episode_0184

Episode 184. Why did the engagement break off?

****

The patient’s condition had improved noticeably when I saw him again. I opened the medical records. The patient’s blood culture results from earlier were also out.

In fact, the diagnosis of endocarditis was simple, and the treatment method was obvious. That was not what I was curious about. Even if it was a strange question-

“Why did the engagement break off?”

“Yes?”

Laplace scratched his head.

“I was curious about the reason. I also know Baron Lapis personally.”

“Ah… … . Is this medically related? Is this a question I don’t have to answer?”

“Yes. You don’t have to answer.”

Instead of an answer, a sigh was heard.

“I think it would be a little more comfortable to talk to someone I don’t know.”

“That could be the case.”

Laplace thought about it for a long time.

“Do you also provide counseling, Professor?”

“Most of the patients who need psychiatric counseling are those who can be seen even if I am not there… … . I don’t see many patients who need that kind of counseling.”

“I see.”

“I have also studied psychiatry.”

I learned a lot from seeing psychiatric patients during my undergraduate and internship years. It wasn’t my specialty, but I was able to counsel them, if necessary.

My patient nodded.

“I thought about it. I wonder if I have a heart condition because of the mental distress I have had these past few days.”

“Oh, that might be related.”

I thought it wouldn’t happen though.

“What… … . To cut to the chase, I fought with my fiancé. There were too many things we didn’t agree on. It was a marriage agreed upon between our families.”

Laplace closed his eyes and muttered something.

I thought about the answer.

“If you don’t like Peace and Gratitude, then that’s the end of it – No, right? Anyway, if the parties involved say they don’t like it, then that’s the end, right? You can just meet someone else.”

“What would you have done if you were the professor?”

“Well.”

I don’t know because I haven’t had similar experience.

“Proverbs and sayings, etc.”

“Yes.”

“It exists to limit thoughts and make choices easier. The saying that you don’t like me is the same as saying that you can just leave if you don’t like me. Even though it was something I said. The decision to split up, as the teacher said, seems likely to be hasty.”

If I were to give advice instead of empathy, then yes.

“Don’t break off the engagement?”

“To put it simply, yes.”

“There are a lot of parts that don’t match.”

“People naturally fight with each other. Take your time and think about what you will give in to, what you will tolerate, and what you will overturn the table with.”

This is assuming that there was no great trigger that made you think, “This is not it.” But if there was, wouldn’t you have already brought it up?

Laplace had just used the vague expression that several things were not right. There was not enough time to go to extremes.

“Big choices require big reasons.”

“I guess so.”

“What… …. Do you like your fiancee? Except for the things you don’t like about her.”

“Yes? Of course I like it, except for the things I don’t like. What are you talking about?”

“Appearance or something.”

Laplace nodded as if he noticed. It seemed he liked that.

“While we’re on the subject.”

“Yes.”

“I heard that Professor, you are in a relationship with the princess. What do you do when you have different opinions or things with the princess?”

I scratched my head.

In general, the less a doctor talks about himself, the better. This is especially true in psychiatric counseling.

In medical terms, this is called transference. It is when a patient treats a doctor like an ordinary person.

Anyway, that’s not important.

There was no need to take it that seriously, just answer the question honestly.

“Just tell the princess. Actually, you are wrong, I think differently, something like that.”

“What if you don’t listen?”

“Usually you don’t hear it.”

“It’s difficult.”

“The important thing is not to get everything right. How can you get everything right with other people? How about thinking that the process of checking what each other thinks is important?”

Laplace raised his head in thought.

“To be honest, I thought the professor was going to give some crappy advice.”

“No, why.”

I think I know why.

I sighed inwardly.

“Professor Asterix is meeting the princess. She is ten years younger than the professor… … .”

“Yes.”

Laplace gestured to the empty space as if to elaborate. The meaning was conveyed.

“When I actually heard it, it was surprisingly realistic and helpful advice.”

Still, I’m glad it helped. I scratched my head. Enough with the personal stuff, let’s move on to the treatment plan.

“Yes… … .”

Back to the topic of endocarditis.

