In the East is a land ruled by an emperor, whose consorts and serving women live in a sprawling complex known as the hougong, the rear palace. Maomao, an unassuming girl raised in an unassuming town by her apothecary father, never imagined the rear palace would have anything to do with her—until she was kidnapped and sold into service there.Though she looks ordinary, Maomao has a quick wit, a sharp mind, and an extensive knowledge of medicine. That's her secret, until she encounters a resident of the palace at least as perceptive as she is: the head eunuch, Jinshi. He sees through Maomao's façade and makes her a lady-in-waiting to none other than the Emperor's favorite consort... so she can taste the lady's food for poison!
The Apothecary Diaries It is also Known as: 薬屋のひとりごと, The Pharmacist's Monologue
Genres: Drama , Mystery , Historical , China , Romance , Maid , Detective , Seinen , Slice of Life
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Top 5 Light Novel Like The Apothecary Diaries (Kusuriya no Hitorigoto) [2026 List]
5. Saikin Yatotta Maid ga Ayashii
Short stories about a young boy and his newly hired maid.
My Recently Hired Maid Is Suspicious is currently publishing and has Chapters. It is also Known as: 最近雇ったメイドが怪しい, My Recently Hired Maid Is Suspicious (Webcomic), Saikin Yatotta Maid ga Ayashii (Webcomic)
4. Kimi wa Meido-sama.
A girl in a maid uniform came to Hitoyoshi's house looking for a job. Her previous job was an assassin, and she is skilled in all the deadly arts, but she's a complete beginner at housework. Hitoyoshi was confused by the strange request and sent her away. But then she saved Hitoyoshi from a deadly accident, and he thought maybe they can make this work? This is a story about a maid who was a cold-hearted killer learning about new emotions. A maid who lived a lonely life in the underworld finally finding family. The start of an enjoyable daily life.
You Are Ms. Servant is currently publishing and has Chapters. It is also Known as: 君は冥土様。, Kimi wa Maid sama.
3. Kaichou wa Maid-sama! Marriage
Chapter 1
The Maid Latte is having a Setsubun Day event. They played a special game called Tataite Kabutte Jankenpon with their masters, where in, if the challenger wins will get a special ehoumaki and a picture from his favorite maid and if loses, will get thrown beans by the maids.
Chapter 2
Misaki, after graduating from High school, travels to Kyoto searching for a college dorm. She will meet Tora and Maki there as well.
Kaichou wa Maid-sama! Marriage has finished publishing and it has 7 Chapters. It is also Known as: 会長はメイド様！マリアージュ, Kaichou wa Maid-sama! Marriage
2. Saikin Yatotta Maid ga Ayashii
There’s something really strange about the maid I just hired! No normal person could be so beautiful, or cook such amazingly delicious food, or know exactly what I want before I even ask. She must be using magic-right, a spell is the only thing that can explain why my chest feels so tight whenever I look at her. I swear, I’m going to get to the bottom of what makes this maid so...mysterious!
Note: Ninth place of Tsugimanga 2020 Award in the Manga Category.
My Recently Hired Maid Is Suspicious has finished publishing and it has Chapters. It is also Known as: 最近雇ったメイドが怪しい, La criada que contraté recientemente es sospechosa., My Recently Hired Maid Is Mysterious, The Maid I Hired Recently Is Mysterious, My Recently Hired Maid Is Suspicious (Serialization), Saikin Yatotta Maid ga Ayashii (Serialization)
1. Kusuriya no Hitorigoto
In the imperial court, a young woman is put into servitude, Maomao. The tale is just beginning for the woman doctor/pharmacist from the red-light district, as rumors circulate about the emperor's children's lives being short-lived. Her curious nature and thirst for knowledge pushes her to action. To satisfy her curiosity, this young doctor/pharmacist will investigate the origin! What is shifting in the imperial court..!?
The Apothecary Diaries is currently publishing and has Chapters. It is also Known as: 薬屋のひとりごと, The Pharmacist's Monologue, The Pharmacist's Soliloquies, Drugstore Soliloquy
