“Everything looks good. You can be discharged now.”
Acella grinned widely, like a kid who just received a Christmas gift, at my approval.
Although the manual says I’m supposed to consult with other doctors, Acella insisted on only getting treatment from me, not wanting a crowd in the hospital room.
Thanks to that, it was just the two of us in the hospital room all the time.
“I’m finally going to smell the outside air. Look, Prince, I’ve been sitting so long my bed got an imprint!”
“Congratulations.”
“Call Lucy. I want to go back to the Moonlight Palace right away.”
“Don’t overdo it. Your injury might flare up again.”
“Don’t be so dramatic. I’m fine. There’s no trace at all.”
“I haven’t seen it myself.”
Since Acella woke up, she’s been making me avoid looking at her surgical area, so Chloe is handling the check-ups.
“Why would the Prince see my bare body?”
“I saw it during the surgery.”
“Forget that, it’s an order.”
Acella pouted, throwing a pillow at me.
Energetically, there’s no need to worry.
‘I can check it out through the diagnosis too.’
―――――――――――
· Name: Acella von Württemberg
· Stamina: 20 / 22
· Condition: Recovering
· Injury: None
· Mood: Anticipation
―――――――――――
I haven’t heard other doctors’ opinions, but I checked with a second opinion too.
Acella’s condition is more than excellent.
“Prince, the festival starts tomorrow.”
Acella brought up the topic.
“Indeed.”
“It’s a long festival. Until New Year, everyone will be in a lavish mood and totally hyped.”
“Are you telling me not to get swept away?”
Acella seemed a bit flustered by my reaction.
“Well… sometimes it’s okay, right? We had plans to go out too.”
“We still need time to confirm that there are no issues with daily life. Should we go out on the last day?”
“Let’s go out tomorrow.”
Just as expected, my active Royal Princess was quick to decide.
“It’s a long festival, everyone will be worn out by the last day. I want to see the madness of the first day.”
No matter how commoners they are, they don’t lose their minds over a festival.
“And they say a grand fireworks display will open the event tomorrow night.”
“You want to see the fireworks. Hm, that could be fun.”
“Yep. I’ve already picked out a good spot where the view is amazing.”
Acella had a confident smile on her face.
Tomorrow, huh.
As her attending physician, I wouldn’t want to recommend intense activities right after discharge, but I also know I can’t stop her when she gets like this.
Since she had been cooped up in the hospital, I decided to let her off the hook for one day.
‘It’s also Acella’s birthday.’
I need to prepare a gift. I was thinking about letting Chloe handle it, but Acella scoffed.
“Why?”
“Don’t bring a gift. Just tell Lucy to put it in the Moonlight Palace.”
She seems to have become even better at reading my thoughts.
Or maybe it’s just easier for her to read me.
“It’s inconvenient to carry around, and anyway, the gifts you give are always predictable and not fun.”
“Ouch.”
I feel sorry for lacking the sense to pick out a gift.
“And what else…”
Acella paused for a moment before speaking.
“Sometimes, isn’t it okay for the person whose birthday it is to give gifts?”
*
The next day was uneventful.
In the morning, Acella returned as the usual Royal Princess of the Moonlight Palace.
A simple party was held to celebrate her discharge and birthday at the Moonlight Palace.
It seems it was hastily planned while she was hospitalized. Quite skilled.
I worked in the Inner Palace in the morning and stood by her side during the party in the afternoon.
Some friendly royalty came by to congratulate Acella, and there were even nobles who used the expensive teleport gate to attend.
In a way, it was a clear sign of who’s in favor of the Moonlight Palace.
Boom
There was something special. The Emperor arrived unexpectedly.
“I am honored to meet you. Thank you for allowing me precious time in the Moonlight Palace.”
Acella welcomed him with courtesy, and the Emperor looked satisfied, alternating his gaze between me and Acella.
“Gothberg.”
“I am honored to meet you.”
“I heard the recent surgery was quite an event.”
“Thanks to your ocean-like generosity, Your Majesty, it ended safely.”
“More and more people in the royal family see your contributions. To heal Acella, whom no healer has ever touched in her lifetime.”
“You’re too kind.”
“You folks still have important choices about how you’ll live, but for me, it’s relevant how I will die. Growing the Inner Palace is one of my favorite policies. Now that we’ve got someone as talented as you, Gothberg.”
The Emperor seemed to be in a particularly good mood today.
It was good for me that he called out my name in front of many people.
‘From next year, the pharmaceutical factory will start producing and selling medicines throughout the Empire.’
The name Gothberg itself is a signboard, so when the Emperor calls it out, it’s the best advertisement to the nobles gathered here.
Commoners can’t afford to buy such special items directly; the lords of the territories must contract with us to obtain them.
For now, both the Moonlight Palace and the Western Duke have stakes in it. Since I need to increase the assets to make the business independent from them, rapid sales growth is beneficial.
“Acella.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“The Moonlight Palace is getting more decorations.”
“It’s for the benefit of the Empire. I am deeply grateful for the grace you have shown.”
