Chapter 21: I, the Sword Saint, Afraid of Thunder

A few days later, Friday evening. The kitchen.

“Bye, little Chloe~”

Chloe waved to the other maids she worked with, then hurried back to her bedroom.

Locking the door, she emptied her pockets, pulling out half a broccoli, half a bell pepper, and half a bitter melon, placing them on the table.

She opened her small, double-locked cabinet and took out three glass vials, a mortar, a small funnel, and a filter.

First, she grabbed the vial already containing a bit of green liquid.

Using a fruit knife, she chopped the broccoli into bits, then ground it into a dark green paste in the mortar. Once done, she placed the funnel on the vial, set the filter over it, and poured the broccoli mush onto the filter.

After a few minutes, confirming the filtration was complete, she tossed the broccoli residue into the trash.

Corking the vial, Chloe shook it gently under the light.

The half-filled vial of emerald liquid was clear, with no sediment.

“Phew…”

She set the vial down and leaned back in her chair.

The broccoli extract was done.

If she pushed a bit more, she could finish the bell pepper and bitter melon too!

She wanted to rest, but with victory so close, she found new energy.

Soon, she prepared the bell pepper and bitter melon extracts the same way.

Fearing discovery, she’d only taken small amounts each day. Including gathering the tools, it took nearly a week to prepare these three ingredients.

Stowing the vials and tools back in the cabinet, Chloe lay on her bed, planning her next move.

Tomorrow, after alchemy class, she’d follow Teacher Reginald to the alchemy lab. Ten-year valerian and seven-leaf wisteria should be there.

That left the garlic juice and adult royal hair.

Thinking of those, Chloe frowned.

Both were tied to Larvia.

Garlic was rare in the palace, and as a mere maid, she couldn’t order anyone to buy it.

Buying it during procurement outings wasn’t an option either—she was just Sheffield’s assistant and couldn’t act alone. Going solo required reporting, which might raise Larvia’s suspicions.

The durian pastry trip only happened because she’d asked Sheffield, and they went together.

Besides, garlic, universally despised by vampires, wasn’t sold just anywhere. Chloe had no idea where to find it.

Flora might know, but asking her would expose Chloe’s plan.

Still, that wasn’t the real issue. Chloe knew where to find garlic juice.

Larvia’s bedroom.

When Silia pranked Larvia, she’d given Chloe the garlic juice. Chloe hadn’t used it all before getting caught.

The remaining half-bottle, she recalled, was in Larvia’s room.

Per the book, half a bottle was enough.

But it was in Larvia’s bedroom.

And the adult royal hair? That required going to Larvia’s room too, and it was even harder to get.

Chloe clutched her head, staring at the ceiling.

‘Could Silia’s hair work…?’

She quickly dismissed the idea.

She could replace other ingredients, but there was only that half-bottle of garlic juice.

If she used Silia’s hair and the potion failed, who knew when she’d get more garlic juice?

Might as well get both while she was at it.

As for the fourth-tier magical blood…

She had no leads, so she set it aside for now.

As she fretted, a blinding white light lit up the room.

Boom!

Thunder roared, startling her.

Chloe pulled back the curtains and saw rain pouring down.

‘Got it!’

‘Now’s the time to get the garlic juice and Larvia’s hair!’

She leapt off the bed and hurried to Larvia’s room.

Larvia, in her nightwear, stood by the window, quietly watching the stormy sky.

Knock, knock, knock.

“Who’s there?”

She turned to the door.

“Your Majesty, it’s me, Chloe.”

Larvia’s lips curved slightly.

‘Finally. Been waiting days for you.’

“Come in.”

Creak—

The door opened a crack, and a small white figure peeked in.

After cautiously scanning the room, Chloe slipped inside.

She stood at the door, clutching her small pillow, shoulders hunched nervously.

“What’re you doing here so late?”

Larvia closed the curtains and turned to Chloe.

“I… I’m scared…”

Chloe’s voice was barely audible over the rain, faint even to herself.

“What?”

Chloe hesitated, then slowly approached Larvia.

She gently took Larvia’s arm, leaning close to her ear.

“I’m scared…”

“Scared of thunder?”

“Mhm…”

Chloe lowered her head, face burning with shame.

“So, you want to sleep with me tonight?”

“Mhm…”

“Alright.”

Larvia nodded.

‘Definitely acting.’

‘No way a Sword Saint like little Chloe is scared of thunder. And even if she was, with her usual attitude, she’d never admit to wanting to sleep with me.’

‘Your scheme’s been seen through.’

Larvia crouched down, scooping Chloe into her arms.

“Eek?! What’re you doing?!”

“Going to bed.” Larvia feigned confusion. “Didn’t you come to sleep with me? It’s bedtime anyway.”

“Ugh…”

Realizing her act nearly slipped, Chloe shut her mouth.

She stayed in Larvia’s arms as she was carried to bed. Setting her small pillow down, Chloe lay facing Larvia.

The silence was awkward, and she closed her eyes.

Boom!

Thunder roared. Chloe froze for a few seconds before remembering her persona, then burrowed into Larvia’s arms.

“Oh, little Chloe, a Sword Saint afraid of thunder?” Larvia teased.