Table of Contents

Copyright

Chapter 5. End of the Hell

Chapter 6. Chains of Bondage

Side 1. Heir of the Black Rose

Side 2. Glass Garden

My Husband Asks for a Divorce Volume 2

Author : Serene

Publisher : Kim Ki-cheol

Publisher : Tenbook

Address: 143, Gasan Digital 2-ro, Geumcheon-gu, Seoul, Republic of Korea Gasan Urban Walk 2nd 1705

Phone: 070-8823-8681

FAX: 02-6344-5574

Publication Registration : No. 2021-000015

E-mail : tenbook@tenbook.co.kr

Website : www.tenbook.co.kr

(c)Serene, 2025

※ ISBN : 979-11-7408-184-1

※ Price: 3,700 won

※ Publication date: June 24, 2025

※ Unauthorized reproduction and reproduction without the approval of the copyright holder are prohibited.

Chapter 5. End of the Hell

At night, when everyone was asleep, I quietly got out of bed in the depths of darkness.

First, I packed baby clothes, a prenatal book, and a purse of money that was like all my possessions. After packing all the small packages, all that was left was the wolf-fur coat that Derek had lent her.

The thick coat was perfect for cold weather, but above all, it was soaked with Derek's pheromones.

As I put on my coat, his scent wafted through the air, and a familiar weight enveloped me. The strong and familiar pheromones that you can feel inside will be a strong protective shield for you and your child for a while.

I unconsciously carefully brushed my coat away, feeling the memory and warmth contained in it. It was a fragment of emotion that could never be easily shaken off.

I can't stay here anymore.

I tried to keep my composure by reminding myself of my resolution, which I had already reiterated hundreds of times. Then I went straight to the flower garden.

Located in a corner of the old castle, it was usually unused and poorly guarded. After spending time in the flower garden every day, I was able to find out that this gate leads to the outside of the castle.

Standing on tiptoe, I walked cautiously through the snow-covered garden, through the cold air of the winter night.

Every time I exhaled, a thin breath rose in the air. But the cold wind on my cheeks didn't hurt me at all. The only thing that came to my mind was the freedom that was out there.

As I reached the door, I saw a crumbling lock. I had already confirmed that this lock was worn out and could be easily unscrewed with just a tree branch.

I groped for the lock and focused quietly. At that moment, when all the nerves in my body seemed to be gathered at the extremities, the lock was released with a thud. I stopped breathing for a moment.

As soon as I pushed the old door open, the cold of winter rushed in. Recently, the threat of bandits has increased dramatically, and Derek has been sending his troops from place to place.

With most of his soldiers away, the castle's security was weaker than ever. I smiled bitterly inwardly, saying that maybe it was because of the bandits that he missed me.

As soon as I crossed the wall, a narrow and rough road opened up in front of me, as if I had been waiting for it. Through the night shrouded in darkness, we made our way to the dimly twinkling lights of the village.

Relying on the pungent smell of the wolf's fur coat, the farther away they got from the castle, the faster their steps naturally became. As the cold wind gradually blew harder, the thick alpha scent gradually dispersed. An inexplicable anxiety and nervousness came over my heart.

You have to hurry, the reverberation on your coat won't last long.

The time he could rely on Derek's pheromones was limited.

An urgent thought filled my mind that I had to find a way to replace him as soon as possible.

As I walked along the snowy road, I moved with all my strength. I tried hard not to stop, but my fingertips and toes were already frozen by the pouring snow and cold wind. Each step felt heavier and heavier.

Getting up and quickening my pace in the snow was much harder than I had imagined.

The chill penetrated my whole body, and my body trembled unknowingly.

It's okay. I can endure it.

However, contrary to my resolution, the cold wind dug into my skin like a dagger, and a blizzard raged and obscured my vision.

Every time I took a step, the pain of my toes freezing in the snow permeated deeply. The road became more and more difficult, and I stopped for a moment as I was breathing heavily.

I stood alone in the dark woods on a field of white snow. In the distance, beyond the shadowy streets, I could see the tall towers of Greymore Castle rising coolly. Is Derek still asleep in it?

How would he look if he found out that I had left? Will they get angry, or will they just laugh it off?

He was someone he loved but could never reach. My sincerity was shattered every time in front of his cold exterior, and the scars I received from him remained as a sharp bruise on my chest. But now I decided not to cling to the bitter past anymore.

The cold wind blowing through the winter night seemed to strengthen my resolve.

Hi, Derek.

Silently chanting a small greeting that I couldn't hear, I turned my head and stepped forward again.

As the dawn began to spread, I felt a tremor envelop my whole body. Because he had been walking nonstop all night, his breath was getting shorter, and his body was already reaching its limit. A chilling sensation crept into my fingertips and toes, as if I was slowly becoming numb, but I couldn't stop. I had to take one more step forward.

With every step, snowflakes fluttered against my face, and the biting wind brushed against my nape. I tried to climb the steep hill, but my legs were already weak and I couldn't even step on it properly.

The boundary between the earth and the sky was becoming more and more blurred, and the world was being encroached upon by the gray wind. In front of me, I could see a small village under a hill covered with pure white snow. In it... Maybe there is a place to hide.

Just a little more...

Now, if we really go a little further...

Breathing heavily, I mustered the last of my strength along the snowy road and resumed my steps. Breathing heavily, I retraced my steps on the snowy road. The forest seemed to fall silent, but soon the harsh barking of the hounds became louder and louder.

I felt my heart sink and stopped walking and slowly looked back. In the blizzard, shadows immersed in darkness were gradually revealing their shapes and approaching the side.

Derek...!

He's looking for me.

I tried to swallow my breath and walk again, but my body, weighed down by the bitter cold and endless fatigue, no longer obeyed my wishes. My legs staggered and I felt as if I was going to slump over the snow.

The hounds continued to follow the scent, and people followed it as a guide.

The sound of the metal armor rubbing through the air. An urgent voice shouted, "This way!" came from just a few dozen steps away.

My heart sank, and I was pounding like crazy. I tried to go down the steep slope to the bottom of the hill, but the dirt road was covered with snow and frozen.

As soon as my toes slipped, the weight of my body fell forward, and I was thrown onto the snowy floor. As he hit his side against the hard rock, he felt a knife-like pain all over his abdomen.

"Ahh

My lips burst numbly and a moan leaked out. His breath rose white and then broke in the air. I gritted my teeth and stood up again. His legs gave up and he almost fell to his knees again, but he managed to keep his balance.

One step after another, limping forward. The blizzard grew stronger and stronger, slapping me in the face like a beating.

"Hah... Hah...."

Breath scratched my throat. I struggled to lift my head. In the distance, the faint lights of the village shimmered in the gray mist. At that moment, my vision fell downward.

There was a clear stain of blood on his eyes.

The irregular scattering of traces along my footprints was like a red flower blooming on the snow. When I looked down at my trembling hands, my palms were dyed bright red.

I subconsciously tried to wipe the blood away, but the more I wiped it, the more it spread.

"Ugh...!"

A sharp pain rushed through my stomach. He tried to move his body with difficulty, but the pain did not subside easily.

The desperation of having to get help from someone, or rather, having no choice but to ask for help, weighed on me.

"It's useless to run away. Stop now!"

A shrill voice echoed through the darkness. I raised my head in surprise and looked in the direction from which the sound had come from.

The hounds roared lowly, and knights in heavy armor emerged from the blizzard.

Their eyes were cold and ruthless. There was no emotion on their faces, they were just standing here to carry out someone's orders, to complete a mission. I didn't even feel any sympathy in their eyes, let alone warmth for me and my child.

I lost my balance and swayed, and I collapsed on the snow beneath my feet. The wind was blowing fiercely, scattering snowflakes, and cold snow brushed across my face.

The coldness penetrating my flesh was transmitted to my bones, and I couldn't even breathe properly, but I tried my best to stretch out my arms.

I still had the last will to get up, but even he didn't move according to my will.

Every time I breathed heavily, the cold air tightened my chest. The fear that all of this would end in vain slowly settled in my heart and penetrated me.

There was only one reason I came here, and that was to protect this child. But the fact that there was nothing I could do for my child was unbearably painful.

"Valentino... My baby...."

I tried to convey my warmth by wrapping my trembling fingertips around him, but my fingertips were already numb and I couldn't feel his warmth.

His heartbeat slowed down, and the chill penetrated deep into his lungs, leaving him with a chilling pain.

Then, I heard the sound of horses' hooves in the distance. I felt the sound getting closer and closer to my fading consciousness.

The muffled sound grew louder and louder, and I could instantly recognize the owner of the silhouette through my blurred vision. It was Derek. I could clearly see them driving their horses through the fierce snowstorm.

Derek jumped off his horse and rushed towards me through the snow.

"Noah!"

Derek's cold hands wrapped around my face and shook me. But his voice grew farther and farther away, and his vision slowly sank into darkness.

***

When I opened my eyes, a faint light enveloped the room. I tried to move, but I couldn't breathe because of the heavy fatigue that covered my whole body. I felt like there was someone next to me. I slowly turned my head. Derek was looking down at me.

My heart sank for a moment.

The escape failed.

The last moments of struggling in the blizzard flashed through my mind. The memory of running with gritted teeth and finally falling into the snow and the sharp pain in my stomach came back vividly. I reflexively moved my hand over the boat.

"Babies... Is the baby safe?"

His voice trembled and scattered as if it would break at any moment. But Derek didn't answer. He just stared at me in silence. The silence became even more terrifying and weighed heavily on my heart.

After a moment, Derek slowly lowered his head and spoke in a low voice.

"The child... Unfortunately, we couldn't keep it."

His voice was calm and unwavering, but there was a deep sense of fatigue and anguish.

"You were also quite dangerous. If it had been a little later, I would have died of hypothermia."

Listening to him until the end, my ears went blank. All the sounds disappeared, and my mind seemed to go white.

Valentino....

"Lies."

My lips trembled spontaneously.

"No, it can't be."

I shook my head in denial and muttered softly. My breath was up to my chest, and tears filled my throat.

Did the child I had tried so hard to protect and wanted to hold in my arms really left?

I couldn't believe it. I wrapped my trembling hands around my stomach and cried out earnestly.

Baby... Please... Please, answer me, you're here, aren't you?

However, I didn't feel any signs of it. The reaction of the little life that never stopped was gone, and only a cold, heavy silence filled me.

He couldn't take his hand off his stomach, barely catching his breath, and slowly looked up at Derek next to him. At that moment, my suppressed emotions burst out.

"Why..."

I couldn't help but look at him with a trembling voice and ask.

"Why did you bring me, Derek? Julian woke up and could live happily with him now. So I tried to disappear quietly. I was going to leave for you..."

The tears rose to the top of my throat and I couldn't hold it back any longer.

"You just left me alone. Why... Why me... Bring them in... If it weren't for you, it wouldn't have happened!"

"Noah, calm down."

Derek spoke in a low, firm voice. His words made me smile.

Calm down?

The laughter didn't stop. Derek's words sounded like he was mocking me in the face of all this pain.

Do they really understand the pain I am experiencing?

Why can I say it so lightly? Do my sadness and anger seem to be just passing emotions?

I couldn't stop laughing and looked at him with a trembling voice.

"Yes, you didn't have any affection for this child anyway. In a situation like this, you won't be as sad as I am."

A sway of emotion flashed across Derek's face. Whether it was pity or guilt, I didn't want to worry about that anymore. My breathless voice sank into the room.

"Do you know how much I've given up for you, how hard I've tried to be by your side, to be accepted by you?"

Derek remained silent, his face cold.

His expressionless face, his indifferent expression trying to hide all his emotions, made me break down even more. The moment I saw that face, I couldn't hold back my suppressed emotions anymore.

"I... I risked my all. But you crushed my heart casually. To you, I was just a tool, nothing more."

The more I spoke, the more my heart hurt. My affection for Derek was gone, and my heart that loved him was torn to shreds, leaving me with empty anger.

"I tried hard to die, but in the end, what came back to me... There was nothing."

“…….”

"Yes...."

I let out quietly with a cold smile.

"Now I understand. How foolish I was to hang on to someone like you... How fleeting a dream I was dreaming by myself..."

His pheromones didn't give me any comfort anymore. On the contrary, it was painful to be with him and he choked. I couldn't even bear to touch it.

"If you... It's so terrible. I regret loving someone like you."

Tears streamed down her cheeks, but this time she didn't look away and looked straight at him.

"All the moments I thought would look back on me someday... I regret it so much."

At that moment, Derek's eyes seemed to flutter for a moment. Perhaps my despair had pierced his thick defenses at that moment.

I raised my voice as if squeezing the last of my strength in the suffocating pain.

"Let me go now! It doesn't matter where you send me! Whether it's the Omega asylum or the mansion of the Marquis who bought me, that's enough as long as I don't see your face. If I don't have to see you, I'm fine anywhere!"

I didn't want to stay here for a moment longer, so I jumped out of bed and walked quickly. But before I could get close to the door, Derek gave me a wink, and the servants quickly approached and grabbed my arms.

"Let go... Let it go!"

I struggled with all my might, but my already exhausted body couldn't even move properly.

In the midst of my anger and bitterness, it was even more painful to realize how helpless I was. There was nowhere to run or hide.

"You brought me back here... It's because they don't want me to escape from this pain. You want to keep me by your side, take everything from me, and do whatever you want!"

He poured out all his remaining emotions and anger and screamed like crazy.

"Because of your greed... Because of your filthy and cold greed... I lost Valentino! If only you had let me go... He would have been safe!"

Tears ran down my cheeks, but my hatred for him made me stronger.

I hoped that my despair and anger would be sharply pierced in his chest, and I did not take my eyes off his face, even though I had no more energy to breathe. With the last of his strength, he screamed.

"Murderer! You were the one who killed my child!"

After saying that, all my energy drained away. My vision became blurry, and my body slowly swayed. The servants hurriedly grabbed me and held me up, but I couldn't even feel it.

The remaining anger cooled down and emptiness filled me. Even the sadness gradually faded. It was getting darker in front of him, and Derek's face was getting blurred until he couldn't tell what he was looking like anymore.

Everything seemed to be sucked into the depths of darkness.

***

The bedroom was immersed in deep darkness. I was carefully holding the baby's clothes in my arms. I couldn't let go of it as if it had become everything in the world. The things I had prepared for Valentino were all over the room.

Small clothes, small toys... Nothing could fill the emptiness in my heart. I held a book on a small table in my hand.

'Green wisdom.'

It was a prenatal book that I had been reading a little bit every day since the beginning of my pregnancy. As I turned the first page of the book, I tried to remember the familiar sensation on my fingertips. It seemed that the time I shared with my child remained in the book. I opened the book and read it slowly in a trembling voice.

"All the green plants in the forest help each other and depend on each other. Trees provide shelter for animals by providing wide shade, and flowers spread fragrance for bees and butterflies...."

