The next day, Lord Pearlman handed me all of his medical notes and observations on the Cereus family.

“I will be introducing you to the duchess and the young master this afternoon. Make sure you read this thoroughly and memorize every detail.”

Jenny’s mouth dropped open at the piles of paper now covering the table. “B-but my lord...” she said plaintively. “This is too much at once! How can you expect her to—”

“No,” I said calmly. “I’ll be fine, Jenny.”

The viscount left without a word. While Jenny helped me to dress and style my hair, I began sifting through the papers.

“He really is too much,” sighed Jenny. “He’s never asked his assistants to memorize so much before. And you’ve only been here for three days!”

“Well, it’s part of the job,” I replied plainly. “Also, this information is very sensitive. He couldn’t share it with his other assistants.”

“But then, why’s he asking you?”

“Because he knows I’m going to be here for a long time, at least six years. I think he knows he can trust me,” I said.

I turned my attention back to the notes. The duchess was suffering from chronic headaches and frequent abdominal pain. I knew right away that it was probably due to stress. Looking over Lord Pearlman’s records, I approved of the remedies he’d prescribed.

He was indeed a splendid doctor. He was on an entirely different level than all the other doctors I’d encountered in my previous life.

But then, why did the duchess die so suddenly in the future? I wondered. She was receiving superb treatment...

Of course, there was a bigger problem. Erwan’s condition.

He frequently had high fevers, abdominal pain, headaches, toothaches, and much more. His illness was a complete mystery. Lord Pearlman treated him well each time, but since he was unable to find the cause of the symptoms, the cycle kept repeating itself.

The viscount is away too often and preoccupied with the search for his daughter. He cannot fully devote his time to Erwan to observe him properly. If I’m here with him every day, perhaps I can find out what this disease is. If I know why he’s so sick, then I can find a proper cure for him. Six years is more than enough time, I thought.

This was my ultimate goal. In order to thoroughly investigate the matter, I would need access to a variety of medicinal herbs and tools, and a dedicated space to conduct my research. And I’d need Lord Pearlman’s approval for all of that. I knew that if I told him I knew what would happen in the future, he’d call me a fool and kick me out of the castle immediately.

I need to find a way to have access to his lab whenever I want, at least when he isn’t at the castle.

I knew that once he felt certain that he could leave the Cereus family in my hands, he’d quickly leave in search of his daughter. I’d be able to use his lab and all of the equipment I wanted while he was away.

This is my immediate goal, I thought. To have complete access to all of Lord Pearlman’s tools, supplies, herbs, and medicines.

Satisfied that I’d pored over every inch of his records, I stacked the papers neatly and got up from the table with determination.

* * *

“This is my new assistant,” said Lord Pearlman without fanfare.

Fortunately, I looked very neat and presentable due to Jenny’s efforts.

“My name is Rita Estelle. I’m pleased to be in your service, Your Grace,” I said as I curtsied.

“This is quite a surprise,” remarked Duchess Isabelle Cecilia Cereus. Despite her stately bearing, her face looked drawn and pale. She was in her late thirties but looked young for her age. She was an elegant and dignified woman, with silvery hair and jet-black eyes. Erwan had his mother’s eyes.

True to Lord Pearlman’s reputation, he didn’t bother with an elaborate explanation of who I was.

“Quite a surprise indeed, to introduce an assistant to us after only three days. Don’t you usually let them go before they even get to meet us?” The duchess looked at me sharply. “She looks very young,” she said, her brows raised.

“She’s thirteen,” Lord Pearlman replied nonchalantly. “Age doesn’t always correlate with experience, my lady. The majority of my medical studies were concluded by the time I was thirteen myself.”

I nodded along with him. I could have cut the tension in the room with a knife, but it didn’t particularly bother me.

“Same with me,” I announced.

Erwan, who had been sitting silently next to his mother, shot me a small grin. First Jenny, now Erwan—why did everyone laugh when I said the simple truth?

The duchess kept looking me over as if she didn’t quite believe me. It didn’t unsettle me, since it was the same way that Lord Pearlman, Erwan, and even Jenny had all been at first.

“Well,” she said at last, relaxing her gaze. “Your assistant is your own matter, my lord. I am sure you have chosen wisely.”

“I do everything wisely,” Lord Pearlman said. “Including getting rid of unsatisfactory assistants. I don’t have a speck of patience for any sort of idiocy.”

I nodded, agreeing with him.

“How is Your Grace’s condition today?” asked Lord Pearlman. “Anything in particular?”

“Nothing exceptional,” she replied. “I have a slight headache every day, and I get a stomachache when I drink milk.”

“Rita, what should I prescribe for Her Grace?” Lord Pearlman asked me.

“I would give the usual prescription, my lord, but I would also advise her to take a mixture of oisis grass and deron roots,” I answered promptly. “Her Grace should avoid dairy whenever she can, but in situations she cannot, she should take an infusion of crushed zecron petals.”

“What if she continues to get headaches?” he quizzed.

“Then we should use the Esthar Cherilony Method to ease her pain.”

Lord Pearlman nodded approvingly, then turned towards Erwan. “And how are you feeling today, my lord?”

“Yes, I’m fine,” murmured Erwan.

“Are you eating well and exercising?”

“I am.”

I shook my head inwardly, knowing that he had not been following that advice. It had apparently become a habit for him to lie to the doctor.

“Rita, what would you do if His Lordship suddenly collapsed?” asked Lord Pearlman.

“It would depend on his symptoms, but I would follow the basic protocol listed in the Jebellon Apothecary Book and would contact you right away,” I answered. “It could be harmful to do more, as we don’t know the cause.”

“Good,” said Lord Pearlman.

I knew from looking through his records that we shared a near-identical methodology of treatment. We probably had the same opinions about the same diseases. The corners of his lips were lifted slightly, and after three days with him, I knew what that meant. He approved of the answers I was giving him.

“We will place you under Rita’s care for now, my lord,” he said to Erwan. “Please call for her immediately if you feel any discomfort.”

“What? You’re giving my son’s care to her? She’s thirteen, and she’s only been at the castle for a few days,” the duchess said sharply.

“I will be observing her until I’m satisfied she gives him the right care,” said Lord Pearlman firmly. “If there are no problems, I will leave for a visit to Irebia in ten days.”

Irebia was a faraway region to the south, and the long journey included crossing an ocean.

The duchess didn’t reply to that. Surely she knew that meant he would be searching for his daughter. It was part of their agreement, after all.

“I am happy to stay awhile longer if you are unsatisfied after watching her performance,” said Lord Pearlman gravely.

There was a long silence. Finally, the duchess nodded her head. “I understand you must go in person for the paternity testing,” she said. Her voice, however, was still icy. “But I must say I am rather shocked. This is a surprising situation, despite the faith I have in you as our physician.”

“I understand your concern, Your Grace, but I ask for your patience and trust in the meantime,” I said.

The duchess didn’t seem happy with this development, but that was fine. I knew she would come to approve of me once she saw my skills for herself.

“I’m very accomplished, Your Grace,” I added.

“Hmm.” The duchess let out a long sigh, as if she were giving up. For now.

I knew I’d have to build her trust over time. Instead of trying to convince her now, I focused on what I’d just heard.

So, Lord Pearlman is planning to leave for Irebia.

It was a long journey, and it would take a lot of time to conduct all the necessary testing for the genetic matches. I knew I had to get permission to use his lab before he left. I had to act quickly, before it was too late.