I Awoke as an Imprisoned Villainess-Chapter 47 - Blossoms of all possible kinds

“Sophia san, you’re working hard. You’ve been at your desk for ten hours already”

The chief apothecary, who was round and plump, called out to me as I was busy moving my pen quickly.

“Ah, Chief...”

“You have an appointment today, don’t you? How about you get ready soon, leaving it on a good note?”

I remembered the time for the first time when he told me and was surprised after seeing the clock on the wall.

“It’s already this late! Wahh, I have to hurry...”

I hurriedly put the paper I was writing into my bag and started to clean up. The new capsule creation went well, and while I was writing the article, I was writing down what came to mind on a piece of paper..., and before I knew it, time had passed.

Since I started working here, everyday has been so fulfilling that time flies by very fast.

Yes. Now I’m a royal apothecary.

I was recognized for my achievements in making capsules, making potions that could nullify magic, and making potions that could nullify magic concealment potions.

Incidentally, the fact that the grand duke tried to kill the duchess and His Highness using magic was withheld because it might lead to the promotion of prejudice against magicians, and so, it was concluded as poisoning.

So, apparently, my achievements are considered to be the creation of antidotes for undiscovered poisons and nutritional supplements with a cost of almost zero.

Anyway, I was very happy every day thanks to the recognition of my achievements.

A royal apothecary. A very wonderful job...where you can make medicines all day long and get paid for it!

“Why are you making a weird face, Sophia? Are you eating something sweet again? Or did you find a new type of grass?”

I was soaking up the happiness in my heart when my colleague, Sven, called out to me.

He had short red hair and hazel eyes. He opened his mouth again, giving me a teasing look as if to poke fun at me.

“You’re a gourmand and a grass geek after all”

“N-No...I was just grateful for the happiness of everyday life”

“Let’s just say the spendthrift young lady is surprisingly reflecting upon a little bit of happiness”

“S-spendthift...”

As I couldn’t say anything back, “It’s a joke”, Sven laughed and put a candy in my palm.

“Wah...! It’s candy...! ...Thank you!”

“Don’t be so happy over a single candy”

Sven, who is smiling, is bad with his mouth, but he cares about me in his own way.

Although the replacement magic has been publicized, many people do not believe that such a strange art can exist.

Consequently, I am called an evil young lady, and some people look at me with disdain, but most of the people are relatively uninterested in other people, and there are people kind to me, like Sven and the chief pharmacist.

This is heaven after all.

And...most of all, I’m thankful that I have a dormitory.

As I thought of this, I remembered the devastation of the Count of Alcott’s family.

First, the investigation revealed that my stepmother had ordered her servants to make them sell my medicines.

As punishment, my stepmother was stripped of nobility and imprisoned for several years

And then, my father.

He is now forced to clean up after my stepmother’s crime.

In addition, the Count of Alcott’s finances are on fire due to Violet sama’s spending spree, and he has grown old quickly.

Violet sama told me to get back at my father as soon as possible, but I think she has already done that.

This chapter is updat𝓮d by freēnovelkiss.com.

She furrowed her brow when I said this, but then let out a sigh as if she had no choice.

“Well, if you insist....I can’t just deliver the finishing blow on my own, can I?”

She said so, and it seems that she is slowly and gradually cornering the Alcott family day by day, just on the edge of not going bankrupt.

Hearing this, I’m beginning to think that it might be kind to deliver the finishing blow.

And then there is Julia. I heard that she is now working as Violet sama’s maid of honor.

Violet sama apparently suggested that we should be kind to children, but rumor has it that she has to do as much work as 300 embroideries every day. It might be the hardest work of all.

And speaking of family, ...my grandfather. I thanked him and reported to him that I had become a royal apothecary. I received a large quantity of books and a reply saying that I could consult him as an apothecary if anything happened.

When I told this to the chief apothecary, he looked up at me with wide eyes. He said, “I didn’t think he was capable of displaying such kindness to his grandchild”. ...He must have had a very hard time under my grandfather in the past.

“Even he can have such consideration for his grandchild...Indeed, that person loved his wife very much for some reason...”

