episode_0108

Episode 108. Thanksgiving Banquet (2)

****

I answered Mint right away. It was just a reaffirmation of what I already knew, a really obvious statement. Did she just want to hear my answer?

Mint brought the hand I was holding onto to her cheek. I looked at Mint.

“Oh, it looks like they’re all coming.”

“Yeah, I guess so.”

Is it that time already? Mint looked out the carriage window and leaned against me again.

“I’m tired just thinking about the banquet. Should we just say hello and stay by ourselves…?”

“Please enjoy the festival as it is. I was with the princess the whole time in the carriage.”

I agree that you’re tired. But you shouldn’t just be tired and not see people. This time, you came here because you had something to do?

Suddenly, the carriage stopped at its destination.

“They’re all here.”

“Okay.”

The royal family is close to the academy.

We arrived at the palace sooner than expected.

It seemed a little early, there was still quite a bit of time left before the banquet began. I grabbed Mint’s hand and got out of the carriage.

****

The imperial court was busy preparing for the banquet. I took Mint with me and moved around, avoiding the areas where the imperial staff were moving around in a crowded manner.

It’ll just be a hassle to work.

“Where should we go?”

“Let’s go to the greenhouse and have some tea.”

I nodded.

It was unimaginable to go into a greenhouse and drink tea, considering the climate of Korea. I heard that it was a ritual for nobles in the empire. Maybe it was because the weather was mild.

If you were sitting in a greenhouse in Korea during the summer or early fall, drinking tea, you would probably collapse from the heat. It could have been used as a sauna.

We soon arrived in front of the greenhouse.

“Ah. There’s someone inside… … ?”

“Okay.”

Well, if you think about it, it was natural. We weren’t the only ones who arrived at the banquet hall early. I guess I was thinking too simply.

I looked at Mint, but Mint didn’t really think much about it and just headed to the greenhouse.

The greenhouse was grander than I expected.

The greenhouse was made of glass, not vinyl. How did they make this? It must have taken an astronomical amount of time and money.

“Let’s go in.”

“Yes.”

It was warm inside the greenhouse.

As soon as I opened the door, a strong floral scent wafted in, and the center of the greenhouse was organized like a cafe. We sat down in a suitable seat inside the greenhouse.

I wanted to pass quietly, but I wasn’t the type of person who could pass quietly. The people sitting in their seats stood up as soon as they saw the princess.

“Hello, Your Highness the Princess.”

Mint awkwardly waved her hand in the air, gesturing for them to disperse quickly. The people sitting in the greenhouse noticed and returned to their seats.

That’s what most people say.

Because some oblivious, or perhaps brave, noblewoman sat at the table where Mint and I were sitting. It was inevitable, wasn’t it?

I just scratched my head. It’s true that I wished the girl would just go away, but she came to meet people.

“It’s been a while, Your Highness!”

“Yeah, hi.”

“You look healthy. Who is the person next to you, Young-sik? I think it’s the first time we’ve met… … .”

Youngsik? He was probably just saying it out of politeness, but a hollow laugh escaped my lips for a moment.

“Hello. I am Professor Asterix. I used to work as the royal physician.”

“Aha, so that’s why you came with the princess.”

“Hmm.”

Fortunately, the greenhouse was reasonably noisy. I couldn’t hear much of what was being said around me.

There were people talking everywhere, and the singing of birds that looked like parrots could be heard from inside the greenhouse.

I looked at Mint’s face for a moment. It would have been more fun to leave that annoying spot and go watch the birds with Mint.

Mint put her hand on my shoulder. The girl sitting at our table tilted her head.

“What is your name, teacher?”

“Oh, me? I’m Arina of the Alpenheim Counts’ House. Nice to meet you!”

Arina was just a lively-looking noble girl. If she looked stupid, it would be a bit extreme. She seemed to be a bit of a blind person.

I looked at Arina again. Her light brown hair was tied up elaborately, with blond streaks here and there. Her golden eyes were big, like a child’s.

Arina’s green dress wasn’t very long, but it didn’t reveal any shoulders.

“What does the professor teach?”

