A Genius Pharmacist Whom the Empress Is Obsessed With

Episode 14. Why on earth?

“Why suddenly my hand?”

“The human body is closely interconnected. Therefore, just by properly massaging the hand, it can greatly help with restoring energy.”

“It’s the first time I’ve heard of that.”

“Everyone in Wumstendel Castle knows about it.”

“Everyone knows about it?”

Feeling suddenly foolish, Rudimine looked back at Huga.

Huga rolled his eyes and nodded slowly. Huga’s seemingly insignificant action only made Rudimine more perplexed.

“Huga wasn’t the type to be flustered like this….”

He certainly wasn’t one to tell lies.

“Judging from your reaction, it seems like what the headmaster said is true. Why are you so flustered?”

As Roudemine was lost in thought, Headmaster Estelon hurriedly added, “You don’t have to worry too much. It’s a treatment method that I’ve spent decades researching.”

“Well then…”

When Roudemine reached out her hand, the headmaster, as if waiting, gently took hold of her hand. And then, with his rough hand, he started pressing down on Roudemine’s delicate hand forcefully.

“…Is this really effective?”

When Roudemine frowned at the unexpected pain, the headmaster quickly added, “Even though it might be uncomfortable at first, soon you’ll feel the cooling sensation from my pressing!”

However, contrary to the headmaster’s words that it would get better soon, with every force the headmaster applied, it felt as if her hand was being ripped apart.

“That’s enough now.”

Unable to endure the pain any longer, Roudemine withdrew her hand and spoke. She didn’t know if it was good for her body or not, but she didn’t want to receive such a painful treatment.

“What? We’ve just started…”

“That’s enough, didn’t you say so? Now, step back.”

Feeling disappointed, the headmaster left the bedroom as soon as he mentioned.

As soon as the headmaster left the bedroom, Roudemine asked her loyal maid, Huga.

“Huga, what the headmaster said earlier, is it really true?”

“…Yes, it is.”

“Really? It’s a treatment method that I can’t understand.”

After hesitating for a moment, Huga finally spoke up.

“Hayona, that treatment method is not something the headmaster himself came up with, but a method commonly used by pharmacists.”

“…The pharmacists?”

“Yes, Miss Ella knows about it too.”

“So that’s what it is…”

Roudemine narrowed her eyes.

If what Huga said was true, then the headmaster was imitating a mere pharmacist.

“What is it about being a doctor that makes them so dissatisfied that they imitate a lowly pharmacist?”

Within the empire, doctors were much higher in status than pharmacists.

As dealing with people’s lives was their profession, there were several verification processes that one had to go through in order to become a doctor who could open a clinic. In contrast, being a pharmacist was a profession that anyone could have without any restrictions.

“Since you seem curious about that treatment method, should I call Miss Ella right now?”

“No, forget it.”

Although I was curious about Huga’s words, no matter how talented he may be, I didn’t want to get involved with the foul-smelling pharmacist again.

Besides, this was now the most important time for rehabilitation during work.

Since recovering her sanity, Rudimine had never once skipped the painful rehabilitation training.

Not only to regain her glorious position, but also to find the person who threw her into the abyss, she had to hurry back to the palace, even if it was just for a day.

“I guess I should practice walking, Huga, help me.”

Rudimine shook off the heavy fatigue weighing down her entire body and stood up.

***

“…Huga, call the pharmacist.”

That night, Rudimine broke her vow to never face the pharmacist again.

It was because of her maid, Piaka. Just this morning, the child who had been frowning and constantly holding her wrist was now smiling and moving only her body like a basket.

“…Piaka, is your wrist really okay?”

“Oh! Yes, Your Highness. My wrist is fine now! Thank you for your concern.”

The pharmacist had simply pressed on her wrist, and the pain disappeared quickly. The medicine she had given her was just a small sip, but it made her feel so comfortable. There must have been a reason why Ella Agassi and the Marquis had gone through the trouble to bring him here.

