Chapter 2: Husband’s infidelity(2).

And so, my days began, tirelessly instructing the workshop servants, diligently crafting Heal Potions, and delivering them to the royal palace.

If I may say so, my skills as an alchemical mage surpassed Adolf’s. He lacked the ability to uphold the legacy of an alchemical noble. Concerned by this, his grandfather consulted my grandfather, his friend, and decided to arrange our marriage.

Thus, I harbored no doubts about the family trade thrust upon me. Nor about our peculiar marital arrangement. It was, after all, the role expected of me.

—Besides, didn’t my mother say as much?

“Be obedient to your husband.” “Every household is different.”

So, I devoted myself daily to potion-making.

Once a month, I embarked on a journey to deliver the potions. The Bloom ducal estate bordered the capital, so the trip wasn’t long.

Returning from the palace, I held a pouch containing two gold coins. I tucked one of the pouches into my pocket.

Initially, our deliveries consisted only of standard Heal Potions. I continued delivering them for a while, but one day, I miscalculated the magical energy infused during crafting, accidentally producing Middle Heal Potions and High Heal Potions. Unaware, I delivered them as is.

Then, the delivery clerk, wearing appraisal glasses, shouted in surprise.

“These are Middle Heal Potions and the rare High Heal Potions! Can your house produce these?”

The appraisal glasses’ verdict was absolute. There was no hiding it. I nodded honestly.

Potions come in various types.

Heal Potions heal cuts when applied and cure colds when ingested. They’re worth ten copper coins per bottle.

Middle Heal Potions heal deep or festering wounds when applied and cure most common illnesses when ingested. They’re worth ten silver coins per bottle.

High Heal Potions reconnect severed limbs when applied and cure nearly any disease when ingested, though they cannot cure certain fatal diseases or old age. They’re worth sixty gold coins per bottle.

There’s also the ultimate potion, called an Elixir, which I cannot make. It regenerates any wound, revives necrotic tissue, and cures even fatal diseases, though, like legends say, it cannot reverse aging or rejuvenate.

I digress a bit.

I answered the delivery clerk honestly.

“Yes, I alone can make them…”

“This is a big deal. Can you wait a moment? I need to consult my superiors.”

After waiting about an hour, he returned at a brisk pace.

“They want you to include Middle Heal Potions and High Heal Potions in future deliveries if possible. Can you manage that? Of course, we’ll pay extra accordingly.”

“Yes, of course. From now on, I’ll include Middle Heal Potions and High Heal Potions as well.”

“You’ll keep delivering the regular Heal Potions and add these on top? Won’t that be too much strain?”

“Yes, I’ll take it on as an addition. Oh, and it would help if you could separate the payments for the Heal Potions and the others.”

That was a past exchange. Thus, I held the pouch with two gold coins.

—Adolf can be a bit of a spendthrift.

Just in case, I decided to keep this secret from him and deposit it in the bank for savings.

—Besides, if it got out that I can make High Heal Potions, I’d likely face even more envy…

That fear lingered. Since childhood, whenever our grandfathers praised my alchemical skills, Adolf would later tease or bully me. So, I avoided flaunting my abilities.

Thus, I kept the payments for the Middle and High Heal Potions a secret from Adolf.

The carriage arrived at our estate.

As if waiting for me, Adolf stood at the entrance. As I stepped down from the carriage and approached, he extended his hand.

I placed the pouch of gold coins for the Heal Potions in his hand. Beaming, Adolf handed me a bouquet and kissed my cheek.

“Another lovely bouquet this month.”

I hugged the bouquet, his monthly token of appreciation.

“Ah, my hardworking Christina. You’ve worked diligently for me again this month, haven’t you?”

“Yes. The delivery clerk was quite satisfied.”

“That’s great. I’m counting on you again next month.”

“Yes.”

With that, Adolf left me behind and returned to the mansion.

Without questioning, I clutched the bouquet to my chest again.

—Surely, this is Adolf’s way of showing me love.

I believed it without a doubt.

“Oh, Christina!”

A guest seemed to have arrived. It was Olivia, one of my few close friends. Her eyes immediately caught the bouquet in my arms.

“Olivia! You came!”

“Yes, I wanted to see you. My, what a lovely bouquet. From Adolf, perhaps?”

“Yes, it’s his monthly token of appreciation.”

I smiled, recalling the moment I received the bouquet and the kiss on my cheek.

“My, my. You two are so close! Oh, you must tell me more about you both.”

“Then let’s have tea. Come this way.”

With that, I led Olivia to the living room, where we enjoyed a conversation between women.