Reborn, Its Time To Save My Family And.. My Enemy!
Chapter 185: Answers..

Chapter 185: Answers..

Sir Merek turned one of the vials between his fingers, unimpressed. "A salve with marigold and nettle—who taught you that? A village midwife?"

Brother Alden sniffed again and shook his head. "So many sweet roots. And is that... nightshade? Dangerous combinations. Unless you enjoy rolling the dice with people’s lives."

Tomas looked up from his notes, hesitant but curious. "Apologies, my lady, but... did you really make these yourself? Or are you merely lending your name to someone else’s work?"

A small, uncomfortable silence followed. Damon’s jaw tensed. Olivia said nothing. She only looked at the three men, then lowered her eyes to the vials they had mocked.

And then—she took a breath.

Something in her shifted. Her shoulders squared. Her eyes lifted and she looked no longer gentle, but sharp as broken glass.

When she spoke, her voice was steady. Cold. Unapologetic.

"The feverfew and white willow bark are used together to reduce inflammation and pain, particularly in cases of high fever that affect the joints. The combination thins the blood slightly, yes, but not dangerously so—because the willow bark is dosed at 1/6th strength, and the feverfew is boiled only for six minutes to blunt the effect. This makes it safe even for prolonged use during winter fevers."

"The marigold and nettle salve uses a 3:1 ratio—marigold to nettle—prepared under low heat to extract calendulin without breaking down the antihistamines in the nettle. The sting is removed during the first infusion by soaking the leaves in warm vinegar, then drying them for twenty-four hours before grinding."

"Sweet root and nightshade are paired only in minute concentrations. The sweet root soothes the throat and hides the bitter trace of nightshade—used here in quantities so small it would not harm a kitten. Nightshade, if handled correctly, slows nerve signals just enough to dull unbearable pain without halting breath or heart. This mixture was created for a soldier who lost part of his leg and could not sleep from the phantom pain. He has slept soundly until now."

"This ledger is my own design. I use a quadrant system: ingredient, preparation, dose, and effect—each cross-referenced by symptom and season. No, it is not something I learned from a village midwife. I learned it from my family."

"Yes, I made them. With my own hands, in that cold basement I was assigned. I ground every seed. Boil every extract. Burned my skin, cut my fingers, and lost sleep over each mistake, because mistakes mean someone dies."

She finally paused.

All three men stared at her petrified. Brother Alden looked stunned. Tomas had stopped writing. Even Sir Merek, once smug, had his lips parted slightly, eyes narrowed not with suspicion, but more dangerous thoughts keeping him busy to react.

And Damon?

He leaned back in his chair, the ghost of a smile tugging at his lips. His eyes never left her face and something brimming in them.

"I hope this much information is enough for now." they all turned to look at him. As if they only remembered his presence now.

"That... is enough." they nodded. "But we could not leave until the envoys are here eand the deal is completed smoothly." Alden said in a low voice. "And sir merek was assigned to take a small sample of every medicine to the royal palace." he did not look at Olivia for permission but at Damon.

Olivia’s eyes narrowed dangerously with a gleam that could take lives.

"The owner would decide it." Damon looked back at her only then did she turn to look at him, his face going normal again.

"You can take them." she nodded, the man frowned. Not understanding why a woman was making a decision. But they did not waste time and collected the samples.

Merek left without wasting time while Thomas and Alden were shown room by the maids.

"You are angry!" Damon commented as he looked at her.

Olivia didn’t answer him right away.

She moved to the side table, uncorked a half-empty vial, and began sorting the rest back into the case with calm, deliberate hands.

Only when the last cork was snug and the tray was shut did she speak.

"I’m used to people underestimating me. But today... they accused me of stealing my own work." Her voice was soft, but it carried like steel which cut his heart and made it bleed.

Damon watched her, unmoving. "And you proved them wrong."

"I shouldn’t have to," she snapped, then caught herself—closing her eyes briefly. She looked up at him then, and her expression cracked just a little.

"They’ll go back and report everything. They’ll say I’m too smart. Too calm. Too dangerous."

His eyes darkened. "They’d say that no matter what you did. Now at least they’ll think twice before touching what’s yours."

"What is mine, Damon?" she asked him back, "the treaty belongs to you and this empire. The kids belong to Oriana and you would send them away. The manor belongs to you and even i... I do not even have right over myself after that night. I am working all night to achieve what? I am sure the empire would not even know I did this!" her voice had a hint of pain and vulnerability.

He wrapped his arms around her shoulder and pulled her closer. She hesitated but let him.

"I am yours, once you marry me, the manor and all my estate belong to you, Olivia. And the world would know you have made those medicines. You have saved lives and you have brought more wealth to this empire, I will make sure of it. But are you ready for the consequences following it." she paused, realizing his tone had changed but did not understand the reason for it as she looked at him confused.

"They will question Olivia more, Olivia. They wanted to know the source of your wisdom. And you have to answer them. Are you prepared for it?"

"I have learnt it from my parents." she replied but the look in his eyes told her that he didn’t believe it.

"Have you heard about healers existing a long time ago, Olivia?"

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