“Y-you’re giving me this room?” I asked, astonished.

Next to me stood my new maid, Jenny. She was about forty years old with dark hair, blue eyes, and a kind, matronly expression. She’d apparently come to Cereus Castle with Lord Pearlman from his own estate, many years ago.

“It’s the only empty room,” said Lord Pearlman, shrugging slightly.

I was surprised at how luxurious it was. It was full of rich velvet furniture, and every surface sparkled. It was just the type of room that a young noble lady would be using. But it looked as if it had not been occupied for a long, long time.

“You can also wear whatever clothes are in there,” said Lord Pearlman, gesturing to the wardrobe.

I opened the wardrobe doors and let out a gasp. It was crammed full of dresses, cloaks, shoes, stockings, accessories, and other things that all looked brand new and expensive.

“B-but that’s...” Jenny murmured, looking taken aback.

“I was going to throw them all out anyway. Better someone get some use out of them,” said Lord Pearlman. He gave her a look, and she nodded, dropping the matter. His face looked somewhat on edge.

“Well... Thank you very much.” I didn’t know what was going on between them, but I was pleased to get all these beautiful new clothes.

“Besides, it’s not because I’m giving you special treatment,” he said, as if trying to make a point. “It’s because you’re the only one who can wear these clothes. There are no other young girls in this castle.”

“Ah. Okay.”

“I want to be clear on this,” he said, crossing his arms and trying to look strict. “I’m only giving you these clothes because they were going to be thrown out.”

“Yes, yes, I know these clothes were being thrown away and I just happen to be the right size,” I replied jauntily.

He harrumphed and adjusted his glasses. “I’m going to send you a stack of books. Make sure you memorize them all by tomorrow.”

“Yes, sir.”

“Aren’t you going to ask me how many? What if it’s too much for you?”

“It won’t be,” I replied, shrugging. “I can read any book just once and memorize the whole thing instantly.”

Lord Pearlman harrumphed again, then turned on his heel and stomped out without another word.

I began looking around the room, and Jenny turned towards me nervously. “Uh... miss, the lord viscount always makes his assistants memorize dozens of books. Can you really look at them all by tomorrow?” she asked, looking worried.

“It’s no problem,” I said right away. “I’m a genius.”

It might have sounded a bit full of myself, but it was simply the truth. I could’ve tried to pretend like I was having a hard time, but it would’ve been more awkward and even more suspicious. I thought it’d be better to just be brash and upfront.

To my surprise, Jenny suddenly let out a big laugh. “My goodness, you sound just like his lordship when he was a little boy! He used to go around telling everyone that he was a genius!” she said with a chuckle.

“Huh?” I cocked my head, wondering if I’d heard her right. I reminded her of that grumpy old man?

“I was wondering why he gave you his daughter’s room...”

“What?!” I turned to her in astonishment.

This beautiful room used to be his daughter’s?

“Then these are all hers?” I asked, gesturing to the clothes.

She nodded, but looked distressed. “Well, to be honest, they’re his missing daughter’s,” she murmured.

I stared at her, totally confused. This was new information—I’d never heard this before in my previous life.

“The poor man didn’t get to see her even once when she was born. And then she went missing,” she explained, clearly upset. “He’s been torn to pieces about it ever since. The late duke let him have this room for her. He hasn’t given up hope that she’ll come back to him one day.”

“Ah, I see...” I said, thoughtfully. Whoever the missing girl was, she was sure to come into a great fortune if she was ever found.

“Ah, and the room at the end of the hall belongs to the young master,” said Jenny. She began carefully brushing my hair and sweeping it up neatly.

“You mean Lord Erwan?”

“Yes.”

The boy I was determined to save no matter what.

I sighed at my last memory of him, a painfully sick young man who’d been emaciated and coughed constantly.

I resolved to take a look at him as soon as I could, and slowly guide him back to health.

It’s good we’re on the same floor, I thought, I could easily bump into him “by accident.”

“Oh, how lovely!” exclaimed Jenny as she helped me change into one of my new dresses. She looked pleased. “You look just like a proper young lady now.”

“Anyone would look good in these clothes,” I retorted. I walked over to the bookshelf and began perusing the titles. “But of course, I do have a rather fine complexion and good features,” I said airily.

Jenny laughed heartily at my words. “Oh my...” she chuckled. She smiled as she looked at me and shook her head. “Just like Lord Pearlman.”

