Crown Prince Sells Medicine

Surprised, Princess Adeline came to a halt. She gazed at the item presented to her—a pink candy. Its sweet scent wafted through the air, carrying her favorite plum flavor.

Her gaze shifted to Raciel.

“……”

Was this just a coincidence? Or did this human truly understand her preferences?

‘Most likely the latter.’

Perhaps an attempt to win her favor. Maybe an effort to dismantle her guard. Likely a ploy. The princess furrowed her brows in deep thought.

“What is this?”

“A piece of candy. Plum-flavored.”

“What is the purpose behind this?”

“After enduring bitter medicine, a sweet candy. It’s customary.”

“……”

“Aren’t you planning to consume it?”

“……”

Adeline hesitated, compelled by the atmosphere to take the medicine. Eventually, she succumbed. However, it was painfully bitter—bitter, sour, and revolting. Did the taste resemble that of licking an elephant’s armpit? Her stomach churned relentlessly, and the urge to vomit overwhelmed her.

But there lay a piece of candy before her, and not just any candy—it was her cherished flavor.

Instinct implored her to seize it, to consume it immediately, to chew it without melting it. Yet reason shook its head.

‘Are you out of your mind? To accept that?’

Her pride smarted.

The sensation of being toyed with by the crown prince left her feeling tainted. She longed to slap away the slender hand proffering the candy.

‘I…’

Instinct yearned to escape the unimaginable gustatory torture, while reason exhorted her to cling to her dignity. A fierce tug-of-war erupted between the two.

Adeline’s eyes trembled, cold sweat breaking out.

Raciel’s words struck a decisive blow to her dilemma.

“Here, I also have grape flavor.”

…Swoosh!

She could endure no more.

Adeline’s hand moved at the speed of light. She seized the two candies Raciel had offered and stuffed them into her mouth in one swift motion.

Crunch!

“Aaah…”

A heavenly sweetness enveloped her palate!

The taste that had been trapped in the realm of hardcore displeasure found deliverance. It felt as though the Earth’s mother was casting a radiant light upon her path. Blessings from the sugar gods in plum and grape form. A smile of relief, as if she had dipped a toe into paradise, naturally spread across her lips.

Then, Adeline realized that Raciel was fixated on her.

“Ahem! Hm! Hm!”

She hastily attempted to regain her composure, but her flushed face remained conspicuous. Perhaps that’s why she blurted out something she didn’t truly mean.

“Hmhm! Magentano’s candies are quite underwhelming. I held some expectations due to the familiar taste, but I wasn’t prepared for the disappointment. Truly disheartening.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes, indeed. After enduring such a lackluster dessert, I believe I made the right choice in declining the meal you suggested.”

“Though I heard you hadn’t eaten lunch yet.”

“It’s fine. My appetite wanes when faced with subpar fare.”

“Is that the case?”

“Yes.”

“Truly?”

“Yes. Absolutely.”

Adeline fought to control her expression and nodded with conviction. She met Raciel’s gaze with a self-assured smile.

It was at that moment.

…Grrrrrrr?

Amid the silence, a resounding(?) growl erupted. Her inconsiderate stomach signaled its demand for sustenance.

…

Adeline froze. Then realization dawned. Crown Prince Raciel, who observed her, bore a faint smile in his eyes.

‘…Darn it.’

She wished to disappear. No, she longed to deliver a single punch to that man’s face.

She had to relish the sensation of being utterly mortified down to the depths of her soul. Yet she managed to conceal it, barely. She rose abruptly, her face slightly flushed.

“I’ve had my fill of both your recommended medicine and dessert. Now, I shall take my leave.”

“Are you departing so soon?”

“Yes. Is there any reason for me to linger?”

“Of course not. The head servant will guide you to your quarters. Rest well.”

“Thank you, Crown Prince of Magentano.”

Adeline turned as if to shake off her cold sweat. She strode out of the dining room, making a silent pledge.

For the upcoming half-year, her stay at the Star Palace beckoned. During that span, she must endeavor to avoid the crown prince whenever possible. Should their paths cross anew, she might find herself mercilessly trampling upon him.

‘Huff!’

Her fist clenched, veins pulsating with determination. Naturally, she remained unaware that the vow she was presently making would crumble into fragments in a mere day.

♣ ♣ ♣ ♣ ♣ ♣

A day had elapsed.

In a lavish room within a peripheral structure of the Star Palace, Princess Adeline awoke to an unfamiliar morning.

“……”

This was enemy territory, the very heart of the enemy’s stronghold. She had been thrust into this environment and had to endure here for the coming six months.

Slap! Smack!

As soon as she emerged from her slumber, she administered brisk slaps to her cheeks with the palms of her hands. She steeled her resolve, determined not to succumb to the opulence of her surroundings. Her day began with the same meticulous routine she had upheld in her homeland.

She descended to the training grounds linked to the peripheral structure. She drilled with the escort knights, perspiring through the morning practice. Yet, she noticed something peculiar.

‘What’s this? Why do I feel so light?’

To her surprise, she felt remarkably well. Her body was so buoyant it almost seemed capable of taking flight. It was a curious sensation.

‘After a long journey, how is it possible to feel like this the following morning?’