A soft voice spread quietly throughout the room. I was under the illusion that he was still listening, so I slowly recited line by line.

"Child, there are people in the world who surround you with a heart as wide as a tree. When you are tired and tired, you can rest under the shade of that tree. Okay?"

My hands were still on the boat. She stroked the empty place and talked to her as if there was still a child there. I felt like the familiar feeling of a child breathing and a small kick would come back, but I didn't feel anything.

"The blade of grass rejoices in even the smallest dewdrops, my child. I will welcome the precious drops of water from heaven with all my heart and share my joy with them. The world lives by giving and receiving from each other like that...."

I turned the pages with trembling hands. At one time, I felt that the warm teachings of this book connected me and my child, so I used to read this book to my child every evening.

I wanted to believe that maybe my child felt a little joy in me listening to these words.

"Someday... When you come out into this world and walk hand in hand in the forest... At that time... I'll teach you everything. I will never forget the greenery of the grass and the smell of the trees... Okay?"

His voice trembled. Looking at the words in the book, I felt as if I was looking into a distant place. Everything I wanted to teach and tell my child was now coming back as a hollow echo.

"We are together... Always... With you...."

But even though I knew that there was no one in the world who would listen to me, I continued to talk to him with a trembling voice. If I didn't, everything would disappear.

"Valentino...."

Tears flowed down my face, and my voice became a whisper again. Every night, I imagined the moment when my child would come out into the world and look at me as if I were dreaming. Those were the days I waited for with all my heart.

But every night, I was trapped in a quiet despair, stroking my belly like an empty shell. My child was my everything. That little life was my hope, the reason for living, and the bright light in my colorless daily life.

But as the light faded, I was dragged into the endless mire of despair. Every day became overwhelming, and at some point, it hurt so much that I couldn't even breathe.

It was as if a big hole had been pierced deep in my chest, a deep emptiness and a bitter pain rushed in. Blinded by the pain, I blamed Derek.

He blamed me for bringing me to this point and taking away my precious child, and cursed him in a voice full of anger and despair.

However, the truth always weighed on me coldly and heavily. No matter how much I tried to blame others, the heavy guilt didn't come away from me. Deep in my heart, I knew it long ago.

My uterus, which is a recessive omega, is weak.

I knew that my pheromones were not reaching my child.

Even though I knew all that, I couldn't do anything.

If only I was just an ordinary omega. If only I had been a little stronger....

The thought remained as a mere empty wind, weighing on my chest and tormenting me.

I should have endured a little longer for my child.

Even in the moment of despair, I should have struggled more, and I should have escaped a little more deliberately.

She should have stolen everything from Derek to give him more pheromones.

However, he couldn't do anything. I was helpless and couldn't protect her. Reality gave me no ideals, no hope, no forgiveness.

"Everything... It's because of me."

The cold pain that came with the coming night could not be washed away no matter how many tears I shed. Even as I rubbed my tear-covered face in the darkness with trembling hands, the guilt and loss in my heart clawed deeper and sharper.

***

I couldn't even fathom how much time I had spent in my bedroom. When I turned my heavy eyes out of the window, the morning sunlight was shining on the flower garden without fail. Unlike my empty mind, the world still seemed peaceful and beautiful.

He didn't have the strength or the heart to move, but he slowly stood up as if he was being pushed away. I carefully opened the closed door and walked slowly to the flower garden.

The flowers were blooming in abundance with bright sunlight, and the scent of flowers carried by the wind reached me. In the past, the scent would have made my heart lighter, but now it just passed by emptyly.

The warmth of the sunlight disappeared without a trace, unable to reach my frozen heart. The world was still brilliant, but everything felt heavy and fleeting.

I was struggling to endure every day in my exhausted life.

Why does it have to remain so fleeting?

It was a question that I had thought about countless times, but it always became blurred without finding an answer.

I sat in a daze for a long time. I lost the power to think.

How long have I dreamed about it?

The moment when I walk through this flower garden with my child, laugh and soak in happiness.

I gently held the Eleora flower in my small hand and dreamed of the days when I would smile under the warm sunlight.

But now, the simple wind has vanished like a rustling leaf.

I desperately hoped that this pain would not continue any longer. How wonderful it would be if I could get away from all this holding me back, and that thought filled my mind more and more.

After a long time, I sighed and slowly rolled up my wrists. The cold blade brushed against me, and the red marks spread more and more as the dazzlingly white petals were stained with blood.

"Baby... I'll be coming to you soon..."

I whispered those words to the child who had to leave me a long time ago.

Eleora... This flower garden, which was once a symbol of hope for me, has now become my final resting place.

A cold wind shook the hem of my robe.

Everything faded away. The flower garden, which had symbolized hope and love, seemed to swallow my pain and say goodbye to me. It was then. I could hear footsteps rushing wildly.

"What are you doing, Noah?"

It was Derek. Even as his consciousness faded, his voice pierced my ears with a particularly sharp crack. Soon after, Derek lifted me up without hesitation. Wrapped in his strong arms, I leaned into his arms and carried into the castle. Short, rough breaths brushed against his skin, and there was an unusually impatient stride in his steps.

Soon after, the doctor arrived. He shook his head heavily.

"I'm sorry, but I can't guarantee that you're bleeding heavily."

When the doctor expressed his disapproval, Derek's eyes became even sharper.

"Be sure to save him. By all possible means."

The doctor hesitated for a moment and then continued.

"My physical strength is also exhausted, but above all, there are very few omega pheromones left, which is dangerous. In order to survive my treatment, the lord must give me pheromones."

The moment he heard that, Derek's body instantly stiffened. There was a short, heavy silence, and then he carefully leaned over and slowly embraced me. The pheromones that spread with my body temperature began to surround me.

"Derek... Don't do it...."

I managed to raise my hand and grab his wrist. He had so little strength that he could barely reach it, but Derek's movement stopped immediately.

"My whole body is broken... If it becomes useless, I'll let it go... You did...."

My voice was so weak, and it dispersed like a trembling breath.

"Until then... I had to be here, that was a promise..."

Derek looked down at me and didn't take his eyes off me for a moment. There was no shaking on his cold face, but he felt a sense of tension as if he was on the edge of a precipice. I continued without stopping. I wanted to pour out all the last sadness I had left.

"I... I lost everything I had. Not the title, not the family, not you... And..."

My voice could no longer be heard. Instead, tears flowed down my face.

"Even my baby."

Derek's hand covered the back of my hand without hesitation. It was a short moment, but the warmth was clear.

"So now... That would be enough."

Keeping his lips tightly shut, Derek said nothing. But the power of his hand around me was getting stronger and stronger. A low voice slowly came out.

"Do you think I will allow such a choice?"

A large hand gripped my shoulders even tighter. The heavy pressure from my fingertips was like a cold chain that tried to bind me to reality. In his hand, there was a determination that rendered all my resistance powerless.

"Don't think it's going to end like this."

At that moment, a warm energy spread throughout my body. It was his pheromone. As if trying to pull me up from my wandering void, it embraced me like an intense sunlight. A deep, heavy sleep slowly engulfed me, and I couldn't open my eyes anymore. Consumed by his scent, he sank into the darkness.

***

From that day on, Derek stared at me with a piercing gaze, as if I were a piece of glass that was about to break. However, there was more pent-up tension in his eyes than caution. He was more sensitive and nervous than ever when dealing with me.

The room I was trapped in was the deepest and most tranquil place in the city. Completely cut off from the outside world, only Derek was allowed to enter, and it was tightly controlled, so no sharp objects or anything that seemed dangerous were allowed.

The bed was equipped with a strong leather strap to bind me, and the cold, colorless space was filled with silence, as if it would swallow up all emotions and sounds. I had to strapped to the bed and wait for him to come home. The leather straps that tied around my wrists and ankles conveyed a cold and firm feel even with a slight movement. My mouth had a dull muzzle that prevented me from biting my tongue.

The red sunset slowly climbed down the walls and seeped into the room. The faint light of the setting sun colored the floor, signaling that the day was coming to an end. At that moment, Derek quietly stepped into the room.

He approached without saying a word and sat down on a small chair by the bed. His reddish profile was sharp and hard.

Derek's gaze rested on my wrist. His fingertips moved slowly along the red dents from the leather straps.

"I leave it this way to prevent your rash behavior."

His words sounded dry, as if they didn't contain any emotion. I just stared helplessly with sunken eyes. I didn't want to ask anything, and I didn't want to reply.

"Hate is the strongest emotion in a person."

“…….”

"Noah, you can hate me and blame me. Use it as nourishment and endure."

Derek paused and looked away for a moment. He took a quiet breath as if he were swallowing something deep.

"As long as I can stop thinking prematurely, it doesn't matter what I look like."

I looked at Derek in heavy silence. I felt like all of his actions were oppression wrapped in the name of protecting me. He tried endlessly to pull me into reality, but it was just a cold, suffocating prison.

I didn't want to stay here any longer. Nothing could fill the emptiness inside me. Breaking the silence, Derek's voice echoed through the room.

"I'm going to be vacating this place soon."

I didn't look up at him. But his voice was clear to my ears.

"This is the emperor's order. We need to go to the battlefield."

A silhouette in armor swept through the corner of his vision. The faint sunlight streaming in from outside the window dripped down the cold metal surface, gently wrapping around Derek's face and shoulders.

"It won't take long."

Derek slowly turned his head and stepped toward the door. The footsteps were constant and heavy. The sound of the door closing filled the space. I felt a faint sense of relief. The fact that Derek was leaving this place even for a moment came as a strange sense of liberation. If I could break free from the time I was bound by his dominant gaze and instructions, I could breathe.

I let out a long breath and closed my eyes.

How much time had passed? As night fell, the room fell into silence, and the flickering candles cast a faint shadow. It was then. I could hear someone putting the key in the locked door.

Derek?

My heart seemed to stop for a moment.

Did he come back without saying a word? Not that much time has passed yet... Why?

The doorknob slowly turned. I stiffened my body unconsciously. However, the feeling of the darkness was strangely unfamiliar. The door opened slightly, and the strong scent of lavender filled the room.

I looked up in surprise and saw Julian standing with a lantern in his hand. His figure shimmered faintly through the light, and there was a heavy and deep sadness on his face. Julian looked around the room carefully, then came over to my side and sat quietly.

"Noah...."

His voice was low and cautious.

"I'm sorry. I wanted to help you somehow, but he didn't let anyone approach you..."

Julian looked down at my scarred wrist and continued.

"I don't know how hard it must have been here... I can't even guess."

Julian's voice quietly soaked into my ears like a low sigh. There was a faint sadness, guilt, and a sad heart that wanted to comfort me. However, when I saw his warm eyes, the anger and hurt that had been deep in my heart began to flare up again.

It was Julian who pushed me to the brink. Now, when he gently comforted me, his intentions were not pure. There must be another purpose.

Julian hesitated for a long time, then took a deep breath and spoke heavily.

"Derek is also suffering a lot from this. I mean, please... Please understand him a little. He just... It's because I can't let go of you."

I just stared at Julian in silence. Every time I heard the word forgiveness, all the wounds that had been hurt in my heart seemed to stir up again. I didn't have the heart to forgive Derek in the first place. When the last hope was shattered, all that was left was an empty sense of loss.

Julian met my cold gaze and let out a short sigh.

"I understand how much it hurts right now."

Julian slowly reached for the padlock on my wrist.

"But if you go on like this, you'll both end up with scars."

The lock was unlocked and a light click echoed throughout the room. Only then did Julian slowly remove his hand from my wrist and bow his head.

"I always felt that I couldn't help at all because I lost my memory. That's why I want to help like this."

I was trapped among the gloomy luxury furnishings of Greymore Castle. Every time Derek looked at her, she shuddered as if she were sitting on a pincushion, and the pain was unbearable at the touch of him. I was afraid that I would stay forever in that prison where I was not free even for a moment.

Julian led me to a secret passage that I had known beforehand. The guards guarding the castle didn't even see a shadow. Lumps of damp moss clung to the walls as if swallowing the light, and the passage led into endless darkness. It seemed that no one had visited him for a long time.

"If you go out on this road, you'll be connected to the outside of the castle."

Julian's soft voice rang in my ears.

"Go, Noah. No one will hold you now."

Finally, we passed through the gate and came out of the castle. I could feel Julian standing behind me, still staring at me, but I didn't turn around. A sharp cold penetrated my skin, but the cold air brought me back to reality.

I took a deep breath. I reminded myself that everything I had gone through, the pain and hurt, my tears, and my determination led to this moment.

It was the first time in a long time that I had been free.

As the cold wind brushed across his face, the time he had spent in the castle seemed to fly away like dust. The air was new, and everything around me came to me with a fresh feeling, as if I had been breathing for the first time in a long time.

However, that sense of liberation quickly disappeared, and a sense of hopelessness immediately came over me. I was free from all scrutiny now, but I felt like I had been thrown into endless darkness with no destination or goal.

The forest around me was infinitely deep and quiet. Mossy rocks and rugged bush stretched out among the black trees, and the faint moonlight hung overhead, half-obscured.

He had no idea where this path was going or what lay ahead, but one thing was certain: he would no longer have to live under Derek's shadow.

Without looking back, I took a step along the road.

Only the faint moonlight falling through the trees illuminated the path. The surroundings were enveloped in cold silence. Every time the branches swayed in the night wind, there was a faint sound. I muttered softly.

Where should I go?

I asked myself, knowing that I wouldn't get an answer. The sound of the cold night breeze whispered through the leaves. I stopped walking and looked around.

There were only trees around that looked decades old. The dark shadows cast beneath them were dark and deep, as if laughing at the deep loneliness inside me. But I couldn't go back. The way to retreat was not in my choice.

How long did he walk? When I finally reached the end of the road after wandering for a long time, a huge cliff was waiting for me, casting a black shadow.

The wind blew hard and brushed my face. The cold wind made my hair flutter wildly, but the sharp cold made me feel calm.

Everything I held dear was shattered. I couldn't look forward to the future anymore. I couldn't even find a reason to live anymore.

Now that all the things I tried to achieve and dreamed of have all disappeared into nothingness, why do I have to walk this dark road alone?

The darkness stretching down the cliff felt as if it was going to hold me in my arms. I wanted to drop everything. The thought that the peace I had longed for might be waiting for me in this darkness filled my mind.

But on the other hand, I didn't know if it was really what I wanted. There must have been a faint ember somewhere in my heart that I had to survive. The faint embers seemed to whisper something to me.

I thought I could find hope in my broken life.

But in the end, I didn't even know what path was left for me.

Every time I took a step toward the edge of the cliff, the memories I had buried deep in my heart quietly came to mind.

Derek....

It was like a maze with no end in sight. It was only pain, but the name Derek still clung to me like an unbroken thread somewhere.

The memory of the first day I met him flashed back. The sunlight that day was neither warm nor cold, and the back of Derek standing in the middle of it. The look in his eyes that turned his head to me and smiled quietly.

