To You, Who Has No Name (2)

Late at night, under the glow of a magic lamp, the Imperial Princess’s fountain pen scratched across her notebook.

[Journal Entry]

[6:12 AM] Woke up. As soon as I opened my eyes, I felt my body temperature was slightly higher than usual. I immediately ordered the head maid to measure it. It is 0.2 degrees higher than normal. Could this be a precursor to a fever? (Must ask Sir Nihilit at the next check-up.)

[10:15 AM] Walked in the greenhouse. I felt a very faint tugging in the lower left abdomen, like ants crawling. I stopped walking immediately and took three deep breaths. The pain vanished after one minute. (Must ask Sir Nihilit at the next check-up.)

[12:37 PM] …

[Journal Entry]

I was firmly scolded by Sir Nihilit. After flipping through the notebook I had filled out minute-by-minute over the past two weeks, he sighed. He said that if there is too much information, one might miss the truly important signs. Furthermore, he strictly warned me that such obsessive recording only causes fatigue for the mother. Even the Prince was so intimidated by Sir Nihilit’s intensity that he couldn't dare take my side.

Afterward, Sir Nihilit organized in detail the parts I should record in the notebook. He also taught me a few things about morning sickness: Stop drinking milk for the time being. Drink ginger tea. Avoid warm soup and eat cold fruits instead. The strangest advice was to eat dry bread in bed as soon as I wake up in the morning. But surprisingly, it all worked. From that day on, my stomach felt much better. Since then, I have instructed the head maid to leave dry bread by my bedside every morning.

[Journal Entry]

Sir Nihilit was unusually strict today. He is always a meticulous person, but today he was more thorough than ever. He asked me one by one what I had eaten over the past two weeks. He asked about bread, meat, vegetables, liver, spinach, egg yolks, and so on. I thought I was going to be scolded again. Fortunately, he wasn't scolding me. Sir Nihilit said that this period is the most important time when the child's brain and spine are being formed. That is why he checked so carefully, because specific nutrients are absolutely necessary.

— Iron/Folic Acid: I was urged to make a note of this and make sure to eat them well.

And today, there was one more thing. We decided on a fetal nickname. It is a name decided after discussing it with the Prince. Stele. My star. When I told Sir Nihilit, he nodded and wrote it in the notebook. He said it was a good name.

[Journal Entry]

In two weeks, it will be 16 weeks. Around this time, blood used to flow from below. And I had to let the children go. I place my hand on my belly. It is too quiet. I pressed my lower abdomen with my fingers because I was anxious. There is no reaction. During the day, Sir Nihilit got angry at me, telling me not to poke my belly carelessly and that it was natural for movements to be irregular yet, but I cannot stop. If only you would tap me once, just once, I would have no other wish.

December 25th: Stele is not responding. Could it be because my blood clotting time increased by one second compared to usual?

December 27th: I am so scared. Please, just move once.

December 28th: In the end, last night, we finally did it. My husband, who had turned even paler than me, sent the knights of the detached palace in the middle of the night to practically kidnap Sir Nihilit while he was sleeping. Sir Nihilit, who was called in wearing only a coat over his pajamas, examined my belly first. Then, after letting us hear the heartbeat with a stethoscope, he sat us side-by-side on the sofa and scolded us severely. He said that if the mother is this anxious, the child becomes anxious too. He said a mother’s body is the child’s home, and if that home shakes, the child inside shakes as well. The Prince was scolded too. He asked why the husband was being anxious along with her instead of comforting her when she was this uneasy. He asked where the mother was supposed to rely on if the husband was shaken in front of her. In the end, we were scolded by Sir Nihilit for an hour. But it is ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠a strange thing. After being scolded by him that day, I was no longer anxious. Thinking about it, the feeling of being scolded by Sir Nihilit felt somewhat familiar. It was similar to the feeling when I was scolded by the elderly elders when I lived at my parents' house. I know Sir Nihilit is not even twenty years old yet. But why is this? I felt like I was being reprimanded by an elder over fifty.

