Chapter 102

102. This Isn’t Right (1)

****

Imperial Princess Mint was in her room, tightly hugging a teddy bear while kicking off the blanket. It wasn’t because she was embarrassed—just that she was too happy.

The memories from yesterday were still vivid in Mint’s mind. She had clung to Asterix and begged him to be her lover. Sure, it took a bit of persuasion, but she succeeded on the first try.

“Hehe….”

To be honest…

How could she know what was going through his head right now? Even if they were close, there was no way to predict how he’d respond.

Thankfully, his reaction was positive—it was a relief.

Honestly, she had been scared.

She’d made up her mind to confess a long time ago, but Professor Asterix was such an unpredictable person…

She thought he might reject her with some absurd excuse or run away like when he left the Imperial Palace before. But thankfully, that didn’t happen!

“This isn’t right…”

Mint absentmindedly played with her hair. She needed to have more confidence. She was the Imperial Princess, and she was incredibly beautiful, after all.

Why would the professor have any reason to refuse?

There was only one possible reason Asterix might reject her: something ridiculous like “I don’t fit with someone as prestigious as the Imperial Princess due to our social status or age gap.”

Thankfully, the professor wasn’t *that* noble. There’s no way he’d run away claiming “It’s for the princess’s sake” or some other nonsense.

The professor had softened quite a bit compared to when she first met him. His personality, and even the somewhat stiff attitude he used to have toward her, had changed.

Anyway…

Now she and the professor were officially dating.

The past doesn’t matter. What matters is what happens from now on. They needed to maintain their relationship well enough to eventually become engaged.

Of course, there were plenty of issues to resolve beforehand. But Mint vaguely believed all of them could be solved.

Mint hugged the stuffed animal the professor had given her again. She should go see him soon.

That was what Mint truly wanted.

If only she could bring the professor along to official imperial banquets or events…

Maybe she should talk about it. The imperial bureaucrats or even her family might have something to say.

Still, even if Mint scrutinized the situation, she didn’t think the professor lacked anything significant. Even though he wasn’t from a traditional aristocratic family…

He had saved countless lives, achieved numerous academic accomplishments, and was someone who should absolutely stay close to the imperial family.

Once the company he signed last time gets up and running—or if he opens a hospital—he might even be a better choice than any other noble.

While this wasn’t important to Mint personally, it was what she’d tell the imperial court if asked. Surely the palace would understand, right?

Who knows. But that was Mint’s plan.

****

The princess’s room was located at the top floor of the dormitory—a privilege granted to the princess. If needed, there was even space for attendants.

This was Hazel’s workplace.

Hazel served as Princess Mint’s maid, bodyguard, and general attendant. She had been newly appointed this month. Though she initially thought it would be a tough job…

Surprisingly…

It turned out to be easier than expected. The pay was good, and the work wasn’t overly difficult. The princess herself was kinder than Hazel anticipated.

Guarding her didn’t involve much fighting either. Since the princess had been at the academy for a few months, she didn’t push Hazel around unreasonably.

Still, despite the ease of the job, the princess occasionally acted in ways Hazel found hard to understand.

Hazel scratched her head as she looked at Princess Mint. What was she saying now?

“You’re going to date Professor Asterix?”

“Yep.”

“Why?”

“Because I like him.”

Hmm. Hazel pondered the scope of her duties. How far did protecting the princess extend…?

Should she interfere with this?

Hazel tried to recall who Professor Asterix was. She’d seen him once before. He didn’t look like a professor at first glance, but someone later told her who he was.

He seemed young for a professor. And while he might not perfectly match the princess, it wasn’t something worth tearing apart.

“What does he think about it?”

“Of course he accepted!”

Mint answered confidently.

Well, how many people would have the guts to refuse? Not only would there be no good reason to turn her down, but it would also be questionable whether anyone could even reject her.

“To be honest… I’m worried, Your Highness. Is he a good person?”

“Yep.”

