The Devil's Betrothed novel Chapter 136

Chapter 136: Have You Ever Come Across Black Magic?

After Arlan left the Palace of Thistle, Oriana once again went to the Palace of Oak. This time, she carried the stalk of black nightshade with her. Her nerves had been stretched taut from the moment she stepped out of the prince’s residence, nervous that a knight on patrol or a royal guard would suddenly inspect her pocket.

However, just like the previous day, no one checked her.

When Oriana reached the guest residence, only then was she able to breathe freely.

The old physician and his second apprentice were inside the workroom, preparing medicine for the King as usual. Once they finished the first batch, Erich looked at the younger man."Adam, this list of herbs, go to the royal pharmacy and have them bring these here as soon as possible."

Adam accepted the list and quickly left.

Erich turned his attention to the young woman who was tasked to clean and disinfect the vessels used in preparing medicine. "So, have you brought that herb today?"

"Yes, Master Erich."

She pulled out a bundled cloth from the inner pocket of her coat. She carefully unwrapped that cloth and showed the single dried stalk of black nightshade to the physician.

’It’s authentic.’ Erich studied the gutsy youth sitting in front of him. ’This child really dared smuggle a prohibited item inside the royal palace.’

Only now did he remember why he grew fond of her in the past. Not to mention she was smarter and braver than her peers, Oriana was also a fellow who dared to disobey rules for the sake of saving people’s lives. That last quality was what Erich looked for when taking in apprentices.

For someone of his status, hundreds of people clamored to receive his teachings, but he only had accepted a handful of students. Some had left their apprenticeship and became full-fledged physicians, and only two remained—now three, with Oriana being his newest and youngest apprentice.

As a physician, it was his belief that the most important quality of healers was not intelligence—it was their heart. Their desire to save their patient’s life should be the most paramount, even if that meant being criticized by the world.

Erich picked up that stalk and observed it. "It’s a good quality one, perfectly dried and the efficacy well-preserved."

His words made her happy but the next ones greatly shocked her to the core.

"What a brave young woman you are."

"M-Master?" Oriana felt all her senses go numb. ’Did he just say young woman?’

Seeing her shocked, Erich chuckled as he moved towards the platform designated to prepare ingredients. "What are you so surprised about?"

Her throat went dry, but she forced out a "Since when...?"

"Do you really think I never noticed it? I am a skilled physician, if you didn’t forget. My eyesight is so sharp, I can distinguish most illnesses with a single glance."

"I..." She felt speechless as well as worried.

"I have known the truth since the first day we met. I did wonder why you are hiding it, but it is none of my business. Though, that is also one of the reasons I can remember you even after two years."

"Apologies for—"

"Lying? You don’t have to. You must have your reasons, but I don’t care," he interrupted her. "Come here and don’t waste time. Let me see what you did. The other ingredients you need are already here."

Oriana went to his side and started measuring the ingredients.

Erich then said, "Since the core ingredient is only a single stalk, don’t use it entirely. Use only a fourth. Adjust the other ingredients as well."

Oriana followed his instructions. After putting a clean pot on the furnace, she started adding everything one by one as the recipe was engraved in her mind. From time to time, Erich would instruct her on the side—after all, because the quantity of ingredients was lessened, the duration of heat and the speed of putting them in had to be adjusted as well.

Just before the last step of adding the crushed black nightshade, she looked at her master. He nodded, "Everything you did till now is correct. Go ahead."

She took a deep breath before adding it to the pot.

’Please do not turn black.’ She then stirred the concoction with a wooden ladle, waiting for it to turn green but....it gradually darkened, until it was once again a slush of black.