The emotions I felt at that time had now become a faint light that had faded into the back of my memory.

Maybe I was just dreaming of an impossible love in Derek's cold eyes.

I stood on the edge of the cliff and looked up at the sky. There was not a single ray of starlight in the black and brutally blocked night sky. The silence of the darkness, as if it was about to take away all hope, was as deep and harsh as my past years.

All the moments I had tried to reach out to Derek—the cold-chilled dreams, the faint hopes, and the painful longings that bloomed in them—were scattered, sucked into the dark abyss, and shattered.

Finally, I took a quiet step.

I wanted to let go of everything and break free from the pain and regret that had bound me. It seemed that if I surrendered myself to the darkness, I would be forever free from all memories of Derek.

I slowly leaned forward, hoping that the deep darkness would embrace me. Then I quietly closed my eyes.

Chapter 6. Chains of Bondage

When I opened my eyes, I could see the unfamiliar ceiling blurry. It was as if he had just stepped out of a long dream, his mind was empty, and there was a dim glow everywhere.

He tried to get up from his feet, but even that wasn't easy. My body felt heavy against my will, like a huge stone. I slowly blinked and looked around the room.

Rough-hewn wooden beams supported the ceiling, and warm sunlight shimmered into the room, gently illuminating the dark corners. But it was unfamiliar. I didn't know where this place was. No matter how much I thought about it, it didn't look like a space I'd seen anywhere.

At that moment, I heard small footsteps coming from the doorway. When I quietly turned my head, I saw a man with long hair covering the back of his neck and features with clear lines. He asked in a low, warm voice.

"You're awake. How do you feel?"

I slowly opened my mouth.

"Here... Where is it?"

"My cabin in the woods."

His voice was calm and soft.

"I'm Eldin. As you walk through the forest, you find yourself hanging from a vine and bring you here. I was worried that he hadn't woken up for a long time, but thankfully, he seems to be regaining his strength little by little."

I nodded and whispered slowly.

"Thank you for saving me."

Eldin's eyes were gentle, and his words reassured me. He paused, hesitated, and asked cautiously.

"But... What's your name?"

I shook my head in embarrassment. I couldn't remember anything about myself.

I was vague about who I was, why I was here, and even why I lost my memory. I felt like I was just floating around in an empty sea of memories. Eldin closed his mouth heavily, then carefully reached out and held out his old notebook, examining me.

"This... I found it in your clothes. Your clothes were torn and soaked with blood, so I changed them."

I slowly reached out and took the old notebook. The frayed and torn back and crumpled pages reached my fingertips. I felt my heart pounding a little and carefully opened my notebook. On the inside of the cover, there was a phrase written in delicate handwriting.

Love, to My Noah.

A strange tremor rose deep in his chest. I muttered to myself.

"Noah... I think my name is Noah."

Eldin watched my expression carefully and nodded slowly. Then he slowly opened his mouth.

"Noah, I have something to tell you."

"Yes."

"You were imprinted with someone."

"Imprint... What?"

"Imprinting is like a lifeline for Omega. If you are seriously injured or your life is in danger of being cut off, the imprint will be broken. You were in the woods with your imprint broken. I managed to recover with my elixir."

Eldin's explanation had a deep and heavy meaning. I silently recalled his words and began to chase the clues in my memory.

How did it all start?

Why was I here, and what brought me here?

I groped my fingertips for the bandages I was wrapping around and ran my hand over my still throbbing head.

"I'm still a little dazed. I think I was shocked when I fell. That's why I lost my memory, right?"

Eldin let out a deep sigh and nodded.

"It is possible, but we cannot be sure. The medicine I used to you may have had an effect."

“…….”

"As it is a powerful and fast drug that can cause death, there is no escape from the price. In addition, it is a medicine made by mixing poisonous herbs, so it has a lot of side effects. The Omega gland will be damaged, and most of the pheromones will lose their function. As you can see, the hair..."

Nervous, I slowly raised my hand and brushed it down my hair. However, the color of her hair that seemed to pass through her fingers almost took her breath away.

What unfolded in front of me... He had silver hair. Pure white hair that shines coldly. He stretched out his fingers in disbelief and stared at my hair. I asked him cautiously.

"Eldin, is this... Is it a side effect of the drug?"

Eldin nodded slowly and continued. His voice was quiet and cautious.

"As powerful as the medicinal effect... Traces are often left on the body. It shows on the skin, and it also leaves changes in the hair."

I dropped my head heavily. Eldin's calm explanation came to me like fate, and the anxiety that surrounded me grew thicker and thicker. I let out a long exhale.

The lost memories and the unstable body made me even stranger. Eldin quietly sat down beside me. His gaze was uniformly gentle and full of understanding.

"Slowly gather your body first. If you take the medicine I give you every day, you will get better."

***

I stayed in Eldin's hut and slowly recovered. Thanks to the herbs he gave me, my condition improved day by day. Life in the forest was quiet and peaceful. The forest wrapped in soft sunlight and fragrant grass gave us new days.

The memory still hasn't returned, but the familiar sensation in my hand hasn't gone away. Every time I touched the flowers and smelled the scent of the herbs, I felt an inexplicable sense of stability deep in my heart.

Maybe this was something I had been familiar with for a very long time.

Before I lost my memory, did I spend a lot of time with herbs in a fragrant place like this forest?

Every day, new times were piling up, not the lost past. Breathing in the morning sunlight and soft air through the trees, I tried to accept myself as if I were living a different life. But the more he did so, the more an unknown longing bloomed in his heart.

What kind of person was I?

Why was it found on the edge of a cliff covered with wounds?

Every dawn and dusk approached, my curiosity and anxiety deepened. Then it was early one morning. As the sunlight shone through the branches of the trees turned the forest silvery and the air was soft as mist, Eldin approached quietly.

He had a gentle smile on his face, but there was a strange hesitation in his eyes. After swallowing again for a moment, he took a deep breath and spoke carefully.

"Noah."

He looked at me without averting his eyes and said calmly.

"Can we talk for a while?"

I paused the hand sorting the herbs and looked up at Eldin.

"I received a letter a few days ago. My friend's aunt collapsed due to back pain, and to relieve the pain, she needed a rare herb that can only be found in this forest. So they urgently asked me for help."

"Don't worry about going here. I'm fine."

I spoke brightly, but deep inside, an inexplicable anxiety slowly rose. The thought of being left alone in the woods kept coming back to my mind, and my heart became heavy. However, he tried to keep his composure and smiled. Eldin looked at me and spoke cautiously.

"Actually... I feel bad about leaving you alone. If you don't mind, can you come with me?"

His proposal was unexpected, but the anxiety in the back of his mind seemed to melt away in a moment. My heart was warmed by his consideration for me.

"Of course, Eldin. I'll go with you."

I replied with a gentle smile. Eldin looked me in the eye silently, nodded slowly, and smiled with a hint of relief and appreciation.

***

When I left the forest and went out to the city after a few months, the unfamiliar and complicated scenery stimulated my senses and overwhelmed my whole body.

Tons of people, constant rumbling noises. The various scents blooming everywhere and the unfamiliar textures mixed with the air confused me. As my senses that had been dormant for a long time awakened, everything in the city came to me as a different world.

But thanks to Eldin, who silently guided me by my side, I was able to stabilize myself.

"Noah, you don't have to be too nervous. Stephen is a trusted friend."

Eldin looked at me and smiled softly, nodding lightly at his words. The interior of Stephen's shop was simple and cozy. A rich fragrance of soil and herbs filled the air, giving me a sense of stability deep in my heart.

"Eldin, I never thought you'd come like this!"

A man with dark bronze skin and a burly physique approached Eldin, arms outstretched. Overwhelmed by the vibrancy momentarily, I almost backed away unconsciously, but Eldin dodged slightly as if he was used to it, accepting his greeting naturally.

"It's been a while, Stephen."

Stephen didn't care about Eldin's indifferent attitude and laughed happily as he shook his big hand.

"If you haven't seen him in a long time, give him a nice tea, he's a cold guy!"

Stephen grumbled and looked disapproving, but there was an unconcealed affection for his friend. Then he found me standing next to Eldin, and he smiled with a curious expression.

"Oh, you are the Noah Eldin talked about?"

Stephen asked Eldin, smiling, and I quickly bowed my head in greeting.

"Welcome! I'm your brother, so I'll take it easy."

I was a little embarrassed by the energetic energy, but I stretched out my hand and shook my hand. His hands were thick and trustworthy, and the warmth felt as sweet as if he had known me for a long time.

"Yes, thank you for inviting me."

"The answer is cool. He's polite, and he's a big deal, right?"

Stephen grinned broadly and shook my hand with all his might. The corners of his mouth curled up brightly, and his expression had a special power to make people feel comfortable in an instant.

"Since you have a guest, I will take you to see it properly."

Stephen said to me with a big smile.

"I have collected a lot of rare herbs. Eldin might get tired of watching so much!"

The shop was full of herbs and exotic things that I had never seen before. The plants on the shelves spread different scents and enveloped the entire space in a calm and soft atmosphere.

I was about to reach out and examine one of the herbs when Stephen approached me and explained in a friendly voice.

"It's a celestella flower. It has an excellent effect on hemostasis and wound healing, so it is called the Sorcerer's Touch. However, the smell is quite strong when cooked. If you don't get used to it, it will poke your nose, so be careful."

"It's really amazing. I think I saw it in the forest, but I didn't know it had such an effect."

I muttered to myself, and Stephen smiled and patted me on the shoulder.

"Noah, do you think you're interested in medicinal herbs? I don't know if one day you will become a master of herbalism like me."

I laughed at his joke too.

As his enthusiasm was conveyed, I gradually relaxed as I listened to his explanation of the herbs. I looked at each of the herbs on display and listened to his story.

Stephen's deep knowledge and passion for medicinal herbs impressed me at every moment. Suddenly, I turned my attention to Eldin. He was still watching Stephen's enthusiastic hospitality from a distance, but there was a gentle smile on his face.

Stephen opened his arms with an even more excited face.

"Come on! Sit back and relax, and I'll serve you the best special tea I've made myself!"

***

During the few days that I decided to stay here, I spent time at Stephen's shop and naturally helped him with his work. Stephen knew how to quickly sort things out like a merchant and to have a friendly conversation with his counterparts, laughing. His cheerful demeanor was always impeccable.

I naturally followed his daily life and gradually became close to him. After Eldin left the store, saying he had something to do, I was helping with the packing with a vial in one hand. Then Stephen turned to me and jokingly spoke to me.

"Hey, Noah, if I work so hard, my position will be in jeopardy. I'm going to be pushed out as a customer."

Stephen's eyes sparkled with the same mischievous light as always, and his cheerful laughter soothed his involuntary hardening.

"Actually, I don't have anything special to do, so I just want to help."

"Oh, I want to help... So you can sit here at all? I'll take care of the food and the bed, for the rest of my life!"

"What?"

"I heard you have nowhere to go. That's why Eldin took you away."

At that, I stopped and dropped my head. He couldn't rely on Eldin forever.

I wanted to achieve something with these hands and live my own life, but the reality that my omega origin was blocking all of those paths was painful. Stephen put aside his mischievous expression and said with a serious look.

"Noah, you're so meticulous and sincere. He seems to have a talent and a good sense of medicinal herbs. What do you think? Why don't you seriously think about working here?"

I couldn't say anything for a moment. It felt like the stories I had buried deep in my heart suddenly surfaced. It was hard for me to talk about my origins, the fact that I was an omega and not a beta, and the fact that I thought I had to hide.

But if you're Stephen... When I thought of the warmth and generosity he had shown me, I thought that he might listen to me as it is.

I didn't look away from his eyes, but exhaled slowly.

"Actually... I look like a beta on the outside, but I'm actually a recessive omega."

Stephen seemed surprised by my story. I added an explanation in a carefully low voice.

"I think I imprinted it with someone until I lost my memory. But now the engraving has been broken... The pheromones are almost gone."

"That's why I didn't feel anything... That's how it was."

Stephen muttered to himself, then frowned and said in a low voice.

"The engraving has been broken..."

He paused for a moment and slowly shook his head.

"Doesn't that mean you almost died? Are you okay now?"

I nodded silently.

"Yes, Eldin is still alive today."

Stephen still seemed to be reflecting on my words, his face still deep in thought, and he suddenly looked up.

"But the fact that I had an engraving means that there was someone I loved that much. So, aren't you looking for it by now?"

Those words resonated in my heart calmly.

Is the person who was my alpha still looking for me?

I didn't have any memories in my head, but I felt a strange feeling at the possibility of someone like that. But I answered calmly.

"To be honest, I don't know that much."

I sighed.

"Because I lost my memory... They know very little about me."

"Noah... If Eldin picked you up from the edge of the cliff you fell on, isn't it possible that someone pushed you there on purpose?"

“…….”

"If you ever meet someone who is involved in your past, you better not trust them completely."

There was a deep concern in Stephen's voice. He was genuinely concerned about me and gave me sincere advice to be on the lookout for danger. I nodded slowly and thanked him with a small smile.

"Thank you, Stephen."

"Are you hesitant about my proposal because you're a zealous omega? Is there any other reason?"

"Yes, to be honest, most of us would be troubled to know this."

"I don't care if you're a beta or an omega, it's not your traits that matter. What matters is what kind of person you are."

No one had ever told me that before, so I felt a little sad. Steven, who was silently biting his lip, looked at me and shook his hand.

"Okay, then it's decided."

For a moment, I didn't understand what he meant.

"What?"

"You will learn to work under me from tomorrow. I'm going to tell Eldin to go back alone."

After saying that, Stephen quickly went back to what he was doing, but I stood there without taking a step. I could learn the job at Steven's shop... His deep knowledge went far beyond that of a simple herbalist.

The know-how, experience, and way of looking at the world were as calm and firm as the quiet flow of herbs, soil, and sunlight that he handled.

Once again, his last words echoed in my heart.

'It's not the trait that matters. What matters is what kind of person you are.'

My chest became hot and my eyes turned red. The way I looked at myself beyond my traits as if I didn't care was so strange and at the same time I felt very comfortable.

Endless thoughts swirled in my mind.

Finally, I had a place where I didn't have to hide my identity as an omega, and I had a space where I could freely express myself without worrying about it.

Stephen calmed the anxiety in my heart and gave me new hope at the same time. I realized that I was now at the beginning of being the master of my life.

When I cautiously told him that I wanted to work at Stephen's shop, Eldin looked at me in surprise for a moment. For a moment, I questioned my unexpected decision, but then he looked away and smiled softly.

"If you really want to do that... I won't stop you."

Eldin's tone was soft, but his eyes were still full of concern for me. He took a quiet breath and spoke again.

"But... I'm not sure if this is really the path you want. There may be another way."

I replied firmly, not avoiding his gaze.

"This is the only path I have chosen for myself, Eldin. I want to start over on my own and in my own way."

