Dead-End Villainess Who Makes Medicine - Chapter 06

 

 

“Your Majesty, the air is dry in the winter. The slight chill and discomfort from the snow might affect you. I would like to recommend a tea that is good for your eye health, Your Majesty. Would that be acceptable?”

 

“Sure. But it’s not just for a day or two that my eyes have been like this. It’s been over a year. Drinking a bit of tea won’t make it better.”

 

Symptoms that have been present for over a year.

 

I wanted to ask specifically about the symptoms, but I held back.

 

One could roughly guess from the ingredients that go into that medicine.

 

‘I should stop by the palace infirmary on the way back.’

 

I said as I lowered my eyebrows, appearing concerned.

 

“For over a year… While taking care of the Emperor’s health, Your Majesty’s health isn’t good either, so I’m very worried.”

 

“It’s all right.”

 

The Empress seemed to be growing slightly annoyed.

 

I decided to impose a bit more before the order to leave the room was given.

 

“What did the physician say? If they haven’t been able to cure Your Majesty’s illness for over a year, shouldn’t there be severe consequences?”

 

“No, that’s not the case. Thanks to this medicine that the physician provided, I can alleviate my suffering. He said it was because of aging.”

 

‘No… ‘aging,’ you say?’

 

Since a while ago, I had been wondering why she’s been talking about aging. It turned out the physician was the cause. 

 

‘It doesn’t make sense.’

 

If the Empire’s Empress was suffering from aging-related issues at an age not even in her forties, then the commoners who didn’t receive proper welfare would have died of various ailments long before their hair turned gray.

 

“Anyway, I hope there will never be a reason for me to dislike you.”

 

I was pondering how to continue the conversation when the Empress issued a dismissal command.

 

The Empress’s unfocused gaze left me.

 

“……Yes, Your Majesty, I will do my best.”

 

It seemed impossible to extract more information.

 

As I was giving my closing greetings, the curtains were drawn once again.

 

Exiting the bedroom, I conveyed a message through a glance to the head maid by the Empress’ side.

 

She followed me out, displaying an expression of annoyance.

 

“What is the matter? Her Majesty the Empress has summoned me, so I cannot leave my post for long.”

 

The head maid, with her tied gray hair, appeared polite but had a stern expression.

 

‘She seems quite uncooperative.’

 

I briefly considered giving up and going straight to the Palace Infirmary.

 

However, I decided to ask her a question and speak up.

 

“Has Her Majesty the Empress complained of any other symptoms?”

 

In response to my question, the head maid stared at me blankly and answered in a dry tone.

 

“Matters concerning Her Majesty the Empress’ condition are not within my purview.”

 

“However, you must know better than the physician about the usual symptoms she complains of.”

 

“Her Majesty the Empress’ private matters. It’s forbidden to divulge them casually. I’m sure even Your Highness is aware of that.”

 

It was almost as if I was conversing with a wall.

 

‘Perhaps she’s more guarded because I’m from the Cassian family.’

 

If I were from another family, especially from the Empress’ side, she might have responded more kindly.

 

I made one final attempt at conversing.

 

“I’m only asking because I’m curious if I can be of help to improve Her Majesty’s condition. I would appreciate it if you could share even a little.”

 

The head maid’s deep blue eyes slowly moved from top to bottom, then back up again.

 

It was as if her gaze was scrutinizing me, and before I could say anything, she spoke first.

 

“Your highness. I dare speak up. This is the imperial palace. Etiquette, procedures, and regulations are prioritized above all else here. Regardless of how you were raised in your home, since you are in the imperial palace, please adhere to the rules.”

 

With her statement concluded, the head maid gracefully lowered her waist in a perfect bow.

 

Her tone was polite without a hint of flaw. However, the content was a subtle mockery of the Cassian Dukedom, implying that they lacked etiquette, procedures, and regulations.

 

Well, that’s understandable considering that the Cassian Dukedom, a few generations back, had received a dukedom title for their contributions to the war and had grown their influence through their wealth.

