Despite Being an Extra, I'm the Villain's Childhood Friend - Chapter 56.1
Chapter 56.1
Gerald felt a pang of guilt at Grosh’s troubled expression as he mulled over the answer—a fact Gerald had been trying to ignore now tugged at his heart.
“You came here for the Krug research. The etiquette lessons are secondary.”
If money had been his primary motivation, he wouldn’t have come to Souvri.
During their negotiations, Brioche had promised to fully fund Gerald’s Krug research. For Brioche, desperate to cure his son, it was a beneficial arrangement; for Gerald, who had devoted his life to this study, it was an irresistible offer.
Just yesterday, when Brioche arrived at the Souvri villa… Gerald had remained in the drawing room under the guise of discussing Izeline’s magic lessons.
In truth, he had engaged in a serious conversation with the Duke about Robert’s Krug affliction.
“…So, I need someone like this.”
“I have just the person.”
Brioche had recommended the head maid of the Armaty mansion. She had apparently taken pity on Robert and cared for him closely since his arrival in Souvri.
“Do you think she’ll be willing to sacrifice herself?”
Grosh asked skeptically.
“Well, we’ll have to see.”
Gerald replied flatly, dropping a strand of Monica’s hair into a strangely colored potion. The hair reacted magically, altering the potion’s hue.
“Tsk. Not enough.”
He had been following Monica, collecting her fallen hairs, but Izeline had caught him in the act, forcing him to stop before he had gathered a sufficient amount.
‘That woman is Izeline’s mother…’
A wave of complex emotions pricked at his heart. Gerald closed his eyes wearily.
“The reaction isn’t bad for a first try.”
Grosh commented, stroking his chin as he observed the change in the potion’s color. It was a simple experiment, far from being a viable Krug cure, though Gerald agreed.
‘Monica’s hair’ as an ingredient reacted fairly well with ‘Robert’s Krug.’
Still, it would take years of research to see any real results.
“How’s Izeline doing?”
“Huh? What about her?”
Gerald’s surprise was evident as he looked up at Grosh. The old man cocked an eyebrow as if asking why he was being stared at.
“She started her magic lessons, right?”
“Oh, that. Uh-huh.”
He nodded absently, earning a suspicious glance from Grosh. Then, feigning nonchalance, Gerald replied.
“Izeline’s doing fine. She’s not the brightest, but she’s diligent.”
“Have you figured out her mana attribute yet?”
To the following question, Gerald concealed his mixed feelings and answered curtly.
“I plan to find out tomorrow.”
* * *
The next day. Sunlight streaming through the curtains tickled Izeline’s eyelids.
“Haaaahm.”
Stretching and yawning widely, she opened her eyes. She must have overslept, having studied too late last night due to the added burden of magic lessons.
“The sun’s already high in the sky,” she mumbled hoarsely.
Startled by the feel of someone’s warmth on her fingertips, she turned her head. Robert, who she assumed would be up and about, was still asleep.
She giggled at the sight of him drooling.
“Cute.”
“Mmm…”
As if roused by the small sound, he stirred, then abruptly woke up with a start, wiping his mouth.
“You’re awake?”
“Wh-When did I fall asleep…?”
Embarrassed at having been caught drooling, Robert stammered, his face flushed. “What time did you go to bed last night?”
“Uh, well…”
“What were you doing that you fell asleep so soundly, drooling all over your pillow?”
“Drooling all over? You’ve practically flooded the bed with drool before!”
“Wh-What?!”
Izeline, who had been teasing him moments ago, now blushed as the tables turned.
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