A Genius Pharmacist Whom the Empress Is Obsessed With

It Was Bad.

Idun lost his balance for a moment as Ella rushed towards him so quickly.

It was a dangerous situation where both Ella and Idun could have fallen backward.

Idun quickly regained his balance and sat on the floor. At the same time, he pulled Ella into his embrace, trying to protect her from being hurt as much as possible.

“Idun, Idun.”

Whether she fell or not, Ella tightly grabbed Idun’s waist and called his name.

“Fortunately, she doesn’t seem to be injured.”

When Idun confirmed that Ella was safe, he slightly loosened his arms, and Ella leaned her head on his chest again. The way she clung to him was like a baby bird seeking its mother’s warmth.

Eden couldn’t help but embrace Ella tightly once again.

“Eden, I missed you. Eden, I was in so much pain.”

Eden gently stroked Ella’s head in silence. Every time Eden’s fingers brushed past Ella’s dark chestnut hair, Ella trembled and let out a deep cry.

“….”

Viscount Penelaud, who had been watching the situation from the sidelines, cautiously approached them. Judging by the faint trembling of his tightly closed lips, it seemed that the viscount was also greatly taken aback by the situation.

When the viscount reached out his hand towards Ella, Eden discreetly blocked him by raising his hand. When you wanted to cry, you had to cry. When you were in pain, you had to say you were in pain.

Eden slowly raised his head, locking eyes with Viscount Penelaud. Thankfully, it seemed that the viscount understood Eden’s intentions as he showed a faint smile and quietly left the room.

How much time had passed?

When Ella’s trembling subsided, Eden spoke.

“Miss.”

With Eden’s call, Ella bowed her head deeply, distancing herself from him.

Amidst her messy, chestnut hair, her white ears and nape were tinged with a ripe chestnut color.

Perhaps due to the calming of the situation, even Eden began to see Ella’s disheveled appearance more clearly.

One of her shoes was untied, and her white socks were stained with dust and blood. The exposed calves, visible through the torn stockings, were covered in numerous scratches. Her palms and arms were a mess as well.

“Miss, I’ll bring some water for you first.”

I should also change my clothes, but should I lend her mine in a hurry? I wonder if there’s any ointment left for the wounds.

As Eden thought about these things and stood up from his seat, Ella grabbed his sleeve urgently.

“Miss?”

“Don’t go…far away.”

In Ella’s voice, there was a slight hoarseness, as if she had cried for a long time.

“Don’t worry, I won’t go far. I’ll just go to the kitchen and bathroom for a moment and come back.”

Despite Eden’s persuasion, Ella still turned her head sideways.

“Just stay here.”

“If we leave the wounds as they are, they will fester.”

“It’s okay. It’s okay, so just stay by my side for now.”

“….”

“…Otherwise, you’ll cry again.”

At this adorably threatening statement, Eden had no choice but to sit back down on the floor.

“…I was bad.”

While tightly clutching onto Eden’s clothes, Ella continued speaking.

“Why didn’t you come while I was alive?”

“… “

“Did you hate me that much?”

“I couldn’t possibly hate you.”

“Then? Did it hurt a lot?”

“… No.”

“Well, then it must have been something really bad.”

Idun had nothing to say.

Although it was said that animals and humans could share emotions, it was the same humans who understood humans the best.

Being a human, Idun, who stood outside the category of being human, was perhaps naturally unable to understand the hearts of the remaining people.

“Moreover, because I had drawn a line…”

It was inevitable that he couldn’t understand the pain they would have to endure, as he pushed people away, even if he tried his best.

But now there was no need for that. There was no need to be afraid and avoid people.

Didn’t Sion act that way?

Even if Idun was considered a monster, he believed that Sion would still like him. Even if he himself fell into danger, he believed that Idun would protect him.

“Even Ella’s words and Lord Viscount’s, I just have to protect them.”

Sadly, there were times when he couldn’t protect those who are dear to him, but Idun at that time was immature. The current Idun knew how to properly handle his own power and how to heal the injured.

“I’m sorry, Miss.”

After Idun’s apology, Ella took a deep breath and nuzzled into Idun’s embrace again.

“… Idun, did you accept the offer to work at the royal hospital?”

With her face buried in Idun’s chest, Ella spoke. Judging from her slightly trembling voice, she seemed to be barely holding back tears.

“Yes, the Marquis asked me to.”

“…Rem Bael?”

As someone who worked in the palace, Ella seemed to already know about Rem Bael.

“Yes. There was a big problem in Mellor.”

“If it’s you, Idun, then you must have resolved it. So you will be in the capital for a while?”

“Yes. That seems likely.”

Upon Idun’s response, Ella’s shoulders trembled once again.