 

‘Because of that, Father wants to hide his connections to the underworld as much as possible.’

 

After all, the roots of the Cassian family stemmed from the underworld.

 

Even though they had become one of the most powerful noble families in the empire, they were still involved in various businesses with the underworld, although nothing was proven due to lack of evidence.

 

So, from the perspective of the head maid, who likely knew all of this, it was only natural to be cautious around me, a member of the Cassian family. However, she was going too far.

 

Looking at her as she raised her head again, I spoke.

 

“Lady.”

 

“Yes, your Highness.”

 

“I wish to know your name.”

 

The head maid replied with the same expressionless face.

 

“I am Blanche Camer, Your Highness.”

 

I had heard that a sister of the Count Camer was at the imperial palace.

 

I never imagined that she would be the closest attendant to the Empress.

 

‘So, that’s why she’s so confident.’

 

The Count of Camer family was an ancient and influential family. They were known to have existed since the founding of the empire, and their influence on the empire was immense.

 

In other words, it was a family not to be recklessly meddled with, even by the Cassian family.

 

With a smiling face, I spoke, “Alright. Thank you for the advice.”

 

“Thank you, your highness.”

 

I turned away from the head maid’s greeting and left her behind. She had a rather haughty air about her, as if daring anyone to challenge her.

 

As I stepped outside the Tishrit Palace, Zenid whispered quietly.

 

“Your Highness, where shall we go?”

 

She must have realized that I wasn’t going back to Garnet Palace right away.

 

As we stepped out into the garden, the sun blinded me.

 

I raised my hand to shield my eyes from the sunlight and replied,

 

“To the palace infirmary.”

 

As we walked, I added another word.

 

 “To thoroughly investigate.”

 

I didn’t explicitly mention who or what to investigate, but Zenid understood immediately, nodding her head in acknowledgment.

 

The Count of Camer family.

 

The older something is, the more dust accumulates on it.

 

Considering that they claimed to have been nobles since the empire’s founding, I couldn’t help but anticipate how many layers of hidden history lay beneath the surface.

 

 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

 

When Rohiriel entered the infirmary, there was someone secretly suffering.

 

‘Why on earth does it have to be like this today!’ 

 

Ares was quietly following behind Rohiriel.

 

He was breathing heavily, clutching his legs, and even his walking seemed off due to signals coming from his lower abdomen.

 

Because of the pain that had started this morning, he had already visited the restroom five times.

 

‘His highness…! Is he just tormenting me?’

 

Was it because he had worked through the night and hadn’t taken proper rest?

 

He had gone out for an investigation related to Hemion Martin and immediately been sent here without any rest.

 

In the midst of close protection duty, this situation was truly awkward.

 

Even when he was waiting for the Crown Princess to come out of Garnet Palace in the morning, he had received the signal a whopping three times.

 

In the end, he had almost missed following the Crown Princess on her outing due to his urgent need for the restroom.

 

And this was the infirmary.

 

Amidst the busy physicians moving around, he couldn’t possibly show himself, a direct guardian knight of the royal family, hobbling awkwardly to the restroom.

 

‘What the hell are we doing here?’

 

Ares sighed in exasperation after considering this dilemma dozens of times.

 

Should he preserve his dignity?

 

Or should he give up and dash to the restroom?

 

‘Just a little longer, just a little longer!’ 

 

Ares gathered his resolve and summoned all his strength.

 

He clung to the hope that once her business at the infirmary was done, and she returned to Garnet Palace, he would be able to address this issue.

 

 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

 

An emergency was declared in the infirmary.

 

It was due to the sudden appearance of the Crown Princess.

 

“I apologize for the mess. I wasn’t informed ahead of time…”

 

The chief physician wore a seemingly friendly smile, but there was something unsettling about his demeanor.

 

“Are you here for a tour? Where would you like to start?”

 

“Tour?”

 

It seemed the chief physician had mistaken my purpose for visiting the infirmary.

