Published at 6th of October 2021 10:26:51 AM

Chapter 34

While contemplating the dilemma before me, I grabbed the hem of my dress as if it were a dry mop.

Well, it must be a difficult request? Walter said, whispering with a serious expression on his face.

Yes, its difficult, but

I, too, murmured with a heavy sigh.

Walters expression became heavier. I couldnt decipher what he was thinking, so I felt nervous for a moment.

Why What are you thinking?

Hm You look fine on the surface, but maybe its that?

That?

Its the sickness that makesthat partwhere you sit on terribly uncomfortable.

The part where yousiton..?

I couldnt understand what he was saying, but I suddenly shouted.

What?!

Its all right, you wont even need this much medicine for it. Ah, but dont be stingy with the application, just put on a lot. Though if its gotten serious already, then you should see a doctor, even if youre embarrassed. Any illness is nothing to be ashamed of

I-Its not like that at all!

It isnt?

Walter, who had excitedly taken out a new kind of medicine from his medicine cabinet, put back down the bottle in his hand, sullen.

Ive never guessed wrong

Its for someone else, not me.

Oh? Its someone elses sickness? Has it gotten out of hand? If so, then just medicine wont suffice anymore.

I told you, its not like that!

At my words, he stroked his beard and took a sip from the bottle that was next to him.

Before you lecture me

He held up the bottle with clear amber liquid inside. Its a concoction of herbs.

Without anyone asking him directly, Walter answered me first, as though he sensed what I was about to say.

Your wife has succeeded in making you give up drinking, I see.

Of course. This is just herbal juice.

All right.

I nodded half-heartedly.

So, whats wrong with that person? Walter asked, returning back to the subject at hand.

I finally made up my mind and brought up the issue.

Walter, please take a look at this medicine.

Medicine? What medicine?

When he asked, I opened my pocket and handed over a bottle with round pills inside it.

This.

Walter adjusted his glasses and inspected them closely. He opened his mouth again. Its a pill. Do you want me to find out whats in them?

Yes, I actually have the prescription, I said, then gave that to him as well.

Oh?

Walters eyes glistened as he gazed at the piece of paper.

Youre asking me to analyze the medicine even though you already have the prescription? How interesting. Really interesting.

What?

Walter had an interested look on his face.

If you want me to analyze this even though you have the ingredients listed down, then that means you dont trust the person who made it. Isnt that the case?

I averted my gaze.

Its not to that degree

But, youre suspicious of the medicine. Am I right?

I couldnt bring myself to be honest with him, even though he kept insisting. I just want to make sure. To double-check.

Yes, sure. If you say so.

Walter opened the bottle, sniffed, then placed a few on his palm. He smelled them a few times again, picked some out then popped them into his mouth.

Walter, wait

To my surprise, I reached out to him, afraid that the effects might be different if someone other than Amoide took them.

Hmm ThisYeah, it is

With his eyes closed, Walter chewed on the pills for a long time.

.

Then, his eyes turned serious. Selena. Whos taking this medicine?

He hurriedly spat out the pill in his mouth.

.

I shut my mouth like a clam again.

I dont know who it is, though it seems like theyre important to you?

Yes.

You want them to live?

Of course.

I could feel Walters expression dimming.

W-whats the matter?

No, no. Continue. What are that persons symptoms?

He suddenly collapses without any reason, but sometimes it seems like hes too healthy.

Hes doing fine?

Yes. Hes strong.

As I stared at the bandage on my hand, I also remembered him crushing the snakes head.

What kind of strength?

Just normal strength.

The memory of Amoide lifting me in his arms made my face somewhat hot. I brushed a lock of hair behind my ear to forget how he looked without clothes onand diligently came up with another memory.

[ Get lost. ]

And, hes got a terrible personality.

Personality?

Yes, hes always in a sour mood. I think its been that way even before he got sick.

This was just a guess, though.

