“Ah, now that I think about it.”
He suddenly clapped his fist into his palm and said—
“Libe, I heard you were quite the sensation at the ball yesterday?”
Me?
I was left dumbfounded by the sudden comment.
But no matter how much I thought about it, nothing particularly noteworthy happened yesterday.
“My friend wasn’t feeling well, so we left early. Nothing special happened.”
As I said that, Paley’s curt face briefly flashed through my mind before disappearing.
‘I did have a bit of a spat with Paley, but that kind of power struggle is common. Besides, the Duke showed up at just the right time to wrap things up.’
“What kind of dress did you wear to cause such a stir?”
Oh, dear.
“It became a topic of conversation?”
“Yes, they said you wore a very amusing outfit.”
“What? Our Libe did?”
My brother turned to me with wide eyes.
“Libe, is that true?”
“……”
“You insisted on going with Leonie no matter what. Was the reason you insisted on riding the Almaz family’s carriage really to sneak past Mother and wear an amusing dress?”
“Of course not.”
I widened my eyes and stared directly at Adrian.
If he had any sense, he’d pick up on my silent plea to stop talking already!
“I’m joking. They said you looked beautiful no matter what you wore.”
“……”
“Really. As if Libe would deliberately wear something strange. Oh, but today you do look a bit dull.”
My brother tilted his head and looked at me.
“Libe, have your tastes changed?”
Why is everyone so interested in me all of a sudden?
“Well, sort of…”
“Libe, by the way, is Adrian telling the truth?”
“Of course, naturally.”
Phew, at least he’s not completely clueless.
Though his mouth is still a bit of a problem.
“Ah, Oliver. Could you bring me that book we talked about earlier? I need it.”
“Sure, I’ll go find it.”
While my brother stepped away for a moment, Adrian, still seemingly curious, spoke to me again.
“But, my Lady, can I ask why you wore a dress in a color no one else would choose?”
“I’d rather not answer.”
“……”
I smiled sweetly and stepped back.
I’m sure he teased Leonie in the same way, driving her up the wall!
“If I upset you, I’m sorry. But after hearing what people were saying, I got really curious. The Libe I know is bright and lovely, and I don’t like seeing you misunderstood.”
“Misunderstood?”
At that moment, one name popped into my head.
It must have been Paley Isley spreading strange rumors about me.
“I just don’t think dresses always have to be pink, yellow, or purple, you know, all flashy colors.”
“……?”
“Dyeing fabric is actually quite a labor-intensive process, isn’t it? It takes a lot of effort.”
I was just saying whatever came to mind.
“That’s true. Especially yellow, it requires rare dyes, is quite expensive, and relies entirely on imports. And purple is extracted from shellfish, but you can only get about 1.5 grams of dye from 10,000 shells.”
Oh, really?
I nodded awkwardly as Adrian continued, now looking thoughtful.
“Libe, did you know? Yellow dye is extracted from the Cobain flower, which only grows in high-altitude regions. But due to recent diplomatic issues, its supply has become unstable. And the shellfish used for purple dye have seen a sharp decline in production lately, causing a lot of talk.”
“……”
“Dyes are just one issue, but there have been many difficulties. Did you hear about this from Oliver?”
No, not at all.
“Because of this, dye prices have skyrocketed. I thought it was impossible to avoid using them entirely, but for the daughter of a marquis to take the lead by wearing a monochrome dress…”
“Ah, no. I wasn’t trying to take the lead or anything.”
“I wasn’t sure how to find a breakthrough, but Libe, you’re truly…”
Wow, what is he even talking about?
Why am I suddenly being seen as some kind of trailblazer?
The truth is, I just didn’t want to look pretty to Gerlach.
I wanted to show up looking a mess to make beautiful Leonie stand out!
It wasn’t for some grand reason!
“No, it’s not like that. I just wanted to show myself as I am…”
“As you are?”
