Sharing the Bed (1)
"According to everything I've researched so far, the curse acts on the soul, not the body."
I felt a spark of interest at Hugo's explanation.
"I didn't know that until now. Feels like a disease infecting the soul."
"You could think of it that way. I'm not entirely sure about the principle behind these internal images, but the curse definitely shows up on them."
"That black part is the curse, right?"
Hugo nodded.
"Yes. The soul takes the same shape as the body. The curse envelops part or all of the affected body area."
Hugo pointed to the X-ray images I'd shown him. Just as he said, the Four Dragon's skull outline was wrapped in a black mass, and the undead's entire corpse outline was shrouded in darkness.
"Can you image my hand now?"
"Sure."
I imaged Hugo's hand and projected it via the crystal orb. His arm looked fine, but only the hand's outline had a black border.
"When only part of the body is affected by the curse, it looks like this."
"I see."
"Do you notice the difference between this and the first image where the curse is in the abdomen?"
"The curse is inside."
"As expected, Teacher is sharp. That's the truly strange and different part."
Hugo pointed to the black mass in Asella von Württemberg's abdomen as he explained to me.
"If this curse were affecting the organs, it should show along the outline of the stomach. But it's black inside. Which means..."
"There's another soul inside, separate from the owner's."
"Exactly."
"Makes sense."
Hugo emphasized his conclusion.
"I believe the soul is the source of the curse. No different from an evil spirit. The fastest way to lift it is to extract and remove this evil spirit."
Is that the Great Witch's soul?
Asella could wield the soul's magical talent, but in exchange, she bore the abdominal pain from the curse it caused.
"Is there no way to remove just the evil spirit in its current state?"
"Impossible. It has to be physically extracted. But it's not easy. We can't just cut open a living person's belly."
He had a point.
"Plus, if this evil spirit is strong and has its own ego, it might go berserk the moment it's pulled out."
"Can you subdue it if it does? Especially if it starts using magic."
Hugo seemed to catch my drift right away. My plan to actually slice open her belly and surgically remove the curse.
He answered with firm resolve.
"I will subdue it, no matter what."
"Good. Let's keep investigating what kind of evil spirit it is and how strong."
"Understood. I'll hone my skills while researching."
"That's the right attitude. Chloe, you're in charge here."
"Mm-hmm! Got it!"
I left the office to the two of them and headed out of the Imperial Medical Office.
Come to think of it, it had been a while since I'd seen Asella. I might get an earful, so I should check on her in person now and then.
Hugo's report was making my surgery plan for Asella feel more concrete. It wasn't something I could keep putting off.
I have to do the surgery within a few years, no exceptions.
There was definitely a time limit here.
I recalled a story she'd once told me.
I vividly remember Asella's back as she poured wine toward the crumbling Imperial Palace, flames raging behind her. With the fire as her backdrop, she hopped around clutching her skirts like she was dancing a festive can-can, drunk on the festival atmosphere.
The ending list.
No. 101: Mana Rampage 4% → 7%
[Changed]
No major issues lately, yet the probability had crept up. Left alone, it'd keep rising bit by bit. Meaning there was a slight chance her rampaging mana would go out of control on the day of that incident she described.
That's probably when Asella goes mad, too.
Asella had no qualms hurling abuse or being ruthless to enemies, but she held back with Camilla for some reason. Blood ties stayed her hand.
After that day, the hardened Asella would take the shortest path to Emperor, waiting only to drag the Empire to ruin.
I still didn't know why she had to destroy the world. But there was time. I'd defuse the time bomb in her belly before it blew.
"Evening check-up, Your Highness."
I met Asella after she'd finished her day. She seemed like she had something to say, opening her mouth only to close it and glare at me instead.
Tap, tap.
Her footsteps sounded oddly irritable. Was it my imagination?
In the quiet atmosphere, I quietly performed a simple exam. Checking for issues during the day's activities and if she'd sleep comfortably. When a lord went to bed, it was usually the chief physician's responsibility.
"Your mana circuit is normal. Get some good rest."
"That's all you have to say after four days?"
"Uh..."
No recent issues, and Moonlight Palace was running smoothly. Why was she like this? I racked my brain, but nothing came to mind. Did she find out I gulped down the Four Dragon corpse?
"Any additional checks you'd like?"
Asella glared at me for a long moment, snorted, and whipped her head away.
"Forget it. Out."
"Yes."
She's sensitive today. I'd have to ask Head Maid later what happened.
That night, I stayed up late in my room organizing Asella's exam results so far. Comparing notes to track progress.
Thud!
Suddenly, things got noisy outside. Doors opening and closing, guards moving.
Bang!
The door flew open without a knock. Boris stood there with a grave expression.
