Chapter 41
Chapter 41
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 41
Chapter Title: The Palace Physician
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Kaisen flinched. It was because Marso's eyes, staring at him from within Darsi's arms, felt strangely more unfamiliar than usual today.
“I can’t even accept the fact that you’ve changed.”
Her scolding tone oddly stirred a sense of guilt in him. Amid his impassive face and downcast gaze, his conscience poked its head out.
People don’t change easily. Kaisen, who had spent more years rolling in the mud than in the palace, knew this down to his bones. The preconceptions born from experience had formed the values that upheld his life.
He had heard that the misunderstanding between Ryan and her had been cleared up. He had thought it was just something she made up on her own, but surprisingly, Ryan hadn’t denied the rumors.
‘Don’t bring up this topic anymore.’
He had only spat out words as if in a foul mood.
Can people really change?
Kaisen’s brow furrowed deeply as he lost himself in thought. He stole a glance at Marso.
Just then, his eyes met Marso’s, who was gazing at him with pity. She muttered in a flat tone.
“You must have emotional wounds from today’s events as well. It’s probably best if I show understanding with my broad magnanimity.”
Her words scratched at his nerves, making Kaisen bristle. His lips trembled.
Wounds? Ryan knew the palace well, so the marquis had no choice but to follow him.
Lately, he had shared many sincere conversations with Resuan too. He might still have a chance...
Huh. Kaisen, who had been inwardly making excuses out of a sense of injustice, tilted his head.
Marso’s attitude, which had always been preoccupied with courtesy whenever they met, was completely different today. The way she looked at him was the same.
The Marso from before her change had treated him as if he didn’t exist, only pretending to be kind once she deemed him useful.
This demeanor felt unfamiliar too. No, perhaps this was better. There would be no more anxiety from watching her interact with Resuan.
But the strange discomfort must have stemmed from those pitch-black pupils, which stood in complete contrast to her former gentle facade.
Which one was the real her? Had she truly changed? Or had this always been her true nature?
The reason it gnawed at him so much was that her sudden shift resembled his own childhood self all too closely—the exhausted boy who had wanted to abandon everything because of people.
What if the mask he had always assumed would eventually slip away had never existed in the first place?
‘It’s still too early to judge.’
It had been a long time since he last crossed paths with the reclusive Marso. The impression he felt now might just be a fleeting illusion.
He needed to proceed with caution. To ensure Resuan didn’t get hurt.
Kaisen rebuilt his guard and followed behind Darsi.
Darsi’s arms were cozier than expected. I thought we’d just head to a reception room or guest chamber for a quick rest, but the stroll was dragging on quite long.
We even passed the door Darsi had shattered earlier. The door—or rather, the area around its remnants—was packed with magic crystals, not yet fully repaired.
‘The palace uses a ton of magic crystals too.’
In the midst of it all, I spotted Marquis Etwar conversing with the mages.
The marquis didn’t notice me, but I could see him just fine.
No wonder he hadn’t shown up at the ballroom earlier. He must have been following orders from Ryan or Emperor Kies.
He had probably used this to effectively manipulate Darsi and the other mages.
Working in a place like this, it made sense that he wouldn’t know if his daughter was hurt. Or maybe he’d never cared in the first place.
But really, where are we headed right now?
Surely we’re not leaving the palace to return to the Etwar House’s main residence?
“Darsi, you’re the star of tonight’s ball, so you need to head back. Got it? We can’t go too far.”
My simple plan to rest with Leti in a reception room and then return was falling apart.
Darsi shrugged at my words.
“We’re almost there. And I already fulfilled my protagonist duties earlier.”
...He had certainly left the biggest impact.
If we’re almost there, it probably isn’t the Etwar House... Maybe the palace where Darsi resides?
By the way, when is Kaisen going to split off?
As I furrowed my brow and shot Kaisen a pointed look, he spoke up as if deeply wronged.
“I’m just heading this way too. Where exactly are you going... Your Highness. Don’t tell me the place you’re headed to right now is...”
Kaisen’s mouth fell open in shock.
“Yeah. That’s why I didn’t want us going together...”
Unease seeped from Darsi’s sighing words. What...?
“Darsi, where are we going?”
“To the residence of Robarta, the palace physician.”
“But Robarta is probably tending to Lady Resuan right now!”
“Who caused the injury in the first place? Of course we have to go. What if the ankle’s gotten worse?”
Darsi shot back irritably at Kaisen’s protest.
Kaisen fell silent for a moment at Darsi’s words. It was true that I’d gotten hurt because of Resuan this time.
