Chapter 68 – Part 1

The weather was nice, the sea water glistened in the sunlight, and a few white clouds like cotton candy floated in the blue sky supported by the horizon.

It was like a picture in a children’s book.

Unlike how it was in the north, the wind was not chilly here—it was refreshing. The waves came crashing in with a roar, creating white foam upon the surface it met, and strange sea creatures roamed the wet sandy beach.

“Miss! Look at this!”

As I crouched down to watch the little crab, Charlotte strode over and thrust something in front of me.

At that moment, I was startled and nearly collapsed… When I opened my eyes and looked closely, what Charlotte had pointed at was a star-shaped starfish.

A large starfish the size of my palm was alive and wriggling. It was a little gross. I almost grimaced, but I tried to smile at Charlotte.

“Is this edible?” Charlotte muttered to herself.

“…….”

Staring intently at the starfish, she had a serious look on her face as she said this… Well, there might be a restaurant serving starfish somewhere in the city, but I’m not really curious. I would rather drink salty sea water than eat a starfish.

With a slight smile, I got up from my seat. I had been sitting for so long that my legs had gone numb.

“Ah, Miss. Are your legs numb? There’s a chair over there. Please sit down and I’ll massage your legs!”

“I’m okay. You can go and explore more.”

I dissuaded Charlotte and approached the chair. Charlotte eventually ran back to the spot where she had thrown the starfish, as she had chosen to explore some more.

Sitting down, I watched as Charlotte picked up the starfish again. The chairs made of rattan were cool and comfortable. I sat still and watched Charlotte, then closed my eyes.

A salty wind blew softly, and the refreshing sound of waves came regularly. The world was full of all sorts of sounds, yet still. Indeed, everything felt relaxed and smooth, my peace of mind had returned for the first time in a long time.

I thought that my life might have been like a battlefield. But from now on it won’t be.

Just two days…

In just two more days, I would be able to leave this place and be free.

Free from everything that pulled me down to the depths of anguish.

 

 

Two days later.

And three hours before the departure for the ship bound for the eastern continent.

I got up early in the morning and prepared everything so we’re ready.

They said the sea breeze would be strong, so I put on layers of clothes, put on a hat and a pair of gloves. In addition to that, Charlotte even wrapped a scarf around me, making me look fully armed.

…I don’t think I needed to have this many layers, but since Charlotte was so concerned about my well-being, I decided to heed her instructions. I also planned to work hard on managing my health from now on.

If Jane could see me being so eager about it now, she would have shed tears of joy.

Come to think of it, after that, Jane… Was she going to be okay? There’s a chance that Theodore fired her. There would no longer be any need for a personal physician for the Duchess of Valentino.

“Miss, please drink this.”

“…What is it?”

As I was leaving the lodgings, Charlotte handed me something that looked like a strange pill. When I brought it to my nose and sniffed it, it smelled very bitter. It will undoubtedly taste the same too. I frowned and stared hard at the pill.

“It’s made with medicinal herbs from the eastern continent, and they say it’s good for restoring one’s energy. Harriet brought it to me.”

“…I see.”

“Come on, please drink it.”

“…….”

“You won’t?”

“…I will. Thank you.”

To be honest, I really didn’t want to drink it, but… I held it tight and put it in my mouth. I couldn’t let Harriet’s sincerity get wasted.

I swallowed the bitter pill quickly while holding my breath. After gulping it down my throat, Charlotte quickly held out a candy, and I immediately took the candy to eat it.

Before I could feel the bitterness, the sweetness of the candy spread all over my mouth. I closed my eyes and took a long breath.

“Are you alright? There are still twenty-nine left! I was told that you only need to take one pill a day.”

“…….”

To think that I had to take strange, bitter medicine for twenty nine days… It was terribly dismaying, but I decided to focus on managing my health from now on, so I quietly nodded.

“That’s good, Miss! You’ll be drinking it well from now on. Then, let’s go out!”

Charlotte energetically pushed me on the back. While staying at the inn, I had a good rest while eating various healthy foods that Zen and Harriet brought me, and I felt better than when I was at the mountain cabin.

Most of all, I haven’t been able to sleep well before, but this time, I was able to sleep for over six hours straight at last. It was a world of difference from before. I used to wake up after only three hours.

 

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