OPDPS 95

After returning from a short trip, Aeryl’s daily life underwent quite a few changes.

First of all, Raeler had joined the infirmary. He was staying in the outer quarters with the inventor but had decided to report for work at the infirmary every day. He arrived early each morning to tidy up, assisted as an aide, and studied what he could about dynamics whenever he had time.

Though it technically added to his workload, Aeryl found things surprisingly manageable. He had already handed the fatigue recovery tonic formula to the outer quarters physician, and public interest in the infirmary had gradually faded. Even Lady Merel had quieted down since then.

When he was alone, he read medical texts stocked in the Grand Duke’s residence, hoping to find clues that might help treat him. He also sent letters to fellow physicians he had come to know.

Sometimes he would chat with Young Master Sorel when the boy came by, and before he knew it, night would fall. His days were just busy enough to be comfortable, but his heart wasn’t at ease.

‘I can’t stop thinking about the Grand Duke.’

He hadn’t seen the Grand Duke again since that last encounter. Whatever work kept him so busy, he hadn’t returned to the inner quarters from the outer ones.

Though Aeryl had given him plenty of medicine in advance, it worried him to stop the daily check-ups and observations he’d grown used to. He had even sent someone to ask if he could visit for a brief examination—but had been refused.

‘Why?’

Someone who had gone to such lengths to hide his health problems was now refusing to be examined. That had to mean something more than just being busy.

‘It’s not… because of that day, is it?’

Thinking of that day made his chest flutter.

He felt embarrassed for having insisted on looking into the Grand Duke’s eyes, but at the same time, the memory thrilled him. The Grand Duke had seemed disoriented then—unguarded, as if he had taken off his armor and shown something raw and vulnerable.

Aeryl had seen the Grand Duke’s weakness many times before, but that moment had been different. It had felt like catching a glimpse of Hiello Asirion himself.

‘…Is that weird?’

The thought of the Grand Duke made Aeryl’s face warm up for no reason, and he fanned himself with the paper he was holding.

“Sir? That’s going to crumple the letter.”

“Ah.”

Aeryl came to his senses at Raeler’s comment. The paper in his hand was a letter from his teacher—one he had been eagerly awaiting.

To be spacing out while holding something this important… The letter contained his teacher’s lengthy opinion on the question Aeryl had asked, and they were in agreement.

The Grand Duke’s delayed manifestation and abnormal symptoms were likely caused by psychological factors. The letter included examples from the teacher’s own experience and recommendations for reference books.

Aeryl was about to write down the titles of those books on a separate sheet.

“He says we should meet sometime soon… Is he planning to come all the way to the duchy himself?”

He caught himself imagining the moment he introduced the Grand Duke to his teacher, then quickly refocused.

“Connie, do you think you could find these books?”

“Is it urgent?”

“It’d be great if you could look into it quickly.”

“Sure. Here, Raeler. Take this to the butler, please.”

Connie handed the paper to Raeler like it was second nature. He took it without hesitation. From the very first day Raeler had arrived, Connie had looked a little too serious—and now it seemed the hierarchy had settled with Connie firmly as the senior.

“Then once I give this to the butler, can I leave for the day?”

“Did you clean the herb room?”

“Already done.”

“Huh? I thought cleaning was Connie’s job?”

“Why would I do it when we have a junior now?”

But you’re a maid, Aeryl almost pointed out, but stopped himself.

Connie was a maid and Raeler an assistant, so their duties technically differed. But since Raeler seemed to enjoy playing the junior role, Aeryl let it be. After being isolated for so long, perhaps building various human relationships was a good thing for him.

“Why are you leaving early today? Going somewhere?” Connie asked Raeler.

“To the town. My father asked me to bring him something. I need to stop by the market too. That’s alright, isn’t it?”

“He’s gotten the hang of pheromone control, so it should be fine.”

Unlike the Grand Duke, Raeler had no physical issues, so Aeryl had immediately begun teaching him how to handle his pheromones. Since he moved between the outer and inner quarters, there was always the risk he might run into the Grand Duke—so Aeryl had been strict with him. But Raeler had exceeded expectations.

He had already reached the point where he could regulate his own pheromones and resist being influenced by others. He was naturally sharp, but it also helped that he had diligently followed Aeryl’s instructions.

‘Unlike someone else I know.’

Aeryl pouted unconsciously. Noticing this, Raeler offered timidly, “Would you like to come with me, sir?”

“Me? To the town?”

“Yes.”

“Come to think of it… I’ve never actually been into the towb.”

He had only passed through briefly when first arriving at the Grand Duke’s castle. Things had been so hectic.

“Should I get things ready?” Connie asked. Aeryl nodded. His head was a mess anyway—maybe a change of scenery would do him good.

***

After some light preparation, Aeryl, Connie, and Raeler stepped outside the inner quarters. They planned to catch a carriage at the front gate of the outer quarters, so the three of them naturally drifted in that direction.

