obsession chapter 20

Relieved by his master’s usual demeanor, Luke shrugged. “Is there anything more to glean? Plenty of fools lash out, blaming the wrong people.” 

“Since we have an apothecary present, perhaps we should request a truth serum.” 

“Are you listening to me?” Noxian simply smiled in response, and Luke instinctively shut his mouth. In the arsonist’s eyes, the eyes that had glared not at the surviving apothecary but at him just moments ago, Noxian had realized something. 

“That lunatic from Rubelot is rumored to have regular dealings. I’d wager it won’t take a month. And that won’t be good for you either. I’m afraid I have a lot of enemies.” 

That look, so terribly familiar. As he’d told Shariette, it was just another grudge among the countless, messy resentments directed at him. Eliminating an entire family wasn’t as simple as erasing a crest from the peerage almanac. It wasn’t as if the bloodline alone vanished, leaving no trace. It meant dealing with all the repercussions and side effects of severing the tangled web of relationships and interests. Of course, he had considered all of that from the beginning. 

‘This is… novel.’ 

If that man had recognized him in Maylily and connected the apothecary’s departure from Willowhill to him… It was a good leverage point. He’d been consumed by resentment for not saving his colleague, so he wouldn’t have felt any guilt about sacrificing an innocent person. It also explained why he had set such a conspicuous fire, of all things. 

It was a deliberate act, meant for him, and him alone. Pure spite. He would have to drag the man in for further questioning to get the details, but… ‘Leverage.’ He glanced at Shariette, who seemed unconcerned with the reason behind the attempt on her life, her attention solely on the settled compensation. For now. For now, he wouldn’t tell her. It would only give her another reason to run.

***

The atmosphere was so serious and somber that Shariette deliberately splashed her foot in the basin of water. Red, like spilled ink, bloomed and spread. ‘Close the door while you’re at it. I can hear everything.’ Noxian, who had climbed into the carriage after dismissing Luke, clicked his tongue at the sight. 

“Impatient, aren’t we?” 

“Efficient.” 

“Indeed. Give me your foot.” 

Noxian, holding the salve and bandages, patted his knee. Shariette asked, incredulous, “Are you confused about who the physician is here?” 

“I’m quite adept at wound care. And you should avoid moving as much as possible. Your clothes are too large.” 

“I’ve been telling you they’re uncomfortable.” Shariette replied, clutching the slipping robe. 

“Have them bring you new clothes. Now, your foot.” Shariette cautiously extended her foot, like someone feeding a wild animal. Noxian paused as he wiped away the blood. “Was the wound this shallow?” 

“I told you it was a minor injury. You must have seen wrong.” Shariette lied smoothly, the wound already significantly healed. Strictly speaking, it wasn’t even a lie! 

‘It’s going to heal anyway, so it is a minor injury.’ 

Shariette watched the treatment process with wide eyes, determined to find some fault. But the more she watched, the less she could find to criticize. 

‘He’s really good at this.’ 

His touch, as he applied the salve to her foot resting on his knee, was unexpectedly deft and gentle. Normally, she would be the one providing the care. The reversed roles felt strange. She finally managed to find something to nitpick about as he wrapped the bandage. 

“Don’t wrap it all the way to my ankle. It’ll make it difficult to move.” 

“Alright, alright, as the apothecary commands.” 

As the treatment neared its end, Shariette, after a moment of hesitation, casually asked, “I overheard your conversation with Luke earlier.” Purely by chance, of course. 

“You seem to be looking for someone. You called her ‘her,’ didn’t you?” 

Surely, it couldn’t be her? ‘Her’ was too polite a term. Noxian looked up, his eyes flashing. “Do you, by any chance, have a talent for finding people?” 

Was that even a question?! Even if she did, she couldn’t admit it! Shariette hid her sweating hands behind her back. “If I did, I’d have opened a detective agency, not an apothecary shop.” 

“A pity.” Noxian finished securing the bandage and slowly released her foot. “About two years ago, I… lost someone. She didn’t keep the promise she made to meet me.” 

‘Yep. That’s me.’ 

Shariette casually leaned back, pretending to relax, positioning herself closer to the door. Then, feigning indifference, she slipped in the most crucial question. “Oh, really? What will you do if you find her?” 

“Well, now… what will I do…” 

Click. The man closed the medicine chest, his voice low, almost a murmur. “I’ve never… kept alive those who have deceived me.”