Chapter 51

Episode 51. Happy Birthday, Your Imperial Highness (1)

***

A new morning sun rose above the horizon of Imentia. The curfew was lifted, and most quarantined patients had returned home.

The fake Black Death panic ended just like that.

“Uh… That’s how it turned out, Mayor.”

The Mayor of Imentia nodded his head. Sure, he might’ve been a little annoyed by the missteps, but it was better than an actual Black Death outbreak in the city.

“What about the patients?”

“The critically ill are still at the Temple. Most will be fine, though.”

“Feels kinda anticlimactic, doesn’t it?”

“That’s mysteries for you. They always seem simple in hindsight.”

“Still, thanks to you, Professor, we avoided a major disaster. Though it’s kind of bitter knowing the big threat wasn’t plague but bad policy…”

Right, the mayor mentioning policy reminded me—I almost forgot something important.

“Mayor, there’s something I need to tell you.”

“What is it?”

“About the cause.”

“Go on.”

This was what I mentioned before. The Royal Navy used dried fruits and such on long voyages to prevent scurvy.

“Scurvy is caused by nutritional imbalance. Vitamin C helps with collagen synthesis. Without it, connective tissue damage occurs, which leads to bleeding gums.”

“What does that mean?”

Anyway, I explained it somehow.

“In short, when going on voyages, bring fruit or preserved vegetables. That’ll help prevent scurvy.”

The mayor seemed to mull over my words. It was a lot of information. After a moment of silence, the Lord of Imentia spoke again.

“I think I’ve heard old sailors talk about this. But lately, with fruit prices rising, they might’ve stopped doing that.”

I slowly nodded.

It was curious…

For a port city, knowledge of scurvy should’ve existed for ages. Why did it provoke such a strong reaction now?

I let it slide initially, but revisiting it made sense—fruit prices in recent years had risen, changing food supplies for long voyages.

This started making scurvy a new issue. It was the final piece of the puzzle.

“If vitamin C deficiency continues for months, scurvy symptoms start appearing.”

“Is there a solution?”

“Not entirely sure. Maybe preserving methods like salting could work?”

Someone must know if I look into it. Thinking about it, is the mayor’s son alright? I haven’t seen him since his last check-up.

“Is your son doing well?”

“Seems fine. Since he didn’t need quarantine, he resumed daily life.”

“Good to hear.”

That young knight. If he’s eating regularly, even lemon candies should improve his symptoms.

“Isn’t this a long-term illness?”

“Unless his teeth have fallen out.”

He’ll be fine.

“Once again, thank you, Professor. No amount of gratitude can express how much your visit helped us. Thank you so much.”

I left the conference room again. Things seemed to be resolving smoothly.

I need to get back to the Academy fast.

***

Imentia Castle, Guest Quarters.

I placed my travel bag in the hallway and packed my things. Istina was doing the same beside me. We came here in such a rush, we barely packed anything.

So, our departure luggage was minimal too.

The only difference from arrival was the patient records and notes I gathered, along with the fee given by Imentia’s mayor.

“Professor, I still don’t understand. What is this ‘vitamin’?”

“Vitamin? Oh, it’s some sour substance found in lemons and oranges.”

A single lemon contains three times its weight in vitamin C. That shows how rich lemons are in it.

“Can we prove this experimentally?”

“Hmm… Not really.”

Chemical separation and synthesis of vitamins began in the 20th century—it seems impossible right now.

“It’s fascinating and scary how misunderstandings can shut down a whole city and make people think a plague is spreading.”

“Their response wasn’t wrong. When a plague is suspected, precautionary measures until proven otherwise are reasonable.”

Istina tilted her head.

“But what if the disease here was real Black Death?”

Black Death can be treated with antibiotics. Patients I directly saw would likely survive, while others wouldn’t.

Would the mortality rate reach half?

“If it were Black Death, many would’ve died. Luckily, scurvy doesn’t require extraordinary medicine to treat. A blessing in disguise.”

“We were lucky.”

Luck isn’t exactly the word…

Bacterial plagues are rare compared to diseases mistaken for plagues or those caused by poor living conditions.

“When are we leaving?”

“Soon, we should go.”

Hedwig seems upset; if we delay, she might leave without us. That could add days to returning to the Academy.

I’m tired…

We arrived at the Academy as the sun set. Even the wyvern looked exhausted, though it might be my imagination.

“Where are you heading, Hedwig?”

“I’ll stay at the Academy for a few days due to an upcoming symposium. Will you attend, Professor?”

Symposium? What symposium?

That doesn’t matter now. I worked night shifts yesterday; I need to unpack quickly and see overdue outpatient visits tomorrow.

“Well… See you all later. Istina, I’ll see you at the lab tomorrow. And Hedwig, hopefully at the symposium.”

Istina bowed, and Hedwig nodded before disappearing somewhere. I need to drop off my stuff at the lab and head home.

***

The journey was long.

The late evening corridors of the Academy were quiet.

Spaces usually bustling with students and grad students felt oddly empty now.

A feeling of something missing, something important forgotten.

What did I forget? I’ve felt inexplicable unease since yesterday, but can’t recall why.

The lab door was slightly ajar.

Why am I scared…

Should I leave? No reason to… I came here to drop off my lab belongings. Slowly, I opened the door.

Surprise!

In the dim lab, a pair of blue eyes stared at me. With a soft pop, the room lit up.

Imperial Princess Mint.

A glowing orb in her palm.

“Hello, Princess.”

“You’re finally here.”

I studied Mint’s expression.

Why is she here so late? What does she want? Her mood-setting face wasn’t dark.

Why am I scared…

“Uh… Is something wrong?”

“Teacher, did you forget anything?”

“A lot.”

Let me think about what Mint expects. Did I miss telling her my schedule?

I posted it on the door already.

“Sorry, I was half-dragged into something urgent. I wanted to contact you, but…”

“Did you know today’s my birthday?”

“Oh… Right! Of course, I knew. I tried contacting you as soon as possible.”

This doesn’t feel good. She really seems hurt. I need to tread carefully this time.

“You didn’t know.”

“I did forget.”

These past few days, that uneasy feeling was because of this—the princess’s birthday season. If I’d been even a few hours late…

Close call.

“Did you wait long?”

“Just today.”

“There was no guarantee I’d return today anyway.”

“Lucky, huh?”

“Ah… Sorry.”

“You don’t need to apologize.”

I sighed.

Princess Mint.

Though envied for her status and abilities, waiting alone in an empty room for someone who might not show up on her own birthday…

It’s heartbreaking, isn’t it?

Yet, why does she look genuinely happy? Mint seems more cheerful than usual—an expression rarely seen.

“Sorry.”

“Ugh. Stop apologizing!”

“You waited here all day… I feel bad. Like I made you work extra. Sorry.”

I extended my hand to Mint, who was sitting. She took it and stood up.

“Let’s grab dinner.”

“Will anything be open?”

“Who knows? Probably something.”

Mint released my hand after a few words.

“Happy Birthday, Princess. I hope only good things happen this year.”

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