Chapter 28 – She’s Special
“Do you mean, the girl is currently locked up in the stables?”
“Yes.”
Jorge, as though he had been delivered some tragic news, looked hopeless.
Why, for what reason? The Archduke had just informed him that Chloe would be joining the ceremonial expedition.
Jorge had been excitedly planning to bring her back to the pharmacy as soon as she was finished with Howl. This way, they could resume their work of creating a catalog of all medicines in the empire. To the man who had been sleepless with the anticipation of writing the first book of such a kind, Alexandro’s decision was an unexpected, devastating blow.
But he was Archduke Graham – the Grand Master of the order of knighthood.
“What…a brilliant idea, Your Grace. I am sure she would be very helpful.” Jorge did not dare object to Alexandro’s will. All right. The expedition will be over within a year. We can continue our work when she’s back. Jorge tried to soothe himself – he could not possibly harbor any disrespectful thoughts towards the Archduke.
On the other hand, Alexandro almost burst out into laughter at the sight of Jorge’s face. He looked as helpless as a child whose candy had been taken away.
“I hear that you have a vested interest in this girl.”
Jorge realized that the Archduke was curious about his work with Chloe. And he vaguely thought that, now that she was to participate in the expedition with the order of knighthood, it would be wonderful for her to use the opportunity to prove herself and gain a place at the infirmary.
As Jorge was not her owner, and because she had been captured in a war and hence could not be elevated out of her status, he was unable to welcome her as a member of his team. But to the man sitting in front of him, the laws did not apply.
“That child…” In Jorge’s opinion, Chloe knew nearly as much as any doctor. He deeply regretted her station in the society.
“…is a bit special.”
Jorge took a moment to choose his words carefully. While the Archduke was generous to those whom he trusted, he was extremely ruthless to others. Even when the wartime conditions and his position as the Grand Master were out of the equation, Alexandro was fundamentally a terrifying man.
And Jorge did not yet know what the Archduke thought of the girl. But given his desire to bring her on the expedition, he guessed that the Archduke did not dislike her. Participating in the trip was going to be an incredible honor for Chloe. Above all else, had she not saved Howl’s life?
“Chloe is very knowledgeable about medicine and nursing, as much as an average doctor. She would prove to be tremendously useful on your journey through the empire, sir. And given her vast experience in harvesting herbs, her ability to work with medicinal ingredients should surpass mine.”
The Archduke, after listening quietly, burst into a chuckle. “You are much too modest.”
“But it is true, sir. Nalusuwan has been closed off to the public due to the rumor that it harbored plants poisonous to humans. But this child has discovered that the mountain actually nurtures far more medicinal herbs than harmful ones. And while I did not know that a plant had poisoned Howl, Chloe figured this out. She also obtained the antidote herself.”
“So, the girl’s name is Chloe?”
“Yes, Your Grace.” Jorge marveled at the fact that the Archduke had not known the name of the slave that he had handpicked to bring on the expedition. Of course, there was no need for him to learn the name of a lowly slave. But having taken time away from the combat tournament just to visit the infirmary and inquire about her, how could he have not known the girl’s name?
Unaware that Alexandro had visited him simply to escape the festivities, Jorge found the situation curious. The expedition was only three days away. The order of knighthood, along with the Archduke’s household, was hard at work in preparation for the departure.
“Has she always worked at the stables?”
“No, sir. She belongs to the Cupihit household, and has been working in the infirmary.”
Knock knock.
Jorge turned towards his office door at the sound of knocking. No one would dare disturb his conversation with the Archduke. The Archduke commanded the person to enter—Aaron Cupihit, the Archduke’s butler, appeared at the doorway.
“I am terribly sorry to disturb your conversation. Your Grace, this is regarding the matter that we’ve discussed earlier.”
“Speak.”
“It was just as you have predicted, sir.”
Alexandro had ordered Aaron to research the military capacity of the major feudal lords, predicting that some of them must be concealing armies without the imperial palace’s knowledge. Even though he was to visit all of them during the expedition, it was not going to hurt to prepare in advance.
Meanwhile, Jorge was observing Aaron, a celebrity in high society.
The second son of the Cupihits, he had been disowned by his family for a mysterious reason and declared that he would not seek a position in the imperial court. Instead, he volunteered to serve as the Grahams’ butler. For some reason, he was known as the black sheep of the family. He looks totally normal, though. Jorge finished his short meditation on Aaron.
“Then I shall have the slave join the expedition as soon as the tournament is over.”
And the Archduke, as if he had more to discuss with Aaron, gracefully asked Jorge to leave the room.
“Yes, sir. I hope that Chloe will prove herself to be useful during the journey.”
Then Aaron suddenly interrupted the conversation, “Chloe…Do you mean the black-haired slave girl that looks like a boy?” His eyes wide open and faintly glaring at Jorge and the Archduke, Aaron silently demanded an answer.
“That…that’s right. Do you know her as well?”
“The timid slave girl that works for my family and at the pharmacy, with dirty clothes and short hair?” Aaron did not stop there. He raised his hand to his shoulder level. “The little one who’s this tall?”
Jorge was surprised by Aaron’s detailed description. At the same time, Alexandro remembered that Aaron had often been asking the stable guards about Chloe. Even though he was curious, he had refrained from prying into his butler’s private life. Aaron’s immediate reaction made it clear that he was somehow tangled with the girl.
“That sounds about right. Chloe will be participating in the expedition this year. Such an honor.” As Jorge replied with a contrived smile, Aaron’s face distorted dramatically.