Chapter 48 :The Garden Beneath Suspicion
Without realizing it, my body flinched — a subtle, instinctive recoil, as though from a flame I could neither see nor escape.
‘He’s too close…’
Though we had shared this bed for some time now, his nearness still felt overwhelming. There was an unspoken boundary between us — one we never dared cross.
And yet, Johannes didn’t seem to notice the shift in the air. Or perhaps he did, and chose to ignore it. He leaned in slightly and gently brushed his fingers over my hand, murmuring:
“The mark’s still here… It hasn’t fully healed.”
His gesture was unexpectedly tender — embarrassing, even. I lowered my gaze, heart fluttering, cheeks growing warm with something dangerously close to longing.
“I’m alright… I think the rest has helped. But before anything else, I want to go to Böln.”
I drummed my fingertips lightly against the edge of the skirt hidden beneath the table, trying to mask my unease. Johannes inhaled slowly, his tone heavier than usual.
“My wife seems to be remarkably talented at ignoring me.”
“I’m not ignoring you!”
I lifted my head in protest, only for Johannes to reach for the armrest of my chair and swivel it toward him — forcing me to face him directly.
Time stopped.
He leaned in, resting one arm on the table between us, drawing so close that I could see the glimmering detail in his deep blue eyes.
The space between us narrowed until even breathing felt intrusive — as if the quiet sound of my exhale might echo in his chest.
“I know how much you care about Officer Prim,” he said softly.
‘If you know… then why do you try to stop me?’
The words rose to my lips but died there, swallowed by caution. I replaced them with a weak excuse — a lie I had already used before.
“If there are going to be more balls soon, I won’t be able to visit the herb market during that time.”
It was a flimsy excuse, and I knew it. But I needed something — anything — to keep my chance alive.
“So… I want to go to Böln. I promise, I won’t go anywhere else.”
Of course, I wasn’t telling the full truth.
I had heard whispers from an old classmate in the pharmacy department — about a man known as the Resolver, someone who operated discreetly, despite pressure from royal enforcement. He still took special requests.
‘In truth… I could’ve just asked Johannes for help.’
The Schultz family had access to more knowledge than I could imagine.
But the letter I’d received — the one with my father’s handwriting — had urged secrecy. He had asked me not to tell anyone. Not even Johannes.
‘If he truly refuses until the end… I’ll stop. I won’t ruin what we have.’
I had done what I could. If he denied me, I would accept it.
But then… he looked at me.
His navy-blue eyes shimmered as he lowered his gaze, and a quiet sigh left his lips — more fragile than I expected from him.
“You always make me break my rules, My Lady.”
He raised a hand and gently brushed a wound near my temple. I winced at the sting, unable to stop the flicker of pain.
Johannes Schultz — the iron soldier, the man carved from steel — was softening.
For me.
I opened my lips to offer some apology, however faint.
“I’m sorry… for not listening—”
“When do you plan to visit the herb market?”
“…What?”
I blinked at him, stunned. Did he… believe my excuse?
“But,” he continued firmly, “only the market. Nowhere else.”
I nodded quickly, not daring to speak another word, lest he change his mind.
“Since I’ll be quite busy in the coming days, it’s best we go tomorrow.”
He paused, glancing away — and for the first time, I saw him flustered.
The next morning, I insisted that Johannes wear something casual.
He agreed — though ‘casual’ for him still looked like a portrait come to life.
A fine gray overcoat with a velvet collar, a tightly fitted hat, and polished boots. No matter what he wore, his nobility clung to him like perfume.
“I think it’s best if I go into the wholesale store alone.”
We’d just stepped off the train and entered the bustling commercial port of Böln.
“No one buys herbs accompanied by a man dressed like a royal envoy. You’ll draw every eye in the market.”
Indeed, most people wore coarse cotton shirts or worn-out coats. Hardly anyone had a hat, and none of them looked like him.
Dockworkers moved crates with bare arms despite the chill. Amidst them, Johannes looked like a golden lantern in a sea of shadows.
“I think I should go alone.”
Still, Johannes remained calm. Too calm.
“I doubt anyone will notice me.”
I looked him straight in the eye.
“Are you being serious right now?”
Those indigo eyes — serene and unreadable — didn’t even blink.
“That’s impossible.”
When I shook my head, he merely smirked.
“Then go check for yourself. If I have something to do at the pharmacy, I’ll be quick. Should I meet you after?”
Was this a test? Or just clever manipulation? I wasn’t sure anymore.
“Sure. But if it gets too crowded… you might not find me again.”
He tilted his head, a touch of arrogance in his smile.
“You think so?”
To be fair… he wasn’t wrong.
He towered above most men. Even in a crowd, I could probably spot him without effort.
“…Fine. Do as you wish. Oh!”
I gasped as I peered through the carriage window.
A new railway line was being constructed along the harbor.
“They’re building a track here?”
He responded in that usual, calm tone:
“Recently approved. Since most cities are now connected by road, they’re extending the lines to ports. Imported goods will be easier to transport.”
“…I see.”
I nodded absently.
Soon, black smoke will snake through this port, and everything will move faster than memory can catch.
The world was sprinting forward.
And I was still… hesitating.
Once we arrived at the market, Johannes stayed behind in the carriage as promised.
I made my way to the far end — where rumors said the Resolver sometimes appeared.
And there he was — speaking to one of my old pharmacy acquaintances.
“Where did you say it came from?” the elderly woman asked. Her voice held the weight of experience — sharp and heavy with authority.
“Northeast, madam,” the seller answered smoothly. “Not officially imported yet, but one of the ship crew gave it to me as a sample. It’s very popular in his region.”
I stepped closer, gaze fixed on the small, gleaming pill in his hand.
‘Where have I seen that before…?’
I didn’t know — but something about it set every nerve in my body on edge.
I reached for it instinctively and lifted it to my nose.
“This… this is dangerous.”
The words left me before I could stop them.
The old woman turned to me with keen eyes, while the seller scowled, clearly offended.
“Miss, what are you doing? Are you here to ruin my business?”
But the woman raised her hand, silencing him.
“Why do you think that?”
Her eyes bored into mine.
