Nellaf calmed his excited mind and explained carefully. In Sera’s village, Ginteri grass is dried and brewed to relieve headaches. His research revealed that it is also effective in calming pheromones, with the effect maximized when the grass is in the bud state before blooming.

“So, you can see much more effect without going to the temple or relying on priests to collect your pheromones.”

“I see. But didn’t you say it could be collected with that… necklace?”

“Yes, you mean the Collect Necklace. However, this necklace currently requires Seian—that is, Marquis Lafjehill’s pheromone—to work. It’s quite limited, so we’ll need a replacement eventually.”

“…So, if we can cultivate Ginteri grass, would that solve the problem?”

“Exactly. We’ve been trying, but we’re short on samples and have failed repeatedly. That’s why we’re gathering as much Ginteri grass as we can.”

“Oh!! So, the herbs you bought at a high price from the Letren shop yesterday…”

“Yes. I bought them.”

“Those are the ones I collected! Wow. What a coincidence.”

“They were classified as top-grade, in good condition, and unnecessary parts were removed… Did you do it yourself, Sera?”

Nellaf’s eyes gleamed as he looked at her.

“These days, not many people know about herbs. There’s not much information on Ginteri grass, so we’re lacking knowledge on cultivation methods. If someone could help…”

“If that’s the case… could I be of help?”

“You, Sera?!”

Nellaf’s face brightened even more. She hesitated.

“If I help… could I possibly earn some money? Actually, I’m heading to the capital without a penny… haha.”

She said with an embarrassed smile. Nellaf looked at her as if she were cute and laughed.

“You could earn a lot. Marquis Lafjehill has been desperately looking for an herb expert.”

“Expert… that’s a bit grand. But, Marquis Lafjehill?! Does that mean I’ll be working at the Marquis’s estate again?”

“Yes. That’s right. It’s practically a research project led by Marquis Lafjehill.”

“Ah…”

She explained the situation when she left the Lafjehill estate after some thought.

“I misunderstood on my own… and left after shouting recklessly. I’m a bit scared to return to the estate. I wanted to apologize, but when I think of the Marquis’s face…”

To find Jake, she needed to be at the Marquis’s estate, but she could ask Nellaf for help.

“Hmm. Weren’t you going to the Marquis’s estate when you were heading to Pianta?”

“That’s… I’m going to find a friend who went to the estate. Meeting briefly is one thing, but staying there…”

He wanted to say, “Would you like to stay at my place and live together?” but couldn’t bring himself to say it aloud.

She must have another place to stay, especially since she refused the Marquis’s estate.

“Actually, I don’t have a place to stay. I even thought of trying to seduce the Marquis, but there were rumors of his frigidity—that he doesn’t engage in relationships…”

Nellaf seemed to think for a moment and then spoke.

“With Sera’s pheromone now, it might not be impossible…”

“What?! Really?! Then, does that mean the Marquis isn’t completely uninterested?”

“It’s not my place to explain, so it’s hard to say. But I think there wouldn’t be a problem if it’s you…”

“Ah… um…”

Come to think of it, Sera’s pheromone would perfectly match Seian’s nature. The intensity of the pheromone too… maybe even Seian…

Nellaf cleared his throat unnecessarily and spoke.

“Ahem. Is the only reason you’re not going to the Marquis’s estate because you’re scared? I think they’d welcome you as an herb expert.”

“…I’m not sure. I had confidence without basis, but when it came down to it… I became passive. I definitely wanted to do it right away when you came to my room yesterday.”

Nellaf continued to clear his throat.

“Ahem, ahem… why did that topic suddenly…?”

Sera grabbed his hand and spoke.

“Nellaf! Please. Can I work with you? If possible, I’d like to stay at your estate. I need to study herbs a bit more…”

He looked at her intently and then smiled brightly.

“If that’s the case, it would be my honor. I can spend a long time with you, Sera.”

She thought, ‘Nellaf seems to have a close relationship with the Marquis. I can meet Jake through Nellaf too. If push comes to shove, I might really have to… seduce the Marquis… but I trust the pheromone given by the god…!’

She placed his hand down politely with a joyful smile.

“Thank you so much! I’ll work hard. I’m really good at cleaning!”

“You don’t need to do any other work at our estate. As a guest, you just need to study herbs.”

“Really? Wow… that’s the best…! I’ll study hard and definitely be of help.”

She clenched her fists and struck a fighting pose.

He extended his hand again.

“I’d like you to hold my hand a bit longer. At least while we’re going.”

