Crown Prince Sells Medicine

“Why do you think I brought you to the imperial capital and had you stay here for six months? Aren’t you curious about the actual underlying reason?”

“……”

Raciel’s expression showed no hint of a smile. Princess Adeline hesitated as she locked eyes with him.

‘The reason he summoned me to the imperial capital?’

Her brow slightly furrowed, and a feeling of unease began to emerge.

She had thought he had simply pressured the king and the royal family, using the Cremo incident as an excuse to embarrass them. However, there was another purpose for bringing her here.

‘What kind of plan is he devising?’

She couldn’t even make a guess.

She took a seat and gazed at Raciel in silence, almost as if she intended to communicate that if he harbored any concealed motives, he should expose them.

Upon witnessing her demeanor, Raciel concealed a smile within.

‘It’s fortuitous that this opportunity has presented itself so early,’ he thought, a sense of contentment washing over him.

At last, an occasion to engage in a substantial conversation with the princess had emerged, a desire he had held since the previous day.

‘I must address her gallstone ailment. The gallstones that likely occupy her gallbladder need removal. But foremost, she must be cognizant of her symptoms.’

Awareness of symptoms.

Identifying where discomfort resides, acknowledging the presence of the illness, and embarking on the journey of treatment—Raciel held the belief that these constituted the foremost stride in any curative process.

‘Undoubtedly. Despite the efforts of doctors, traditional healers, or pharmacists to grasp onto the patient, if the patient lacks the volition to be treated, all endeavors are futile.’

Primarily, the patient must possess the determination to convalesce. They must adopt a mentality that propels them toward treatment. Only then can the curative course proceed seamlessly.

Yet, the princess was currently far from that initial stage. She hadn’t even attained the awareness of her discomfort’s location.

The rationale behind this was straightforward.

‘Gallstone disease seldom manifests self-evident symptoms.’

Barely any signs such as excruciating pain in a specific region, elevated fever, or insufferable unease are evident. Such was the hallmark of gallstone disease.

In fact, Raciel was acquainted with a Korean web ist named Moon Baek who had encountered this situation. Moon Baek had been urgently rushed to the emergency room due to intense abdominal pain. Only subsequent to the examination did he realize that a gallstone had obstructed his bile duct entirely.

‘Likely the princess shares a similar experience. Perhaps her sole indication of the gallstone’s presence is occasional bloating post meals. Apart from that, she likely experiences no distinct pain or discomfort, analogous to Moon Baek’s ordeal, much like many others.’

This enigma is precisely what renders gallstone disease intricate. Most remain oblivious until the condition escalates, compelling them to seek medical attention. In reality, research in the United States has revealed that a substantial 15-20% of the adult population possesses gallstones.

‘However, a majority of them remain oblivious to their gallstone condition.’

Naturally, Koreans are no exception. The princess falls within the same category. She doesn’t even entertain the notion that she harbors gallstones. But were Raciel to initiate treatment abruptly? Cooperation would not be forthcoming. She would likely scoff.

And thus, the remedy.

‘Awareness of her ailment must take precedence.’

Raciel resolved firmly.

This opportunity had been a long time in the making. He meticulously formulated his utterances, delivering them with the gentleness one might employ while softly crooning, much akin to the style of Bill Gates’ Microsoft.

“Foremost, allow me to impart, Your Highness, that you possess a mere two years before your demise.”

“…What?”

“I jest not.”

“Yes, it’s not a jest—it’s a poor one.”

Princess Adeline’s visage solidified, yet Raciel remained unperturbed.

“Feel free to dismiss it as an inane jest. Nevertheless, it’s accurate. This is intelligence garnered from the imperial family’s direct intelligence agency.”

“What?”

“Information of your life expectancy being under two years is classified intelligence disseminated by the imperial family’s direct intelligence agency.”

Raciel articulated, his countenance unwavering.

Imperial family’s direct intelligence agency?

Classified intelligence?

Of course, it was an untruth of grand proportions. Nonetheless, he enunciated it with an unwavering mien, as if it bore the weight of truth.

“Princess, you might not be aware, but our imperial intelligence agency has eyes and ears in nearly every corner of the globe. Even your actions, as a part of the royal family of Anbouaz, are not exempt from their observation. Thanks to this, we were able to detect and analyze subtle symptoms of an illness that has escaped your notice.”

“What are you implying?”

“You harbor a severe ailment within you, unbeknownst to you.”

“So, you’re asserting that I have only two years to live due to this illness?”

“Yes.”

“Ha, really.”

Princess Adeline retorted with skepticism.

It was inevitable.

She had stumbled upon this location during a leisurely stroll. Driven by curiosity, she ventured inside, and the ambiance drew her in, leading her to sit across from the crown prince. Prior to this, she had begun viewing the crown prince from a slightly different perspective, having witnessed an unexpected facet of him.

‘Such a multitude of patients. I had no inkling that he would tend to these underprivileged individuals without seeking anything in return.’

In truth, rumors about the Crown Prince of Magentano had reached her ears long before. Word had it that he possessed the ability to heal. Of course, she had dismissed this as an eccentric pastime of sorts.

Yet, what she had witnessed today was far more profound than she had envisioned. Not a single renowned doctor in Anbouaz had ever managed a medical facility on such a grand scale.

This unpredictability led her to perceive the Crown Prince in a new light. She pondered over his intentions. Why did he call her? She speculated that she might finally glean a proper explanation. Yet, when that explanation finally emerged, it left her disillusioned.

“How contemptible you are.”

Adeline’s tone turned colder. Raciel responded with composure.

“Truth can often carry an unpleasant tone.”