“……”
“So you intended to break free from expressing yourself through external things like jewelry and dresses. My goodness, how did you come up with such an idea?”
What?
No, that wasn’t really my intention at all.
“Libe, you’re truly amazing.”
What’s with this atmosphere?
But regardless of my bewilderment, Adrian looked thoroughly impressed.
“I think I have a lot to learn from you.”
Adrian’s face was full of admiration.
No, that wasn’t my intention at all!
“I feel like I’ve been hit with a revelation. Ah, how should I put it… like you’ve touched upon an incredibly profound issue?”
What did I do to warrant talk about profound issues?
“This is what philosophers always talk about. That humans should value their inner selves more than external appearances. But while it’s easy to say, no one has ever tried to put it into practice.”
Now philosophers are being brought into this?
Sensing this conversation could go on endlessly, I frantically waved my hands to stop Adrian’s words.
“No, I wasn’t trying to put that into practice.”
“But to attend such an event where all of society’s eyes are watching, wearing a dress with no color that even a cat wouldn’t use as a cushion.”
“A-a cat cushion?”
Then Adrian looked at me with an utterly serious face.
“You’re a warrior, Libe.”
“……”
“A progressive and passionate woman.”
Me?
No, I’m not. I’m just someone who wants to live an ordinary life.
Rather than becoming morning dew on the execution ground, I just want to live a long, quiet life.
More than anything, I’m just a modern person who wants to return to reality.
I’ve always hated standing out and taking the lead.
“To be so free from people’s gazes.”
No, I’m someone who both wants and hates attention.
“Libe, I’m truly moved by you. When you were young, I thought you were just a mischievous girl. But now you’re so profound.”
“Ah, no. You seem to have greatly misunderstood something.”
As I stood there stupidly, not knowing what to say, Brother Oliver returned from the library carrying a thick book.
“What are you two discussing so seriously?”
“Oliver, Libe is truly an extraordinary woman.”
Feeling like my head was about to explode if I stayed any longer, I hurriedly interrupted Adrian.
“I saw you at the ball!”
“Really?”
“Yes, you were with my friend.”
I hadn’t meant to bring it up but trying to prevent the conversation from going off track, I had no choice but to mention Leonie.
“Friend? Hmm, who could that be? I met so many people at the ball.”
“Ah, then maybe I saw wrong.”
Thankfully, Adrian didn’t press the matter.
I’ve changed the subject, and the conversation seems to be wrapping up, so I should make my exit now.
“Well, I should get going. My friend isn’t feeling well, so I want to buy some medicine.”
“Are you going to the apothecary?”
“I want to buy some desserts my friend likes first.”
“Then let’s go together. I only came to get this book anyway.”
Adrian smiled, lightly waving the book in his hand.
“It’s fine. I can just go alone…”
“I actually need to buy desserts as a gift too. It would be helpful if you could help me choose.”
“A gift?”
“It feels awkward for a man to go into a dessert shop alone. Could you help?”
When I hesitated, Adrian lowered his fine, straight eyebrows and spoke again.
“Please help. I haven’t been in Mouton long, and Oliver and Libe are the only people I know.”
Oliver recoiled at Adrian’s words.
“Just to be clear, I’ll pass.”
As Oliver shook his head and stepped back, Adrian didn’t miss his chance to appeal to me.
“Please, Libe.”
*** *** *** *** ***
In the carriage heading to the apothecary, Adrian was pleasantly cheerful and quite gentlemanly.
He maintained conversation smoothly, keeping the atmosphere from becoming awkward.
“Wow, really?”
“Yes, that’s how children played in Ostrin.”
“It sounds fun just hearing about it.”
I just realized his voice was quite pleasant to listen to.
Actually, when I first met him, I felt uncomfortable because he teased me and talked about things I couldn’t remember.
‘Since he’s close to our family, it’s better not to stay uncomfortable with him. Plus, he’s Brother’s close friend.’
