Chapter 3 (Part 9)

“Pardon?”

“Someone I know is looking for someone.”

She couldn’t readily answer. He studied her face closely and murmured.

“Brown hair and blue eyes, seems about the right age too.”

Brienne felt breathless for a moment. He watched her curiously. She barely managed to breathe and looked away.

“Rodrica.”

She spoke the first name that came to mind. He furrowed his brows, seemed to ponder, and then smiled.

“Not the person I’m looking for. Sorry.”

“No, it’s fine.”

He bowed to her and left with the other man. Her heart raced with anxiety. She clenched her fists and hesitated before belatedly calling out.

“What’s the name of the person you’re looking for?”

The man turned around. He seemed to think for a moment before looking at her.

“Brienne. The Messerode family is looking for her. They say there’s a huge reward if she’s found.”

Seeing her silent, he bowed and left the shop. She stood there blankly.

‘Why didn’t I think of this?’

Cardin might be looking for her. He might be publicly searching for her, offering a lot of money.

Her mind was in a whirl.

‘Did they put up posters everywhere?’

Thinking that, she realized she shouldn’t be standing here. She didn’t want to face Cardin, just like she didn’t want to face the creditors.

Then the door opened. Startled, she looked up to see Kelle smiling as she approached.

“Brienne, how was today? Busy?”

“A little.”

Kelle put the herbs she hadn’t finished sorting into a container. She hurriedly spoke.

“I’ll do it.”

“No, this won’t take long.”

Sure enough, Kelle’s hands were quick. She finished what she hadn’t managed to do in no time. She immediately looked at Brienne.

“Recently, the Messerode family designated this area as their jurisdiction, and they’re registering everyone working at the herb shop individually.”

Her eyes widened at the unexpected words. Kelle patted her hand warmly.

“I’ve already been there, so don’t worry.”

“You’ve already been?”

“It’s only an hour away anyway, and I registered for you, saying you were sick.”

“Are you sure that’s okay? If something goes wrong…”

“Don’t worry about me. I registered you as Briselle. Is that okay?”

Briselle. It bothered her a bit because it was so similar to her name, but it was better than her real name. She smiled and answered.

“Thank you.”

Suddenly remembering her earlier anxiety, she asked.

“There’s no drawing of my face around here, is there?”

Kelle shook her head.

“None that I’ve seen.”

At least that was a relief. Kelle looked at her face and spoke.

“It seems like the Messerode family is indeed looking for you.”

“……”

“Maybe it’s because Cardin is officially taking over the Messerode family…”

“Do you know much about Cardin recently?”

“I don’t know much. Just what customers say or rumors floating around.”

She felt uneasy. If Cardin had designated this area as his jurisdiction, it meant it was under his control.

“I heard they’re trying to designate the area near Romseed Village as their jurisdiction, interacting with the local nobility.”

“……”

“Oh, come to think of it, it seems like knights wearing the Messerode family crest are patrolling too.”

“Knights?”

“Some people like it. Since the Messerode family is governing here, it seems those knights are occasionally stationed.”

“Are there knights patrolling this village too?”

Brienne usually didn’t wander around the village much. Even if she left the house, it was only towards the forest, and Kelle mainly handled grocery shopping or village matters.

“No, since it’s a deep mountain village, they don’t seem to come here.”

That was a relief. Yet, her heart raced with lingering anxiety.

‘Should I leave this place soon too?’

Completely leaving Romseed Village for a place so far that Cardin couldn’t reach. As she quietly thought, Kelle spoke.

“Brienne, this medicine.”

What Kelle handed over was a red medicine.

“Is this the new infertility medicine?”

“Yes, I added the herbs you mentioned this time. So I’m more hopeful.”

Brienne nodded and took the medicine. Kelle watched her for a moment before speaking.

“You don’t skip your periods, do you?”

“Yes, the medicine I took before didn’t have any side effects either.”

“That’s a relief. I try not to put too many herbs in to avoid side effects. I try to make sure each herb can bring out its own effects.”

Kelle seemed to remember something and looked at her.

“Come to think of it, they’re gathering people similar to you separately. They said they’re going to the Messerode townhouse in Devok.”

“Townhouse?”

“I heard Cardin is staying there these days. Maybe because it’s the social season. Anyway, you should avoid going out as much as possible.”

Brienne nodded. The mention of the social season particularly weighed on her mind. She thought the love was over, but it seemed the lingering feelings were long-lasting. Brienne spoke without realizing it.

“If it’s the social season, they must be looking for marriage partners, right?”

“That’s right. Around this time, all the nobles head to Devok. Married ones might want to strengthen ties with the royal family, too.”

Although Cardin might want to kill her, she found it surprising that somewhere deep in her heart, feelings for Cardin remained.

Just then, the door jingled open, and a man with a long beard entered. He asked immediately upon arrival.

