Chapter: 88
Ten gold coins and various other forms of support had been deposited, creating a situation where I had to roll with the punches without any complaints. It was inevitable; after all, I couldn’t just pull off a fast one on the Crown Prince. If I did something like that, no other nation would grant me asylum.
I occasionally wondered if not receiving anything and doing nothing might be the happiest way to live.
‘Well, it was something I was bound to do anyhow.’
From the moment the money was in the account, I mentally conditioned myself. As an advisor, it was only natural I’d be squeezed to do something. In the end, if it’s something I’m going to do anyway, isn’t it better to get something out of it instead of working for free? I decided to think that way for the sake of my mental health.
And honestly, the one who really needs to worry about their mental health isn’t me; it’s someone else entirely.
— Master, have you been well?
As soon as the middle-aged man appeared through the communication crystal and recognized my face, he politely bowed and greeted me.
He was the butler of a mansion where the master spent more time absent than present. In other words, he was in charge of the mansion that would be hosting one prince, two royal family members, and one potential saint candidate.
“I’m good as always. How about you?”
— Thanks to your grace, I’ve been enjoying pleasant days.
The butler’s cheerful response made my heart ache a little. Sorry, but from today, things are going to get unpleasant.
“I’ll be heading back to the mansion in a few days.”
— That’s wonderful news! I’ll prepare to welcome you, even if it’s today!
“And I’ll be bringing some guests along.”
Describing the lineup of those guests took more courage than I expected, especially courage to face hatred.
— …We will prepare with utmost respect for your name.
After hearing that heartbreaking lineup, the butler lowered his head after a short silence. His touching response indicated his intention to obey, but I could see his eyes trembling even through the communication crystal. If the usually composed butler reacted like this, he must be pretty rattled.
“Alright then. We’ll see each other at the mansion again.”
I hastily cut off the conversation, trying to avoid saying anything unnecessary. Sorry, but please understand – I’m a victim too. The Crown Prince is a total jerk, got it?
After seeming to rack up a stack of grudges with that call, I headed to the Magic Tower and sat there, spacing out. I hadn’t yet managed to find a mage to teleport me back to the Academy. I couldn’t even make a reservation since I had no idea when the meeting would end.
Fortunately, the Magic Tower wasn’t too busy these days, so if I waited a bit, I could probably snag a mage. There were times when reservations were packed for three whole days when things were really hectic.
As I studied the floor patterns in the lobby, a shadow fell over me, and when I glanced up, Duchess Mage was staring down at me.
Shit.
I had intended to grab just any mage, but I never dreamt I’d be caught by the head of the Magic Tower herself.
“Baby? What are you doing here?”
The Duchess naturally settled down next to me. Elder, why are you doing this to me?
“It’s okay, sit down.”
As I tried to spring up quickly, she pushed my shoulder, guiding me back down. No, I’m getting up because I’m not okay!
“Thank you, Your Grace.”
“Who makes their guests stand?”
But saying what I really felt would probably hurt her feelings, so I restrained myself. The Duchess is surprisingly sensitive about small matters; perhaps it’s her age.
While struggling with my itch to respond, the Duchess casually brushed her hair off the floor and asked another question.
“When did you come to the capital?”
“I arrived today because His Highness the Crown Prince summoned a meeting. I need to hurry back to the Academy.”
“A meeting?”
From her reaction, it seemed that the Duchess was clueless about what was happening. Well, considering the Magic Tower’s disconnection from the administration, it makes sense she wouldn’t know.
“I’m in charge of a club that’s coming to the capital.”
“Oh dear.”
The Duchess expressed sympathy. Her mere acknowledgment sufficed to inform her of my situation. Rumor had it, my escapades at the Academy had become common knowledge, as well as the characters stuffed in my pastry club.
“The Academy isn’t exactly close to the capital. It must be tough commuting.”
“It’s fine. I decided to stay at my mansion during the holidays, so they just have to come.”
Even the Duchess was at a loss for words after hearing that.
“Stay strong.”
Then, she cautiously placed a hand on my head and began to pet me. If it felt anything like a hand stroking a shivering stray dog, was that just my imagination?
Mother…
It oddly felt like a mother’s touch, warming my heart. It felt as though my injuries inflicted by the Crown Prince and his ministers were slowly healing. Maybe all I really wanted was warm words of encouragement rather than cold support.
