After finishing my outing, I dove straight onto my bed.

“Phew... that was a good shopping trip.”

“Oh my, you bought so much?”

Hazel’s eyes widened as she watched the boxes being carried in one after another.

“Yeah. Come take a look!”

“These look like magic stones... And what’s this?”

“Oh, that’s herbs!”

I ran over and explained to Hazel about the herbs I’d bought.

After the ore shop, I visited the herb shop. Thanks to planning my route ahead of time, I accomplished everything I wanted.

Especially since this shop had many kinds of herbs that grew even in winter, it was really fun to browse!

“There are seeds too?”

“They said I can plant them when it gets warmer.”

“Did the master say that?”

“Yeah!”

After that, Uncle kept asking if I needed anything—or wanted anything—really pressing for answers.

Thanks to him, I got everything I wanted... but then I started to worry—maybe Uncle spent too much money today?

No, no. They say even if a rich person goes bankrupt, their wealth lasts three generations.

‘Still... I should hold back from asking for more.’

Anyway, there’s nothing else I need to buy... probably?

“But what about clothes? Is this all you got?”

Hazel pointed at the twenty boxes with a slightly dissatisfied look.

“Just...?”

Was that the wrong word choice?

When we went back to the clothing shop, there were over twenty finished outfits waiting. I was shocked, but Uncle’s reaction was exactly like Hazel’s.

“It can’t be helped. If there’s not enough, I’ll order from Madam Evelyn.”

Not enough? Where?

“When Madam Evelyn comes, we can order more!” Hazel clapped cheerfully.

I had a lot to say, but I didn’t bother.

I pushed the clothing boxes aside and opened the herb boxes to check their condition.

Mm, green and fresh. Good, good.

“Hazel, can you cut this cloth for me?”

“Cloth?”

“Yeah. I need it for something...”

“Oh! Are you making that ointment you gave to the knights?”

“Mm, something like that.”

I crouched in front of the boxes and picked out some herbs.

“Anyway, cut the cloth for me.”

“Sure! I’m good with cutting.”

Her firm muscles twitched excitedly.

Now I was getting curious about Hazel’s past, but I decided to leave it alone.

“With scissors, gently.”

“A blade is a ❖ Nоvеl𝚒ght ❖ (Exclusive on Nоvеl𝚒ght) blade. Doesn’t matter.”

Right, I’m never letting Hazel touch my hair.

“What size should I cut?”

“This much. Enough to wrap around a knee.”

“A knee?” she repeated, and I nodded.

“Yes, leave it to me.”

After asking her to bring me a few more tools, I carefully picked out the herbs.

A fresh scent filled the room.

North Wing Annex – Balok’s Bedroom

Butler Morris closed the window with a snap.

Night had already fallen outside.

A faint smoke filled the room—it was from medicine that eased pain.

“...Did the brat get home safely?”

It was a low, heavy voice in the dim room. Balok was reclining on the large bed.

Without proper light, he looked like a black mountain.

“Yes. She said she ate well and is resting.”

“Hmph. Did she take the allowance pouch with her?”

“She seemed to struggle carrying it, but yes, she liked it.”

Morris remembered the child’s face turning pale when she was handed the money pouch.

“Tsk, tsk. She went to a herb shop too, so why didn’t she buy that shop? Such small hands, like a bean.”

“Normally, eight-year-olds don’t own several shops, Your Grace.”

“Then how many?”

Morris thought for a moment.

“Well... maybe one or two?”

Thinking of that soft silver hair, his lips curved slightly.

Those bright eyes, wary yet never timid.

When you looked into them, you just wanted to give her more.

“Well, Lady Rubian could own three or four more.”

“See? I told you! One shop isn’t enough!”

Balok tried to sit up suddenly, but swallowed a groan.

“Ugh.”

Damn this body. Damn it. Damn it.

Harsh curses followed.

A deep worry clouded his old adjutant’s face.

“...Your Grace, please stop being stubborn and let the doctor examine you—”

“Shut it. I’m not hurt at all.”

“But I heard you lost your balance and fell earlier—”

“I said shut it!”

The air rippled violently.

Clang! The lamp’s glass shattered, unable to withstand the fierce energy. The window shook hard.

A dark, trembling aura filled the space.

Morris wiped his sweat and stepped back.

“...Understood. I overstepped.”

Balok pulled the blanket over himself roughly and sprawled out.

“This damn body... couldn’t even hold something so light...”

Hearing the self-reproach in his muttering, Morris began cleaning the broken lamp.

“Get out. I’m going to sleep.”

“Yes, Your Grace.”

Click. Morris closed the door quietly.

In his youth, Balok Jebert was the strongest of knights. But an injury in battle had left him with trouble using his leg.

Most of the time he was fine, but when the pain flared up like this, no medicine could help. It started in his leg and spread through his whole body.

He usually hid it well, but lately the attacks had become more frequent.

‘It seems he tripped on his bad leg again today.’

It must have wounded that stubborn man’s pride deeply.

Balok still couldn’t accept his weakened body.

Unable to join the Human-Demon War because of the injury—such humiliation for a northern knight.

It even gave him a slight inferiority complex. Staying in a remote annex and acting rough with others was just a smokescreen to hide his weakness.

“Butler?”

Morris stopped halfway down the stairs.

“...Lady Rubian?”

A child was standing in the annex lobby.

“How did you get here? The road from the main building isn’t easy.”

“Hazel brought me!”

Her bright voice lit up the dim room.

Morris glanced at Hazel standing behind her.

The once-legendary masked mercenary quietly looked away, already completely taken with the small child.

“How is the master? Is he asleep?”

“Yes, resting. I think you should head back today...”

“Can I just see him for a moment?”

Morris hesitated.

Balok’s mood was at its worst, and his condition too.

‘He wouldn’t want this child to see him like this...’

He should probably refuse—

“Just for a moment!”

Those sparkling eyes.

“Please!”

“...Then I’ll go in with you.”

If Balok exploded, he’d have to pull her out quickly.

Morris led Rubian to the bedroom.

Creak. The door opened slowly.

Inside, there was the sound of even breathing.

It seemed Balok had fallen asleep already—maybe he really wasn’t feeling well.

“Shhh.”

Rubian put a finger to her lips as she stepped in.

Morris quietly looked down at her round silver head.

...Yes, three or four shops really aren’t enough for her.

The child tiptoed near the bed and took something out of her bag.

“What’s that?”

“Oh, it has ointment inside. When you put it on, it feels really cool and nice. I made it with herbs I bought today, so I’m not sure how good it will be, though.”

A thin cloth smeared with light green ointment.

‘Come to think of it, she said she was a healer’s daughter...’

Morris quietly watched her.

She carefully climbed onto the bed and rolled up Balok’s pants. Then, for a while, she worked with small, precise movements.

Balok kicked the blanket now and then in his sleep, but only let out a steady breath.

“Did you know His Grace has bad knees?” 𝐟𝕣𝕖𝐞𝐰𝕖𝚋𝐧𝗼𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝗰𝐨𝐦

“Yes.”

“How on earth...”