n

n

nSylvia undid the buttons which she had just now clasped and pulled her dress down, loosening the corset, revealing her ample breasts.

nIn between her breasts was a small yet bright crescent-shaped tattoo, half the size of her little finger.

nSylvia gulped nervously gazing at it. She almost couldn't believe it.

nThis was her body and she had been familiar with it for about eighteen years now and yet, she had never once noticed anything like this until she met the devil.

nSylvia had always wondered if the man had done something to her, some sort of a spell or a mark, claiming her ownership and perhaps that was this tattoo?

nBut that only sounded more and more improbable with every passing day.

nShe gazed at the crescent which was glowing with a mix of golden and silver luster and touched it with her finger.

n

"What the hell are you?

" She murmured.

nThe next few days were somehow unusually quiet for Sylvia, making her even hope that these could last.

nFor one, the devil was no longer to be found in the castle. She hadn't seen him around for several days.

nAnd when she mustered the courage to ask Jane about it, she told her that the man was away on a trip.

nThis in itself made Sylvia breathe ten times better. Not to mention, Jane had her helping out at the herb gardens in the castle.

nSylvia had asked Jane a couple of times about revisiting the stable but Jane strictly forbade her.

nSo in order to keep the young woman's mind off the stable, while at the same time not disappoint her, Jane took some time to teach Sylvia how to tend to the different herbs in the garden.

nSylvia was rather a very fast learner. She understood everything Jane taught her and even did some reading on her own.

nSince the devil was not around, she happily took the liberty of browsing through the several herbology books in the humongous library inside the castle.

nShe absorbed all the theoretical knowledge like a dry sponge and combined with Jane's practical teachings, she was quickly gaining a lot of experience.

nIn just the span of a few days, she became even more knowledgeable than Jane in the field.

nJane as well was nothing but full of praises for Sylvia. She had only done this on a whim and didn't quite expect it to amount to anything.

nBut in the end, Sylvia had turned out to be so talented in this aspect, that she even handed over the duty of taking care of the herb gardens of the castle to the young woman.

nAnd Sylvia, of course, happily accepted it. She liked spending time with the plants.

nIt gave her peace of mind and tranquility that was beyond reason.

nAlso, there was another added benefit.

nThe gardens were located on the castle grounds and the new beast friends Sylvia who had made, often strolled around to visit her of their own volition.

nJane had caught Sylvia petting a beast or two a couple of times and she was dumbfounded initially, but then after seeing her so many times with the beasts, even she had to admit that the young woman had a way with them.

nSo, she caved and let the matter go.

nShe also didn't want to restrict the poor girl's freedom so much so that she couldn't even pet a beast or two.

nThat would be too cruel Jane thought.

nSo Jane just let her be and do whatever she wanted. Without Mikel around, there really wasn't much to do in the castle either.

nFearing the consequences of their previous actions, even Ana and Jenny hadn't run into Sylvia for a while and it looked as if they were purposefully avoiding her.

nSo all in all, Sylvia was quite chipper these days. Things possibly couldn't be going any better for her.

nBut yet… there was something weighing heavily on her mind…

n

"Oh my gosh, dearie. You are so smart. You have a green thumb for sure. Look at how everything is growing.

"

nJane chuckled, sipping her tea. The two of them were sitting at a table and taking a small break after their day's work.

n

"Even the miara weed which is not supposed to be thriving so much is now growing like an actual weed.

"

n

"Just what magic did you do dear? Aha ha ha ha.

" Jane added, her words instantly making Sylvia turn and look at her dazedly as if she had just spelled out what was there on her mind.

nShe immediately realized that she might have struck a chord with the young woman and Jane quickly explained.

n

"Sorry. Sorry. I know you can't do magic. I didn't mean to point it out. I just meant that you are very very talented dearie.

"

n

"Not many people can do what you are good at child. You should have seen Ana during her first month of helping me here.

"

n

"The herb garden was almost ruined due to her carelessness and I had to work hard to bring the plants back from the nether world. Aha ha ha ha.

"

n

"Thanks, Mrs. Jane.

" Sylvia as well smiled and shyly mumbled in response. She was not used to being praised like this.

n

"Why are you thanking me, dear? I can only give you these empty words. Sigh.

"

n

"Child, if only your luck was better. With talent like yours, you could have easily gotten a job in the mage association.

"

n

"A lot of the mages are alchemists and they depend heavily on these herbs. You could have made quite a penny.

"

n

"But alas…

" Jane sighed, her face genuinely concerned and not showing fake empathy.

"Was it your relatives dear, who sold you?

"

n

"Ah~ Sorry if I am being too intrusive. I still remember the very first day his highness brought you here.

"

n

"You were shaking and shivering in fright and now things are better at least, right?

"

nSylvia smiled bitterly. What was the point of thinking about the past anymore? For better or for worse, this was her new life.

n