Chapter 49
‘But isn’t being too untrustworthy just going to slow things down?’
I muttered it more like an excuse than anything else, even though no one was really listening.
“Then I expect you to find a solution before I see you again.”
“You’re only giving me a day? Even if I’m the one and only genius in the world, that’s far too short.”
“A day?”
“I’m coming back here tomorrow, aren’t I?”
“Do you really want your subordinates to beat you with as many blows as the number of hairs you’ve lost?”
“Hmm, I thought about it. It doesn’t have to be medicine. I could just develop a ‘spell’ that makes lost hair grow back, couldn’t I?”
Ah, yes, of course. Why didn’t I think of that? Such a considerate superior, caring even about trivial welfare like this. Truly, I’m an amazing person.
Hist actually seemed to believe his own words, repeatedly praising himself with utter sincerity.
I couldn’t help but smirk at his carefree nonsense.
“Fine. Go solve humanity’s great problems on your own. As for me, I won’t be around here for a while.”
“You won’t? Where are you going?”
“There’s somewhere I need to stop by.”
“You mean you’re leaving the capital entirely?”
“Yeah. So until I come back, you’d better take care of the tasks I’ve left you.”
“To maintain the princess’s trust, I’ll do whatever it takes. But wait—His Majesty Ralal is letting the princess out of the capital?”
He tilted his head, crossing his arms.
“From what I’ve heard, he’s been rather obsessed with you lately.”
“This time, he’ll let me go.”
Because I’ll arrange the board that way.
I didn’t bother to explain further, only smiling at his curiosity.
The spirits hovering around us whirled with delight.
[Everything goes according to our master’s plan!]
[Heehee~ That meticulousness~. I like it~.]
[But seriously, do you keep getting the Emperor’s name wrong on purpose, or do you actually not know it?]
“Oh, even the spirits look confident? Then Emperor Ralal had better be nervous.”
Once again, Hist mangled the Emperor’s name.
‘It’s not that he’s trying to mock people—he’s just naturally like that.’
Shaking my head, I reached out to gently brush the petals of a red flower beside me.
“Good morning~!”
With a bright shout, I pushed open the door to the research hall, the workplace of the palace physicians.
The sight that greeted me was familiar: people in white gowns boiling concoctions and grinding herbs with tools. A scene typical of the apothecary.
“Ah, Lady Neroli!”
“It’s been a while since your last visit!”
“How have you been?”
At my entrance, the physicians all abandoned what they were working on and rushed toward me.
I answered their enthusiasm with a beaming smile.
“Of course~! And you all seem to be working hard today too. Oh—did I interrupt anything?”
“Not at all, Your Highness. Your visits are our greatest source of energy.”
“That’s right, especially since the Head Physician has been given such a heavy responsibility lately.”
“Ugh, it’s been exhausting! We really need a break right now!”
Their warm welcome made me chuckle softly.
‘It was worth building good relations in advance.’
Ever since I had gained my private greenhouse, I made frequent visits here.
The palace physicians were skilled in herbalism and knowledgeable about plants—perfect for my cover.
‘And it’s the perfect excuse to ask about plants when I need to.’
Of course, I always had spirits around me, who were far better teachers than any of them. But connections were a separate matter.
Most importantly, one of the strongest roots in my entire network of allies was here.
When I glanced around, an elderly physician guided me further inside.
“You’ve come to see Head Physician Hebaro, haven’t you? He’s in the inner chamber.”
“Hehe, thank you~! Oh, here’s a little gift—share these when you’re peckish!”
As usual, I pulled out the snacks I’d brought. The physicians, regardless of age, erupted in cheers.
“Princess Neroli’s treats! We’ve missed these so much!”
“Mmm~ what a wonderful smell.”
“After so long without them, my whole body felt sluggish!”
“Her Highness is the best!”
Feigning bashfulness, I reddened my cheeks at their cheers and made my way toward the Head Physician’s office.
Beside me, Nesgal snickered.
[That ‘sluggishness’ of theirs probably isn’t just in their heads.]
‘As if they’d ever guess.’
To them, it was nothing more than snacks from their sweet little princess. Well, the snacks were genuinely good for them.
Quickening my pace, I opened the inner door.
There, an old man sat on a sofa, already pouring tea.
