"I cannot do that," Emilia said, her voice firm yet tinged with regret. The words were a direct refusal, cutting through the air between them.
Susanna's smile faltered, her face shadowed by a sudden cloud of concern. "Why?" she asked, her tone laced with genuine curiosity and worry.
Emilia's gaze dropped to the floor, her shoulders dipping as if the weight of her decision bore down on her. "I cannot leave my mother alone. She has suffered so much, and her health is declining day by day. I cannot turn my back on her and leave."
Susanna felt a deep pang of empathy for Emilia, knowing the sad life she had. In the novel, it was mentioned that her mother died and her stepfather sold her as a servant to the duke.
Emilia thought of the anguish inflicted upon her mother by her stepfather and stepsister. The constant hardships had left her mother in a state of fragility and vulnerability.
Despite Emilia's unwavering efforts to mend her mother's suffering through her extraordinary abilities, her mother's endeavours had sadly proven futile. The burden of witnessing her mother's enduring pain, coupled with her inability to take action, drained Emilia both emotionally and physically.
"I understand your situation," Susanna said, her voice softening as she tried to offer comfort. "But what if I could arrange for you and your mother to be together? You could live far away in the capital, where no one would have any power over you."
Emilia's eyes, though weary, glinted with a flicker of hope. "Can I ask why you're offering me such kindness? We've only just met, and yet you're offering so much."
Susanna hesitated for a moment, her mind racing with her motives.
'To save my life!' she thought, but she could not possibly say it loud!
Susanna maintained her composure and smiled warmly. "I simply have a fondness for doing good deeds. It's like a hobby of mine, don't you think?" she boasted playfully, casting a knowing glance at her loyal maid, who widened her eyes.
As Susanna raised a brow, the maid shivered. "Yes, it's true," the maid stuttered.
Emilia looked uncertain but hopeful, pondering over the situation. She feared it was a scam, and the woman was laughing at her.
"Is it a deal, then?" Susanna asked, her voice tinged with apprehension. Seeing Emilia nodding, Susanna's smile widened.
"Yes! I will make arrangements for your living situation and keep you updated about your departure," Susanna said, confident in her abilities.
"And the others?" Emilia's voice was hesitant. "Will they know?"
Susanna shook her head reassuringly. "Your other family members won't be informed. Rest assured, you will be safe."
Emilia nodded, relief evident on her face. "Can you ask the carriage driver to stop?" she requested, glancing anxiously out the window.
Susanna was taken aback. "Your village is still quite a distance from here. Are you sure it's necessary?"
"If someone sees me leaving, it could cause big trouble," Emilia explained, her voice tinged with urgency.
Understanding the gravity of the situation, Susanna nodded. "Very well."
Emilia's heart brimmed with gratitude as she uttered, "Thank you, milady," before stepping out of the beautifully decorated carriage.
As she was leaving, she suddenly realized that she had forgotten to ask the kind lady for her name. With a frustrated sigh, she gently smacked her forehead before shaking her head.
Determinedly, she began her journey toward the familiar sights of her village, her mind alive with reveries of the promising future that lay ahead.
As the horse-drawn carriage came to a halt beside the grand entrance of the duke's manor, Susanna stepped down from the carriage, feeling every muscle in her body protesting from the long and troublesome journey.
As she straightened her back, she felt fatigued from the uncomfortable ride. With a grimace, she massaged her sore muscles, feeling a wave of relief wash over her as she released some of the tension.
If only cars were invented in this ear! she thought.
As she got in, Susanna wanted nothing but to lay on her bed.
"What shall we do with this?" the maid asked, indicating a large basket they had brought with them.
Susanna glanced at the basket with a little daze, suddenly a vision of an old woman smiling at her while holding a shovel surfaced in her mind. She closed her eyes and tightened her hands.
"Bring it inside," she finally managed to say with an unsteady tone.
When she reached her room, she carefully opened the basket. Inside, she found an assortment of medicinal herbs—thyme, chamomile, valerian root, lavender, echinacea, seeds and more.
The herbs were highly valuable, especially in a world where the Azalea Sanatorium controlled most of the herb trade, appointing doctors, or as they were called, healers, to handle the collection and distribution of these herbs. The capital and prosperous regions had access to these resources, while less affluent areas lacked adequate medical care. People in poorer regions lacked even the presence of healers.
The Azalea Sanatorium chose locations to cultivate medicinal herbs. With few territories with low magical reception, those herbs would hardly grow. The duke's territory was the worst with no magical soils in his vast duchy. The fact that Emilia was able to grow these herbs clearly showed how powerful she was.
With renewed energy, Susanna headed to the dining room for a late lunch. The only thing she benefited from the previous Susanna was that the maids did what she ordered without question.
The meal was exquisite, every dish perfectly prepared, as if crafted by a Michelin-starred chef. She savoured every bite, savouring the flavours that danced on her palate.
What a beautiful life to live in luxury!
Rising from the table, she gave a quick command to the maid. "Call Edward."
Susanna returned to the library to look for books that related to gardening.
After a knock, Edward got in. "You called, milady?" he asked, his expression polite but curious.
"I need you to gather information on a man named James Lamar, a married man with two daughters," she instructed.
Edward nodded, his demeanour attentive. "I will get on it immediately."
Susanna's brow furrowed slightly as she pondered something else. "Do you know anyone associated with the Azalea Sanatorium?"
Edward hesitated for a moment. "The duke knew someone who worked there. Would you like me to reach out to him?"
"Yes," Susanna replied. "Write a letter to this person, informing him of finding a young woman with exceptional healing abilities. I want him to facilitate her entry into the Sanatorium." She thought of Emilia and the promise she had made. "Also, arrange for a house in the capital, near the Azalea Sanatorium, suitable for two people."
Edward's expression was resolute. "I will take care of it. Is there anything else the duchess needs?"
Susanna considered for a moment. "Yes," she said, her voice firm. "I want to ask if I am allowed to take the backyard, I want to cultivate plants there."
Edward widened his eyes. "The Duchess is the mistress of the manor, there was no need to ask permission from a servant like me," he said, lowering his head slightly.
"Okay then," she responded curtly, despite being unconvinced by his words.
Susanna was a mere duchess by name. If not for her naggy character, she would be treated no less than a servant and her death in the novel without any calculation proved it. Moreover, the steward knew her every movement she took and his question about her time in reading just confirmed that she was being watched.