Chapter 158
A week had already passed since staying at the imperial palace.
A story that was short if short, long if long.
As if proving the steps taken so far.
The scent of approaching spring erased the winter settled on the season.
The fragrance of fresh grass leaves brushed outside the window.
Completely melted snow, a pure white world, cloud-covered sky, all those things humbled their footsteps.
The world was globular like a scene of paint dissolving on a wet brush.
We spent a calm and quiet daily life.
'It's peaceful.'
Leisure.
Perhaps a value reconsidering bloodshot life.
The imperial air was unprecedentedly calm.
'Of course.'
It wasn't just being leisurely.
There was a reason for staying at the palace for a while even after treatment ended.
It was for the rose's sake.
-It's strange that my body doesn't hurt.
-I'm a little confused.
-The feeling of being cured is faint, and I'm not sure about His Majesty either... I guess I still need time.
Literally.
Elise needed time to adapt.
Because there was a gap of 10 years.
Now that her body had recovered and she was free from the wheelchair, she had to get used to walking alone.
This process was essential for a girl facing a new world and story.
Because she would take many steps after returning to the academy.
Is it comfortable to think of it as a grace period for tomorrow?
'Moreover.'
I wanted to give time to the family too.
Valkaros, Charlotte, Elise.
Because they had finally come to understand each other after passing through long tangled threads.
I hoped they would have conversations while staying at the palace.
It was a small consideration close to meddling perhaps.
'The atmosphere doesn't seem bad either.'
Was it because he was such a daughter-doting father?
Valkaros actively tried to narrow the distance with the imperial princesses.
Of course, as 10 years was no short blank, it was also true that there was a long way to go ahead.
But the important thing was that hope was budding little by little.
Whatever path they walk, it couldn't compare to past days.
I just believed tomorrow would shine a little brighter.
"Yuda."
Anyway,
We lived bustling days.
Though it wasn't very long leisure.
"Huu... it's still hard."
"Good work."
The rose collapsed into the prepared wheelchair.
Her clothes were wet with flowing sweat.
It was right after finishing physical training that was carried out without fail today too.
Actually, though training was just walking in the garden at most, even this was a big challenge for Elise who rarely had chances to move.
"Your stamina has improved a lot. You moved for nearly half a day today."
"The muscle pain all over my body is no joke..."
"Because you're using muscles that were neglected usually."
"It was more comfortable just riding a wheelchair."
"Though you grumble every time, you do your best once you start."
"I can't remain a leg-disabled person forever."
"That part is truly admirable."
The girl always did her best.
Once she got up from the wheelchair, she would keep walking until the moment of exhaustion.
Only resolute will shone in her eyes that were no longer dark.
As if she would surely reach a recovery tomorrow stepping on the present.
"I didn't expect you to be this passionate."
"Well, because I promised."
Poke-.
An index finger poking this side's cheek.
At the end where her gaze touched, only a meaningful smile bloomed like waves.
Her seductively curved eye corners were somehow fatal.
The rose spoke.
"That I'll always be by your side."
"......"
"So I need to be a little healthier."
"Your Highness is indeed wonderful."
"Don't flatter needlessly."
Elise shrugged as if it wasn't necessary.
I stroked the girl's hair.
Her red hair dyed with moisture resembled flower petals in dawn dew.
Just by placing my hand, hot heat was felt from her tired breathing.
But it wasn't particularly bothersome.
Perhaps thanks to her innate body scent, a fragrance close to spring flowers flowed.
Seeing that not even a common sweat smell came, I even thought perhaps royalty was truly a different species.
I tidied up needless idle thoughts.
"There will be good news soon."
"I hope that's really true."
It wasn't empty words.
Though it was still too much for intense activity, recovery was steadily progressing.
I was certain she would be able to stand alone in the not too distant future.
When that happens, will the role of personal physician no longer be needed?
On one hand, it felt somewhat sad.
Because quite many memories had piled up so far.
-I greet the empire's second star.
-I'm Yuda Snakers who will serve as Your Highness's personal physician from today.
To think that was already 5 months ago.
It was a moment of feeling the passing seasons anew.
We each walked sunk in silence.
Step step-.
Rolling wheels and steps left the garden.
As I pushed the wheelchair in brief silence, suddenly the girl opened her closed mouth.
What followed was a quiet call.
"Um... Yuda."
"Yes, Your Highness."
Was it my imagination?
The rose's voice was somewhat calm.
"There's something I want to ask."
"Hmm?"
A request?
I showed interest in the suddenly dropped topic.
It was rare for her to convey such direct expressions.
Elise hesitated, unable to continue speaking.
'What is it?'
The rose with a hardened look.
She had seemed lost in thought since earlier, but what did she want to say that she was hesitating so much?
Rather, I became curious. I looked down at green eyes as if asking the reason.
