A Genius Pharmacist Whom the Empress Is Obsessed With

For the Hat (2)

Even at this early hour when not even the birds were chirping, Eden began the day.

With piles of things to do, he couldn’t just sit still.

“I need to tidy up the house, do the laundry, make medicine, and oh, I need to buy necessary items too.”

Among them, the most urgent task was obviously cleaning up the house. He had hurriedly cleared away the damp and rotten things last night, but it was still impossible to finish it in just one or two hours.

“Since Sion and my wife are sleeping, I can’t do anything noisy.”

After placing a water kettle on the bonfire, Eden began using his dagger, which he used to refine herbs, to cut down the overgrown grass around him.

“…Do pharmacists have to do this kind of work too.”

“No, absolutely not,” Edun said, laughing in dismay at his own audacity, but he did not stop his hands. Doing his best for each patient he took in was his belief.

“Later, I’ll make lots of candle lanterns with Sion,” Edun muttered, looking at the pile of grass that had accumulated.

For commoners who couldn’t afford beeswax candles, these grass-made candle lanterns were the only source of light. Grass was a plant that could be easily found in damp places, and after being thoroughly dried, it could be used as a substitute for candles when dipped in oil.

How much time had passed? As the sun approached the zenith, Sion rubbed his eyes with one hand and revealed himself.

“Good morning, sir.”

“Yeah, I slept well.”

Contrary to his answer, Edun had not slept a wink last night. He was cautious when leaving the village, but someone could have been following him.

“Considering her eccentric personality, it’s quite possible.”

In case of any unforeseen circumstances, Edun had to stay on guard all night.

“Did you sleep well, Sion?”

Instead of answering, Sion nodded. With furrowed brows and blinking eyes, he still seemed groggy.

“You’re probably hungry. Do you want something to eat? Or would you like to sleep more? You slept late yesterday.”

“I want something to eat. Although I’m a bit sleepy, if I sleep more here, Mom will get angry.”

Edun handed Sion small pieces of dried meat and a warm cup of tea.

“Do you know how to eat?”

Sion nodded and put a piece of dried meat in his mouth, then sipped the tea.

“By the way, is your mother awake too?”

With puffed-up cheeks, Sion nodded.

“Then I’ll go see your mother. I’ll leave the dried meat here, so if you need more, eat it.”

It had been over eight hours since he applied the medicine. It was time to observe the patient’s condition at least once. It was not only to check if the medicine was working or if there were any side effects.

“Madam, may I come in?”

Edun raised his voice in front of the house. It was important to see the patient, but entering the house without a word could create an awkward situation.

“Oh, yes. Please come in.”

After hearing a rustling sound for a moment, soon the woman’s response came. Edun entered the house with a boiling tea kettle and a clean cloth.

***

“Did you sleep well?”

“Oh, yes.”

The woman, who was diligently straightening her clothes, bowed deeply as she replied. For some reason, her ears and the back of her neck were flushed.

“Madam, is your clothing uncomfortable, by any chance?”

The woman was borrowing Idun’s clothes.

Last night, when she returned after a clean wash, she was still wearing dirty clothes and a cape, and it was truly mind-boggling.

“I was short-sighted.”

It wasn’t just about giving medicine, I should have also given her clothes.

It was unlikely that someone living in a place like this would have clean spare clothes. Idun reproached herself and gave the woman her own clothes.

“If the clothes are uncomfortable, shall I give you a different one?”

“Oh, no. It’s not uncomfortable. It’s just that…”

“Just that?”

“I didn’t know last night, but now that I see it, this is such a nice outfit for me to wear. If I were to dirty this clothes by wearing it…”

“It’s okay. We can just wash the clothes. Please feel free to relax. You are my patient.”

At Idun’s words, the woman forced an awkward smile. There was still a hint of something bothering her.

“We don’t need to get closer, but it would be difficult if the patient finds me difficult.”

Before the atmosphere became even more awkward, Idun quickly changed the subject.

“By the way, Madam, did you feel itchy a lot last night as well?”

“No, no. I slept well for the first time in a while.”

The woman said while brushing her hands together. Judging by her attitude, luckily there were no side effects.

“In that case, can I examine the affected area today? A proper examination is necessary to prescribe medication.”

After hesitating for a moment, the woman reached out her hand.

Idun carefully rolled up her loose sleeves.

“There’s no unaffected area.”

Looking only at the back of her hand, the redness had noticeably subsided compared to yesterday.

However, numerous scales and rashes still covered the woman’s forearms. Yellow pus oozing from the affected area was also stuck here and there.

“These symptoms seem to have spread throughout the body.”

It seemed like it would take at least one to two weeks, or even more, to improve the woman’s condition.

“It’s… it’s quite disgusting, isn’t it?”

As Idun observed the affected area, the woman hunched her shoulders and spoke.

Idun held onto the woman’s hand, who was trying to pull away, and replied.

“If you don’t find it disgusting, then it would be a lie.”

“…”

“But more than that, I was wondering how I could make a medicine that works better.”

Edun held the kettle with one hand and picked up the cloth with it.

“I’ll start by organizing the wound. If it’s uncomfortable for me to clean or too painful, please let me know.”

“I, I can do it myself.”

“There are parts that you can’t reach or see.”

