The
Beginning of Winter and Cold Prevention 4 (Director's POV)
The one my foolish son brought home was a lovely young lady
with fluffy brown hair.
At the sudden welcome, she widened her large eyes even
further in surprise, yet greeted us politely. Despite being in a place she had
come to for the first time, she seemed to have an undaunted personality, and
her firmly making eye contact with each person left a favorable impression.
Her body was slightly too thin rather than just delicate,
but since she ate the food served to her properly, I was relieved for the time
being that her health condition was not bad. However, the tense atmosphere of
trying to shoulder everything alone bothered me.
What was written in the advance notice was the young lady's
name and the fact that the one who made the Jilgista Kingdom's new
medicine was her. How he learned of such a classified secret, and what he said
to persuade her were both omitted. Thinking to get at least a little more
information, I questioned the servant who brought the letter, and he said he
took her away from an evening banquet and put her straight on a ship.
What are you doing. Your mother doesn't remember raising you
to be a man who abducts a young woman of marriageable age, you know.
While feeling a light dizziness at my son's reckless action,
nevertheless, it was also a joy that my child—who flatly discarded any young
ladies who approached him, reaching the realm of a misogynist from that
annoyance—brought a girl along. It was unexpected that my unintentional mutter
of, 'I wonder if she would just become my daughter-in-law,' spread as a rumor.
Fufu, it was definitely not on purpose, you know.
I left that rumor alone, thinking Ashren would
extinguish the fire before long, but……
They use the same carriage for both going to and returning
from work. When I probed the maids of the separate estate, it seems they are
unexpectedly getting along well, reading books or drinking tea in the same room
after meals. As if to drive the point home further, when I heard that he pulled
a tearful Layla into an embrace and comforted her at the Medicinal
Herb Department, I doubted my own ears. That misogynistic son of mine.
While thinking such things in the corner of my mind, I
headed to the Medicinal Herb Department to consult about the new
medicine, and right then, Ashren and Layla came out the back
door. In Ashren's hands was a large pot likely borrowed from the
kitchen, and on his neck was a woman's scarf.
What is with that sloppy face. Was he a child who made such
faces?
The two of them placed the pot directly on the ground and
put red leaves and stems inside it. Then Layla began to mix it with a
ladle. From that pot, made with a rough process just like children playing
house, a pungent odor that pierced the nose gradually began to rise.
Eh, are they okay? Just what are they making?
Becoming worried, when I unintentionally called out to them,
they said they were making a cold prevention medicine. This roughly? Besides,
this is the first time I've heard of a prevention medicine.
「This is a medicine you drink, right?」
Thinking it felt like it would be a bit hard to drink, I
asked, and Layla shook her head.
「This is gargling medicine. Also, it
can be used as a disinfectant. You can dilute it with water and use it to wipe
tableware, desks, and doorknobs.」
Gargling medicine! That idea had never existed before. The
cause of a cold is due to invisible bacteria, and it is said to be transmitted
from person to person. Because we were always so focused on how to quickly cure
infected people, I never even thought of preventing the infection itself.
「So it's for infection prevention.
That is amazing, I certainly did not have that idea. Moreover, to think it can
be made this easily; let's make a lot of it right away and circulate it in the Royal
Capital.」
「Right. I will go explain it to the
people at the Medicinal Herb Department right now.」
「In that case, I have an appointment
to meet with Reizan, so I will tell him myself.」
If it can be done this easily, I wonder if I should have the
kitchen servants help out as well, not just the Medicinal Herb Department.
We need large pots, so I'll borrow the large pots for expeditions from the
knight order, and perhaps have the knight order make some while they're at it.
As I was setting up the plans in my head, I noticed Layla looking at me
hesitantly.
「What is the matter, Layla? Is
there something bothering you?」
「No, um. But, I don't think I should
say this much……」
Layla, who
usually states her opinions clearly, was stuttering unusually. Tightly gripping
both hands in front of her chest and letting her gaze wander, seeing her like
this was rare.
「What is wrong, Layla? If
there is anything bothering you, please tell us anything.」 「That is right, do not hold back. Besides, I am the one who
will ultimately decide whether to adopt the idea, so you do not need to worry
about things like responsibility or your own position.」
When I said that, Layla looked back at me with wide
eyes. What is the matter, to be so surprised. Ah, surely no one had ever said
such a thing to her until now. From what I've heard, her former boss and fiancé
seemed to be quite a piece of trash, after all.
「Thank you very much. Actually, I
proposed this in the Jilgista Kingdom as well, but I was scolded and
told it wasn't within my domain to think about, so this might be an
overstepping opinion, but……」
Even so, after that preface she said while still looking
hesitant, I was once again surprised by the content Layla proposed.
「Could we not spread the method for
making this disinfectant to the Royal Capital…… no, throughout the
entire country? As I explained earlier, it is a very simple method to make. The
Director said it was like cooking, and that is exactly right; it is a
medicine even a commoner housewife without expert knowledge could make if she
heard how. The ingredients are also just water and medicinal herbs growing
nearby. Epidemics often spread from the impoverished class, but if we sell this
as a medicine, they might not be able to afford it.」
「……Layla! That is an
incredibly magnificent method. You think so too, don't you, Director?」
Oh, son. Why are you so proud as if it were your own doing?
It is true that you were the one who brought back such a wonderful treasure, but
still.
「Yes, I am of the same opinion. We
will use the completed medicine in the Royal Castle for now to confirm
its effectiveness, but in parallel with that, I will advance the circulation of
the recipe.」
「Thank you very much. But…… if we do
that, won't it become a major task that involves not just the laboratory, but
other departments as well?」
It's true; first, I have to pass the talk to the Prime
Minister and explain it to the King and others. Then, hand the
recipe to the nobles of each territory and have them make it known to their
territory's citizens. But, it will be fine.
「It is not a problem. I am here for
exactly that purpose, so leave it to me.」
「Layla, when it comes to moving people, there is no one who can
surpass my mother. Rest assured.」
Looking alternately at my face and Ashren's face as
if finding it mysterious, Layla nodded despite being bewildered. I could
tell her the detailed circumstances, but that is for later. Let us say it's
fine for now.
「Bottling it with just the two of you
will be tough, so I will go call some people.」
「No, if we can just get the bottles, Layla
and I will handle the rest by ourselves.」
My, my, it seems I am playing the third wheel. When I
chuckled, Ashren glared at me. Yes, yes, your mother will be considerate
and leave, so do your best with the rest.
I waved my hand at the two of them and decided to knock on the door of the Medicinal Herb Department.
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