The Apothecary Noble Lady Treated Like Trash Was Executed — After Being Pushed Off a Cliff, She Regained Memories of Her Past Life, So She Abandoned the Kingdom and Decided to Enjoy a Carefree Life in Another World" - Episode 5

Unaware that such words were being spoken about me, I stepped into the forest.

The trees were dense, and the light filtering through the branches was like a natural stained-glass window utterly fantastical.

In both my past life and this one, I had been confined to the house, so this was my first time walking through a forest. The crisp air, the rustling of the trees, and the fresh, green scent everything was new and fascinating.

“First, I should… huh?”

“What are you doing?”

“I don’t have a container, so I thought I’d make one.”

“I see.”

Even if I gathered medicinal herbs, I had no way to carry them now. At best, I could spread out the hem of my dress like a sieve and pile them on top.

But that wouldn’t hold much at all, and it would tie up both my hands, making it really inconvenient.

So, I decided to make a basket out of plants.

I had made baskets as a hobby in my past life, so I figured I could probably do it now.

“Ah, found it!”

“Hey, wait a second!”

I spotted a vine-like plant that looked just right and ran toward it.

But by the time I heard the voice trying to stop me, it was already too late.

“GRRROOOOAAARR!!”

“KYAAAAHHH!!”

The tree the vine was hanging from suddenly moved, and I was snatched up by its branches.

I was left dangling in midair.

“HUMAN!!”

“Eeek!!”

But the moment I heard the voice, I found myself clamped in Ark’s jaws.

Seemed like he’d saved me.

“Thanks, Ark.”

“Didn’t I just warn you before entering the forest? Honestly, such a handful…”

After setting me down, Ark snorted irritably.

“Ahahaha, sorry!”

“Whatever. Stay put here.”

Ark dashed toward the tree monster.

Pretty sure that’s a treant. First time seeing one. I’m actually moved to see a real-life version of a monster I’d only seen in games.

“Hmph!!”

“GYAAAAAAHHH!!”

The moment Ark and the treant clashed, the treant was torn to pieces and died.

“Ark, you’re really strong, huh?”

“Hmph. This wasn’t even worth a warm-up.”

“Thanks for saving me.”

I hugged Ark tightly as he returned.

Hehe, so fluffy and wonderful.

“Don’t get the wrong idea. You just happened to be where I was running.”

“Uh-huh. Well then, I’ll use the monster’s vines to make a basket.”

“I’m hungry. I’ll go hunt some monsters. Don’t move from here until I get back.”

“Got it.”

Ark vanished into the forest at incredible speed.

I had no intention of going anywhere alone, so I gathered the vines and started weaving the basket.

“I’m back.”

“Ah, welcome back. Oh, what’s this?”

By the time I finished the basket, Ark had returned.

Considering I hadn’t been attacked by any monsters until now, it seemed Ark had cleared out any nearby threats.

Ark dropped a bunch of golden, pear-like fruits in front of me with a plop.

I’d never seen fruits like these, even in books.

“Found these while walking. Thought I’d eat them as a palate cleanser after my meal, but I’m full now, so you can have them.”

“Ark, you’re so sweet.”

“Don’t get the wrong idea. I didn’t bring them for you.”

I moved closer and stroked Ark’s body. He turned his head away but didn’t resist.

His tail swayed slowly. So cute.

Come to think of it, I hadn’t eaten anything since my memories returned, but I hadn’t felt hungry.

Looking back, before my past-life memories and personality resurfaced, I’d hardly eaten anything not even water properly.

The fact that I’d lived just fine was probably thanks to my super-healthy body.

Still, this was worse than neglect.

Working me endlessly without rest, barely feeding me, and then pinning their crimes on me that’s not what family does.

I already had no attachment to them, but this made me even less inclined to stay in this country.

—Growl

As soon as I picked up a pear, my stomach conveniently rumbled.

Suddenly, I was starving.

Food tastes better when you’re hungry. They say hunger is the best spice, so of course.

Maybe my super-healthy body even has the power to make me conveniently hungry right before eating. Talk about scratching an itch before it even appears.

—Crunch

I bit into the golden pear without even peeling it.

“It’s delicious!!”

“Hmph. Overreacting to mere fruit.”

I glanced at Ark, who looked grumpy and turned his head away.

The taste and texture were similar to a pear, but I’d never had one this delicious in my past life. Keeping this all to myself would be a waste!!

“I mean it! Try some, Ark!!”

I circled around to his face and held out the pear.

“I already said I’m full. Those are all yours.”

“Haaah, really? I think it’d taste even better if we ate together…”

“…Hmph. Changed my mind. Hand it over.”

I tossed the pear into Ark’s mouth as he lay down and opened it.

“So? Good, right?”

“Decent.”

Ark chewed (munch munch) with a not-entirely-unhappy expression.

“Ugh, you’re so stubborn.”

“I’m being honest.”

We chatted while stuffing our faces with pears.

He’d brought back a lot, but they were so good I ended up eating them all.