Chapter 68: Taste Test

Just moments ago, Isaac had confidently asked Julius for Lulu’s hand in marriage.

Proud, smiling, expecting approval.

But now…now he was standing there watching as Lulu clung to another man and showered him with kisses right in front of everyone.

Each kiss felt like a slap across his face, echoing louder with every soft sound.

His hands clenched. His cheeks flushed a deep shade of red. The humiliation stung more than fire.

“L-Lady Lulu…! What are you doing?!”

He stammered, his voice breaking.

“Why did you do something like that?”

His words stumbled out in disbelief.

“Isn’t this…isn’t this too much, even for you?”

But Lulu didn’t even look guilty or bothered about what she did. Still hugging Luca’s arm, she scoffed and tilted her head.

“What’s wrong with what I did?”

“Sure, what I said to you earlier was rude, and yeah, I apologized for that. I meant it too. But this?”

She gestured to Luca, leaning into him even more.

“I just kissed someone I really like.”

“There’s nothing wrong with that, is there?” She smirked.

“Not to mention, it’s not like we’re married. It’s not like I’m cheating on anyone. And last I checked, giving a few smooches isn’t a crime.”

She waved her hand dismissively before saying with a fierce look in her eyes,

“Affection is just affection and I dare you to do anything about it.”

Isaac’s mouth opened—but nothing came out.

He was shaking with anger and embarrassment.

His pride as a man, as Julius’s apprentice, was being torn apart in front of everyone. His ears twitched, but before he could snap back, his gaze met Luca’s.

Luca wasn’t glaring. He wasn’t smirking, either.

He was just looking at him with a relaxed gaze.

That made Isaac hesitate.

He swallowed his anger and looked away quickly, shifting his focus to Julius instead.

“Master.” He said through gritted teeth. “I think…I think I’d prefer your other daughter instead. Luna.”

He forced a smile that didn’t reach his eyes.

“She seems like she’d be a better match for me. Your younger daughter is…a little too unruly.”

Hearing this change of plans, all eyes turned to Luna.

“W-What?” Luna stammered, completely caught off guard. “Me?!”

Her heart skipped. Panic flashed across her face.

She didn’t want another argument.

Didn’t want another confrontation.

So, instead she looked instinctively toward Luca.

Their eyes met.

Something settled inside her.

And to everyone’s shock, she stepped forward—too fast—tripped slightly—

And kissed Luca on the cheek.

“Kiss!♡~”

Everyone gasped.

Then, red-faced, Luna grabbed onto his arm, hugging it tightly like she was declaring her side in her own silent, flustered way.

But the shock didn’t end there.

Nyx, who had been watching everything with an amused, knowing smile, stepped forward next.

Without warning—without hesitation—she leaned in and kissed Luca on the cheek as well.

“Kiss!♡~”

Isaac’s eyes almost popped out of his head.

“L-Lady Nyx?! Why did you—why would you—?!”

Nyx chuckled softly, resting her hand on Luca’s shoulder.

“Just insurance, dear.” She said sweetly. “You seemed so eager to propose a moment ago, I thought you might include me next.”

“And if by some miracle you did, I’d rather not have you think I wasn’t interested.”

The room collectively broke.

Leona blinked in disbelief at her sister’s antics.

Luna looked ready to faint.

Lulu looked delighted.

And Nyx wasn’t done.

“Oh, and Lisa.” She said, turning to the little girl still in her arms. “That man over there—” She pointed teasingly at Isaac “—looks desperate enough to ask anyone next. Maybe even a little baby like you.”

“So why don’t you go ahead and kiss your big brother Luca on the cheek too? Unless, of course, you’d rather marry that boy.”

Lisa blinked.

“M-Marry him?” She looked at Isaac, who glared back in mortified disbelief, then looked at Luca—who smiled warmly at her, kind and gentle.

That was enough.

Lisa giggled, leaned forward from Nyx’s arms, and planted an innocent little kiss on Luca’s forehead.

“Kiss!♡~”

And just like that—without saying a word—he had completely won the room over.

