(Risking My Life) Proposing to Miss Hazel - Chapter 98

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 98

“Felix, since today is the last day, you and I will enter the Monster’s Domain alone. It would be better for the soldiers to rest.”

“Very well.”

Felix, who answered in a strangely casual yet respectful manner, took the lead with Count Cedric as they entered the Monster’s Domain.

When the rustling texture of grass blades changed to slippery purple moss, a landscape completely different from Luden unfolded.

Even in daylight, beneath purple shadows as dark as night, humid smoke hung thickly in the air.

As the smoke that had been emitting a foul smell like sulfur subsided, a sweet floral fragrance seductively led them forward.

However, they moved their steps in the opposite direction of the flower scent. Their footsteps following the familiar path showed no hesitation whatsoever.

Following their steps, the ground writhed like a living, breathing creature. From the ground split here and there like claw marks, white smoke repeatedly spewed forth.

Count Cedric, who had been staring intently at Felix walking ahead, casually struck up a conversation.

“How brave.”

Felix replied in a puzzled tone.

“Are you referring to me?”

“Yes. I’ve traveled throughout the Empire to subdue rebels and find purification water, but I’ve never met anyone who enters the Monster’s Domain alone to draw purification water like you.”

“….”

“I was curious about the reason, but now I understand.”

Felix’s feet came to an abrupt stop.

He turned to look at the Count with a wary expression.

“What reason do you speak of?”

The Count’s eyes, like midsummer greenery, swept over Felix’s hair and pupils.

His hair, dampened by purification water vapor, sparkled brilliantly as if touched by moonlight. His vivid golden eyes shone brightly like flames in the darkness.

“Felix, what is your real name?”

Felix answered nonchalantly without showing any sign of confusion.

“I don’t understand what you’re saying.”

“I heard you’re not a native of Luden. Where did you and Hazel come from?”

“A small village at the foot of the mountain. I heard it was Lord of Valoa’s estate, but it must have disappeared without a trace by now.”

Despite Felix’s smooth answer, the Count frowned as if unsatisfied.

“Valoa… The central-western region.”

“….”

“I expected you to answer like that.”

The Count listened briefly to the eerily echoing breathing of monsters, then threw out a question as if casting it to the wind.

“Let me ask one last thing.”

“Ask me anything.”

“What did you find in the Monster’s Domain?”

“Pardon?”

“I’m asking what you found besides purification water.”

When Felix blinked as if he didn’t understand, the Count chuckled.

“No, never mind. Of course that couldn’t be it.”

“….”

“Let’s go draw the purification water. We can’t delay any longer.”

***

“Welcome!”

Ding-a-ling, along with the bell sound, today’s eighth reservation customer entered the shop.

“Yes, Miss Hazel.”

The distinguished guest who is enjoying a rural experience… no, a vacation in Luden is thoroughly benefiting from the restorative effects of his stay in Luden.

Unlike three days ago, his dark circles had noticeably faded, a rosy flush had appeared on his pale skin, and most importantly, his lethargic gait had gained some spring.

He had improved from a sickly young master to just a young master with a slightly weak constitution.

Even though I hadn’t fed and housed him myself, I felt a sense of pride.

“Ruki, you seem to have slept well again today.”

“Strangely, I sleep deeply through the night without waking up in Luden. It’s been so long since I’ve slept soundly without the help of herbs…”

“That’s fortunate. You look the most vibrant since I’ve known you.”

“This is the first time I’ve felt so energetic since the civil war. It’s all thanks to you, Miss Hazel.”

I brushed off the excessive compliment with an awkward laugh and presented the item he had ordered the day before yesterday.

The large-capacity version of ‘Sweet Dreams.’

People suffering from chronic sleep deprivation need Sweet Dreams almost every day.

However, a small general store can’t meet all the demand with cottage industry production, so supply falls far short of demand.

That’s why a large-capacity version was needed.

‘Why didn’t I think of this sooner?’

Thanks to the Mayor’s order, I got the idea and created a large-capacity version with a week’s worth of doses in one bottle.