He still wanted to object, but he sighed lightly and nodded, as if he knew my determination was firm.

"I see, Noah."

He looked at me intently. It was as if he had made up his mind to respect and accept my decision.

"Stephen is someone who will be on your side in any situation. I can vouch for that."

Eldin paused for a moment, then added with a small smile.

"Instead, can you promise to come to me sometimes? I want to see how they are doing and how they are."

"Of course, Eldin. I'll see you every now and then."

Eldin raised his hand and gently placed it on my shoulder. The touch was warm and gave me a strange comfort.

He stood there in silence for a moment, his hand on my shoulder, and finally slowly turned toward the forest and walked.

I took a deep breath as I watched it disappear through the trees. He didn't know what days awaited him, but rather than anxiety, a firm determination throbbed in his heart.

***

Stephen's mansion was much grander than I expected. A tall iron gate could be seen through the dense trees, and beyond it was a well-manicured garden. When the door opened, a soft dirt road led to his house. I almost let out of my mouth for a moment.

The Stephen I knew was an ordinary merchant, and I never imagined that he would make his home in such a place where nobles would live.

Looking at the mansion, I took a quiet breath. Then Stephen took a step forward, looked at me lightly, and smiled.

"Are you surprised, Noah? Can't believe this is my home?"

"Oh... That's right. Much more than I thought... It's big and spacious."

I smiled awkwardly without knowing it. My mind was complicated. Stephen's house felt strange to me, and at the same time, I wondered what kind of life he had lived. The Stephen I knew was very sincere and pleasant, but this magnificent mansion seemed to show another side of him.

I couldn't keep my mouth shut the whole time I followed Stephen around his mansion. Every corner of this house was old-fashioned and sophisticated.

Wooden beams, wallpaper, and small ornaments in the wide hallway... All of this was unfamiliar to me, and somehow I felt like I belonged to a world that was too far away from me.

Then, Stephen suddenly spoke to me from next to me.

"So, which room do you like? You can choose whatever you want."

"What?"

I looked at him in surprise at the sudden question. Stephen laughed at my reaction for a moment, and then walked down the stairs to the hallway on the first floor.

"Then how about this room? The windows are big so the sun comes in, and it's pretty good for you. Would you like to go in?"

I followed his words and took a step into the room. Sunlight poured in generously through the large windows, and the whole room was bathed in warm light.

"I... Am I staying here?"

Stephen chuckled and looked at my face with amusement.

"If not, why did you follow me all the way here?"

His eyes twinkled and he smiled a little mischievously. He knew I was awkward, but he added in a slightly teasing tone.

I was embarrassed, and my face burned and I spoke as if to make excuses.

"It's just... Just because he showed me the house... I was curious too. That's why I followed him..."

As soon as I finished speaking, Stephen smiled and nodded.

"If you were just going to let me see it, would I have shown you the room?"

He turned his gaze to the window and slowly added.

"If you want to work in a store, you don't need a place to stay, do you?"

To be honest, I was embarrassed. She had just gotten to know him, and no matter how good her intentions were, she felt bad about staying with him at his mansion as he suggested.

"No, Stephen. That's a little... I think it would be difficult. Wouldn't it be embarrassing if I used this room?"

I bowed my head and tried to politely decline, but Stephen interrupted me with a relaxed smile.

"Embarrassment? Then shouldn't we take a cut from the salary?"

He tilted his head slightly and added playfully.

"There's no way I won't pay the rent. If you are dissatisfied with the deducted amount, you can go and talk about it at that time."

I was a little stunned by his attitude.

Stephen's mansion was supposed to be quiet and comfortable, unlike any other place in the bustling city, and it was not easy for me to find a room in the city. This offer seemed too sweet and realistic to refuse.

"There are so many rooms, what difference will it make if you fill one?"

I couldn't help but nod my head.

"Yes, I understand. Then... I'll take care of you for a while. I'll save the money and move out as soon as I find a small house."

He looked at me, then burst out laughing, then reached out and messed up my hair playfully. I was stunned, but his mischievous attitude eased my nerves.

"Don't be in too much of a hurry, Noah. It's not like someone is pushing you back. You just have to spend as long as you need, I don't care."

Even after his hand left my head, there was still a warm energy. I bowed my head slightly, deeply grateful to him and at the same time feeling a subtle relief.

***

The life in the mansion that started like that permeated my daily life much faster than I thought. Stephen's library was filled with all kinds of books.

In particular, there were a surprising number of books about medicinal herbs, and all of them were new to me, so I spent time immersed in them every night after work.

Whenever I learned about a new herb or found an interesting herb in a book, I wrote it down in a herbal notebook.

Every time I felt that I was filling my notebook with my own handwriting, my heart was excited. Before, it would have been difficult to even get specialized books and read them, but I was so grateful that I could learn new knowledge every day because I was here.

Today, while Stephen was away for work, I was guarding the store as he had asked.

There were few customers, and it was unusually quiet than usual. A peaceful silence enveloped the store, and I was spending my time arranging the medicinal ingredients one by one in a drowsy mood.

Then, with the sound of heavy footsteps, the door of the shop opened and a man entered. At first glance, he looked out of the ordinary.

Dressed in armor, he slowly looked around the store with a tired expression on his face as he approached me.

He quietly asked for Lunafeather, and after saying that, he waited for a while to see how I reacted. I quickly checked the list and looked up at him.

"I'm sorry, but it's already sold out and out of stock."

"Is that so...."

The man looked embarrassed at that. I could see the desperation in his eyes, and I could clearly feel his desire to ask for help. I asked cautiously, with a worried look.

"Lunafeather is a medicinal herb that is effective for insomnia and sleep disorders, but perhaps... Can you describe your symptoms in more detail? I thought I could recommend other herbs."

At my question, he bit his lip for a moment in agony, and then continued in a low voice.

"I don't know. I was just told that my mental illness had deepened..."

He sighed and closed his eyes. I could read the growing pain in his eyes as he felt helpless to do anything.

"He was a man of great strength. But what exactly broke him down like this? All that remains is that it is an invisible disease."

I slowly looked at him and asked.

"Before the onset of the disease... Has there been any major incident or change?"

After a moment of silence, he let out another deep sigh and continued quietly.

"I don't know the exact circumstances. However, do you suffer from nightmares every night, and sometimes even hallucinate? I heard that there were times when I almost stopped breathing because I couldn't wake up."

I looked him in the eye and said in a calm voice:

"It's hard to find the exact cause based on the symptoms you mentioned, but... There are things that can help with anxiety, hallucinations, and sleep disturbances. Herbs that can calm the mind and stabilize the mind and body."

His shoulders relaxed slightly, and his tense face seemed to relax a little.

I smiled quietly as if to reassure him and walked toward the herb shelf. I took them out one by one with a familiar hand from the herbs piled up on the shelves and thought of the right combination for the treatment.

"Knocksweed, Lever Dream, and Lucid Bloom. These herbs will calm your mind and body."

I added carefully, in a cautious tone.

"But there is a caveat. These three herbs should be taken together once a day, but no more. If you take large doses or more than once a day... In fact, the symptoms may worsen. It's important to keep the right amount."

He listened to me and nodded slowly. There was still worry on his face, but there seemed to be a ray of hope.

"And you should definitely get plenty of rest after taking it."

I continued.

"These herbs are soothing, but you need to take special care of those around you so that you don't get weak."

"Thank you so much."

His voice was low and deep, but there was a sense of urgency. I carefully added, hoping that every handful of herbs he had in his hand would be a small seed of hope.

"If your symptoms get worse... Come anytime. Let's find another way together."

He nodded, slowly savoring my words. Then he looked at me with a look of deep gratitude, slowly turned around, and disappeared out the door.

As the shop got more familiar, Stephen would trust me and be away for days.

Thanks to this, I naturally became close to the customers who visited the store, and there was one person who stood out in particular. It was Mrs. Charlotte, who was rumored to have gained enormous wealth by controlling trade routes.

Mrs. Charlotte always entered the store dressed in fancy clothes and jewelry.

She wore a velvety flowing dress, held a large fan in one hand, and every small decoration was luxurious.

When she appeared, the store would become quiet for a moment. The gorgeous figure with a voluminous skirt on the floor felt a kind of dignity.

She opened the door of the shop without fail today. I greeted Mrs. Charlotte with a bright smile.

"Welcome. What did you come looking for today?"

She approached me with a fan gently on her wrist and a smile on her face.

"Noah, you are still kind! I don't know if I'm bothering you by coming too often."

He raised his eyebrows playfully, but there was confidence in his voice. She was the most outstanding person among the guests here.

"It's annoying. You come here so often, and the shop becomes brighter."

Mrs. Charlotte listened to me and became even more angry, and her hair swept lightly.

"Oh, do you really think I'm going to fall for that? But to be honest, I suffered from headaches for a few days, but the herbs you recommended last time were so helpful! Thanks to you, I'm much better."

I nodded and answered.

"That's a good thing. If you take the herb regularly, you will see a greater effect."

She nodded in response to me, lowering her voice as if she were telling me a secret.

"I talked about you a lot to the people around me. Soon, more noble ladies will come looking for you. You'd better be prepared."

She took off her gloves and playfully patted me on the shoulder.

"You said you have cold hands and feet, right? If you drink this tea consistently, you will feel warmer and warmer."

I handed him the tea and said softly.

Mrs. Charlotte looked at me with emotion.

"You are so attentive, Noah! I'll definitely invite you to my house someday. It's a bit busy right now, so promise me I'll come back later."

I nodded and smiled at her invitation. We continued our conversation in a warm atmosphere.

Mrs. Charlotte told me her story, pouring out to me her experiences on the trade routes and news of her glamorous socialite. Listening to her chatter made me feel like I was glimpsing a new world.

While listening to Mrs. Charlotte's chatter, my eyes suddenly stopped in the corner of the store.

A long time ago, I saw a man who had been quietly coming in. He stared at the dried flowers on the shelves in silence. It seemed as if he was trying to choose something, but his gaze stayed in one place, creating a serene atmosphere.

He looked back at Mrs. Charlotte for a moment and smiled. She was still in the middle of telling her story, and her passion seemed unquenchable. I bowed my head slightly with apologies and spoke softly.

"I don't know if you need help. Excuse me for a moment."

Mrs. Charlotte smiled lightly and covered her mouth with a fan. Then he nodded his head slightly.

"Of course, Noah. Seeing you take care of other customers reminds me of how sincere you are."

I bowed my head with a grateful smile and cautiously approached the man.

"Are you looking for anything?"

He greeted me with a gentle smile.

"If you want a flower with a long-lasting scent, I like this lavender. Even if you dry it, the scent lasts for a long time and helps to calm your mind."

Suddenly, the man who was staring at me raised his thick eyebrows.

I tried to ask him if he was looking for something or if he needed help, but the subtle emotion in his eyes made me hesitate.

He slowly scanned my face with a stern expression. It was as if he was carving every line of his face into his eyes, a cautious and tenacious gaze. In his deep, unfamiliar eyes, there was an inexplicable emotion. Then, his gaze lingered on my hair for a long time, and a slight tremor spread across his cold eyes.

I just stood awkwardly. He frowned slightly, then shook his head lightly, confused. He moved his lips as if to speak to me at last, but no words came out.

I took a closer look at the man standing in front of me. A luxurious navy blue velvet coat clung to his body perfectly, and the outline of the muscles underneath was clearly visible.

His chest and forearms made him feel a thick sense of strength, and the firmness that emanated from his sturdy physique was overwhelming.

He was so flawless, and it all seemed so surreal that for a moment he wondered if he was really human.

As a deep, cold gaze poured into me, an unknown pressure slowly crept into my mind. His energy was cold and intense, and it seemed as if my heart was frozen in front of him.

I had been holding on to the gaze for a long time when a cheerful voice broke the tense air.

"Noah, there are so many new medicines on display here. Still, you take care of all these things, right?"

Mrs. Charlotte looked at the freshly prepared medicines and asked me with a twinkle in her eye.

"What are you using for this glass bottle?"

I turned my head to look at Mrs. Charlotte and breathed a sigh of relief. The moment I got away from his intense gaze, I felt a little lighter.

Mrs. Charlotte was looking at me with a curious face, and I replied with a gentle smile.

"Wait a minute, I'll explain to you right away."

I turned my head again and spoke to him in a calm tone.

"Please feel free to look around and let me know if you need anything."

I took a step back, approached Mrs. Charlotte, and explained to her the medicine she had been curious about. Mrs. Charlotte looked at each herb carefully and her eyes sparkled with curiosity.

With her characteristic bright smile, she pointed her finger at the vial and continued to ask questions. Her voice was fresh, and it seemed to bring a bright energy to the store.

"What's the green powder in this bottle? I wonder what it smells like."

I smiled, lifted the bottle, and showed it to her.

"This is a herb called Hirdoon. It has the effect of warming the body, so it is especially good in winter, and it is recommended for those who have cold hands and feet."

Mrs. Charlotte nodded, looked at the bottle closely, and took a step toward me with a curious face.

"Oh, so is there anything I need to pay special attention to when storing this?"

I continued my explanation in a calm tone.

"Yes, this herb is vulnerable to moisture, so you should store it in a dry and cool place. If you keep it with a little care, you will be able to keep it for a long time."

Mrs. Charlotte nodded and listened to my explanation. Her questions continued non-stop, and I calmly answered each one.

"Hey, what's the orange flower next to it? It looks like a rare flower."

I pointed to the orange flower with my fingertips and smiled.

"This is a herbala flower. It has a calming effect, relaxes you, and has a long-lasting scent, so it's good to put in a sachet."

Mrs. Charlotte said in admiration, "Aha...." He nodded with an exclamation.

She nodded with interest every time she listened to the explanation of each medicine, and I continued to explain with a smile whenever she had more questions.

Thanks to her constant curiosity and laughter, the air in the shop became even warmer. Watching her nod with an exclamation every time I finished explaining, I felt a little brighter.

After answering Mrs. Charlotte's questions for a long time, I was able to look around. I almost forgot how much time had passed as I explained it with a smile to her enthusiasm.

The shop was still quiet, and it was empty after the customers had left. But the man I had been dealing with for a long time disappeared without saying a word, not knowing when he had returned.

His gaze and cold aura remained strong in my mind, and it was strangely steamy that he had disappeared quietly.

Normally, a guest would ask for the herbs he needed, or at least say hello and leave, but he disappeared without a trace, as if he had soaked into thin air.

Maybe he stopped by after passing by for a while, or maybe he wasn't interested in me when he made eye contact with me.

However, his gaze and attitude remained too strong to be dismissed as just a passing guest. I was shaking my head, but then I regained my composure and decided to focus on my work as usual.

***

As I was rummaging through the ledger, I remembered a list of herbs that needed to be filled in, and I stood up.

I went down the stairs to the basement and held a box of medicine bottles neatly in my arms.

