In This Life I Will Be The Lord Novel - Episode 31

“Estira, come here for a moment.” Estira, who was just recording the treatment log for a recently departed patient, rose at her mentor, Dr. Omally’s, call. Dr. Omally wasn’t a particularly strict or frightening teacher, but for some reason, his expression wasn’t good today. Estira quietly sat on the chair beside Dr. Omally, watching him.
“Jason told me about it roughly. And it looks like you’ve been making something strange lately.”
“Ah…” No more words were needed. Estira realized what Dr. Omally was about to say and tried to explain quickly. But Dr. Omally spoke first.
“Give it up.”
“Te-teacher…” Estira looked at the doctor with wide eyes. But Dr. Omally only shook his head.
“It makes me uneasy, Estira, that you’re being swayed by young Lady Florentia’s impulsiveness.”
“Impulsiveness…?”
“What would an eight-year-old child know? I understand your desperation, but you’re getting swept up in such childish games.” Dr. Omally was criticizing her. He didn’t raise his voice or explicitly frown, but Estira could feel it enough.
“No, Teacher! Young Lady Florentia is truly trying to help me!” Estira said, flaring up unusually. She didn’t mind being pitied, but she couldn’t tolerate hearing Young Lady Florentia spoken of in that manner. “She truly wants to help me…”
“Hmph, Estira…” Dr. Omally sighed heavily, as if the ground were collapsing. At the end, she heard a clicking of his tongue. “I understand your fervent desire to go to the Academy. But give up this year.” Dr. Omally was urging her to give up for the second time. “This is all for your own good.”
Is he truly saying this for my good? Estira lowered her head to hide her suspicion of her mentor. “Besides, I’ve already written a recommendation for Jason, haven’t I? Who else is there to write you a recommendation…?” Dr. Omally continued to try and persuade Estira. “Don’t be greedy, and wait. I’ll write you a recommendation next year.”
She had no retort to being called greedy. Estira bit her lower lip tightly. For someone of commoner, rural origins like herself to have come this far was almost a miracle. She had found a job where she could earn money by treating illnesses, and she even had the opportunity to learn pharmacology under the famous Lombardi family doctor. So, Dr. Omally was right. Aiming for a researcher position at the Academy now might indeed be greedy. Estira understood the critical tone in the doctor’s eyes.
“Teacher,” Estira said in a quiet voice. “I want to try as much as I can.”
“Estira, even after I’ve told you this!”
“I want to live up to Young Lady Florentia’s expectations, Teacher.” Dr. Omally, who was about to press her further, fell silent when Florentia’s name came up.
“The Young Lady told me I could do it. She said she would help me, that she would make it possible for me to go to the Academy.” Estira smiled brightly, recalling that moment. “As you said, she’s still a young lady, but I believe her.” She had told her she would help her achieve her dream. She hadn’t laughed at her grand ambition, an ambition that seemed preposterous for a commoner woman. Instead, she had promised to help her. The beautiful green eyes from that moment were etched in Estira’s heart.
“If you continue with this reckless endeavor, even if I refuse to write you a recommendation letter?” Dr. Omally finally threatened. This conversation was originally meant to end with gently dissuading Estira. She was usually a quiet and obedient student. He hadn’t expected her to be so stubborn. If he couldn’t break Estira’s will now, his position would become awkward.
Yesterday, Viese Lombardi had summoned Dr. Omally. When he arrived, thinking it was a house call, he found Viese seated with the head of the Plan Merchant Guild, Jason’s father. Knowing the close, financially-driven relationship between the two, it wasn’t a surprising sight. However, he was genuinely surprised when the head of the Plan Merchant Guild complained about Estira in front of Viese. He hadn’t even imagined the girl had such ambition. The head said that such a mere girl daring to aspire to the doctor’s recommendation was preposterous and suggested dismissing her immediately. He then expressed concern that the doctor must be greatly troubled by such unmindful students and said he hoped the doctor wouldn’t have such worries for a while. In short, it meant not to write any recommendation letters to anyone, including Estira, for the time being. To that, Dr. Omally had boasted that he would make sure to persuade Estira to give up on the Academy. He had thought that given Estira’s timid personality, a few words would be enough for her to obediently abandon her dream of the Academy.
