149: [Bonus chapter]Harming Her Body

[Bonus chapter]Harming Her Body

Oriana felt relieved that she had at least a day to rest. Looking back, for the past two months, it seemed that she had been almost never at home, and she ventured out farther and farther each time she bade her grandfather goodbye.2

"I will have to inform Her Majesty about the departure plan tomorrow. The Queen wishes to arrange a small event before we leave for Othinia."

"Do as Mother says," Arlan replied.

Lucas nodded and continued to inform him, "Of those accompanying us, we have the Minister of Foreign Affairs as your advisor as well as the team of diplomatic scholars who specialize in international trade and politics. The royal court granted you power to make decisions on behalf of the kingdom and…"

The men continued to talk about various things.

Soon, the prince dismissed his aide, intending to head out of the palace. Oriana decidedly spoke up as Arlan left the study. 

"Your Highness, may I speak a word with you?" 

"You may."

"Since the journey to Othinia will be a long one and I will be accompanying you, I wish to finish my personal business in the capital. May I request to visit my brother who is working at the House of Ahren? There are things from home that I need to give him. Can I visit him today, before we leave for Othinia?"

Arlan looked at Roman. "Arranged for him to go to the Ahrens."

"Yes, Your Highness."

Arlan left while Oriana continued to look at the retreating figure of the prince. Once he left in his carriage, Roman told her, "A ride will be prepared for you in a while."

"Thank you, Mister Roman. Till then. I will go visit my master at the Palace of Oak."

When Oriana reached her master's residence, Erich and Adam were inside the workroom as usual, busy preparing medicine for the King of Griven.

"Greetings, Master. Greetings, Senior Brother."

"You are back?" The old physician did not even look at her. "You succeeded?"

Oriana understood he meant preparing the dementia medicine for her grandfather. "Yes, I did. Thank you for your help, Master."

He waved his hand as if saying it's not a big deal.

"Here, help me measure this."

"Yes, Master."

Erich Winfield was that kind of straightforward person. He would not talk nonsense even with his own apprentice.

After Adam was sent out to run an errand, Oriana shared the news with his master, "I am going to Othinia as part of His Highness's entourage."

"It is best if you get to meet Celia. Even if not, it would be good to broaden your horizon," the physician said. Although his tone was blunt, it was obviously said with good intentions. He didn't want his apprentice to have high hopes of meeting a witch who he himself could barely keep track of. "There is no limit to knowledge. Othinia's climate vastly differs from Griven, and the plants that grow in that region—"

Soon, their conversation turned towards the differences of the plant names amongst the kingdoms, and Oriana learned new things once more. 

After finishing their concoction of medicine, Oriana said, "Master, I am in need of one herb. May I—"

"Get whatever you want. The royal pharmacy is funded enough to hoard medicinal herbs in abundance."

Oriana happily went to the storage where the herbs were kept. 

Sensing Erich's attention was elsewhere, she pulled out the herb she needed. 'I have half a month's medicine with me. This should be enough to make medicine for an entire month. I must be really the God of Fortune's child to discover these last time so I no longer have to go and buy outside. Master is surely too generous to his apprentices.'

Just as she turned around, she was startled to find Erich standing behind her, glaring down at her, his gaze giving her the urge to kneel down and apologize this very instant.

Caught off guard, she could only stutter, "M-Master, this…"

"Since when?" His voice was strict and scolding. "How long have you been taking this herb?" 

"I…that…" Her voice was hesitant, her face that of a sinner. "For more than a month already, Master…" 

"You are a herbalist. You should know what you are doing to your body."

"Mater, I…I know, but I have to, or else—"

"I understand," he interrupted her, "but this should be the last time you will take it."

"Y-Yes, Master!" She pulled out an embarrassed smile. "I won't take it once I achieve my goal."

"You better keep your words." He turned to leave.

"Yes, Master."

When Oriana returned to the Palace of Thistle that afternoon, she found her ride prepared and waiting for her by the servant entrance. She immediately headed out of the royal palace for the city residence of the House of Ahren.

'I wonder how Luke is doing?' She was lost in thought, her gaze on the bustling streets outside the window. For some reason, her heart longed for the sight of the forest, as well as the familiar back of the silent hunter who would skillfully catch wild rabbits for her. 'We are in the same city, but I can't even see him whenever I want.'

After being permitted to enter the Ahren Residence, she directly went to where Luke worked. The renovated extension of the mansion was half completed, and there were fewer people than before. There was little need for hard labor, since the furnishings of the mansion required skilled craftsmen, artisans and interior designers. Luke ought to have been dismissed along with the other temporary laborers, but due to his talent and diligence, he was allowed to assist his cousin Ken in creating furniture.

She found the young man sitting in concentration inside a different room from last time she visited.

Luke had a chisel in hand, immersed in carving what ought to be the facade of an ornate desk. Fine particles of dust danced in the air, yet his strong yet nimble fingers worked tirelessly. A lock of tousled hair falls playfully over his sweaty forehead, lending a hint of casual charm to his focused demeanor.

Her hazel eyes were bright as she approached.

"Luke?" she called for him, and the young man visibly froze in the middle of making a stroke. 

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