The NPC is Stuck in a Time Loop

Chapter 13

The duke never once forgot to visit Cecilia since that day, from showing up at the store to 'Coincidentally' meeting at the market, the duke was persistent and Cecilia couldn't get away from him, it was odd that the second male lead was giving even a shroud of attention to her.

Cecilia was once again accompanied by the duke who had insisted on walking her around the market under the pretext of safety, which is an absurd excuse since the market in the capital of the empire is relatively safe. Yet here they were, while Cecilia was picking herbs and flowers to make a potion with, the duke watched from the sidelines, his stare made her nervous but it was not like she could tell him to stop staring.

Cecilia sighed as she chose the freshest of the herbs before her, basils and rosemaries, both are amazing ingredients to cleanse oneself of toxins, and she was determined to make a potion out of it, of course, she'd keep it a secret from the store owner, it seems like keeping secrets is a skill that she had developed after doing so many absurdities in the time loop. She still has nightmares of being found naked in the streets as the invisibility potion's effects wear off.

With the duke tailing behind her like an obedient puppy, Cecilia finished her shopping spree and walked to the store, thanking the duke for escorting her before slamming the door to his face, she was tired, why did things go this way for her?

She put on an apron and walked to the "Lab" with her freshly picked ingredients, flipping through a potion brewing guide, she chose a rather eccentric one.

"Probably Explosive Potion" she read aloud, she was genuinely interested in such a potion, could it actually explode? Sadly even if she made it, she'd need to travel beyond the capital's city walls to ensure that no one would fall victim.

She ground the herbs and boiled the flowers, "Good soup" she whispered to the brewing potion as she mixed the ground herbs into the cauldron, the mixture sparked once, twice, and before Cecilia knew it, the cauldron exploded on her face, knowing her fate, she covered her face in hope that it'll reduce the damage, she closed her eyes to brace for impact but the explosion never hit her, there was a loud bang and smoke could be smelled in the air, Cecilia opened her eyes and there he was, with his tan skin, dark brown hair, and shiny topaz eyes, the owner of the store, also known as the master of the magic tower, Enkh.