# 32
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“I—I'm not sure now...”
In fact, I was a little tempted.
This is because I naturally developed an interest in pharmacy while growing an herb garden with Ted.
In particular, Old Ted was very interested in how herbs were used as medicine and poison, so he taught in-depth how to extract poison, how to make new poison, and how to remove poisons depending on the type of poison.
There is a difference between poison and medicine, so careful and precise work was necessary.
The process was harder and more tedious than I thought it would be, but once I finished it, the feeling of accomplishment was so great that it was extremely addictive.
'Of course, Terenceum is strictly an information guild and not a dark guild that commits crimes, so they never used poison….'
However, they have developed things necessary for their activities, such as a special energy-blocking powder using medicinal herbs.
“It's a pharmacy.”
Although I was interested, I never thought about learning it formally.
“Everyone, please leave now.”
At that time, the Duke looked at the others with a frightening look as if he was going to bite them.
“You stay.”
Naturally, I was about to follow him, but I stopped.
Following his gaze, she quietly sat on the sofa and waited impatiently for the Duke to speak.
'He's probably suspicious.'
This was something I had been worried about ever since I solved the problem, Master Valerie.
Not only because of what happened at the banquet, but also because I thought about the antidote I said without thinking, I felt that it was bigger than I thought. But there was no regret.
If I think of it as helping Diana and the Duchess, who have been so good to me, and repaying my debt to the Duke of Elade in a small way.
“I only heard that a while ago, but the herb I discovered sounds absolutely amazing.”
I swallowed and answered.
"Yes . … ".
“If the cultivation is successful, not only medicinal herbs but also cures will be developed and sold throughout the empire under the name of Duke Elad.”
“Oh, that's great, the duchy's reputation will increase.”
"So what do you mean? What do you want?"
“Many people praise the Duke...don't they?”
While I was doing my best to answer, she asked again in a daze.
“It is a valuable herb, so you should get your share of what I found. Of course, I don’t know how long it will take to cultivate it successfully, but if I make a profit, you will definitely get a share of it as well.”
For a while, I wondered how to overcome the Duke's doubts.
I blinked at the unexpected words.
Duke Elad was the lucky one, not me.
‘Otherwise, Spliceia would not have grown in the Duchy Castle.’
I discovered this by accident.
I gave a little hint, but in the end, it was Duke Elad who made the investment and it was his descendants who did the research, so I thought it was only right that all the success results go to Duke Elad….
“You didn't think you'd get your share, did you?”
The Duke, who correctly interpreted my astonished expression, shook his head as if it were ridiculous.
“This is ridiculous, how can you live in this world if you are so naive? Anyway, if you need anything, let me know, the previous offer still applies, if there is something you want to learn, whether it is medicine or magic...”
“I have, I have what I want!”
I raised my hand when a sudden thought occurred to me.
The Duke's eyes lit up at my excited look and he moved his body forward.
“Well, what is it?”
“Maid uniform!”
". … What?"
I said it sincerely.
“I've told the butler several times, but he hasn't given me clothes that fit me, so I have no choice but to wear these expensive, but uncomfortable dresses for work. Oh, you don't have to spend so much! I will wash them cleanly every day and wear them carefully, so can you make me two pairs?”
As soon as she finished speaking, the Duke frowned.
The deal was successful.
* * *
“This is very funny.”
I stood in front of the mirror wearing the maid uniform he gave me.
Since these were clothes for a young servant, it would be no problem at all if they were made two sizes larger to account for future growth.
I really liked the maid's uniform, which was an elegant black dress that fit my body perfectly and had a white apron attached, which was very comfortable.
I had dressed as a maid of the Duchy of Elad on a mission before, but it seemed completely different than now.
In particular, I felt very strange when I saw the Duke of Elad crest embroidered in blue on the right chest.
Since Terenceum is an information guild where security is important, there is a mark left when an order is received or completed, but there is no way to reveal affiliation, like a uniform like this.
There was nothing special about the uniform I wore when I was running the café on the first floor of the guild headquarters, so I somehow felt like I belonged….
“Ha!”
How special this is!
It is a pattern that can be found on all the clothing of the Duke's servants.
I quickly shook my head, preparing myf to give up without even realizing it.