[Journal Entry]

A miracle has happened. The 16th to 20th weeks, which tormented me so much, passed without incident. No blood flowed, and my belly did not turn cold. My belly is swelling rounder by the day. And a few days ago, when I was lying down reading a book, I felt a strange sensation, like a small fish swimming inside my belly. Stele greeted me for the first time. We held a very small party at the detached palace today.

[Journal Entry]

Stele’s kicking is becoming fiercer by the day. This morning, he kicked my right rib so hard that I gasped. He must take ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠after the Prince. The Prince seemed happy, saying Stele would become a great knight. But I am hoping Stele will become a mage.

+ At today's check-up, Sir Nihilit said there would really be nothing left to write in the notebook. But since I’ve already written this much, I intend to fill this diary to the end. Because later, when our Stele learns to read, I want to show him how much fuss his mother made to protect him. By the way, there is one more thing to note. A strange rumor is circulating in high society these days. It is a rumor that the Prince and I having a child is not purely thanks to Sir Nihilit’s treatment, but because we borrowed the power of a drug. The culprit was the Prince. It seems he drank a bit too much at the 20-week celebration last time. They say he was in a good mood in front of his subordinates and said this and that. Without anyone forcing him, with his own mouth, everything. A bizarre rumor has spread through high society that the Prince obtained an "amazing elixir of the night." We were worried that Sir Nihilit’s great achievements and efforts would be buried by such low-class rumors. So, whenever we went to social gatherings, we grabbed people and explained. But no one believed us. Rather, the more we explained, the more bizarre details were added to the rumor. Perhaps that is why? They say that carriages and cars have been lurking near the Merkur Merchant Guild headquarters frequently these days. I must sincerely apologize to Sir Nihilit.

[Journal Entry]

This is the last page of this notebook. My belly has been tightening regularly since dawn. At first, I thought it was Stele’s kicking again. But this time it was different. Tightening, releasing, and tightening again—a pain like waves. It was the kind of pain Sir Nihilit had warned me about. The head maid called Sir Nihilit immediately. He arrived in 30 minutes. This time, it wasn't pajamas, but a suit. It seems he was on standby because it was near the due date. Sir Nihilit finished the examination and nodded. I was immediately moved to the room. The maids moved busily according to Sir Nihilit’s instructions, but from then on, the pain was so severe that I don't remember much. And. I heard a cry. Sir Nihilit told me it was a boy. Stele. It seems I won't be able to use this name. As it happens, I had another name prepared. Your name is—

===================================

"Aster, is it. A good name."

Thud.

At the bedside of the sleeping Imperial Princess, I muttered to myself. She must have written the diary right after giving birth. It was incredible mental strength. I wanted to read more than this. But since it wasn't medical care from then on, I closed it. I only opened the prenatal journal now because the Princess wanted me to. She asked me to fill in the final doctor's notes, so I just filled in the delivery records from yesterday as I remembered them.

I closed the notebook and stood up. The Princess was fast asleep, holding the baby. I was about to leave the room quietly when Edmund was waiting in the hallway. His eyes were red and swollen. It seemed he had cried like that yesterday, and the traces hadn't faded yet.

"Sir Julian."

Edmund stood in front of me. And he held both of my hands tightly.

"Thank you."

"I only did what I had to do."

"Even so, I am sincerely grateful. If it weren't for you, I would have had to ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠part with Bi without even being able to hold that child."

Come to think of it, this pregnancy had a very important meaning for both of them. With four miscarriages, there were even rumors that the Imperial family was trying to cast the Princess aside. With such a healthy child born in that situation, they could finally breathe a sigh of relief.

"Is there anything I can do to help you? Just say anything."

"If so, please keep the promise you made at last year’s Foundation Day."

"If it’s about lending my name for the medicine, that’s no problem. But will that be enough?"

I nodded. A funny rumor was circulating in high society these days. It was the rumor that Sildenafil played a decisive role in the Princess and the Prince’s pregnancy. In reality, it was half correct. The treatment I performed was to prevent miscarriage from occurring again 'after' the baby was conceived. Therefore, the conception of the baby was Sildenafil's merit. In this situation, the Prince guarantees this Sildenafil? 'When would I ever get to sell the Imperial family's name?' Perhaps whatever I imagine, the effect will be greater than that. Especially for Imperial nobles who are sensitive to successors.