As I carefully climbed the stairs one step at a time, I suddenly heard a low voice from the small garden behind the warehouse. I stopped and listened.

Is it Stephen?

Curious, I quietly opened the door from the warehouse to the garden and stepped outside.

The garden with bright flowers was quiet and beautiful as usual. However, on one side of the garden, I saw two people standing among the flowers. It was a man who appeared to be a guest with Stephen. Standing side by side, they were talking about something serious.

I stopped and looked at the back of the man. His physique was completely different from the ordinary customers in this shop. His body, which seemed to be built up with muscles, had a hardness like steel.

I felt a strong tension in his thick shoulders that showed slightly under his clothes, his well-balanced waist, and his posture without any disturbance.

His short, neatly trimmed hair gave us a vague idea of his personality.

Calm and restrained demeanor, but the sharpness hidden in it... All of them exuded an aura that no ordinary person could possibly have.

Stephen looked at the man with a small smile and nodded. It was quite different from the expression he always had when dealing with customers.

His eyes looked a little nervous, and his gestures were very careful and slight.

After exchanging a few last words with Stephen, he quietly disappeared through the back door of the store. I waited for him to disappear completely, and then I approached Stephen.

"Steven, you just left... Who is it?"

I asked in a somewhat curious voice.

"He was a young nobleman. He didn't reveal his identity. He said he came to buy a large amount of herbs for the Templars."

Stephen couldn't hide his excitement as if he had left the man.

"The amount of this transaction is quite large. It's a bit unusual in our store, so I'm looking forward to it."

I nodded and listened to Steven's story.

"Why are you asking that? Well, do you have any questions?"

"It's familiar. I think I met him once at the store."

Stephen smiled slightly at my words and shrugged.

"Really? Maybe he came to see the store before signing the contract. Before I decided to make such a big deal, I would have wanted to take a look at the situation of the store."

The shop was quiet from the morning. On the small table was a half-drunk herbal tea. The tea had already cooled down, but the faint scent of peppermint still tickled the tip of my nose and made me feel at ease.

The sunlight coming through the window was faint but soft, and the world outside seemed to be quieter today. There were no customers yet, but I didn't hate these peaceful days.

The shop was not big, but it had a cozy atmosphere thanks to the warm touch of the wooden floor and the green flower pots placed everywhere. One side of the wall was filled with books.

Old herbology books, hand-stained herbal recipes, and even nameless old books that someone left behind. I often took out these books and read them and enjoyed my time in the store.

I approached the shelves and examined the bottles one by one. A thin layer of dust on the lid was noticeable. I picked up a soft cloth and began to wipe the dust.

The old shop was a lot of work. But I didn't hate these small things.

The simple work of cleaning the bottles, rewriting the labels, and filling the empty bottles with herbs strangely brought a sense of peace deep in my heart.

Sometimes, these quiet mornings felt like a blessing from God. On busy days, the day would go by hecticly, so I felt that a peaceful time like today was very precious.

Then a small bell on the door rang, and it slowly opened. I stopped what I was doing and turned my head. My eyes stopped at the figure of the man in front of me.

He was wearing a dark wine-colored velvet coat. His collar was sharp as if it had been cut with a knife, and the edge of his coat swayed gently with each walk. His appearance evoked nostalgia for no reason.

And at that moment, I realized. I knew I had seen this person before.

"Oh, welcome!"

My voice was much brighter than usual. A smile crept into my lips.

"You came last time, right? I remember."

He paused as he took a step, and looked at me with a deep, calm look.

There was a subtle but clear tension in his eyes. There was silence for a few seconds, and he slowly raised the corners of his mouth.

"It's nice to see you again."

His smile slipped between warmth and coldness. He wasn't overly friendly, but he wasn't completely cold either. I said with a gentle expression.

"The weather has warmed up a lot, hasn't it? After winter, I thought spring was coming."

He nodded slightly at my words, but his expression was still neat and calm.

It was as if he was quietly pondering over my words, and his attitude of not showing his emotions felt somehow rigid. There was a bit of an awkward atmosphere, but I continued the conversation as naturally as I could.

"At this time of year, when the seasons change, there are many herbs needed. Please tell me if you like anything while you look around."

I pointed to the shelf and smiled lightly. His gaze drifted to the shelf for a moment, then slowly returned to me. Then he tilted his head slightly and glanced at me.

"I didn't expect you to welcome me like this. It's unexpected."

His tone was calm, but there were subtle questions and subtle emotions mixed in it.

"It's easy to forget in a store like this."

I didn't know if it was a compliment or an attempt to test something, but I smiled and replied.

"Impressive people stay in my memory for a long time. Especially if you are a customer."

He looked at me with a smile on his face, and it left a deep impression.

"Yes."

He continued slowly.

"Then, may I ask you if you remember anything more about me?"

I was confused for a moment, but then I calmed down and answered.

"Hmm... He felt quiet and cautious. And he had a strong atmosphere. Once you see him, you can't easily forget him."

At my answer, he squinted and looked at me for a while. It wasn't just listening to me, but it was as if he was trying to see through the truth behind it.

"It's a strong atmosphere...."

He said it lowly and had a faint smile on his lips.

"That's an interesting interpretation. You're more honest than I expected."

His words sounded like a compliment, but somehow he seemed to have another hidden meaning. I was confused for a moment, but I didn't want to lose the warmth in the store, so I quickly changed the subject.

"What did you come looking for today?"

I asked softly and watched him silently. Instead of answering, he slowly looked around the shelves. Then he picked up a bottle of herbs. I gently brushed the glass surface with my fingertips and looked at the contents of the bottle with interest.

"This looks pretty unique, what's its name?"

I looked at my illness and calmly replied.

"That's Herbala. It is an herb that relaxes and helps you sleep better."

"It's a herb that helps you sleep better...."

"If you need it, I'll pack it for you."

He nodded slightly and looked back at me.

"When there are no customers, the atmosphere is so quiet. Not bad."

He blurted out.

"Yes, sometimes. Some days it's hectic, and some days it's quiet. I think it's a quiet day today."

"I remember it was quite noisy last time."

I thought about the meaning of it and said cautiously.

"You mean the day you were with Mrs. Charlotte?"

As I added, his expression changed slightly. It occurred to him that the lively Madame Charlotte must have remained strong in his memory.

"He is always full of energy. On such days, the shop is actually more lively."

The corners of his mouth rose slightly. It was more of a thoughtful expression than a smile. It was as if some memory or emotion had flashed through my mind.

"You seem to enjoy working here."

His voice was low and deep. I replied with a natural smile.

"Yes, I like it. I feel rewarded when I do what I can and feel that it helps someone."

At that moment, I heard familiar footsteps coming from the door. When he turned his head, he saw Stephen enter the store. He approached without hesitation with a lively and confident smile.

"Lord Derek! Welcome."

Steven's bright voice echoed through the space.

"You've been waiting for a long time, haven't you? But don't worry, we have prepared perfectly so that the waiting time is not wasted."

Derek shook Steven's hand lightly and nodded briefly.

'Sir Derek'. A knight is not a light position. The weight he exuded and the question of why he was ordering in large quantities seemed to be being answered.

At that moment, Stephen took a step back and looked at me with a big smile.

"Noah, this is a very important customer in our store, so we should take good care of you every time you visit."

I smiled briefly and nodded.

"Yes."

Stephen brushed his pants lightly with his palm.

"Actually, it was a little difficult to prepare this material. The last ingredient arrived only this morning. But now everything is perfectly ready. Would you like to check it out?"

Stephen showed how hard he had worked to prepare the ingredients, but he also seemed to be watching Derek's reaction. He was always kind when dealing with customers, but it was clear that he was especially caring.

After a while, Stephen placed the carefully prepared herbal tea in a small porcelain teacup in front of Derek. A faint fragrance spread softly.

"This tea is one of the most popular items in our store. It is very effective in warming the body and relieving fatigue. If you have a drink, your body and mind will be relaxed."

Stephen explained with a gentle smile.

Derek nodded slightly and raised his teacup. His fingertips moved slowly and precisely, and he was not disturbed even when handling a hot teacup.

"It's interesting that it's effective in relieving fatigue."

He turned his head slightly to look at me.

"Can you recommend herbs that are suitable for the knights' recovery or treatment of injuries?"

I paused for a moment, lowered my head slightly, and thought about it. Stephen watched silently from the back. I slowly raised my head and continued.

"If it's a medicine that can help..."

I took one look at the shelves and spoke.

"Elysium root is very effective in helping the body recover and relieve fatigue. It is especially recommended for those who consume a lot of physical strength. There is also a medicinal herb called 'Iron Flower'. It is very effective in improving physical strength and strengthening the immune system, but you need to be careful when using it. If you overdose, it can put a burden on your body."

Derek seemed to listen to me with interest. He quietly set the teacup down, tapped the table slowly with his fingertips, repeating in a low voice.

"Elysium Root and Ironflower...."

His gaze turned back to me.

"There is another herb I would like to recommend. ' It is an herb called 'shadow', and it is good for clearing the mind and restoring concentration that has fallen due to fatigue. If you have frequent all-night missions, it will be a great help."

I smiled lightly and added.

There was silence for a moment. I waited patiently for the next words to come out of his mouth, feeling the tension that permeated the silence. Finally, Derek looked up and looked at Stephen.

"Can you add those medicines?"

A low voice echoed softly in the store. Stephen smiled brightly as if he had been waiting and rubbed his hands.

"Of course! I'll prepare it right away."

Derek nodded briefly, as if satisfied with Stephen's positive response.

"Okay. I would like the best quality. We'll discuss the details later."

His tone was firm and subtle with authority. As if he was confident that whatever he wanted would be done perfectly.

Derek slowly turned his head to look at me.

"Noah."

When he called my name, I was momentarily embarrassed, but then I straightened my posture and looked at him.

"I think the medicine you recommended can meet exactly what I and my people need."

Derek paused for a moment, then added in a softer tone.

"Can I refer to your advice in the future?"

His voice was low and calm, but there was a sharp and serious energy in it. It was not something to be taken lightly. I felt tense for a moment, but I took a breath and calmly replied.

"Yes, feel free to tell me. I'm glad you chose the herbs I recommended."

At my words, Derek slowly stood up. He moved slowly and neatly, but did not lose his dignity. He turned his head to Steven and said calmly.

"Then I'll leave today."

"Yes, I will do my best to make sure that there is no shortage of preparations. Don't worry, I'll make sure you do it."

Derek nodded briefly, then walked quietly toward the door. His back disappeared leaving a heavy afterglow. As soon as the door closed, Stephen looked back at me with a bright face, as if he had been waiting for me.

"Noah, this kind of guest is so rare! If we can make people like Sir Derek regulars, we're sure we're going to grow bigger."

Steven's voice was full of anticipation. It seemed that he had already succeeded in front of him.

***

The market was always full of life. Large and small shops were clustered on the old stone streets, and people were constantly coming and going between them.

Merchants called out to customers with their own products, and passers-by were busy looking at their goods or haggling.

The scenery was colorful and busy.

People walking slowly with donkeys loaded with loads, workers walking quickly with heavy sacks on their shoulders, and people stopping to smell freshly baked bread somewhere.

Faint smoke mixed with the scent of herbs rose everywhere, and old shop signs made of wood shone more vividly in the sunlight.

Stalls shaded by tents were attracting customers with colorful fabrics and various items.

As I entered the market, I held the shopping cart in my hand tightly. Today, I had to buy a small glass bottle and a cloth bag for packaging.

I also needed another drying mold to dry the herbs. As the number of customers increased, the amount of herbs used increased, and there were many things to prepare.

The first thing I did was go to a shop that sells glass bottles. In front of the store, transparent glass bottles were shining in the sunlight. As soon as the merchant saw me, he smiled brightly and waved.

"Welcome! What are you looking for today? These bottles are very popular these days!"

I carefully examine the bottles on display. After carefully choosing the size and shape, he said.

"I think it should be this big. Give me five of these."

The merchant quickly picked out the bottles, packed them, and spoke to them in a friendly voice.

"Customer, you work at a herb shop, right? Recently, I also delivered this bottle to another herbalist. The quality was good, so everyone was satisfied. It's perfect for storing herbs."

I nodded and smiled.

"Yes, these jars are useful for keeping herbs fresh."

The merchant's hands were skillful, and his words were full of the skillfulness of someone who had been in business for a long time.

After grabbing the glass bottle, I walked into the market to find a stall selling cloth bags. Meanwhile, the shouts of the merchants and the noisy noise of the crowd filled my ears.

"Here's a new spice! Special discount today!"

"It's freshly baked! Warm and soft!"

"A sturdy leather bag for travelers! Don't miss it!"

I made my way through the crowd toward my next destination. A stall selling cloth bags was located under a large tent, and the bags on display caught the eye with various colors and patterns.

"What about this pocket?"

The merchant skillfully lifted the pouch and flicked it slightly with his fingers. The grain of the fabric swayed softly and sparkled as if boasting of its quality.

"Cloth is tough and light. It doesn't get damaged even if you store it for a long time."

I touched the fabric of the pocket with my fingertips and felt the texture. The fabric was harder than I expected, but at the same time, it was soft and didn't seem to damage things easily.

"If you put herbs in it, it won't change color easily or smell in, right?"

He looked up at the merchant and asked. The merchant's face was full of confidence. He patted his pocket and replied firmly.

"If there's a problem with my stuff, I'll take care of it!"

He smiled and nodded at his confident attitude. I picked out a few suitably sized pouches from the stall and paid for them.

As I searched my surroundings for the last drying frame, the sky became darker and darker, and heavy raindrops began to fall.

The rain instantly caused a commotion in the market. Merchants hurriedly began to cover their goods, and passersby flocked under their tents to hide from the rain.

I grabbed my shopping cart tightly and stepped back under the eaves of a nearby building. I sighed inwardly as I watched the rainwater start to wet the edges of the shopping cart.

Should I wait here until the rain stops?

I stood under the eaves and looked up at the sky, hoping that the rain would thin out. However, the sound of the rain became more and more intense, and I felt anxious. It was then.

Someone in a black cloak slowly walked toward me from the other side of the rainy street.

His movements in the rain were exceptionally relaxed and calm in contrast to the hustle and bustle of his surroundings. As the black cloak was wet from the rain and pressed against his body, his silhouette was clearly visible.

I clutched the shopping cart tightly and looked at him carefully. As I got closer and closer, a strange familiarity crept up in the corner of my chest.

The moment I saw the sharp jawline and straight, neat gait peeking out from under the hood, I was surprised and embarrassed.

Derek...?

Finally, he stopped in front of me. He slowly took off the hood with one hand to reveal his face.

Her wet hair was neatly slicked back, and her black hair was shiny in the light. I took a breath, overwhelmed by his gaze and powerful presence.

"It's raining so much, and you're standing alone in a place like this."

He finally came to his senses, looked at him, and opened his mouth.

"Sir Derek... How do you get here..."