“Think carefully.” Dr. Omally was confident that Estira would back down now. Seeing her hesitate for a moment, he thought it was over. But incredibly, Estira nodded.
“Yes, Teacher. I apologize. I will trust Young Lady Florentia.”
“Ha! Really.” Dr. Omally was dumbfounded. He thought Estira must be truly possessed. And he clicked his tongue, looking at Estira disapprovingly. It was absurd from the start anyway. To believe the words of a mere eight-year-old child and act so insolently, ignoring her teacher’s words. The doctor hid his intention to reduce her salary later, using this as an excuse.
“You’re making things difficult for me until the very end.”
“Pardon? Making things difficult…?” Estira tilted her head, but Dr. Omally spun his head away and said coldly, “You don’t need to know. You may go.” With the cold dismissal, Estira reluctantly bowed and left. However, a nagging feeling of unease lingered in her heart.
***
My heart pounded. I held a palm-sized ceramic dish and slowly took a deep breath. Although it was covered, the pungent aroma of Hipsy leaves stimulated my nose.
“I’ll open it.” At my words, Estira nodded slightly in agreement.
Clink. With a small sound, the lid opened, revealing the solidly hardened ointment. I cautiously touched it with my finger. With a slight resistance, the flat surface yielded to the shape of my finger. This time, I applied the ointment on my fingertip to the back of my hand. The beeswax mixed with vegetable oil melted with my body heat, spreading smoothly. At the same time, a slightly hot, cool sensation spread through my skin.
“…It’s done.” It was perfect.
“Just in case, I’ve used it on the same spot every day for the past five days,” Estira said, showing me her wrist. “The occasional ache in my wrist is gone, and my skin has strangely improved. It seems to have that effect too, Young Lady.” Compared to the wrist she hadn’t applied it to, Estira was right; it had a subtly smoother feel. I put the lid back on the ointment and set it down gently. Then I asked Estira, “Estira, is there anything you want?”
At my sudden question, Estira quietly shook her head.
“Think carefully. Something you need, regardless of the cost.”
“R-regardless of the cost?” Estira thought seriously for a moment before answering cautiously. “Then… I’d like a small house in Lombardi City…” She scratched her cheek, embarrassed even as she spoke.
“Oh? Alright.”
“But Young Lady, why are you suddenly asking such a question…?”
“Because it would be a waste to exchange this ointment for just two recommendation letters and a scholarship.”
“J-just…” Estira looked between me and the ointment, confused. But I was serious. This ointment wouldn’t just end as something for my grandfather and Broshel. I smiled at the still confused Estira, reassuring her.
***
It was a drizzly day. It was welcome rain after a long time, but for Rulac, who had bad knees, it wasn’t good weather. However, seeing his smiling face as he constantly rubbed his uncomfortable knees, Broshel the librarian chuckled.
“Are you that pleased?”
“Of course, I am. Wouldn’t you be?” Rulac said, still beaming. “When Clerivan suddenly said he wanted to have a side business, I was secretly a little annoyed. But that business partner is Galahan…” Rulac initially couldn’t believe his ears. Clerivan was known for his meticulousness and thoroughness, second to none. Yet, he suddenly came to him and announced that he was going into business with Galahan. And he even, rarely, praised someone else, saying, ‘Lord Galahan seems quite an extraordinary person.’
“Still, he didn’t even mention what kind of business it was.” Rulac grumbled but didn’t stop smiling. Compliments about one’s child are always good to hear, no matter from whom. Broshel looked at Rulac and chuckled along.
“But why did you summon me today?”
“Ah, yes. There’s a cheeky young one who wants us both to write recommendation letters.” Rulac’s eye wrinkles deepened, as if recalling someone. Now, the corners of his mouth were practically touching his ears. He had known Rulac for over thirty years, but this was the first time he had seen him so unrestrained. Broshel tilted his head.
Just then, a small knock was heard. Rulac, as if expecting it, answered, “Come in.” The door opened, revealing a small figure, and Broshel wondered if this was some kind of prank.
“Hello!” It was Rulac’s eight-year-old granddaughter, Florentia, bowing.