Chapter 8

"Indeed... But can you really do that? If you can, wouldn't that be a huge problem in a different sense?"

He says this with an intense expression to Kaoru.

"Isn't it a big problem in a good way?"

Kaoru laughs heartily.

Kain sighs at the sight.

"How are you going to make the special medicine for 'Labyrinth Fever'? I thought even the Eclix hasn't made any progress yet?"

He says this with a sigh of exasperation.

"I'm coming from the Eclix too... Besides, I think I can manage with the 'new magic.' I have a pretty good idea of the cause of the disease."

He says this with a sly smile.

"Hmm. You always surprise me, Kaoru. I understand that we are here on the High Priest's orders, but I think it's amazing that you would do so much for Rees, even though you've only known him for a short time."

"Maybe it's fate. Besides, I'm grateful for all the things he's taught me. If I can help, I want to. I'm soft on girls in trouble."

He says this with a cool expression.

"Kaoru, you're different."

He says this with a sigh of exasperation.

"Huh? Isn't that obvious? Normal people are rare. The more someone thinks they're normal, the more they're actually weird. What's normal to you looks strange to others."

"Indeed..."

Kain somehow agrees.

"Let's get back to the plan. I'll make the special medicine first. I'll cure a few people, and then I want you to spread the rumor that the 'Rees Clinic' has made the special medicine for Labyrinth Fever. I think Argus, who has been secretly working behind the scenes, will start acting more boldly. They'll want the method to refine the special medicine more than anything. I also think Argus will want to monopolize it to gain status. After that, Rees will probably be kidnapped along with the special medicine. I want to catch them when they have both the special medicine and Rees in their hands. Kain, I need you to help with that. I want you to be a witness and to assign a few people to monitor Rees after the operation. This is the best strategy to take them down quickly. I'll also take precautions. Kain, can you catch them with this plan?"

He says this with a serious expression.

"Indeed, with evidence of the kidnapping and the special medicine, we can catch them. It's different from herbs."

"Good. Then it's settled."

He smiles, looking relieved.

"But what if Rees doesn't agree to this plan?"

"If he's the type I think he is, he'll agree. He probably wants to change the current situation."

"Understood. I'll help with that. And... will you be staying here, Kaoru?"

He asks a bit anxiously.

"Yes. I have some things to do, so I'll stay. I'll tell Rees tomorrow."

He smiles in response.

Kain looks relieved and calls for Karen, instructing her to show Kaoru to his room.

---

Karen leads him to the room. It's the same guest room where he took a nap the other day.

"Please feel free to use this room. There's a bath as well. Towels are in the drawer over there."

She says this with a smile.

"There's a bath too! I didn't know because I didn't see it the last time I came. I thought there was only a warm shower here."

Rees's clinic only had a shower. There was a tank above the shower, heated by a fire magic stone, and when you turned the lever, hot water would flow down.

Kaoru, who had thought a quick rinse would be enough, now realized a bath would be better.

Kaoru loved baths.

"Most households don't have them. Magic stones are expensive."

She says this proudly, as if to say, "Isn't it great?"

"Wow. This is really appreciated. I'll use it later."

His eyes light up with joy.

"Dinner is planned for around six. I'll call you when it's ready."

"Okay. I'll make Alicia's medicine in the meantime."

"By the way, if you don't mind, could you tell Miss Alicia that you'll be staying?"

Karen says this with a mischievous smile.

Kaoru, realizing her intentions, casually agrees.

"Take your time."

She leaves the guest room.

"Hmm... Karen seems to have noticed. Maybe it's just that Alicia is too obvious. I really need to become more insensitive."

He says this while starting to refine the medicine.

---

After finishing the medicine, Kaoru heads to Alicia's room. It's just two doors down, so it's very close.

He knocks and enters. Alicia is surprised to see him.

"Kaoru-sama, didn't you already leave?"

A slightly flustered Alicia. The book in her hand falls to the floor.

"No, I'm in the guest room."

He wonders why she's so surprised.

