I Became a Plague Doctor in a Romance Fantasy Novel

A Spring Picnic One Afternoon

Legs hurt, head hurts, stayed up all night preparing for the presentation, eyes are blurry. Come to think of it, there’s nowhere that doesn’t hurt.

Istina sat down and patted her legs. Was it because she was standing, or because she bumped into something when the carriage broke down? Anyway, it hurts.

But at least the presentation went well.

Some people were dozing off, but maybe they worked hard the day before. Anyway, it doesn’t seem like it was Istina’s fault that the presentation was bad.

Now the professor went out to take questions.

It was a modest gathering, but still, it was the biggest stage of Istina’s life.

Luck was on my side.

Professor Asterix was certainly capable. Even though he worked me hard, meeting him allowed me to give a lecture at the Imperial Palace.

When I entered graduate school, Estina’s expectations were at rock bottom. Just graduate with a master’s degree under any professor, that was all.

Looking back now, it was absurd.

Estina’s advisor gave her the opportunity to change the history of Imperial medicine. The paper on epidemic dysentery was given entirely to Estina. Maybe because the germ theory had already been published.

Today’s lecture should be considered a success. Opinions and information were well conveyed. Didn’t I catch the eyes of the high-ranking officials?

Rising in the world.

Becoming a recognized scholar, a skilled healer who saves lives, and gaining connections in the upper echelons of the Empire.

Then, wouldn’t I be able to put down those who have been picking fights with me, even trying to kick me out of the graduate program?

Well, for now, I’m just sitting behind the podium, tapping my aching legs. But someday, Estina will have her day in the sun.

As long as I follow this professor well.

The presentation concluded like that.

Even though Estina was a bit nervous, it ended successfully. Maybe the trembling voice even earned some sympathy points.

Now it’s time for me to take questions. I don’t know what kind of reactions will come. It’s easy to find out the academic positions of other professors, but…

The people gathered here are, in a way, politicians.

The prince looked at me.

“Think of it as a war against disease?”

“That’s right.”

“It makes sense.”

Still, didn’t he plant that idea today? At least from the fact that he was summoned here.

A hint of contemplation. The prince turned his head towards Violet, the current chief healer of the imperial palace. Violet’s eyes widened.

She looked startled, as if she had been dozing off.

“What do you think?”

“I’ve been to the academy several times on business trips and exchanged opinions with my professor. I generally agree with what he said.”

Quick thinker.

It wasn’t a lie. It was true that Violet had gone on business trips to the academy. It wasn’t hard to believe that she had exchanged opinions with me.

A smart and lazy talent. To be precise, someone who shows unparalleled talent in the art of slacking off… perhaps.

“I see.”

“We were colleagues in the imperial palace infirmary.”

Violet gave me a sly thumbs-up with a raccoon-like expression, as if to reassure me. It was a bit absurd. She’s a good person, though.

If I had met Violet in an ordinary workplace, she would have been the best colleague. But it’s not right for a doctor to be like that.

“Yes. I’ve heard the professor’s opinion well. In the end, the main argument is that poor conditions create and spread epidemics, isn’t it?”

“Yes.”

The prince’s eyes narrowed slightly.

“Being a healer is an easy job, isn’t it? Just tell the patients who come to you to eat well, dress well, and sleep well, and the treatment is done?”

That’s the hard part, you stupid prince.

I take back what I said about him having a good personality.

At times like this, it seems the prince is indeed a high-ranking noble. The prince is usually a good person, but his attitude that the world is beneath him doesn’t go away.

“Most diseases can be cured or at least prevented by that. But usually, they come to me after passing that stage.”

The prince seemed satisfied with this answer. Instead of rebutting, he simply nodded.

“I’ll consider it. You’ve done well.”

After greeting, I took Istina and left the conference room of the imperial palace, leaving behind the still murmuring palace people.

Istina looked at me.

“Did I do well enough?”

“Yes.”

“I was really worried before coming. But I think I did well without stuttering!”

To be honest, she did stutter.

A lot. She even limped in front of the conference room, probably because her leg was still uncomfortable. She might not have noticed it herself.

But still. It doesn’t really matter.

Perhaps she earned some sympathy or small favor.

“Stuttering isn’t important. You are someone who can be evaluated solely on the content. This presentation too.”

