The Apothecary Diaries: Volume 11

There was one reason, and one reason only, that Rikuson wanted to destroy the family register—and that was because he felt a duty to Gyokuen

A high wall, however, appeared in front of Maomao. Thoom. Jinshi had risen from his seat and was standing smack in front of her.

“Yes, sir?” she asked. Jinshi continued to look less than pleased.

“It has come to my attention that this man with whom you claim not to be especially close recently proposed marriage to you.”

At least he was to the point.

and he was taking little glances at Maomao.

“You seem oddly...accepting of that idea,” Jinshi said, looking mildly annoyed.

“No matter what the outcome, the Moon Prince will come home very tired. This calls for a medicinal brew that will whisk away the fatigue—ideally something not too bitter.”

The thought saddened Rikuson, but there was no avoiding it.

Had he really needed a charge? He seemed well in control of this situation.

Jinshi’s perfect lips curled into a smile.

Maomao barely heard what Chue was saying. Her head was full of a single thought.

“Miss Chue.”

“Uh-huh?”

“Does Master Jinshi believe that there’s a benefit to be had here? Is he going to war?”

Chue just smiled and answered her with a question of her own. “Do you think he could?”

Not on his own. It wouldn’t be possible.

Chue smiled again, and almost as if she could read Maomao’s mind, said, “It’s times of peace—and only peace—that make the Moon Prince the great man he is.”

Was that a compliment? Maomao wasn’t sure—but it did make her feel a little bit better.

Wait—had Lahan written to anyone else recently? A thought of the young woman Lahan referred to as his little sister flashed through Rikuson’s mind. He considered asking her if she’d heard anything from him, but then thought better of it. It would be best if he kept his distance from Maomao. He knew she would keep her distance from him—that she would have to. That would be better for both of them. That was why Rikuson had made the joking offer of marriage: a joke it was, but he knew that the hyperprotective elements around Maomao would respond immediately.