“I’m here to place a large order for medicine. Is that possible?”

Occasionally, large orders came in. Kelle smiled brightly and asked,

“It’s possible. How many are you looking for?”

“I need about 100 cold medicines. I know it can’t be done immediately, but can I pick them up a few days later?”

“It can be done today.”

Kelle quickly checked the clock and turned back.

“Please wait for just 3 hours.”

He nodded.

“Then I’ll come to pick them up in 3 hours. Can I pay in advance?”

“Yes, of course!”

Kelle cheerfully gestured to her to calculate the cost. She quickly started grinding the herbs commonly used for cold medicine. It seemed today would be a very busy day.

* * *

By evening, Kelle had bought not only expensive apples but also pork and wine. She hummed a tune as she busily cooked. Brienne helped by preparing apples and washing vegetables. Once the cooking was done, Kelle sat at the table with a wine glass.

She poured wine into her glass.

“It’s all thanks to your help, Brienne. Thank you.”

“Oh, it’s all because of your skill in making medicine, Kelle.”

Kelle smiled and raised her wine glass. Brienne clinked her glass against hers, recalling Cardin’s previous actions. Kelle smirked and drank the wine. She seemed particularly happy today, which made her drink more.

Previously, Brienne couldn’t even drink beer properly, but today, the bitterness went down easily. Kelle’s laughter grew louder as she became merrier. Then there was a knock at the door. Kelle tried to stand up with a hiccup, but Brienne stopped her.

“I’ll go.”

“But if it’s a stranger…”

Kelle seemed dizzy and lowered her head for a moment. Brienne quickly got up, checked outside the window, and opened the door. Fortunately, it was the postman who often came. He glanced inside and gestured to her.

“Looks like Kelle is in a good mood today?”

Brienne nodded and accepted the letter he handed over. Only the recipient’s name was written, not the sender’s. She had a bad feeling, just like when she received letters from her father. Then the postman asked,

“Brienne, are you free this weekend?”

She looked puzzled, and he quickly added,

“I got a ticket to a play, and it seems boring to watch it alone.”

Their eyes met, and the postman shyly smiled. His ears were unusually red, as if something exciting was happening. Her heart sank for a moment. The fact that the postman delivered a letter late at night and often helped carry heavy boxes now seemed to have a purpose.

‘I thought he was just a kind person.’

Brienne gripped the letter tightly and spoke.

“I’m busy drying herbs and working on the weekend.”

A breeze passed by. It softly tousled her hair, and the postman remained silent. Brienne was about to greet him and go back inside when his voice rang out.

“Don’t you feel suffocated staying in a place like this?”

She looked up, and the postman hurriedly spoke.

“Not that this place is bad, but you have great skills and beauty to just stay here…”

He blushed as he spoke. For a moment, Brienne thought of Cardin. 

Did he see me that way too? 

As she stared blankly, his hurried voice sounded.

“Then, I’ll be going.”

He quickly retreated. Even as he left, he seemed busy adjusting his mailbag. She watched him absentmindedly and turned around. She was about to turn the doorknob when she saw the letter in her hand. A letter with only the recipient’s name. She didn’t want to read it inside the house.

She wanted to sort out the uncomfortable feelings she’d had outside. She tore open the roughly sealed envelope, and a thin letter slipped out.

Come to Devok.

Your life depends on it, by tomorrow at 10 AM.

14-6 Lotras Street.

You know where it is.

The hurried handwriting, the commanding tone. She could immediately tell it was from her father without much thought. Her life depended on it. 

What had he done this time? 

Her hand trembled as she held the letter. She was about to tear it up but stopped.

‘I should just burn it in the hearth.’

After taking a deep breath, she went inside to see Kelle asleep on the table. She walked to the hearth but couldn’t easily move her hand. She hadn’t even repaid the debt properly yet. If her life depended on it, it meant her father had caused even more trouble.

‘Perhaps it’s better to meet him and settle things.’

She wanted her father to repay the debt now. She didn’t want to live with guilt anymore. Her grip on the letter tightened. Moreover, since her life was at stake, she was curious about what her father had done. She was sick of the debt.

She took a deep breath and put the crumpled letter in her pocket. Since she had made up her mind, it seemed best to leave in the morning.

Resolving herself, she cleaned up the table and managed to lay Kelle on the bed. After leaving Kelle’s room, she went to her room to pack her things. Then she sorted and organized the ingredients Kelle had ordered.

By the time she finished, it was 5 AM. There was a considerable amount of herbs piled in front of her. It was enough for Kelle to make the ordered medicine and more.

Brienne placed the letter she had prepared on the table and left the house with her bag. There were no lies in the letter. She promised to meet her father, settle things, and definitely return. It was like a promise to herself.

<To be continued in Volume 2>