Piaka showed off her wrist by turning it round and round, never ceasing to heap praise on the pharmacist.

“Is that really true?”

“Why would I lie, Your Highness? You saw for yourself how much pain I was in this morning.”

“No, I can’t believe it.”

“Then I am the living witness!”

After seeing Edun’s skills that she had only heard about, Rudimine had no choice but to change her mind. Although he wasn’t someone she could fully trust, if he was so talented, maybe she could use him in times of urgency.

Above all, she was curious about the method of pressing that he had used. When she received it from the head doctor, it was really unpleasant, but Piaka had such a satisfied expression that Rudimine’s curiosity couldn’t help but subside.

It had been quite a long time since Huga left to bring Edun, and she could hear some commotion outside the door.

“He’s here.”

Rudimine covered her nose and mouth with a handkerchief. Although she had changed her opinion about Edun, she still wanted to avoid the strong smell emanating from him as much as possible.

“Your Highness…”

However, the person standing in front of the door was only Huga.

“…Where is the pharmacist?”

“Well, you see…”

Huga had a troubled expression.

“It’s okay, hurry up and tell me.”

“…The apothecary refuses to meet with you.”

“What did you say?!”

‘What is this nonsense?’

Huga, noticing that Rudimine’s mood had become uncomfortable, continued speaking, bending over.

“Since you are just an apothecary and plan to leave the castle soon, it would be better to consult with the director of Estelon or the attending physician regarding treatment…”

“…So you came alone?”

They call you and you won’t come. Rudimine, who had never experienced such a thing before, was momentarily taken aback.

“Yes… Even if you were to go see the lord, it is not proper to go at this late hour.”

Rudimine’s anger subsided slightly at the statement that it is not proper.

Yes, it is indeed late. Even if no one is watching, it would be better not to do anything unnecessary that could cause trouble.

Rudimine, who had been lost in thought for a moment, spoke again.

“…Huga, tell the apothecary to come visit tomorrow evening at 9 o’clock.”

“Yes, I understand.”

As soon as Rudimine finished speaking, Huga quickly disappeared outside the door.

Rudimine took off the useless handkerchief and lay down on the bed.

‘Surely they won’t refuse twice after sending someone twice, right?’

Even though she had settled on the bed, for some reason, sleep wouldn’t come, and Rudimine tossed and turned for a long time.

*

“…They refused again?”

The next morning.

Rudimine’s expression became deeply furrowed while having breakfast with the help of Pia Car.

“Yes. At that time, she has an appointment with Lady Royale.”

Huga was sweating profusely as if he himself had committed a crime.

“Then when on earth does she have free time?”

“…Until that, well.”

‘It’s becoming annoying.’

At the fact that she was refused once again, Rudimine lost her appetite and loudly set down the fork she had been holding.

Wasn’t she just an ordinary apothecary, and moreover, an apothecary hired to treat herself? She didn’t even think that she, a plain commoner, would be refused twice.

“…Fine. I understand.”

Rudimine barely controlled her emotions and then picked up the fork.

“Are you ignoring me because I am a neglected princess, or do you think you are too superior?”

Various delusions arose inside, but she couldn’t show it. The royal family always had to be flawless.

“Your Highness, should I say it again, just in case?”

“No, it’s fine.”

Two chances were enough.

Although she was curious about the remedy for deep sleep, she didn’t want to be subdued and receive the treatment any further.

“Instead, after the meal, please call for the Countess in my room.”

Thinking of the documents brought by the Countess a few days ago, Rudimine said. The documents she brought included the names of selected doctors chosen by the Viscountess and Countess, stating that they should choose a physician before it was too late.

At that time, there was Estellon Director, so they sent her back, saying not to do useless things….

It was difficult to take her to the physician if her suspicions about Estellon Director grew.

“Shall we cancel the meeting with Estellon Director then?”

“Yes, let’s do that.”

“Don’t the pharmacists think they are alone!”

Rudimine forced the remaining meat dish into her mouth.