“I am studying medicine. Researching and seeing patients is more important than teaching.”

“Wow, that’s cool!”

Arina began to speak again.

Mint looked back and forth between me and the Count’s daughter, then linked arms with mine again as if she was trying to show off. Arina frowned.

In fact, rather than frowning, I couldn’t hide my surprise. The result was similar though.

“Are you two lovers?”

“Yeah.”

Mint nodded vigorously as if she had been waiting. I nodded too, and Arina covered her mouth as if she was surprised.

“Oh my, congratulations. Your Highness, you must be happy. You met such a great person.”

Arina muttered something. It was an embarrassing compliment to hear, but Mint, who was sitting next to me, couldn’t hide her innocent smile.

Because she’s like a stupid princess.

****

Mint sat next to her, seemingly satisfied with the fact that they had revealed their relationship, and simply responded. Arina’s eyes sparkled.

“I think there are a lot of people who are curious about who Mr. Asterix is. I’m curious too. What are you doing these days?”

I thought about what to say for a moment. It wasn’t a particularly malicious question, but unless he was an idiot, he would be curious.

What did the princess see that made her choose this person as her lover? I don’t know if Mint herself can give a perfect answer to that question, but Arina will also try to find her own answer.

“These days, we are researching how to make medicine. Beyond simply digging up herbs or combining special ingredients, we are also studying the process of mass producing medicine on an industrial scale.”

“That’s amazing.”

I wondered if it was worth bragging to this friend. If I told him, the rumor would spread. Since he was from a noble family, wouldn’t he at least tell his parents later?

“Is that possible?”

“It’s possible.”

How should I explain it?

Arina seemed less intelligent than the government officials I had seen last time. I was a bit worried. Mint was holding my hand tightly under the desk.

“Simply put. Think of it as growing medicinal mushrooms in a basement. This time, the imperial family said they are creating a company that will make medicine, and the work is progressing steadily.”

It was just a curious look. I was glad that I met such a reckless friend as soon as I entered the garden. What would have happened if I had met a strange person?

“Is this medicine effective?”

“Yes. Would you like to invest too, teacher?”

Arina tilted her head.

“Can I invest?”

“First of all, it is a company. In terms of the share structure, if a new investor comes in now, the government will have to invest the same amount to reach a majority.”

In simple terms, from a company perspective, it is an event to double the investment amount. In order for the government to maintain a majority stake, it must invest at least as much as the amount invested by the new investor.

Mint shrugged from the side.

“The government, including the royal family, invested a majority of the shares so that the government could have management rights. So that the company itself could be used for the public good. It would be good if investment increased, because that would allow us to make more medicine, right?”

It’s been a while since I heard such a smart thing.

I was about to pat Mint’s head, but I thought it might be a bit odd to do that outside. Instead of responding, I just held her hand tightly.

“I understand. But what kind of medicine is it?”

“There are several things planned, but first of all, I plan to make an antibiotic that kills bacteria. At least in quantities that can be used by tens of thousands of people.”

“Ahh.”

“Is this a little difficult to understand?”

“No… … ?”

Arina made a puzzled expression at these words. It was an expression I saw all day during class. The expression of someone who didn’t know what was being said.

I let out a small sigh.

“Um… … . It is better for your health not to put money in something that you don’t intuitively understand. I don’t intend to fool anyone, but there are a lot of strange people in the world.”

It’s bait for provocation.

It was actually sincere advice, but Arina didn’t seem smart enough to take it as advice.

It takes effort to accept what is said as is. As expected, Arina immediately shook her head. As if she was being wronged.

One, two, three.

“No, I understand what you mean!”

“I see.”

“I have money too!”

It’s obvious.

It was so obvious that it wasn’t even funny. I nodded reluctantly, though I had to hold back my laughter.

“If that’s true, how much did you find out, Teacher Arina?”

“Huh, 150,000?”

I looked at Mint. Mint nodded roughly. I didn’t need Mint’s opinion, but I just wanted her to feel better.

“Okay. Let’s talk again in writing.”

I may have sounded a bit like a swindler just now, but it’s hard to imagine a better investment than this. You got lucky this time, Miss Arina.