An Oasis for the Heart

Translated by: ME

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Note: It is hot as hell here, stay hydrated.

*****

It was a quiet afternoon, a few days after the chaos of the monster outbreak had finally settled.

Working as an assistant to the Court Alchemist and as an apprentice alchemist myself, I was currently taking a relaxing break at the restaurant owned by Alice’s family.

「Ahhh... This is my true oasis.」

The spacious interior, having just finished the lunch rush, was empty save for Alice. The hustle and bustle of the past few days felt like a distant memory, replaced by the faint, muffled hum of the city streets.

That sound was oddly comforting, sparking a sense of relief deep within me.

「You’ve had it rough, Mia. It’s supposed to be your day off, yet you still have to worry about people watching you.」

Alice brought over a glass of water and took a seat across from me.

Utterly exhausted, I took a small sip before slumping my weary body against the table. I was so worn out that I didn't care if I looked nothing like a noble lady.

「Good rumors just keep spreading through the city, and the pressure is honestly intense...」

Between the monster outbreak where the Magic Academy students were attacked and the herb shortage crisis caused by my former fiancé, I had ended up attracting far more attention than I ever wanted.

The future Court Alchemist. The most promising young noblewoman. The saint who sacrificed herself to craft potions...

Embellished by these glowing rumors, my image had been beautified to an exhausting degree, making my daily life incredibly stifling.

「I’ve had my stomach ache from laughing too much before, but this is the first time my face feels like it's going to cramp from forcing a smile.」

Every time a citizen called out to me, I had to act graciously, leaving my facial muscles feeling completely stiff. I was constantly maintaining my "noble smile," and it was suffocating.

At the very least, on my days off, I wanted to forget about work and social obligations and just relax.

That was why I had come crying to Alice, who also happened to be off today. Right now, I was savoring this fleeting moment of bliss.

Regardless of social standing, a true friend is a treasure.

「If outside is no good, couldn't you have just relaxed at home?」

「The thing is, it’s actually less peaceful at home than it is in the city. Higher-ranking nobles have started showing up, bringing their 'prized sons' along with them.」

Even if I intended to shut myself away until the rumors died down, reality wasn't so kind.

Not only was I receiving a mountain of marriage proposals from every direction, but some people had even resorted to aggressive tactics, showing up at my door without so much as a prior message.

「Yikes... Coming with their parents? That sounds like a pain.」

「That’s just how it is for nobles. The parents are the ones who decide on the marriage. Though, I really wish they'd stop treating it like a door-to-door sales pitch.」

「A surprise matchmaking session... that’s brutal. I’d be done right then and there.」

「I’m done with it too. A family that forces their way into your house is basically announcing to the world that they’re in a desperate situation.」

That being said, if the family has a higher title or a longer history than ours, we can't exactly just kick them out. That’s the heavy burden of being a noble.

Because I’m required to handle them with appropriate etiquette, staying home was actually more exhausting than being out.

It wasn't just about acting polite; being expected to entertain them was crossing a line. Just thinking about it made my stomach twist in knots.

The thought of being put on a leash again, just like I was with Zeel, was absolutely out of the question.

Fortunately, since my first engagement was such a disaster, my father has become quite hesitant as well. Unless something extraordinary happens, he likely won't push any marriage talks forward.

I can't say the possibility is zero, though.

「Do you just not have any desire to get married anymore, Mia?」

「I don't even want to think about it for a while. Right now, I want to enjoy alchemy and live my life with more freedom.」

I’ve finally reached a point where Master Clein is teaching me alchemy, and my business connections are growing through the Alchemists Guild.

I want to continue building this foundation and secure a happy life for myself as an alchemist.

My life is only just beginning. Age doesn't matter when it comes to finding happiness, and there's no rule saying I have to get married to achieve it.

I will be the one to decide what my happiness looks like.

「Hey, Mia. Are you... still kind of hung up on your former fiancé (that guy)?」

「Honestly, it was such a nightmare that I’ve had my fill. I feel like I tasted every single bad part of marriage in one go.」

「True, if your fiancé was *that* guy... I guess it makes sense you'd lose the desire to marry.」

「It's not like I had a strong desire for it to begin with. To a noble, marriage is like a contract that binds your entire life. If I had to describe it, it’s like choosing a business partner who is allowed to trample all over your private life with their muddy boots.」

Producing an heir without any love, propping up your husband while pretending to be a happy couple for the public, and being forced into childcare... If you marry into a higher-ranking family, your subordinate status is set for life. It’s a total gamble.

I’m truly glad I escaped that hell (married life) before I stepped foot in it.

「Could you stop? It sounds way too real coming from you. I feel like I’m going to look at married nobles differently from now on.」

Alice stared out the window with a distant look in her eyes. I felt a bit bad, but I truly believe only a tiny handful of nobles actually marry for love.

Most people just don't say it out loud to avoid starting scandals.

「What about you, Alice? Have you found anyone good?」

「The only ones who ever talk to me are old guys who reek of booze.」

「I guess that's what happens when you split your time between the Adventurers Guild and a restaurant. Even if you're free to fall in love, it doesn't mean meeting the right person is easy.」

The conversation turned a bit gloomy for a girls' day out, and both of us let out a heavy sigh in unison.

Since I wasn't looking for marriage myself, I at least wanted Alice to find her own happiness...

As I was thinking that, Alice’s eyes suddenly lit up, and she leaned in close to my face.

「But wait, Mia, there *is* someone great right near you.」

「Eh? Who?」

「Master Clein, obviously! You guys get along, he’s got a bright future, and he’s always looking out for you, right? That has to be the work of the God of Fate. In my professional opinion, the feelings are mutual.」

Looking at Alice as she prattled on with intense energy, I realized she had just been itching to bring this up.

Master Clein and I simply feel a sense of mutual gratitude; we don't have that kind of deep relationship. I wonder how on earth we look to the people around us.

It seems there's been a major misunderstanding.

「There's nothing going on between me and Master Clein. We’re just teacher and student.」

「Really? My secret sources told me he stayed by your side the whole time you were bedridden to nurse you back to health.」

「I can guess exactly where that 'source' came from. The only person who saw that was Vanessa-san from the Alchemists Guild... Ah, that’s right! I have to go to the Alchemists Guild to collect my reward!」

I had completely forgotten about the emergency request from the monster outbreak. Since it seems she’s been spreading strange rumors behind my back, I might as well make sure she gives me a very generous payout.

As I pondered this, Alice let out a little giggle.

「You really sound like a popular, high-demand alchemist now.」

「I am still just an apprentice, thank you very much.」

While thinking that I didn't want Alice of all people to treat me like someone special, I pouted slightly.

*****

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