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ONE day, Randall came to visit Soup Forest.
“Ah, I knew you’d be here,” he said. “I guessed as much when I heard you had left the Lefort house. You kept going on about how much you’d like to come here ever since I told you about it.”
“I just really want to be an apothecary. Right now, I’m spending each day copying down Lady Marguerite’s books, little by little.”
“Are you, now? Olivia, may I have today’s soup? And one slice of bread.”
“Of course,” said Olivia. “Lara, you sit with Randall and keep him company.”
“But I can work,” said Lara.
“It’s fine. Your job right now is to have a chat with Randall.”
“Oh, well, all right. May I sit with you, Mister Auber?”
“Of course, take a seat.”
Olivia brought out soup and bread for two. Lara was hesitantly eating when Randall said something unexpected. “Would you be interested in an apprenticeship with a royal apothecary? A spot has recently opened up. The pay is meager, but you’ll learn a lot.”
“What?”
If this had been when Lara had just come to this house, she would have been overjoyed at the thought of being an apothecary’s apprentice, but now, she didn’t want to leave. She wanted to stay with Olivia for longer. It was too soon to give up on this heavenly life. She started to panic.
“What’s wrong?” asked Randall. “You don’t seem excited.”
“I am, but…it just seems sad to leave here.”
“I see. This place does seem pleasant. But your father worried about you. He told me he wanted you to have the knowledge and skills necessary to support yourself even when he was no longer there.”
Lara sensed someone behind her. She turned to see Olivia standing there with an indescribable expression.
“Olivia, what’s wrong?” asked Lara.
“Lara, you’re leaving?” Olivia inquired.
“I don’t want to, but I also can’t stay here forever.”
Randall gave several small nods as he listened to Lara and Olivia, urging an answer from Lara. “There are others who want this apprenticeship. Someone else will take it if you hesitate.”
“I know. You’re completely right.”
“I apologize for barging into the conversation, Randall, but, will this apprenticeship provide some sort of advantage when Lara takes the apothecary exam?” asked Olivia.
“It has nothing to do with the exam. Everyone who takes the exam is treated equally. No one can become an apothecary if they lack the requisite knowledge of medicinal herbs and illnesses.”
“And would the books my grandmother left behind be enough to provide that knowledge?” Olivia brought several of them over to show Randall.
He flipped through the pages to confirm. “Someone who memorized all of this would be able to pass. I have no doubt about that.”
“Did you hear that, Lara? If you want to stay here, you can stay for as long as you like. All you have to do is take your time memorizing what my grandmother left behind while you do live here. And I’d never think you’re taking advantage of me. You’re important to me. You’re like my sister.”
“Olivia…” said Lara as she thought, It really is heaven here.