Thanks to Hannah, who was harsh in words but compassionate in her own way, Cynthia got a chance to explore the mansion.

However, seeing the large but gloomy mansion, she couldn’t help but sigh.

“Is there no garden?”

To feed bushclover to Kaisel, she needed to create a greenhouse or open space to grow herbs, but it was frustrating that there was no place to grow plants anywhere.

After passing through a colonnade with large pillars, a path created by a tunnel of maple trees appeared behind the mansion.

Green leaves swaying in the night breeze breathed life into the desolate mansion. Only then did she feel like she could breathe.

‘Huh?’

Cynthia doubted her eyes for a moment.

Using a large maple tree as a support, there was a shabby and old hut on a small hill.

It was covered in dust and cobwebs from long disuse, and around it, herbs and medicinal plants grew abundantly in their own way. But…

‘Bushclover, chamomile, fennel, even lemongrass…… This is a treasure trove!’

Cynthia’s heart raced wildly at this unexpected fortune. Everything was coming together miraculously.

❀❀❀

A carriage as black as if dipped in ink sped along the road.

The straight road was, as always, quiet. Nobles avoided even coming near the carriage of the cursed monster Grand Duke.

Kaisel, who had been looking at documents, turned his gaze beyond the window. The sunset that had spread like blood was gone, replaced by gray clouds.

His deep blue eyes concealed an inexplicable boredom.

“Ugh.”

Suddenly gasping for breath, Kaisel clutched his neck.

The terrible pain that had been dormant for a while suddenly surged.

His throat burned as if on fire and choked his breath. His entire body and head were tormented as if being slashed by dozens of blades.

Groaning, Kaisel gripped one side of the seat firmly. The armrest, unable to withstand the strong force, crumbled with a crack.

Gritting his teeth and enduring the pain, he silently took in his reflection in the carriage window.

A face made hideous by black scales.

He could no longer remember what his real face looked like. Well, was there any need to remember? His body was on borrowed time anyway.

‘A monster leashed by the curse. That’s exactly what I am.’

Kaisel self-deprecatingly covered his face with the mask he had put down. His eyes, filled with tedium, stared into empty space.

❀❀❀

Around the time Cynthia returned from her satisfactory mansion exploration, she heard busy sounds from the kitchen.

Worried that something had happened, she peeked through the kitchen door.

Hannah seemed busy preparing food. She glanced at Cynthia and spoke.

“A letter came saying the master will return late tonight.”

“What?”

“When the master returns, the head maid will follow, so you’ll be able to meet her soon. You’ll know if you can stay here by tomorrow.”

Cynthia swallowed hard. Her heart raced at the thought of meeting Kaisel.

Hannah placed refreshments, cutlery, a gold-rimmed teapot and teacups, and wine in order on a wheeled trolley.

Her movements were infinitely slow, suggesting she had pain not only in her wrist but also in her knees.

Cynthia asked with concern.

“Would you like me to help you move it?”

Hannah hesitated for a moment.

While the kitchen area was her domain and fine, bringing a stranger into the master’s reception room was unacceptable.

But she thought it might be okay if she was with her.

Unlike Hannah’s wrist, which had improved thanks to the mysterious compress Cynthia had made, her knee still ached.

Moreover, since this preparation wasn’t something Kaisel had instructed but something she did on her own, there was no one else to help.

After hesitating, Hannah slowly nodded. With permission granted, Cynthia couldn’t miss this opportunity and grabbed the bushclover she had kept in the tea canister.

The two walked down a long corridor with soft carpets and stopped in front of an extraordinary-looking room.

When Hannah opened the door, a completely different palette from the corridor unfolded.

It was an impressive reception room at first glance, with a huge crystal chandelier, soft blue curtains, and intricately crafted marble tables and sofas harmonizing together.

Even without flowers or plants, there was a refreshing and fresh mix of citrus and wood scents.

As Hannah set up the refreshments with familiarity, Cynthia lent a hand. Hannah placed the alcohol and medicine in designated places as if finishing up.

“Chef, is that the Grand Duke’s medicine?”

“Yes.”

Cynthia hesitated before opening the folded medicine paper.

Melissa, lavender, and angelica leaves. All herbs good for headaches. She frowned after smelling the yellowish petals among them.