"Well, Karen said you had already left..."

She fidgets, looking down with a blush.

"(That damn maid. A surprise? She used me to surprise Alicia!)"

He thinks about what kind of punishment to give her later.

"Kain said I could use the guest room. It saves the trouble of making house calls. So, I'll be staying for a while."

Hearing this, Alicia's eyes light up.

"Kaoru-sama, you'll be staying here from today? You'll be my personal doctor, right?"

Alicia tries to hide her joy but it's obvious in her words and face. Kaoru imagines she would be wagging her tail and ears if she had them.

He can't help but want to tease her.

"Sure, for three months. It's easier to respond if I'm nearby. Don't worry."

He pats her head and gently taps it, then steps back. Alicia looks at his hand longingly as it leaves.

"What's wrong? Do you want more?"

Kaoru says this with a mischievous tone.

"Y-Yes, I want more. Kaoru-sama's touch feels really good."

She blushes deeply, looking straight at him.

"O-Okay."

He hadn't expected such a response, despite imagining her flustered reaction. Kaoru is speechless.

He suspects Karen's influence and starts to pat Alicia's head. As they talk, the conversation somehow turns to love.

Kaoru tries to change the topic, but Alicia keeps bringing it back.

"Kaoru-sama, what type of person do you like?"

She asks, clearly nervous.

Kaoru, knowing he won't get out of this without answering, responds.

"Hmm, I like the type of person I fall for."

"The type of person you fall for?"

"Yes. No matter what they look like or their status, if I like them, that's my type."

"Ugh, that's hard..."

She mutters this so softly that Kaoru almost doesn't hear it.

"Why are you so proactive today, Alicia?"

"It's not like that. I didn't hear it from anyone."

A flustered Alicia. Kaoru is convinced Karen is behind this.

Just then, dinner is ready, and Karen comes to guide them to the dining room.

"What about Alicia? Will she eat here?"

"Kaoru-sama, you're joking. We'll eat together, so we'll move to the dining room. Could you help me carry Miss Alicia?"

Karen says this with a broad smile.

Kaoru sighs, impressed by her thoroughness, and agrees.

"Let's go. I'll carry Alicia."

He picks her up princess-style and asks Karen to guide them.

"Wow, you two look great together."

Karen says this, looking at Kaoru carrying Alicia, as if to say, "Young people are so great."

"Flattery is nice, but could you guide us to the dining room?"

"Of course, let's go."

They head to the dining room.

---

When they arrive, the large table is set with various dishes.

"Wow, you made a lot."

He says this while seating Alicia.

"Since Kaoru-sama came from Eclix, I thought you might not have tried our cuisine, so I tried my best."

Karen says this proudly.

"I'll go get the master and mistress. Please wait a moment."

She leaves the room.

"Kaoru-sama, Karen's cooking is really delicious."

Alicia says this with a smile.

"Everything looks delicious. There's even fried chicken."

As they look at the dishes, Cain and Sara arrive, led by Karen.

"Kaoru-sama, thank you for waiting."

Cain and Sara bow slightly and take their seats.

"Let's eat. The food will lose its flavor if it gets cold."

Sara says this, and everyone starts eating.

Kaoru tries the fried chicken first. The meat is very tender and easy to bite into, with little fat. When he chews, the juice flows out.

"This fried chicken is delicious. It's sweet and savory, and the flavor is well-infused. You must have used good meat."

Kaoru says this, and Karen explains.

"Of course. This is 'Korokoro Chicken Katsu.' It's made from the meat of the Korokoro Chicken, a rare monster that lives in the Sazara Great Grassland. The meat is hard to obtain, making it quite rare. I decided to fry it today."

"Excellent. I want some wine with this."

"I thought you might. Here you go."

Karen brings sparkling wine.

"Sure is convenient. You're a good maid."

"Compliments make me grow, hehe."

She pours the sparkling wine into Kaoru's glass. Kaoru takes a sip, and the carbonation tingles on his tongue, followed by a subtle sweetness.