“A spy agency? You propose that amid the information they supplied, there exist indications of a grave ailment that I haven’t even noticed. Do you consider me a fool, Your Highness?”

“Not in the slightest.”

“Do you believe I would entertain such preposterousness? Is deceiving me truly of such importance?”

“This isn’t about deceiving you, but rather about healing you.”

“Do you not comprehend that your current words are deceptive?”

“Your perception of deceit arises from your lack of belief in me.”

“Would it be an entirely different matter if I could place trust in you?”

“Then, what if I could make you believe?”

Raciel countered unwaveringly. At that moment, Adeline grasped the truth. Crown Prince Raciel had been earnest all along.

“…Precisely how do you intend to evoke belief in me?”

“I shall furnish you with evidence.”

Raciel asserted with confidence. An age-old saying echoed in his words: “Seeing is believing.”

‘The optimal approach to make someone acknowledge an ailment devoid of outward manifestations is to present them with tangible evidence.’

This principle held true for all aspects of existence, including human psychology. Even when one is inclined to deny, the act of witnessing can compel acceptance.

For instance?

A bank account displaying merely three digits. The stock value of one’s investments plummeting in a steep blue nosedive.

And so, Raciel intended to demonstrate this principle to the princess. The gallstones within her. Conspicuously, unequivocally, to the extent that denial would be implausible.

“Poboki?”

Raciel inquired, directing his voice toward the coat pocket. A figure emerged from the pocket.

“Po pooo!”

The creature was about the size of a clenched fist, with a rounded form and fiery wings fluttering through the air. It went by the name Poboki, a Phantom Beast—a phoenix carp, specifically—tasked with assessing the chemical composition of medicines.

Addressing Poboki, Raciel began, “Have you been feeling restless lately? We’ve got work to attend to.”

“Poo pooo? Pooki.”

“No, no. No treats for today.”

“Poo pooo?”

“Let’s initiate by introducing you to our patient. This here is Princess Adeline, our patient for today.”

“Pooki kiii?”

Poboki turned to glance behind and only then recognized the astonished gaze aimed at it.

“Pooo pooo? Pooki?”

“……”

Princess Adeline swallowed uneasily, offering an awkward smile to Poboki, who hovered between her and Raciel, its fiery wings flickering.

“Hey, there.”

“Poo boooo ki! Pookki!”

Poboki extended a fin, its expression brimming with delight. Adeline hesitantly shook the fin with her hand.

Raciel’s smile carried an air of mystery.

“This is Poboki. It serves as the pharmaceutical component analyst at my Star Palace Clinic.”

“Pharmaceutical… component analyst?”

“Yes. But today, its role will differ slightly.”

“What might that be…”

Adeline furrowed her brows, her confusion palpable. The crown prince’s intentions eluded her.

‘He claimed I’m facing death, that an unnoticed ailment plagues me, and cautioned against skepticism. He promised evidence.’

So why, at this moment, was he introducing an unfamiliar Phantom Beast into the equation? What purpose did he have in mind for this creature?

She remained clueless.

An enigma in its entirety.

Then, Raciel addressed the situation.

“Poboki, shall we commence?”

“Pooo booo?”

“You know, that thing.”

“Pooo!”

With a significant glance from Raciel, Poboki nodded, extending its fiery wings as wide as they could stretch.

“Poooo booooo kiiio!”

Swoosh!

Poboki’s wings unfurled in a perfect 16:9 proportion, resembling a floating tablet suspended in the air. Adeline’s eyes widened, yet the true astonishment lay ahead.

“Let’s initiate the examination now. If you would be so kind as to offer me your hand for a moment.”

Raciel took a deliberate step forward and extended his hand toward Adeline’s shoulder. His touch caught her off guard.

“…!”

Reacting instinctively, Adeline swatted Raciel’s hand away. Her gaze turned icy as she stared at him, her eyes sharp and frigid.

“What do you think you’re doing?”

“I apologize. Nevertheless, we’ve already amassed all the required data for the examination. Kindly bear with us for a moment longer.”

“…What?”

Adeline tilted her head.

Data for the examination?

Already gathered?

What?

‘What in the world is he talking about?’

Utterly confounded, she couldn’t help but speculate about the crown prince’s intentions. Was he plotting something? Or perhaps he was merely a facade of sanity concealing madness beneath.

She could no longer contain her exasperation.

Swoosh!

Adeline shoved her chair aside abruptly and rose from her seat. She no longer wished to tolerate the crown prince’s peculiar behavior.

Her determination solidified: she would exit the examination room without delay, repel any attempts he made to obstruct her, sever all ties with him, and pay him no mind even if they chanced upon each other in the future.

Embracing this resolution, she pivoted to leave.

But then, in that very moment,

“….Pooooobobobobobobobobobo!”

Out of nowhere, Poboki erupted with a hearty cry, and a transformation unfolded across its fiery wings, elegantly stretched in a picture-perfect 16:9 ratio. The flames danced brilliantly, hues shifting in a frenetic display. Soon, they started to depict something.

A prolonged, pouch-like structure took form. The pouch appeared to undulate rhythmically, housing a collection of brown beads within. The beads exhibited irregular, unattractive shapes.

‘What’s going on?’

Adeline found herself in a state of bewilderment.

The crown prince had promised evidence of her ailment. Yet now, what was this peculiar image being presented to her?

“Princess, this represents your gallbladder, visualized through a CT scan.”

“…What?”

Adeline hesitated.

Raciel’s enigmatic smile persisted. At this instant, he recollected the meticulous preparations he had undertaken a few days prior in anticipation of today’s CT scan.

(To be Continued)

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