CHAPTER#36: Potion

The heavy black and platinum gold doors of the master chambers echoed as the hunched-back old man, Derran, knocked urgently. Luciana, seated in the warmth of the chamber, glanced toward Mina.

"Answer the door," she instructed.

Mina obeyed, allowing the old man to hurry inside. His breath came in rapid gasps as he bowed deeply before Luciana.

"Please, Mister Derran, calm yourself," she said gently, pouring water into a wooden cup. "You're out of breath."

Derran hesitated, his hands trembling. "Milady, h-how can this humble servant drink from the same cup as his lord's?"

"I'll fetch another cup at once," Mina interjected, but Luciana waved her off.

"It wouldn't hurt. The cup will be washed eventually."

Reluctantly, Mina handed the cup over, casting a wary glance at the old man. Derran accepted it with both hands, bowing his head.

"M-My lady is too generous."

Luciana merely smiled. "Now, what brings you here in such a rush?"

Derran straightened, his eyes gleaming with excitement. "The potion, madame! The one you requested—it was a success!" He carefully produced a small, round bottle made of elk wood and presented it to her.

Luciana's gaze fixed on the vial in astonishment. "Wonderful!"

His enthusiasm wavered. "B-but, madame… there is a slight complication."

Her expression turned serious. "Is it incomplete?"

"No, no, madame. If that were the case, I would have begged for more time."

"Then what is the problem?"

Derran hesitated. "This potion was particularly difficult to craft due to the rarity of its ingredients. Unfortunately, I have run out of a crucial component." He lowered his gaze, his voice filled with regret. "Forgive me, my lady."

"There is nothing to forgive," Luciana reassured him. "Achieving something this extraordinary with limited resources is already commendable."

He sighed, still troubled. "That said, there are risks. The potion's effects will only last half a day, requiring a second dose. But frequent use is dangerous—it may have unintended consequences on the specific regions of the body you wish to alter."

Luciana frowned. "How dangerous are we speaking?"

Derran's voice dropped to a grave whisper. "Some ingredients are inherently toxic. The missing component, in particular, is highly potent. It is an effective drug for demons but equally lethal for humans. As for your kind… I cannot say for certain, but hypothetically, it could erode the core of the pure energy within your body."

A chill ran down Luciana's spine. She had studied herbology and alchemical remedies in Amanécer, but this realm was different. The knowledge she had gathered was insufficient here. If she wanted to navigate this world safely, she would need to understand its demonic flora and the unique properties of its environment.

"What is this rare ingredient?" she asked.

"The merchants called it the Devil's Palm," Derran explained. "From what I've learned, it is a type of fungus, resembling a mushroom, that only grows in the Forbidden Forest. That forest is perpetually cloaked in mist and lies at the southern border of the capital city. For someone like me, obtaining it is near impossible."

Luciana exhaled slowly. "That does make sense… A cold, barren land like this offers little in terms of rare flora. The territory barely sustains itself through the harsh winters." She clenched her hands. "And I know nothing of this region. I doubt he would let me out—not after my failed escape attempt. I've been confined to these chambers for too long. Perhaps Jafar or Mina could guide me, but… even if he is my husband in name, I will need to earn his trust from the ground up."

Derran leaned toward Mina and whispered, "The lady is overthinking matters."

Mina scoffed. "Of course, whose fault is that? She has been fragile ever since she arrived here. I have to be extra careful with her food, her clothing, and ensure there is enough firewood to keep both her and the young lord warm."

Derran sighed. "What could she be thinking so deeply about?"

"Madame—"

Luciana interrupted him. "Mister Derran, do you know anyone who frequently travels beyond this territory?"

He hesitated before shaking his head. "No, madame. For humans and half-demons, there is no safe passage beyond these lands."

Mina chimed in. "My brother only leaves on Master's orders. Master himself, however, does travel. He is responsible for eliminating threats across the realm."

Luciana's brows furrowed. "That's a problem. He won't listen to me, and he's even more cautious now. Jafar isn't an option either… and I can't endanger the other servants." She paused, then her eyes widened. "Someone who moves between places… Merchants!"

Derran blinked. "Merchants?"

"Yes! That's it. When does the merchant you usually buy ingredients from visit this place?"

Derran's expression darkened. "Madame… I regret to inform you, that man is dead."

Luciana stilled. "Dead?"

"Yes. A month ago, his caravan was ambushed, and he was found slain by the Master during a patrol near the western mountains."

The flicker of hope in her chest dimmed.

"And merchants rarely venture here," Derran continued, sighing. "The harsh climate makes it unprofitable."

A long silence settled over the room until the sound of a child's laughter broke through. Luciana turned to see Nemesis giggling as the wolf, Leo, eagerly licked his cheek.

"Oh, dear…" She hurried over, gently stroking the wolf's head to calm him. Taking out a handkerchief, she wiped Nemesis's face. "Mina, could you help Nemesis wash up?"

"At once, milady!" Mina scooped up the young boy and carried him outside. "Let's get you into warmer clothes, young lord."

Derran watched the boy carefully. "He seems happier now."

Luciana nodded. "Yes… At least my husband and I share the same concerns."

Derran gave a small, knowing smile. "Then perhaps, my lady, there is a way for you to understand him better."

Luciana tilted her head. "Pardon?"

"Communication, milady. Effective communication is the key to understanding between people. I don't mean to overstep, but consider it an old man's humble advice."

A thoughtful silence followed before Luciana murmured, "Thank you… for looking out for me."

Her gaze drifted back to the small bottle in her hand. A faint smile touched her lips.

"I think I know what to do, at least for now."

Derran bowed. "As you wish, madame. If there is anything else I can do—"

"Actually, there is. What do you want in return for your hard work?"

"This was merely a small task, madame…"

Luciana shook her head. "You are too modest. If it is within my power, I will grant your request."

Derran hesitated before speaking. "There are some ingredients I need. If I were to ask the Master… he may simply pick anything without understanding their properties."

Luciana chuckled. "That does sound like him."

"But merchants are scarce…"

Luciana's smile turned calculating. "A merchant caravan… Perhaps they will prove useful."

She leaned back, deep in thought.

"Blue Van… I need them under my control."

"How convenient," she murmured.