LIGHTNOVELONLINE Chapter 247
Elixirs were, in a word, a ridiculously overpowered item.
The wording might be a bit rough, but it’s no joke; it’s a precise expression.
I had recovered my health to the point where I was jumping around like a frog tossed out into the water after a few days.
Not only did I recover, but just a little exercise had my stamina building up rapidly, and Tanya remarked that my constitution had changed.
With all this energy overflowing, I found myself wanting to do various things, and I ended up busier than when I was in the Inner Palace.
Was I naturally someone who enjoyed work? That couldn’t be right.
Of course, no matter how diligent I was, I always left the hospital on time.
The reason was obvious—I wanted to spend time with her.
“Lars, make me some bubble tea.”
A week had passed since we started sharing the elixirs, and Acella was gradually revealing aspects of her personality that reminded me of the Royal Princess I used to serve.
“You had some at lunch too. You’ll gain weight if you keep this up, you know?”
“Thanks to the elixir, I won’t gain any. I tested it out.”
“Really? That’s quite the trick.”
“Hurry up and make it. If you do, I’ll give you a reward later.”
She really loved the food I made. Especially bubble tea—I had to rush back to the mansion during lunch breaks every day to make it for her.
Hmm… It feels like I’ll have to be her attending physician for the rest of my life, regardless of the change in location.
“Is that reward really worth it?”
“Of course! Have you ever seen me lie?”
Acella bit the end of her straw, sending a sultry smile my way.
Lately, she had been openly expressing her affection like this more often, even when we were outside.
Well, she was cute, so I decided to let it slide.
Since we shared the same room, I always spent my evenings with Acella.
We tried a variety of activities I would never have imagined in the Imperial Family—reading books together, playing catch in the backyard, wandering the night streets to catch a play in an empty theater.
It was quite enjoyable.
“Lie down and take off your shirt.”
Today seemed to be an indoor activity. Following her instructions, I felt a warm, soft liquid touching the back of my neck.
“Whoa! Please don’t tell me it’s a slime, right?”
“It’s lotion. It’s a type of massage from the East. Lucy told me about it a while back.”
“Oh, I know that. But why all of a sudden?”
“You said you’d give me a reward. It felt good when Lucy gave me one before.”
With that, Acella began rubbing lotion on my back.
Honestly, her grip wasn’t very strong, so it didn’t really feel refreshing.
“How does it feel?”
“It’s nice.”
“The reaction is lukewarm.”
Suddenly, I felt a heavy weight on my back. Acella had climbed on top of me.
“Consider it a privilege. Which subject gets personally rewarded by the Imperial Princess herself?”
“Hm… That’s true.”
I raised my head to speak.
“If we get married, my nationality will change, so doesn’t that mean I’ll be demoted from my position as the former princess?”
Suddenly, Acella froze.
“…So, you mean I can’t massage you once you stop being a princess?”
“Not at all. Besides, you’ll still be a high-ranking noblewoman among the former country officials. It’s quite an honor.”
“You’re incorrigible.”
It seemed Acella was irritated and pinched the nape of my neck.
Then she leaned into me and whispered in my ear.
“…So, do you really want to marry me that badly?”
“What about you, Princess?”
“I don’t know; you tell me first.”
As she said that, Acella playfully bit my earlobe. Her breath hit my mind directly.
“If you don’t know, then I don’t either! Ah, do you perhaps prefer being betrothed rather than being my wife? Maybe you’re in love with the idea of being engaged?”
Slap, Acella struck my back.
I shouldn’t get addicted. Acella had a knack for teasing.
“Eek.”
I quickly spun around and plopped her onto my stomach, causing her to be a bit surprised.
“So, what do you want? Should we get married?”
I asked cheekily, and Acella pouted her lips. She turned her head slightly, her ears turning red.
“What’s the matter…?”
“Why? Are there things you regret when it comes down to the actual timing?”
“No! I couldn’t possibly regret! It’s just…”
Acella hesitated, wriggling closer to me. It was an instinctual move, seeking a comfortable spot.
“If we get married…”
“Yes?”
“…What if you get disappointed in me?”
“Why would I think that now? You’re worrying too much.”
Acella glared at me with puffed cheeks.
“I don’t boast. Confidence without basis is arrogance. If I fail, I won’t be able to maintain my honor. Once lost, honor is like water; it can’t be gathered back again.”
“For someone who says that, you seem overflowing with confidence all the time.”
“That’s because up to now, all my confidence had reasons behind it.”
Ah!
Indeed, you excel in everything—be it politics, economy, civilian life, or magic—especially competing for succession rights; you’re phenomenal at it.
