OPDPS 84

He hadn’t done anything special. He’d simply gone to meet someone he knew, and ended up helping out when asked.

‘I mean, what else was I supposed to do for someone who collapsed from overwork? Of course I made a fatigue recovery tonic.’

While he was at it, he’d made enough for Feyers and Loly to try as well—that was all.

‘That’s just… just being a little kind, isn’t it? Is that really enough to cause this much fuss?’

Now, it was said that there wasn’t a single person working in the outer quarters who didn’t know Aeryl’s name.

‘Why…?’

No matter how he looked at it, it could only be described as a perfect storm of bad luck. It was during preparations for winter, the tonic had initially only been distributed to departments leaders, and a few coincidences had stacked together to bring this about.

Even if he’d tried to manipulate things to become famous, it wouldn’t have gone this well.

‘My plan to live quietly and unnoticed…!’

What was even more terrifying was that winter hadn’t even properly begun yet. Who knew what would happen next? The remaining days filled him with dread.

“Um, I thought just asking you with words might seem insincere, so I came prepared.”

The outer quarters physician rummaged in his bag and pulled something out—a heavy pouch and a folded sheet of paper. Aeryl took them absentmindedly and was startled.

“This is… gold?”

The pouch was full of gold coins. Pure gold, at a glance.

“It’s a contract for the recipe of your recovery tonic. I was told this kind of thing should be done properly. The gold is a down payment.”

“Wait just a second.”

Aeryl opened the contract slightly, saw the amount written there, and quietly folded it back up. How much is this even? Now it was just scary.

“Is it not enough? If you need more, I’ll need some time to convert more funds…”

“No, no.”

This guy has such a calm face, but he’s coming at him like a lunatic. Aeryl barely held onto his sanity and quickly recalled the one magic word that could calm him down.

“The Grand Duke.”

“Yes?”

“Does His Grace know about this?”

“Ah…!”

The physician let out a cry. Judging from the reaction, he’d acted on his own.

‘Wait, so this is all his own money?’

Aeryl couldn’t help feeling a twinge of envy. He’d saved some money before running away, but most of it was gone now—he was basically broke. He even considered pretending not to notice and accepting the gold, but this was too much money to take lightly.

“Talk it over with His Grace first.”

“Then you’ll share the recipe?”

“Yes. Let’s do that. From now on, you can just make it directly in the outer quarters infirmary and distribute it yourselves.”

That would be better for Aeryl, too. If the infirmary could supply enough tonic, people would eventually forget his name.

“Thank you so much. Sharing your secret recipe like this must take great generosity. I’ll make sure your name is officially recorded—so everyone knows it’s yours.”

“No! That’s not necessary.”

“Why not?”

“What does a name matter?”

He was living in hiding, having run away from home—what good would it do for his name to be known? Fame would only bring trouble.

Thank goodness it’s such a common name.

“Aeryl” had been a trendy name for children his age. It was so common that if someone asked, “Do you know Aeryl?” the usual reply would be, “Which one?”

It was also proof of the emperor and empress’s indifference, which had contributed to his decision to flee. When preparing his false identity, he’d found the perfect fallen noble house with a boy named Aeryl in it. Changing his name would’ve seemed more suspicious, so he simply kept living as Aeryl Aden.

Thanks to that, no one connected the current Aeryl with the infamous youngest prince people gossiped about.

‘Still, I should be careful. Earning money and becoming famous can come later.’

Right now, Aeryl simply wanted to keep his head down. But to the outer quarters physician, who didn’t know the story, that looked very different.

‘He’s not obsessed with fame!’

In this era, fame was everything for a physician. With so many frauds and quacks around, patients only trusted doctors who were well-known for their skill. In this field, reputation translated directly into wealth and honor. That was why those who volunteered for the Great Purge had become so popular.

As a result, many physicians forgot their duty and pursued fame above all else.

For someone so young to have such strong principles… It’s admirable. Dedicating himself solely to medicine—it’s a worthy life.

But at the same time, he couldn’t help but worry. He’s still young. He probably doesn’t know how cruel the world can be. He needs to learn to protect his own livelihood, too.