Just as this familiarity was building, the carriage stopped in front of the apothecary on Zeniton Street.
Upon entering, the subtle scent of dried herbs wafted through like a fog.
“Welcome.”
The apothecary, who was cutting herbs with a chopper in the corner, greeted us gruffly.
“What can I get you?”
He asked me while dusting off his hands and standing up.
His brusque, curt tone momentarily left me speechless.
Ah, what did Leonie say was wrong with her?
Come to think of it, she hadn’t specified what was wrong.
She just said she wasn’t feeling well and had no energy.
As I hesitated and fumbled for words, Adrian looked at me.
“Libe, what medicine did you come to buy?”
“Well, um… she’s not exactly sick, but she said she wasn’t feeling well.”
“So what medicine do you need?”
When the apothecary irritably asked again, Adrian stepped in.
“Please give us something that helps with cold extremities and low energy. Also, something for anxiety and calming effects.”
“Very well.”
While the apothecary turned to get the herbs, I whispered quietly to Adrian.
“Thank you.”
“Don’t mention it.”
Somehow, I felt if I had come alone, I would have babbled nonsense and ended up with strange herbs.
Good thing I came with him.
The apothecary turned back and opened various wooden drawers, placing dried herbs on white paper.
“Brew these separately as I’ve laid them out.”
“Yes, thank you.”
Just as I was nodding repeatedly and reaching for my money—
“Wait.”
Adrian spread the herbs on the white paper with his fingers and frowned.
“Isn’t this Munni grass?”
“What?”
“This herb prevents infection and decay. You’re saying to brew and drink this?”
At Adrian’s words, the apothecary looked thoroughly flustered.
Oh, what? Are we not supposed to eat this?
“Oh my, we have so many herbs in our shop… haha! Just a moment, please wait a moment, customer.”
He rummaged around again and brought out different herbs.
But Adrian still looked displeased.
“Isn’t Pavel mushroom used for reducing fever? Did I ask for a fever reducer?”
“Ah, I’m sorry. I’ll, I’ll bring something else.”
“Just bring dried Azeldino and Folleo flowers.”
“Yes, yes, understood.”
The apothecary, sweating profusely, brought out herbs according to Adrian’s instructions a couple more times.
“He-here you are.”
The apothecary presented the herbs with a respectful expression.
Adrian examined the herbs carefully with sharp eyes once again. While he inspected them, the apothecary stood with clasped hands, watching Adrian nervously.
“You should change your drying method. The roots aren’t dried properly.”
“Ah, yes, yes. I’m sorry.”
“You don’t need to apologize to me, but to the people who use this shop.”
“……”
“Don’t carelessly organize things because it’s bothersome. Classify them accurately according to their effects. Understand?”
“Yes, I understand.”
When we left the apothecary shortly after, I gave a thumbs up while slowly nodding.
“How do you know more about herbs than the apothecary? That’s amazing. Thanks to you, I could buy the right medicine.”
“I just have a lot of interest in it. Hearing you say that makes it worth paying attention to.”
“But why didn’t he give us proper medicine in the first place?”
“At first I thought he was just being careless, but later it seemed he didn’t know exactly what he was doing.”
Adrian’s face had turned serious.
“We can’t leave it like this. I wonder how he’s been selling medicine until now.”
I silently nodded to show my agreement.
“I should report this to His Grace the Duke and suggest revoking the apothecary’s license on Zeniton Street.”
Though I had been nodding continuously, I froze at the mention of His Grace the Duke but clenched my fist without showing any reaction.
“You’re right. It’s terrifying that someone who doesn’t even know what they’re doing has been selling medicine.”
He almost had us give her something meant for external wounds!
As I got worked up with an indignant face, Adrian glanced down at me and covered his mouth with the back of his hand, laughing.
“Do you know what’s good to do when you’re this angry?”
“What is it?”
He smiled, showing his neat rows of teeth.
And then—
“Eating something sweet.”
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