In Deisha, there were many pharmacies and dress shops lined up, selling important goods. It was a very large place, so it was crowded with residents as well as tourists.
Deisha was not far from where the carriage stopped, so it was easy to find. After being in a busy place for the first time in a while, my head felt a little dizzy. Still, I had to buy birth control pills. I didn’t want to be deeply involved with Cedric anymore. Someday, I wanted to leave the Bestine mansion as well.
Holding Vincent’s hand tightly, I looked around to find a pharmacy. The white building that stood out was a famous pharmacy in Deisha that had been selling all kinds of medicine for over 100 years.
At that moment, I saw the large white building. It seemed even bigger than before, but I walked straight toward it without hesitation. Vincent looked a bit shy because of the crowd but still looked around with curiosity.
Then, someone almost bumped into Vincent as they passed by. I pulled Vincent toward me and checked him.
“Are you okay?”
Vincent nodded while looking at me.
“Mom, is this place always crowded?”
“Yes, it’s always busy here. Let’s go quickly over there.”
When I pointed to the white building, Vincent smiled brightly and led me. Feeling a little more calm, I entered the place called “Selly’s Pharmacy.” Several people were coming out holding paper bags.
Inside, people wearing green and white striped clothes were standing around. People were looking for the medicine they wanted, and some were watching colorful pills displayed on the wall.
Since I couldn’t check all the pills myself, I asked a nearby clerk.
“Do you have birth control pills?”
“One moment, please.”
The clerk quickly checked the display case. After a moment, she came back with a bag containing one red pill.
“This medicine is newly released. You can take it before or after having relations. It is a functional pill that, if you take just one, reduces the chance of pregnancy almost completely for a month…”
“I’ll take this one.”
There were too many people and too much noise to listen longer. The clerk nodded and led me to the counter. I quickly paid and looked around. I found a place to drink water and took the pill there.
After swallowing the pill, I felt a little calmer. Vincent watched me closely and asked,
“What is a birth control pill?”
“It’s medicine so you don’t get another little brother or sister.”
“I would like to have a little brother or sister.”
Hearing that, I looked at Vincent, surprised.
“You like that?”
Vincent nodded strongly.
“I like having siblings.”
I looked at Vincent for a moment, then sat down and looked into his eyes.
“Vincent, right now, Mom is not in a situation to have another child. But maybe we can think about it later.”
“Then maybe I can have a little brother or sister later?”
“I don’t know. We don’t know what will happen in the future.”
Vincent looked at me sadly. I gently patted his head and thought for a moment.
“Vincent, do you want to play a fun game with Mom?”
“A game?”
Vincent’s eyes lit up. I nodded.
“The game is to not tell anyone that Mom took medicine here.”
“Then I can’t tell anyone that we were here?”
I nodded.
“You can’t tell anyone. Especially not Duke Jedburgh.”
“Who is that?”
I didn’t want to explain more about Cedric, but to make it easy for Vincent to understand, I had no choice but to call him Dad.
“He’s the one I told you to call Dad. You must never tell him, okay?”
Vincent nodded determinedly.
“I won’t tell anyone!”
Seeing that Vincent understood well, I smiled and patted his head.
Feeling relieved, I held Vincent’s hand and left the street. On the way to the carriage, I heard a familiar voice.
“Lady Revril!”
I turned my head unconsciously, and there was an unexpected person.
“Mrs. Jenkins?”
It was the first time since I saw her at Cedric’s estate. She smiled brightly and nodded.
“You remember me. It’s been a while.”
I nodded, feeling a bit confused. Her expression looked better than before. Also, the frills on her sleeve suggested her situation had improved a bit. Mrs. Jenkins looked at Vincent, who was holding my hand.
Her eyes widened, then she looked at me.
“He looks a lot like Duke Jedburgh.”
I gently pulled Vincent’s hand closer to me. Mrs. Jenkins looked at Vincent, making eye contact, then sat down quietly.
“Hello.”
Vincent leaned against my leg and waved his hand slightly. Mrs. Jenkins smiled and slowly stood up.
“Especially his bright blue eyes are very similar. How old is he?”
Vincent quietly said,
“Four years old.”
Hearing that, Mrs. Jenkins was surprised and looked at Vincent.
“For four years old, he’s quite tall and speaks well.”
Vincent learned things faster than others and was taller than children his age. He spoke clearly, too. I hadn’t taught him much, but he looked a lot like Cedric. At least, Vincent looked like Cedric on the outside.
While I was looking at Vincent, Mrs. Jenkins suddenly said,
“Lady Revril, since it’s been a long time, shall we go to a café and talk for a bit?”
“A café?”
Mrs. Jenkins smiled broadly and nodded.
“There are things I couldn’t do well for you before, and there are things I want to talk about.”
I looked around. People were busy passing by. Checking the time, it was almost lunchtime. I didn’t want to waste time here. But I also didn’t want to return to Cedric’s mansion immediately.
When I hesitated, Mrs. Jenkins gently grabbed my arm and pulled me.
“Lady Revril, there’s a nice café nearby. It’s quiet, too.”
She looked around and gestured. It was a bit crowded here. I didn’t want to sit and talk with Mrs. Jenkins, so I was about to refuse.
“I’m hungry.”
Vincent pulled my hand and looked at me. At that moment, Mrs. Jenkins quickly said,
“That café also sells simple sandwiches.”
Vincent’s eyes brightened as he looked at me. I had no choice but to nod. At this time, there were no more carriages going to Cedric’s mansion. Vincent would keep whining if he stayed hungry, so it was better to eat something here quickly.
Vincent smiled at the word “sandwich.” When we stayed at Yurhen’s temple before, Floren had made him a sandwich, and it seemed to have left a good impression.
Mrs. Jenkins took me to a nearby café. Large green leaves hung over the café door. Inside, soft harp music played. People were chatting and laughing quietly, some playing card games.
Mrs. Jenkins guided me to a seat near the window.
“Please wait a moment. I will order.”
When Vincent heard this, he climbed onto a chair. I helped him, and he smiled, looking around. Seeing the big leaves, he asked what kind they were, examining them curiously. I answered him and then sat down.
Honestly, I didn’t want to talk with Mrs. Jenkins. Before, she had come to Bestine mansion to check on Cedric’s mistress and test my reactions. She was only very kind when she wanted to ask for something.
“What could she want to say to bring me all the way here?”
While thinking quietly, Mrs. Jenkins came with a silver tray. She put a sandwich in front of Vincent and handed me a steaming cup of tea.
“This is the best-selling tea here. It’s made with loquat leaves and chamomile. The scent is very unique and delicious.”
I raised the cup and smelled it. The chamomile scent was strong. I took a sip. The taste was no different from usual tea, but the aftertaste was not bitter; it was sweet.
When I put down the cup, Mrs. Jenkins smiled at me.
“Is it okay?”
I nodded, and she took a sip of tea too. I looked at her, curious about what she wanted to say by bringing me here. Mrs. Jenkins glanced at Vincent for a moment, then met my eyes.
She smiled faintly, maybe a little awkward, and began.
“Lady Revril, I’m sorry for everything.”
I was surprised by the sudden apology.
“I was rude when I asked you for favors, and I spoke to others like I was ignoring them.”
Why did she bring up the past?
