Chapter 471
Chapter 471
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Translator: Ebonarch
Chapter: 471
Chapter Title: Doctor Gam Deok-bae (7)
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Did I hear that wrong?
I turned my head toward the sound, but there was nothing there. Maybe I was still dizzy from the herbal scent and just imagined it. The treatment was over... Ugh, I need to snap out of it. I asked Mr. Luin to open the window, then stretched my arms out wide.
"By the way, Mr. Luin. If you mean Lucius..."
"Eh... Ehh?! D-Did I actually say that out loud?"
"Hmm, it's nothing. My mistake."
Oh no, what do I do?
I thought it was just in my head, but I must have mumbled Lucius's name without realizing it. Now I felt even more embarrassed than during the treatment, my face burning hot. At my age, writhing around while fantasizing about the prince... How shameless! It was a secret that absolutely couldn't be discovered... and of all people, Mr. Luin had to hear it.
"Ms. Iris. I didn't hear a thing."
"......You're lying! You heard everything!"
"No, I was lost in thought and didn't catch it."
"Liar... Liar!"
"It's true."
"Hmph... Keep that up, and I'll cry!"
But fortunately, Mr. Luin didn't seem disappointed in me at all.
Hearing my threat, he comforted me instead. His sincere excuse—that my innocence was actually endearing—calmed my gloomy heart. If it's Mr. Luin saying it... I can believe him, right? Though I was still a bit worried, I managed to smile again.
"Does Mr. Luin... have someone you admire too?"
"Me?"
"Tell me too, Mr. Luin. Fair's fair."
"Me... Well, I've been so busy I haven't had time to think about romance... So if you're asking if I admire anyone, sadly, no."
"What about your ideal type then?"
"Ideal type... Never really thought about it, but if I had to pick, an energetic woman, I suppose. I'm a bit stoic, so someone opposite to me would be nice."
"Oh? That's unexpected. Don't people usually go for similar personalities?"
"Haha... Opposites attract, you know."
"Hee... I see."
There must be some adult wisdom there that an immature girl like me wouldn't understand.
After our interesting chat, I finished my second treatment. I'd succeeded in overworking the fruit again today, and I even got a novel for the future. If I keep this up for another six months... I might actually get better, right?
Hehe, it was just the beginning, but it already felt promising.
"Here's three days' worth of herbs. And... sorry, but I can't do treatments on weekends."
"I know. Volunteer work, right?"
"......You knew."
"Oh, um... Sorry! I mean..."
"It's fine. It's wise to investigate someone beforehand, just in case. And Ms. Iris—suspecting people isn't always a bad thing. It just means you want to know them better... and trust them."
"I see... Thank you, Mr. Luin. Hehe, you really feel like my teacher."
"Really? Haha, that's an honor."
Mr. Luin was a commoner, but he seemed like someone with so much to teach. Talking with him made his wisdom shine through, earning my respect. It'd be great if he became our family physician... Hmm, is that too greedy? After indulging in a little fantasy, I went to find my big brother.
I'd parted with Mr. Luin to report on today's treatment.
"Huff, y-yeah... Iris, you're here?"
"Big brother? Are you feeling okay? Your face..."
"N-No, it's nothing."
"But..."
"I'm fine, okay? Anyway... Iris, what do you think of Lucius?"
"W-What?! Lucius?"
"N-No, I mean... He sent a party invitation. Thought we could go together..."
I nearly jumped.
His name came out of nowhere, and my heart skipped a beat.
He didn't spy on my treatment today, did he? My chest tightened in fear... but hearing it was just a party invite put me at ease. Of course. Big brother wouldn't barge into my room without permission.
Regaining my composure, I politely declined. I wasn't recovered enough for a party yet. What if I collapsed like last time? That worry killed any interest I had.
And... I couldn't even imagine facing Lucius. I'd fantasized about k-kissing him without knowing my place—how could I meet him? Admiration is most beautiful when it stays just that. I had no intention of getting greedy.
"Yeah, figured... Ngh... Thought so."