“But marriage is an unknown domain, so what you’re saying is you’re not confident in it.”
“I’m confident in married life. You’ve seen how I managed the former country while you were asleep. My support is perfect.”
“Then what are you worrying about? You, the flawless princess.”
“That…”
Acella licked her lips and hesitated several times before finally speaking.
“…Since we haven’t done any… intimate activities…”
Pfft!
I couldn’t hold back my laughter, grabbing both her cheeks with my hands.
“Stop it! I’m trying to have a serious conversation here!”
“No, it’s just funny. Why are you worried about that?”
“You don’t understand the seriousness of the situation. Have you seen the diagnostic ratios of noble families? The statistics of infidelity in families? Why do you think the head of a family brings a mistress after only ten years? This is important!”
“Yes, yes, everything you said is correct, Your Highness.”
“I am completely ignorant of such matters. You might be adept, but I’m not.”
“Do I look that capable?”
“…Not really?”
“I just fought fiercely against the Demon King’s army hundreds of times before I even met you.”
“…That’s a valid point.”
Acella appeared to accept my answer, sulking a little.
After a moment, she carefully asked me.
“…So, Lars, even if I’m clumsy, would you ever look down on me? I mean, it’s ridiculous to ask for someone’s heart in the first place.”
Acella took a deep breath and sharpened her gaze.
“Think about it; there’s no area where I won’t excel in this world. Just wait and see. I’ll make sure you can’t escape from me for the rest of your life.”
With that, Acella swept her finger across my chin.
It seemed she wanted to look dignified using the royal manner of speech, but honestly, it came off as cute right now.
“Alright, I’ll look forward to it.”
“Your reaction is heating up.”
Acella looked displeased and playfully poked at my collarbone.
“Hey, Lars. How come, despite bringing up such topics, you can’t even set a romantic mood?”
“I’m quite far from romance, yes.”
“Then you need to study. How long do you plan to act clueless?”
“That’s a fair point.”
Acella… sigh.
To be honest, it’s true there’s a slight hesitation. She had been my patient for a long time, and I was her attending physician.
It’s natural not to view her rationally due to my profession, and there were also future entanglements to consider.
Seeing me hesitate, Acella seemed a bit disappointed.
“…Do I lack attractiveness as a woman?”
“That’s impossible. Honestly, I must confess that when I first saw you, well, from my perspective, you looked just like this.”
“Hmm.”
“When I first laid eyes on you, I had to pinch my thigh to avoid falling for you at first glance.”
Hearing my answer brightened Acella’s mood as her lips curled up.
For a moment, however, she hardened her expression and leaned in closer to my face.
“So how can you share a bed with me and not touch me? You’re all better now, aren’t you?”
“Well, it feels ethically wrong somehow.”
“Ha! You’ve got to be kidding me. Lars, do I still look fourteen to you?”
“…Maybe a little?”
“Ten years have passed! I’ve had my coming-of-age ceremony long ago. You didn’t know? Look!”
Acella aggressively planted kisses on me, almost as if out of frustration. Instantly, her flavor invaded my mouth.
…It was indeed somewhat different. The fresh feeling of confessing love had long faded away.
It felt like a well-prepared meal ready to be devoured. Thinking back, it was the same sensation I felt when she lied about a dream and kissed me back then.
‘For me, it was only recently, but for Acella, it must have been long ago.’
She and I are three years apart, and I had been asleep for three years, so now there might be a sense of kinship… or not?
Acella explored my mouth for a while before finally pulling away, gasping for breath and wiping drool from her lips.
“How do I look now?”
“…You’re the most captivating woman I desire above all else.”
“You should have answered like that earlier.”
I lifted my upper body and watched Acella closely. As I did, she slightly tensed and pulled back.
Her eyes were fluttering, and Acella shyly brushed her palm over my chest before pulling her hand away in surprise.
This is just too funny.
I slowly wrapped my arms around Acella and lightly kissed her neck. Her body trembled slightly.
As I lifted my head and gently nibbled on her earlobe, she gasped, “Eek?!”
Acella jumped as if startled and trembled in surprise.
“Haah, Haah.”
She finally calmed down, her breath heavy as she gazed at me with an expression that screamed impatience.
“Lars.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
“We’re getting married tomorrow.”
“What about the attendees? We can overlook the former country folks but what about Heike? She’s not someone I can call here right off the bat…”
“I can just put her on the recall list.”
“It’ll become an international incident! Just wait one more week… two weeks, at most.”
With that, I embraced Acella and flopped onto the bed.
“…Ugh.”
Acella cuddled closer to me, sniffling as she drifted to sleep.