"It was a road I happened to pass by."

He tilted his head slightly and looked at the shopping cart in my hand.

"Are you going to walk back in this weather?"

I was momentarily speechless at the unexpected appearance, but then I calmly nodded and answered.

"Oh... Yes, I was going to wait for the rain to stop, but it's getting worse."

"If so, you should be a little more cautious today. In this kind of weather, unexpected things are bound to happen."

Derek smoothed the edge of his cloak with one hand, brushing away the rain lightly. The robes revealed beneath the cloak were made of deep indigo velvet, and the neckline was elaborately embroidered with gold.

"I don't think the rain will stop easily. It would be better to use a carriage."

I hesitated for a moment as I listened to him. However, he turned his head and pointed behind him, as if he had already made up his mind. I looked around and saw a luxurious black carriage standing in the rain.

The stylish design without excessive decoration caught my eye at once.

"I have something to do near the store, so come with me."

His voice was low and smooth, but it clearly implied that he had no other choice. I hesitated for a moment.

I wondered if I could accept his proposal, but I was worried that the rain would get my belongings wet.

“… Thank you."

I answered quietly and bowed my head slightly. It was an inevitable choice. Then I followed him toward the carriage.

Inside, luxurious leather seats were placed and filled with a faint herb scent. I carefully sat down and placed my shopping cart on my lap. Derek climbed into the carriage and closed the door.

The carriage was quiet, but there was a strange tension. Derek sat next to me, but I could feel his eyes on me. I pretended to fix the shopping cart to hide my awkwardness.

"Listening to the sound of the rain calms my heart."

Derek spoke first. I nodded briefly and replied.

"Yes, I see."

Derek slowly raised his hand and smoothed his glove.

"Recently, I was entrusted with an important task. I need your cooperation."

I was momentarily taken aback by the unexpected words. Cooperation? What is going on?

"I need to get herbs more often. We also need records of where and how to use them."

As I listened to his explanation, I hesitated for a moment. It felt like they were asking for responsibility beyond simple cooperation.

However, Derek was an important regular customer of the shop. It was not easy to refuse his request.

"Can you tell us a little more specifically about what it is?"

"You can fill out documents related to the delivered goods or explain how to use medicinal herbs. It won't be too difficult."

I reluctantly nodded and replied.

"If I can help you, I will."

After speaking, he looked away. I looked at the rain slowly flowing down through the glass window, hoping that the rain would stop soon.

At that moment, the carriage suddenly shook. A dull impact was transmitted as if the wheels were caught in a stone, and the body shook violently.

"Uh...!"

I lost focus and leaned forward from the unexpected shaking, but Derek's arm held me firmly by the shoulders and supported me.

"Are you injured?"

A low voice came from right next to him. I looked up and saw that Derek's face was too close. I could even see myself faintly reflected in his eyes.

Derek looked at me for a moment, holding my shoulders untied. The touch was firm and gave me a sense of security, but on the other hand, I felt a strange and uncomfortable sensation.

Instinctively, I was wary. I hurriedly straightened myself and freed myself from his hands.

"Yes, thank you."

I rubbed my shoulders lightly and adjusted my posture. But Derek's gaze was still fixed on me.

His expression shook subtly as he looked at me. A thin crack appeared on his calm face, and the waves of emotion slowly surfaced.

"Are you really okay? Can you be sure?"

Derek asked again. His voice was lower and deeper than before. It was a tone that contained something more than simple concern.

I didn't know if his question was sincere or if he was trying to think about my reaction.

"I was just a little surprised that it stopped suddenly. You don't have to worry about it."

I replied in a gentle voice. But there was no relief on Derek's face. On the contrary, his expression darkened.

Eyelashes trembling slightly, a stiff jawline, and fingertips flinching on the knees. I realized that he was trying to keep his usual cool.

"Yes."

After his brief answer, there was a momentary silence in the carriage.

"If so, I'm glad I did."

Derek took a slow breath. The short sound sounded strangely heavy. I could see my breasts slowly rising and falling.

Turning his head slightly, Derek looked out the window. One hand rested on my knee, and my fingertips were slowly rubbing against my knee.

The hands that moved in a certain rhythm looked uneasy. It was as if he was trying to control his suppressed emotions.

I carefully studied his profile. Derek looked cold and calm as usual, but now he was somewhat out of the ordinary.

His shoulders were a little stiff and his jawline was more locked than usual. The air inside the carriage was unusually heavy, and the silence seemed to be strangely long.

What's going on? Something is wrong...

It was a question that came naturally. However, he couldn't open his mouth. I didn't even have to ask him about that. I only knew a small part of his life, and Derek never revealed his true intentions to me.

In the end, I lowered my gaze to the floor. I didn't know what he was thinking.

But at least for now, I felt like I shouldn't disturb this quiet time.

***

The carriage stopped in front of the store. The rain was still pounding on the roof of the carriage, but it seemed to have subsided. Derek got out of the carriage first and opened the door.

"Thank you for your help today, Sir Derek."

He nodded briefly to my greeting. His gaze was calm and unwavering, but there was a strange weight in it. I hurried towards the store.

As I walked through the door, a familiar scent of herbs enveloped me. The warm and subtle fragrance seemed to melt away the tension I felt in the carriage.

I took off my wet coat, hung it on a hanger, and put down the shopping cart I was holding.

I took out the items one by one and started working. Glass bottles and cloth bags were placed on the shelves one by one, and the condition of the herb bottles was checked.

As I used my fingertips to clean the bottles and fill in the items that were lacking, the peaceful silence of the store enveloped me.

At that moment, he heard footsteps getting closer. I looked up and looked at the door and saw Stephen.

As he walked into the store, shaking off his wet coat, his complexion turned blue. Stephen hurriedly covered his nose with one hand and flipped open the windows one by one.

"Stephen, what's wrong?"

I asked in surprise. But Stephen didn't answer. His movement of opening the window one after another was swift and decisive. Anxiety came out of his unusual behavior.

"Noah, who went to the store?"

Stephen's sharp question made me shake my head in embarrassment.

"No one. I bought something at the market and I just came."

Despite my answer, Stephen looked around the room with suspicion. Soon, he frowned deeply and said in a low voice.

"Really? But the alpha pheromone vibrates so much... I'm sure someone was here."

Stephen's voice was low and sharp. Then he suddenly stopped, looked deeply into my eyes, and quietly added:

"Or... Was he with you?"

I paused for a moment at his question. When he realized what Stephen was talking about, he hesitated and spoke slowly.

"Oh... Sir Derek happened to be passing by the marketplace, and it was raining heavily. He gave me a ride in a wagon."

When I finished, Stephen paused and looked at me. His expression was full of wonder.

"Sir Derek...?"

He tilted his head, muttering to himself as if he was pondering my words, and rubbed his chin with his hand.

"He took me here in the carriage?"

I nodded and calmly added.

"Yes, he said he had something to do near the store, and he was worried that his luggage would get wet, so he gave me a ride."

However, Stephen didn't seem to agree with my answer right away. He slowly walked to the window, looked out into the rain, and turned back toward me.

"Something... Strange. Did Sir Derek really do that?"

Stephen took a deep breath and shook his head.

"It's very rude for an alpha to bury such a strong pheromone on someone without permission. Especially in aristocratic society, such things are not tolerated."

He still looked bewildered.

"Sir Derek has always been a gentle and polite person. It's unimaginable from what we know about him..."

Pondering Stephen's words, I nodded slowly.

"Then, why...?"

I muttered softly, and Stephen nodded and accepted my words.

"Could it be that he is an alpha with poor pheromone control?"

I was stunned by his words. It sounded like a simple guess, but that was the only way to explain Derek's behavior.

I silently thought of the herbs that Sir Derek had bought at the store.

Herbala, Noktura, Edelvion.

All of them were herbs that were mainly used to relieve insomnia and stabilize the mind and body.

When I looked back at my purchase list one by one, I found that most of them were focused on that purpose.

Stephen looked at me and said quietly.

"Noah, if that's true, Sir Derek might be in a pretty difficult situation right now."

I stood there in a daze for a moment.

"Alpha's pheromone problems are more than just unwell. It means that the most basic balance of the person has been lost."

Listening to Steven's words, I naturally thought of Derek.

Alfa can't control pheromones. It was a stark contrast to his usual appearance.

His behavior was always neat, polite, and seemed completely controlled. I never thought Derek would be going through such a challenge.

But his purchase list, his usual behavior, and the attitude he showed today... The clues began to weave together in my mind.

Really... Is that so?

If so, Derek would most likely have endured a lot on his own.

He looks perfect on the outside, his attitude, and his relaxed atmosphere. Was it all real? Or was he acting out perfection to hide himself thoroughly?

"Noah."

Stephen called out to me with a cautious expression. He chose his words for a moment, tilted his head slightly, and spoke carefully.

"The next time Sir Derek comes to visit, he will recommend some herbs that are effective in stabilizing pheromones along with the ones you have already purchased.

Stephen was clearly aware that directly mentioning Derek's condition would hurt his pride.

"I don't know if he'll take it right away if I recommend it, but that's probably the best thing we can do."

The door of the shop swayed gently, and Mrs. Charlotte's bright, cheerful voice echoed through the air.

"Oh, Noah! How were you? It's full of pleasant scents today."

Behind her, a group of ladies with fans entered the shop. I greeted them with a gentle smile.

"This is the car!"

Mrs. Charlotte pointed to the lavender and chamomile tea on the shelf with her fingertips and said forcefully.

"I don't know how much stress I have been relieved since I drank this last time. It was as if old fatigue was disappearing in an instant!"

The ladies listened with bated breath to her enthusiastic explanation, and then they began to ask questions one by one.

"Does that tea really work that well? I've been having a hard time sleeping every night lately."

"I have frequent migraines, can it help?"

I nodded gently to their expectant eyes and reached behind the shelves.

"Lavender soothes the mind and chamomile soothes a tired body and a weary mind. Add a little lemon balm to it and you can help you sleep soundly throughout the night."

As I calmly explained, a lady with a silver hairpin on her head quietly stepped forward. She called out to me in a low, cautious voice.

"I don't feel comfortable because my relationship with my husband has been strained lately. Is there any herb that can relieve stress and calm your mind?"

His voice was calm, but he couldn't easily hide the pain and worries contained in it.

"Then I would recommend rosemary and millet. Rosemary helps clear the mind, and millet helps to calm the mind. Please wait a minute."

I nodded gently and took out a small glass jar and carefully filled it with herbs. When I handed her the bottle, she took it carefully with both hands. I opened the bottle cap slightly to smell the fragrance and closed my eyes for a moment to the faint fragrance that spread.

"I think this scent will really make you feel relaxed. Thank you."

Her words brought a smile to my face. Mrs. Charlotte opened her arms wide and cried out in her characteristic lively voice.

"Everyone, have you seen it? Noah's hand is not just mixing herbs. It's art, it's real magic!"

Madame Charlotte's exaggerated praise caused the ladies to cheer in unison. They looked at me with their own expectations and curiosity and poured out their requests.

"I would like to ask for my own custom blending!"

"When will the scented candle be back in stock?"

"I'm very tired these days, can you recommend the right herb for me?"

The shop was quickly lively and lively, but at the same time, it became hectic. I couldn't stop taking herbs from the shelves, adding explanations, writing down the requested order forms, and preparing new blends.

Then, he heard the door gently open. But I was so busy that I didn't even have time to look back.

"What exactly goes into this car?"

"Yes, wait a minute. I'll check it out right now."

Just as I was about to turn around, I saw a man standing at the door.

It was Derek. A dark navy wool cloak draped wide around his shoulders, and the elaborate gold thread embroidered on the edge of the cloak accentuated his dignity and authority.

Derek stepped slowly inside, crossing the threshold. He took a few steps inside, looked around carefully, and then fixed his gaze on me.

I smiled naturally at him and spoke to him.

"Welcome."

But before I could hear his answer, the ladies called me back to me.

"Noah, would it be better to mix rosehip with this tea? I feel so heavy these days."

"I'll ask you to use the same combination!"

I nodded and turned to the shelf. I took out the bottle, calculated the mixing ratio, and carefully removed the herbs. But I couldn't help but feel Derek's gaze following me behind my back.

I tried my best to ignore him as he was buried among the ladies, but every time I turned my head, I saw him standing on the side of the store. Derek frowned slightly on one side of his brow, and had a complicated expression that was not easily read.

"Feel free to look around."

He looked at Derek and spoke to him briefly and concisely. Because of my busy situation, my voice sounded drier than usual. Derek still stared at me in silence.

Did he feel uncomfortable because he felt that he was not being treated properly even though he was a regular customer? That thought flashed through my mind for a moment. I remained polite and cautiously spoke again.

"If you need counseling, I think it would be nice if you could come back later."

As soon as I walked back among the ladies, I heard my name being called everywhere.

"What did you say this is good for?"

"Can you wrap a little more of this herbal blend?"

"Yes, yes, please wait a minute."

Without even having time to check Derek's reaction, I was busy among the ladies again. The store was still full of activity, and Mrs. Charlotte continued the conversation with a bright smile on one side.

"Noah! Verbian scented candles are very popular these days. Everyone asks me where I bought it, so I'm really bothered to death."

"You will also like the Elesia scented candle you are bringing today. It's a mixture of lily of the valley and patchouli, so it's perfect for banquets."

"Of course. If Noah recommends it, there's no reason to hesitate, right?"

Then Mrs. Charlotte looked out the door and folded the fan.

"Oh, it's already been like this. It's a pity, but I have to go now. Next time, I'll come by myself, so let's have a cup of tea."

"Yes, please be careful."

He bowed deeply and greeted him politely. Each of the noble ladies left the shop with their carefully wrapped items. On the shelves were mountains of herbs used for mixing.

Without a moment to take a break, I sorted out the bottles with my familiar hands and headed to the warehouse. I had to bring extra herbs.

When I opened the back door and stepped out into the garden, I saw a faint silhouette standing in the dark. The moonlight fell on the dark indigo cloak, gently illuminating its outline.

It was Derek. He sat on a bench in the garden. He carefully fiddled with a small bag of herbs with his fingertips, as if deep in thought.

I thought he had already left the store. But he was still here.

I stopped in surprise for a moment, and then cautiously called out to him.

"Sir Derek."

Derek slowly raised his head at the sound of my voice. At the same time, he quickly hid the herb bag in his hand. His movements were stealthy and agile.

I was speechless for a moment at the strange tension of his actions.

"Were you here? Until this late..."

He asked as he slowly walked toward the bench. Derek let out a short sigh and replied in a calm voice.

"I have some things to think about. I didn't go inside because I didn't want to disturb it."

His tone was soft, but there was a sharp and cautious aura to it. I felt sorry for a moment, so I bowed my head slightly.

"I'm sorry. I couldn't pay attention to the customers before. I was really busy."

But Derek didn't answer right away. Instead, he slowly raised his head and looked at me.

