Chapter 69: Sneaking in Private Goods!
Now, Aeron had basically prepared everything he needed for the Carnevale.
Montelli's resources, Fisalia's support, Phoebe's intelligence, Ciaccona's bait, Zani's backup, and the adorable Little Carte.
Now, all that remained was waiting for the Rover to return from Penitent's End with the Fool's Troupe, and the story of the Carnevale could officially begin.
Before the day ended, aside from playing with Little Carte, unexpectedly meeting Phoebe, entrusting Zani with backup, placing an order with Ciaccona, and having tea with the head of the family, Aeron had two more tasks to complete.
One was to take "Arsène" out for a stroll late at night to scare passersby and enhance the credibility of the rumors about Ciaccona.
The other was the reason Aeron had come here now.
"Ah... Father, good day."
A voice tinged with a faint breathiness, yet full of tenderness and care, reached him from ahead.
Standing before Aeron was a young woman dressed in Lolita fashion, holding a long cane-shaped vaporizer, with pale purple twin tails—Rosemary.
"...Wait, how did you recognize me?"
"After all, I am also a member of the Fisalia Family, and I never mistake the presence of a regular customer."
As she spoke, Rosemary offered Aeron an elegant smile.
Ah, how nostalgic. It had been a long time since Aeron had seen such a perfectly distanced, reassuring smile.
"Um... Father, is something...?"
"No, nothing. Just feeling a bit sentimental."
It had been a while since he'd heard such a familiar form of address. He wondered if he'd still be able to keep the Order's secure job after all this was over.
This was the apothecary shop "Rosemary" in Ragunna.
Rosemary, as the Fisalia Family's apothecary, was the proprietor of this shop.
In Ragunna, unfavorable rumors about the Fisalia Family always circulated through the streets. Despite her exceptional pharmaceutical skills, many people held prejudices against her, causing the already remote shop to become even more deserted.
However, Aeron naturally paid no mind to such things. Whenever he needed medicines, he would always go straight to Rosemary's apothecary shop "Rosemary" to support her business.
Over time, he became a regular customer and grew familiar with her.
This time was no different. After obtaining Cantarella's prescription, Aeron still chose to come here and ask Rosemary for help in preparing it.
"How has Ragunna been lately? You haven't been affected by my situation, have you?"
In response to his question, Rosemary simply shook her head, her pale purple hair swaying gently.
"The Order has publicly declared you a disgraced priest in exile, and there are many rumors about you circulating among the people... but I haven't been affected."
"That's good." Aeron breathed a sigh of relief. His reputation didn't matter, but it would be terrible if Rosemary suffered because of him.
Aeron approached the counter, and a familiar fragrance drifted into his nostrils, refreshing his spirits and easing much of the weariness from his body.
"The vapor effect is quite good. Is it a new product?"
"...This is a specially blended version. The ingredient processing is more intricate, and the diffusion medium has been adjusted as well," Rosemary replied without turning around, her voice as calm as ever.
"The cost is quite high, making it unsuitable for mass production and sale."
Upon hearing Rosemary's explanation, Aeron paused, first glancing at her, then at the nebulizer in her hand.
"Is it that particular?"
"Some formulations are only used at specific times, for special individuals."
Rosemary's words carried an odd undertone, but Aeron didn't dwell on it, as more pressing matters demanded attention.
"I came here today to ask a favor of you, Rosemary."
As he spoke, Aeron handed Cantarella's prescription to Rosemary. She leaned forward slightly, her gaze settling on the listed ingredients.
After reading it several times, Rosemary's brow furrowed briefly before smoothing out as she looked back at Aeron.
"Father... are you in some kind of trouble?"
"Not me. It's just that Carnevale is approaching, and to prevent Resonators from causing disturbances, Montelli's second young lady requested the family head to prepare this. I'm just here as a messenger." (Carlotta: Achoo!)
Rosemary listened quietly without immediate response, her gentle purple eyes fixed on Aeron.
"I understand."
She carefully picked up the parchment and turned toward the back room filled with various vessels and ingredients—the compounding laboratory. "The formula itself presents no issues. I'm quite familiar with Lady Cantarella's handwriting and medicinal approach. Most of the ingredients are stocked in the shop. I can have it prepared by tomorrow evening. What dosage do you require?"
"The quantity needed is substantial... Anyway, don't worry about payment. If possible, I'd prefer your special formulation."
"You mean... the [Mist Blending Potion]?"
"Exactly."
As the Fisalia Family's pharmacist, Rosemary possessed a unique skill—[Mist Blending Therapy]. By extracting medicinal components and blending them with aromatic substances, she created specialized [Mist Blending Potions] that could alleviate patients' discomfort through nearly imperceptible inhalation.
Though what Aeron needed to deal with weren't exactly patients.
Rosemary's slender fingers gently traced the writing on the paper, as if contemplating something inwardly.
"The Mist Blending Potion... requires more time to prepare than conventional liquid or powder formulations, but it's also more easily inhaled."
She raised her eyes, her gaze settling on Aeron's face.
"Father, have you been resting well lately? Your complexion seems more fatigued than during your last visit."
"Probably just tired from all the running around lately. It's fine, I'm in good health."
Aeron brushed it off with a light laugh. He was indeed tired—though not physically... well, partly physically too. He hoped the three would give him some peace after returning to Ragunna.
"That won't do, Father. Excessive fatigue affects tolerance to medications."
Rosemary's voice was soft yet serious. "Although the primary target is the Resonance Circuit, prolonged inhalation of high-concentration nebulized versions of several auxiliary ingredients may cause slight dizziness or lethargy even in ordinary people."
She paused, retrieving a small silver-like aromatherapy bottle from under the counter and sliding it toward Aeron. "This is my personal formulation—helps refresh the mind and slightly stabilize the spirit. If you don't mind, you could keep it with you."
Aeron gazed at the delicate little bottle, catching a faint whiff of crisp, soothing herbal fragrance.
"Thanks, Rosemary."
"The potion should be ready in a few days."
Rosemary confirmed the timing once more before deftly selecting several basic ingredients from the medicine cabinet behind her, her movements practiced and silent. "You can come collect it then, or if it's inconvenient, I can deliver it to a location of your choice."
"I'll come pick it up myself," Aeron quickly replied, not wanting to drag Rosemary any deeper into his affairs. "As for the payment—"
"No rush about the payment," Rosemary interrupted, shaking her head with a slight sway of her lavender hair. "We can settle it after everything is over."
She then studied Aeron's face for a moment before adding softly:
"...Consider this a little favor for a regular customer."
----------
For advance chapters join my Patreon.
[email protected]/Aarvan