Chapter 27
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Chapter 27
"You didn't just eat whatever you could find hoping it might cure your illness, did you?"
In that moment, the man's green eyes wavered.
I was certain of it.
"You took the job at the Lord's Castle thinking he was raising them."
Everything planted in my garden bed was medicinal herbs. From common herbs used as base materials for various remedies to rare varieties seldom found elsewhere.
From his perspective, it was a lavish feast he couldn't possibly overlook.
"How did you... no, that's not... I mean..."
"You can eat them."
"Really?! Gasp."
The man who had spoken carelessly covered his mouth.
"I, I didn't mean... that is..."
He stammered, then fell silent and reconsidered. When he looked at me again, his composure had returned.
"There's no such thing as kindness without a price, is there."
"You don't have to devour them like a beast. I'll prepare them as medicine for you."
"Do you know what illness I'm suffering from?"
"Parasitic infection—the kind you get from eating freshwater fish caught near waters where monsters dwell."
"...!"
Before he could say anything else, I quickly thrust the paper I had drawn toward him.
"In exchange, make this. Perfectly."
* * *
"What kind of weapon is that?"
Dale looked at me with curiosity in his eyes.
The Alchemist had quickly crafted the item I'd commissioned—a hoe that was perfectly balanced, sharp, and curved exactly as I'd envisioned it.
"It's a hoe. Not a weapon."
"Ah. A hoe... That must be the one from before. I understand perfectly."
"You clearly don't."
"..."
He pretended to comprehend, but his innocent, rolling eyes betrayed his complete confusion.
"Can farming actually be done with such a small tool?"
"Of course! It's especially convenient and useful when you're digging up small areas rather than weeding vast fields. It requires far less arm strength."
"It would be quite helpful when planting medicinal herbs."
"It'll be incredibly useful."
"You certainly know about many interesting things, Enya."
Dale smiled at me.
Had I ever shown Dale interesting things before? I didn't think so.
'Perhaps I have. There are things I don't remember.'
Living with Dale had become so natural without my realizing it.
I gazed at Dale, bathed in the warm sunlight.
This peaceful day and his gentle nature were truly a perfect match.
"I found the ring, but I didn't know who it belonged to, so I've been keeping it."
The Alchemist returned the ring to me.
"You seem to be in good spirits."
"Of course I am! I found the ring, and I've resolved the matter."
Dale looked at me with an ambiguous smile.
"It wasn't because of my gift, then."
"Your gift?"
"It's nothing."
Dale's expression seemed unusually composed.
I'd found the ring, created the hoe. Now the next step was....
"I'm thinking of selling the hoe."
Dale stared at me with wide eyes.
"It's useful for excavating small amounts of soil and harvesting small crops. It's also a tool that puts less strain on the wrist. Gardening has become fashionable among the Capital's nobility, hasn't it?"
I was certain this would be profitable.
But as Dale listened quietly, his expression didn't look at ease.
"Why do you want to earn money so earnestly, Enya?"
Huh?
I blinked at the unexpected question.
Dale looked at me as if he were on the verge of tears, yet also appeared apologetic.
"I'm sorry that there's so little I can do for you."
"Dale...."
It seemed Dale was misunderstanding something.
"I simply enjoy earning a lot of money. So please don't worry about that. You're already doing everything for me except for the money."
It wasn't consolation—it was the truth.
The absolutely grueling housework.
The visual appeal of our household.
All Dale.
Dale had raised me almost like a zookeeper tending to a precious animal. It was no different from raising a beast.
Eating well, sleeping well.
"But there's something strange."
"Something strange?"
I twisted my hair as I recalled what the Alchemist had said.
"He said he stays and works at the Lord's Castle because housing is expensive."
That seemed odd to me.
That he couldn't move into a house because it was expensive.
It was merely expensive—it meant 'houses that can be moved into actually exist'.
Whissshhh.
The kettle I'd placed over the fire made a loud noise.
Dale went into the kitchen and prepared two cups, readying the tea.
"Is that the strange part?"
Dale spoke softly and laughed as if it were an endearing story.
"When I first arrived here, you said there wasn't a single house available for immediate occupancy."
"...."
"But now there are enough houses to accommodate new residents? That's... strange, isn't it? Wait, Dale!"
I rushed toward Dale in alarm.
Splash.
He was pouring hot water onto the table instead of into his teacup.
Dale remained motionless, his expression hardening.
Whoosh!
I immediately plunged his hand into cold water to cool it.
"That's hot water! You need to be careful with your hands! Burns are so dangerous. Are you hurt? Let me see."
The hand that had gripped the table had turned red. It appeared he'd suffered a minor burn.
"Did your pants get wet? Your feet? Oh, thank goodness they didn't. That's such a relief."
I quickly retrieved first aid supplies and cooled his wound.
But Dale still seemed dazed.
"You shouldn't just stand there in shock when you touch something hot. You know better—why did you do that...."
Seeing Dale's beautiful hand turn red bothered me more than I expected.
A handsome man should be carefully preserved....
I gently cradled his hand between both of mine. Contrary to appearances, his palm was somewhat rough.
"What's wrong? My hand isn't injured. Look at Dale's hand."
"If Enya could move into another house, I suspect she would leave immediately."
Dale's voice was low.
"Do you... dislike being with me?"
I quickly rolled up Dale's sleeve and wrapped it with bandages.
His large, broad hand radiated warmth. I tied off the bandage and gazed into his golden eyes.
Dale's pupils wavered.
"Do you really dislike me that much?"
"Huh?"
I recalled what Dale had said earlier.
"Oh, that. No, I just meant it was surprising. I like being with you, Dale. I really do."
"!"
"It doesn't hurt too much, does it? It's not a serious burn. But it will sting whenever water touches it, so be careful."
"...Is that truly what you mean?"
"Yes. It's really not a bad burn. Have you ever seen me lie to Dale?"
Well, actually I have quite a few times.
It was endearing and adorable how Dale asked such childlike questions so earnestly. His golden eyes gleamed as he gazed at the bandage.
"That's not what I meant, though...."
"Huh? I'm sorry, I didn't catch that."
"It's nothing. Never mind."
Dale smiled softly.
"Does it hurt?"
I gently took Dale's hand. He widened his eyes in surprise, his face flushing crimson.
"...It seems to hurt, but I'm not entirely sure."
"Is that so? If it hurts quite a bit, we might need to go to the Medical Clinic over there in the distance."
"That won't be necessary. However, if you touch it once more, I could say with certainty whether it hurts or not."
"I see. Then how about here? This part doesn't seem to be injured much. Is it alright?"
I gently rubbed the back of his bandaged hand.
Dale, who had been watching me quietly, shook his head side to side.
"It hurts a little."
I carefully caressed Dale's hand, examining it thoroughly.
Each time, Dale repeated, "It seems to hurt, but I'm not entirely sure."
In my assessment, Dale was probably.
'someone who tends to be a bit of a drama queen.'
But pretending not to notice was only courteous, after all.
Today, I felt a quiet satisfaction in understanding Dale a little better.
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