“…Do you really intend to use this place?”

Though called a hut, it was practically an abandoned house. Even the servants’ quarters were much cleaner.

“Yes. I like it here.”

“If you’re not satisfied with the room I prepared, please tell me your preferences. I’ll take note.”

“No! I really like the room. To be honest, I’ve never used such a spacious room before, so it feels a bit overwhelming.”

Her voice grew smaller, feeling somewhat embarrassed. Cynthia smiled brightly and explained her thoughts clearly.

“I want to make medicine for His Highness with safe herbs grown by my own hands. Though they may look like haphazard weeds, these are actually excellent medicinal ingredients. It would be difficult to bring herbs and plants to my room, and this can serve as a workshop, so it’s perfect for me.”

“……”

Mila, who had been on edge preparing for a power struggle, felt deflated.

Her killing intent unconsciously disappeared, and she lost her fighting spirit before those green eyes that looked as gentle as a tender animal.

She could somewhat understand why the normally indifferent Hannah was so attentive to her.

“Since it hasn’t been used for a long time, it will be uncomfortable to stay in. There might be insects and such.”

“I can clean and fix it starting now. I’m used to insects from handling herbs. I’ve slept in worse places, so don’t worry.”

“…I understand.”

Mila’s permission came more easily than expected.

Great! Cynthia happily grabbed her hand.

‘Oh my goodness.’

Noticing something strange, Cynthia’s eyes widened as she looked at the gloved hand.

The skin visible beneath the glove had turned green as if bruised.

She seemed to have scratched the discolored areas, as there were scabs here and there.

‘It’s not intact at all!’

As Cynthia tried to examine the wound with a worried expression, the startled Mila pushed her hand away. Along with a wary gaze came a growling sound.

Realizing her mistake, she stepped back.

“I’m sorry. I was too excited and was rude.”

“It’s nothing.”

Mila shook her head, hiding her hand behind her back. An awkward silence suddenly descended.

Cynthia couldn’t shake off the bitter feeling. Seeing her hide the illness suggested she didn’t recognize her as an apothecary.

It’s natural since her suspicions haven’t disappeared yet. But still…

‘Is she really okay?’

Unlike Cynthia, Mila removed the vines surrounding the blue door with an expressionless face.

“The frame looks intact and sturdy.”

At Mila’s words, they entered the hut, and with a creaking sound, layers of accumulated dust rose in a white cloud.

After waving away the floating dust, Mila touched the magic stone on the wall. A bright light illuminated the room like daylight.

“There’s even magic stone lighting—this is better than the attic room I stayed in as a child.”

Cynthia smiled with narrowed eyes. Mila furrowed her brow with an expression that seemed to say, “This?”

The first and second floors were compact like something out of a fairy tale, with round balconies and a small kitchen where a table could be placed.

Rummaging through the kitchen, Mila spoke with surprise.

“Miss Cynthia, there’s a magical device here for storing food.”

“Really? Aren’t these very expensive?”

It was hard to believe that such an expensive magical device, which even ordinary nobles couldn’t afford, was in this old hut. She silently rejoiced at this lucky find.

“Shall we go up to the second floor too?”

“Considering your safety, we should definitely check it out.”

Somehow Mila seemed more excited, making Cynthia quietly swallow her laughter.

‘There’s so much blue here.’

Cynthia carefully wiped the blue band decorating the stairway wall. For some reason, Kaisel’s eyes strangely came to mind.

‘What am I thinking about?’

Cynthia shook her head and climbed the wooden stairs.

The second floor had a similar atmosphere to the first. The blend of wood and stone was comfortable, with a small bathroom and two cozy bedrooms.

Creak.

When she opened the window that hadn’t been used for a long time, a cool breeze blew in.

“The second floor is a mess. I’ll have to ask the maids to clean it tomorrow.”

Mila said, dusting off the dirt on her head and clothes.

Cynthia nodded slowly. Now that she had examined the hut, she had something to do. She looked at Mila’s hand with a serious expression.

❀❀❀

Since Mila insisted that she absolutely couldn’t sleep in the kitchen quarters, Cynthia returned to the mansion and decided to stay in the guest room.

Experiencing proper bath service for the first time, Cynthia curiously touched her white and soft skin.