"But big brother, didn't the royal family just have a party last month?"
"Huh? Oh, well... yeah, but they throw parties whenever they're bored."
"Hmm... Still, doesn't Lucius hate crowds? I never thought he'd host one. Kinda surprising."
"Uh... Uh-huh? Iris! He's a guy too. You wouldn't get it, but he parties hard. Throws them every chance he gets... Ahem. Anyway, if you have any illusions about him, drop them. You'll just get hurt."
"Illusions? What are you..."
"Ahem, enough of that... So, how was the treatment?"
"Great. He said six more months for a full recovery."
"Right... Six months."
"Oh? You knew?"
"N-No... Just had a feeling."
Is he really okay?
Facing my weird brother today, I returned to my room and called Maria. With the day's routine done, it was bedtime. We changed the sweat-soaked sheets, I took a warm bath... Before I knew it, sunset had faded, and it was dark outside. Lighting candles, I lay in bed and opened the gifted book.
That Prince and That Commoner's Circumstances
It was... well, pretty steamy erotica. But since it was for treatment, I gathered my courage to read. The part I'd glimpsed earlier—the prince binding the commoner and burying his face there... How indecent! Shaking my head, I vowed to skip those scenes somehow.
"The marked page is... page 149..."
Just in case, I flipped to the page Mr. Luin had marked.
But as I read... Oh my, time flew by unnoticed... and before I knew it, I'd reached that scene. Oh no... What now? The prince spreads the commoner's legs wide... then buries his face between her thighs. With a slurping sound, he sticks out his tongue and licks her there... Oh goodness! Right there!
-Knock knock knock
"Kyaaah!"
"Miss. Time to sleep."
......Just as he was about to lick, I jolted and dropped the book.
Late at night, Sirius finally gave in and went to find Lucius.
Visiting the crown prince unannounced was incredibly rude... but the two were best friends. He could overlook that much. Besides, Sirius was the head of the 'Rehinar' family. Who would dare hold it against him? Ignoring the guards, Sirius anxiously waited for the meeting to end.
"A meeting this late?!"
"Y-Yes! An emergency came up..."
"Emergency? What kind?!"
"Th-That's classified..."
"You bastard, who told you to beat around the bush?!"
"Sorry!"
"Damn it... Tell them to call me when it's over!"
Of course, he'd come here because of his little sister.
Hearing Lucius's name slip from Iris's lips. How could he stay calm? Learning his sister admired his friend felt like the sky was falling. Another friend, maybe he'd consider... but Lucius, the crown prince? Absolutely not.
How could a frail girl like Iris endure court life?
He hated the idea of his precious sister getting dragged into politics or petty jealousy. All he wanted was her happiness. He couldn't just watch her walk into danger.
Besides, Lucius was... even more emotionally stunted than him.
No dried-up heart could connect with his pure sister.
"Sirius."
"You...!"
"What's up?"
"You... Got any girl on your mind lately?"
"......Is that why you came all the way here?"
"Answer first. Anyone?"
"Why should I?"
"What the... Y-You really do?! No way, right?!"
As soon as the meeting ended, Lucius approached him. But... his reaction was off. Normally, he'd shut it down with a "no," but instead, he dodged. Sirius raised his voice in a fit. This stoic guy had a girl bothering him? Sirius was dead serious.
"Not lying. If you're asking if she's on my mind... yeah, she is. But just that—nothing more, nothing less."
"Don't tell me... it's not Iris, right?"
"Iris? Your sister?"
"Yeah!"
"Where'd you hear that nonsense?"
"Hah, damn... You scared me!"
But thankfully, it wasn't Iris. Lucius just looked at him pitifully. He'd planned to intervene if there was even a hint of interest... but another girl meant relief. Sirius sighed in relief.
"So... who's got you all worked up? Pretty? Big chest?"
Still, he couldn't leave without details. Having stumbled on big news, he wanted the full story. What had thawed this ice block? Excited for once, Sirius suggested drinks. He had to hear it.
Iris undergoing treatment.