 

I shook my head and said.

 

“I’ve come to have a conversation with you. If you could spare some time, that would be appreciated.”

 

“A conversation with me……?”

 

The chief physician blinked, clearly puzzled.

 

I started to step further into the infirmary and continued.

 

“Let’s go inside and talk. Could I ask for a cup of tea?”

 

“Oh, yes… please come this way.”

 

As I was guided into a reception room, I asked the chief physician various questions.

 

He mentioned that he had been a physician for over 20 years now.

 

He became chief physician at the palace about three years ago. Surprisingly, he hadn’t gradually climbed up the ranks within the palace; he had entered from outside after practicing medicine elsewhere.

 

Apparently, he was exceptionally skilled so he had been scouted.

 

“Your Highness, please don’t hesitate to ask any questions you have, and I will answer them to the best of my ability.”

 

In contrast to Blanche, he displayed a highly cooperative attitude.

 

Without wasting time, I went straight to the point.

 

“I’m interested in knowing about the illness that Her Majesty is suffering from and the medicine she’s using.”

 

The moment I finished speaking, something changed in the previously serene expression of the physician.

 

“Are you referring to Her Majesty the Empress?”

 

He cleared his throat a few times.

 

“Excuse me, Your Highness, but may I ask why you’re curious about the Empress’ condition?”

 

He even tried to deflect the conversation and stall for time.

 

‘Something’s suspicious about this.’

 

I raised the teacup and responded.

 

“Actually, I learned a bit about medicine before I got married.”

 

“You… studied medicine?”

 

“I’m particularly knowledgeable about pharmacology. I wanted to ask if there’s anything I could do to help the Empress’ condition.”

 

“Oh… about the severe poisoning. I’ve heard about your actions.”

 

The chief physician’s eyes seemed to light up, as if remembering something from just before the wedding.

 

But that was it. In his deep brown eyes, a mix of surprise, incredulity, and even a hint of disdain appeared.

 

‘He’s underestimating me.’

 

I inwardly sighed softly and spoke again.

 

“Anyway, I’d like to know more about the Empress’ condition and her prescription.”

 

The chief physician slowly stroked his chin as he blinked.

 

His contemplative expression was evident.

 

Eventually, he seemed to reach a decision and cautiously replied,

 

“I apologize, Your Highness. It seems difficult to easily disclose information about the Empress’ condition, as it is not just anyone’s concern.”

 

I had expected this response.

 

With a slightly sharper tone, I said,

 

“Even if I could be of help to Her Majesty? I, as the Crown Princess, have the authority to access the medical records of fellow royals.”

 

“I apologize. While it’s remarkable that Your Highness has studied medicine, this matter involves experts like me and the doctors of the infirmary.”

 

When he mentioned the infirmary doctors, I knew something was up.

 

Suddenly, the door to the reception room swung open, and one of the trainees burst in.

 

“Chief physician, it seems like you need to come out for a moment!”

 

“What’s all this commotion about?”

 

The chief physician opened the door hastily and entered, scolding the trainee in an irritated tone.

 

The trainee appeared flustered and seemed quite anxious.

 

“Apologies. But this is such a startling matter…!”

 

“Tsk, what could be so important that it has to reach my ears? I am in the middle of a serious conversation with Your Highness!”

 

The chief physician said this and then looked at me, sensing my presence.

 

“It’s alright, you may go attend to it. They said it’s an urgent matter.”

 

“……In that case, please excuse me.”

 

As the chief physician left, I followed suit.

 

I was curious about what urgent matter required the chief physician’s immediate attention.

 

If the matter was resolved quickly, I intended to bring up the topic of the Empress’ illness again.

 

“Chief physician!”

 

As we stepped into the corridor, a group of physicians had gathered in front of the restroom.

 

As the chief physician and I approached, they moved aside and cleared a path in the middle.

 

And amidst them, I saw a striking blonde man lying sprawled on the floor.