According to Dr. Michael, the effectiveness of the medicinal ingredients could weaken each time the purification water bottle is opened, so even using 100 percent purification water, ten days would be the limit.

I added the expert’s opinion and continued the product explanation calmly.

“…So you must consume it within ten days after opening. Otherwise, the efficacy might be less than the regular version. And if you overdose, you might develop tolerance, so after taking it continuously for three months, it would be good to have about a week’s break. I’ve added this to the instructions as well.”

“I’ll keep that in mind.”

“But since you’re sleeping well now, don’t you not need Sweet Dreams anymore?”

“I probably won’t be able to sleep again when I go back.”

A bitter smile appeared on his fairy-like face.

Knowing what burden he carried on his shoulders, I felt both sorry for him and respectful.

I readily offered another bottle of the large-capacity Sweet Dreams.

“For today only, I’ll give you a 1+1 deal on the large-capacity version. This kind of special offer won’t come again.”

“No. How could I bargain with my benefactor over the price?”

“Thanks to you, I got a good idea, so I want to give it as a gift. It’s fine, so please accept it comfortably.”

I have a lot of money these days.

After some back and forth, the Mayor eventually gave in to my persistence and accepted the 1+1 discount event.

The Mayor, with a month’s worth of Sweet Dreams in his arms, looked as secure as a squirrel ready for winter hibernation.

After finishing the payment, he added as if in passing.

“And don’t worry about the Cromwell Castle matter.”

“Pardon?”

“There will be big changes in Luden soon. That’s all I can tell you right now.”

“What kind of changes?”

He answered with a gentle eye-smile instead of words. Seeing how tightly he kept his mouth shut, he clearly had no intention of telling me readily.

However, his smile looked so comfortable that I didn’t bother to press him further.

The longer the Mayor stayed in Luden, the more natural his smile seemed to become.

Though it seemed today was the last day of that peaceful vacation.

“You’re leaving today?”

“Yes. I think I should return now. If I delay any longer, there will be chaos. Thank you for everything.”

“Not at all. I didn’t do anything…”

“You did a lot.”

His firm answer left me speechless.

He spoke earnestly with shining eyes, pouring out embarrassing words matter-of-factly.

“Just smiling consistently at me from this spot today, yesterday, and the day before yesterday is enough.”

“….”

After a moment of silence, just as he opened his mouth to finish—

“Miss Hazel, when we meet next time, would you and I…”

Crash!

Ding-a-ling-a-ling-a-ling!

A loud commotion came from the doorway and the door burst open. Several people squeezed their upper bodies through the door gap and shouted.

“Mayor!”

“So you were here after all!”

“Do you have any idea how much we’ve been searching for you!”

The Mayor’s hand gripped the large-sized ‘Sleepy Time’ tightly.

Unlike his hand with bulging veins, his face remained calm as always.

“Oh my, there’s already a commotion.”

***

“Oh….”

“Oh, whoa….”

Lucas Aden’s Aide stared blankly at Hazel’s face and slapped the Guard’s forearm.

“Right?”

“Right.”

The Guard rubbed the spot he’d been suddenly hit and nodded with a dazed expression.

Just as the Aide had predicted, Miss Hazel of Golden Sundries Shop was a stunning beauty.

A woman so breathtakingly beautiful that his work-obsessed master would abandon his duties and come running.

That wasn’t all.

Far from being flustered by the sudden situation, she calmly served tea and knew how to treat guests properly.

Indeed, she was worthy material to become the mistress of Benu, regardless of social status.

It wasn’t that he was overestimating her because he was blinded by her absolute beauty, kind smile, and gentle manner of speaking – even evaluating her with the strict standards used for hiring new aides, this was his assessment.

“As expected, our Mayor’s eye never fails.”

“That’s right indeed.”

The Aide smiled contentedly and nodded, then was grabbed by his master’s hand and dragged outside.

Lucas Aden spoke to his Aide in an unprecedentedly cold tone, as if scolding him.

“Let’s go now. The ninth appointment is waiting.”

“….”

“We shouldn’t interfere with business.”

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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