Lulu held onto him proudly, Luna was still hugging his arm in a fluster, Nyx looked satisfied, and even little Lisa smiled shyly at him.

He had somehow turned a tense confrontation into a complete reversal.

Isaac, on the other hand, stood utterly humiliated.

Every single person in the room who wasn’t in a relationship had sided with Luca, leaving him completely isolated.

And out of desperation he looked towards Julius. ”

M-Master, I—”

Julius exhaled sharply and waved a hand, cutting him off.

“Never mind it, Isaac.” He said curtly. “They don’t understand what kind of man you are. Don’t let it bother you.”

Then, with forced calmness, he continued, “Even if my daughters are too blind to see it, I’m sure you’ll find a better woman. For now—let’s proceed.”

He turned toward the bed, his voice regaining its usual composure.

“It’s about time we start the treatment. Show them your skills, Isaac. Show them what they’ve lost.”

The words struck Isaac like a spark reigniting a dying flame.

His humiliation morphed into determination.

“Yes, Master.” He said through gritted teeth. “I’ll prove myself.”

He grabbed his bag and knelt swiftly on the wooden floor.

From inside, he drew out a small stone mortar and pestle, setting them down with purpose. Then he began pulling out ingredients one after another—strange, foul-looking things that made everyone recoil.

Bundles of herbs. Dried flowers. Vials of murky fluid.

And then—wriggling insects, slick worms, and crushed beetles glistening like black oil.

“Eww, that’s so disgusting.” Lulu gagged.

“That’s supposed to be medicine?” Luna asked.

But Isaac ignored them completely.

He began throwing everything into the mortar one by one, grinding with forceful, rapid motions.

And soon mixture inside turned into a dark, thick paste—its smell pungent, heavy, and nauseatingly sharp filling the room with a foul odor that made even Leona cover her nose.

The pestle clanked against the stone again and again, the rhythm fast and furious like he was grinding away not just herbs, but his frustration, his anger, his shame.

And finally, he exhaled in satisfaction and said,

“It’s finished.”

He tipped the mortar carefully and poured the thick, muddy sludge into a wooden cup and the moment everyone saw the final product, their expressions changed.

The ’medicine’ looked like a clump of wet soil mixed with crushed bugs and broken leaves.

Bits of something that looked suspiciously like legs or shells floated on the surface.

It was brown, murky, and viscous—more like sewage than any kind of cure.

Lulu pinched her nose immediately.

“Ugh!” She muttered under her breath. “I know I was joking earlier about him eating shit, but who would’ve thought he’d actually make shit instead of medicine?”

Leona couldn’t hide her unease as well. Her brows furrowed as she took a step closer, the pungent smell making her wrinkle her nose.

“Julius…are you sure this is the proper medicine?”

She asked, voice hesitant.

“Not to mention the smell, but even the look of it is rather…off-putting.”

Julius, however, only smiled confidently and stepped forward, resting a proud hand on Isaac’s shoulder.

“Of course it is, Leona.” He said cooly. “I have absolute faith in my disciple’s skill. What he’s prepared here will undoubtedly help her recover. I trust him completely.”

He turned to Isaac. “I’m putting all my confidence in you.”

Isaac straightened, eyes gleaming with pride.

“Thank you, Master. I’ll make you proud.”

But then, a sarcastic voice broke the silence.

“I understand that you love your disciple.”

Luca said, stepping forward.

“And that you trust him a lot.”

He smiled faintly, though there was a sharpness in his tone.

“But just like everyone else here, I don’t think that looks much like medicine.”

The room turned to him.

“Now, I totally get it.” Luca went on, hands raised lightly. “Medicine doesn’t need to look good or smell good. It’s usually bitter, unpleasant—that’s fine.”

“But I seriously doubt something that has cockroach legs, ants, and black sludge in it will help anyone. Especially not a patient this sick.”

Before Julius could respond, Rufus stepped forward, his voice rising in defense.

