The Herb King

After choosing two sets of clothes for Olivia, Aethelwolf brought her to his room. He tried to let her choose a room for herself, but the little girl threw a tantrum and threatened to destroy the mansion if she wasn't allowed to sleep beside him. Left with no choice, Aethelwolf could only helplessly agree to her demands.

"I didn't know that you are actually this troublesome..." Aethelwolf muttered in exasperation as he glanced at Olivia.

The little girl was jumping up and down his bed with a big smile plastered on her face. "This bed feels so soft! I like it so much! Tee-hee!" She giggled while hugging a giant pillow that was taller than her.

Aethelwolf's gaze softened when he saw how happy she was. He sat on his bed and said to her. "Eat a lot of food later. Tomorrow I'll teach you how to walk and how to behave like a proper child."

Olivia repeatedly nodded her head. "Okay."

Knock! Knock! Knock!

"Sir Aethelwolf, the food you asked to be prepared will be ready in ten minutes. We will serve it in the dining hall."

"No. Just deliver the food to my room." Aethelwolf said.

"Yes, Sir Aethelwolf."

Aethelwolf turned his head to Olivia who was happily rolling on his bed. "Your food is almost ready." He told her.

Olivia's ears perked up when she heard the word 'food'. She sat up straight and looked at Aethelwolf with shining eyes. "My food?"

"That's right. Your food." Aethelwolf smiled and patted her head. An idea suddenly came to his mind so he added. "If you behave yourself and do what I tell you to do, then I will let you eat something delicious every day. What do you say?"

A line of drool trickled down her lips as she nodded her head eagerly. "Okay!"

Soon, a group of maids entered the room, pushing carts filled with all sorts of delicacies. The tantalizing aroma of the dishes spread inside the room, making Olivia jump around excitedly.

"Food! Food! Food!" Her joyous giggles echoed inside the room.

***

The next day, Aethelwolf woke up from a deep sleep.

When he turned his head, he saw Olivia tightly grabbing his arms like a koala. She was still in deep slumber, mumbling a series of incomprehensible words.

"Nom...Nom...Nom..."

"Is she sleep-talking?" Aethelwolf chuckled. He rubbed her head gently while looking at her face. He couldn't resist the urge and kissed her forehead when he saw how adorable she was. He then slowly pulled his arms and jumped out of his bed.

He yawned as he walked to his study. "I should prepare new learning materials for Janrose and the others. Hmm, I should make one for Sir Johann and Miss Jade Kristine as well." He muttered as he began writing the new lessons for his students.

Each of them needed a different set of learning materials since their level of understanding about Alchemy is not the same.

Janrose was already a Level 1 Alchemist and she could freely summon her Red Pill Fire now. What she needed is a list of information about how to make various types of herbal pastes. Other than that, she needed relevant theories that would make her explore her own way of creating herbal pastes and pills.

Aethelwolf meticulously wrote their learning materials and he even made one for his clone to prevent the others from being suspicious. After all, everyone knows that Leric was his first student so it would be questionable if Aethelwolf didn't make one for him.

While he was writing the last learning material, he noticed that Olivia was already awake. She rubbed her sleepy eyes before jumping off the bed. She then walked up to him and asked while pulling his sleeves. "What are you doing?"

"Just writing some stuff. Come here. We will eat after I am done with this." He said as he let her sit on his lap.

Olivia nodded her head and looked at the papers on the table. She squinted her eyes and tried to comprehend what he was writing, but she didn't know the language of humans so she wasn't able to understand anything.

"How was your sleep?" Aethelwolf asked her.

Olivia tilted her head to look at his face as she answered with a smile. "It's the first time I slept so comfortably. I like it here..."

Hearing her joyful tone, the corner of Aethelwolf's lips rose upwards. "That's good."

"Alright. I'm done with everything. Let's go eat with the others." Aethelwolf sorted the learning materials and kept them inside his storage space. He then lifted Olivia in his arms and brought her out of the room.

As soon as he stepped out, he saw Hyacinth waiting for him outside.

"Good morning, Sir Aethelwolf." She greeted him with a smile. She also sized up the red-haired little girl in his arms with a curious look. According to the others, this child was Aethelwolf's daughter. The only resemblance they share was their beautiful image.

"Is our breakfast ready?" Aethelwolf asked as they walked along the corridor.

"Yes, Sir Aethelwolf. The servants have also prepared a healthy drink for the young miss. By the way, what is her name?" Hyacinth asked while looking at the little girl.

Before Aethelwolf could answer her, the little girl said eagerly. "My name is Olivia."

"You heard her. She is Olivia Lassiter, my daughter." Aethelwolf said. "By the way, how was your trip with Henry? Did you check our new clothing shop?" He asked.

Hyacinth nodded her head. "Yes, Sir Aethelwolf. The clothing shop looks great and it has a perfect ambiance for wealthy customers. I have also briefed the new employees, but we still don't have the designs for our clothes."

"Not bad! I'll give you the designs after our breakfast. You must send them to our seamstresses and have them make our clothes as soon as possible." Aethelwolf was satisfied by Hyacinth's efficiency.

"Sir Aethelwolf, I haven't given them their contracts yet. I want to get your opinion before I give them their contracts." Hyacinth looked at him worriedly. He knew that the employees of the clinic received generous benefits from him, but she still decided to wait for his opinion since he might have other plans for the clothing shop.

Aethelwolf smiled at her. "The mansion still has many vacant rooms. You can just give the new employees the same contract that the others in the clinic have. Also, inform Rendell to buy the surrounding land next to our mansion. The Lassiter Household would soon grow into a much bigger family, so we have to prepare for that."

Hyacinth was relieved to hear his words. "Yes, Sir Aethelwolf."