episode_0186

Episode 186. The Secret of the Imperial Family (2)

****

There are few spaces in the palace as pleasant as Violet’s office. The office is filled with the faint smell of black tea, chocolate, and fine coffee, and the sound of a fountain pen scratching on paper.

Even the ink in the fountain pen smelled of beeswax and honey. This is Violet’s work.

Violet looked around her office.

The royal family is approaching winter. It is a season when the weather becomes harsh and the number of patients increases significantly, and diseases such as colds, falls, and frostbite become common.

And, it was also a season when the poor had a harder time. What Violet, the chief healer of the palace, was preparing for this season was-

“Completed.”

Decorations for the Dongji Festival. Several ribbons were tied to the potted bonsai tree.

Of course, that’s not the only thing that’s important.

Violet looked at her desk. There was condensed milk and sugar ready to add to her tea.

Of course, black tea is prepared.

Violet’s winter preparations were going smoothly. Now she just had to find a way to look busy until the winter solstice festival.

There were a few more that came to mind.

A blanket to bring to the office, or a magical heater. It’s cold these days.

Professor Asterix said he will be arriving at the palace soon, so I should go see him too.

How to look busy… … well.

I still have to think about it, but since the entire zodiac is in a festive mood, it won’t be hard to find an excuse not to work.

What could there be?

Talk to Professor Asterix and pretend to develop a new potion. He might actually be able to develop it.

Violet poured condensed milk into the warm black tea she had just poured. It wasn’t a common method, but Violet liked sweets.

Why should we conserve condensed milk?

There wasn’t anything in particular.

“Oh, Chief Healer!”

“Come in.”

Smart. Violet answered without looking up. One of the palace healers came into Violet’s office.

Violet’s assistant, Adler. One of the royal healers. Adler greatly admired Violet, although he did not know the specific reason.

That’s why I chose you as my assistant.

Violet continued to stir the black tea with a small silver spoon. The white condensed milk swirled in the black tea. It was melting more slowly than I thought.

Adler stared at the spinning spoon for a moment. He heard the sound of the spoon hitting the glass. Adler opened his mouth again.

“Ms. Violet.”

“Go out and bring cookies, and I’ll pour you some black tea. Sugar and condensed milk just arrived today, so who wants to eat them together-”

“There are hospitalized patients.”

“Huh?”

A patient was admitted? How could that be? It was the first patient admitted in almost a week.

Violet, it’s the biggest crisis of your life. At least for the past week. You’ve been forced to do real work for the first time in a while.

Oh, I let my guard down.

Not working was an art form. Violet was very good at it. Strategic travel, shared responsibility, complex chains of command.

Thanks to this, Violet was able to establish herself as one of the Empire’s best healers without seeing many patients.

It would be funny to see someone who knew the inside story, but very few people knew.

Violet packed her bag. This patient seemed to be inescapable. Still, isn’t it for times like these that we have company?

Adler handed Violet the medical records, and Violet opened her mouth after looking at them. In fact, she opened her mouth before looking at them.

Adler sat in Violet’s office.

“I hope this case will serve as a learning opportunity for junior healers.”

“Really?”

“The juniors are the future of the organization, but we didn’t trust them enough. Everyone needs a chance to prove themselves.”

What is an experience that everyone can share?

An experience of being ignored when young or because of lack of experience. Violet spoke vaguely about it, and Adler was impressed.

“That’s true.”

“I was able to come this far thanks to the people who believed in me and gave me a chance. It would be good to give a chance to my juniors at the end of the year.”

Preparations are complete.

Okay. Now, just find out what the disease is and pass it on to your juniors.

Life without work will continue.

“Do you know what disease it is?”

Adler shook his head.

“You said your stomach hurts so bad. You have a fever and a cold sweat, but there are more than one or two reasons why your stomach hurts… … .”

The hardest thing is when a patient comes in with a stomachache.

There are so many organs in the stomach. How can I know what is hurting and why it is lying down?

“I took several painkillers.”