I was sure the Duchess sensed my feelings, even if I hadn’t realized them myself. Of course, if I blurted out “Mother” to her, all sorts of magic would spring out from those petting hands, so I kept that thought to myself.
“If you’re facing tough times, let me know. I’ll help if I can.”
“Just your words are enough. Thank you.”
Asking the Duchess for assistance when things got hard would likely only make things harder, I figured.
After a while of comforting my head, the Duchess stood up and told me to wait.
“You should drink one a day. Especially in the morning, it’s better.”
She returned with a box filled with small glass vials and a mage.
“Ah, yes.”
“It’s good for you, so don’t forget to have one every day. Got it?”
“I’ll remember.”
The Duchess smiled, looking satisfied. Finally, she turned and vanished, leaving just me and the mage in the lobby.
“I’ll take you.”
“Ah, thanks.”
The process was strange, but at least I managed to find a mage.
*
Outside the tower, I felt the mana flow shiver. Someone had just teleported away.
How can he be so heartless?
I couldn’t help but feel annoyed that he’d come to the tower without so much as saying hello to me, especially when he must know how much I care for him.
Hearing that my little baby had been in the capital only through the Vice Head’s report, and not by his own greeting, hurt my heart. I had previously expressed how frustrated I was about hearing news indirectly through the Intelligence Head, and here we are again.
I intended to give him a proper scolding this time, but my thoughts shifted when I saw his weary figure slumped in the lobby. How could I possibly scold him when he looked like that?
He shouldn’t be suffering at such a young age.
Seeing his tired appearance rekindled my concern. Was he eating well? Was he sleeping on time? He couldn’t focus solely on work. Was he managing his stress properly?
At such a young age, he shouldn’t be enduring all this hardship. He still has many years to live, and something must go right. But still, I felt relieved he visited now that the potion was ready.
I really wondered when should I hand it over to him.
Going to the Academy would be a hassle, and it would be too significant to leave it to another. I had been waiting for my baby to arrive in the capital, so the timing suited perfectly.
The potion I made for him was crafted from his blood and mine. Naturally, it’s just as I promised him, health-boosting. It was something made with all my heart, containing my mother’s knowledge as well.
If only I had completed this while my mother was alive…
Thinking of my mother made me uneasy. This wasn’t an easy concoction to make. I was lucky enough to create it after a series of miracles, but if my mother had been able to produce it, if she had succeeded while my father was still alive…
“Trixy, you mustn’t suffer the same sadness I did.”
Unlike my mother, who was a pure being, my father had left her side far too early. My mother, too, wrapped in distress, cast aside her God-given life to follow him.
Her last words to me were a warning not to endure the sorrow of losing a loved one whose lifespan didn’t match mine.
That’s why I worked hard to find ways to overcome the limitations of lifespan. I wasn’t sure if I would ever fall in love, but I did it in honor of my mother’s wish and for those who would endure similar grief.
“I humbly greet the honorable Mage Duchess.”
I never expected my partner to appear before I completed the potion.
However, thanks to him, I was able to finish it, and it truly felt like fate. Yes, my life was clearly granted by the heavens for the purpose of meeting my baby.
Of course, drinking one potion wouldn’t yield drastic results instantly. But gradually, it would accumulate, and one day, the intended effects would manifest.
“Several decades…”
I muttered to myself, picturing the time ahead. Right, several decades. I just had to ensure he drank the potion for about 40 years. Then he’d be able to walk by my side.
I’ve already walked alone for over 100 years. Just a bit longer, and I could share the journey with someone. My baby is just twenty-one; I’m certain I can wait that long.
*
The potion’s color was a subtle blend of red and brown. It reminded me of something I’d seen before.
Is that… ginseng?
Since it was said to be good for health, it made me recall ginseng extract. Even the instruction to drink one daily matched exactly. Mother Mage Duchess, thank you for looking out for your son.
Since she had instructed to drink one a day, I promptly opened one and gulped it down. Given that it was made by the Duchess, the effects were likely guaranteed. The faint scent of strawberries wafted through, making it feel more like a refreshing drink than medicine, but either way, I trust the Duchess completely.
And perhaps due to my strong faith in it, the instant I swallowed, I could feel the fatigue slipping away. The placebo effect was really something!
“I’ll drink this every day.”
I wasn’t sure if the effects were instantaneous, but at the very least, if I felt okay, wasn’t that enough? If they were sold in the Magic Tower, I’d have to buy them regularly!
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