“… There is no need to apologize."

He said in a low, dry voice. He then added with a small smile.

"Of course, I don't think I'm that important to you."

It sounded like a light joke, but the seriousness in it made it impossible to pass it off lightly.

"No, I don't."

I answered quietly.

"If I had known Lord Derek would wait, I would have taken care of him long ago."

At my answer, he smiled faintly. However, the smile did not last long. For a brief moment, a dark shadow appeared around his eyes for no reason.

Without realizing it, my gaze went to his arms. I remembered the bag of herbs he had quickly hidden. I hesitated to ask him what was the reason, but he soon shut up.

Unless he said it, it wouldn't be appropriate to ask him outright.

"The night air is cold. Come inside."

I naturally turned around and pointed to the back of the store. Derek stared at me for a moment and then slowly stood up.

His movements were slow and calm, but there was an inexplicable tension in them.

Why did he wait until this late hour? Do you have a special request?

She guided Derek and carefully studied his face. In his quiet eyes, there were traces of fatigue and all kinds of suffering.

"What are you here for today?"

There was an awkward silence. Derek let out a deep breath, as if trying to shake off his deep anguish. Then, as if to break the silence, he spoke in a low, quiet voice.

"Could you please break up the Herbala you recommended before and put it in a small bag?"

"How many do you need?"

He tilted his head and asked.

"As long as it's in the store, I want to buy all of them."

I shut my mouth for a moment and studied Derek's face. I carefully studied his expression, thinking that it might be a joke or just a whim, but there was no sign of it anywhere.

When I opened the display case and counted the herb bags one by one, I found a total of thirty. After checking the number, I looked back at his face.

"Are you sure you want to buy all of this? There are thirty of them."

There was still a hint of bewilderment in my voice, because I didn't understand his intentions. But Derek nodded without hesitation.

Why do they want to buy so many at once?

Curiosity crossed my mind, but I decided not to ask why.

"I see. Please wait a minute."

He took out a small box from a drawer and spoke quietly.

"Actually, I had one idea to show you Lord Derek."

At my words, Derek raised his eyebrows lightly and looked at me. There was a faint curiosity in his eyes, but his expression was tense.

I hesitated for a moment, then carefully pulled out a small vial-shaped necklace from the drawer.

The small bottle, which hung from a silver chain, was small enough to hold on the palm of your hand, delicate, and neat.

The lid of the bottle was elaborately crafted and designed to spread the scent of the herbs inside. I put the necklace in the palm of my hand and held it out in front of him.

"Normally, pillows or handkerchiefs are often dipped in the scent of medicinal herbs, but wearing them as a necklace like this is easier and more practical. It is also effective for mental and physical stability and good sleep."

As I continued, Derek's eyes were fixed on the necklace. He stared at it silently for a moment, then slowly reached out and lifted the necklace.

Watching Derek's reaction, I added softly.

"If you need it, this will make it more convenient."

Although he didn't directly talk about his condition, he believed that this necklace would be useful for calming him down.

Derek slowly fiddled with the collar chain with his fingertips and looked up at me.

"Please prepare this as well."

I nodded silently and carefully placed the necklace back in the box.

***

Soft sunlight penetrated through the window and quietly enveloped the store. After all the customers left, I finally caught my breath and sorted out the shelves. Then, the door of the shop gently opened and Stephen entered.

"Noah, can you take a look at this?"

Stephen's voice was light, but it had a strange power to make you listen. He held out the box and looked at me with a waiting look.

I took the box and opened the lid. It contained lavender, chamomile, and a small amount of rosemary.

"It's an herbal tea. Can you tell Lucas about this?"

"To Mr. Lucas?"

I stopped touching the herbs in the box and slowly looked up. I had heard that Stephen and Lucas, the owner of the dessert shop, were old friends.

"Yes."

Stephen nodded, looked around the store for a moment, and leaned against one wall.

"The shop is free right now. It's not bad to go there for a while."

I glanced at him and said,

"But why don't you go in person? He always brings it himself."

Stephen shrugged one shoulder and let out a laid-back grin.

"I have some other business to attend to today. And..."

He paused, looked out the window, and looked back at me.

"Yes, my herbal tea is a huge explosion of popularity with customers. Make sure Lucas tells you thank you. Why don't you meet in person and talk to him at this time? Not bad, right?"

There was a hint of playfulness in his tone, but it seemed to be sincere. Stephen was good at reading people's minds, and it was not easy to refuse his offer.

"Lucas is also interested in herbs, right? Since we have a common theme, I think the conversation will go well."

I hesitated for a moment and finally nodded.

"I see. I'll be back soon."

Stephen smiled with satisfaction and nodded slowly.

As soon as I opened the door of Lucas' dessert shop, I was enveloped by the warm and sweet air. It felt like a space where the small and trivial happiness of life seemed to be condensed.

Looking around, I saw the faces of customers enjoying tea and desserts on small tables with different scenes. All of them were immersed in their own little happiness.

However, my eyes soon turned to the back of the counter. There was a man who stopped tidying up and slowly raised his head.

As soon as he saw me, he approached me with a surprisingly bright smile. His gait was light, and there was a sense of familiarity as if he had met an old friend.

"Oh, you're Noah, right? It's a pleasure to meet you!"

Lucas' voice was full of energy. I was a little taken aback by his energy for a moment, but then he bowed his head and bowed politely.

"It's my first time to meet you. I brought herbal tea ingredients."

I picked up the basket I was holding and said cautiously. Lucas let out a small laugh. His expression was both friendly and curious.

"I'll greet you first. My name is Lucas. He is the owner of this dessert shop. Stephen talked about Noah so much that my ears almost got scabs!"

His cheerful attitude made me smile. Even in this short conversation, Lucas' humanity and warmth were conveyed.

"Oh, is that so? But I don't have much to offer."

I answered quietly. But Lucas shook his head, let out a mischievous sigh, and waved.

"I think Stephen has included that humility in his boast. I thought, "Our Noah is a genius at herbal blends!" I heard things like 'Without Mr. Noah, our store will be ruined!'"

Lucas mimicked Steven's tone and continued the story with exaggerated gestures. I couldn't help but laugh at his humorous acting.

"Stephen couldn't have said that."

He laughed broadly and smiled brightly at my answer. That cheerfulness made me feel strangely comfortable.

"I understand when I see you in person. He is sincere and humble."

His words sounded like a light joke, but they contained sincere compliments. I looked at him for a moment. He was a bright and warm energy like Steven's friend.

Lucas was not only cheerful, but also had the ability to make others feel comfortable. His attitude further enhanced the cozy atmosphere of the store.

"You seem to be really close with Steven."

I carefully changed the subject, and Lucas smiled and nodded.

"I've known him for more than 10 years. Sometimes people are misunderstood because of his ugly appearance, but in fact, he is a very warm person. Of course, I need a little time to get to know him."

He raised his eyebrows playfully and walked toward the counter to prepare the desserts that customers had ordered.

I looked at his back and nodded. He was like a friend of Stephen. He had the ability to make people laugh and make them feel comfortable, and he had sincerity in it.

During a break from talking to Lucas, I looked around the store. Suddenly, my gaze stopped in front of the shelves. A man standing there caught my eye.

It was Derek. He was dressed neatly in a knight's uniform, but his usual self-confidence was gone. As he looked at the various cakes neatly placed on the shelves, a deep hesitation passed through his eyes.

He stopped to pick up a piece of cake, and then put his hand down again. The surprisingly cautious hand seemed to be torn between a small strawberry cake and a chocolate tart.

Lucas, who watched me sigh low and stroke my chin with his fingers, let out a small laugh and whispered to me.

"That customer, you're really thinking hard. I've never seen anyone choose a cake so seriously."

Standing in front of the shelves, Derek looked like he was about to make the most important decision in the world. His attitude, which was quite different from his cold exterior, was surprising, but at the same time, he exuded a strangely human charm.

"Do you know anyone?"

Lucas turned to me and asked. I nodded and answered.

"Yes, a little."

"Then why don't you go and help me?"

I hesitated for a moment at Lucas' playful suggestion, but finally made my way to Derek. Derek was still in a swamp of choices between cakes, and he didn't seem to notice that I had approached him.

"See you here, Lord Derek."

I spoke in a calm voice as usual. Derek was startled by the sudden greeting, and then turned to look at me.

"Noah."

He called my name and straightened his posture.

"Did you come here to buy a cake?"

I asked with a smile. Derek looked toward the display and replied in a low voice.

“… A small celebration is scheduled for the Templars."

"Did you come here for your subordinates?"

Derek paused for a moment and nodded slightly.

"You're so generous."

"Shouldn't I allow the people who help me with this kind of luxury sometimes?"

I smiled at his answer.

"It's good to be careful, but sometimes it's okay to choose lightly. Everything will be delicious anyway."

During a brief conversation, Lucas' cheerful voice echoed through the store.

"Mr. Noah, did you bring the ingredients Stephen asked for?"

I bowed my head slightly to Derek.

"Then excuse me."

I walked over to Lucas and held out the basket.

"Yes, here. Check it out."

Lucas looked into the basket and smiled contentedly.

"Okay, perfect! Thank you so much for coming here today."

"I don't know."

I bowed my head and answered.

"It's what I have to do."

But Lucas waved lightly and interrupted me.

"That's all for me! You've come this far, so let's have dessert and a cup of tea."

"No, I don't. It's really good."

I laughed and refused, but Lucas shook his head and looked stubborn.

"It's okay! Just because you take a break here isn't the kind of person Stephen will say, right?"

He smiled wackily and pointed to the table with his hand.

"Come on, sit down here. What do you like? If you have a favorite type of tea, please tell me."

I thought about it for a moment and then said quietly.

"Peppermint."

"Peppermint? Okay, you have a good taste!"

Lucas smiled broadly and walked toward the counter.

"Wait a minute. I'll make it myself!"

Lucas' cheerful words finally made me sit down. He had a natural talent for persuading people.

Lucas, who glanced at me sitting at the table, looked back and smiled as he got ready. His characteristic pleasant smile was so contagious that I laughed along without even realizing it.

That moment of peace didn't last long.

I felt something heavy over my head, and I looked up to see Derek sitting in the chair next to me. I stopped for a moment at his unexpected action and couldn't hide my embarrassment.

"Sir Derek...?"

I spoke awkwardly. Derek casually placed the wrapped cake box on the table and leaned back in his chair.

I looked around, trying to hide my embarrassment. There were more than half empty tables left, and I couldn't understand why Derek had chosen to be next to me.

But his attitude was so natural that it felt natural to sit there.

"Why don't you have a cup of tea and talk for a while?"

His calm suggestion left me speechless for a moment. Just as I was hesitating at the thought of having to answer something, Lucas came up to our table with a tray.

"I've baked a cookie that goes well with herbal tea, so please try it."

Lucas smiled brightly and set down a small plate of peppermint tea and cookies on the table.

"Thank you, Mr. Lucas."

I bowed my head slightly and accepted his favor wholeheartedly.

"Take it slow and enjoy yourself."

Lucas threw out a short word in a playful tone and quickly walked toward the other customers.

In front of Derek, plates of desserts decorated with chamomile tea were set. Strawberry shortcake, rich chocolate cake, and fresh fruit tarts. It was so colorful that I couldn't tell how many things I ordered.

Are you trying to eat all of that? Or is it just to taste each type?

Perhaps sensing my gaze, Derek gently pushed the plate of fruit tarts with his fingertips.

"There are a lot of them as they choose. Would you like to have one?"

Unlike what I said with a nonchalant expression, his blue eyes seemed to be watching my reaction carefully. I looked down at my plate and looked up at him.

"I'm fine. Sir Derek ordered it for you to eat."

"I heard that the cakes at this restaurant are delicious. It wouldn't be a bad idea to experience it for yourself."

The cake, which was neatly decorated with strawberries, blueberries, and soft cream, was so perfect that it was mouth-watering just by looking at it. But strangely, I couldn't get my hands on it.

Instead, I gently twirled the teacup on the table with my fingertips. The faint scent of peppermint enveloped the tip of my nose and calmed my mind. That alone was satisfying enough.

"I can't eat sweet foods."

I smiled faintly and said quietly.

"I'm just going to have tea."

Derek's eyebrows rose slightly. A slight change in his cold, quiet expression was touched.

"You can't eat sweets...."

The words, which came out in a low, heavy tone, sounded like simple exclamation, but they had a strange tone. He awkwardly cut off the end of his words, as if he was swallowing his words and choosing his words.

Derek raised his paused hand and raised the teacup. However, he did not put his mouth on the teacup and carefully put it back on the table.

"This is completely unexpected."

He slowly looked at the cake and continued. For a while, he rubbed his fingertips against the rim of the teacup, as if lost in thought, and then turned his head to look out the window.

His hand slowly moved to his neck, and naturally my gaze followed his touch. A glass bottle pendant peeking out from between his shirt caught his eye.

It was a small jar of shimmering herbs. It swayed subtly on Derek's firm chest muscles, attracting attention.

To be honest, I never expected him to carry this necklace with him all the time.

"That's pretty good at it."

I smiled lightly. Derek's gaze went down, and his hand stopped fiddling with the pendant for a moment. Soon, he looked up with a nonchalant expression.

"It was more useful than I thought. I'm satisfied."

I was about to nod my head in response when Derek spoke first.

"But..."

He turned his head slightly to look in my direction. His eyes stared straight at me, but the emotion in them was hard to read.

"The first few days worked great, but the scent flew away too quickly. Is there any way to make it last longer?"

Hearing his words, I paused for a moment. He tilted his head slightly with a puzzled expression on his face at the unexpected point.

"The scent flew away quickly? I would have combined the herbs so that their effects would last for a long time."

I took a short breath and lost myself in thought. Derek waited silently, studying my face carefully.

"Let's check the necklace again, shall we?"

"I know it's troublesome, but can you handle it yourself this time as well?"

His tone was still firm and nonchalant, but there was a subtle sense of anticipation in it.

"Hmm... I understand. I'll try to change the combination a little bit to make it last longer."

At my words, Derek nodded, slowly rolling the teacup with his fingertips.

***

On a day when the store was closed, I would have slept late and enjoyed my leisure, but I couldn't do that today. This is because he could not ignore Mrs. Charlotte's urgent request.

Mrs. Charlotte was always bright and energetic. The greetings with a bright smile always brightened the surroundings.

She often baffled me by asking silly questions about herbs, but even that whimsy added to her unique liveliness. On the day that Mrs. Charlotte visited, the shop was quickly filled with life.

However, a few days ago, when she got home from work, her appearance was different from usual. Mrs. Charlotte quietly opened the door and walked slowly to stand in front of me.

"Noah... Are you okay for a minute?"

It wasn't his usual lively voice. Her voice trembled helplessly, suggesting that something unusual had happened. I nodded and offered her a seat, but she didn't sit down. He just held his hands together and avoided my gaze, looking hesitant.

