Agnes is walking with the medicine bag, returning from Bernard’s room.

She was depressed to have done something that Bernard hated.

<I know what I should reflect on my act. I overdid it.>

Normally, applying medicine should be done only by close friends, family members, and doctors. Nevertheless, Agnes wanted to do something for Bernard and took a bold move. She did something that eventually led Bernard to become angry.

<I regretted to have done that.>

As she walk immersed in her thoughts, she quickly reaches the rest area. Gigille greeted her and she jumped in fright at the surprise.

“Oh, the reflection meeting is over?”

“Yes”

She said embarrassed while returning the borrowed medicine box to its original shelf.

Gigille puts on her gloves, took out the kettle that had been warmed in the fireplace, and poured hot water into the pot she had prepared. The tea poured from the pot into the cup is made from garden herbs.

She beckons Agnes to come and encourages her to sit in a chair.

“I’m sorry I don’t have any coffee”

“Thank you. I’ve been wanting to drink some tea for a while now.”

Agnes held the cup of tea in her hands and drank a sip. The savory scent of the leaves spread throughout her mouth.

“Our master… did he let you apply the medicine?”

“Eh, yeah”

“For real?”

“Yes…”

Agnes looks back on her own behavior and becomes ashamed and looks down.

Gigille was truly surprised instead.

“I can’t believe it. Master doesn’t like medicine.”

“eh?”

“He doesn’t like powders, pills, eye drops, everything, so I struggled a lot to take care of him when he was a kid. He also hates hospitals and doctors.”

“Oh,”

“Yes, maybe he couldn’t say no because it was you Agnes applying it for him.”

As Gigille said, he initially refused to apply the medicine.

At the end of the day, Agnes leaned to the point that she was feeling ill because she had put up with something she was not good at.

“Our Master, everywhere his body is full of injuries. He seems come with new bruises every time he trains or is on duty. I’m so sick of taking care of it that I just let him be and get angry.”

“Oh dear……”

“I cleaned his wounds every time, but hey.”

“It’s faster to cure if you treat it.”

“Yes, the wounds and compresses are specially made by my husband.”

“Dominique?”

“It’s surprising, though, but it’s a simple thing. It’s a recipe among family members that works better than what’s sold at pharmacies.”

Agnes gets the homemade medicine box and see inside.

Homemade ointments made from medicinal herbs grown in the garden let out the scent of flowers when opened.

“nice smell……”

“It’s made using summer picked scented grass.”

It’s said that scented grass has a strong bactericidal component and is effective against light burns and acne.

“Do you want to make it, Agnes, next time?”

“Are you talking about the medicine?”

“Yeah, it’s very simple. If you work hard, you might be able to help Master.”

“I am happy if I can be of use.”

Later, she decided to make medicine.

◇◇◇

Around noon, Oceanne returns to the house.

Bernard was tired and happily walking towards his room as it was time to rest.

When he passed by the dining room, Agnes and Oceanne were sitting.

Bernard sits down with a greeting, while thinking how bad luck he has.

“Oh, why aren’t you in knight clothing?”

“I always change clothes at work.”

“Well, sorry for asking then.”

Oceanne was disappointed as she wanted to see Bernard’s knight uniform.

She instantly turned to Agnes and asked if she had seen Bernard in knight’s clothes before.

“Sometimes.”

“How was it?”

Agnes glances at Bernard’s expression. He had a steep face, to say the least. But she couldn’t ignore Oceanne’s question, as she knew Oceanne would get angry later.

“It suits him very well. He beautifully fits the uniform and looks elegant in it, as a prince…”

“Well, well, well!”

Oceanne was delighted to hear Agnes’s impression. “I would be thrilled to tell this to Bernard’s father if he asked me” she said.

The person in question sent an angry glare to Agnes, saying that it was too much praise.

“Agnes really loves Bernard!”

Listening to her mother, Bernard spurts the coffee he was drinking. As he coughed, Gigille was rubbing his back with familiar hands.

Oceanne watched the situation with calm eyes.

The situation settle down to some extent.

“Bernard”

“……Yes?”

“Rather than a fateful encounter, you’re attracted to each other, you’ve gotten together after the hardships, and you’ve gotten engaged, right?”

Immediately after hearing his mother’s words, he got goosebumps all over the body.

Unfortunately, when Bernard hears romantic words, his whole body feels unwell.

He opens his eyes and can’t answer Oceanne’s questions.

The operation will be hampered as it is. Gigille gave a helping hand.

“Madam. Bernard is very shy.”

“… That’s right.”