Now, inflammation and bacterial clumps are causing structural abnormalities in the heart. If you can hear it on auscultation, it’s a life-threatening situation.

Since cardiac surgery cannot be performed at the Academy Hospital, caution is needed.

“When we cultured the patient’s blood, we found that the cause of the endocarditis was streptococcus.”

“Is it good?”

This means you have streptococcal bacteremia.

“Oh, yes. Streptococcus is the most basic bacteria and will get better with antibiotics.”

“Okay.”

But, even if all the bacteria were killed, I don’t know how much damage would be done to the heart.

“That’s right, I’ll make sure to pass that on to Baron Lapis. The professor was kind to me.”

“Yes.”

I nodded.

Endocarditis was a disease I had seen before, and although the conversation was long, it was successful.

We saved a patient this time, and Linea got a chance to learn auscultation. We also got a chance to build a connection with the Baron family of Lapis. Plus, we owed her a debt.

“Thank you for all your hard work. You just need to stay in the hospital for a few more days and you will be discharged soon.”

“Thank you.”

You’ll get better soon.

The empire’s noble families have many superhumans. It was highly likely that Laplace also had resilience that surpassed that of ordinary humans.

If you just solve the problem, it will get better soon.

****

Laplace lay back on his sickbed.

Professor Asterix himself was quite different from what was imagined. The professor that people, especially Baron Lapis, spoke of was a legendary figure.

They said he was a hero who liberated the territory from the fear of the plague. That was a clear fact. The rumors surrounding the professor were a different matter.

Some rumors were exaggerated compared to reality, while others were somewhat downplayed and different from the facts.

for example.

It seemed like Laplania’s personal opinion was that the professor was very handsome. Maybe women have different perspectives on people.

On the one hand.

Professor Asterix seemed much smarter than he had been rumored to be. He wasn’t just a genius who could guess what a disease was.

Professor Asterix taught his disciple and did not forget to reassure Laplace.

I thought that guessing what disease it was would be the most important thing, but it wasn’t. Guessing what disease it was was just the beginning.

The diagnosis was made almost immediately. It was as if it was nothing serious. Most of the time was spent teaching and reassuring the disciple.

A few steps ahead… … .

More than that, I should talk to my fiancé. Professor Asterix was right. A fight isn’t the end, though.

****

“Teacher!”

Mint chased after me as I was walking back to the lab and tackled me in her arms. I almost fell over.

“Oh, nice to meet you.”

Mint lifted her chin and planted her lips on my cheek. She put her arms around my neck. I supported Mint with my hands.

“Teacher. I went to the lab earlier.”

“Yes.”

“There was that elf healer again.”

“Ah. Are you upset?”

Phew. Mint sighed while being held. Partly while blowing wind into my ear.

“To be honest… … . Why are there so many women around you, teacher?”

“Well, there are more women in this profession.”

“Okay. Let’s go eat now. You didn’t forget to go to the palace before and after the winter solstice festival, right?”

“Oh, of course.”

I nodded.

The Winter Solstice Festival is an event that corresponds to Christmas in the original world. It was no wonder that Mint was excited about the Winter Solstice Festival.

Mint rubbed her cheek against my face, then let me go and linked arms next to me.

“The princess is the most beautiful in the world.”

“Huh? That’s good to know.”

Mint started to chatter.

I learned a new spell this time, and I think I’ll be able to use it properly. I waited a long time in the lab yesterday. It’s cold, so I wish I could stay with you longer.

The Empire always had bad weather. It was a place where it rained, snowed, and was foggy every day, and the sun only rose properly in midsummer.

Still, the princess’ face seemed to glow, befitting her title of Imperial Moon.

For a moment, I looked back at Mint’s doll-like face. Two eyes as deep as lakes met my gaze again.

Since coming to this world, I’ve seen many pretty women, but none of them can compare to Mint.

“I hope you get some rest at the end of the year, too. There’s a lot to do when you return to the palace… …! Have you ever tried baking? Like sugar crafts?”

“No.”

“It doesn’t matter what you do. The teacher is always busy, right? I thought it would be better to take a break and do it.”

Come to think of it, I’ve always met Mint after work and I’m tired. Maybe Mint felt that way.