"Lady Carina, it's good to see you here," he took my hand and kiss it.
Hill had never been happy. All the letters he sent to the Aspera had to go through the butler, and the butler reports every little thing to the ducal heir, Caspian, whenever there is a mention of Clementine. But of course, the jealous older brother would ignore the letters that plea to meet Carina.
"Lord Hill. It's been awhile. I hope that I am not disturbing your evening,".
Last night, for the first time, I have a deep conversation with Vance. I decided to help Vance acquiring the power that he needs to control his own fate. But first, I need to understand the pills Vance took. The only family that has the knowledge of medicine and alchemy is the Clementine family.
But thinking back, why am I so forward last night? I just felt natural that my body moved on its own.
"Lady Carina, is it too hot perhaps? Shall I tell my servants to put down the fire?," Hill asked when he noticed my face becoming red.
"No need!," I replied a little too quickly.
Well, it's because I just remembered something embarrassing.
"Anyway, my visit may be a little too abrupt. But I do have some questions to ask you and I think only the Clementine family could help me with this," I said.
His eyes lit up for a moment. He ordered his servants to bring tea while I ordered Emmy to wait outside the room. "Let's see. I am sure it's about alchemy then?," Hill crossed his legs and leaned slightly with curiosity.
"Ares Clementine,".
Just by me calling his name, Hill jolted in shock. "How do you know the name of the founder of Clementine family?,"
'That's because he was my assistant when I was a doctor'
Of course, I couldn't tell him that. "He once worked under a wandering doctor. A name no one knows,".
Hill nodded, his face turning serious. "Yes. There were no records about the doctor at all, but his talents is amazing. Ares Clementine learned the art of combining alchemy and medicine all thanks to that doctor," he said.
I coughed a little, slightly embarrassed that the person in front of me is indirectly praising one of my past lives. "I am confident one of Ares' knowledge is passed down. However, I found a peculiar medicine lately and I need your insight,".
I am a little worried. Investigating this medicine could mean investigating the whole secrets of the Frigore clan. While it is considered a 'fallen' clan, their powers are undeniable. I wouldn't want to drag an innocent person into this mess but, I also want to do everything I can for Vance.
"Investigating the medicine may cause you to involve into something dangerous," I said.
Hill stares at me for a moment, then he laughed. He leaned back into the chair the moment our tea arrived. A jasmine tea scent wafts in the air. "Your brother is my friend. Naturally, I would help you," he said as his servant poured tea into both of our teacups.
I raised my teacup and my eyes landed on the tea, slightly dazed. "However, I am also helping you because I am interested in you,". I look away from my tea to see Hill smiling gently at me.
Looking closely at Hill, he has a mischievous aura. The crimson hair and brown eyes complimented each other, giving resemblance to Ares, my old friend, himself. Both of them have almost the same personality. Slightly playful, slight flirtatious, very mischievous and shrewd, but most importantly, very loyal.
Even with my brother's cold treatment towards him, Hill still considers him as a friend. "I am flattered. I am also interested to be friends with you," I smiled as I slowly sip the tea.
Hill widened his eyes, but then laughed. His laugh was so abrupt that I almost choked on my tea. "Hahahaha oh god!!! You and your brother are the same after all hahahahha," he laughed again, gasping for air.
I raised my eyebrows, trying to find the humour in this conversation. Hill wiped the tear on his eyes. "I really don't mean it that way. But if you like, we can start as friends,".
Then I had a moment of realization. Oh...he meant by that.
"I suggest you to forget going further than that. People dub me as a villain, from a villainous family. Some people believe I control the military out there, because I was able to control my own brother," I smirked as I put down the teacup.
Hill smirked too as he raised his teacup. "And I am from an ousted family. But people don't know that I hold the most forbidden knowledge in the whole empire. Things are not what it seems for both of us, aren't we?," he stares at me.
"The investigation. I will do it," Hill said.
Now Hill is wondering, how things should develop further with this woman, who held walls around her higher than he could climb.