it was good to ask.

I added that her orange hair with white flower decorations suited her well and that her manners had become even more beautiful.

"Levan, here. Please deliver it."

"Oh, it's a bit better now. Huh?"

He glanced at Nomariola, who had just appeared.

Yes, I'm less considerate than Levan.

Under Iktu's pressure, Levan didn't say anything more impolite and left without giving any information.

To control the criminal guild, I need personnel, which I can't provide.

So, I understand that I need to wait for the movements of the Strategus Marquis, but it's frustrating.

Yeah, but now I need to deal with the new issue.

"Nomariola, are you feeling unwell? You seemed tired this morning."

"......No, it is not something for the First Prince to be concerned about."

She didn't deny feeling unwell.

The first time I saw her today was when I woke up, and it was dark, so I only heard her voice.

I noticed something was different during breakfast.

"Nomariola, if you're feeling too unwell, you can take the day off. Even if you're just on standby, it might be better to go home and rest."

Nomariola is a double agent.

She might be in a constant state of tension, and the unfamiliar situation might be tiring her.

When I showed concern, she raised her blue eyes, which was unusual.

"Is it alright?"

"Oh, you're feeling better?"

The dark atmosphere was instantly lifted, but she seemed to want to go home.

"Is there another reason besides feeling unwell?"

"......My younger sister has been unwell since this morning. We only have one attendant, and she can't always be with us."

So, she was worried about her sister, which explained the dark mood.

I remembered Felle suddenly looking unwell.

"What are her symptoms? Her lungs are bad, right? Does she have a fever? How's her appetite?"

I asked out of concern, and Nomariola, who wanted to go home, answered calmly.

Her breathing sounds are abnormal, and she complains of shortness of breath, which often worsens during seasonal changes.

She doesn't have a fever, so it's probably asthma, and she's ten years old, so it's childhood asthma.

"Hmm......Oh, right."

I moved from the golden room where I was writing to the emerald room to find what I needed.

Actually, my mother in my previous life had asthma.

Unlike children, adults can become hysterical and say they're going to die.

It must be painful, but I eventually stopped worrying and left her alone.

Seeing Nomariola's concern, I felt guilty about my past behavior.

When I took out a medicine, the usually quiet Sefira asked a question.

(What will you do with the incomplete elixir?)

(Well, even if it's incomplete, don't you want to test its effectiveness? We don't know if it will work for Felle. Keeping it just takes up test tubes. Oh, this might work too?)

I made an imitation elixir to try to cure Felle's allergy, but the materials and method were still incomplete, and the listed materials are actually toxic, which is scary to use.

This is a substitute made with non-toxic materials, but it should have some healing effect.

"Nomariola, I think you'll be harassed if you just take the day off and leave the palace, so I'll send you on an errand and you can go home afterward."

I said this and handed her the incomplete elixir.

"Have this appraised by a pharmacist you know. If it's effective, you can use it on your sister or sell it to see how much it's worth. Since I'm not familiar with the market, I'll leave it to you."

"Huh?"

Not understanding, I made Nomariola hold the test tube.

"Oh, and return the glass test tube. Since this is a test, I'll give it to you. Try smelling it."

I then took out a small glass bottle of oil.

When you smell it, a refreshing scent rushes through your nostrils.

It's menthol oil.

I made it to add a scent to alcohol, but it was too strong.

So, I thought I'd use it in a bath on a hot day, but it doesn't get that hot here in summer.

"Some people don't like this scent, so if she likes it, she can apply a little to her chest or hands. The best way is to soak a cotton ball and let her smell it. The scent will dissipate quickly if the cap is left open."

Nomariola still didn't understand the situation as I explained.

"Anyway, this is a test of my alchemy products. Just have it appraised and report the results. You can go home as soon as you're done."

"O-Okay?"

"Come on, your sister must be worried. Go quickly."

"Okay."

This time, she answered firmly.

She seems like a good older sister, despite her cool demeanor.

I saw Nomariola off as she retreated to the red room.

"Your Highness, was that the incomplete elixir?"

"It's a good opportunity to test it, but I wonder how much she'll report."

"We don't get sick or injured, so we haven't had a chance to test it."

As Iktu said, it had been left untested.

We had even considered testing it on Levan, who had been impolite.

"I hope her sister gets better."

"Yeah. ...But I don't like that smell."

"Me neither."

Actually, the menthol oil was very unpopular with the weres, Wearrel and Herkoff.