Hmm.
This time, it was Tanya who received the honor, but it sounded as if it was given to Acella.
‘Could it be that the Emperor anticipated Tanya would choose to stay by my side from the start?’
In his perception, was Acella, Tanya, and I seen as a bundle with the Moonlight Palace?
‘He freely granted military power, and it certainly feels like I can entrust the residence of Swordmaster Tanya without worry.’
Wait a second.
Would the Emperor think of treason if Acella were to annul our contract with me now?
‘…That can’t be true, right?’
I slyly glanced up, watching the Emperor. He looked satisfied, keeping both Acella and I within his sight.
“Not bad.”
To me, it sounded like he carried various meanings.
Once the Emperor seemed to have said all he needed to say, he swiftly changed the subject.
“Acella.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“Congratulations.”
Acella respectfully accepted the rare congratulations from the Emperor.
*
The party, running like a social gathering, had a dinner planned as well.
After finishing today’s work, the festival period designated by the Emperor will begin.
The grand fireworks display will herald its start. They say a dwarf craftsman has been preparing for it for several months.
He came from a small dwarf kingdom in the northwestern part of the Empire. The dwarves who make medical equipment for the Inner Palace are also from there.
It seems people are quite excited since fireworks aren’t something they see often.
Lau is probably already holding a grand drinking party in his palace.
‘It won’t be visible from the Moonlight Palace.’
The Moonlight Palace is at the northern end of the Imperial Palace. The central square, which will be adorned for the festival, is quite far to the south.
“Prince.”
While I was lost in these thoughts, looking at the guests of the Moonlight Palace, Acella tugged at my gown.
“Oh, Royal Princess. What brings you here?”
“Right now.”
“What do you mean?”
“Everyone’s busy getting ready for the upcoming dinner.”
Acella giggled mischievously, looking like she couldn’t contain her excitement.
“I’ve already arranged the route. Let’s go.”
“Wait, can’t I at least change my clothes first…”
Without giving me a chance to respond, Acella dragged me along.
Together, we exited the Imperial Palace through the lower gate of the northeastern castle wall, taking an unexpected stroll.
“Will they not recognize us like this?”
I wondered where she found it, but Acella wore a headpiece used by nuns and a mask.
Her golden eyes sparkling made her look even more suspicious.
“Do you think mere scraps of cloth can hide my nobility?”
“Oh, you know well. Just don’t spread rumors today, only the Prince should know.”
“Of course.”
Since no buildings can be constructed near the Imperial Palace, it was just right for a path to stroll.
We walked together in silence for a few minutes.
Then she called my name.
“Hey, Lars.”
“Yes?”
“I was just thinking, what if you weren’t my attending physician and couldn’t heal me?”
“Well…”
I already knew that answer well.
Camilla had completely turned into a black magician and transformed into an evil spirit by her own doppelgänger.
Her humanity was severed, leaving only hatred and resentment.
That could have impacted Acella and her soul, along with the magic explosion incident.
The one who killed the doppelgänger was Camilla’s hatred.
But Acella thought of her doppelgänger as her biological mother, harbored guilt, and became the Emperor to fulfill that twisted wish.
That must’ve been the catalyst for her becoming a tyrant.
Black magic ultimately destroys everything, including oneself.
I suppose the Empress Acella didn’t think of it that way when she believed she was fulfilling the doppelgänger’s goals and ending the curse.
“What do you think, Royal Princess?”
“I would’ve still become the Emperor without you.”
“Haha, of course.”
“But I might’ve been an Emperor no one wanted.”
“What about now?”
Acella looked back at me and smirked.
“I can be the Emperor that one person desires, even if no one else does.”
I thought that was a statement packed with various meanings.
I always felt Acella was truly confident.
I’m even curious about how she can be so fearless.
“Why did you stop walking? Don’t tell me you’re already tired. You really need to exercise more.”
“You’ve also been lying down for a week, so you should be active for a while. It helps with recovery.”
“Don’t change the subject. Come on, let’s rest here.”
Acella sat down on a nearby stone wall, patting beside her.
She rummaged through her bag and pulled something out.
“What is it?”
“Just something for dinner.”
“Dinner? If you’re going, wouldn’t it be better to go to a restaurant?”
“If we go to crowded places, we might get spotted, right? I prepared something.”
Acella handed me a paper-wrapped bundle that felt rather heavy.
When I unwrapped it, it turned out to be a sandwich.
“It looks delicious.”
“…Really?”
“I prefer salami over bacon, you know. Too much salt. Jalapeños are good too. The bread is nice. It would’ve been better if it was cut diagonally…”
“Just eat it already.”
Acella smacked my shoulder.
Just as I took a big bite and was still chewing when she pulled down her mask to shove her face toward mine.
Thud
“What do you think?”
What do I think? I’m still chewing.
“Is it tasty?”
Why is she so curious about that?
Compared to the night snacks typically brought by the chefs of the Moonlight Palace, it’s just average…
Hmm.
No way.
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