𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝟏𝟑: 𝐌𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫, 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲
At night, there was a loud noise and voices.
It was already midnight. Wondering what had happened, I put on a gown over my nightclothes and left my bedroom.
“Ojou-sama.”
“Stephan. What happened?”
“There was a problem in the territory. After a small landslide, there seems to be an outbreak of vomiting and diarrhea.”
“That’s terrible. Is it the water? Who is going?”
“Oku-sama and eight servants. All of them have completed their training.”
“I see, that’s reassuring.”
As Stephan and I were talking and heading towards the hall, a man covered in sweat and mud was drinking water. Next to him, Okaa-sama was giving instructions to the servants.
“Ellen, it’s good you’re here. I’m heading to Rius village. The damage may spread further.”
“I understand. Take care. I’ll take care of the house.”
“I have one important patient, so I need you to substitute for me. Ask your Otou-sama for details. Well, I’m off.”
And that’s why I’m now in the room of the second prince of the royal palace, His Highness Ehrlich, waiting for him. I believe Ehrlich-sama just got engaged recently.
Stephan is standing behind me in a white coat, unarmed, under the pretext of being an apprentice. My father insisted on this. He’s a worrier, even though there’s no need for a guard in the royal palace.
According to Otou-sama, the second prince, who is turning fourteen, is suffering from recurring headaches and stomachaches. The royal physicians have tried various treatments, but the symptoms have not improved, and it seems that the case has been passed on to our family, who is highly trusted by the queen.
After waiting for a while, His Highness Ehrlich, the second prince, finally appeared.
The fourteen-year-old prince is a slender boy with silver hair and gray eyes, and he gives a nervous impression. As soon as he saw me, he wrinkled his nose and started complaining to the old man accompanying him.
“What’s this, Rondal? This isn’t Mrs. Franca?”
“Yes. Mrs. Franca has gone to treat an epidemic. Isn’t that right, Ellen-sama?”
“Yes. There has been a large outbreak of vomiting and diarrhea in the territory, and my mother had to go there.”
“Oh. So you’re saying that the lives of commoners are more important than the life of the second prince.”
“Your Highness, with all due respect, it’s a matter of whether someone will die if left untreated, or whether someone is not in immediate danger.”
“Hmph. You’re cheeky. That’s enough! Go away!”
“…Understood. Then, I will take my leave.”
I was about to bow and leave when the old man accompanying him panicked.
“No, no, Ellen-sama, we can’t have you leave. I’ll be scolded by the queen. Please examine His Highness’s illness.”
“Rondal! Don’t say unnecessary things. There’s no way this little girl can understand my illness!”
Sigh. The troublesome nature of adolescence, compounded by power, is very troublesome. After all, he’s calling me a little girl, even though he’s much younger than me.
“I’ll tell (my regards to) Rondal-sama.”
“Please do, Ellen-sama.”
“The effectiveness of medicine for headaches and stomachaches is influenced by the state of mind. Without His Highness’s trust, the effectiveness of treatment with medicine cannot be said to be perfect. Please find another physician.”
“Ellen-sama, please don’t say that. You were chosen by the queen. His Highness has been suffering from headaches and stomachaches for over a month.”
I can’t help it…
“Then, if His Highness gives his permission.”
“Your Highness, you can’t be selfish.”
“Hmph. I can’t help it. I’ll put up with you for Rondal’s sake.”
You… put up with… It’s frustrating, but he’s royalty. I have to put up with it.
I finished the general examination and looked at the food record. But there was something that didn’t make sense.
“Your Highness, is this everything you’ve eaten and drunk?”
“That’s everything.”
“Is that so?”
I can’t help it. I’m sure it’s different, but it’s a waste to argue here. For now, I handed over a safe stomach medicine and decided to go home today. Stephan was worried on the way home in the carriage.
“Is it okay to act so… towards the prince?”
“You mean acting so assertive? It’s fine. Ever since we handed over grandmother’s medicine recipe to the royal family, it was decided that there would be no discourtesy towards our family as a reward.”
In other words, they allow us to speak without holding back.
“I see.”
“The miracle drug was used in international transactions, and the royal family has 80% of the profits. Grandmother wished for the number of patients with shaking fever to decrease more than our family’s profit. Thanks to that, the number of people dying from shaking fever in the southern countries has decreased. And the royal family is making a fortune without getting their hands dirty.”
“I see.”
“Still, he’s a troublesome patient. There were missing items in the meal record. Probably something the kitchen didn’t keep track of. Not declaring properly. I wonder if he really wants to cure his headache and stomachache.”
“Even though Ellen-sama is always gentle, you are strict with the prince.”
“I’m the youngest, you know. I’ve been trained very strictly by my older sisters. So much so, I can’t talk about it without tears. So when I see someone who’s been spoiled, I get angry. Oh? Why are you laughing, Stephan?”
“No, I’m the second son, so I know the irrationality of my older brother firsthand.”
“That prince, I smelled coffee on him. Coffee has recently become popular, but it was a different, sweet coffee smell. Like candy. Is there coffee-flavored candy circulating in the city? Coffee wasn’t written on the list of food and drink. Neither was coffee-flavored candy.”
“The common people don’t have the money to buy coffee casually, but candy flavored with the broth of brewed coffee is popular.”
“Hmm. So it’s coffee-flavored candy after all. I’ll ask about that tomorrow. Thank you. You’ve been a big help.”
So, I’ll ask the prince about the candy tomorrow. He must learn not to lie. I must teach him that a pharmacist’s nose can’t be fooled by a rebellious adolescent prince.
That night, I compared the prince’s poor health dates with his meal content until late. As expected, I couldn’t find any food that matched the days he was unwell. Even when I broadened the time frame, I couldn’t find anything relevant.
Indeed, the cause is likely to be a food that wasn’t written down.
But if it’s coffee-flavored candy, how did the prince eat candy that commoners enjoy? There’s no way such a thing would be allowed for fear of poisoning.
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