“The construction noise—is that from repairing the bell tower?”

“Yes. They say it’s almost done. That’s why my father went out to inspect the town waterways.”

“I see.”

“He says it’s tiring, but he looks like he’s enjoying himself.”

They hadn’t seen the inventor even once since he came to the Grand Duke’s castle, but from what they’d heard, it sounded like the Grand Duke was working him to the bone. Frankly, it served him right.

As they were chatting, Connie suddenly grabbed Aeryl’s arm and pulled him behind her.

“Huh?”

Aeryl blinked in surprise and looked at her. Her eyes were narrowed sharply, fixed on something ahead.

They were near the front gate, and a number of people were coming and going. Among them, three people were approaching—eyes locked on Aeryl.

“Who are you?” Connie asked.

Connie asked.

“Oh, we’re not strange people. We work at the outer quarters.”

One of the three explained, showing a badge on his clothes.

“From the badge, it seems like you’re administrative officers from the outer quarters. May I ask what brings you here?”

Connie still didn’t lower her guard, as the three were still looking directly at Aeryl.

“Well, we were wondering if you’re Doctor Aeryl.”

“Me?”

Aeryl was taken aback and asked back.

“That’s right! I never thought I’d meet you like this! Just as I imagined! May I shake your hand?”

“Uh, yes…?”

One of the officers grabbed Aeryl’s hand with both of his and shook it.

“I’m using the fatigue recovery tonic you made. Thanks to it, work has gotten much faster, and I make fewer mistakes, so I can go home on time every day.”

“That’s right. We’re now able to go home and wash up during this period. And Rynello came because of your request. With his help, things that seemed impossible started to go smoothly!”

“I…?”

Aeryl was completely confused. The fatigue recovery medicine must’ve been made by the outer quarters doctor, and Rynello…

‘Rynello was helping out at the outer quarters?’

Aeryl had completely forgotten about him.

“Anyway, thank you! Keep doing great things in the future!”

“Yes…?”

‘What exactly have I done?’

The three of them shook hands with Aeryl and then left. While Aeryl watched them leave in a daze, he could feel the people around him glancing at him occasionally.

“That’s him. The one who made the fatigue recovery tonic.”

“Ah. He looks just like I imagined from what I heard.”

Aeryl heard quiet murmurs from the people around him. His spine chilled.

“Do you think people are recognizing me, or is it just my imagination?”

He chuckled nervously. Surely not. It must be overthinking. Haha.

“That’s right. You’re famous in the outer quarters.”

Raeler answered.

“Me? What have I done?”

Aeryl jumped, surprised.

“The fatigue recovery tonic. Even when they offered you a huge sum, you refused and shared it for free, right?”

“How do you know about that, Raeler?”

“Everyone knows. The outer quarters doctor wrote it down on the bottles of the medicine.”

Raeler mimed writing in the air. Apparently, they wrote it on each bottle so no one was unaware. That wasn’t all.

“And Rynello too. I didn’t know, but he turned out to be quite capable. He retired but came back, and everyone was happy about it.”

“I didn’t bring him here… There must have been some misunderstanding.”

“He said it himself, you know?”

“Huh? I said that? Did he say that?”

“Yes. And though it’s a bit embarrassing, news about my father and me has spread around too… My father has been speaking very highly of you.”

‘Don’t do that! My name shouldn’t be included! You had to write it on the bottle? But didn’t Rynello say he hated me? Why is he acting like this?’

The inventor too. Is he repaying kindness with betrayal?

Aeryl was troubled. He just wanted to live quietly, unnoticed!

“In the outer quarters, you’re probably known by everyone now.”

Raeler said, looking at Aeryl with admiration.

“In the inner quarters too. Everyone likes you.”

Connie added, almost competing.

The two words struck Aeryl’s mind one after the other. He couldn’t take it anymore.

“I… I want to go… home…”

‘I want to go home… Let me lie down in bed…’

He felt an overwhelming urge to be alone in a quiet room with the door closed.

“Exactly! Why is the carriage taking so long? Oh, there it is!”

Connie grabbed Aeryl’s arm and waved towards the carriage. Soon, the carriage stopped in front of them.

“Doctor Aeryl! Hello! It’s great to finally meet you!”

The person sitting next to the coachman greeted cheerfully. He was dressed in black uniform and wore a sword, indicating he was likely from the Black Knights, but Aeryl had never seen him before.

‘How does he know me? The fatigue recovery tonic and Rynello have nothing to do with him…?’

But Aeryl was too scared to ask.

“Let’s go, Doctor Aeryl!”

Aeryl, drained of energy, was gently led to the carriage by Raeler and Connie. The carriage began to move.

‘…Why… am I becoming famous…?’

Aeryl truly felt like crying.