I Helped The Imprisoned Male Lead And He Became Obsessed - Chapter 85

Serena aided Dietrich’s escape? Why would she do such a thing…?

In the original story, Serena had never done anything like that. Furthermore, I couldn’t begin to fathom her reasons for helping Dietrich.

It was a story I could hardly believe, so I asked Emilian directly.

“Why… did Lady Serena help Dietrich?”

Emilian silently stared at me for a moment before responding after a brief pause.

“Serena knew you were planning to leave the imperial palace. And she also knew I would follow after you.”

“!”

His unexpected answer left me wide-eyed with shock.

“She was determined to prevent me from chasing after you at all costs,” he continued.

“Don’t tell me… Serena used Dietrich as a tool for that?”

“Yes,” Emilian confirmed in a low voice. He added that Serena had relinquished her position as a bishop and had chosen to atone by wandering the empire, treating the sick wherever she went.

I couldn’t help but feel a pang of guilt over Serena’s fate. If not for me, she might have stayed by Emilian’s side.

Even so, I couldn’t shake the feeling that Serena had made her own wrong choices. I had done what she wanted: I left the imperial palace and distanced myself from Emilian. What more could I have done?

Just then, I felt a warm sensation. Emilian had gently taken my hand in his and met my gaze.

“Anise. I lost you once because of that woman.”

His voice was quiet.

“If luck hadn’t been on my side, it might have taken years—no, even longer—to find you.”

But his eyes still held an unresolved bitterness.

“That’s why I can’t forgive her.”

“Emil…”

In the past, I would have tried to persuade him to let go of his resentment. But this time, I couldn’t bring myself to do so.

I had thought that distancing myself from Emilian would return the story’s progression to its original path. But… things weren’t as simple as I’d hoped. My presence had already altered so much of the original narrative.

What am I supposed to do now?

I left the imperial palace, believing that Emilian would seek Serena for treatment. But now, that reason no longer holds. If he asks to return to the imperial palace next time…

Will I be able to refuse him then?

I don’t think I can.

But is it right for me to stay by his side in Serena’s place?

Even though I can’t accept his confession or progress beyond this ambiguous relationship?

I looked at Emilian, who was quietly holding my hand.

‘Emil… do you really still want to stay with me?’

I wanted to hear his answer, yet at the same time, I was afraid to know.

And so, I swallowed that question and kept it to myself.

***

A bead of red blood welled up at my fingertip.

I pressed the droplet onto a portable medical device powered by a mana stone. After a moment, a number appeared on the small screen of the stick-like device.

Looking at the result, I recorded the number on a medical card and said, “Your blood sugar levels have dropped significantly.”

“Oh my, really? That’s a relief!”

Madam Pamila, who was sitting primly in the examination chair, looked visibly brighter.

“It’s all thanks to the medicine the pharmacist gave me. I used to struggle walking because my feet hurt so much, but now I feel like I can live properly again.”

“I’m so glad to hear that,” I replied with a smile, and a gentle laugh spread to her eyes as well.

Shortly after, Madam Pamila brought out a bundle she had set down in the corner of the room and handed it to me.

“Here, have this with the children.”

Unwrapping the bundle, I found a fragrant lemon pie inside. I accepted it gratefully, though with a slightly embarrassed smile.

“You really don’t have to go to such trouble every time…”

“Trouble? Don’t be silly! I do it because I want to,” she said, waving her hand as if to reassure me.

Madam Pamila often baked pies for us after hearing how much the children enjoyed them.

When I emerged from the dispensary with her medication, I carefully explained how to take it, adding cautiously, “We’ve run out of ingredients for your previous prescription, so this batch was made with different materials.”

“Oh my, is that so?”

“Yes, so it may not be as effective as before. But since your condition has improved, this medication should still work well for you. If your symptoms worsen, please let me know immediately during your next visit.”

She nodded, promising to inform me if anything changed.

I had already sent a letter to a major city supplier requesting Carentilia leaves, but it would take some time for a reply to arrive. Until then, I had no choice but to use alternative ingredients, even if they were slightly less effective.