"Teacher, you need to come out."
"What's going on?"
Boris wasn't the type to rudely interrupt my sleep without reason. Sensing the heavy mood, I stood from my desk immediately.
"Her Highness collapsed."
I threw on my robe and rushed out. I dashed over the threshold to the next room—her bedroom, a good twenty meters away even if it was "next door."
"Teacher!"
The knights guarding Asella's room called out in panic. There she was, collapsed at their feet, clutching her stomach.
I slid to her side on my knees and checked her condition.
"Your Highness."
No response. She was conscious, but the pain was too intense for words. Breathing ragged, drenched in sweat. Her nightgown was cold, so some time had passed. She'd endured alone until she couldn't and crawled out of her room.
I quickly gave her a painkiller, slipping it into her mouth. Her lips were dry and chapped.
"Your Highness, can you drink some water?"
She nodded faintly. I poured water into the spout-shaped cup and trickled it into her mouth as she lay there.
Gulp. Asella swallowed the pill.
...After a bit, her breathing steadied. Head Maid had arrived and was waiting nearby. I asked her to change Asella's clothes and put her in bed, then leaned against the wall, arms crossed, waiting.
Three minutes, five. Time dragged on.
I was careless.
The rising Mana Rampage ending probability could mean her mana circuit was destabilizing. If I'd been more attentive, maybe I could've prevented this.
The Head Maid emerged soon after.
"Her Highness is asking for you."
I entered and checked Asella in bed. Her breathing had calmed, but she was still sweating, so I dabbed her dry with a handkerchief.
"...Young Master."
"Yes, Your Highness. I'm right here."
Golden mana rose like heat haze from Asella's slowly opening eyes. Too weak to even glare, she went limp like half a corpse, all muscles relaxed.
"Does it hurt a lot?"
"No, I feel nothing now."
"My fault. I didn't measure your mana circuit properly."
"...Right. Reflect on it."
Asella mumbled like a baby, her mind foggy from the painkiller.
"Punish you."
"Uh... could you let it slide this once?"
Her saying "punish" outright sent chills down my spine.
"...Doll."
"Your doll, right? I'll get it."
As I started to rise, Asella tugged my robe. I lost balance and toppled onto her bed. My shoulder overlapped her small body.
The soft pillow cradled my head. Blinking in the dark, her sparkling golden hair tickled my nose.
Swish. Her slender fingers brushed my white robe. Fumbling for gaps, she soon dug into my armpit, her whole arm invading.
"Your Highness."
"...Quiet."
My chest burned hot. Each breath she exhaled brought warm moisture to my solar plexus.
Before I could say more, Asella clung to me like sticky rice cake and drifted off with soft snores.
She'll catch a cold without a blanket.
I carefully pulled up the blanket pushed to the foot of the bed, covering her shoulders. In the process, it ended up covering me too.
Eh, whatever.
It was late. Exhausted myself, I closed my eyes and decided to deal with tomorrow then.
The next morning, I woke to a tugging on my cheek and ear. Piercing golden eyes glared at me. Mana flowed vigorously through her pupils, neatly aligned.
I had no idea why her hand was there, but she was playing with my face.
Smooth. Cold.
"Your High—"
"Quiet."
Asella kneaded my cheek forever, then pinched my nose into a pig shape and giggled before finally letting go.
"Your professionalism is in the gutter. You botched yesterday's job and now you wake up later than your lord?"
"I apologize."
"What punishment should I give you?"
"You've already punished me."
"Huh?"
"Thanks to you, I couldn't get a proper night's sleep in an uncomfortable position. My neck's killing me. Isn't that punishment enough?"
"Sleeping in my bed is your punishment?"
Asella's eyes widened in fury.
"No, your bed's comfortable. It was the position and situation..."
"So I'm the problem?"
"Not what I meant. Honestly, you share some blame for yesterday."
"What?"
Asella gaped in disbelief. But I had my say too.
"I told you to tell me right away if it hurts. You've been enduring the nighttime spasms alone until now, right? If you'd told me immediately, this might not have happened."
Hit the mark—she shut her mouth.
"See? Blame's fifty-fifty, so let's call my punishment done."
"That's not all your fault."
"Then what else?"
"Well... no, anyway."
Asella bit her lower lip, pouting at me. But soon she fired back fiercely.
"Forget it. I won't tell you from now on either."
"Huh? You have to. What if something big happens in an emergency?"
"Won't."
"No."
Headache. No guarantee her mana wouldn't suddenly rampage if she kept this up. Asella was incredibly stubborn. Time for strong measures.
I proposed to her.
"Then from now on, I'll share your bed every night."
"Wh-what?"
Asella jolted in shock, lifting her head at my suggestion.