But that didn’t make seeking out the palace physician any less of an overreaction.
Before I knew it, we had reached the path leading to a small annex.
The garden path branched off in several directions.
To halt Darsi’s overprotectiveness, I needed a reason just as compelling. A reason to redirect his attention elsewhere right now.
“Darsi, I just need to rest for a bit.”
“Never mind. It won’t take long.”
Brushing off my words decisively, Darsi pressed on down the path and eventually brought me all the way to the small villa where the palace physician resided.
“But will the palace physician even be here?”
“No clue, so we’ll find out when we check. He’s the type to leave a note if he’s stepped out.”
Darsi explained patiently to my question. Surprisingly, he seemed to know Robarta well. Maybe because he’d received treatment from her every time he got injured fighting in Emperor Kies’s stead.
A world utterly unlike the palace unfolded around the small villa. The sharp scent of herbs assaulted my nose. It was a sizable herb garden.
“Wow...”
The closer we got to the little house, the more Kaisen’s anxiety seemed to multiply.
I might have turned back if I were alone, but I had the reliable Darsi by my side.
With a sigh, Kaisen quickly addressed us.
“I’ll go in first. I truly hope Lady Resuan gets some rest.”
Perhaps spooked by what Darsi might say next, Kaisen dashed ahead. But before he could even enter, the door swung open.
Out stepped a grandmother with elegant white hair.
Her face, beautifully etched with wrinkles, was complemented by vibrant, spirited eyes. Her posture, ramrod straight despite her age, befitted the palace physician perfectly.
“...Is that Robarta?”
“Yeah.”
Is that what it means to age gracefully? As I admired her, I belatedly realized something was off.
Robarta, chatting with Kaisen, didn’t look like someone tending to a patient. She glanced our way and approached with leisurely ease.
...Resuan’s condition had seemed quite serious, yet she hadn’t come here?
Soon enough, Kaisen came running back toward us. He muttered with a face full of confusion.
“Your Highness, Resuan never came here in the first place.”
A peculiar silence descended.
“A servant did stop by earlier, but they just turned around and left.”
It had to be a servant sent by Ryan or the marquis to fetch Robarta or bring her over.
But why send them away afterward?
Did they head back to the mansion?
No, recalling that deathly pale face and chilled body, it had been an emergency requiring immediate care.
“The new prince who just arrived this time, I presume. A pleasure.”
Amid all this, Robarta bowed courteously to Darsi.
As she raised her head, a benevolent smile graced her features.
Darsi stared at her blankly before whispering to me.
“First things first, let’s have her check your ankle. Perfect timing.”
In the end, we entered Robarta’s residence still harboring unresolved questions about Resuan.
The first room in the modest three-room house was neatly stocked with every tool and herb imaginable for patient care.
Finally set down from Darsi’s arms, I sat on the bed.
“Then I’ll lift your dress.”
At Robarta’s words, Darsi shoved Kaisen straight out the door. The sudden force nearly made him slip.
“I’ll head out too.”
“...What, with your ankle like that? Fine.”
“Then I’ll stay.”
It was cute how he pretended to follow Kaisen out only to immediately backtrack with approval.
He clearly wanted to see and verify the state of my ankle himself.
As she hiked up my dress, my ankle—swollen bright red—came into view. I hadn’t noticed while cradled in his arms, but it was worse than I thought.
“Good thing you came.”
“Yeah.”
The marquis doted on Resuan terribly. He would have done everything to ensure she received the best care. Just like Darsi was doing for me now.
“Oh my, you’ve twisted it. But it’s not too severe—thank goodness. Did it hurt on the way here?”
“...I didn’t walk myself.”
Blushing as I answered, she let out a soft chuckle. She was probably picturing me clinging tightly to Darsi.
“I’ll apply some herbs. Give it five minutes, and you’ll be able to walk.”
Robarta rose, ground up the herbs, and gently massaged them around my ankle.
“Cool...”
The pleasantly chilled sensation felt wonderful. I wiggled my toes experimentally in place of the ankle. The pain was definitely less than before.
“I’ll give you some extra herbs to take with you.”
She pulled out a transparent vial and filled it with the remedy before handing it over. I dipped my head slightly in gratitude.
“While you’re here, shall I check for any other injuries? Mind telling me what happened?”
She was a doctor through and through.
She inquired about the circumstances of my injury and methodically pressed various spots on my body to check for pain. I couldn’t help but admire her attentiveness.
At the same time, my questions only grew.
Given her meticulous diagnostic skills, there was no reason Resuan wouldn’t have come here.
‘Where on earth did she go?’