Watching Madam Pamila leave the apothecary, I fell into thought for a moment. Although it wasn’t impossible to procure Carentilia leaves through the city’s distribution network, their rarity meant it could take a considerable amount of time.

It was then that Finn came scurrying in through the open back door, a basket of sun-dried herbs cradled in his arms.

“Anise, the herbs are all dried now!”

Finn beamed brightly as he handed me the basket. I took it and praised the child for completing his errand so well.

“Thank you, Finn.”

Finn puffed out his small chest proudly.

I began sorting the dried herbs into labeled jars on the apothecary shelves. Seeing me work, Finn stood on tiptoes to help with the sorting.

I carefully placed the fragile herbs into their designated spots, mindful not to crush them. As I worked, Madam Pamila’s situation came back to mind, and I murmured to myself, “I hope the supplier carries Carentilia leaves…”

Finn, who had been helping, tilted his head and asked, “What’s Carentilia?”

“Hm? Oh…”

His eyes were brimming with curiosity.

“It’s the name of an herb. It’s a key ingredient in the medicine Madam Pamila takes.”

“Is there none of that herb left?”

“Well, no. It’s hard to get.”

“Then won’t Madam Pamila get sick because she can’t take her medicine?” Finn’s voice wavered, his concern evident. I remembered that Madam Pamila had often cared for the children when they were wandering without a home.

Seeing his big, worried eyes, I patted his head and reassured him.

“She’s taking a substitute, so there’s no need to worry.”

“But still! Isn’t Carentilia the better herb?”

“Hmm… Well, that’s true,” I replied.

Finn fell into deep thought, his expression serious for a moment. Then, his eyes lit up with sudden inspiration. Without another word, he turned and scurried up the stairs.

I tilted my head, curious about what might have popped into his little mind. But soon, I brushed it off, assuming it wasn’t anything significant, and headed back toward the examination room.

He’s a growing child, after all. It’s only natural for him to be full of curiosity.

***

Finn sat at Anise’s desk in her study, opening a large encyclopedia of herbs. The book was so heavy that he couldn’t help but let out a little grunt.

With small hands, he turned the pages one by one, his big eyes sparkling as if he were on a treasure hunt.

Then, the child’s gaze stopped on a specific page.

‘Carentilia… I found it!’

The encyclopedia featured a vivid illustration of the herb, showing its distinctive features: leaves shaped like deer antlers and flowers resembling tiny oil lamps.

Leaves shaped like deer antlers, and flowers resembling small oil lamps.

Gripping a pen tightly, Finn pressed his hand against the page and carefully sketched the Carentilia. The lines were crooked, and the shapes imperfect, but when he finished, he giggled proudly.

‘Anise is busy working, so she doesn’t have time to look for herbs.’

‘That’s why I need to help her.’

Before meeting Anise, Finn had roamed the forest as if it were his own backyard, surviving on berries, mushrooms, and wild plants. Walking through the woods didn’t scare him at all.

Finn opened the back door of the apothecary and headed out, trotting down the small path that led into the woods.

After a while…

Carentilia… why can’t I find it?

He pushed aside raspberry bushes, peered under the bases of large trees, and checked the crevices of moss-covered rocks.

What do I do? Anise said she really needs this herb.

But the plant with deer-antler-shaped leaves was nowhere to be found. Squatting down and brushing through the grass, Finn suddenly raised his head.

Ahead of him stood a dense cluster of fir trees, tall and imposing.

I’ve never gone over there before.

Maybe I’ll find it if I go that way.

That day, if not for Anise, Finn might have eaten a poisonous mushroom and met a tragic end. She had saved him, given him a home, and cared for him with warmth.

That’s why I want to find Carentilia and make her happy.

Determined, Finn ventured deeper into the forest, his small steps quick and steady.

But he didn’t notice the red ribbons marking the boundary of the Forbidden Woods—called the Mirage Forest, a place whispered about in hushed tones for its history of disappearances and deaths.