The Doctor Cured the Villainess and Ran Away - Chapter 51



51 – The Jealous Princess (1)

“I asked if you wanted the position of the successor’s fiance.”

Heike questions me calmly.

Alberichi, who couldn’t follow how the conversation was going, is in a state of astonishment, chuckling.

Alright, let’s consider the options.

The position called “Guksu,” which means the emperor’s wife.

It’s hard to even see her face because she’s the highest-ranking empress in the empire.

I’ll be trapped in this suffocating palace until I die, day after day.

I won’t even get a proper night’s sleep because I’m constantly worried about assassination.

I understand what it’s like to be in a similar situation.

A prisoner locked up in a prison.

“Yes, I’ll send a messenger.”

“It’s not meant for someone like me, but rather for someone of a higher status.”

“Hmm.”

Heinke slightly raised the corners of his mouth in response to my answer.

“You don’t seem to show any greed even for such a good offer. You really are the best servant, aren’t you?”

I wonder if the aristocrats are too greedy.

“Relax a bit. I was just joking. I wouldn’t take away even a burden from the other’s flesh and blood.”

“I didn’t know Your Majesty enjoyed joking.”

Heinke pursed his lips as if my words were unsatisfactory.

“People from the royal family also tell jokes. If you’re so stubborn like this, there’s no room for digging in.”

It wasn’t intentional to show that intention, but I became too firm.

If I send Heinke away like this, there won’t be any further dealings.

I thought of a slightly better offer.

From Noble mtl dot com

“Depending on the conditions, we can consider selling penicillin to the royal pharmacy.”

“Is that true?”

Heinke uncrossed his arms and showed interest.

“What could be more impolite than sending Your Majesty, who has traveled this far, back empty-handed?”

“You’re a nobleman with excellent manners. What are the conditions?”

The aristocrats are always thorough in their cost-benefit analysis. When I see them looking for rewards and conditions, I feel like we’re from the same bloodline.

Make sure to grab it.

I’ll do business with Heinke.

I presented the conditions in a firm voice.

“Alliance between the Royal

In order for my faction to quietly grow in my clinic, I need money.

Even if I manipulate Falkenhaen, there is a limit to how much he will support me as long as Asella is hostile to Geoerk.

If Alberric keeps interfering like this, it becomes increasingly difficult for me to operate in the clinic.

I didn’t receive permission from Asella for the alliance, but well, she’ll understand if I explain.

If we form an alliance, Heike will inevitably clash with Geoerk.

In the process, they will exhaust their resources and annihilate each other, which would be a favorable scenario for the Moonlight Palace.

Asella’s winning rate will probably increase, but well…

The probability of a bad ending isn’t changing at the moment, so let’s think about it later.

“We’ll form an alliance.”

What Heike wants is my medical technology.

If I accept the proposal, we can trade medicines, equipment, and more even in the long run.

If she considers it an investment, it seemed like a quite sweet offer to me.

After finishing her calculations, Heike answered.

“Consider it positively. I will meet Asella.”

“I’ll leave it to you.”

I already felt excited about the anticipation of tearing things apart in the future.

***

“It’s a relief that you’re safe.”

Together with Tanya, I return to the Moonlight Palace.

Since there was a major issue, I wanted to leave the office to Chloe and take some rest.

While Chloe was worried about me, she managed her tasks well despite having seizures.

Now, by using the blue mold cultivated by Chloe, we can directly use alchemy to produce penicillin.

With this pace, soon I can entrust Chloe with the mass production of antibiotics.

I am looking forward to a medicine that is created without alchemy.

However, when I arrived at the Moonlight Palace, there was an unexpectedly pleasant face.

“Ora-berni!”

“Neria?”

As soon as she saw me, Neria ran up to me with short steps and greeted me with a big smile.

I couldn’t help but smile in response to her joy.

“I hope you’ve been well?”

“Alright. Thanks to the ingredients you brought, I’ve been doing well. How did you end up here?”

“hehehe, I surprised you, didn’t I?”

Even though there was no sign in the letter, I prepared such a cute surprise. It was a success.

Neria’s forehead tapped and her gray hair swayed as she shook her head. It feels like finally being able to breathe after the suffocating palace life.

“Actually, I came because there’s an important social party.”

So it’s about the Marquis Chihwa party that will happen in a while.

“Did your father come too?”

“My father is busy, so I came on his behalf. Neria is the representative of the Goldberg family.”

“You’re reliable. Leave the family’s reputation to Neria.”

“hahahaha, even the face madam of the Count Goldberg seems to have gotten younger!”

When I turned my head to the cheerful voice, there was Boris, along with the knights, taking care of the horse and carriage that Neria rode.

The injuries from the fight with the goblin shaman were completely healed.

“Have you been well, Doryeondnim?”

“You look like a new person, Boris.”

“It’s thanks to you, sir. It’s been a long time since I saw the commander.”

“Hmm.”

Tanya lightly acknowledged Boris’ greeting.

“Boris and the knights escorted me all the way to the palace.”

“You’ve traveled a long way. It didn’t take two weeks, did it?”

“We only spent a day at the palace walls. The palace, oh, the procedures to enter are quite complicated. I don’t know how many security inspections I had.”

Boris grumbled and then smiled, showing his teeth.

“More importantly, Doryeondnim, sir, I heard the news.”

“What news?”

“I watched the video of the royal martial arts competition. Captain Tanya’s skills were amazing.”

“You’re too kind.”

Tanya replied modestly to Neria’s praise.

