obsession chapter 22

More accurately, it was a mutated monster capable of deflecting most physical attacks. The knights reacted as trained, but a second bear emerging from the rear was unexpected.

“Shariette!”

Noxian launched a wave of sword energy, but before it could connect, the enormous bear collapsed.

Everyone’s gaze shifted to the woman, still holding one arm outstretched. In her hand was…

“A spray bottle?”

“A… watering can?”

As the knights murmured in confusion, Noxian strode past the fallen monster towards Shariette. “Are you alright?”

Shariette nodded, looking slightly surprised but unharmed. “I’ve wandered the Shadow Forest. This is nothing.”

“I’m glad. But that spray bottle… it looks just like the one you used on me.”

“….” Damn, he’s perceptive. Shariette subtly lowered her hand to conceal the bottle, but Noxian had already seen it. The label, dutifully affixed, read: Anesthetic: For Ferocious Beasts. It was unbelievable.

“You sprayed me repeatedly with something that knocks out monstrous beasts?”

No! Psst! Psst! Pssst! Wait— Pssst, pssst, pssst! Pssssst! He recalled the ruthless barrage, leaving him no room to speak.

Shariette waved her hand dismissively. “Knock out? I just… sedated it. It’s just fast-acting.” She nudged the unconscious bear—or rather, the monster—with her foot to demonstrate its harmlessness. “See? Perfectly fine—”

It didn’t budge. Shariette shrugged, brazenly declaring, “Sedation is still sleep.”

What kind of logic is that? Noxian rubbed his forehead.

The observing knights exchanged glances. So, this delicate lady took down an Ironhide Bear… and Noxian? No wonder she speaks so casually to the Lord… Are we sure she’s a physician… and not an assassin?

Day Three.

“Hey, wasn’t your arm injured yesterday?”

The knight, prompted by his comrade, examined his arm, eyes widening. “It is! That ointment the doctor gave me must be amazing.”

“No way, a gash from a monster’s claw healed with just ointment?”

What? Me too! I want some! Hey, me too!

“Doctor, my shoulder, elbow, fingers…”

“This is a secret, but… do you happen to have anything for motion sickness?”

The carriage had spontaneously transformed into a mobile pharmacy. Shariette expertly commenced business.

“Line up here!” Don’t push, you idiot! My health is all I have! Are you joking about that scratch? A chorus of complaints and exaggerated ailments filled the air. Not that they were genuinely in unbearable pain. They were curious about the person their Lord had brought along and eager to speak with the unfamiliar beauty.

“Apply regularly. Next.”

“Twice a day, before meals. Next.”

“You’re faking it.”

“You’re not motion sick, you’re anemic. Here, once a day for a month, then come back.”

The thirty-second diagnoses were astonishingly accurate. Impressed, people began offering her small trinkets.

“Lord Joseph said you like shiny things. Would you accept something like this?”

Shariette’s placid expression brightened. This is it! They had discovered the key to the bear-spraying physician.

After the impromptu clinic, Noxian approached a cheerful Shariette. “They’re just curious. You’ve been busy.”

“I didn’t do it for free.” Noxian peered into the pouch Shariette proudly displayed. A gold-plated hairpin, a jeweled cufflink, a cubic zirconia plucked from a tassel—all glittering and gleaming.

“Trash? You collect this stuff?”

“… ” Jerk. Shariette snatched the pouch back.

The infuriating man propped his chin on his hand and chuckled. She caught her breath. His eyes, reflecting the sunlight, were as brilliant as the jewels in her dreams. For a moment, the treasures in her hand truly felt like trash.

***

Jerk, retracted. He was overflowing with bad luck.

Two days later, the carriage arrived at the Rubelot ducal estate. Ushered directly to the drawing-room, Shariette finally understood Noxian’s comment about trash. Everything around her glittered and shimmered, dazzling her eyes. Even the people seemed to sparkle!