She had anticipated considerable exhaustion. Thus, she had planned to moderate the intensity of her training. But her state of being was far better than expected.

‘Could it be? Is it because of the medicine I took yesterday?’

Suddenly, the memory of the herbal medicine with the elephant-armpit flavor came rushing back. She recalled the crown prince’s words describing it as a ‘potent herbal remedy for fatigue recovery.’

“……”

No, that couldn’t be right. It defied logic that a solitary dose of herbal medicine could dispel fatigue so swiftly.

Shaking her head, she refocused on her training, banishing thoughts of the herbal medicine and the crown prince from her mind.

However, when confronted with the morning meal after her workout, the distressing memory of the previous day resurfaced. This was because the herbal medicine was served alongside dessert following the meal!

“……Take it away.”

The mere scent made her stomach churn. She scowled and hastened out of the peripheral structure.

She embarked on a gentle stroll to facilitate post-training muscle recovery. Fortunately, the garden sprawled expansively, providing an ideal space for walking and mental respite.

During this stroll, she espied an odd assembly. Individuals garbed in rather shabby attire gathered in small groups, traversing the garden.

‘What’s occurring here?’

A sense of peculiarity enveloped her.

This domain was the residence of the crown prince of the empire. Nevertheless, people of such modest appearance were traversing its garden.

‘Could they be gardeners? But no, there are elderly and children among them. They don’t resemble laborers either.’

As she observed these individuals, she discerned a shared characteristic among them.

An elderly man limped. A young child, perched on his mother’s back, cried, evidently in distress. The middle-aged man trailing them appeared pallid.

In essence, they were all unwell. A procession of patients traversed the garden. Their collective destination was unmistakable—the main structure of the Star Palace.

“……”

What in the world was unfolding? Why were patients en route to the principal edifice of the Star Palace? Her curiosity was piqued. Adeline discreetly followed them from a distance, a decision that ultimately rewarded her with insight.

“……Huh?”

The scene was profoundly unusual.

Scores of individuals who seemed out of place within the Star Palace milieu. Numerous patients queued up and entered the main structure. Adeline, too, blended in and entered alongside them.

Compelled by curiosity, she maneuvered past the line of patients.

At the queue’s terminus was a room.

‘What is this chamber that patients are individually entering?’

Stealthily, she entered the room.

And there, she bore witness.

“……Hmm, the heat in your liver is the cause. For now, abstain from alcohol. Cut down on greasy foods and avoid activities that induce excessive fatigue.”

“Is that so, Your Highness?”

Crown Prince Raciel sat across from an elderly man, earnestly and kindly explaining something to him.

“Absolutely. So, for today’s session, I’ll be performing cupping therapy to balance your qi. Remember to take the herbal medicine I prescribed consistently at the same time every day. Do you have that clear?”

“I’ll make sure to remember, Your Highness.”

“Then let’s proceed with the cupping treatment. This way…huh?”

“…!”

Raciel’s gaze locked onto someone’s.

Could this individual be up to some kind of mischief again, like yesterday? Just as the woman was about to knit her brows, something happened.

“Why are you here?”

Raciel’s inquiry carried a sharp tone, catching the person off guard. Adeline was taken aback.

“What?”

“Yes, what? This is a treatment room. Did you fill out the treatment registration form? Are you in the queue?”

“What are you talking about…?”

Adeline’s perplexity deepened.

After all, she was a princess. Could Raciel be displeased because she had disregarded the line of ordinary patients, whose names he likely didn’t even know? Raciel’s response shattered her assumptions.

“Do you think I’m jesting right now? This space is for tending to patients. It’s an equitable place. Everyone, save for the Emperor himself, is treated fairly, irrespective of status, gender, or age. Do you comprehend?”

“Well…”

“If you intend to enter, complete a treatment registration form first. Get in line and await your turn. Is that understood?”

“…”

Adeline’s throat constricted. This was an experience she had never encountered before. It felt belittling. Simultaneously, she felt a sense of shame. She found herself resembling those members of royal families who abused their authority and standing.

She departed the treatment room as if driven away, but she didn’t depart entirely.

‘If I leave like this, it’ll seem like I’ve conceded defeat.’

That was unacceptable.

Particularly not to the Crown Prince, not to that man who might form an unfavorable opinion of her. She desired to rectify her error. She aspired to prove that she wasn’t that kind of individual.

She joined the back of the patient queue and dutifully completed a treatment registration form in her own hand.

Standing in line among the other patients, she endured both tedium and impatience. How long did she wait? Finally, after a prolonged two hours, she received permission to enter the treatment room.

Upon entering, she spoke with an accusatory tone,

“I followed the procedure and waited my turn, as you can see. I am not that type of person, not one of those royals who exploit their authority and position.”

“…So you wished to demonstrate that?”

“Yes. The prior experience was humiliating enough.”

“Is that so? Well, in any case, welcome. I wanted to have a serious face-to-face conversation with you in the treatment room, at least once.”

“…Pardon me?”

Adeline’s brow furrowed. What was he implying? She felt perplexed.

“Aren’t you curious as to why I invited you to the Imperial Capital and requested you to stay for six months? Don’t you want to know the true reason?”

Raciel queried with a smileless countenance.

(To be Continued)

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