chapter 8
8th painting. Change (2).
The next day, dawn.
As the people of the Münsterberg Castle were still in deep sleep,ieder headed towards the well.
The wind from yesterday had blown the cloth, as well as the shirt and gloves he was wearing, into a mess.
He did have spare clothes and gloves, but leaving the laundry soaked in his own blood for too long would not do any good. Therefore,ieder had come to wash the clothes before the sun had even risen.
“Eek!”
Carefully, he scooped water from the well, causing the bucket to fill with splashing water, wetting his sleeves and apron.
“…I guess I’ll make more laundry while doing laundry.”
Lost in thought for a moment, Iden looked around.
Though his body was indestructible, his scars had not completely disappeared. Iden had received many wounds in battle or for various reasons, and those many marks remained on his body.
Among them, the large scar that crossed his chest was enough to make anyone, including Iden himself, feel uncomfortable.
For this reason, Iden had always been reluctant to expose his body in front of others.
But now, it wasn’t yet sunrise, and he was alone. Without hesitation, Iden took off his shirt and placed it on the nearby washing stone.
Swoosh. The refreshing well water touched his bare skin every time Iden moved his arms.
The coolness felt so good that Iden couldn’t resist and shivered.
Bathing with warm water prepared by the maids in the room was also nice, but there were times when cold water friction was even more desired when the body felt sluggish. Now was the perfect time.
The thrilling sensation of the blood and muscles of his entire body suddenly awakening from sleep.
Lost in that feeling, Iden didn’t notice someone approaching.
“You have quite a sturdy body, seeing you like this.”
A voice suddenly rang out, and startled, Iden quickly turned around to see the Viscount Ferniard standing there. His slightly light breath, slightly damp dark brown hair, and shirt suggested that the viscount had been exercising.
Iden hastily put on the shirt he had taken off.
“I’m doing laundry, did I disturb you?”
The viscount walked steadily towards the well, scooping water from the bucket and drinking it refreshingly.
“I’m sorry, but don’t misunderstand. After finishing my morning exercise, drinking this well water is part of my routine. I have nothing else but this refreshing well water after exercising.”
“I see.”
Iden answered while adjusting the waist strap of his shirt. Although he hadn’t done anything wrong, the conversation with the viscount felt awkward because his own flaws were exposed.
“You don’t have to worry too much. Everyone can have a scar or two in their lifetime.”
The observant viscount seemed to have noticed Iden’s thoughts. Looking at his ability to skillfully read people’s thoughts and intentions, it seemed that the viscount was not an ordinary person either.
“By the way, I’m relieved. When I heard you were feeling unwell last night, I was quite worried that you were a weakling.”
“I apologize for causing concern.”
What happened yesterday was clearly Iden’s mistake. Whether he was sick or tired, he had neglected his duties as an employee and fell asleep.
“No, no. I’m not blaming you. I collapsed while taking care of Princess Hwangnyeo all night, so how could I blame you?”
It seemed that the deal between Iden and the Countess had also reached the ears of Viscount Ferniard.
“You can leave the tasks that you don’t need to do to Estellon, the housekeeper. He also needs something to do, right? You just need to focus on Princess Hwangnyeo and your own health.”
Approaching Iden, the viscount personally straightened his undone collar.
“Make sure you take your supplements. At first, I was going to suggest that you try using a sword as a form of exercise, but seeing how solid your body is, it seems like it was just a lot of fatigue building up.”
The marquis patted Idun’s shoulder a couple of times and headed towards the castle.
“He is a strange person.”
Ever since he started his life as an apothecary, the most peculiar and inexplicable person was none other than Marquis Penniad.
“…I need to be a bit careful.”
He appreciated the kindness, but excessive kindness made him uncomfortable. As Marquis Penniad moved further away and looked back, Idun also adjusted his steps with his cloak.
***
That night, after finishing all his work, Idun made his way to the princess’s room.
Even though he had been hearing all day that he should rest a bit more from Ella, it was enough to make his ears ring. Besides, he hadn’t had a day off yet.
Once the momentum was released, it would continue to surge violently until someone touched it again.
The burden on the patient’s body was great enough that he couldn’t just leave the princess alone, even though she was unconscious.
To be honest, there was also a matter of pride.
Even though he was in the middle of treatment, he couldn’t stand it when the patient he was taking care of was in more pain. He couldn’t allow such a thing.
Maybe it was because of the ten years spent together with the dragon, but even though Idun was generally dull, he had a strong attachment to his work.