Then the girl gently avoided my gaze.
And soon dropped her lips.
"I'm saying this after thinking a lot."
"You're uncharacteristically taking your time."
"Because it's that important to me."
"Please speak."
"I was wondering... if you could continue being my personal physician from now on."
"You mean the imperial family's personal physician...?"
"More precisely, my personal physician."
I was only temporary.
Because I had taken on the role of personal physician temporarily at Charlotte's request, it was right to step down now that the problem was solved.
My position was ambiguous since I hadn't gone through proper procedures in the first place.
I had been writing related documents for a few days already.
A proposal or request coming amid that.
"Official employment."
"A personal physician isn't only needed when sick."
It was correct.
The duties of a personal physician included basic parts like examination, consultation, management, etc.
A personal physician was a role devoted to patients in a wider range.
Elise added as if conscious of this side.
"His Majesty has already given permission. No one will object to that decision."
Of course.
I was first for the girl.
"I won't force you if you don't want to. I've already received a lot from you. Just being by my side is enough."
I was silent for a moment.
What should I say?
Is it right to say this is upright, or thoughtful?
She could go forcefully given her position as imperial princess.
The girl muttered barely audibly.
"I don't want to do anything to be hated."
"Even if you had, there would have been no hating."
I laughed quietly.
There was no usual thorny atmosphere, only one docile flower blooming.
The authoritative imperial princess became just a pitiful girl before the boy.
An appearance shown only to me, no one else.
Not even Valkaros, Tanya, or even Charlotte would know.
The fact that the rose famous for being prickly could become this gentle.
Our gazes crossed as if mixing.
"You're really cute at times like this."
"...Will you just answer?"
Cheeks rising with heat.
Only golden hair was reflected in pupils resembling leaves.
It was a gaze with no interest in anything else.
Swish-.
A strange sense of betrayal tickled my heart.
I swallowed the leaking smile and gently caressed her snow-white cheek.
Then the girl's attachment was fully contained on my palm.
The lukewarm spreading body heat was coolly hot.
Only then did I answer.
"Is there any reason to refuse?"
"......"
"I had no intention of becoming anyone else's personal physician."
"Then...?"
"I'll gladly accept."
Her expression loosened momentarily.
Small relief.
Then, having regained her usual composure, she added.
It was an extension of the request starting from a personal physician.
"And, one more thing."
"What is it?"
"The treatment I've been receiving... I'd like it to continue."
"But the mana stone disease should already be cured?"
"I just want to receive it. Is it not possible...?"
"There's no reason it's not possible. It's true that it has excellent effects on mana circulation basically. If you hope to continue receiving it, it seems it will proceed in a form close to massage from now on."
"Good. Do that."
Elise nodded.
For some reason, she seemed to be in a strangely good mood.
"This treatment. Have you ever done it for other people?"
"Huh? Not particularly, but why..."
"Don't do it elsewhere. Especially not to other women."
"That's not a difficult request."
"...It's an important issue to me."
"I'm a person who keeps promises."
"Okay, I'll believe you."
Laughter bursting quietly.
Suddenly the rose grasped this side's sleeve and pulled as if saying to come closer.
I bent my waist without particular resistance and matched eye level with her.
Our lips were only one span of breath apart.
Delicate arms wrapped around my neck.
The girl embraced me as if clinging.
Along with seductive whispers in my ear.
"You're my personal physician forever."
"Glad to hear it."
"I won't let you leave."
"I had no intention of leaving in the first place."
"Always remember."
Her voice stretched like several strands of thread.
Words threaded on a needle joined and soon unfolded as sentences with meaning.
Her eye corners curved.
"Because you're the most precious person to me."
Chu...
Elise kissed my neck just like that.
She left a reddish mark on the boy exactly like the one left the other night.
Mouth covering skin, sensation of a hot tongue, even roughened breathing again.
Soon long shining saliva stretched from separated lips.
The girl smiled bewitchingly.
"Got it?"
There was a clear marking on my neck.
Had she gotten a taste for it recently?
Since the night she first made a mark, the rose was now renewing it every day.
Thanks to that, the indecent mark showed no signs of fading at all.
I muttered along with a troubled smile.
"This mark... His Majesty was angry about it two days ago too."
"It won't be erased in the future. Because I intend to keep leaving it."
"I hope you'll please restrain yourself."
"I want to return to the academy soon. I want to show this to that vixen."
"I'd appreciate it if you refrained from clashing with Miss Irene too..."
"The beastkin is the one acting arrogant first."
Voices going back and forth bustlingly.
We continued conversing for a while and crossed the long extended corridor.
At the end where our steps pointed was the next schedule.
'Dinner.'
Valkaros.
It was dinner with the emperor who had been constantly throwing marriage proposals recently.
I walked with a bitter smile, worried about suffering again today.