Chapter 43 The Beautiful Woman in Men's Clothing
After a stretch of unremarkable days, a rare customer came in.
They had short, neatly trimmed hair in a unique pink-gold hue, and eyes that seemed to cut right through you, standing tall with a graceful figure.
Calling them a woman was only due to their build, for they were dressed in a cool blouse with delicate embroidery on the collar and cuffs, paired with a snug pair of slacks that fit like a glove──clearly bespoke, giving off an air of noble masculinity.
"Welcome."
Thanks to the variety of patrons we've had in recent months, I've gotten pretty good at telling which of us──me or Yuruyana──they're here to see the moment they walk in.
My clients usually light up and rush over upon seeing my face, so this lady, clearly out of place in a commoner's shop, must be here for Yuruyana.
"Are you looking for something?"
If I can tell, it's obvious to Yuruyana too.
Flashing a dazzling sales smile and speaking in a high, elegant tone, the cross-dressing beauty seemed relieved as they approached the counter.
I was a bit thrown off by the mismatch between appearance and actual gender, but I kept it out of my demeanor.
"Hello. I heard that Sir Elmer's apprentice is here──is that you?"
"Yes, it's me. If you know my master, then you must be here for an arcane medicine request."
What a splendid transformation, every time.
Hard to believe they're the same person who unfairly snapped at the pouring sun to 'tone it down a bit!' when they went out to buy lunch.
"Um, that..."
The woman gave me a quick glance.
They even remembered to smile slightly and nod in greeting, trying not to be intimidating.
"He's the owner of this shop. I can ask him to leave if necessary."
"...No, it's fine."
Observing carefully without being rude, I judged them to be around my age or maybe a bit younger.
They say there's a range in noble economic status, but at least this person's family seems quite well-off.
If there was anything to note, it was their physique, which suggested they'd trained in some form of martial arts.
"Forgive my manners. I am Helmine Dürrer."
"You must be Lady Helmine. I am Yuruyana Silven, an Arcanopharmacist."
"I'm Tsukumo Kreis. An Arcane Engineer."
After we introduced ourselves, Lady Helmine seemed to relax a bit.
Yuruyana raised an eyebrow, glancing up as he inquired.
"Pardon me, but may I ask who recommended you here?"
A skilled Arcanopharmacist is valuable anywhere, but Yuruyana's domain is the lower town ── his name might not reach noble ears often.
How he got wind of this place, that's what's intriguing.
Lady Helmine answered without a moment's hesitation.
"From Sir Luka of the Oldrinii family."
At that, I exchanged a look with Yuruyana.
Hearing Luka's family name after so long felt strange.
Luka, the expert socialite, manages to keep good relations with his noble family despite being a bastard child.
But to introduce us... does he trust us that much?
I delved into old memories.
"I remember now, the Marquis Duerre family. Luka's sister was married into it."
"Sister?"
I recalled something Luka had mentioned before.
He had grumbled about being ordered by his father ── the so-called General ── to attend his half-sister's wedding, which was supposed to be with the Duerre family's eldest son.
Lady Helmine finally looked at me in surprise.
Maybe she was bothered by my casual mention of a noble's child.
"I see. You're the 'Captain' Sir Luka spoke of?"
Lady Helmine nodded with a look of understanding.
"...Yeah."
That guy calls me Captain even when I'm not around.
"I see, it was through Luka──Mr. Luka's introduction. Understood. Tsukumo, may we speak in private?"
"Sure."
Even if it's just a workout, it's clear something's off with a woman from the Marquis House visiting the lower town all alone.
Considering what might happen if other guests walk in, Yuruyana led Helmine-san toward the living space.
Since she's a friend of Luka's, I decided to join them until more guests arrived.
When Yuruyana pulled out a clipboard to take notes, I noticed Helmine-san visibly relaxed.
"What kind of medicine are you looking for? Are you unwell?"
At first glance, Helmine-san looked perfectly healthy──far more vibrant than I did.
Yuruyana seemed to share the same thought, tilting his head in confusion.
After a moment of contemplation with her eyes downcast, Helmine-san straightened her back, steeled herself, and began speaking to Yuruyana.
"I need you to make medicine──not for myself, but for a friend."
It's not unusual for people to buy medicine for family, but referring to someone as a 'friend' felt strange.
"Due to certain circumstances, they can't come here. Would you still be able to prepare it?"
"That depends on the symptoms. If it's something serious or unusual, I'd like to meet the person at least once to confirm."
For something like a common cold or a minor injury, I could just take their word, mix something on the spot, and hand it over.
But judging by her serious demeanor, it was obvious this was about something far from ordinary.
"I see... That makes sense."
Hearing such a reasonable response, Helmine-san fell into thought.
"I hope you don't mind me asking, but doesn't the Marquis family have their own personal doctor and pharmacist?"
"Yes, technically. However, if they treat the patient, news will spread to the family."
So, she doesn't want the inside people to know, then.
"I understand. Don't worry; I'll keep your patient's secrets safe."
As Yuruyana looked up at me, I nodded along.
But after being so complacent lately, I suddenly recalled──
most problems associated with Luka tend to be complicated.
"Thank you. So, um... could you come in disguise so the pharmacist doesn't recognize you?"
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