I’ve Become a S*ave Bride - Chapter 35

“…The previous brides enjoyed this?”

“Yes.”

“I see.”

Despite the complexity in her thoughts, Lene’s expression remained calm as she replied.

“Then I’ll take it with me.”

“Of course.”

The merchant Sarman handed over the container that held the Bunna.

“The old woman here will know about Bunna very well. If you ask her, she will make it into a very fragrant drink for you.”

“Thank you.”

Lene offered a formal smile, her eyes slightly crinkling, and stood up.

“I have some work to do. I’ll be on my way now.”

“Yes. I plan to stay in this town for a while, so if you need anything, feel free to send a message.”

“Got it.”

Lene didn’t forget to greet Roxana, who was turning her head away, seemingly in a bad mood.

“I’ll see you next time.”

“Well, I don’t know if there will be a next time. The brides change so often.”

It was a clear jab, but Lene chose not to react.

There were too many things to think about upon returning to her room to respond to such childish jealousy.

* * *

Back in her study, now the bride’s room, Lene laid out the Hyunran and Bunna on her desk.

“I’m sure of it. Lunadel and Inferna.”

These were things that had briefly caught the attention of several divine scholars from the Ecaron Kingdom two years ago.

In the case of Lunadel, if soaked in water for a few days, a paralyzing poison is extracted. If the water is soaked into a cloth and placed on the patient’s skin during surgery, it can somewhat alleviate the pain, albeit only slightly.

If the toxic properties of Lunadel are extracted and ground well with several other ingredients, it can be formed into a pill that serves as a painkiller.

“And Inferna…”

Inferna is also known as “black water.” As the name suggests, its color is black, which is why ordinary people call it “black water,” but doctors refer to it as Inferna.

When the water brewed from Inferna is consumed, one feels a sudden surge of strength, and any pain seems to vanish in an instant. However, after a certain period, it leads to deeper fatigue and weakness.

It is akin to a devil’s trick, offering humans a taste of sweetness as if it would fulfill all their desires, only to ultimately drain away their very souls. This is why doctors named this fruit “Inferna,” which means “hell.”

“Lunadel and Inferna.”

In fact, both are prescriptions that are often used in the Ecaron Kingdom today. Of course, Inferna is primarily used for soldiers during wartime, but it is also occasionally prescribed to those engaged in dangerous tasks.

Thus, when considering each of these separately, there is no significant issue.

“However, taking them together causes extreme hallucinations and auditory hallucinations.”

Inferna exacerbates the existing side effects of Lunadel. There are also unpredictable symptoms that can suddenly arise.

These include irregular heartbeats that can lead to cardiac arrest, convulsions that result in a state of coma, difficulty breathing, and cases of repeated vomiting that suddenly lead to death. The side effects from taking both simultaneously are numerous.

“Yet, recommending both of these….”

Lene slowly sat down in a chair, holding the light green grain in her hand.

“Did they know and still recommend it, or were they unaware?”

Lost in thought for a moment, she pressed the Bunna grain with her fingernail.

“I guess I’ll find out by watching.”

* * *

“Did Sarman come by today?”

Now, Kazen entered the newlywed room and casually placed the scabbard he had at his waist onto the desk.

Lene approached him and handed over a tube of burn ointment, saying, “Kazen, I heard it was from the people you sent.”

“I just got news that they arrived in town.”

Receiving the ointment from Lene, he applied it to his sunburned skin, which had turned red from the sunlight.

Perhaps because he was a mixed-blood born between the Northern tribes and Tazetra? Although he had stronger skin against the sun than the fair-skinned Lene, he still suffered from sunburn more frequently than pure Tazetra natives.

Watching him quietly, Lene asked softly, “How have you been enduring all this time?”

“What do you mean?”

“The sunburn.”

“Enduring? That concept didn’t even exist for me. I just lived with it.”

That’s true. The notion of “convenience” works like that. Before something exists, you don’t even realize you need it, and only when it appears do you become aware of the discomfort.

“So, did you find anything you liked?”

“Among the things the merchant brought?”

Kazens glanced at Lene as if questioning what she was asking, then focused again on applying the ointment.

“There weren’t many, mostly jewelry, but there were about two items.”

“They must have been herbs.”

Lene widened her eyes slightly as she looked at him.

“How did you know?”

“It’s obvious.”

Just as he finished applying the ointment, he turned to Lene and scanned her from head to toe.

His gaze lingered a bit longer on her arms, thighs, and ankles, where Tazetra women would wear their jewelry.

“I’m not really interested in gems or gold.”

“…That’s true.”

It was the same when she was in the Ecaron Kingdom. Of course, gemstones weren’t unattractive. However, they were impractical.

“They just get in the way when working.”

“That’s right.”

As she listened to Kazen’s response, she suddenly recalled something Dawes had said.

‘To make you happy… I must give you what you truly want.’

That day marked exactly eight years since their engagement had been established. Perhaps wanting to give a meaningful gift, Dawes had presented them with rings and necklaces set with their birthstones side by side.

‘Ah…’

‘Do you not like it?’

‘…No, it’s not that. Thank you.’

Unfortunately, regardless of its beauty, the gift was unnecessary for Lene. She had tried to express her gratitude in her own way, but it seemed her true feelings were clearly written on her face.

‘…I was wrong again.’

As Dawes said this, he bitterly put away his gift.

“So, what did you buy?”

Lene snapped back to reality at the deep voice that broke her thoughts. She lifted her face, which had been angled down, and replied, “Herbs. The herbs I was familiar with in Ecaron and the seeds of a fruit called Bunna.”

Kazen chuckled as if he had expected that.

“Why are you laughing?”

“It suits you well.”

Lene paused as she was placing the ointment back in its spot.

“…What does?”

“The items you chose.”

“Are you saying they suit me?”

“Yeah. You’re the type who thinks, ‘What are the benefits of that flower?’ rather than just, ‘That flower is pretty.’”

“……”

For some reason, Kazen’s answer made her unknowingly bite her soft lips. Lene slowly released her tightly clenched lips and asked, “Do you… dislike it?”

“Dislike what?”

“That I bought such things.”

At that, Kazen raised an eyebrow, as if questioning what absurdity she was saying.

“Do I look like the type to get upset just because you bought something on your own?”

“It’s not that… It’s just that you sent so many ornaments, and ignoring those, I chose these plain herbs and seed fruits. I thought you might feel disappointed…”

Seemingly displeased with her choice of words, he turned to face Lene directly. Leaning slightly against the desk, he crossed his arms loosely and tilted his head.

“Why are they plain?”

“…Just because.”

Lene averted her gaze and answered evasively, which was unlike her. Kazen stared at her for a moment before straightening his posture. He then took out the ointment tube that Lene had just organized and held it out to her.

“Is this plain?”

Her gaze landed on the ointment tube decorated with a red flower.

“No…”

Lene replied softly, her attention naturally drifting from the tube to Kazen’s hand, the prominent veins on the back of his hand, and up to his forearm, where her ointment was smeared all over.

“Do you need me to tell you how many people have smiled because of this ointment you made?”

“……”

“I’m sure you’ve seen Mahat, who couldn’t even get out of bed like he was about to die, now full of life.”

“……”

“Should I tell you what changes have occurred in this palace because of the knowledge that only you possess?”

“…… No, I know without you saying.”

Lene forced her words out and lowered her head. For some reason, she felt tension in her jaw, and a prickling sensation threatened to well up in her eyes.

Noticing her state, Kazen refrained from asking any further questions. Instead, he said,

“What you’ve accomplished is not at all plain. So whether you choose herbs or ornaments, you don’t have to worry about my opinion on that. I mean it.”