Chapter 05
Divoa quietly asked, and for some reason, his smile seemed to fade a little. The dean was even more anxious now, watching Divoa’s expression closely.
But Irene remained indifferent, just as she had been at the start.
“I can’t become a doctor because I’m not someone who treats people,” she said.
Divoa was silent for a moment, surprised by her answer. His fingers scratched at his temple as he chuckled and asked, “A medical student can’t become a doctor?”
“Yes,” Irene replied flatly, and after a pause, she said nothing more.
Divoa scratched his mouth with his palm and muttered, “This is something.”
His smile returned as he asked again, “Why can’t you become a doctor?”
At that moment, Irene’s eyes wavered for the first time. Divoa caught the brief change and leaned in, focusing on her more closely.
“I don’t like people,” Irene replied.
Divoa was taken aback by her unexpected answer. He had expected something like “I want to focus on research” or “I have a fiancé,” but this caught him off guard.
Irene added with an uninterested tone, “If you ask any student, you’ll understand what I mean. You’ll hear more about me than just being the top graduate. You’ll get the full picture. Well then.”
She curtsied slightly, catching the hem of her dress, and then turned, leaving without looking back. She paused halfway, and then slowly turned her head.
Irene’s gaze wasn’t on Divoa anymore, but on Javier, who was standing by the door. She stared at him for a while, and then suddenly spoke.
“Go find Professor Figueiras.”
Javier raised an eyebrow at the mention of the name, and Divoa looked at Irene with a curious expression.
Irene’s voice was indifferent as she spoke.
“Professor Figueiras is an expert in internal medicine. He’s particularly skilled with respiratory diseases. Though asthma is incurable, he might know ways to ease the symptoms. Steam can temporarily help with breathing, but it’s only a temporary measure.”
Javier and Divoa were both stunned by Irene’s sudden knowledge.
The dean mumbled in confusion, “Asthma, you say?”
Irene was already walking away when she added, “He’s a master in his field. You’ll find out for yourself.”
There was an awkward silence, and the conversation shifted. Left behind in the room were only the three men, the foul odor of decay filling the air.
The dean turned to Javier, who was still caught off guard, and Divoa also looked at him.
Reluctantly, Javier explained, “I had asthma when I was younger. It went away as I grew older, but sometimes, during this season, breathing gets difficult. But it’s not enough to be bothersome.”
“The current season,” Divoa murmured, then turned his gaze back to Javier.
The evidence was clear. Javier wasn’t struggling enough for anyone to notice. No one had picked up on the symptoms.
The dean seemed to realize that as he spoke, “Though his personality might be… different, we can’t deny his skills. He passed the royal medical exam with the highest marks, after all. His senses are sharper than most. For someone with his abilities, there’s no better fit for a doctor, especially in surgery.”
Divoa listened to the dean’s words with only half an ear, a sly smile appearing on his face. He murmured softly, “This is interesting.”
His eyes sparkled with excitement as he considered the situation, staring at the empty hallway where Irene had just disappeared.
At Count Rodri’s Mansion:
Count Rodri’s mansion hosted weekly banquets, and it was no exaggeration to say that they were held almost every week. Contrary to what commoners might think, these banquets weren’t just about eating and drinking. They were opportunities for local noble families to exchange information, look for marriage prospects, and show off their new clothes and jewelry. Being invited to Count Rodri’s banquet was a matter of status.
Count Rodri was also the owner of Terapia, and hosting such events was his duty. But beyond that, he simply loved entertainment. He had no interest in hunting or fishing, so banquets were his main joy.
Today, Count Rodri seemed particularly excited, and it was obvious to anyone who could see. The reason was simple: the third prince, Duke Cassius, was visiting his estate. The guest list always elevated the prestige of the event, and Count Rodri’s pride in this occasion was evident.
The banquet food was exceptional, even better than usual. Not just the food, but everything from flowers, curtains, tablecloths, and even the napkins was meticulously arranged.
To be honest, Terapia was a small, insignificant village, with no mines or trade routes, and not even a transportation hub. The only pleasure Count Rodri had was when the parents of medical students attended the banquets, adding some shine to the event. But no visitor had done more to elevate his status than Divoa .
Count Rodri looked at Divoa with a satisfied smile and then at the long line of nobles waiting for an introduction. Everyone had to wait for Count Rodri to introduce them to Divoa .
“Duke Cassius, would you like another glass of champagne?” Count Rodri asked, deliberately taking his time and teasing the nobles around them.
Despite knowing what was going on, Divoa nodded. He was a guest, and Count Rodri was the host, so sometimes he had to play along with the host’s entertainment.
“Thank you,” Divoa said.
“Not at all,” Count Rodri responded, handing the champagne to Divoa .
Divoa looked around the room, feeling bored. The banquet was nothing compared to those in the capital. The size, the décor, the people—it all seemed lacking.
Still, he kept his warm smile. Having spent his life in the royal court, he was used to these formalities and was skilled at hiding his true feelings.
As the evening wore on, Count Rodri introduced Divoa to the next lady in line. She was the daughter of some baron, and after the introduction, she curtsied.
“It’s an honor to meet you, Duke Cassius.”
Divoa smiled politely. “Likewise.”
Then, his mind wandered as he thought about someone else. He remembered Irene, whose name had come up several times during the event.
As the rumors about her reached him, Divoa’s curiosity grew. He had heard about Irene’s strange behavior, her genius, and how she was known as the “Ice Princess” for her cold demeanor. He had heard about her peculiarities, including how she avoided human contact and was known to wear gloves while performing autopsies. The more he learned, the more intrigued he became.
Divoa ‘s smile widened as he reflected on how much more interesting things had become.