‘If I say something now, he’ll just think I’m nagging. I’ll take care of it myself.’

The outer quarters physician resolved to make both Aeryl and his recovery tonic famous, no matter what.

After parting with the physician, Aeryl went to find somewhere he could think alone. He needed time to sort through the chaos. But since he was in unfamiliar territory, he couldn’t go far. He headed to where the horses were tied.

‘Why do I keep attracting attention?’

Lady Merel, the people in the inner quarters—and now the outer quarters folks too.

At this rate, everyone in the Grand Duke’s domain is going to know who I am.

Lost in thought, Aeryl gently stroked the horse’s muzzle. Sensing his gloom, the horse nudged him in an effort to comfort him. How could such a creature be so kind? He wrapped his arms around the horse’s neck, trying to soothe his troubled heart.

As he let his weary mind rest, an unfamiliar sound reached his ears.

“Oww, owww… I can’t move! My back!”

With groans of pain came a voice he recognized. He had a good guess who it was, and Aeryl hesitated for a moment.

‘I was trying to avoid him…’

But Aeryl couldn’t bring himself to ignore someone in trouble—especially someone who claimed to have hurt their back.

Pushing aside the thick brush, he took a few steps and found the source of the voice. There stood Rynello, awkwardly bent over with a grimace on his face.

One hand looked like it had been reaching for something on the ground, while the other supported his lower back. It appeared he had strained it while trying to pick something up.

‘Knew it was him from the voice.’

But why was he alone in the forest, without any attendants? Aeryl had wanted to avoid him, but now that he’d come across this, he had no choice.

‘Is he faking it?’

The thought crossed his mind, but the man’s posture looked too painful to fake. Pushing aside his doubt, Aeryl hurried forward to support him.

“Try walking slowly.”

“O-oh… Ow. Let’s—let’s sit for a moment.”

There was a rock nearby that looked suitable to sit on. Aeryl carefully helped Rynello lower himself onto it.

“You hurt your back, didn’t you? May I take a look?”

“Please do. I couldn’t even follow His Grace because of this back pain.”

“I see.”

He had been wondering why the man hadn’t gone with the Grand Duke. Aeryl examined his back.

“Where exactly does it hurt?”

“My lower back!”

“Hmm. Have you had issues with it before?”

“No, never! My back’s always been fine!”

Since lower back pain could have many causes, he needed to examine more than just the back. Aeryl pressed gently along his spine, had him move his legs—checked him in various ways.

‘Hmm… what is this…?’

Strangely enough, there wasn’t anything clearly wrong. If they’d been at the Grand Duke’s castle, he could’ve used a magic tool to examine him and figure it out instantly.

‘I still have a long way to go.’

Aeryl reflected on his limitations—but in truth, there was no need for him to feel disheartened.

Rynello was faking it.

He had been following Aeryl around and, after confirming he was alone, had feigned injury to lure him in.

‘To think I’ve stooped to such a pitiful ploy…!’

Rynello was the eldest son of a noble family that had served the Asirion House for generations. He had worked in the Grand Duke’s service, retired with honors, and now presided over the alliance of vassal houses loyal to the Grand Duke.

He had been recognized for his service and still wielded great influence in the outer quarters. Yet here he was, resorting to such tricks. And the reason was simple.

‘So this is the one the Knights Commander spoke of?’

A few days earlier, Rynello had visited the commander of the Black Knights—a customary gesture, treating him to drinks after the hardships of the Great Purge.

As always, their conversation had turned rosy, focused on the future of the Grand Duke’s household. The only issue, they agreed, was the matter of an heir. Naturally, that topic came up again.

Usually, the Knights Commander would get worked up over it, but that day, he’d been oddly quiet.

‘Something’s up!’

Rynello, who had weathered all manner of storms, picked up on it at once. With the persuasion skills honed over decades, he coaxed the truth out of the Knights Commander.

And what he heard was shocking.

‘His Grace has a lover!’

The Grand Duke, who judged people purely by their usefulness, had never shown a shred of affection or emotion. Rynello had worried about him for that very reason.

‘Our lord… falling in love!’

Rynello was overjoyed, like a parent.