“Huh?”

His face flushed for a moment.

“M-my hand… this hand… it’s a bit numb… it felt good when you held it earlier.”

She moved next to him and held his hand tightly.

“…Thank you.”

“Not at all. I’m the one who should be thankful.”

He covered his flushed face with his other hand and turned toward the window.

‘I can’t believe I said that out loud. Sigh… have I lost my mind…?’

Unaware of his thoughts, she was thinking about something else.

‘First, I need to look for Kyle as soon as day breaks tomorrow.’

That evening, arriving at his estate, she was surprised by its exterior, similar to Lafjehill’s. It was only slightly smaller but looked believable as a Marquis’s estate.

Seeing her marvel at the estate, he spoke.

“My father was the family doctor for the Lafjehill family. That’s how he received the title of viscount, and the Lafjehill family built this estate for us.”

“Ah. Then you must have a special relationship with the Marquis.”

“Yes. I’ve known Seian since childhood.”

She was shown to a large room not far from the entrance.

“You can stay in this room. Please rest well for now. I’ll come to get you for dinner later.”

“I’m staying in such a big room?!”

He smiled and kissed the back of her hand.

“Sera is a guest to be treated with utmost care. Please feel at ease.”

“Thank you. I don’t know how to repay you…”

He shook his head and spoke kindly.

“A maid will come to attend to you soon. She’ll help ensure you’re comfortable, so you can leave everything to her.”

“What? A maid… attending to me?! What did I do to deserve such treatment…?”

“Then, please rest well, and I’ll see you later.”

After he left, she flopped onto the cozy and spacious bed.

“What… this is so nice… hmm~ hmm~!”

‘When did I struggle so much… and now things are going so well. Could something bad happen again…?!’

She lay back, staring blankly at the ceiling.

‘If Grandpa doesn’t find me from Dad’s family… it would be the best life without worries.’

She hummed a tune but fell into worry as she fiddled with her white hair.

Knock knock.

“Yes, yes. Come in.”

She jumped up and sat on the edge of the bed.

The door opened, and a young maid with neatly half-tied short blue hair with a hint of green entered.

The eyes of the cute girl, who seemed bright and cheerful, shone like forget-me-nots.

‘Huh… that girl is…’

“Hello, Miss Sera. I’m Miso, assigned to your room. Please take care of me.”

Miso bowed her head in greeting. She got up and approached her.

“Miso…? The innkeeper’s daughter?”

“Huh? Y-yes. How did you…?”

“It’s me. I stayed at your inn during the festival. Can’t you recognize me with this hair?”

As soon as she saw her eyes, Miso’s eyes widened in realization.

“…S-Sera? You were the important guest of the baronet?”

Miso looked at her with a bewildered face.

“Why are you here…? Weren’t you working at the inn?”

“I’m originally a maid at the baronet’s estate. During the festival, I took a leave to help my mother’s shop. The baronet happened to be away from the estate…”

They looked at each other with eyes full of wonder.

“So that’s what happened. But to meet here like this… it’s fate.”

“Um… sis… I mean, Miss Sera, what happened to you? My mom was really worried.”

She explained that she luckily sold herbs at a high price and, through that connection, met Nellaf and came here.

“I see. The herbs the baronet wanted were from where you, I mean, Miss Sera, lived as a child…”

“But why Miss Sera…? Just call me sis like before.”

“How can I do that when you’re a guest of the estate, Miss Sera? The baronet instructed us to treat you with utmost care this time.”

“Well, I mean… does it matter…?”

“It does matter! The Viscount… he often leaves the estate, and we’ve never had guests. You’re the first guest since I joined the estate! I’ll serve you with care, so please take care of me, Miss Sera.”

“Alright… if you say so…”

Miso smiled with satisfaction.

“You must be tired, so I’ll prepare a bath for you.”

She led her to the bathroom and brought out a soft silk gown for her to change into.

‘I feel like I’ve become a young lady of a noble family… is this okay…?’

She started with a foot bath in the warm water.

“Ahh… my fatigue is melting away. This is so nice.”

Miso filled the bathtub with warm water for her to soak in and guided her.

“The water has a nice scent.”

As she soaked, she smelled the comforting and cozy scent she had sensed from Nellaf.

“It’s the Viscount’s pheromone scent. Noble families have started making and selling their unique scents as perfumes! The perfumes only have the scent, not the pheromones, so you can rest assured.”

She blinked and asked,

“Pheromone scent as perfume? How did they make it?”