* * *

‘Looks like there’s no need to water them yet.’

After carefully checking the state of the potted plants, Ed sat down at the table.

He opened a book to examine some herbs and scratched his cheek with the end of his fountain pen.

“They say it’s hard to distinguish between young Reishi mushrooms and Red Deerhorn mushrooms.”

Reishi mushrooms were beneficial for respiratory issues and insomnia, while Red Deerhorn mushrooms were poisonous.

He thought about asking Jaynon if he knew the difference between the two, but it had been difficult to meet with him.

‘If Reishi mushrooms are good for the respiratory system, they’d definitely benefit the northern people.’

But a mistake could lead to serious consequences.

Knowing a reliable way to differentiate them would be ideal… Ed focused on the illustrations of the mushrooms in the book.

‘…But since mushrooms are often dried for distribution, even comparing them to these illustrations might not prevent mix-ups.’

Resting his chin on his hand, Ed jotted down his thoughts in the corner of his notebook.

His focus began to waver, and a yawn escaped him.

‘Is it already this late?’

Checking his pocket watch, Ed massaged his neck lightly.

Since it was late at night, it seemed best to go to bed.

“But I haven’t even gotten halfway through this book… Hmm.”

Flipping through the pages he’d planned to cover, Ed rested his forehead on the table.

‘I’ll just sleep for ten minutes and then continue studying.’

But his determination faded as his eyelids drooped shut, and even after ten minutes—and an hour more—they didn’t open again.

A little later, when the moon had moved across the sky, the door to the study creaked open.

Despite the sound, Ed, deeply asleep, didn’t stir.

The Duke entered the study, letting out a small sigh at the sight before him.

‘Tens mentioned he saw Ed carrying a load of herb books, so I thought I’d check on him.’

Just then, Ed, who had dozed off at the table, curled up slightly as a breeze slipped through a crack in the wall.

The Duke gently wrapped Ed in a blanket he’d brought and carefully lifted him into his arms.

“Mm…”

Ed shifted slightly but didn’t wake.

The signs of a long day filled with non-stop movement and study were evident.

The Duke picked up Ed’s ever-present notebook, glancing at the scribbled notes, and smiled softly.

At first, the handwriting was strong and meticulous, but it gradually became more scribbled… until it resembled worms wriggling across the page.

‘You must have been so tired.’

Supporting Ed’s relaxed body against him, the Duke patted his back gently.

“You worked hard again today. Sleep well and have sweet dreams, Ed.”

---

“Haaaah…”

Ed woke with a yawn and blinked in surprise.

‘Wait, I’m sure I fell asleep studying in the lab yesterday…’

After gathering his thoughts, he clicked his tongue and got out of bed.

‘Looks like someone carried me back to my room.’

Grimacing slightly as he washed his face, Ed dried off and pondered.

‘But who brought me here?’

Tilting his head, he got dressed.

The Duke’s face flashed in his mind, but Ed shook his head.

As his hand slipped into his pocket, he felt a slight bulge.

He pulled out his notebook and two round, wrapped candies.

“…These are the candies His Grace usually gives to young Lord Ronen.”

Unwrapping the crinkling candy, Ed scratched his cheek and opened the notebook.

In response to his scattered notes, a neat handwriting had provided answers.

“When Reishi mushrooms mature, their cap takes on a kidney shape, while Red Deerhorn mushrooms develop a pointed, conical cap.”

“Reishi caps are brown, whereas Red Deerhorn caps are a bright red.”

“When dried, Reishi caps turn yellowish-brown and the stems reddish-brown. In contrast, Red Deerhorn mushrooms turn dark brown.”

“But as you mentioned, distinguishing them when young is difficult because they grow in similar places.”

“So, I plan to advise the northern residents not to collect mushrooms unless they are confirmed edible. I’ll also instruct herbalists and suppliers to handle them with extra care.”

“And try to sleep in your bed, Ed.”

“Don’t overwork yourself.”

A tiny smiley face accompanied the last line.

Ed felt a warm flutter in his chest.

As he unwrapped one of the candies and popped it into his mouth, sweetness spread across his tongue.

He traced the Duke’s tidy handwriting with his fingertips before closing the notebook and tucking it into his coat.

‘I wonder how I slept through His Grace carrying me.’

Patting his cheeks lightly, Ed headed down to the dining hall.

Seeing Erin wiping down the table, he greeted her.

“Good morning, Erin. Could I get a cup of coffee?”

“That’s unusual, Ed! You don’t usually drink coffee.”

Thinking about how he often lost steam by evening, Ed decided to rely on caffeine today.

When he smiled silently, the sous-chef, appearing behind Erin, chimed in.

“Looks like Ed’s finally grown up enough to appreciate bitter things.”

“But didn’t he run away just recently when Tens tried to make him drink that brewed herbal medicine?”

“That was more like poison! I felt like I wouldn’t survive another sip.”

“Haha, fair enough.”

Erin chuckled and gestured for Ed to sit. Thanking her, he took a seat.

“Oh, Ed.”

“…Yeah?”

Leaning back in his chair, Ed was mentally organizing his to-do list when Erin’s voice broke his thoughts.

“The food suppliers are arriving this week. Is there anything you’d like? Jaynon and Tens have already listed all their favorites.”

“Oh, right. The suppliers are coming.”

“Yep. The head chef asked if you wanted anything special.”

Ed noticed the sparkle in Erin’s eyes.

Unlike when they were at the Count’s estate, she seemed livelier now, learning a variety of cooking techniques.

‘This is another future His Grace and I changed.’

Ed’s fingers brushed against the candy in his pocket as he shook his head.

“As long as it’s northern cuisine, I’ll be happy with anything.”

---

After a light breakfast of bread and coffee, Ed headed to the greenhouse to observe the plants before dinner.

As he neared the garden, warmed by sunlight, he heard Ronen’s voice from somewhere ahead.

“Wait, Roa! Don’t bite the chicken!”

“Young Master, it’s dangerous over there. I’ll go instead!”

“Ahhh! Irtel, the chickens are chasing me! Help!”

Ed quickly ran toward the commotion, only to freeze at the sight.

Cock-a-doodle-doo!

The first thing he saw was a chicken proudly perched on Roa’s house roof.

Nearby, Ronen, Roa, and several chickens were tangled together, while Jaynon and Irtel ran around the garden.

‘Is this some kind of game?’

Ed stood in the dusty rear garden and instinctively stepped back as a black shape dashed past his eyes.

Following the flurry of wings as a chicken flew by, Ed was brought to his senses by a hand grabbing his pants.

“Ed! We’re in trouble! The chickens escaped from the coop!”

‘The chicken coop is supposed to be near the warehouse, a little away from the garden…’

Five chickens had escaped to seek freedom… or maybe six, judging by the one that seemed to have entered the greenhouse.

Rather than figuring out the cause, it seemed more urgent to contain the situation.

Ed quickly took in the scene: chickens flapping wildly, Roa chasing them, and Jaynon running after Roa.

To calm things down even a little, he scooped up Roa as the boy ran toward him.

“Ugh, I’m exhausted.”

When Roa finally stopped, Jaynon, hands on his knees and gasping for breath, looked up at Ed and froze for a moment.

The sudden eye contact between them was a little awkward, but they quickly turned their attention to a chicken that whizzed by.

Ed and Jaynon exchanged glances and nodded.

“Let’s catch them, Ed.”

“Yes, Jaynon. We’ll talk later.”

* * *