It's a light, refreshing taste.

"Delicious. I like this. Where can I buy it?"

"It's made in Radial, a town to the north of Granpalace. They sometimes supply Granpalace, but it's hard to get."

"Interesting. I might visit there next time."

Kaoru decides to stock up so he can always have it.

Next, he tries the soup.

"Is this pumpkin soup?"

It's a thick, yellow soup like a corn chowder.

"This is 'Ghost Pumpkin Potage.' It's made from pumpkins that grow in the Sazara Great Grassland. They're large and very sweet, especially the center. I used only the center for this."

It's slightly thick and creamy.

He listens to the explanation and takes a sip. The sweetness spreads on his tongue. It's sweeter than Japanese pumpkins, almost like a dessert.

But it's not cloying, and the taste is light and refreshing.

"It would be good with bread. It seems nutritious too."

"That's right. You can eat it with bread. It's one of Miss Alicia's favorites."

"Karen, you don't have to say that."

Alicia, suddenly included in the conversation, blushes and eats the potage.

Kaoru smiles at her expression.

"Kaoru-sama, try this too. It's 'Daria Yam Potato Salad.' It's delicious. You'll be surprised."

He tries the potato salad, excited. It has a bouncy texture, like mochi.

He's surprised at first, but as he chews, it becomes soft and sweet.

It's a unique sensation.

"Interesting. The texture is like mochi."

"Mochi? I don't know what that is. There's something similar?"

Karen takes notes.

"Thank you for letting me try so many new things. But from the high nutritional value, I can tell you're thinking of Alicia. She's well-loved."

He looks at Alicia, who is eating with a broad smile.

"Ah, you noticed?"

"It's obvious from your actions. It would be strange if I didn't."

"Kaoru-sama, you're not dense, which is a relief. If you were, I might have had to take drastic measures."

"Wow, that's scary."

Kaoru and Karen talk in low voices.

"Kaoru-sama, are you satisfied?"

Cain, with a red face, smiles.

"Yes. The wine is good, and the food is excellent."

"That's good. I'm so happy, I can't stop smiling."

"Cain, aren't you drinking too much?"

"No, I'm just getting started."

He drinks more sparkling wine. Kaoru thinks this will be troublesome, but Cain keeps drinking.

After the meal, a drunk Cain thanks Kaoru repeatedly, then collapses on the table.

"I'm sorry, Kaoru-sama. Cain drank too much and is being bothersome."

"Father is sorry, Kaoru-sama."

Sara and Alicia apologize to Kaoru.

"Don't worry. I'm not upset."

"It's a bit embarrassing. Father isn't usually like this."

"I understand. He's a good father, Alicia. No one cares for you as much as he does, so cherish him."

Alicia smiles and nods.

After helping to carry Cain to his room, Kaoru returns to the dining room, only to be asked by Karen to carry Alicia to her room.

He scratches his head and agrees, carrying her princess-style. Alicia is delighted the whole time.

Kaoru thinks it's fine and carries her.

After putting Alicia to bed, he finally returns to his room. On the way, Karen tells Alicia, "Tonight is your chance! Try your best," but Kaoru decides not to comment.

He goes to the bathroom, turns the lever, and the hot water flows. He fills the bathtub, which is spacious enough for him to stretch out.

He watches the water fill up, thinking about the next day. When he realizes the water is just right, he undresses and gets in.

The water is about 42 degrees, just right. He feels the tension in his body melt away.

"I need to work hard from tomorrow."

He tightens his resolve, washes quickly, and gets out of the bath. He changes into the pajamas in the drawer and goes to bed, ready for the next day.

---

The bookmark count has reached 5000. That's fast...

Thank you for reading. I appreciate all the comments, though I haven't been able to reply to them. I'll try to write more of the story to make up for it.

Thank you for pointing out the issues with my writing. It was very helpful. I was confused about the correct usage, so your examples were very clear. Thank you to everyone who wrote them.

The next update will be irregular due to my busy work schedule.