“Oh, thank you.”

Istina laughed and then covered her mouth. Quite a girlish reaction.

“Anyway. Good job on the presentation, take a proper rest. We’ll leave before dinner.”

“Yes!”

Istina nodded.

Come to think of it, I had a promise with Mint.

It’s about three o’clock in the afternoon now.

The sun was setting from its zenith, but we managed to escape from the lecture hall at a reasonable time.

Mint was waiting for me in front of the garden. She hadn’t been waiting long, had she?

“I thought it would take a while, but you came out early?”

“Ah. Aren’t we all busy people?”

Busy, yes, but the people we saw earlier set their own quitting times. Once the message is delivered, they should disperse.

It was relatively sunny late spring weather.

There were small sandwiches on the picnic table. But Mint didn’t seem particularly interested in the sandwiches.

“Oh, a bird is passing by.”

“When we were in the carriage earlier, you told me to be quiet because my voice was making your head ring. Why did you ask me to come to the garden to play?”

“Someone has to hold the parasol.”

“Oh dear, Princess.”

“What are you doing? Not holding the parasol.”

It seemed like a joke. There was a parasol on the picnic table in the garden, and Mint’s parasol was idly placed next to the bench.

“Dust has already piled up in the room. It’s only been two months. I guess no one cleaned it.”

“Didn’t they just lock the door? It’s not like they could just enter while the Princess was away.”

“Is that so?”

The princess, Mint, tilted her head.

“It’s been a while since I’ve been to the palace. It’s just as I remember.”

“Indeed. I thought it would have changed a lot.”

The palace hadn’t changed at all. It felt like going back two months and returning to work at the palace. Mint looked at me.

“You met the First Prince today, didn’t you?”

“Yes.”

Do people usually call their kin that way?

Come to think of it, it might be a normal sibling relationship. There’s no need to call a family member by their name, they’re not friends.

“It would have been nice if the princess had come too.”

“Well, maybe after she graduates from the academy, she might be included in such events.”

Indeed. Mint is a child. By modern standards, isn’t she about the age of a college or high school student?

“What did the prince say?”

“It was a meeting to discuss health policies. I also saw the Baron Regent of Lapis there.”

“Isn’t she a woman?”

“Yes, she is. Blue hair.”

“Hmm. I don’t like her.”

“I think you mentioned that before.”

Why does she dislike the Baron of Lapis?

Mint didn’t inherit her parents’ title, and the Baron of Lapis is a regent at a similar age? Or is there another reason?

Mint stared into the air with a slightly sulky expression. Butterflies fluttered among the flowers in the garden, and birds flew between the trees.

“Teacher. How old are you again?”

“Thirty.”

“Is that so.”

Mint looked like she had a lot to say, but she wasn’t speaking. Had she been lost in thought since coming to the palace after a long time?

“By the way. Aren’t you going to use a parasol?”

Was it not a joke?

I opened the parasol as Mint instructed. A light purple parasol that would suit Mint well. I came wearing a black suit.

Anyone who saw us would think we looked ridiculous.

“Let’s walk a bit.”

I held the parasol over Mint’s head.

Mint walked slowly through the garden.

The princess was chattering about trivial things. Academy classes, the lady who attends classes with her, some professor who couldn’t explain well, another professor who explained well.

I wasn’t listening closely.

“Your Highness. I’m no longer someone who works for the royal family. Ordering me around like a servant seems to be a bit of a problem.”

Mint looked back at me.

“A favor.”

“Oh, yes.”

There wasn’t much to say to that.

“Hey.”

“Yes.”

“Thanks for making time. You must have been busy today.”

“If Your Highness needs me.”

Mint walked a bit further and then stopped. Petals were scattering around Mint.

“Hey. I thought things would change when I went to the academy? I was secretly scared too.”

I nodded.

“Change is scary.”

“But nothing really changes.”

“Positive change is usually gradual. If you don’t know, it might feel that way.”

“I consider it a significant progress that you can openly discuss your feelings with the princess without being defensive.”

Mint frowned at this. Ah, this might be a mistake. Mint likes being praised, but dislikes being treated like a child.

“Hmm. Sometimes I think your eloquence surpasses your medical skills.”

“Excuse me?”

Mint walked towards the exit of the garden.

For a foolish princess…