"Can we save La Vierazzo?"

At her quiet words, I stopped my hand.

La Vierazzo. It was a medicinal herb used to promote blood flow and restore movement of paralyzed muscles.

Although it has the effect of stabilizing the central nervous system and restoring bodily sensations, it was known to be a very rare and difficult herb to use.

After thinking about it for a while, I asked cautiously.

"What are you going to use it for?"

Mrs. Charlotte bowed her head and fell silent. Her clasped hands were trembling slightly, revealing her anxiety.

"My husband... It's in a very bad condition."

Her quiet words were full of desperation and sadness. I finally understood why she was so desperate.

Her voice could barely suppress the tremors. When I looked up, I could see the reddened corners of my eyes and the thick underneath my eyes.

His usual cheerful and strong appearance was gone, and instead he was overwhelmed with despair.

"Doctors say there is no way... I thought that if you were knowledgeable about herbs, there must be a way."

I looked at her for a while, speechless. It was the first time he had seen Mrs. Charlotte tremble and ask for something like this. Her desperate expression made my heart tingle.

"La Viera is a medicinal herb that is not easy to find."

I said carefully. But her trembling eyes caught my attention. At that moment, I felt my determination harden in my heart.

"But... I'll try to find it somehow."

Hearing my words, Mrs. Charlotte looked at me in amazement. Tears glistened around his eyes, and his lips trembled slightly.

"Really...? Thanks, Noah... Thank you so much."

I nodded and accepted her request. Her voice trembled thinly, and there was a deep sense of relief and gratitude.

La Viera was a difficult herb to handle as it was highly effective. If it was not used within 24 hours after collection, its efficacy dropped rapidly, and it was not easy to find it because it only grew in shady rock crevices. However, there was no time to hesitate.

Mrs. Charlotte's earnest voice and reddened eyes lingered in my mind. I took her request to heart and hurriedly made a plan to find La Vierazzo.

As I entered the forest, the cool, moist air penetrated deep into my lungs. The sunlight scattered through the trees created small clusters of light on the ground, and the wildflowers on the roadside swayed their heads in the wind.

The soft soil beneath my feet left a soft touch with each step. I looked up and looked at the sky through the branches.

The bright sky shimmered between the trees, casting a soft light. However, as the forest deepened, the trees became more intertwined, the light gradually disappeared, and the damp energy of the dark forest gradually appeared.

I tightened my backpack strap tightly and quickened my steps. The scent of moisture and leaves became more and more intense in the darkness.

I carefully walked into the depths of the forest, carefully examining the crevices and shadowy areas of the rocks.

The road became more and more difficult. They could only get through the tangled branches by lowering themselves, and there was damp moss under their feet, and if they were a little careless, they could slip.

With his leather-gloved hands, he grabbed the branch and balanced it. He could hear small stones rolling and falling down beneath his feet.

Thanks to several dangerous gathering experiences, I know that caution is paramount in this environment. One mistake could lead to a major accident.

The sunlight was dimmed by the branches, and the forest was filled with a deep green darkness. It felt like another world, far from reality.

The mist rising from the valley spread through the air, adding to the mysterious atmosphere, but I couldn't afford to be distracted by its beauty.

I stopped walking for a moment and took a deep breath of cold air. The clear, cool air filled my lungs and seemed to calm my tense body and mind.

As I got closer to the valley, I saw shady rocks one by one. I looked up and looked around. La Viera is a small, inconspicuous plant that always grows hidden in the crevices of damp rocks.

He lowered himself and carefully explored under the rocks. I opened my eyes wide and looked for the veins of green leaves, paying all my attention.

As I searched for so much time that I didn't know how much time had passed, I finally saw a small green glow shining in a narrow crevice with moist moss on my fingertips.

My fingertips trembled slightly. It was definitely La Vierazzo.

The veins of the leaves were delicately intertwined like a net, and the edges of the leaves were slightly curled. I took out a gathering tool from my bag. With a thin, sharp foraging knife in his hand, he took a deep breath and reached out cautiously.

I focused all my attention on the damp rocks so that my fingertips wouldn't shake. Slowly, he carefully pushed the soil off with the tip of his knife, revealing the roots of the ravierecho.

The thin and delicate roots were fragile and could be easily torn with the slightest misforce.

When the roots were finally fully exposed, I gently grabbed them with my hands and carefully lifted them up. When the ravierazzo was pulled out completely, the tension was relieved all at once, and a deep breath came out.

I looked at the La Vierazzo on the palm of my hand. The fresh green leaves and roots were intact without any damage. The subtle color and vivid veins of the leaves were perfect, as if to compensate for all the hard work.

A small smile spread across my lips. I carefully put the ravierazzo in the bottle.

Now all you have to do is tell Mrs. Charlotte safely.

A small sense of accomplishment filled my heart and a strange sense of relief filled my heart.

I walked carefully again, examining my surroundings. This valley was a place where the current was fast and the terrain was rough, so it was impossible to let our guard down even for a moment.

Then, something came into the corner of my vision. At first, it looked like a simple stone or a fallen branch, but I soon realized that it was moving slightly.

I stopped walking and squinted my eyes to look in that direction. As the wind blew, the sound of the water became louder and louder, and an unknown object shook slightly.

Suddenly, my heart started beating rapidly. An ominous premonition flashed through my mind and made my whole body tense.

Slowly, but quickly, I approached it. My feet were still slippery, but I couldn't pass by without checking. The closer I got, the clearer the outline of the object became.

Finally, he realized that it was a man lying face down on a rock.

"That's..."

Suddenly, the back of my neck felt cold.

"Lord Derek?"

Derek was barely hanging over the rock. His upper body was lying face down on the rock, but his lower body was submerged, and his right hand barely touched the edge of the rock.

But his hands were limp and unforced.

His upper body was leaning toward the rapids, and the tips of his wet hair swayed as if they were going to touch the water.

The current was still strong, and the rock he was barely holding on to was covered in slippery moss, making it difficult to hang on any longer.

Why is he here? How did I get into this state?

A confused thought crossed his mind, but he had to save him first.

I hurriedly retraced my steps. Slippery rocks and strong winds hindered the way, but it was of utmost importance to check on Derek's condition. I got closer and studied his face.

There was a shallow wound on his forehead, and the blood that had flowed mixed with the water was dyeing the rocks red. As my head went blank, I instinctively reached for his shoulder.

"Wake up! It's me, Noah!"

She cried out urgently, but Derek didn't respond. I moved my fingertips down his neck to check his pulse. Fortunately, I could feel my pulse, but it was beating irregularly and dangerously fast.

I put Derek's arm over my shoulder. At that moment, his weight fell on me. His feet shook, but he managed to keep his balance and hold him firmly.

He used to feel the difference in his physique, but his body was much heavier than expected.

My feet were slippery with water and moss, and I couldn't relax even for a moment. Every time his weight fell on his shoulders, he felt like his bones were breaking.

After taking a few steps, I felt short of breath. I realized that it was impossible to move him all at once.

I had to stop every short section. Even if I took a few steps, my breath would rise to my chin, and sweat would rain down my back, dampening my clothes.

It's not long left. You just have to get out of here.

I regained my strength by pushing myself.

Every time he pulled Derek up, his breathing became ragged, but a fear weighed on his mind that if he fell even once, it would be impossible to pick him up again.

Finally, when I reached a flat point at the edge of the valley, I couldn't hold on any longer and fell to my knees.

The numbness spread from my shoulders to my fingertips, and I felt like I was going to stick to the ground because I felt weak all over. He looked at Derek, breathing heavily.

His breathing was thin and irregular, and his pale face was still lifeless and still.

I looked up at the sky. The sun had already set close to the horizon, and the red sky was gradually turning a dark purple.

It was too dangerous to face the night like this. The darkness of the forest was inexorable, and the cold and the invisible threat lurked.

At that moment, a thought flashed through my mind. Around here... Yes, there was a small cave.

I remembered a cave near the valley that I had stumbled upon while collecting herbs. It was a small cave eroded by the wind, suitable for shelter from the elements, and a safe place to lay Derek now.

I made up my mind and put my arm under Derek's shoulder and tried to lift him up again. He tried his best, but his body barely budged.

"Hah... Hah... One more time."

I breathed heavily and tightened my body again. Derek seemed to hear a little, but it quickly sank down again. I had already exhausted my stamina while pulling him out of the valley.

It couldn't go on like this. It seemed impossible to carry him to the cave on my own, but I couldn't give up. I took a deep breath and looked around.

His eyes scanned the rocks, branches, and scattered leaves. Then, a thick tree branch that had fallen nearby came into view. Suddenly, an idea came to my mind.

With this... Maybe we can move Derek.

I began to move with determination. I picked up two branches that looked moderately long and sturdy, and checked the grain with my fingertips. It was a little rough, but it was enough to use in the current situation.

He took out a knife and peeled off the bark of the branches, smoothing the surface. He moved quickly without stopping his hands, calming himself down in the process.

I felt a surge of nervousness in my heart, but I suppressed it and kept my focus.

I took out a waterproof cloak from my bag and spread it taut on the floor. I put two branches on each side and started tying them tightly.

I took out a string of herbs and a leather strap and fastened the cloak to a tree branch. My fingers were already numb and sore, but I tied the knot with all my strength, thinking that I should tie it so that it wouldn't be loose.

"Alright... Now it takes shape."

Now that the stretcher was complete, it was time to move the derek over it. His sturdy, muscular body had always exuded a strong and majestic charm, but now it felt like a huge wall to me. I took a deep breath and made up my mind.

"One... Two... Ugh...!"

With all my might, I lifted his body little by little. His hands and arms were shaking and he felt a sharp pain in his lower back, but he managed to get Derek onto the stretcher.

At that moment, I felt like my whole body was losing strength, and I just slumped to the floor.

I took a moment to catch my breath and made sure that the stretcher was firmly fixed. I felt relieved, but it wasn't over yet. I gathered my mind and stood up, and I held one end of the stretcher tightly with both hands.

As he slowly began to pull the stretcher, he heard the rustling of dirt and leaves on the floor under the stretcher.

Just go to the entrance of the cave.

Sweat dripped down my face. My arms seemed to have lost sense, and my legs felt a heavy sense of fatigue. But I couldn't stop. The sunset was fading and the forest was sinking into darkness quickly.

I gritted my teeth and kept going.

The cold wind brushed against my skin. Every small sound around him made me nervous.

When I finally reached the entrance of the cave, I felt like my whole body was relaxed. I carefully set the stretcher down, bent over and exhaled heavily.

He wiped the sweat from his forehead with the back of his hand and carefully scanned the cave.

There were no animal footprints or traces in the cave. A small stone was thrown at it, and it sounded softly through the cave wall.

I listened nervously, but there was no response. It was too quiet. When I touched the wall, it was solid and stable. The structure was simple, so it seemed that it could deal with threats even if they were imminent.

I made up my mind and turned back to the entrance of the cave. I took out an old herbalist cloth from my backpack. There were traces of old age, but it was enough to keep the moisture and cold on the cave floor.

I spread the cloth and laid it on the floor, carefully laying Derek down.

The chill permeated from all directions and chilled my body. I thought that it would be difficult to survive the night without starting a fire.

I scanned the floor of the cave, found a moderately dry branch, and trimmed it with a knife. A small piece of cloth was mixed with dryacho and terrazzo, fixed to the end of the branch, and lit with flint and iron.

After several attempts, the embers slowly spread and burned brightly at the end of the torch. The warm light cast a shadow on the cave walls, pushing away the darkness.

When the embers of the torch were moved to the pyre, the flames crackled and burned brightly. I crouched in front of the fire, melting my frozen fingertips and taking a breather.

"I finally got my breath out...."

I muttered a small tree branch and put more small branches on the fire.

The flame, which had been shaking for a while, soon regained its stability and burned vigorously. As the light warmed the cavern, I stepped up to Derek's side to check on him again.

In the cave where the wind penetrated, my body temperature was dropping more and more. When I touched my skin with my fingertips, I felt my body become cold as ice.

I was worried that if I left it like this, something irreversible might happen.

I carefully removed Derek's coat, which was wet and heavily drooping. The doublet was damp and damp on his body, and his shirt was stained with mud and water.

When he slowly took off his shirt, he revealed his firm chest and strong forearms. When I lowered my gaze, I saw that the hem of my pants was also wet with muddy water and wrapped tightly around my legs. It was not easy to even move.

I carefully untied my belt and began to take off my wet pants. I could feel the tremors on my fingertips as they brushed against the cold skin, but I didn't hesitate, thinking that his survival was more important.

The damp fabric was heavy and tough, so I had to apply more force, and when I slowly pushed my pants away, my thick and firm thighs were revealed.

After taking off my pants completely, I took a breath and decided to leave my underwear alone. It was a choice to save his face and relieve myself of unnecessary burdens.

Finally, I had to wrap Derek warmly. Without hesitation, I took off my coat and placed it over his body. The cold cave air swept through my body and sent chills to my body, but I didn't hesitate. It was more important than anything else to save him.

Just as he was about to put Derek's wet coat aside, something small from his pocket rolled to the floor. It was a transparent glass bottle. The vial was half full of liquid.

I picked up the vial and put it back in his coat pocket when I was stopped by the smell wafting through the tip of my nose. The strong and bitter scent of herbs was leaking through the cracks in the lid.

This smell... Where do you think you've been in charge?

I thought about it for a while with the vial in my hand, and finally opened the lid. A faint but strong scent of medicinal herbs wafted out. I naturally brought the vial close to my nose.

When I put the lid to my nose and sniffed it again, I could feel the scent even more clearly.

The smell that seemed to float up left a vague clue. As the pieces of my memory slowly began to fit together in my mind, I remembered a conversation I had had with Stephen at the store.

'Stephen, what is this?'

'Oh, that's... Mordurs. It's also called the root of death.'

I tilted my head as I examined the liquid in the vial.

'The root of death? The name is pretty scary. What is it used for?'

Stephen replied, tapping his finger on the vial.

'Few people find it, and it is rarely used. But in extreme situations, sometimes it's necessary. That's why I'm leaving a few at the store for emergency use, just in case.'

At the time, I thought it was just an interesting herb.

"It is an herb that has a strong effect that forcibly suppresses rut. Instead, the side effects are fatal.'

Stephen's voice came back to me clearly. His warning overlapped with the current situation, and my heart sank.

I couldn't move for a while with the vial in my hand. All kinds of thoughts were intertwined in my head, and my heart beat faster and faster.

First, let's learn more about this herb.

I hurriedly opened my backpack and took out a herbal notebook. I sat down near the light and began to quickly turn the pages with my fingers.

The crunching sound of the paper resounded unusually loud in the cave. The letters in dark ink seemed to dance from page to page, but I was looking for just one word.

Mordurs, Mordurs.

It was a herb I had never dealt with myself.

What if there is no information in this notebook? As I thought about it, I started to break out in a cold sweat.