ATMM 13

Chapter – 13

“Is Her Majesty the Empress’s eye disease being properly treated?”

“Hmm… you mean Her Majesty’s eye disease?”

The chairman stroked his beard a few times and gave a wry smile, as if troubled.

“Your Highness, it is only natural that you are concerned for Her Majesty. However, that eye disease is not the kind that can be cured.”

“Are you saying it’s incurable?”

“It would be more accurate to say it is a natural illness caused by old age.”

“Then why don’t others catch the same disease as Her Majesty?”

“Your Highness, you seem very interested in medicine. Aging affects people differently, you see.”

“How curious. I’ve even seen someone showing the same symptoms as Her Majesty—but that was a seven-year-old child. Would you say that child had old age too?”

“Well…”

The chairman couldn’t answer immediately, as if my words were unexpected, and he wiped his forehead with a handkerchief.

By then, Zennid, who had already brewed the tea, brought the tray over and set the cups on the table.

The fragrant scent of jasmine spread, and I slowly picked up a teacup.

The chairman, apparently thirsty as well, took a sip and let out a faint sigh.

“Your Highness, that was probably a different illness. I have not personally examined the child, so I cannot give a definite answer, but surely a child that young could not have old-age related disease.”

“True. But the symptoms were the same as Her Majesty’s.”

“…They must be different. Your Highness, you are not a formally trained physician, are you?”

The chairman drank his tea again.

Watching the way his throat moved as he swallowed, I took a sip myself.

“So, in other words, Her Majesty the Empress’s eye disease is definitely age-related, there is no treatment, and the best course is to use the medicine I prepared.”

“Yes, that is correct.”

Only then did the chairman nod, as if finally understanding the conversation.

I gave a light smile and stood up from my seat.

“I understand. Then please continue to take good care of Her Majesty.”

I turned and left the chairman’s office.

Now, my work was done.

All that remained was to wait.

A few days later, a small rumor began circulating in the Imperial Medical Hall.

“Did you hear that? About the chairman…”

“Are you going to see the chairman now? Artherge… apparently, the chairman has…”

“Do you know why the chairman has been so reclusive recently?”

“They said he had new curtains installed in his office… but get this—they’re light-blocking curtains.”

The small rumor gradually grew, spreading beyond the Imperial Medical Hall to the Crown Prince’s Palace, Garnet Palace, and even Tishrit Palace, where the Empress resided.

“What is this nonsense? The chairman has the same disease as me?”

“That appears to be the case. Perhaps that’s why he hasn’t come to examine Her Majesty in person lately…”

“Why would even the chairman…?”

“And so, unsettling rumors began circulating in the palace, Your Majesty.”

“Rumors?”

Blanche, the head lady-in-waiting, sank to her knees, looking deeply troubled.

“People are angrily speculating that Her Majesty’s eye disease may be contagious…!”

Looking down at Blanche trembling, the Empress let out a soft, grave sigh.

The chairman had said it was simply old age.

The disease had been present for roughly a year, and during that time, no one else had contracted it.

No one had shown similar symptoms.

Thus, it was believed firmly to be age-related, not contagious.

Though it was odd that some nobles older than the Empress were perfectly healthy, she had accepted the chairman’s explanation that aging manifests differently in each person.

“Your Majesty, I do not believe such a disgraceful rumor. The Empress, the moon of the Empire, could not possibly have such an illness!”

“…Blanche.”

“However, it is true that the palace is rife with unease… To prevent the people from gossiping, perhaps entering seclusion might be the best course of action.”

Seclusion.

This refers to withdrawing entirely from state affairs and closing palace gates due to severe illness or other reasons, abstaining from all external contact.

When seclusion is due to illness, it often lasts until death. If the disease is contagious, the person meets no one for the rest of their life.

“I have been inadequate for such a great calamity to happen… even to Her Majesty…”

A clear tear formed in the Empress’s golden eyes.

She grasped the hand of the emperor, who lay on the bed.

Though their marriage had not begun in passionate love, she had come to love him deeply afterward.

She had thought life was calm and ordinary.

But when had everything started to unravel?

“How futile it all is…”

The Empress muttered with regret, then seemed to steel herself, closing her mouth and lifting her head.

“Strictly control the flow of rumors outside the palace. And prepare for seclusion as quickly as possible… I will accompany Her Majesty.”

Her voice trembled, betraying the fear she could not hide.

Years had passed since the emperor collapsed. His life had barely been sustained, but the physicians had long declared no hope for full recovery.

Now, as Empress of the Empire, she had to make a choice.