After checking the temperature of the cloth soaked in water, Edun carefully wiped away the remnants of ointment. At the same time, he injected a small amount of his own vitality.

Whether it was thanks to Edun’s vitality or the warmth of the water, the woman, who was initially awkward, quickly relaxed and accepted Edun’s touch.

“I’d like to take care of her legs and back as well, but it might be too burdensome for her.”

After putting down the cloth, Edun carefully applied the ointment from yesterday to the wound.

“When applying the ointment, you don’t need to apply too much. Just apply it as if you’re lightly soaking it in the water. The arm seems to be fine.”

After handing the cloth and ointment back to the woman, Edun spoke.

“Just clean and apply it lightly on other areas, just like I did. Don’t force it if the scab or remnants don’t come off.”

“Oh, yes.”

The woman, who had a blank expression for a moment, quickly replied.

“After applying the ointment, go outside, have something to eat, and take a walk.”

“A walk?”

“While you should avoid staying in the sun too long, it’s also not good for your health to stay inside all the time. So just take a short walk. I think about 30 minutes should do.”

“…Is this also part of the treatment?”

“Yes. Is there a problem?”

The woman pursed her lips at Edun’s words. From her awkward laughter earlier, it was clear that she wanted to say something but couldn’t.

“It’s okay, so please tell me comfortably. It’s difficult for me to help if you hide it.”

“It’s just…a bit unusual. Usually, pharmacists just make and give medicine.”

Sion’s mother replied with a forced smile.

“It’s not that I dislike it. It’s just… money, I…”

“It’s okay.”

Edun quickly interrupted the woman’s words. It wasn’t a pleasant thing to hear a regretful sound from the patient’s mouth, who should be at ease.

The medication has already been paid for by Lord Add, so please don’t worry.”

“It’s been paid?”

“Yes, so please don’t worry. Oh, and when you apply the ointment, be sure to wash your hands with slightly hot water first. Just wait a moment, and I will bring some hot water for you.”

If they wasted time here, they would only have uncomfortable conversations.

After speaking, Li De quickly got up from his seat.

*

Pina, the mother of Sion, looked at Li De’s back with a numb expression as he left the house.

She was in a dreamlike state.

Not only had the medicine seller personally come to the house, but he had also given the medicine without charging any money.

‘How much is the medicine worth? Is it just a matter of giving it away?’

Additionally, the medicine had been so effective that he had been able to sleep soundly for the first time in a long while, without the usual itching.

‘Besides, if I’m causing you inconvenience, you can just tell me to leave. I’ll even clean up.’

The medicine seller that Sion had brought was not only skilled but also seemed to have a strong character.

‘…There’s no way people just die.’

Pina’s gaze was directed towards the void.

A few years ago, when the illness had first struck, she had spent all her money on medicine from the village’s medicine seller, but the illness had not improved. Instead, it had gradually worsened, from her shoulder to her elbow, to her entire body.

As her entire body became inflamed, the villagers had driven her out, saying that she was cursed, and that she was unclean.

How much blood had she shed when she was driven out, with nothing but the clothes on her back?

She had wanted to just die, but the thought of her son, who would be left alone, had kept her going. Time had passed since then, both living and dying.

“Madam, you should wash your hands here.”

Pina was able to wake up from her painful memories at Li De’s voice. Looking up, she saw a familiar wooden bucket filled with water by the entrance. The bucket, which had been filled with bark and caterpillars, was now clean as new.

‘…Besides being diligent, he seems to be good at cleaning as well.’

Additionally, he was good-looking.

‘I guess there are people like that in the world.’

Pina smiled faintly as she washed her hands in the bucket.

“Why so long? I came to collect the interest.”

Has it already been that time? Leta quickly checked the calendar.

“It’s already been two days. Where on earth is your mind wandering?”

When Leta turned her head, the man who had pushed her aside and entered the office was sitting on the sofa, crossing his legs as if he owned the place.

“…Sorry.”

Leta took out the money from the guild’s safe and handed it to the man.

“For two days’ worth of interest?”

The man checked the money in his pocket and asked in a nonchalant voice.

Leta bit her lip and handed him one shilling. It was the amount of money that could last for a week in most inns.

“Fine. Don’t be late next time. If you keep being late like this, it’ll be trouble for us too. If I make a mistake, that lord who lies in the castle-“

“Shut up! How dare you mention him!”

Before the man finished his sentence, Leta nervously grabbed the vase that was on the table and threw it.

With a loud crash, the shattered fragments scattered on the office floor.

“Whoa, calm down. Your temper has gotten quite dirty since I last saw you.”

Despite Leta’s rough behavior, the man still had a cheerful expression on his face.

“But I have to go since the guildmaster told me to. Don’t be late next time! The guildmaster is scary.”

As soon as the man left the office, jingling his purse, Leta collapsed in her seat.

There was only one thought in her mind.

“I have to find that apothecary no matter what.”

For now, the only way to come up with the money was through the apothecary.

It had already been over a day since the apothecary had escaped. Since there had been no sightings of him in the surrounding villages of Mellow, it was certain that he was still somewhere near Mellow.

“Human trafficking, huh? How on earth did I end up like this?”

As Leta pondered on how she could find the apothecary, she suddenly let out a bitter laugh.