Helene followed Abner into the dim herbal shop. A quick glance showed her a frail girl crouching beside a bucket at the counter, brushing the feathers of a wide-eyed owl perched on its rim.
The owl even lifted one wing to help her.
Behind the counter stood the owner, a plump man in his thirties with black hair, brown eyes, a round face, and the black robes of a country witch doctor. He looked remarkably kind.
Helene soon revised that judgment.
At the sight of Abner and Helene entering his shop, Fat Apothecary Darkwill looked startled for a moment. Then an insinuating smile spread across his face.
"Well, if it isn't the Hero Detective. I didn't expect to run into you in Bayam... And you've switched to another one already?"
He made a point of glancing at Helene beside Abner.
Switched to another one? What does that mean? Does Detective Braine make a habit of capturing women and turning them into maids? If I'm the only maid with him now, did he let the others go when their Contracts expired? At least that would mean he keeps his word... Helene's imagination ran wild.
That fat man hasn't changed a bit... Abner gave him a polite smile, ignored the question, and turned toward Boudi, who was brushing the owl.
The sores on the girl's face and arms had improved considerably since last night. More importantly, her whole demeanor had changed. She no longer looked so bleak and despairing; there was a glimmer of hope in her.
Though the work was strenuous for her sickly body, she seemed happy to do it. She never once slacked off.
Is this enough to make her feel like a person? She's... so easily satisfied.
While Abner was quietly reflecting on this, Darkwill noticed him looking