A subtle peach fragrance emanated from her body, making her feel happy.

“Once the cleaning is finished tomorrow, I’ll instruct the servants to move the furniture and bedding. If you need any other service, please pull the bell cord.”

“Thank you for your consideration.”

“Not at all.”

“Mila, wait a moment!”

Cynthia urgently grabbed her as she was about to leave with a bow.

“I’ve been wanting to ask, is your hand hurting?”

“…It’s nothing. I’ve had a skin rash since eating ‘palmes’ recently, but it will subside soon.”

“Palmes?”

Cynthia’s voice trembled slightly.

Palmes was a preserve made by simmering palme fruit, similar to apricots, in sugar, and was a jam commonly seen even in the Empire.

While harmless to ordinary people, it was one of the foods that should never be consumed by beastkin, especially caracals, as it caused toxic reactions.

Initially appearing like a skin disease, it could later lead to necrosis of hands and feet requiring amputation, or in worst cases, death from shock, so caution was necessary.

“May I examine the rash area?”

“Miss Cynthia, there’s no need for you to worry. I’ve received a prescription from a physician and applied medicine.”

“…Is that so?”

Perhaps she disliked showing weakness. Her wary voice returned with refusal.

“Then I’ll take my leave now. Rest well.”

“You too, Mila. Get some rest.”

After Mila left, the unfamiliar room was silent to the point of desolation.

Cynthia threw herself onto the bed. With the tension released, fatigue hit her all at once. She didn’t have the strength to move a finger.

“She said she received treatment from a physician, so I shouldn’t worry.”

But I’m still concerned. Cynthia swallowed the rest of her words.

To begin with, there weren’t many physicians who could properly examine beastkin. If Cynthia hadn’t read the original work, she might have prescribed medicine for a simple rash or skin disease.

Since it was still in the early stages and Mila always wore gloves, even Kaisel hadn’t seemed to notice.

The description of Mila with one hand missing in the original work kept circling in her mind.

This won’t do.

Cynthia abruptly raised her upper body.

‘Skin rash medicines are mostly in ointment form. The herbs used are limited, so the ingredients won’t overlap. Perhaps if she doesn’t know it’s medicine when she eats it, it might work?’

The only weakness of caracal beastkin, who could distinguish even deadly poisons, was their extreme susceptibility to sweet things.

‘Let me try making the medicine in dessert form.’

Some might think it’s excessive meddling. But just in case the prescription was wrong, she wanted to cure Mila’s illness.

Cynthia decided to find Hannah early tomorrow and laid back down on the bed.

So many things had happened in just one day.

Meeting Kaisel.

Becoming his dedicated apothecary.

These were things that wouldn’t have happened if she hadn’t taken courage.

Cynthia naturally thought of Kaisel. The piano melody he had played seemed to still linger in her ears.

A beautiful performance that was warm and gentle, as if comforting her. And him, looking at her with eyes as clear as the winter sea.

‘Am I, am I going crazy? What am I thinking about?’

Cynthia patted her face and rolled up the blanket like a snail.

Moonlight flowed in quietly through the window. Strangely, it was a night when sleep wouldn’t come.

❀❀❀

The next day.

Thanks to the maids and servants who came to work at the mansion, the hut entered full-scale cleaning and maintenance.

When Mila adamantly prohibited entry to the hut, Cynthia suddenly found herself with nowhere to go.

Of course, seizing the opportunity, she began making medicine in Hannah’s kitchen.

“Alright, it’s done now, so hurry and take it out.”

“I was able to make it easily with your help, Chef. Thank you so much. I’ll leave the gifts for the other servants here. And yours too.”

At her kind tone, Hannah let out a small sigh and muttered.

“…The mansion seems to have the smell of people living in it these days.”

“What?”

“Don’t be discouraged and make yourself comfortable. The master may be cold, but he’s not such a harsh person.”

Hannah waved her hand, indicating she wouldn’t listen to anything else.

‘She’s truly a good person.’

Cynthia’s steps were light as feathers. A smile spread across her face at the thought that someone was concerned for her.

Leaving the kitchen, the sky was already turning to sunset. After silently gazing at the scene, she turned her head.

“Oh?”

There was a large carriage at the entrance of the mansion. And her eyes caught Kaisel getting out as he opened the door.