However, Edmund, a sincere soldier, was trying to do more for me without even realizing my evil plan. "This alone is not enough to express my gratitude. Ah, I heard the head of the Nihilit family is competing for a promotion these days. I will lend my name."

"My father would not want to be recognized for his skills in that way, Your Highness."

"Is that so? Hmm…. That’s difficult. It’s a chore to prepare rewards for a friend who has no greed."

"I am satisfied with this much, Your Highness."

Prince Edmund laughed heartily and patted my shoulder.

"Fine. I will gladly lend my name. I don't know if this will be a reward for you, but since you say so, it can't be helped. Still, if you ever need anything from me later, just say so."

"Thank you for your concern, Your Highness."

As I was about to let go of his hand and turn away, Edmund grabbed my sleeve. And whispered, "Ah, by the way, Sir Julian. Just in case… could you secure a few in stock before you release it?"

"… How much do you need?"

"Please, for about a month's supply."

*

A few days later. The Merkur Merchant Guild decided to officially release Sildenafil. The product name was Viagra. Before releasing the medicine, we started advertising it through newspapers. The content of the full-page advertisement in major daily newspapers across the Empire was as follows:

There was no name of any medicine in the advertisement. It was closer to a public service announcement than a commercial advertisement. It was I who pushed for this form of advertising. The board of directors and the guild leader expressed concern about this advertisement.

I spoke to our chairman, who still couldn't shed his nouveau riche habits, as he rubbed his hands and looked restless. "The name Viagra is already spreading secretly. Now, rather than making the name known, breaking down the barriers to entry will be more effective."

Since the Prince's rumors were already added to it, we could no longer expect advertising effects from just making the name known. So, despite the board's passive opposition, I pushed the advertisement through my insistence. And the public's response was explosive.

— "Did you see the Viagra ad?"

— "Viagra? Ah, that medicine?"

Citizens and nobles immediately realized what medicine that gentle sentence meant. The prevailing opinion was that the non-explicit advertising method that considered the patient felt more mature and reliable.

— "The ad was pretty good."

— "I think I'll try meeting with healers after seeing that. Healing magic is one thing, but medicine isn't that expensive."

— "Should I go too…."

Above all, the expression 'ED' broke down the barriers in people's hearts. In this era, male dysfunction was referred to as 'Impotence.' But once the dry expression 'ED' took root in the public's perception, men no longer feared the stigma. Even if they weren't proud, the perception had improved enough for them to secretly seek out healers.

And although it wasn't intended, since the first advertisement was like this, the image of the medicine changed. It could have easily become a 'medicine that encourages promiscuous sexual life,' but it established itself in the public's perception as the 'last bastion for suffering men.' Eventually, the board of directors, who had sent suspicious glances at my advertisement, had no choice but to keep their mouths shut.

"You saw it, right?"

"I was just lucky this time. Isn't the guild leader better than me at managing the guild? Come to think of it, how much stock do you have?"

"That won't be enough."

There was a minor problem in the middle. The guild was still setting the demand for this medicine too low. Our board was underestimating the power of the combination of the quiet newspaper advertisement on the front and the rumors about the Prince on the back. 'Well, even if we run all the factories we have, it seems we won't be able to keep up with the demand.'

Referring to my past life, I heard that the number of prescriptions for this medicine in its first week of release in the United States exceeded 300,000. There was no reason for demand to be less in this world. But since this part wasn't something I could do anything about even if I explained it, I just left it alone.

I left the guild leader, who still couldn't predict the coming chaos, alone. A few days later. Finally, Viagra (Sildenafil) was revealed to the public. And it sold out in one day.

The board of directors became busy in many ways, but that's none of my business. I am the one who develops the medicine. Production infrastructure is outside my domain. That is for those people to figure out. And the next morning, a line of carriages wrapped around the guild headquarters three times, the day after that, it started trading on the black market at five times the regular price, and the day after that, a massive crackdown on the black market and hoarding took place. The subsequent 'Sildenafil Crisis' was recorded as the most chaotic week in Imperial commercial history, but that is a story unrelated to me.