Chapter 28: A cold is oppressive (1)
«Huh? Ah, that, that...”
Catherine's face suddenly darkened, as if she had remembered something.
“Did something happen?”
“I was working in the annex at the time, so I don’t know the details, but...”
Catherine looked at the sleeping prince and whispered to me: “The former governess collapsed after drinking poisoned tea, and then His Highness went himself to call for a doctor.”
The Third Prince's Palace is located in the farthest spot from the Imperial Palace.
The Department of Medicine was a long way from here.
Edwin ran with all his might to see his governess who had been poisoned, but not a single doctor followed him.
“At that time, the Second Prince fell ill with pneumonia, and all the doctors were mobilized to his palace.”
“Still, couldn't they send at least one?”
“It is said that Her Majesty the Second Empress has forbidden anyone from leaving until the Second Prince has fully recovered.”
So then. Edwin was very unlucky.
He stumbled to the point of tragedy.
“The previous nanny was already old. In the end, they were unable to give her the antidote in time, and she died shortly afterwards.”
“…I understand.”
Suddenly I remembered what Edwin once told me:
“She died. Because of me.”
That's why he said that.
I looked at the boy lying on the bed.
Since the incident with Prince Lloyd, he hasn't said a word to me for days.
He did not leave his bed until mealtime.
I did not notice his condition deteriorating faster than it should.
«What do we do? His Highness hates doctors so much...”
«What do we do? We get one, of course.”
I handed Emilia to Catherine.
“If it gets hotter, it will be dangerous.”
Even before I died, I had never had a cold—I was super healthy.
My old comrades even called me “Iron Man.”
That's why I can't guess how much pain he's in now.
But I have seen many people who suffered long-term complications due to high fever.
(If the role of nanny assigned to me is not finished yet, then I must complete it.)
At least, as long as I'm in this position, I won't let it collapse to this extent.
“I'm going to go into medicine myself. Please take care of His Highness.”
“You're going yourself, Nanny? "I think I'd better go myself."
Catherine looked uncomfortable.
“I see that Their Highnesses need you more than I do...”
Her voice was shaking with lack of confidence.
And I can guess why.
(That makes sense—she was watching them when we almost got into an accident with Lloyd.)
But I had no intention of sending it to the medical department.
It's the same place that repelled a prince.
If I sent a good and naive girl like her, she wouldn't even be able to get a vial of fever medicine.
“I am not fit to care.” I said with an expressionless face. “And His Highness is in no condition to escape, so don’t worry.”
“Excuse me?”
“This time, you can go out of the palace instead of just staying in the annex. "Maybe you could take the opportunity for a little walk?"
“Nanny—!”
Catherine was confused, then finally realized that I was joking her and pursed her lips.
“Please don't joke like that! “I really thought I was going to die that day!”
“Then I leave the matter to you.”
Without waiting for her response, I left the room.
The last thing I heard was Edwin's breathing getting heavier and heavier.
I had to hurry.
I left the Third Prince's Palace and started walking.
It didn't take long for the walk to turn into a sprint.
The medicine department of the Ventrum Empire was very large.
In her spacious garden there were no ornamental plants—but medicinal herbs of every kind.
I passed through the fields of grass and entered the building.
The bitter smell of herbs, and a pungent whiff of spices filled the place.
I involuntarily wrinkled my nose, and one of them came towards me.
“Which palace are you from?”
He was an old man, perhaps seventy.
On the cloak thrown over his shoulders is an embroidery of a snake ascending a wooden staff.
(Emblem of the God of Medicine).
Then he must be the highest ranking doctor here.
“I am from the Third Prince’s Palace,” I answered respectfully.
“…Third Prince’s Palace?”
Upon hearing this, the doctor's expression changed slightly.
"Yes. His Highness the Third Prince is very ill. Please send a doctor—”
“What a pity, what to do?”
The doctor interrupted me with an embarrassed smile.
“I'm afraid it's difficult now. “All our doctors are on outpatient visits.”
“All of them?” Why?
“Oh, don't get me started. Her Majesty the Second Empress recently collapsed from a chronic illness, and today she fainted again. So the administration is on alert.”
