It was a statement more for my convenience than his.

If I lay in the same bed, I might end up staring at his lips all night.

“Just spare a moment.”

Unaware of what had happened, Hertian caught me trying to escape. Strangely, he seemed undisturbed.

“Can’t we talk about it tomorrow?”

For the first time, I replied to his words with a hesitant tone. At this moment, it seemed better to keep some distance from him.

“It will only take a moment.”

“…Alright.”

It was getting difficult to refuse.

He grabbed some grass in one hand and entered the room.

Even after entering the room, there was no meaningful conversation. I sat quietly, watching his actions in a daze. He diligently made something by grinding the brought herbs.

Unable to wait any longer, I discreetly approached him. If it involved handling herbs, there was a possibility of getting injured.

“Where are you hurt? Can I help?”

Approaching from behind, I saw him finishing something with quite familiar hand movements.

“I’ve finished.”

“What is this?”

“It’s a cream made by mixing shea butter and bay leaves.”

I soon understood why he made it.

He took my hand and guided me to sit on the edge of the bed. Then, he knelt in front of me.

“Hertian, what are you doing?”

With a cautious question, he smiled lightly.

“May I touch it for a moment?”

I nodded, finding it hard to refuse his request.

Once again, a dense mixture of herbs was placed on my lips. As the unfamiliar sensation touched my lips, my body flinched in surprise. He gently held my shoulders as my body trembled.

“Stay as you are.”

It was difficult to reject his words this time, so I silently complied.

The cream was applied to my lips again. The soft touch continued. The fingers applying the cream were warm. Unconsciously, I looked at his lips briefly, then quickly averted my gaze.

‘Why is he applying this to my lips?’

Looking into his eyes was embarrassing, and sitting quietly made my body itch.

However, he observed my lips intently with a serious expression. It was awkward.

“Your lips will be sore every time you speak.”

After about a minute of stifling silence, he finally spoke.

He looked at me with a concerned expression, as usual.

I didn’t know what to say.

My mind was in turmoil.

“Considering we faced each other for almost half an hour, it’s understandable.”

Unexpectedly, my internal grumbling spilled out. But I immediately regretted it. It was awkward to say such embarrassing words to Hertian.

My face flushed.

“No, I’m not blaming Hertian. It was an unavoidable accident.”

‘Why am I making excuses?’

Certainly, my body was getting warmer due to tension, but my lips felt cool.

“Do you dislike it?”

“No…”

I didn’t dislike it.
No, in fact, I felt a little better.

Because it meant that Hertian had been concerned about my swollen lips.

Seems like he hasn’t forgotten about the incident that happened earlier and is still paying attention to it.

It was a strange situation.

‘Wouldn’t it be better to just let it go as if nothing happened?’

It happened because of my mother, and I administered the antidote to him. It was an incident that could be dismissed as a momentary mishap.

But it could be dismissed…

It was strange that I felt a slight resentment at him being nonchalant about it.

My emotions seemed to fluctuate between hot and cold.

“It’s done.”

Hertian’s fingers happened to move away from my lips.

“But how did you come up with this idea?”

I asked to change the mood.

“Does Hertian handle medicinal herbs well too?”

Mashing bay leaves and mixing them with shea butter—this is a method to soothe the skin and keep it moist.

Hertian knew this method precisely.

“Madam mentioned that you sold a large quantity of medicinal herbs last time. I knew that Madam had been studying medicinal herbs for a long time. So, I learned as well. I thought it would be good if I had stories to share with Madam.”

“You studied? When?”

“Whenever I had a chance.”

He smiled softly.

It was impressive that a busy person like him learned about medicinal herbs following me.

‘I must have been too fidgety.’

The lips that felt like they had moved somewhere slowly settled down. Bay leaves might not have any effect on me, but my heart felt calm.

“Hertian also applies it.”

I stopped him as he was about to get up.

His already plump and red lips were still swollen.

“Now, extend your lips.”

His slightly parted lips couldn’t stretch any further and closed again. He had brought the cream he made, applied a generous amount to his finger, and gently spread it.

Our eyes met. I spoke to Hertian comfortably as before.

“I don’t feel uncomfortable today.”

It seemed like he wanted to hear another excuse that it wasn’t uncomfortable last time as well. I hoped we could pass this incident with some casual laughter.

“I felt good.”

“Yes, yes?”

Caught off guard by his sudden remark, I was startled and accidentally dropped the cream I was holding.

I couldn’t understand what he meant by feeling good.

“W-What are you talking about!”

Hertian chuckled lightly without any special explanation.

“You must be t-tired. Let’s go to bed. I’ll sleep separately in my room today. There are books to read and other things to do…”

I explained why we couldn’t share the bedroom just like that.

“Good night.”

He said affectionately as he grabbed the doorknob.

My breath stopped involuntarily. I nodded awkwardly.

“See you tomorrow then!”

In a hurry to leave, I shouted from outside the door, afraid it might close loudly.

“I didn’t deliberately slam it!”