Chapter 3.21
“I am glad Your Grace thinks so. But I am indeed a sinner.”
The doctor answered calmly.
“Isn’t it because of me that Her Majesty the Empress became unable to have children after Princess Julia?”
“……If you put it that way.”
Roxias carefully set Caitlyn down and seated her on a sofa. The doctor asked in a mumble.
“Then, is this lady the……?”
“Yes, that woman.”
“You’ve finally found her. Congratulations.”
“Save the congratulations until everything is over.”
Caitlyn couldn’t contain her curiosity.
“What are you talking about?”
The doctor looked at her. His scarred mouth curved into a smile.
“It is not much of a secret in the Imperial household that Your Grace has been searching for the woman of his destiny.”
“……Nonsense.”
“Yes, since Your Grace wouldn’t believe in things like destiny.”
Caitlyn blinked. In her eyes, Roxias Akbar was someone who believed in destiny more than anyone. Otherwise, there was no way he would acknowledge her prophetic power.
“Anyway, the woman Your Grace was searching for so long is right before my eyes, so it is surprising.”
“What kind of woman were you looking for?”
The doctor was lost in thought for a moment.
“Hmm…… he only said she was beautiful.”
“Oh…….”
“No matter what form she was in, she would surely be beautiful. Also, she would be a loner…… since she likely wouldn’t have a social personality. And she would be hated by those around her in some way.”
Everything was so accurate that she was left speechless. Though Roxias Akbar had recognized her the moment they met, making those characteristics entirely unnecessary.
“I don’t know about anything else, but one thing is for certain. You are truly beautiful.”
“Just do the diagnosis.”
The Archduke spoke stiffly.
“I’ll make sure you’re well-paid.”
The doctor immediately fell silent at those words and examined Caitlyn thoroughly. It felt strange to be diagnosed when she wasn’t particularly ill.
“There are no major problems.”
“But she had a high fever yesterday. She was talking nonsense constantly, and it seemed like she was seeing things too.”
The Archduke explained with a displeased face.
“Then why didn’t you bring me to her?”
“……Just keep examining her.”
“I’m all done. I told you there are no problems.”
“Really none?”
The Archduke frowned and asked the doctor again.
“Yes. Have there been any sudden changes in her circumstances recently? If so, she might have a temporary fever from excessive stress. It’s a symptom that disappears with plenty of rest, so do not worry too much.”
He had added ‘perhaps’ out of courtesy, but he was actually speaking with certainty. In fact, it wasn’t wrong, so she couldn’t say anything. As Caitlyn stood up from her seat, the doctor suddenly asked.
“What is your name?”
“Caitlyn, Hardick…….”
“It’s my first time hearing it. But it’s fine. I am someone who used to only treat high-ranking people anyway.”
He broke into a wide grin, his mouth almost torn open. It was a mouth with few healthy teeth.
“Hurry up and become a high-ranking person so you can call for me.”
“Let’s go, Cathy. There’s no need to listen to any more of this fool’s nonsense.”
Caitlyn, who was half-led out by Roxias’s hand, couldn’t contain her curiosity.
“Who is that person? And who is he that Your Grace would bring me to such a person…….”
“He’s a renowned doctor. His name is Jacob.”
Roxias answered briefly.
“But he was framed and kicked out because he earned the Emperor’s hatred.”
“……Why was he framed?”
“Because he was too honest.”
Roxias answered immediately.
“He was someone who spoke his thoughts exactly as they were. Most of it was true. But humans seem to hate their own kind who speak the truth.”
“…….”
Caitlyn walked in silence. She felt like it was just like her own situation. Someone who speaks the truth but becomes an object of hate and resentment. She felt that Jacob, who was kicked out because of his innate nature, must feel even more pain than she, who was at least cursed.
“Don’t worry about the Princess of Solaris anymore. I’ll make sure she returns to her own country as quickly as possible, so you don’t have to worry.”
“……The Princess will surely become the Empress of this country. And then, Your Grace will regret having taken my words lightly.”
Roxias’s eyes narrowed.
“I am different from the riffraff who didn’t believe your words. If you saw the future, then you must have really seen such a future. She’s a woman more than capable of starting a war.”
“But why…….”
“It means that at the very least, you don’t need to worry about her. She won’t be able to harm you right away, and even if a war breaks out, you just have to hide.”
Roxias continued in a dry voice.
“I am not so incompetent that I couldn’t at least provide a hideout for you.”
Caitlyn licked her lips. Even if a war broke out, it would be years later. By then, her relationship with Roxias would likely have ended. Yet he was saying he would provide a hideout for her. Was it simple gratitude? Or was it to keep her silent? Or…….
“You said you would return to your brothers and sisters after regaining your power, right?”
Caitlyn spoke quietly.
“Wouldn’t that be after Your Grace has already gone away?”
“……I wonder.”
Roxias’s answer came a bit slowly.
“Wielding power in the human world seems like it could be somewhat interesting, so I might not leave right away.”
『What I Gained by Giving My Body』 To be continued in Volume 2
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