A choice not for her desire, but for the Empire’s welfare.

These days, my schedule had become extremely tight.

I woke each morning to a report of the previous night’s events, had breakfast, then checked Hermione Martin’s condition before sitting in my office to review Garnet Palace’s household affairs.

Next, I would take a “walk” to Geumjeong and gather Aperium, secretly stashing some leaves in the makeshift apothecary beside my office.

I was experimenting, thinking perhaps I could create a medicine more effective than using fresh herbs.

After lunch, I researched medicines using Aperium, and before I knew it, evening came, and Yulion would arrive.

Together, we would imitate a proper couple and have dinner, marking the end of roughly one day’s schedule.

And now, it was time for medicine-making before Yulion’s arrival.

I had been experimenting with Aperium, and to rest a little, I sprawled on the office sofa.

Sunlight stretched warmly beneath the window.

The gentle wind, the rustling leaves, the soft sofa, the languid sunlight…

I did not resist the heavy pull of my eyelids.

It was at that moment, lost in this sensation where I couldn’t tell if it was the wind or myself…

“Your Highness, Her Majesty the Empress will be entering seclusion.”

Zennid’s quiet voice made me snap my eyes open.

“Seclusion?”

It was the news I had been waiting for, yet the contents were more drastic than expected.

“Yes. It seems Lady Blanche mentioned it first.”

Zennid’s expression had hardened.

It was certainly a problem if Blanche seized power at Tishrit Palace.

“So, as if waiting for the chance, she suggested seclusion first.”

“Excuse me?”

“It’s odd. If she truly cared for Her Majesty, she wouldn’t suggest seclusion immediately. How is the investigation into Blanche Kemer proceeding?”

“The Kemer Count family is very solid… we will expedite it.”

“Good. But don’t bring me uncertain information. Understood?”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

“By the way, when will she enter seclusion?”

“As soon as preparations are complete. It could even be as early as tomorrow.”

“What…!”

That was far too quick!

No matter how decisive the Empress was known to be, seclusion was not something to be decided so easily.

“Impatient, as always.”

I clicked my tongue softly and rose.

I had just tried to enjoy a rare moment of leisure, but the situation around me would not allow it.

“Let’s go. We cannot delay any longer.”

Yulion had probably also received the news and must be flustered.

Perhaps I would even meet him at Tishrit Palace.

‘That would make things even more interesting.’

I was very curious to see how the chairman would react.

“Mother, please don’t—let me treat you…!”

“Enough. Do not come near me, Yulion.”

“It is not contagious, Mother. You need not worry.”

“You never know… I will not allow even you to be affected. Step back at once!”

As expected, Yulion had already approached the Empress.

Even from a few exchanged words, I could guess what had been said between them.

I entered the Empress’s chamber and spoke.

“Her Majesty, I came as soon as I heard the news.”

“Rohiriel.”

Yulion greeted me warmly, and I responded with a gentle smile, then moved closer to the Empress.

“There is no need. Step back, for the Crown Princess’s safety as well.”

“That is unnecessary. Her Majesty’s eye disease is not contagious.”

“No one can be completely certain. Even the chairman…”

“I have seen a child with the same disease as Her Majesty.”

I went straight to the point.

Now was the perfect time to tell the Empress that I could examine her.

“You’ve seen such a case? A child, you said?”

“Yes, Your Majesty. Exactly a seven-year-old child.”

Sure enough, the Empress’s expression shifted subtly, showing interest in my words.

I continued.

“And that child was treated by my mother. She is now healthy, living under the sun with perfect eyesight.”

The Empress’s golden eyes trembled as if an earthquake had struck.

She knew something of my mother’s medical skills, so this must have confused her even more.

This was completely different from what she had trusted from the chairman.

The Empress spoke in a trembling voice.

“But the chairman said it is a disease that cannot be cured…”

“My first question when reviewing Her Majesty’s medical records was the same. Why did he prescribe a toxic medicine instead of the proper treatment?”

“What do you mean?”

“If used on Her Majesty’s eye disease, that medicine actually becomes poisonous.”

I pointed to the brown medicine bottle beside the Empress.

Her eyes widened in disbelief, then she pressed her brows together in pain and groaned.

“But why would the chairman give me the wrong prescription?”

“Then why not test it?”

The Empress, almost instinctively, reached for the brown bottle to use on her eyes but hesitated.

Perhaps the thought that it could be poisonous unsettled her, for she shivered and bit her lower lip.

“What… what do you mean?”

“Your Majesty, the chairman has the same disease. So if we check whether he has been using the same medicine, it will reveal the truth.”