‘This is retan flower.’

Retan flower was a widely used herb for alleviating headaches and providing pain relief.

However, when consumed with alcohol, it could create toxic compounds that might cause serious side effects such as bleeding in the liver or stomach.

Cynthia’s heart sank.

No matter that Kaisel was a semi-immortal who wouldn’t die from poison, he was still human.

Unceasing headaches and tinnitus.

Moreover, according to the original work, the area where the companion’s name was engraved experienced extreme pain like being stabbed with a sword, causing suffering beyond imagination.

Her feelings became complicated after thinking of Kaisel only as a trading partner.

Even a paper cut stings and burns for humans, so how painful must it have been for him to need to take alcohol and medicine together?

“What are you doing?! How dare you touch the master’s medicine!”

Hannah, who had turned pale, thundered.

Cynthia acknowledged her mistake but was determined not to leave things as they were.

“Chef. I have a favor to ask.”

Cynthia pulled out a ring attached to a leather necklace hidden in her clothes and held it forward.

This jewel with a lavender-colored kunzite embedded in it signified an apothecary recognized by the Empire. It wasn’t for sale and only had value as a credential.

“No way…… You’re not a maid but an apothecary?”

“I’m sorry I couldn’t tell you earlier. Actually, I came here because I can make medicine that suppresses the Grand Duke’s curse.”

She could feel Hannah’s bewildered gaze.

“There have been many physicians and apothecaries who came claiming to break the master’s curse. They all had their heads cut off before crossing the threshold.”

“I know that too.”

Hannah wasn’t doubting Cynthia’s skills. Seeing how she, who usually detested the smell of herbs, readily accepted the medicine, Cynthia must be a good apothecary.

But weakening a curse wasn’t such a simple matter.

“What…… exactly do you plan to do?”

“This medicine becomes poison when taken with alcohol. We need to remove both the medicine and the alcohol.”

Hannah swallowed her breath. She vaguely knew the mansion’s physician was incompetent, but no one had questioned him because he was from the imperial court.

“This could lead to serious trouble. The master is an unpredictable person.”

Despite Hannah’s concerns, Cynthia couldn’t back down. She had come seeking a deal, which wasn’t right, but as an apothecary, she couldn’t stand by and watch Kaisel consume poison.

“I’ll do everything alone and take responsibility. I’m not even formally employed anyway.”

Her trustworthy green eyes sparkled with confidence. After contemplating, Hannah slowly rose from her seat.

“……I’m tired and need to go to bed now.”

“What?”

“You can finish the rest by yourself.”

Then she left the reception room as if nothing had happened.

‘Chef, thank you so much.’

With a resolute expression, Cynthia replaced the prepared tea with the tea canister containing bushclover.

‘I’d rather have Kaisel scold me and call for me. Then I could kneel and explain the situation.’

On the other hand, she might be expelled from the mansion without even talking to Kaisel. But she hoped the luck that had come into her hands would create just a little more miracle.

“I did this all by myself. I have to take responsibility.”

Cynthia picked up the alcohol and medicine.

And before closing the door, she took one last look at the ownerless reception room. It was elegant and classic, but she couldn’t shake off the feeling that it seemed somewhat lonely.

As she closed the door, she prayed earnestly.

Please, let him drink this herbal tea.

❀❀❀

Night fell.

The carriage reached the mansion’s entrance.

Head maid Mila, who had been waiting, opened the carriage door with practiced ease. She greeted Kaisel as he extended his long legs and stepped down.

“Master, did you enjoy your hunting trip?”

“Yes. How did the matter with the Kingdom of Baera go?”

“I’ve just returned after completing it successfully.”

Kaisel, about to enter the mansion, suddenly halted his steps.

His gaze fell on the quarters connected to the mansion’s kitchen.

“It seems we had a visitor while I was away. The flow of magic has subtly changed.”

“I’ll look into it.”

At Mila’s calm response, Kaisel waved his hand with an indifferent face.

“Leave it be. I’m curious what kind of toy it is this time.”

He resumed walking with large strides.

Despite being late summer, the continuous rain had filled the mansion with a chilly coldness.

Arriving at the reception room, Kaisel washed his hands in the marble basin, leaned back on the sofa, and exhaled languidly.