After washing up, her breakfast was delivered together with a new fashionable red dress and a seamless coat. After her meal she changed into her new dress then tied her hair into a high ponytail. She was told to see uncle Josh after she was done.
Uncle Josh was in the garden when Clarissa found him. He looked at the beautiful young girl that approached him. He could already tell how beautiful she's going to be.
Isabella saw uncle Josh looking at her and felt a gentleness she hasn't felt in a long time. She suddenly thought of Lucia her adoptive mother and wondered at the friendship between them.
Uncle Josh: " I've been told that you have picked up a liking to these herbs. Come tell me what these herbs are used for."
Clarissa checked the herbs at the table and started telling him their names and uses. There were six herbs five were healing herbs and one a poison herb. The poison herb was mostly mistaken for another herb that looked similar.
Clarissa: "this is the purple cornflower it's used to relieve pain, reduce inflammation and has antiviral and antioxidant effects. This one is the chamomile flower it can be used as tea to reduce stress but it's also know for it's healing abilities. This one the ginkgo biloba it's used to treat respiratory diseases. This is thyme it's used to treat bacterial and fungal infections. This is the aithaea officinalis it's used as anti inflammatory and also fight infections. The last one is the dead men's fingers it's a deadly poisonous plant it's usually mistaken as parsley but I can tell the difference with their roots."
Uncle Josh was surprised at her knowledge. She was much smarter than most apprentice in the alchemy tower. Now he was more convinced to take her with him. He will take her as his sole disciple. Throughout his career he has never taken in disciples he found it bothersome. But now he was willing to pass on all his knowledge to Clarissa whether she had talent or not.
Uncle Josh continued asking Clarissa questions about herbs. After accessing her level of knowledge he was pleased with her. She knew most theory methods and formula in concoctions, poultice and pills. After reaching the capital he's going to give her practical demonstration about alchemy.
Uncle Josh looked at Clarissa for a long time without speaking. There was mostly guilt in his eyes. Clarissa gave him ample time to compose himself. She saw the guilt, excitement and above all determination.
After a long time uncle Josh spoke to her.
Uncle Josh: "Clarissa my dear child I want to apologize to you for all the suffering you have endured all this years in my home. I didn't know that you were being mistreated....(sighs) I can tell you all the excuses that I can give but nothing can take your pain. Now I would like to ask you to come with me to the capital with the identity of my granddaughter and my sole disciple. Will you accept my request?"
Clarissa felt warm at the apology of this powerful man. He was a respected alchemist but he was apologizing to her. This showed how sincere he was to her. But she was also surprised at the status he was granting her. One has to know the power that came behind a powerful entity in this world.
She was relieved that her slave status was removed but she wasn't excited about her new status. She wanted to acquire such status by her own strength. She looked at the sincere old man before her and accepted his request. She knew that she didn't have a place here at the Brook's mansion because she would be blamed of all that had happened. It was better to go to a new environment and have a new beginning.
Clarissa: " I accept you request. Greetings to master."
Clarissa performed three bows before her master. Uncle Josh booming laugh was heard.
Uncle Josh: "My girl no need to call me master it's too formal. Call me grandpa instead. Okay let me hear you call me grandpa."
Clarissa nodded, " Grandpa."
Uncle Josh laughed out loud expressing his joy. He told Clarissa to pack her things as they'll be heading to the capital immediately.