𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝟑𝟏: 𝐂𝐚𝐢𝐧’𝐬 𝐬𝐤𝐢𝐥𝐥
“Ellen. Long time no see. I really appreciate your help last time.”
Cain came to our mansion at my mother’s call. He has a casual atmosphere that doesn’t seem like someone who will soon become the king of the neighboring country.
“Cain, I’m glad to see you’re well. Taking care of the injured is a natural duty as a pharmacist.”
“Cain-sama, please take care of Okaa-sama. Now, I should prepare the medicine too. Ah, according to Cain-sama, it’s not a hangover medicine, but a regular stomach medicine.”
Following my mother’s instructions, I quickly prepare the medicine. Regular stomach medicine, not hangover medicine that causes headaches and nausea when you drink alcohol? I wonder why.
It seems that my mother has some kind of strategy.
After a while, Dorothea-sama, accompanied by Okaa-sama, arrived by carriage. Looking at her walking with Okaa-sama, she seems to be a delicate and elegant woman.
People are unpredictable. This lady starts speaking her mind as soon as she drinks alcohol. That means those words are lurking in her heart. The power of alcohol removes common sense, decency, and consideration, revealing the truth.
Speaking of which, I’ve never seen Stephan drunk. I wonder what he would say when he’s drunk.
I want to see Stephan drunk once. I want to hear his true feelings before we get married. I think it’s okay, but if Stephan has any inferiority complex or anxiety, I want to hear it.
Dorothea-sama is sitting on the long bench in my mother’s examination room, anxiously fidgeting with her hands. She must be worried about what will happen.
“Dorothea-sama, nice to meet you. I am Franca Bowen. This is my daughter, Ellen. And this is Cain Smith-sama, who we invited today.”
“I am Dorothea De Verdo. I apologize for the trouble.”
“No, no, it’s our duty to relieve those who are suffering. Please feel free to leave everything to us.”
With that, my mother signaled Cain with her eyes. Cain starts talking to Mrs. Dorothea.
“Well, usually I hypnotize with just me and the person who wants it, but it would be a problem if it became a rumor in the social world.”
Saying that, Cain gave a bitter smile.
“So, today, would it be okay if the others watch from behind Dorothea-sama?”
The lady nodded several times as if relieved and replied, “Please do that.”
My mother and I decided to quietly observe from the chairs behind Dorothea-sama.
“Let’s get started. Dorothea-sama, please lie down on the long bench, rest your head on the cushion, and relax.”
“Like this, right?”
The lady lies down on the long bench with elegant gestures. Hanna, who was by the wall, immediately puts a knee blanket on the lady.
“Now, Dorothea-sama. Please stare at my finger. That’s right. Keep your eyes on the movement of my finger. Your eyes move with my finger. Yes. Gradually, your eyes can’t leave my finger.”
Cain’s right index finger moves. Slowly, slowly.
“Your eyelids are getting heavy and falling. You can’t open your eyes anymore. You’re getting sleepier and sleepier, and you’re falling into a deep sleep. On the back of your eyelids, there should be a scene you can’t forget. What do you see?”
Huh? Is she already hypnotized? Just as I thought that, I heard the sleepy, sluggish voice of the lady.
“My husband’s mother is there. She’s looking at me and she’s angry. Over and over again. Ah, she’s so angry…”
“Did you say anything back?”
“No. If I say something, she scolds me even more.”
“It’s hard to endure, isn’t it? Did your husband help you?”
“No! No! I’m always scolded when my husband isn’t around. Even if I complain to my husband later, he just says [ignore it]. He won’t help me.”
Dorothea-sama’s voice carried a deep scent of resignation. She must have deeply realized that relying on her husband was futile.
That is… that is painful. If only someone would stand by her side, even if only in words, Dorothea-sama might have been saved. I feel a chill down my spine as if I’ve caught a glimpse of the darkness of marriage.
“Then, Dorothea-sama, let me cast a spell on you. From now on, you will take medicine every day. When you take this medicine, all you will remember when you drink alcohol are the fun times.”
“Fun times…”
“Yes. The fun times before marriage, the fun times after marriage. When you drink alcohol, you will only be able to remember the fun times. You won’t be able to recall a single painful memory.”
“Not a single one…”
“Yes. Even when you drink alcohol, you will forget the painful times. Now, I will count to three. When I count to three, you will wake up. Three, two, one.”
When Cain clapped his hands, the lady stirred.
“Oh, did I fall asleep?”
“Yes, you were sleeping soundly. Dorothea-sama, there’s no need to worry anymore. Shall we try drinking some alcohol now?”
“Eh!”
Both I and the lady let out a voice at the same time. Dorothea-sama got up with her usual elegant gesture and turned to look at us.
“I can’t drink alcohol here. I might do something rude again.”
My mother stood up smoothly and spoke soothingly to Dorothea-sama, rubbing her back.
“Dorothea-sama. First, let’s drink the medicine Ellen made. Once you drink this, you’ll be fine even if you drink alcohol.”
Cain is nodding with a smile. I put the stomach medicine I made with herbs into a cup. It’s a normal stomach medicine that is bitter but refreshes the stomach and intestines.
Dorothea-sama slowly drank a cup of the stomach medicine. Hanna, who was instructed by my mother at the right time, brought glasses of wine for everyone.
Dorothea-sama looks at my mother and me with anxiety.
“It’s okay. Now, let’s toast to the reborn Dorothea-sama’s health.”
Cain raised his wine glass with a smile.
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