“Your Highness. I’ve been waiting.”
“Hello, Hebaro!”
He sat to the right of the sofa, and without hesitation I settled into the main seat he’d left empty.
“It’s been a while. This is our first meeting since the passing of the Fourth Consort.”
“Well… a lot happened after that.”
I answered lightly, though a trace of bitterness colored my tone as I looked at him.
“You look much better these days. Seems the position suits you.”
“For an old man like me, it’s always a burdensome weight.”
Palace physicians were ranked by whom they served directly.
At the top were, of course, those assigned to the Emperor himself.
And Hebaro, sitting before me, was the one who oversaw them all—the Head of the Imperial Physicians.
‘And one I had long since secured as my ally.’
“Brindel still comes to you for medicine, right?”
“Yes. After all, Your Highness entrusted me alone with that recipe.”
“Good. Remember—no matter how much anyone begs, even your own disciples, you must never share it.”
“Of course, Your Highness. I’ve always kept that in mind.”
“Oh, and your grandson—how is he? No side effects, I hope?”
At my question, Hebaro’s face softened with happiness.
“Yes, he can now distinguish colors perfectly.”
As he spoke, he lowered his head deeply.
“Thanks to you, my grandson’s sight has recovered this much. It’s a debt I can never repay, not even in death.”
“Oh, Hebaro, don’t say that!”
I laughed, then let my expression turn more solemn.
“Compliments are fine, but saying you ‘can’t repay’ it is forbidden. You promised to repay everything before you close your eyes—remember?”
Half teasing, half serious, my words made him chuckle and nod.
“Merely a figure of speech. I don’t intend to pass my debts on to my son or grandson. I’ll clear them myself.”
Neither his son nor grandson had followed the path of medicine.
For me—who needed the Emperor’s personal physician—that made them useless.
‘And I went through a lot to secure Hebaro in the first place.’
Once a brilliant candidate for Head Physician, Hebaro had abandoned everything when his grandson lost his sight in an accident.
When I learned of this through Modway, I recognized the perfect opportunity.
‘So I spent day and night mixing herbs until I finally created a remedy to restore his sight.’
Back then, my mother was still alive, and the Emperor didn’t restrict my movements.
Using travel as an excuse, I visited the Hebaro estate and delivered the medicine myself.
It was the perfect bait.
—I knew the Princess was skilled with plants, but to think you also had such knowledge of medicine… Still, why would you give me this drug?
Back then, Hebaro had looked haggard and raw, utterly unlike the kindly man before me now.
I’d told him proudly:
—If word spreads that I’m good with herbs, it’ll only cause trouble. But if you act as my proxy, it’ll be fine!
—A proxy… you mean you’d hide behind me? But if you dislike trouble, why not just stay quiet and never reveal your talent?
—Because then I wouldn’t be able to help people like you, Hebaro, who truly need my medicine!
The look on his face then, as if struck by lightning…
Not long after receiving my drug, Hebaro returned to the palace.
His grandson’s recovery was credited to his own skill, of course.
‘That was his way of agreeing to my terms.’
He soon rose smoothly to the rank of Head Physician.
I chuckled at the memory, and Hebaro glanced at me over his teacup.
“Something amusing, Your Highness?”
“Just remembering the day we first met.”
“Ah, I recall it too. It was the day I truly understood why they call you the Sunshine of the Imperial Family.”
“Ugh, that nickname is always embarrassing.”
I brushed it off, assuming it was the same kind of flattery I heard often.
But Hebaro set down his cup with a sharp click.
“Humans instinctively turn their faces toward the sunlight—without much suspicion.”
I froze for a moment, instantly catching the hidden meaning.
‘Does he mean… that whatever I ask of him, he’ll simply follow?’
I blinked and met his gaze.
When I had first spoken to him, it was only to stir his emotions and draw him to my side more easily.
And it had worked perfectly—Hebaro had willingly grasped my hand.
How many others had I aided under his shield of reputation?
‘Even Dowager Lady Boboncher—her secrecy after taking my medicine was thanks entirely to Hebaro’s long-standing image of trustworthiness.’
Yes, at first he had followed me because he believed I was pure and righteous.
But now…
‘After years of working together, he seems to have realized I’m not merely someone with a kind heart.’