“… Will you not leave without saying a word now?”

“Of course not.”

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“Even if we’re separated, you’ll come back to me, right? You won’t abandon me? You won’t leave me alone?”

“Yes, I will come find you. I won’t leave you alone. I promise.”

“But seriously, you can’t do this again.”

As Idun nodded, Ella slowly detached herself from Idun’s embrace. Then, she extended her trembling hand and spoke.

“Idun, I’m in pain.”

“Just wait a moment. I’ll bring some warm water.”

“You need to hurry.”

It was a simple phrase, but Idun’s heart fluttered ever so slightly upon hearing it.

*

“Hm?”

Idun, carrying a basin of warm water and a towel, stopped in his tracks as he entered the kitchen.

Ella, who should have been in the living room, was sitting on a dining chair, eating something.

“…I, I was hungry. I didn’t even have dinner….”

Ella, realizing that Idun was looking at her, forced a weak smile.

She had cried so much on an empty stomach, so it was only natural that she would be very hungry.

Idun furrowed his brow while standing still, and Ella spoke.

“Um, are you mad?”

“No. I’ll quickly clean up and go out to get something for you to eat.”

“Hm? This is enough.”

“No. You should have a proper meal.”

The reason Idun had been silent was because he was annoyed that she was eating cold leftovers, and they weren’t even her own leftovers. Perhaps out of pride, she only plucked the grapes and ate them.

“Let me see your wounds first.”

Idun approached Ella and started gently wiping away foreign substances as he examined her wounds.

‘…She’s been hurt like this all because of me.’

Recalling Ella running through the streets, abandoning everything, Idun couldn’t bring himself to speak.

“Idun?”

Seeing Idun remain unresponsive, Ella cautiously called out to him. In case Ella’s mood worsened again, Idun quickly responded.

“I’m sorry, but I don’t have any herbs or ointments right now. After the wound is taken care of, I’ll go out for a bit. I’ll have my clothes prepared in the living room, so change into them while you wait.”

“Okay, I’ll do that. Thank you.”

“No need to thank me. There’s a fairly decent bed on the second floor, so lie down and rest for a bit. I’ll be back early. Don’t worry, I won’t run away anywhere.”

Ella burst out laughing at Ian’s witty remark.

After a short while, Ian finished tidying up and prepared to go out. He headed towards the front door.

From the creaking sound of the stairs, it seemed like Ella had gone up to the second floor to change clothes, as Ian suggested.

It’s unsettling to leave her alone, so let’s quickly return.

As Ian was about to turn the doorknob, someone knocked on the door.

“Ian, it’s me. Can I come in?”

Judging by the familiar voice that followed, it seemed to be Viscount Peniad standing outside the door.

Ian opened the door and saw Viscount Peniad holding a large envelope.

“Just in case, I brought some medicine and food.”

The Viscount’s eyes were directed towards the ground as he spoke.

“Miss Ella would be delighted if she knew.”

Ian smiled broadly and invited the hesitant Viscount into the house.

***

Inside the carriage heading towards Viscount Peniad’s mansion.

Ella, who was carefully looking at the bandage Ian had applied, spoke up.

“Father, I have something to tell you.”

“…Go ahead.”

“I will work at the medical institution.”

The director of the Royal Medical Institution has not yet been appointed. Radimine was hoping that Ella would take on the role, but she pretended not to know and avoided the subject.

“What about the university? Isn’t it already difficult enough with just the university work?”

“I will continue as the president.”

“…Can you handle both?”

“Yes, I can.”

If she could work with Ian, Ella felt that she could do anything.

Besides, the university was already well-established, so she didn’t have to invest much effort. She didn’t want to go home, she was ambitious, and she was just holding on tightly.

“Alright then. Do as you wish.”

Viscount Peniad closed his eyes after saying those words. It was the end of the conversation.

For a meeting after two months, it was a very short conversation. However, compared to the simple greetings exchanged during the evening meal, it was a much deeper and more familial conversation.

Moreover, today, her father truly paid attention to her after a long time. That alone made Ella very happy.

“Is this also thanks to Ian?”

Ella turned her head towards the window. The sparkling orange light beyond the window seemed particularly beautiful today.

As Ella looked at the dimly lit streets with a faint smile, the Marquis spoke.

“….Ella, I have always loved you.”

At her father’s unexpected words, Ella’s pupils dilated for a moment.

“And I apologize for not properly understanding your wounds until now. You have always been mature, so I thought you would be okay without me knowing. I am truly sorry, my daughter.”

The corners of Ella’s eyes reddened again at the Marquis’s unusually tender voice. Through the teary haze, the light of the blurred world began to appear clearly.