Everyone seemed to be convinced that this was the end of the story, but she did a sudden turn.

“So, Agnes. Can you answer me how do you feel?”

Oceanne asks while smiling. Agnes was staring at her eyes, and her back was cold.

“Umm, I am….”

She felt that her cheeks were so hot as it had never felt before when imagining her words.

<But I have to say to get over it. It’s time to work hard to return the favor for Bernard help.>

 Agnes inspires herself and conveys her feelings without lies.

“It’s true–I long for Bernard-sama.”

She dyed her cheeks red, moisturized her eyes, and told Oceanne while firmly looking at her eyes.

Agnes heart is still pounding.

Tension turned into shame.

On the other hand, Bernard is nervous because he cannot understand the situation.

Gigille watched as she chewed on some pastries.

Oceanne spreads the fan in her hand and sends a breeze to her face.

“Hehehe, it’s hot. It’s not worth the time of the year and my face burned from the heat.”

Oceanne expressed that she was suspicious of Bernard’s odd behavior and it made her think of a false engagement.

“I’m sorry, I have confirmed their love. They’ve just started living together, so they’re full of shyness.”

“Yes”

“I’ll continue to give my utmost support for that girl.”

“Thank you.”

The air that was tight softened.

He knew that he had managed to get through, and Agnes was able to relax.

Bernard wipes his sweat off his forehead. Gigille secretly stroked her chest.

Eric with his pocket watch comes to the dining room and tells him it is time to go to work.

Bernard stood up immediately and walked fast to the door.

“Now mother, I must go.”

“Yes, please go.”

This brings peace to our home. I thought so, but I was oblivious to an unexpected word.

“Yes. Bernard, I’ll be back soon.”

“eh?”

“Because I have to bring the wedding dress for Agnes.”

Stunned, Bernard looked at Agnes, as he was covering his face with both hands. He soon returned while being struck by Eric’s words, “five minutes left” and ran out of the dining room.

Bernard decided not to think anymore about this.

◇◇◇

A carriage moves from side to side as it arrives at the royal capital.

From morning, the shaking of the carriage had caused him to feel nauseous, and he was weak.

Anyway, thanks to Agnes this time, he was saved.

<I think I’ll come home early and buy something to thank her.>

When he arrives at the Knights’ garrison and attempts to head to the changing room of the Special Assault Unit 3, he notices a person coming to him from the front.

Ernesto Baltermon, dressed in the glamorous uniform, standing proud.

He had a vicious tongue that intimidated his colleagues, but was obedient in front of him.

“Hello, good morning.”

He greeted politely and asked Bernard to come to a nearby room.

Ernesto closes the door and asks him to sit down.

“This is the story. I found Agnes who I asked you to investigate.”

“!?”

No way, Bernard opens his eyes. Ernesto was smiling from ear to ear.

Bernard glares at him.

“Don’t make that scary face. If you give me her, ten gold coins are yours. Of course I’ll promote you too.”

“… go away”

“Huh? Didn’t you tell me to go away before?”

“I don’t know.”

“Is something wrong…?”

Ernesto, doesn’t stop talking about Agnes, even if ignored.

“If you bring her here today, I’ll add another gold coin.”

“It’s a good idea to talk to your boss, but in that case the rewards will be split half for you, and half for your boss. So think twice.”

Bernard did not intend to sell Agnes at all.

However, if he refuses while her location is known, she may be taken away.

He got up quickly and decided to go home at once. There’s no time to loose.

<I’ll ask my mother to take Agnes to her home in Orleans.>

His fists, which are tightly clenched from fury, show strongly the veins in his hands.

“Well, you seem motivated by the proposal.”

“Eh?. F*** H*** P***… “ Bernard thought while mumbling.

“What?”

“No, nothing superior.”

“No, right now I’ve heard some filthy words that don’t fit our level of intellect.”

“You’re overworked and tired enough to hear hallucinations superior.”

“Is that so?”

The situation made Bernard think the worst, but he reminds himself to maintain his composure.

“Then head to the red light district ladies house here.”

He took out a paper from his bosom and presented it to Bernard.

“Red Light District … House …?”

“Yes, yes. According to rumors, Agnes is there.”

“Agnes?”

“Yes, she seems to have been hiding there from a few days ago.”

Bernard is completely silent.

What is written on the map is a red-light district in the corner of the central area. It is not the suburban residence where Bernard lives.

If she’s been hiding there from a few days ago, she’s not Agnes, but a different person.

He held his head and sighed of relief.

Agnes location wasn’t revealed.

Translated by djurasico (dot) home (dot) blog

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