“There is a library with many herbal books in Tren. As you know, Tren region is a place where various herbs grow, and it is also very developed in terms of medicine……. Surely, it will help in the development of the antidote.”

Half of Lea’s words were sincere.

Indeed, the Tren region was a place where various herbs grew, and it was a region where herbal medicine was advanced.

That’s why Lea naturally gained knowledge about herbal medicine.

‘Maybe if I go there, I could find a clue for the development of the antidote.’

Of course, she wouldn’t just develop an antidote when she went there. Lea was looking at the Count with trembling eyes.

He was staring back at her with an unknowable expression.

“For how long?”

“About a fortnight.”

By then, the situation should have stabilized a lot. But Lea’s face showed tension, unsure if the Count would permit.

A fortnight was not a short time for the Count.

‘Even if he agrees, he will surely ask to reduce the time because it’s long…….’

“I see. Go and come back.”

“……Excuse me?”

Lea was about to adjust the duration, thinking he wouldn’t allow it. She asked with a dumbfounded expression at the unexpected approval of the Count.

“I said, go and come back.”

“……Really?”

“Why, don’t you want to?”

“No, no!!”

She couldn’t refuse. The Count had allowed her vacation. She was startled by the Count, who had given permission too easily than she had thought.

“Thank you very much!”

Lea quickly left the room, expressing her thanks repeatedly. Now that she had received the Count’s permission, she wanted to leave for Tren as soon as possible.

‘I can see the director for the first time in a long time!’

Thinking of meeting the people she missed, Lea’s footsteps were light. But Lea didn’t know why the Count had so easily allowed her vacation.

She found out the reason only three days later.

Two days later, Lea came to the top of Magnolia to go to Tren.

“……What is all this?”

Lea asked as if surprised, seeing the cart carrying a huge amount of supplies.

“This is a supply going to the Tren region.”

“Supplies?”

The goods that were being loaded one by one onto the wagon were the things that the Tren region needed most at the moment.

Clean water and food that can be preserved for a long time. They were basic necessities.

“Why is this…….”

“It’s the owner’s will.”

“The owner……?”

Lea asked in a curious voice.

“The Tren region will also play an important role when we expand our medical business in the future, and also.”

Beren looked at Lea, who had wide eyes.

“I can’t lose to a young girl, even if I am from Magnolia.”

He added that it was a sign of gratitude from the owner for helping with the owner’s work without any payment.

‘I don’t know why, but that owner seems to be a pretty decent person?’

Although she hadn’t seen his face even once, she was certain that he was not a bad person.
With a lightened heart thinking about the people who would receive the supplies, Lea climbed into the carriage.

The Tren region was a place that required a solid two days of travel by carriage from the Heidern territory.

Aside from occasional breaks for the horses, the incessant journey had left her feeling as if her whole body had been hammered.

“It’s really been a while.”

Having arrived at the entrance of Tren, she wore a cheerful smile as if she was glad. However, that was brief.

The closer she got to the village, sighs began to flow from her mouth.

‘It’s worse than I thought.’

She hadn’t expected the flood damage to be this serious just from reading about it.

Streets that had always been clean were now covered in mud. Houses made of wood had long been reduced to rubble.

“It’s worse than what I heard.”

And it seemed Lea was not the only one who thought this, Beren next to her also wore a bitter expression.

It was when Lea, too, was looking around with a sorrowful gaze. Someone was waving at her.

“Lea!”

A man with dark chestnut hair and grayishbrown eyes had quite a handsome face.

‘Who is he?’

Lea couldn’t hide her bewilderment at the man who seemed to know her well. She had no memory of a man who looked like him.

Sensing her confusion, the man called out her name again, waving his hand.

“Lea! It’s me, Teo! Teo!”

“…Teo?”

‘The Teo I know, the snotty Teo?!’

Lea’s eyes widened at the man’s drastically changed appearance.

The growth of men is indeed remarkable. He seemed to be at least ten centimeters taller than the last time she saw him five years ago.

“It’s really been a while!”

The man, who had now come close, hugged Lea tightly. They used to be the same height. Now she was comfortably nestled in Teo’s arms.

Lea, who had quietly nestled in his arms, began to feel his face.

“Are you really Teo?”

“Don’t tell me, you forgot my face after five years?”

Upon a closer examination, it was indeed the Teo she knew.

“Teo!”

The awkwardness caused by his drastically changed face was temporary. The moment Lea was sure he was her old friend Teo, she hugged him tightly.

He was like a precious family to Lea.

Although they hadn’t been able to meet frequently after graduating from the orphanage due to their busy lives, they grew up like siblings who shared everything but blood.

While the two who had met after a long time were hugging each other and sharing their joy, she felt an inexplicable gaze that gave her goosebumps.

“What’s wrong?”

Teo, who was looking at Lea suddenly stiffening, asked with curiosity.

“No, it’s nothing…”

Strange.

Was it an illusion that she felt like she was being watched? An uneasy feeling crept upon her as she tilted her head.