Chapter 55
Perhaps upset by today’s escapade, Maria wore a grim expression. She was a very loyal maid, but whenever her worries grew excessive, she would often become sulky like this.
Sensing that mood, Rachel decided to quietly return to her quarters. If she troubled Maria any further, the girl might actually get upset.
“I was just wondering when we’d arrive.”
“We’re almost there, my lady. You should prepare to get down now.”
No sooner had she spoken than the carriage came to a stop. Maria stepped down first with practiced ease, then assisted Rachel so she could alight comfortably.
Rachel rose from her still-drowsy body and stepped down from the carriage. The moment her feet touched the ground, a chill breeze of the evening swept in from behind. Instinctively, she turned around.
At the edge of her vision, she saw the royal gate they had just passed through. The soldiers guarding it all bowed their heads to her in unison.
Rachel gave a light nod in return with her eyes. Just as she was about to turn back, a carriage passing through the gate caught her attention.
Someone else is arriving at this hour?
It was evening, with the sun already sinking low. It was rare for royalty to enter the castle at this time of day.
Rachel briefly wondered if there was some evening banquet scheduled that might require the attendance of the cadet branches of the royal family. Yet no such event came to mind.
She was still puzzling over it when the carriage door opened. Through the slowly widening gap, a familiar man appeared. The moment she recognized who it was, Rachel felt as though the air had been knocked out of her.
‘…He’s handsome.’
The thought that popped into her head upon seeing his face was simple, even foolish. At the same time, her heart grew soft, and the body that had been cooling like winter air began to stir with warmth again.
‘Now I react just by looking at his face? I really am hopeless.’
Even as she berated herself, Rachel couldn’t tear her eyes away from him. Perhaps sensing her insistent gaze, Killian also turned his head toward her. Their eyes met.
***
Inside the carriage, a secret consultation was underway. The heavy curtains drawn across the windows blocked out prying eyes, and the carriage’s steady sway gently rocked Killian, seated on the cushioned bench.
Unaware yet of Rachel’s situation, Killian looked rather unsettled as he glanced between the two physicians. To his side sat the Imperial Court Doctor, while opposite him was a renowned physician of sacred medicine from Porhen.
The elder physician bore a face deeply lined with wrinkles and a beard of white, yet his eyes were strikingly keen. It was toward him that the Imperial Court Doctor voiced his displeasure.
“Can you not see His Majesty more often? He must soon return to the Empire.”
The physician lowered his gaze, looking troubled.
“There are quite a number of nobles who struggle with this issue… Still, since Your Grace is incomparably more noble, I postponed all other appointments and came at once.”
Just as the imperial physician was about to add something further, Killian raised his hand to stop him. He only had a few days left to spend in Porhen as it was. He couldn’t afford to waste time on petty arguments. Going straight to the point, he spoke.
“The truth is, I stopped taking the medicine two days ago. And today…”
His words trailed off for a moment. Killian blinked once, and the edges of his ears flushed faintly red. Speaking aloud about his own s****l life was still an uncomfortable matter for him.
“I had two occasions of intimacy. One time succeeded… the other time failed. What should I do now?”
After finishing his question, Killian looked straight at the physician. His gaze carried embarrassment, irritation, and a trace of expectation all tangled together. The physician stroked his chin, considering the proper prescription.
“Hmm… I believe you should continue taking the medicine.”
“Do you mean I must go back to the original one?”
“No, I’ll adjust the dosage and prescribe it anew.”
The physician took out a small slip of paper from his pocket and began writing something down. With each stroke of the pen, the crisp sound of scratching spread into the air.
Meanwhile, Killian and the imperial physician exchanged glances. Today’s business was not limited to this matter alone.
The imperial physician cautiously broached the subject.
“By the way…”
“Yes, please speak.”
“Could it be that the herb Semensty produces a stimulating effect?”
A flash of sharpness crossed the physician’s eyes.
“Yes, there have been such cases. Might Your Majesty have experienced that reaction?”
Killian silently nodded. At that, the physician hesitated for a moment before continuing.
“It is still under research… but since it is a rare herb managed by the royal household, and the related texts are kept only in the palace library, progress has been slow. It is difficult to say with certainty, but it is more likely to be a hypersensitive reaction rather than a side effect.”
“Then, is it safe to ingest?”
“Well… if Your Majesty wishes for a mild effect, then take it. But if you are concerned for your health, it would be best to avoid it.”
The physician’s evasive tone clearly betrayed his reluctance to take responsibility. Killian’s expression hardened with displeasure at not hearing what he wanted. Faced with that sharp look, the physician hastily wrapped up the consultation as if fleeing.
“Still, once you finish this prescription, most of your functions should be restored. Please continue to take ample rest, and I will send the medicine through your usual errand boy.”
“…Very well.”
Killian didn’t like it, but he didn’t press further. The physician’s attitude displeased him, yet it seemed the man had no real solution either.
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