Chapter 18

Her laboratory, which held nearly three years’ worth of research notes filled the room, was a testament to her survival instinct and stubbornness.

‘I want to prove that all my effort hasn’t been meaningless.’

With a gaze full of resolve and conviction, she started organizing her collection of medicines. As she quickly scribbled down a list of herbs she’d need, her hand suddenly paused.

“Come to think of it, I haven’t seen Axion around lately.”

Her fiancé, whom she had hardly heard from since the coming-of-age ceremony, suddenly came to mind.

Even though she didn’t want to hear about him, news of Axion always made its way to her through Viaton, who was also in their social circle. But now that she realized he hadn’t shown up for almost a week, she found it a little strange.

‘No, wait. Why am I even thinking about him?’

Evelyn shook her head in disbelief, wondering if she had lost her mind in the dead of winter.

Only after she finished putting away the medicines did she get up from her chair.

Some of the herbs she had tested recently had shown real promise, so she figured she might as well head out and gather some more materials.

︵‿୨ ₊‧꒰ა ཐི༏ཋྀ ໒꒱ ˚₊ ୧‿︵

Evelyn made her way toward the main square, not far from the greenhouse, accompanied by her escort knight.

“My lady, we’ll only stop by the shop and return immediately.”

Gideon, who made the compromise in a concerned voice, had been her most trusted attendant for years. Having always been in charge of her protection, he remained overly protective of her, even now that she was of age. Despite being only a few years older, he still treated her like a little sister.

“You’re starting to sound just like my mother, you know?”

When Evelyn narrowed her eyes as she replied, her knight wore an exasperated expression but didn’t retort. Of course, it wasn’t as if she didn’t understand where he was coming from. Their destination was a secluded alley off the main street, a spot just short of the seedy underbelly of the capital. He was naturally worried that something might happen to his lady.

To reassure her loyal knight, she flashed him a cheerful smile.

“Don’t worry. I’ll come straight back once I’ve picked up the herbs.”

Once she reached the front of a rundown old building, she tugged her magic robe tightly around herself to keep it from slipping. This wasn’t the sort of place a noblewoman should be seen, so she needed to hide her identity.

“Wait here, Sir.”

“Yes, my lady.”

Since Gideon had agreed to wait outside, she felt at ease and pushed open the shop door. A cheerful bell jingled overhead, and the shopkeeper greeted her with a warm, welcoming smile.

“Welcome.”

“Yes, it’s been a while.”

Despite the shop’s rickety appearance from the outside, the inside was clean and pleasantly well-organized. This shop carried all sorts of rare herbs and medicines you couldn’t find anywhere else, so Evelyn came here often. Above all, since it was the very same shop the heroine in the original story frequented, she knew she could trust it.

Her eyes sparkled as she browsed the rare ingredients in the display cases, but she quickly reminded herself why she’d come.

‘I can’t forget the reason I came here!’

She planned to buy only what she needed, so she spoke in a voice just loud enough for the shopkeeper to hear.

“I’m here for the herbs I asked about before.”

At her words, the shopkeeper stepped away for a moment and then returned with a box in hand.

“These are the herbs you requested last time.”

Evelyn opened the box and, upon checking the herbs inside, smiled in satisfaction. After paying generously, she handed over a slip of paper with a new list of herbs.

“Could you try to find these for me as well?”

The shopkeeper glanced at the paper and nodded without hesitation, as if it wouldn’t be difficult.

“Of course, I’ll have them ready for you.”

With a satisfied look on her face, she adjusted her robe and was just about to leave the shop.

Jingle—

“Ow—”

She rubbed her nose after walking straight into something solid. As she lifted her head, her green eyes trembled uncontrollably.

There was no way she wouldn’t recognize him.

The man standing in front of her was none other than Axion Valentino. Despite his face being mostly hidden under a robe, the vivid red in his eyes was unmistakable.

But it seemed Evelyn wasn’t the only one who recognized the other.

The man, who had been staring intently at her, murmured softly.

“What brings you all the way here?”