“First, I’m taking my juniors with me and recording the patient’s symptoms and discomforts in as much detail as possible, and even thinking of a response plan.”

“Yes.”

“I’ll go right away.”

Adler left Violet’s office first, and Violet sat and thought.

I wonder where the patient came from. It didn’t seem like the juniors would be able to find the answer.

In the end, it was most likely a problem that I had to solve myself. For now, let’s finish the black tea I made. It would be a waste, since I put so much effort into it.

****

Violet scratched her head.

There was only one patient currently admitted to the Imperial Infirmary. The patient was lying in the Imperial Infirmary, frowning.

He seemed to be one of the palace staff. He looked like a man who would never go out, so he was probably an imperial secretary. That was fortunate.

If a member of the royal family had been sick, it would have been a problem.

Because I no longer have to worry about getting cut even if I fail.

“You’re in luck. Violet, the Imperial Chief Healer, will be taking care of your patient.”

“Oh. Is that so.”

“What is your name?”

“Aldenburg.”

Violet nodded. So far, she seemed calm. The problem didn’t seem that serious. Whatever it was, she didn’t know.

There seemed to be no need to worry about dying any time soon.

“What hurts and why are you here?”

“Oh, my stomach has been hurting so bad since yesterday.”

Violet looked at the patient again.

Your stomach hurts?

“The patient’s eyes are yellow. Since when has this been the case? Has the complexion changed recently?”

Aldenburg was troubled.

“Uh, I don’t know. I think it started last week. I don’t remember very well.”

“Okay.”

Violet wrote down the patient’s symptoms in the medical records. Eye discoloration is a symptom of jaundice. The most common cause of jaundice is chronic drinking… … .

A few medicinal teas that are good for the liver, restorative potions, and healing spells that can increase the body’s regenerative powers.

No solution came to mind right away, but Violet mentally listed a few possible solutions, along with further tests to try.

“Does the patient have a fever?”

“I had it earlier, but I think it’s a little better now because I gave it some medicine. It still hurts.”

Violet nodded.

“I think I know what the disease is. It seems to be liver disease. Then, I will research some good medicines for the liver.”

The fever went away with the medicine. Ah, a good idea. Violet was delighted.

“I thought about it, patient.”

“What is it?”

“Just in case it’s a serious illness. I’ll call the best doctor in the empire for you. I think I’ll be able to see you this evening or tomorrow… … .”

Asterix will be coming to the palace anyway. Why don’t you ask the professor?

“The Empire’s best healer?”

“Yes. Professor Asterix said he will be coming to the palace soon. If I ask you, you can come to the infirmary. Then you will know what I mean.”

Aldenberg nodded.

Nothing had changed, but the patient’s face seemed to lighten just by hearing that the best healer in the empire was coming. Professor Asterix. Now, just by saying his name, he can cure patients…

Well, that’s a good thing.

Now, if I just do some research, there might be a book somewhere that will tell you how to treat jaundice that came on suddenly.

“Then. I will bring Professor Asterix. If you have any discomfort, please tell the healers right away.”

“Thank you.”

“I’ll be ready soon.”

Violet left the hospital room for a moment.

The interview was a success, but for some reason I couldn’t shake off an ominous feeling. I had a strong feeling that the method Violet had come up with wouldn’t work out well.

Still, it’s better to be sure.

If someone were to die right before the festival, it would be quite a shame. The only way would be to wait until Professor Asterix arrives.

****

The zodiac was in a festive mood. We walked through the zodiac streets decorated with ribbons, bells, and mistletoe leaves and headed to the imperial palace.

Mint’s eyes sparkled.

“It’s a total festival atmosphere.”

“That’s right.”

“The Imperial Palace will be busy preparing for the festival. I hope the teacher enjoys it too… … .”

“I will keep that in mind.”

Mint reached out of the carriage and returned with a few snowflakes. The white snowflakes were quickly melting in the body heat.

“It’s snowing too!”

That’s right. The Empire’s Winter Solstice Festival isn’t necessarily on Christmas. Still, it’s a bit disappointing if it doesn’t snow around Christmas.