“Um, isn’t that an insult...?” I said.

* * *

I yawned and stretched deeply. The fifteen books Lord Pearlman had sent sat in front of me in a pile. I’d looked through them all just in case, but I knew everything in them and could recite each page word-for-word. Actually, they were technically six years out of date compared to the knowledge in my head, so I knew a lot more than what was in these books. My ability to change the future would depend entirely on discovering new things, instead of relying on knowledge that already existed on this continent.

“His lordship is quite a busy man,” said Jenny as she bustled about the room. “He runs the Pearlman Trade Company as well as acting as chief physician here.”

“Yes, I know.”

“He’s tried several times to give up his position here, but the duchess refuses to let him go. She begged him to stay and take care of her son.”

“But why?” I asked. “Cereus is an important dukedom. The imperial family would send a royal physician immediately if she asked.”

“She doesn’t trust anyone other than Lord Pearlman,” said Jenny.

“The last time they had a new doctor here was when the old duke passed away.”

“I see...”

Ah, yes. I closed my eyes and tried to remember what had happened in the past.

Lord Pearlman had been doing all he could do to keep the ailing duke alive. When urgent matters had taken him away from the castle for a few days, a new doctor had temporarily taken his place. The duke had promptly died under his care. The duchess was now acting as regent in her son’s place until he reached adulthood.

“She couldn’t bear it if anything happened to the young master,” Jenny said. “So, she’s begged Lord Pearlman to stay no matter what.”

“Lord Erwan is quite sickly and weak, no?”

“Yes, he almost died a few times this year already,” said Jenny sadly. “The viscount worked tirelessly day and night to keep him alive.”

Lord Pearlman was highly skilled as well as deeply loyal to the Cereus family. If even he hadn’t been able to keep Erwan alive in the end, then I knew that whatever sickness he had would be incredibly complicated and difficult to deal with. I really must look at him as soon as possible. The sooner I reach him, the better. I would do everything possible to keep him alive and well.

“Are you ready, miss?” asked Jenny. “Lord Pearlman has asked you to join him for luncheon.”

“Luncheon?”

Jenny sighed a little. “Yes,” she said. “Erm... You should know this luncheon is usually when he kicks out most of his apprentices.”

She looked worried, but I simply nodded my head. I was ready for anything he could throw my way.

“But for some reason, I’m not worried about you,” she said, chuckling. “I have a feeling you’ll be back in this room.”

“I sure will.”

Jenny laughed merrily at my remark.

* * *

“What happens when I mix Eidharin grass with pumpkin extract?”

“It can be used to temporarily relieve muscle pain.”

“What should you do if your patient has a headache?”

“You should administer seed flower juice then decide on further prescription after seeing their initial reaction.”

The food was incredible. I’d never had such a delicious and luxurious meal. In my previous life, I’d spent six years apprenticed to the village doctor, then spent every last coin I had to open my own practice. I’d never had enough to spend on food other than what I needed to survive.

I scarfed down my lunch while Lord Pearlman continued to pepper me with questions.

I doubt any of his former apprentices would have been able to eat even one bite, what with his icy expression and disapproving gaze. From the minute I sat down, he’d shot out question after question while his eyes flashed dangerously, warning me that even one mistake would be the end of my time here. Nevertheless, I answered every question smoothly all the way through the meal.

He finally stopped interrogating me as I ate my pudding.

“Not bad,” he said. “Not bad at all.”

“Only ‘not bad?’” I asked archly as I finished the dessert. “You’d be hard-pressed to find someone else like me anywhere on the continent.”

We both knew that I was much too qualified to become a mere assistant.

“Well, you’re certainly not afraid to say what you think,” he said.

“That’s one of the requirements of being a doctor,” I said seriously. “I’m honest about everything.” It was the truth. “I’m also extremely kind and super compassionate.”

The more I thought about it, the more I marveled at how good of a person I was—I had stayed in Cereus purely to save everyone else instead of running away alone.

“Er... yes.” Lord Pearlman suddenly chuckled. “You know, you and I are quite alike. I’m also very honest and good-natured.”

Is he for real? He’s definitely got one of the nastiest attitudes of anyone I’ve ever met. Not to mention a mean mouth.

Lord Pearlman looked at my expression and let out a loud guffaw. “I assure you that what you’re thinking about me is exactly what I’m thinking about you.”

I thought it would be best to stay silent on that. The viscount and I were either going to get along very well, or end up killing each other.