“The captain didn’t mention you, sir. The rumors have spread. They say that the eldest son of the Goldberg family became a chief physician and turned the martial arts competition upside down.”

“Well, really?”

It was good news for me too. If Goldberg’s name spreads widely, it will be advantageous for me to achieve great things.

“Thanks to that, the Marquisate is in a festive mood every day. There’s already a line forming for next year’s admissions to the training academy.”

“My father was delighted too. I have a letter, and I will deliver it later.”

“I can’t wait. Shall we go inside and talk then? Neriah, I’ll prepare the carriage.”

“Sounds good!”

Neriah entered the Moonlight Palace, looking around excitedly.

“As it is now time for Bruno to take over, I will leave for a moment.”

Tanya vanished, as if she had something important to attend to.

I took Neriah to the reception room and asked the maidservant to bring refreshments.

“This is regarding the golden rose you sent. It has grown so fast that we can soon harvest it. Although the weather is getting warmer, we can use the mountains. As for the Duke’s Street…”

Neriah unleashed the accumulated stories that couldn’t be fully conveyed in the letters.

Because it seemed too suffocating to keep them hidden, I controlled my pace while offering her snacks.

“The palace’s pastries are incredibly sweet!”

Neriah happily enjoyed the treats, oblivious to the crumbs on her cheeks.

After some small talk, I decided to bring up one specific topic with Neriah.

“Neriah, have you heard rumors about the medicine I made reaching the Marquisate?”

“Yes. A-ice… Sorry, I find the name difficult. They say it can cure the epidemic spreading without using healing magic?”

“That’s right. Currently, only I can make it, but with proper education, other healers can also create it.”

“Really?”

“Yeah. In fact, the key ingredient was the birch bark you used to send.”

“I see… it’s fascinating.”

The reason I brought up the topic of medicine with Neriah was not for any other purpose.

It reminded me of Heike’s proposal.

The idea of producing medicine on a large scale and monopolizing it was tempting enough to make my mouth water for a moment.

But wait, if it’s such a great plan, can’t I do it myself?

That was the conclusion I reached.

Coincidentally, Neriah was present here. Maybe I should test the waters a bit.

“Neriah, how about trying out a business venture?”

“A business?”

“Yeah. The Healing Academy only relies on tuition fees and donations, so it doesn’t require a huge investment. Besides, our family is not extremely wealthy, right? Managing the territory always requires a substantial amount of funds.”

“You’re right. I also want to grow up quickly and be of help to our family, like Father. But what kind of business are you suggesting?”

I took out a medicine bottle from my pocket.

It’s a sample case organized by type.

“Aspirin is effective for colds and headaches. Penicillin is an antibiotic that prevents additional infections. The red medicine is an antibiotic ointment. It also includes motion sickness pills and disinfectant. We are planning to produce digestive medicines and burn treatment agents.”

I wrote an outline in the notebook so Neria could review it and explained the plan.

“There are so many types.”

“I can create more advanced medications with my expertise, but once we have the necessary technology, equipment, and materials, mass production of what I’ve shown here is possible.”

I got straight to the point with Neria.

“Let’s build a pharmaceutical factory in Hujakryeong.”

“A pharmaceutical factory…!”

Her eyes widened with interest.

Neria had received good education and was naturally bright, so she must have understood well.

Anyway, I don’t intend to take the forefront as the Lord. It is difficult to combine the roles of a doctor and managing Hujakryeong.

Neria, who will inherit my father’s work in the future, should actively take charge of the pharmaceutical business.

“We can help many sick people!”

Right now, I can sell these at a high price because only I can make them, but once they are produced in the factory, the cost will go down.

The burden on the common people to seek healers one by one will be significantly reduced.

Indeed, Neria is smart.

“I heard that there is also a candy factory in the Empire.”

“Yeah? There is.”

“If we could make such sweet medicines too…”

“Well, depending on how you approach it?”

It seems like she is imagining something like a chocolate factory.

Her train of thought quickly shifts to another direction, still childlike.

“But to build a factory like this, it requires a lot of money, right?”

“It does require a lot. It would be a huge risk to start with only our family’s capital without any investors.”

If it were on a small scale, like cottage industry, it would be different, but training pharmaceutical staff and establishing the initial infrastructure would take a considerable amount of time and funds.

“We will have to find investors. Since it will take several years anyway, let’s start slowly.”

“Yes, Brother. I will work hard!”

Neria made a determined fist.

She wanted to appear serious, but her chubby cheeks made her look cute instead.

I can be relieved if Neria actively pushes forward.

It would be nice if it were completed when I retire as the Royal Physician.

What a leisurely and abundant life it would be.

“Please take care of it. Let’s start by persuading Father and making a plan.”

“Leave it to me! My father always lets me do what I want!”

Neria, full of energy. Without thinking, I want to give her plenty of snacks.

“Do you want to eat candy?”

“Yes!”

I unwrap the honey candy and hand it over, and she bites into it in one go.

Just when I thought I wouldn’t be bored for a while, I heard a bustling noise in my ear.

The sound of knights’ footsteps. They are fast.

The escort knights rush into the reception room and each occupy a position against the wall.

There is only one person who will enter through the path they have created.

It was Ashella.

“Ah, Your Highness Princess!”

Neria immediately bows towards Ashella, but she ignores the greeting.

Ashella raises her chin, folds her arms, and looks down at me sternly.

“Gongja.”

“Yes.”

Golden mana ignites in her pupils.

What is she dissatisfied with this time?

Ashella asks me in a cold voice.

“What is this about Heike proposing to you?”

How did the story come to this point?