He looked at me with a faraway look in his eyes, and I felt a little solemn, remembering the grand duke and His Highness. I end up thinking that the feelings men have for women are heavy...

~~~~~

“Claude sama! I’m so sorry to keep you waiting...Wah, Violet sama is together with you!”

For some reason, there was Claude sama, who had a subtle expression, in formal attire holding a bouquet of flowers, and an unusually smiling Violet sama standing there.

“Hey, Sophia. I heard you’re being courted by all sorts of young men these days”

“Eh, ah, well...I suppose so...”

I was brought back to reality at once, and I felt gloomy.

Right. Maybe being a royal apothecary can make one popular, I’m constantly getting matchmaking letters. (*Instead of matchmaking letters, the literal translation is letters of family chart and personal history)

The reason for this is that I have Arbuthnot blood in my veins and rumors are spreading that I’m not an evil young lady as one might think.

“And aren’t all of your suitors of perfect looks and good family history?”

“Yes...That’s why I’m troubled...”

I let out a sigh.

“I’ve just become a royal apothecary and I want to concentrate on my work, but I can’t keep saying this if I become someone’s wife. What’s more, I’m too afraid to say no...”

I’m thinking of marrying someone who will allow me to continue working.

I said this, and with a serious look in his eyes, Claude sama called out my name and offered me the bouquet of flowers in his hand.

“I find you as an apothecary very lovely”

“Eh? T-Thank you very much”

Suddenly I was comforted by the flowers being handed to me.

—Does he mean there are some men in the world who will allow me to do my job?

As my head was filled with question marks, Claude sama continued with a serious look on his face.

“I come from a marquis family, but I’m the second son and a knight. My wife’s duties are little, no, non-existent. I’ll create an environment in which you can devote yourself to your work as much as you like. I’ll not make life difficult for you, and I’m confident of my integrity”

“Stone-faced though”

“Violet, shut up. —I’m confident that I know exactly what you like. Whether it’s honey, chocolate, or medicinal herbs, I promise to give them to you every day. —So-”

“ !? Claude sama!?”

Suddenly Claude sama knelt down and took my hand in his.

“Please, will you consider marrying me?”

I gulped at the seriousness of Claude sama’s words.

My heart was filled with surprise and emotion.

I had thought he was a kind man, but I had never expected this much.

“Thank you, Claude sama! You’re really kind...to think of me that much...”

“ ! Th..Then...”

“I can’t believe you knew that I didn’t want to get married and even proposed a fake marriage...!”

Claude sama froze.

I’m both happy and ashamed to have caused so much worry, so I clench my fists and encourage myself.

“I’m sorry...that I made you worry so much. But thanks to you, I have courage now! Come to think of it, my birth family will be troubled if I don’t refuse the marriage proposals since it is on the verge of downfall, so I’m going to gather up my courage and turn them down!”

“No, Sophia, I...”

“Really, thank you very, very much, Claude sama...! I’ve always been protected by you, so I’ll do my best to be a friend who can stand on equal footing with you from now on!”

“Friend...”

“Ah, I’m sorry... . Was I rude?”

When I said that, Claude sama smiled, “No...that’s not true...Friends, we have a good relationship...”.

On the side, Violet sama has the best smile I’ve ever seen.

“Fu- Fufu...Good for you, Claude. It doesn’t seem like Sophia is going to get married, and you’re getting along well. As friends”

“…Yes. That’s right. That’s right but...”

“Fufu. It would be good if you can be friends for the rest of your life, wouldn’t it?”

I was ruminating over the words that had just been said to me as I watched the two of them threaten each other with some kind of beaming smile.

Marriage with Claude sama.

I don’t dislike it, in fact, ...it might even make me a little happy.

As I ran my hands over my cheeks, which had suddenly become somewhat hot, Violet sama said, “I’m really in a good mood”.

“I wish you a good start and long lasting friendship. I’ll show you something good”

Saying this, Violet sama held up her hand.

The wind blew from nowhere. A single sparkling purple petal danced in the air.

Ah...Before I even had time to think, purple confettis were dancing in the sky.

“Wah, pretty...!”

I cheered unintentionally. Everyone on the street was admiring the breath-taking confettis.

More and more petals flew in the air and floated up into the sky. They disappeared once they touched the ground, and it was as beautiful as a fleeting dream.

Petals flew everywhere.

I was simply fascinated by the spectacle of flowers blooming in the sky.

Translator’s Notes:

You cannot possibly imagine how hard it was to translate Claude’s proposing part! I already knew he was gonna be rejected beforehand so I was like ‘Nooo, Claude. Please stop. Why are you advertising yourself! If you stop now, you won’t be a laughing stock later!’ all the way. I had to pause for some breaks at that time lol.

Anyways, this is the last Chapter of the first arc. The second arc’s first Chapter will be updated at the start of next month! Please look forward to it~ I’m going to try to finish the other novel I’m translating in the meantime. I’ve been neglecting it for too long-