Doctor Resignation

The place called “Irvia” where Perelman went this time was quite far. He had to sail south for quite a long time.

It was so far South that Irvia was said not to have all four seasons and was summer all year long. It was a place rarely visited in the Empire.

But when I was nineteen years old, suddenly there was trade among doctors, because the grasses of Irvia had a very unusual ability.

The moment I was thinking of getting some and researching it, Erhan’s illness broke out again.

So, for a few days, I eagerly looked at the strangely named medicinal herb called ‘Little Grass’ brought by Viscount Perelman.

“Viscount.”

Then, like a clever genius doctor, I drew great conclusions.

“Would you please review this?”

Viscount Perelman came to my lab and read my report. Somehow, I felt that it didn’t seem right for an assistant who had a better lab than the attending physician…

“This is an analysis of Master Erhan’s symptoms, and this is a study of the effectiveness of the Little Grass.”

Of course, my conclusions were correct, but it was pretty good to have someone review them.

As he quickly read the report, Viscount Perelman’s expression became serious.

“Yeah… With this prescription, treatment will be possible even if the cause is not known.”

“Right?”

“But the prescription is quite tricky.”

“There is no other way.” I shrugged.

It was a disease with no name or cause, but it was a possible prescription because it had a very peculiar effect.

This way, Erhan could be healthy. There were only a few conditions that bothered him. He sighed as if he was worried.

“Master Erhan is thirteen now. No, he will be fourteen soon.”

“But he is the only successor to Casseus. Even if you search all the continents right now, it is a disease without any record.”

I said firmly, “We never know what’s going to happen to the Duchy if he dies because of chronic disease. That’s why… We have to get the grasses quickly. As much as possible.”

“Why so rush? We have a lot of time.”

“We can’t drag this any longer. There is no guarantee that a better treatment will come out.”

“I’ll have to talk to the Madam.”

Viscount Perelman covered the report and stroked my hair.

“…Well done.”

My eyes were wide open.

Did this man just praise me? Of course, I’m glad, but is this really Viscount Perelman who only praises himself?

Of course, I did not know that he would say this, who thought I would contemplate that the treatment was possible because he brought the Little Grass?

“Uhm… never mind.”

In an instant, the atmosphere became awkward. We both endured an awkward silence for a while, and eventually, the Viscount spoke first.

“No. This happened because I brought the weeds with great insight.”

Now it seems that the conversation is back on its right track, so I added it neatly.

“I’m so smart that I’ve learned this much in a short time.”

We quarreled a bit more until we finally went to the Duchess and Erhan.

***

It was the first time the Duchess, Erhan, Viscount Perelman, and I sat at a table except on the first day I came. The first person to speak out was Perelman himself.

“I have something important to tell you.”

“If you want to quit–” The Duchess drank tea and calmly closed her eyes.

“Please wait until Lise becomes an adult. I have to wait until adulthood to register her as a doctor.”

I became embarrassed and rolled my eyes, but the Duchess calmly added.

“You can just put your name on the contract and find your daughter as much as you want.”

“…It’s not that…”

“Of course, you can’t take Lise with you later. Let’s have her write the contract with us directly.”

“Madam.”

“Well, even though Lise is still an assistant in name, she is doing the task of a real doctor. Her salary should be based accordingly.”

The tone was so cold that it seemed like someone else was speaking. No… That’s what the Duchess used to be like.

Viscount Perelman didn’t really care if this type of conversation was familiar.

“I won’t quit.”

“Is that so?”

The Duchess tilted her head and looked at Viscount Perelman.

“Then why did you call us all so suddenly?”

“As a result of Lise’s hard work… We have found a way to cure Erhan’s chronic disease.”

“What?”

Erhan and the Duchess both gasped in surprise. A moment of silence flowed, and Erhan said with a wide smile.

“As expected of Lise.”

I didn’t have the confidence to face that pretty smile, so I turned my gaze slightly.

“I’ve never been so sick, enough like I’m almost dying since you came.”

“But you haven’t essentially recovered,” I said. “You fell down because you were dizzy a few days ago.”

“But I’m not coughing up blood like in the old days.”

The Viscount sighed as he raised his monocle.

“That’s because your body is now generally strong. As Lise said, you haven’t fully recovered. Without essential treatment, we don’t know how it will get worse during your growth period.”

“So.” The Duchess said with eager eyes. “What’s the cure?”

“Lise found out…”

Viscount Perelman said patting my shoulder, who couldn’t open my mouth.

“That the young master could be cured by taking in a special herb called ‘Little Grass’ that grows in the region of Irvia.”

