Chapter 5 - The Apothecary

Chapter 5 - The Apothecary

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Alexius

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I never thought I would actually win.

For a moment, I was proud of myself for being brave enough to charge in, for being reckless enough to try to be a hero, and for being lucky enough to rescue a damsel in need. Part of me even imagined that she might fall head over heels for me.

Key word: was

What the hell was this girl's problem? Don’t you know how to show even a shred of gratitude to your savior?

I risked my life to save you, and you call me an idiot?

“If I hadn’t rushed that bandit with the bow, you would probably be writhing in pain on the ground with an arrow stuck in your gut,” I shot back.

But the more I looked at her, the more unsettling she seemed. She was about my age, sixteen maybe? Most girls that young would have bolted at the first drops of blood, yet she stood there, calm and composed. The way she stared at my blood-soaked body without flinching made it feel as though her earlier fear had been nothing but an act.

I examined her again, and though I hate to admit it, she was quite…striking. Her wavy shoulder-length chestnut hair caught the sun with an autumn glint, while her brilliant emerald eyes gleamed in the dim forest light. Yet, behind those eyes, lingered a shadow, as if she were carrying a deep darkness.

“Oh, is that so? Well then, thank you for your completely necessary help, and if you have nothing better to say, I'll be on my way,” she said, her words laced with sarcasm.

Before I could snap out of my stupor, she was already turning her back on me.

“Wait!” I called.

“My name is Alexius. What’s yours?”

She glanced over her shoulder, “Why should I tell you my name?”

“Because I just told you mine!” I shouted back.

“Melanie. Satisfied now?”

This girl… was seriously unbelievable. Could you at least pretend to be grateful?

Melanie was already walking ahead, her pace steady, as if the forest and its dangers were nothing more than scenery.

***

I ended up quietly following her. It was not that I was concerned…well, maybe I was, yeah, just a little. I mean, one of the bandits did escape, so there was a possibility that they would come back and get revenge.

If that bandit did return, I would take her and run somewhere safe. And if the bandit doesn’t come back, then I would–uhh… bring her back to her mother or something.

I stepped over the roots and fallen branches, keeping a few meters behind, letting her think I wasn’t there.

“Hey,” she said suddenly, stopping and turning her head, her emerald eyes narrowing.

“Why are you following me?”

I froze mid-step. Oh no, I got caught.

“I’m just uhhh, making sure that you don’t end up lost,” I said, trying to sound casual, but my voice cracked halfway through.

“It’s totally not because the forest might be uh, dangerous or something,” I scratched the back of my head sheepishly.

Melanie’s eyes scanned me, unimpressed, she turned around and continued walking.

—

Melanie

—

Why was Alexius following me? My instincts tell me that he doesn’t have bad intentions, but I kept glancing over my shoulder once in a while to check. Even though I was showing my back right now, I had ice magic at my fingertips.

If Alexius ever tried anything suspicious, I would immediately create a wall between us to get some distance from him. After silently following me for a while, he tried making small talk.

“So uh, what are you doing out in the forest by yourself? Normally, people would travel in a caravan.”

“Gathering medical herbs, but that’s none of your business.”

“Jeez…no need to get so snappy. If you keep acting like this…I don’t think anyone’s ever going to want to marry you. I mean… your mother must be worried too, right?”

“I’m an orphan, so nobody will worry about me.”

​​The words slipped out flatly, but when I glanced sideways, his expression made something in my chest twist.

Still, I kept my eyes on the path ahead, letting the awkward silence fill the atmosphere. Alexius looked flustered, as if he didn’t know what to say, and I had no plans of helping him either.

The rest of the journey to Mudrun was in total silence, with Alexius trailing silently behind me.

As the trees began to thin, the village came into view. Mudrun was a small village, its houses built from weathered timber, rough clay, and patches of dry mud, hence the name. The narrow dirt path between the houses had turned soft from recent rain, and a faint smell of wet earth mixed with the burnt wood filled the air.

The sun hung somewhere between mid and late, bathing the village in golden yet drowsy light. I quickened my pace; time was already starting to slip. I had wasted far too much time dealing with Alexius and the bandits. The apothecary didn’t wait, and neither did the people who needed the herbs.

I kept my eyes ahead, focusing on the path to the apothecary. Alexius’s presence was barely a consideration now; he hadn’t said a word since our little exchange, and I had almost forgotten about him.

I entered the store and was greeted by the apothecary, who looked fairly young. The room smelled of dried herbs and earth. Behind the apothecary lay a shelf crammed with glass jars and bundles of tied plants, which rattled softly as the door shut.

“Good morning, lass! What’ll it be today?” he said cheerfully.

I picked out some medical herbs used for treating sickness, and since I don’t know any nature magic, which could be used for healing, I also grabbed some herbs to treat bleeding.

“Ah, you’re buying a lot for someone your age. Are you… sick?” The apothecary commented.

I raised an eyebrow, “Do I look like someone who is sick? I think if there’s anyone who’s sick, it's this gu—”

I paused mid-sentence as I realized that Alexius was not behind me.

~End of chapter~