Chapter 61

This is a short story about a visitor to the Vionne household. It consists of three parts.

It starts with a bit of a prelude to the main story.

It was around the time when Lucian's 10th birthday had passed, and the early-bird Sariel and others had started considering the academy he would attend when he turned 12.

On this day, the Vionne family's part-time housekeeper was on leave. It was fortunate for Heine and his visitor that Mrs. Mia, who came in for half the week, was also on leave.

Heine was sweeping the front yard when Goratsi, who was completely unguarded, noticed the man standing by the gate too late.

Apart from the guard knights, very few people visited the Vionne family's capital residence. At most, it was someone from Mrs. Marié's farm, who came to buy eggs. Previously, it was only Lala who came to buy eggs. After Lara married Jeth and moved to their new home, a servant from the Farol family started coming. Jeth and his family had a new home built by the Farol family as a substitute for a dowry, which was a truly impressive residence. It was located roughly halfway between the capital center and the Farol family's farm. Lara, being close by, often returned to her parents' house, and when she did, she would come to buy eggs. However, it was usually a young male servant who came. Heine thought there was nothing wrong with the young man, but Goratsi would still get prickly whenever he came.

However, Goratsi did not extend its thorns at the unfamiliar man standing by the gate.

Heine called out to him partly because of the "mystery" surrounding him, and partly because he looked so unwell that he needed to rest.

"Are you not feeling well? Would you like to sit and rest here?"

Heine stopped sweeping and called out to him.

The man, as if noticing Heine for the first time, opened his eyes wide.

He was in his late thirties or early forties, with an intellectual air and not at all rough. He was of medium height and slender, likely someone who worked in a mental labor job. His face was not unattractive, but his appearance was rather weak, probably due to being too thin. He also looked unwell. Heine quickly assessed all this.

The man hesitated at Heine's words.

His hesitation suggested that he did not have a definite purpose for visiting the Vionne family.

Moreover, he did not seem to be a thief or someone with ill intentions.

His surprise and confusion at Heine's offer did not seem to be an act.

The location of the Vionne family's residence was not convenient. It took about an hour by carriage from the center of the capital.

There were long-distance stagecoaches that passed nearby, fortunately stopping at the neighboring Farol farm.

However, during less busy times, the number of stagecoaches naturally decreased, and the last one left in the early afternoon.

Heine speculated that the man had probably come on one of these stagecoaches.

The reason why he was staring blankly at the Vionne residence was unclear.

Perhaps he had asked someone for directions to the Vionne residence and, coincidentally, a suitable stagecoach was available, so he got on without much thought?

Heine considered this possibility.

The man's blank expression suggested such a scenario.

Finally, the man replied, "Then, I will take you up on your offer..." and Heine opened the gate.

Goratsi, as usual, only rustled its lush leaves, keeping its thorns retracted.

Heine led the man to the gazebo's bench.

Sariel and Lucian were out at a town bookstore, so Heine was on duty.

He was hesitant to bring an unfamiliar person into the house, but the good weather was fortunate.

The gazebo, which had been repaired after the foundation was left, was still brand new.

Heine, considering the man's pale appearance, thought about bringing him some herbal tea.

"I am the butler of this household, Heine," Heine said with a polite bow,

"Please wait here for a moment. Would you like some herbal tea?"

After offering the bench and cushions, he asked, and the man, looking embarrassed, replied,

"I will take anything."

He might have been hesitant to state his preferences, but Heine had at least taken his word for it.

Heine hurried into the house and prepared a tea that had restorative properties for when one felt unwell.

There were more potent teas, but they could cause a reaction that might render one immobile, so he avoided them.

All the teas were ones that Heine had personally tested... not with the intention of experimenting, but they had turned out that way. They were harmless and safe even for an old man like himself.

He also brought a plate of sweet pastries with herbs.

He did not think he had kept the man waiting for long, but he was lying on the bench, sleeping without a care.

— Indeed, he does not seem to be feeling well.

The Vionne family's garden was filled with the scent of herbs with medicinal properties. It could make one sleepy when tired.

This was due to the many magical herbs planted there, which Lucian favored.

The magical herbs could communicate with Lucian. Thanks to their magical power, they had abilities superior to ordinary plants.

Heine did not know they had abilities beyond their medicinal properties.

The magical herbs held knowledge and could share it with Lucian. Lucian, in turn, shared it with Heine, but it was quite unique.

For example, a herb called Dangxiang, which had a sweet scent, would tell Lucian, "Today is blue," "Tomorrow is red," "That seed is black-green, so eating it will turn you yellow." These codes were incomprehensible to Heine.

The magical herbs in the garden were all beneficial ones chosen by Lucian.

They were safe to eat, but recently, due to their strong medicinal properties, Heine was cautious about recommending them to others.

However, it would be good to offer them to today's guest.

Heine followed his intuition. If Goratsi trusted him, helping him would not be a problem.

However, sleeping outside could lead to a cold. He should bring a blanket... While he was thinking this, the sleeping guest suddenly opened his eyes.

"I'm sorry."

The unknown guest, still half-asleep, seemed to realize he was in an awkward situation and struggled to sit up.

"No, you seem tired. Please take your time."

Heine smiled.

The man, drawn by the scent of the tea, picked up the cup and took a sip.

"This... has a wonderful aroma.

...A truly wonderful aroma."

He seemed very impressed and quickly finished the cup.

"Would you like a refill?"

Heine, standing nearby, offered.

"If it's not too much trouble, I would like one."

The man, though hesitant, drank three cups of tea.

He seemed to really enjoy it.

"If you like it so much, would you like to take some with you?"

"Is that alright?"

The man's eyes widened.

"Yes.

However, I would like to know why you came here.

You must have known about this house, right?"

Heine smiled politely and tilted his head slightly.

The man hesitated again at Heine's words but nodded and replied.

"I will tell you.

If you don't mind, could you sit down?"

Heine was a bit taken aback by the request but decided to compromise if the man found it difficult to speak.

"I am on duty, but...

I will sit down."

He sat down.

I will post the next part tomorrow around 8 or 9 AM.