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.