“Ah.” The Duchess blinked. “Then there shouldn’t be any problem. Is it hard to get the herb?”

“It’s hard to get, but I’ve already got it.”

“Then shouldn’t this conversation be over?”

“That’s…”

Looking at the face of the Duchess, who was finally shining with joy after a long time, Perelman said,

“Even after that, at least five years of post-treatment is required.”

“If it’s a post-treatment…”

“There should be no sudden external temperature change. Soft grass is originally a plant that is vulnerable to temperature changes.”

“······.”

“It means he can’t stay in the Duchy that has four seasons.”

The Duchess and Erhan’s mouths were wide open.

“You have to stay in a place where the temperature is the same all year round for 5 years, so you have to stay in the south. Representatively, the Irvia region.”

It was necessary to send the only successor of the Duchy to the southern land where he had to sail a long distance by boat.

It was also for 5 years.

“Compared to other places, Irvia is one of the largest cities in the continent so it will be the most convenient for you to live in. It’s also the place I’ve just been to. The public order is good and it’s peaceful in many ways.”

Erhan, who has just turned fourteen, will not be able to step into his land until he has reached adulthood. The Duchess’ eyelashes trembled, knowing what that meant.

“If you are not willing, we can proceed with other research…” Viscount Perelman said calmly, “I’ve been working on it for a long time, and I think it’s going to be hard for me, and even for Lise, who is far smarter than others, to find a different solution.”

There was a moment of ice-cold silence. The Duchess, sitting still, looked at me and spoke slowly.

“Lise.”

“Yes.”

“Is that really what came up in your research?”

“Yes.”

“Do you really think Erhan should go?”

“…Yes.”

The answer was difficult, but my thoughts did not change. Erhan’s eyes looked straight at me, but I could not return his gaze.

He insisted on sleeping with me every night, but now he will have to sleep alone in the far south.

“I see.”

At my answer, the Duchess nodded without hesitating anymore.

“I believe in you.”

After that, I noticed that the word ‘You saved me’ was omitted.

I, too, knew that this was a tremendously difficult decision, so I couldn’t meet Erhan’s gaze. Even though it was only for 4 months, I still raised him like my own child… Every night I patted, slept together, and even listened to all my hum…

“Erhan, what do you want to do?”

“If you don’t go, you cannot be healthy.”

Erhan, who thought I would be complaining about not going, replied more calmly than expected.

“I also believe in Lise. I will go.”

He was a kid who had never been outside the territory. His body was always weak, so he couldn’t go out of the Duchy.

I remembered the skinny boy when I first saw him, and it hurt my heart so much. He’ll have to leave this cozy castle and stay far south in Irvia for five years.

“Probably, if you eat Little Grass, all the pain and symptoms will disappear and you will be able to live like a completely healthy ordinary person.” Viscount Perelman explained in a heavy tone.

“Of course, you will know more precisely if you go and have various tests. At least there will be no discomfort in your everyday life.”

“Really?”

“Even if you’re far away, it could be an opportunity to grow up healthier and more pleasantly.”

There was a moment of silence, and I couldn’t say anything either. It was Erhan who broke the silence.

“Please let me take a few people in the Knights to go together.” He said energetically, looking at the worried Duchess’ face. “I want to practice swordsmanship even when I go.”

“You are the only heir to the Duke. Not just a few, but of course, you should go with one division, including the attendants.”

At the words of the Viscount, I also nodded fervently. Erhan looked into my eyes and slightly smiled, which made me feel more disappointed.

I thought it would be enough to just save him, but it seemed like I became more attached and more affectionate to him even more so than I thought.

“Then, I will go.”

The Duchess forced a smile as if she were okay.

“We’ll all go to see you three or four times a year.”

“Yes.”

I didn’t say anything. There was a reason why the trade with Irvia has been active only when I was nineteen years old. From the coming spring, a horde of pirates was expected to be on the move, and the sea route between Irvia and the Empire would be cut off.

There was no possible way to go to Irvia until five years after Prince Jade finished cleaning up the pirates. That was why I insisted to Viscount Perelman to send him as soon as possible.

We will be able to meet again in five years, but until then, it will be difficult to send and receive correspondence.

‘We could only look onto the positive side.’

I made up my mind as much as I could.

‘Because he’ll be far from Frederick, I’m sure he’ll be able to grow well. His personality would also improve without being hesitant of anyone.’

Before my regression, the 19-year-old Erhan in my memory was very dry and had no glow in his eyes…

I was worried that if I wasn’t by his side, he might get weaker than that. It was a pity that he would have to grow taller and stronger without being next to me.

But the most important thing is that he doesn’t die prematurely and lives well.