It Seemed My Fiancé Hated Me, So I Distanced Myself—But for Some Reason, He Complained - Chapter 51

“Did you figure out I like magical pharmacology just from that? Not all plants and minerals are used in potion-making, you know.”

Prince Theodore looked surprised. Though there was a hint of confusion mixed in, the sharpness from earlier was gone from his tone.

“I noticed that many of the plants and minerals Your Highness shows interest in are often used in magical potions,” I said, remembering the maid Aria who was a fan of Prince Theodore.

Aria was very knowledgeable about Prince Theodore’s preferences and had even taught me what kinds of plants and minerals he was interested in. Thanks to her, I had become quite familiar with the prince myself.

“You’re quite observant. Then what about the town of Shelln?”

“That town is the birthplace of the scholar said to be the founder of magical pharmacology, so I thought that might be why you visit there often.”

“You knew that too. Are you well-versed in magical pharmacology?”

Prince Theodore said with a surprised expression. I answered honestly, “I’ve only read an introductory book.”

I had just happened to remember the founder’s name that was in the introductory book, but it seemed my guess had been correct.

“Huh, then do you know the effects of the plant called Edu?”

“When brewed, it becomes a medicine that changes one’s voice, right? I believe it said drinking that potion can change a man’s voice to a woman, and a woman’s voice to a man.”

“Correct. You have quite a good memory. Edu was originally said to be a poisonous plant, but after a certain scholar researched it, they discovered it has the power to alter vocal cords when the poison is neutralized.”

Prince Theodore spoke cheerfully. He then asked me several questions about magical pharmacology.

There were some I could answer and some I couldn’t, but each time, the prince gave me detailed explanations.

As expected, Prince Theodore seemed to genuinely love magical pharmacology; his voice was lively as he spoke. I answered his questions while feeling happy that he was smiling.

However, Prince Theodore, who had been talking so cheerfully, suddenly covered his mouth as if coming to his senses, and averted his gaze from me.

“…Did you think I was strange?”

“Huh?”

I answered while feeling confused by the prince’s sudden darkening expression.

“Not at all. I just thought it was unusual for a prince to be interested in magical pharmacology.”

When I answered, Prince Theodore made a complicated expression.

“You can be honest with me. When I first became interested in magical pharmacology as a child, I was told it wasn’t something a prince should do. That such things should be left to researchers. I’ve come to agree now that a prince shouldn’t immerse himself in research.”

Prince Theodore spoke with a somewhat lonely tone. Was the reason he said he hadn’t told anyone about his interest in magical pharmacology because he’d been told that in the past?

But I couldn’t help wondering about the person who had said such things to him.