The Beginning of Winter and Cold
Prevention 1
One
month has passed since I came to the Kanista Kingdom, which means it has
been a month since I started being taken care of at the Naturi Marquis
Estate.
The
Naturi Marquis Family is succeeded by Ashren-sama's older
brother, and four people live in the main residence: the Marquis's wife, their
daughter, and the Director. After finishing my greetings on the first
day, I am now living together in the separate building where Ashren-sama
lives.
That
being said, whenever I return from work, Karin, the daughter of the
Marquis couple, is always waiting for me, begging me to read her a book. The
chatter of a five-year-old is endless, and sometimes the Marquis's wife also
joins in, making it quite lively.
Winter
is getting into full swing, and as I looked up at the cloudy sky, thinking it
might snow today, Ashren-sama took a sip of his after-meal tea in front
of me.
「Does it snow in the Kanista
Kingdom as well?」
「It rarely snows. Since we are
further south than the Jilgista Kingdom, I think the cold is somewhat
better, but I will have extra firewood prepared.」
「Thank you very much.」
I
was so embarrassed on the day I cried hysterically against Ashren-sama's
chest that I couldn't even look him properly in the face, but now we eat
breakfast together normally. And, having grown attached to Karin, I
still hadn't moved out of the Naturi Marquis Estate.
「Shall we get going soon?」
The
clock on the wall showed our usual time to leave for work. We stood up from our
seats and decided to head to the workplace.
「Good morning, Flora.」
「Good morning, Ashren-sama, Layla.
What are you making today?」
Flora ran over with her eyes sparkling.
For the time being, it was decided that we would make my recipes one after
another, and for the past month, we have continued to compound several types of
medicine a day.
「Let's see, then how about medicine
for stomachaches and chilblains?」
「Ah! That sounds good. Then, hurry up
and write the recipes.」
「Yes.」
Sitting
at my desk, I took out a pen, ink, and paper from the drawer. I proceeded to
write down the necessary medicinal herbs, the process, and the points of
caution there.
「You can make agricultural chemicals
too, right, Layla?」
「Yes. It is winter now, so I am
thinking of making bug repellent and fertilizer once spring arrives.」
Flora peeked at my hands as if she
couldn't wait. Tick was nowhere to be seen, but he must be preparing in
the testing room.
「Flora, will you and Tick handle
the compounding together? I am going to the knight order to hear their
impressions on the medicines we've made so far. Come with me, Layla.」
「Understood.」
We
prioritized making medicines whose effects were easy to understand and
frequently used—such as those for cuts, bruises, sprains, and burns—and the
majority of them were delivered to the knight order. I had never had the
opportunity to hear the impressions of the people actually using them before,
so I am looking forward to it.
By
the way, the Director seems busy making a new medicine for an illness
that spreads in early spring, and she has taken up a position in the corner of
the testing room with a sour face.
The
knight order is at the western edge of the royal castle. It is the furthest
place from the laboratory on the eastern edge. In contrast to me, who was
heavily equipped with a tightly wrapped scarf, gloves, and a coat, Ashren-sama
was wearing only a coat.
「Are you not cold?」
「I would like to say I am fine, but
it is cold. I should have brought a scarf.」
He
had simply forgotten. I found out after being together for a month, but Ashren-sama
has some slightly ditzy moments. It's impossible to imagine from his cool face
and two-faced nature, though.
「I will lend you my scarf.」
「No, you will be cold then, Layla.」
「I will be fine if I pop my coat
collar up. Here.」
When
I smoothly untied my scarf and held it out, Ashren-sama accepted it
while looking a little bewildered. An orange scarf doesn't really suit Ashren-sama,
but oh well.
「Say, Layla, are you using
perfume?」
「No, I am not using any because it
would get in the way of compounding.」
Wondering
why he would ask such a thing, I looked up next to me and saw Ashren
covering his mouth with his hand.
「What is the matter? You are red all
the way to your ears.」
Wondering
if he was that cold, I stood on my tiptoes and pulled the scarf up to the tip
of his nose for him. Then, whatever could be the matter? His face became even
redder than before.
「Layla, is this unconscious or calculated?」
「? What are you talking about? Ah,
are the people visible over there from the knight order?」
There
were many knights in the open, flat area, each swinging a sword. One of them
noticed us and came running over while waving his hand.
「Ashren, it's been a while. Is she your
rumored lover?」
「Wha-」
When
I glared at him, wondering if this guy had introduced me as his lover even to
his acquaintances, he vigorously shook his head.
「Mark, I should have properly explained
it to you. This is the Viscount's daughter Layla Wilbas, whom I scouted
for the laboratory. Layla, this is Mark Lodrin, a bad friend of
mine since our school days.」
The
knight with light brown hair and beautiful jade-colored eyes placed his hand on
his chest and gave a gentleman's bow. Therefore, I also greeted him with a
curtsy.
「It is a pleasure to meet you. I am Layla.」
「I'm Mark. There's no need for
honorifics. You're living together with Ashren, right?」
「I am a freeloader.」
When
I smiled with a twitching cheek, Mark shook his shoulders while
chuckling kutu-kutu. This one has quite the personality too.
「Looks like it's going to be a long
road. Ashren, it's free practice time right now, so be my sparring
partner.」
Saying
that, Mark-sama lightly tossed a sword to Ashren-sama.
「You can use a sword, Ashren-sama?」
「To some extent. I'm going to go for
a bit, so hold onto these for me.」
Ashren-sama entrusted me with his coat and scarf, and ran off as if chasing after Mark-sama. I wonder what this is; that two-faced guy is just like a puppy.
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