30 — Mr. Fisalis’ Interest?

Why would Mr. Fisalis come here after work if he’s not fighting with his girlfriend?

“I wonder if something is drawing him here,” I said without thinking. I suddenly felt several sets of eyes on me and looked up. Sure enough, everyone was staring at me.

“ ...Is it me?” I gingerly asked, pointing at myself. Truly, only I could be this dense.

And wouldn’t you know, they all nodded! And vigorously at that! Then they started to speak at once.

“Well, yes.”

“Speaking of things that have changed around here, you’re certainly one of them...”

“You, as well as the atmosphere in the manor.”

And then one of them said, “Madam, this is a chance at rehabilitation!”

They all leaned forward in excitement at that.

I drew back into my chair, intimidated. “Re-rehabilitation!?”

“An opportunity to turn Master back into the upstanding gentleman he was before he became a sex fiend!”

“Whaaat!?”

They all just nodded.

Even with all the charm and skill in the world, that would be impossible, so please don’t look at me with your eyes shining full of hope!

“Move along, you lot. The break period is just about done. Stop bothering Madam,” someone said, putting the commotion to an end. It was Dahlia. She had come to get me.

With a clap of her hands, everyone snapped back to reality.

“Yes, ma’am!” the maids responded, dispersing with their cups in hand.

My break was over, too, as I had finished my snack. I picked up my plate and cup and went to get up, but Mimosa quickly snatched them away.

Dahlia watched with one of her characteristic strained smiles. She never seemed to run out of them.

“A message from Master just arrived. It seems he will be coming home earlier than usual. I think you ought to return to your room, just to be safe,” she urged me.

Oh, it is getting to be that time already.

“I see. I’ll go rest in my room for a while, then.”

I’d have some explaining to do if he caught me wandering around in my uniform. I mean, he even wanted me on full bed rest for my pain.

Come to think of it, my stomach’s completely calmed down.

Thank you, herbal medicine!

There was nothing to do in my room.

Although he had certainly seemed depressed when he’d left, I had no idea when Mr. Fisalis was going to get back; I had reverted back to my old routine of tossing and turning on the sofa, when suddenly, Mimosa appeared and said, “Master has returned.”

He wasn’t kidding when he sent his message earlier—he was very early.

It was evening, technically, but the sun hadn’t even set.

“Oh, okay. I’m on my way,” I said, and I was just about to get up from the sofa when I heard a soft voice from behind Mimosa say, “Ah, there’s no need for a formal greeting today. I’m back.”

“M—Mr. Fisalis!?” Far from getting up, I thought I was going to fall off the sofa.

I just can’t seem to act natural when I’m here!

Mimosa moved out of the way, allowing him to make a dashing entrance into the room.

Is he frowning because he’s worried about me?

As I went to get up (or rather, fall down), he held his hand out to stop me.

“How are you feeling? The message said that you hadn’t gotten worse and were convalescing,” he said, reaching me in the blink of an eye with those long legs of his. He then knelt down beside me to examine my color.

That is to say, his face was now mere inches from mine! I very nearly leaned back, but stopped myself in time. “That’s right. The decoction worked. I started to feel better after a bit,” I somehow managed to respond with a smile, even though I had broken out in a cold sweat from overexposure to his magnificently chiseled visage.

“I’m glad to hear it. I already feel more at ease knowing you have recovered enough to take a walk around the garden.”

His expression changed from one of worry back to its usual dazzling smile.

“Indeed.”

I see Rohtas did some light editing in the message. ‘Went for a stroll’ instead of ‘pulled some weeds.’

“In the meantime, however... here,” He held out something to me that he’d brought with him.

At first glance, it appeared to be a tiny bouquet of grasses. But there wasn’t a single flower.

The heck is this?

Is he telling me to eat this? What does he think I am, a cow? ...No, that can’t be it.

Mr. Fisalis smiled ever so slightly as I stared dumbly at the little bundle.

“It’s from the Royal Medicinal Garden. Just some medicinal herbs for stomach pain,” he said as he wrapped my hand around the grass—er, herbs.

“Wow, the one on the palace grounds?”

“Yes,” he grinned.

The Royal Medicinal Garden is where all of the medicine used in the palace is grown, including the medicine for the royal family; the garden does not use chemical pest repellants, instead opting for completely natural fertilizer to carefully cultivate every individual herb, one at a time. This is why entrance to the garden is strictly regulated, which in turn means that medicinal herbs from that garden are rather unlikely to fall into the hands of more-or-less regular people.

And yet, here you are handing me this rare and valuable medicine! How many strings did you have to pull to acquire this?

“How did... Is it really alright for me to have something so valuable?” Probably best I don’t ask how he got it.

“Think nothing of it. The royal couple was worried about you, too.”

He let that slip like it was no big deal. Unbelievable.

The king. And. The queen! I was left speechless by how detached from reality his statements were.

My eyes widened, and my mouth opened and closed in shock.

“I occasionally meet with them in the medicinal garden. When I mentioned that my wife was having stomach pain, they didn’t hesitate to share some herbs for treating just that.”

Eeek! He told them about my stomach issues! I mean, I don’t mind if he said that I had a stomach ache, but the day he tells them I basically got poisoned by too much fancy food is the day I can’t show my face to them anymore.

Then again, he doesn’t know that much yet.

His ignorance is my bliss!

“Oh, eh heh heh... how thoughtful of them.” I could only manage a hollow giggle.

“Dahlia, make this into medicine,” Mr. Fisalis ordered.

“As you wish.”

He passed the bundle of herbs into Dahlia’s outstretched hand, after which she left to do as he had instructed.

The herbs are fresh, so I guess the end result will be less of a decoction and more of a juice; I guess I’m in for a juice cleanse.

One more drink I’ll have to endure, I thought cynically.

After absentmindedly watching Dahlia leave, Mr. Fisalis turned to me and asked, “What do you want to do for dinner tonight?”

Honestly, I don’t have the courage to try the fancy food again, even if it’s only half portions. That’d only result in another intestinal insurgence. I’d really rather have a simple servants’ meal, but I can’t say that.

“I’ll keep it simple again tonight. I’ll have just something light, but please, don’t let me hold you back. You shouldn’t have to eat alone, though, so why don’t you eat at the cottage?”

I tried to say, “Pleeease, go back to the cottage” as indirectly as I could.

That would be the most convenient thing for me, anyway.

“No, I’ll eat by myself here. That is, I’m still concerned about you—which is also why I think I’ll stay overnight again.”

So not only are you not leaving for dinner, you’re also staying here overnight again! This flies in the face of all my expectations!

“Oh, goodness, no need to worry about me. I’ve been taking it easy all day, so I’m sure I’ll be back to my usual self tomorrow!”

“But...” He was frowning as he looked up at me.

Mr. Fisalis, you large-breed show dog. I can practically see your drooping tail.

“If anything happens, I’ll come and inform you at once.” Unable to stand by and watch his Master leave with his tail between his legs, Rohtas offered a solution.

Is he trying to help me or Mr. Fisalis, though?

“...Very well. Please stay in bed, then. I’ll see you tomorrow.” Mr. Fisalis left quietly, somewhat dejected.