Anis quickly tucked the magic book away just as a knock sounded at the door.
“Who is it?” she asked, clutching the cat while her alertness peaked.
“It’s me, the maid.”
The moment she heard the word “maid,” Anis recalled the secret code left on the note from some time ago. She already knew who was standing there.
“Come in.”
Anis took a deep breath, crossed her legs, and leaned back against the chair, putting on a haughty, superior front. Since the other party was here to beg for a favor, she had to maintain her air of authority.
The door opened, and a woman dressed in tight black clothing slipped through the gap. Her full, curvaceous figure was on full display.
“Sybil, it’s so late. Why aren’t you sleeping instead of coming to see me?” Anis asked despite already knowing the answer. She looked up at the woman with a look of pure disdain.
“Um… I’ve come to ask you for medicine.”
“Ask for medicine? I’m afraid I don’t understand.”
“Please don’t joke with me. You wouldn’t have left that note if you didn’t already know about this.”
Even now, Sybil could clearly remember the contents of that note: *I know you need this bottle of medicine, and I know who you are trying to save. I’ve placed it in the bottom drawer of the nightstand. I have one more bottle in my possession; I think you’ll be interested in it.*
“Fine, I do know.” Anis dropped the act instantly. “If my deductions are correct, Sherry is unaware of our little arrangement, isn’t she? Have you told her?”
“…”
Sybil turned her head away, hesitating to answer. Seeing this reaction, Anis already had her answer.
‘Turning Sybil against her might be a bit difficult.’
“We’ll discuss that later. First, tell me, how is the girl’s condition?”
“She is currently stable. It is thanks to your potion, Lady Anis, that she has been able to hold on this long.” Sybil’s voice was low, and her expression was somber. “However, she has grown much weaker lately, and her lethargy is severe. Lady Sherry visited her and confirmed that she only has a few more days left.”
Anis did not reply. She simply stood up with the cat in her arms, walked to the medicine cabinet, and took out the second bottle of potion. Remaining silent, she held it out.
Sybil’s eyes remained glued to the bottle, her expression filled with excitement. “Thank you, Lady Anis.”
But just as Sybil’s slender fingers touched the glass, Anis spoke in a faint voice, “The price has gone up.”
“Money? That’s not a problem!” Sybil was clearly prepared. She pulled a stamped piece of paper from her pocket. “Whatever amount you want, just fill it in here.”
*Gulp.*
Anis stared at the otherworldly check and swallowed hard. She had intended to play the part of a greedy negotiator to squeeze out as much profit as possible. But! This was simply too much! Even if she filled in dozens of zeros, it would be a mere drop in the bucket for the faction behind Sybil.
‘No, no! Anis, you can’t be seduced by money!’
“Whew…” She took a deep breath, forcing herself to calm her racing heart. “What I want isn’t money. What I want is…”
Anis’s gaze swept over Sybil’s body.
“T-This… this isn’t right…” Even in the dim light of the room, Sybil’s blushing cheeks were obvious. “I may be a maid, but that kind of thing is not within my range of service.”
“No, it’s perfectly feasible, and it has to be you.” Anis was relentless, continuing her pursuit. “Only you, as a maid, can handle this task. It’s for my sake, and for hers.”
“If my deductions are correct, you will need me to brew more potions in the future. Our cooperation will be a long one. Miss Sybil, you wouldn’t want her condition to worsen, would you?”
“…”
Sybil fell silent. Although such an act went against her sense of loyalty, if it could save the girl’s life, a little sacrifice was nothing.
Gritting her teeth and hardening her heart, she pressed her hands against her chest and lay directly down on Anis’s bed. “Please, be quick. I’m not very used to this sort of thing.”
“Huh?”
Seeing her lie down on the bed, Anis realized the situation immediately!
‘Wait, the extra payment is happening on the bed? She totally misunderstood something!’
If she remembered correctly, Sybil was only 5 years older than her. She always had a cold, expressionless look—a graceful, aloof beauty. If she could make someone like that submit…
*Slurp.*
‘No! Anis, what are you thinking? We have business to attend to!’
“Ahem.” She cleared her throat to pull her thoughts back. “You misunderstood. What I want you to do is monitor Sherry and report her movements to me regularly.”
“Oh…” Sybil quickly got up and sat on the edge of the bed, her face still lingering with a trace of embarrassment.
She knew exactly what Anis was asking for—to be a double agent. Such a request required no second thought. “I’m sorry, but I cannot. Lady Sherry lent us a helping hand when we were at our lowest. I cannot betray her.”
“So, you don’t want this anymore?” Anis held up the potion.
“No…” Sybil went silent for a moment before speaking. “Can we find a compromise?”
She took a necklace from her person. “Lady Sherry gave this to me and said you might be interested in it. I want to use this as a trade.”
When Anis saw what the object was, her eyes widened instantly. No matter how dark the light was, she wouldn’t mistake it.
A ruby pendant!
Sherry had given her the very treasure used to control people? What did this mean?
“Do you think… this is acceptable?” Sybil asked tentatively.
“Fine, it’s a deal. However, I’m out of materials for this potion. You’ll have to find a way to get them yourselves next time.”
Anis handed over the potion, and the trade was finalized.
***
3 days later, inside the glass greenhouse.
After ensuring no one was around, Sherry approached the Frost Lily alone once again. She stared at the orchid, her face filled with worry.
Ever since it had entered the budding stage, Sherry had made time every day to care for it meticulously. But 2 days ago, the orchid, which had been growing perfectly, suddenly began to wither. The heavy bud was now bending the delicate stem. Now, even the unblossomed leaves were starting to turn yellow.
Sherry had quickly implemented countermeasures, infusing it with massive amounts of mana, but the results were negligible.
“It’s not working…” Sherry bit her lip, her expression turning grave as she looked at the cracks appearing on the stem.
Trying to force growth through mana was too unnatural. At this rate, the plant would never survive long enough to bloom.
“Do I have no choice but to go out and pick one?”
Sherry stood up and looked toward the snowy mountains in the north. As if making a decision, she clenched her fists. “It seems I’ll have to take a risk.”