But my eyes kept turning to the mirror. I don't usually look in the mirror...
“After all, strength is good.”
Well said to the Duke.
When I shamelessly proposed this to the Duke's servant several times, the payment for the maid's uniform was delayed for various reasons, but when I asked the Duke, I got a lieutenant in less than two days.
“Besides, we made a lot of spare parts, so I told you to let me know right away if it gets torn or gets a little dirty.”
However, I had to act wiy as a maid, and I had no intention of dressing carelessly.
I smoothed out the model again and turned around to prepare for final glazing.
On the bed were a luggage bag and the dress Diana had worn at the last banquet.
“It was covered in drinks and food, so I thought I would take off the jewelry and throw it away.”
Whatever the Duchess did, the dress was restored to its original condition.
Originally, she thought it was an expensive dress, but when she found out that the price was enough to tilt the family's power, she was only surprised.
“Now that I think about it, I think I can survive for a few months even if I take off this jewelry and l it.”
When I saw the sparkling jewelry, my heart skipped a beat for no reason, but I really had no intention of ling it.
It is a duet dress with Diana that the Duchess gave her as a gift!
Moreover, I thought it would take some time to raise independent funds, but thanks to Splicia, I suddenly felt rich.
“No, it's not just a feeling.”
The value of Splicia was so great that the Duke set a bounty on it, money I would not have been able to earn even if I had worked as a maid for 10 years.
He also said that when I go to the capital, he will open a safe in my name in a bank and appoint a separate person to invest and manage my money.
'Besides, the Duke's magicians and advisors are all great, so won't they be able to find a cure soon?'
I wasn't sure how big my stake would be, but I felt reassured thinking I would get paid steadily.
Although it was different from my plan, there was a link that would continue my relationship with the Duke of Elad, but I thought it would be okay because I was not affiliated with the family.
I couldn't hide my excitement, I packed my bags and left the room.
When she came out, all the staff were there, just like when she entered the castle with Diana.
The difference was that there were luxurious carriages, and Rexian knights, legislators and wizards, including Viscount Bardo and Thelin, were lined up standing there to go to the capital together.
They included Diana, who was excited about the trip to D.C. and left early holding Allen's hand, and Jack, who was extremely nervous.
Seeing them all ready to leave gave me a new sense of reality.
“Oh.”
It was the day of departure for the capital.
* * *
"Yes? Was she always so calm and well-behaved?"
Allen, who had hinted to Jack about Leah, scratched his head.
Allen quickly became close to Jack, who had recently become an apprentice jockey, through several sparring sessions.
“I'm not the type to talk a lot, but...I'm not sure if she's quiet.”
He seemed energetic when looking after Diana, and brave when dealing with servants older than me.
Moreover, the speaking skills that motivated Master Valery were not those of an eight-year-old child.
Jack, who heard Allen mutter, kept his mouth shut as well.
When she was in the orphanage, Leah was always a lonely child.
Like an idiot, I can't even say a word even if someone else takes my belongings.
“That's why she was responsible for cleaning the principal's office, which is something all the kids put off.”
The appearance that Leah has been showing lately is somewhat different from what she is used to.
But in reality, Jack had spotted Leah quite accurately.
This is because Leah became more shy after the collapse of the orphanage and joining the ar gang, and even when she joined the guild, she did not have a good relationship with her classmates.
The guild executives felt sorry for Leah and taught her different things and taught her their own way of living.
For example, how to bully someone who ignores me impatiently, or how to easily buy others' favor with words.
Furthermore, to mock the rude gentleman, he said things like “He's handsome, he's gorgeous, he's the best!”
Not knowing that it was a joke under the guise of training, the naive Leia would often embarrass the master and bring joy and pleasure to the executives.
Jack, not imagining that Leah's personality had changed after spending so much time with the older executives, concluded that he simply did not know Leah well.
“I don’t know either, actually, I’ve only talked to Leah a few times.”
"Good . … ?"
Allen narrowed his eyes after hearing Jack's answer.
They said they had been in the same orphanage for several years, but if all they talked about was a few times, they weren't even close, let alone close friends.
But that child harasses Jack and asks his father to call him to the Knights.
“...Is it because of this expression?”