Kays Translations

Chapter 231: This Is a Good Magic Potion

It seemed His Majesty the King's expectations of me had risen yet again. Sister-in-law Meeka, fully restored by my potion, nodded knowingly while opening and closing her hands. That gesture… She plainly wanted to hug me.

Sister-in-law Meeka's fondness for me seemed to have reached its limit. I half expected Brother Cain to grab me by the neck at any moment, and everyone else's attention was making me uncomfortable too. I might be an active magic pharmacist, but being stared at like this was embarrassing.

“Speaking of which, Daniela told me you had created another kind of potion. An elementary stamina potion, was it?”

“Yes, Your Majesty. I have never heard of such a potion before. Did you create it yourself?”

“N-no. It was recorded in the potion book I inherited from Grandmother. I did make a few improvements, though…”

It felt as though I could safely claim credit for creating something new, but my timid heart would not let me. Would I ever be able to announce such a thing proudly? Probably not.

“I see. Lady Margaret must have been extremely wary of releasing a new potion into the world. Perhaps her teacher was purged during that affair…”

His Majesty rested a hand against his chin and looked thoughtful. Was he remembering those days? He would still have been a small child then. Even so, it was remarkable that the royal family had endured. The previous king must have been an extraordinary man.

“In that case, we would like to try it as well. Daniela has already taken it, I believe. She was in such high spirits that I wondered what had happened.”

Brother Alex must have given one to Princess Daniela. When had he done that? When I glanced at her, she blushed and lowered her eyes. The potion really did sweep fatigue away. I asked Nero to bring several bottles from my stock.

“Are these the elementary stamina potions?”

“Would you like them appraised first, just to be safe?”

His Majesty gave a light laugh at my suggestion. His expression practically said, What nonsense.

“If you wished to kill me, you would hardly have risked your life to entrust the Panacea to Chloe.”

He had a point. During that period of strict security, I had carried a suspicious medicine called Panacea into the castle. One mistake could have seen me imprisoned for bringing poison into the royal castle.

“I shall have one as well.”

“So shall I.”

As a display of trust, Her Majesty the Queen and His Royal Highness the Crown Prince each took a bottle. Brother Cain and Sister-in-law Meeka followed out of curiosity. The potion might just have reached people who were better off not knowing about it.

The corks came free with a series of pleasant pops.

“Oh, this is refreshing. It is rather like ale.”

“I prefer it to ale…”

“Indeed. It is delicious and very easy to drink…”

His Royal Highness and Her Majesty suddenly froze. On closer inspection, His Majesty had stopped moving too. Ah. It might only be an elementary stamina potion, but its effect was still astonishing. Perhaps letting them drink it without warning had been a mistake.

“What is this?”

“I can feel strength welling up inside me… Hoo!”

Brother Cain's eyes widened, while Sister-in-law Meeka let out a sound no proper lady should ever make. Brother Cain, please restrain your fiancée!

Brother Cain was in no state to help. He was staring at his trembling hands while his whole body quivered. Something had gone very wrong. Help me, Brother Alex!

Brother Alex merely nodded as if to say he understood exactly how they felt. Axel, Ijidol, Nero and Princess Daniela were nodding too. It was hopeless.

“This is amaaazing!”

His Majesty sprang to his feet with that shout. There was nothing I could do but watch the five of them revel in the potion's effects.

“Julius, you must supply the royal family with these elementary stamina potions. This is an excellent medicine. It drives fatigue away completely. I cannot remember the last time I felt so refreshed.”

Once he had regained his composure, His Majesty delivered those words with great dignity. Unfortunately, the scene from moments earlier was still fresh in my mind, and I could no longer see him as particularly dignified. I stood rigidly, desperately suppressing my laughter.

Sister-in-law Meeka was staring at me with eyes that begged for more. Very well. I would make some for her too, and she would surely share them with Brother Cain. Perhaps the gift would bring them even closer. They would not fight over the bottles, would they? I would give them plenty.

Thus ended the tea party, though its latter half had been rather chaotic. I had become acquainted with His Royal Highness the Crown Prince, and dealing with the royal family had given me a little confidence. I should be able to manage reasonably well at the evening party.

Axel and Ijidol were becoming numb to royal encounters too. It had been a drastic method, but it seemed to have worked. Otherwise, today's tea party would have served no purpose beyond costing me a supply of elementary stamina potions.

“You all did well today. The latter half became rather disorderly, but you handled the first half admirably.”

Brother Alex praised us. Apparently, we had earned a passing mark. All that remained was to avoid making mistakes at the actual evening party.

“Lord Julius deserves a reward for being such a good boy. Let us take a bath together tonight!”

“S-Sister-in-law Meeka!”

She hugged me from behind as she spoke, brimming with energy. I had been firmly assigned the role of beloved little brother-in-law. Had Sister-in-law Meeka always wanted a younger brother? The elementary stamina potion was clearly still working.

Brother Alex and Brother Cain eventually managed to calm Sister-in-law Meeka, and the matter was settled. I felt both relieved and, for reasons I could not explain, faintly disappointed.

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