I furrowed my eyebrows.
The sheikh in front of me is lying.
I can tell from his expression.
He was smiling like a good man, but the corners of his eyes did not move at all.
His eyes deviated to the upper left as he spoke.
These are all characteristics of a liar.
(But why?)
The important thing is: why would he lie to me?
“Then at least prepare some medicine.”
When the medicine was mentioned, the doctor's face changed.
Like a hunting dog he spotted an opportunity.
He smiled broadly and said: “Oh, of course I will prepare the medicine!” What symptoms is His Highness suffering from?
“High fever and persistent cough. "I think it's a cold."
The doctor nodded to prescribe me. “According to the symptoms, it looks like a cold. I'll write a prescription right away at the pharmacy. Come with me.”
The elderly doctor accompanied me to the pharmacy.
It was located directly behind the administration building.
As expected of an imperial palace, the pharmacy was large.
But inside that spacious space there was only one young pharmacist.
As soon as he saw the doctor, he quickly bowed: “Greetings, Grand Doctor!” What brings you to yourself...?
“Hoho, what else? “I came to prescribe a medicine.”
So this old man is the Grand Physician, the Emperor's personal physician.
Higher position than I thought.
“Okay then.”
The doctor quickly wrote the prescription.
“Follow these.”
“Yes, understood.”
The young pharmacist politely took the prescription and began preparing the herbs.
I was silently watching the movement of his hands—
“By the way.”
The elder doctor suddenly crossed my line of sight.
“I have worked at the palace for fourteen years, and this is the first time I have seen you, miss. Are you newly hired?
"Yes."
“If you please, what is your name?”
Instead of answering, I just stared at him.
He smiled awkwardly, my silence confusing him a little. “Oh, how impudent of me. I had to introduce myself first. “I am Sas Zeil, director of this medical department.”
Sas zel. Age Estimate: Spins. Title: The Great Doctor. Position: Director of Medicine Department.
(A name that does not suit who should be here...)
I brought his background to mind and finally said, “What an honor.” "I did not expect to meet Count Zaile here."
«Oh? Do you know me?
naturally.
Before I died, I accepted some requests from Beit Zeil.
I looked at the surprised Sas-Zeil and smiled slightly. “I heard that you often volunteer treatment in poor people’s shelters and temples for those who cannot afford treatment. It is said that you are of great virtue.”
I smiled as he looked confused.
“In high society, you are also known for your happy marriage.”
His features trembled slightly.
“Haha, happy marriage—that's a little embarrassing. We are as close as other couples, nothing more.”
He smiled and suddenly changed the subject.
“Anyway, your work must be hard. Especially in that place.”
“That place?”
“Haha, let's be honest. Who doesn’t know that the Third Prince’s Palace is a difficult place to work?”
Smile meaningfully.
“Indeed, I am closely related to Her Majesty the Second Empress. What is your opinion? Isn't it a good opportunity to move into her palace?'
Before I knew it, he came closer and whispered next to my ear:
“A beautiful lady like you does not fit in a miserable place like the Third Prince’s palace.”
My lips curled into a long smile.
(Sass Zeil. A vile person who molests young patients in poorhouses and exploits temple nuns in their asylums.)
They say: nature is predominant.
And now he extends his hand even to the palace maids?
If the jealous Countess Szale had known, the resurrection would have taken place. What audacity.
“I appreciate the offer.”
I gently pushed the doctor's hand away as he tried to hold my hand.
“But I'm fine.”
“Hmm, what a waste. “It was a really great opportunity.”
Sass hardly bothered to chatter any more—
Until the pharmacist came between us and offered me a small bottle.
The drink inside the clear bottle was shining bright yellow.
«More important! regrettable. But as long as the lady refuses, I will not insist.”
Sass ducked his head, feigning embarrassment.
“Then I will mourn you. I have a lot of work, you know.”
Unlike before, the older doctor became arrogant, waving his chin.
As if to say: “Go away now.”
But I wasn't going to leave yet.
Something has been bothering me for a while.
And there he was, lying on the table.
I picked up the pen with which he wrote the recipe.
Fine-point ink pen with a sharp tip.