Well, its possible for a man to have extraordinary strength. Although Im a pharmacist, not a doctor.

People who come here regularly dont think that way.

Anywhere you went, the treatment from a formally trained doctor would be expensive. However, since Walter was competent enough to concoct medicine that was as good as that kind of treatment and better yet with a relatively low cost, of course, people would flock to his pharmacy.

Anyway, hes sick, but Im just wondering if theres another reason for it.

Another reason?

From this

You think theres something in the medicine?

I nodded my head vigorously.

What if its poison and not medicine?

Hearing my claim, Walter opened up the paper with the prescription on it and read it again.

I know that the prescription itself, it looks normal enough, I said.

Visit readel.me for extra chapters.

The medicine and the prescription match perfectly, Selena.

Then, that means

Theres no problem with the prescription. Neither with the medicine.

Really?

If there were traces of poison in this medicine, then wouldnt the one taking it be dead already?

But, that would be too obvious

Its obvious if you die at once.

Yes, stillother peoples stories arent always pleasant. Theres this sayingcomedy at a distance, but a tragedy from up close.

If it was someone elses story, then I can just enjoy watching with my arms crossed. Unfortunately, this was my story, so I couldnt just stand by and do nothing.

In fact, it might be all too simple to approach the matter.

As long as I dont kill my husband.

The reason Selena faced such a cruel demise was because she poisoned her husband. So, all I needed to do wasnotdo that.

Right now, I had no reason to poison him because I knew how the narrative went. It would be simple. If hes happy, then Im happy. Lets all be happy. That way, we can all have a happy ending that way.

Regardless,

Theres no way everything would be that easy.

.

Amoide was already ill, and hes set to die young.

At that time, his wife, who would be next to him, might still be unfortunately involved and falsely accused of murder. Or, there was still a possibility that someone would assassinate him under the guise of his illness, then lay the blame on me.

Either way, it wouldnt change. My death was inevitable at this point.

So, at all costs, Amoide needed to live.

By the way, didnt you say that the person taking this is precious to you?

An important person.

I barely remembered to correct him. There might not be much difference on the surface, but there was a subtle difference between the two words. No, theyre totally different.

Anyway, you want that person to live, dont you?

Hemustlive.

Because if he does, then I can continue living as well.

Then, its going to be difficult.

What will be difficult?

This medicine.

You said its made exactly according to the prescription?

Yes. Painkillers are commonly prescribed for neuro stabilization and pain reduction.

Of course.

That meant this medicine wasnt for essential treatment.

Its a prescription drug for patients who suffer from extreme pain. Its a very potent formulation.

He does look especially in pain whenever he collapses.

Well Its a prescription for a person who has only a few days left to live. The purpose is to reduce their pain so they can pass on peacefully.

For a moment, the strength in my legs that kept me up wavered.

Are you all right?

YesIm fine.

I stumbled and grabbed the edge of a desk. I slowly opened my trembling mouth. Then, is there no hope anymore since hes taking this medicine?

I dont think so.

Will there be any difference if I try to stop it?

Im not sure.

I mean Hes been very, very healthy lately. I feel like hes being more energetic, and hes had a better complexion nowadays. Is there still no hope?

I grabbed Walters arm tightly.

Selena Well

Walter seemed to be surprised by my sudden onslaught of questions.

Even I know

I knew that Walter wouldnt have the answers I wanted. Nevertheless, I couldnt stop clinging onto hope.

The doctor who takes care of the patient would know his constitution the best.

Yes.

There was nothing wrong with the medicine. That was clear.

His body was in a really bad shape. He might be holding out this long only because he was already exceptionally strong before he fell ill.

I understand. Thank you.

I gently let go of Walters arm.

Even though I had already confirmed what the ingredients of that medicine were, I felt even more frustrated.

Trapped in a complex maze, I managed to find a single ray of light from a miniscule opening.

However, it wasnt an exit, so the despair that flooded my senses was far greater.