Falma went downstairs to the first floor and handed out textbooks to the part-time pharmacists. The Other World Pharmacy currently employs three part-time pharmacists for Falma and Ellen’s convenience. They were chatting during their break, but when they saw Falma’s figure they stopped and stood up.

    “A textbook…?”

    It would be useful if they read it during their free time.

    “My brother and I wrote it. Please read it, even if it’s little by little”

    “Thank you very much. I’ll humbly read it”

    Falma had recruited Roger, a first-class pharmacist, from the Kingdom of Nedale while he was unemployed. Although he wasn’t very fluent in the Kingdom of San Fleuve’s language, he was still very talented.

    “Th-th-thank you, shopkeeper-sama. I’ll commit this book to memory”

    Rebecca, a second-class pharmacist who recently graduated from university, looked delighted. However, she had a very timid personality and stuttered whenever she was talking with Falma.

    “Mmm, it’s not necessary to memorize it. As long as you read and understand it, it’s fine”

    “Falma-kun, you have enough pharmacists, right? I’m going to head out for a bit”

    “Be careful”

    Ellen had patients of her own even before she started working with Falma. They were all powerful aristocrats and nobles. Every week, Ellen takes half a day off to care for them.

    “Well then, I should do my best this afternoon as well”

    Before his lunch break was over and immediately after Lotte had left on her errand, a carriage stopped in front of the pharmacy. The gatekeeper came to call for Falma, so he knew that a noble had come to visit.

    Unless they’re seriously sick, Falma typically wouldn’t greet a visitor in person just because they’re nobility. However, if the visitor was a patron, he’d greet them no matter what their social status was.

    “Sorry, are you still on vacation?”

    Mélodie’s hair was long and her makeup was perfect, making her look even more beautiful. She wore a white dress with a bustle, which was popular among the citizens. A delightful-looking dark-blue ribbon lined the frills of the dress. That the archduke Mélodie was able to go outside dressed so fancily was proof that her condition had stabilized. She took off her fluffy feathered hat and nodded at Falma.

    TN: There was a description of what a bustle looks like but I had a hard time translating it while doing it justice, so just Google “Victorian bustle” if you’re curious

    “Hello, Falma-sama! I appreciated your gift and letter of gratitude the other day”

    Falma had Mélodie make compressed oxygen canisters for Palle’s treatment, and naturally he sent her a thank-you letter afterwards.

    “Likewise, thank you for helping with the commission for the compressed air tank. To make something as large as complicated as that in just a single day… my brother’s life was saved thanks to you. He’s very grateful”

    Mélodie’s swift work had helped both Falma and Palle.

    “Was it good? Could it withstand the internal pressure?”

    “Yes, Mélodie-sama appears to be in very good health. Her work is very fulfilling… she goes on walks during the day, explores her territory, and works on her commissions. Recently, she also started going to evening parties”

    The butler was happy to report on Mélodie’s condition. At this stage of treatment for schizophrenia, it’s very easy to relapse and develop other types of mental illnesses. Furthermore, during treatment patients may be lethargic or experience cognitive dysfunction. Fortunately, Mélodie didn’t seem to be experiencing any of those symptoms.

    “Is that so? That’s good. Let’s reduce the dosage of the medicine”

    Falma also changed the combination of drugs used, so he instructed the butler to inform him if anything unusual happens. With schizophrenia, it was necessary to not only observe the patient, but also the surrounding environment.

    “Is there any chance that I can stop taking the medicine?”

    “In your current state, you could stop taking the medicine”

    “If you suddenly stop taking the medicine, there’s a very high chance that the schizophrenia will come back. In order to prevent this, let’s keep taking the medicine for now”

    “I understand”

    Mélodie understood. Falma explained that given the especially good progress, she needed to endure for just a little longer.

    “I don’t want to live my life in a cage anymore. Thanks to Master Falma’s medicine, I can spend the rest of my life in good health. You’re my benefactor. You gave me the gift of helping me recover my sanity”

    “No, I should be thanking you instead”

    From Falma’s point of view, his large orders of equipment for use at the Marseille pharmaceutical factory was always completed on time and as requested, so he had no right to object to Mélodie’s unreasonable demands here.

    “Now then, I’ve hindered the other customers, so please excuse me”

    Mélodie, smiling sweetly, stood up and brushed her hair back. It was at this moment that Falma suddenly had an uncomfortable feeling.