Hazel scratched her head again. The princess seemed to know him well since he was originally from the imperial court. Was it unnecessary to pry further?

“I’m not sure…”

Hazel sighed inwardly. While the princess likely had her own thoughts, there was still something unsettling about the situation.

There was the difference in status, and possibly age. Still, this was ultimately the princess’s decision. If she wasn’t immediately planning to get engaged, there wasn’t much to do about it.

Mint quietly clicked her tongue.

“Hazel, I appreciate your concern, but I don’t need to justify why the professor is a good person to you. Do I?”

She had a point.

The princess’s tone carried a hint of irritation. Since Asterix was someone she knew well, the princess clearly understood him best.

Hazel came to a conclusion.

“I apologize.”

“It’s fine. You’re allowed to worry.”

The princess seemed sincere.

Well, there wasn’t much else to do. Ultimately, this was a matter of the princess’s heart. If Mint had made up her mind, there was no one who could stop her.

Hazel thought for a moment longer.

Still, she needed to report this to the palace. She’d have to meet the professor directly and ask him questions—preferably without the princess knowing.

Forget what she said earlier—this wasn’t easy at all.

Just thinking about it gave her chills. She didn’t know how the palace would react, nor what Professor Asterix might say.

****

I sat at my desk in the lab, deep in thought. Despite the major event of the princess confessing to me yesterday, life goes on…

I still had to come to work.

Even if the heavens split in two, that wouldn’t be an excuse to skip work. There were still patients in the ward.

I glanced at the pile of papers on my desk. What needed to be done first?

There were still a few hospitalized patients. Tomorrow, I had outpatient visits to handle, and I needed to check if Natalie was doing okay after taking amphetamines.

I also needed to check the progress of building the penicillin factory. I heard they had gathered some manpower.

I fiddled with my pen.

Most things were going smoothly.

Just busy, that’s all. That’s why I was here early, before the graduate students arrived. Where are they, anyway?

As I stared at the lab door, Istina showed up right on time.

“Good morning! You came early?”

“Yep.”

Istina hung up her coat and started unpacking her bag. Looks like the weather outside is a bit chilly today?

“Oh, Professor! The auscultation devices have arrived.”

“Really?”

“Yes. A bunch of boxes just arrived for you downstairs. They contain the auscultation devices.”

I stared blankly at Istina.

“What did you leave behind?”

“Ah, I’ll go get them.”

Istina left the lab again.

I didn’t expect the auscultation devices to be ready so quickly—I thought it would take much longer. It took over a month just to make the ones I used initially.

Well, it’s fortunate they finished early.

About five minutes later, Istina returned with Amy, dragging a surprisingly large box filled with auscultation devices. Amy must’ve been caught by Istina on her way in.

“How many auscultation devices came?”

“There are fifty this time.”

I nodded.

“Go distribute them.”

“To whom?”

Istina tilted her head in confusion. Hadn’t we discussed this already? Who else? Obviously, the doctors and professors who needed them for treatment.

“Yeah? To the professors in the Department of Healing.”

“Ahhh…”

Istina trailed off.

It would be quite the task to visit each professor individually. But it was necessary for the patients currently in the ward.

****

This isn’t right.

Istina sighed.

Professors can assign annoying tasks sometimes. They can assign difficult tasks too, and if it’s something important, it means they trust you. But this… this isn’t right.

Distribute the auscultation devices to the professors?

One was already exhausting enough. Now she had to greet and deliver to dozens of professors? It felt downright inhumane.

Moreover, the professors in the Department of Healing were often busy with royal inspections and patient rounds. It would take forever to find them all.

Istina considered her options.

“Well, couldn’t we distribute them all at once during a symposium or event?”

“That’s already been done.”

Apparently, Professor Asterix didn’t intend to repeat that lesson.

“Think of it as sales. It’s better to explain briefly what they are while handing them out rather than just giving them away.”

“Ah, understood.”

Thinking about it gave her a headache. Istina sighed quietly, hoping the professor didn’t hear.

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