“What does it matter to you?” He snapped. “I gave Julius full permission to treat my wife however he wants. He can feed her whatever he wants. Who are you to question that?”

“Not to mention that I’ve spent decades with Esme!” He puffed out his chest. “I know her better than anyone else! I can take care of her just fine. So, as her husband I believe this medicine is more than enough for her.”

He reached out a hand, motioning toward the cup.

“I’ll give it to her myself.”

And in response didn’t fight back and just stared at him up and down before giving in.

“Fine.” He said simply. “You’re her husband. You know what’s best for her.”

The words shocked everyone behind him.

Luna’s eyes widened; Lulu’s mouth fell open. Even Leona frowned, uneasy as even she didn’t want Esme to drink that horrible liquid.

Lisa, clutching Nyx’s arm, especially looked terrified since the mixture looked like it would kill her mother rather then save her and wanted to stop her father.

But before she could say anything, Luca spoke again, his voice deceptively casual.

“But.” He said. “Since you’re such a loyal husband…I believe you should taste-test it first.”

Rufus blinked. “What?”

“Just to make sure it’s safe.” Luca said with a smile. “For your wife’s sake, of course.”

The color drained from Rufus’s face. “I–I don’t need to do that! Julius already said—”

Before he could finish, Luca moved.

In a single smooth motion, he snatched the cup straight from Isaac’s hand and before anyone could react, he grabbed Rufus by the collar, slammed him lightly against the wall, and with one hand pried open his jaw.

“Gaah—!”

“Wait—what are you doing?!” Julius shouted.

Isaac lunged forward. “Stop! That’s not—”

Luca’s grin widened. “Relax.” He said cheerfully. “I’m just helping him take his medicine like a good boy.”

And with that, he shoved the entire cup into Rufus’s mouth and forced it down.

“Gaak—! Guuk—! Gauk—! Gwaak—!”

Rufus gagged violently, thrashing as the sludge poured down his throat.

The thick, bitter mix spilled from the sides of his mouth as he tried to scream, but Luca held firm, tilting his chin back until he swallowed every last drop.

“Go on.” Luca said pleasantly. “Don’t waste a drop. It’s good for you. Isn’t that right, Julius?”

He tilted the cup higher, making sure every last drop went down and Rufus’s face twisted

The ’medicine’ burned its way down his throat, and he clawed at his neck, gurgling and coughing as his color shifted from pale to green to bluish-gray.

Just then, Julius barked, furious.

“You’re crossing the line! You’re not allowed to harm the male elves—this is clearly endangering his life!”

Luca turned his head slightly toward him, still holding Rufus in place.

“Harm? Who said I’m harming?” He chuckled. “In fact I’m doing the exact opposite.”

He tipped the last of the sludge in.

“I’m giving him medicine. The very medicine you just said was healthy. So, you could even say that I’m helping him out.”

Behind him, Luna raised her hand in support.

“Yeah, exactly! He’s just giving the man his treatment!”

“Push it down!” Lulu shouted gleefully. “Make sure he drinks every bit of that shit—uh, medicine!”

Finally, Rufus choked down the last of it, sputtering and gagging as Luca released him.

He staggered forward, face twisted, complexion draining from all sorts of colours.

His throat spasmed as he clutched it desperately.

His eyes made it seem as if he has seen hell itself.

Then, suddenly—he collapsed.

Boom!

Foam bubbled from his lips as he thrashed violently on the floor, convulsing and the horrible gurgling noises filled the room.

Leona stepped back in shock. Luna gasped. Lulu looked in wonder and awe.

Even Julius and Isaac froze, their expressions shifting from anger to disbelief.

Only Nyx remained calm, covering Lisa’s eyes gently.

“Don’t look, sweetie.” She murmured. “Your father’s…having a moment.”

Meanwhile, Luca wiped his hands of the disgusting sludge.

Then he looked at Julius and Isaac, his smile sharp and mocking.

“Well?” He said casually. “If that ’medicine’ of yours is killing him this fast…”

His eyes flicked toward Esme.

“…How long did you think she’d survive?”

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