“If you were going to refuse in the first place, that’s one thing, but if you’re going to take on a task, it must be done perfectly. A great dragon should definitely do that.”
Adrian always said that while taking good care of Idun.
Thanks to that, Idun tended to reject calmly. But once he accepted a task, he always did his best.
When Idun reached the door, a maid who was standing there bowed her head. Seeing her quickly rise and greet him, it seemed that she was secretly concerned about what Idun had overheard from her yesterday.
Idun also bowed his head to the maid.
“Then, please make sure that no one can enter today as well.”
“Yes, no one will be allowed in.”
The maid opened the door for Idun and said.
As the door opened and Idun was about to enter the room, he suddenly remembered the incident from yesterday when he spilled coffee.
“…I should prepare in advance so nothing bad happens.”
He didn’t want to make the princess’s bedroom messy. He didn’t want to surprise the maid.
“If it’s okay with you, could you bring some cold water, a washbasin, and a white towel?”
“Should I prepare them right away?”
“Yes, please.”
The maid looked puzzled but quickly brought a washbasin filled with cold water, a towel, and a washbasin.
“Is there anything else I should bring?”
“No, this is enough.”
Ideun calmly arranged the items the maid had brought by the bed. Every time Ideun moved, the red threads surrounding the princess trembled, revealing hostility.
“Let’s begin.”
Preparations were complete. Ideun took off her gloves and held the princess’s hand. Although the gloves were usually not removed, direct contact between their skin was much more efficient in infusing vitality.
“First, let’s examine the 12 meridians and eliminate any blockages.”
Meridians were imaginary pathways through which qi and blood flowed.
Among the numerous meridians, the 12 meridians were the most fundamental and closely connected to the six main organs.
As the most important and fundamental meridian, the acupuncture points on the 12 meridians had an excellent effect of removing stagnant energy and impurities simply by stimulating them.
“Among the 12 meridians, the first is the Lung Meridian.”
Respiration was crucial for maintaining life, so the Lung Meridian was related to the lungs and breathing. After examining the acupuncture points on this meridian, the rough sounds of the patients’ breaths, which had been irregular, would return to normal.
Last night, while observing the princess’s energy, Ideun had continuously targeted the Lung Meridian to strengthen her weakening breath.
“….”
Ideun’s brow remained furrowed throughout the entire time she flowed her energy along the blocked meridian. No matter how much she breathed, the pain did not go away. That pain felt vividly transmitted to Ideun as well.
Even though it was a meridian she had examined before, numerous blockages and impurities had accumulated within just two days, tormenting the princess.
“I can’t give up.”
Ideun adjusted her grip on the princess’s hand and concentrated even more. Sweat had begun to stick to the palms of their hands without either of them noticing.
After some time had passed, around dawn, Ideun retrieved a portion of her energy she had infused.
Then, one of the red threads surrounding the princess abruptly snapped, following Ideun’s energy. Simultaneously, dark red blood started to trickle from her nose.
***
Time quickly passed, and a week flew by in an instant.
During that time, Ideun had also spent quite busy days. In the mornings, she brewed medicine for the princess, taking into account the headmistress Estelon’s preferences, and organized the newly acquired medicinal ingredients.
In the afternoons, she helped Ella study herbal medicine and made medicine for the people in the castle, and at night, she taught the countess and took care of the princess.
“Now it seems like it’s time for something to happen….”
A quiet afternoon. While Ella was momentarily absent, Ideun sipped on lukewarm tea and got lost in her thoughts.
She had thought that by now there would be some kind of improvement, but unfortunately, there was no response from the princess.
“Maybe it needs a little more time for the effects of the medicine to kick in.”
Or perhaps there were too many accumulated blockages that were not showing any signs.
“I haven’t examined all of the 12 meridians yet, so it’s better to wait a little longer.”
Ideun chewed on her lower lip, suppressing her impatience. Impatience was the aspect one should be most careful of when treating a patient.
It had been just one week. In some cases, it could take up to a month for the medication to take effect.
During this period, taking any other measures or medication could have had the opposite effect.
It wasn’t that the medicine didn’t work or the treatment was wrong. If that were the case, the princess’s energy would have already been running wild. The princess’s energy was gradually calming down, so waiting was the answer for now.
“But still, I hope there is even a small change…”
Tap tap. At the sound coming from outside the door, I’den put down her teacup.
“I’den!”
Ella, who burst into the room, had a completely excited face.