Chapter 126
“Everything was perfect?”
“Yes. Even setting aside external appearances, she was someone suitable for the position of Empress. As you know, that position isn’t just about being beautiful. Since she represents the face of the empire, many factors are carefully considered.”
Hearing Kezeff speak like this, it was clear that she must indeed be an extraordinary woman. Isabelle, who had been about to snap back, found herself at a loss for words upon hearing that the woman even possessed the qualities of an Empress.
“If Kezeff says that, she must be remarkable.”
“Of course, she’s also beautiful. And she’s even younger than Princess Herfelder.”
“What did you say?”
Her voice rose in disbelief. Even as a hand waved to calm her down, saying it was just a joke, her irritation didn’t subside easily.
“I’m only 23 myself.”
“Still a child, then.”
Ugh! That playful tone—it was infuriating, so annoying.
Having said it out loud, Isabelle felt a bit embarrassed. It was ridiculous that she was so concerned about Adolf’s fiancée alone, and to show such childish behavior on top of it, she felt as though she had lost to someone she didn’t even need to compete with.
Kezeff, who had been quietly laughing, finally looked apologetic at Isabelle’s sulky expression and stopped smiling.
“But tell me, where were you headed today? You didn’t look well when I first saw you—I’m worried something might have happened.”
“Oh, I went to the Rochelt Ducal House. My expression was off because I learned something a bit shocking, and also because there’s something I haven’t figured out yet—so it seems difficult to set foot in the Ducal House again.”
From the look on Rosaline’s face when she last saw her, Isabelle realized that she probably wouldn’t have another opportunity to enter the Ducal House.
Rosaline was not an easy woman. That she allowed Isabelle in while knowing her true identity must have been because she could gain information about Hybert through her.
“Right now, I have no useful information for her. She wouldn’t let someone useless like me in.”
It was still uncertain whether Hybert had maintained numerous secret marriages to use women who resembled Rosaline as sacrifices to save her.
To do that, Isabelle would first need to know what was wrong with her, but Rosaline always kept her distance whenever health matters were mentioned, making it feel like an impenetrable wall.
“And the new information you learned?”
“That the Rochelt Duke and Duchess care for each other more than the rumors suggest, and that their distance was caused by a minor misunderstanding.”
“Oh, that’s shocking.”
Since Rosaline, as the head of her house, was someone who wasn’t normally entangled in matters of love, Kezeff frowned and tilted his head in confusion.
“Then why do you need to go back to the Ducal House?”
“It seems the Duke is unwell, but he is very reluctant to speak about it. Kezeff, did you know he was sick?”
Hearing this for the first time, he shook his head continuously.
“I didn’t. Although, I haven’t seen him in a while. He always appeared during government meetings, so I was also wondering about that.”
“I see.”
Isabelle, who felt compelled to clarify anything suspicious, couldn’t let it go like this.
At that moment, Kezeff, who had been pondering alongside her, suggested a plausible solution.
“Why not try going to the Imperial Hospital?”
“The Imperial Hospital?”
“Yes. Perhaps you might be able to obtain the information there.”
Ah, why hadn’t she thought of that!
Isabelle held her head in her hands, eyes wide. While there were countless hospitals in the capital, she hadn’t considered that high-ranking nobles like the Rochelt family would have a dedicated hospital.
“As they say, knowledge comes from experience. I should have known by visiting such a place.”
Preparing to visit the hospital immediately, she followed him with a smile.
“I’m sorry, but patient information cannot be disclosed lightly.”
“I understand, I do… but…”
“And may I ask which family you are from? I haven’t seen you before.”
Having nothing to say, Isabelle pressed her lips together and retreated, promising to return.
“I didn’t expect it to be this strict, though I knew it wouldn’t be easy.”
Stopping in a relatively secluded area, she scratched her forehead with a troubled expression.
She had tried several nurses already, thinking that persistence might work, but this was already the fourth attempt, and she had retreated each time.
Perhaps the hospital had heard rumors of her; even approaching the reception drew cold stares.
She could clearly see her own future: instead of obtaining the information, she would be chased away as a strange person.
With no better ideas, Isabelle collapsed into a waiting chair, taking in the hospital’s high ceilings and dazzling chandeliers.
“This place is on a whole different level compared to a regular hospital.”
Even though life and death were at stake here, no loud noises could be heard. Nurses and patients alike seemed composed, and soft classical music filled the waiting area.
No matter how she looked, Isabelle felt this place didn’t suit her. It didn’t have the scent of ordinary life—she might never come here again after leaving.
Feeling uneasy in the unfamiliar atmosphere, she took a deep breath and stood. Sitting here wouldn’t solve anything; she would have to push forward, as she always had.
Even if she failed, all that would happen was being chased out. If that happened, she’d find another way.
She decided to think about the future later and headed back toward the entrance. There, she noticed someone and hid behind a wall. Someone had reached the reception first: a doctor in a white coat.
Although she had been in the hospital for some time, this was the first time she saw a doctor this closely. When she first entered, she had seen a stern-looking doctor from a distance, who had disappeared into their office in a rush.
Other doctors were the same.
However, this doctor, talking with a nurse, looked different. She was a woman with a warm impression. Seeing the usually stern nurse smiling, it seemed she had a talent for putting people at ease.
Unconsciously observing her, Isabelle noticed a figure silently appear beside her. Chester, appearing from nowhere, stared at the woman, muttering with a dazed expression.
“…Emily?”
“Emily?”
Turning sharply, Isabelle saw Chester trembling, his face twisted. His reaction was so clear that she didn’t need to ask why.
That woman must be Chester’s daughter!
It was an incredible coincidence. She wanted to greet her joyfully, but Chester, already pale, shot past the wall and disappeared outside.
“Why did he suddenly act like that?”
Perplexed, Isabelle approached the woman she assumed to be Emily before following him.
“Hello.”
“Hello. Are you here for registration?”
“No, not really. May I ask your name, doctor?”
The woman blinked slowly and answered.
“Emily Müller.”
“I see. Emily, nice to meet you.”
Isabelle grabbed her hand for a handshake, then released it, saying:
“Could we talk for a moment?”
“If just for a moment…”
“Good. I’ll be quick.”
Isabelle asked her to wait and dashed out of the hospital at top speed.
