Queen of The Scalpel - Chapter 108

Elise de Clorance.

 

This time she gained two nicknames. One is the founder of modern mechanics and the other is the conqueror of cholera. It is the first alias given to her, who would be called countless nicknames in future generations.

 

And after the cholera is completely cleared.

 

She entered the palace. To ask the Emperor for the favor she had put off the last time.

 

***

 

“Hoho! Young Lady Clorance, welcome. I am discussing with the Crown Prince what award to give to the Young Lady. You’ve done a great job for this empire!”

 

Emperor Minchester greeted her with a bright face.

 

“I’m sorry, Your Grace.”

“What is with you? It’s all thanks to you. I can’t believe you really solved the plague in three days. It’s amazing. You’re really great.”

 

The emperor praised her excessively.

Thinking about it, twenty years ago, she witnessed the horrors of 150,000 deaths. She can’t believe they solved such a catastrophe like this.

He couldn’t express her achievement with just the word “great.”

 

Miracle.

It is undoubtedly a miracle.

 

“I don’t have any idea what kind of prize I’m going to get back for you. Isn’t that right, Prince?”

“That’s right.”

 

Prince Linden de Romanoff, who is next to him, nodded.

“Did you say reverse… academic research? Cholera Map? Anyway, please pass on the method young miss used to the Ministry of Public Health and the Institute of Medicine. I can’t always ask for help by Young lady.”

 

At that time, large cities in the West, including Londo, were suffering from similar infectious diseases. This is due to excessive population density without enough infrastructure.

 

So Elise suggested one thing.

 

“Your Majesty, there is one way to prevent infectious diseases.”

 

“What is it? Do you have any good ideas?”

 

The emperor asked delightedly.

Now he can trust and see everything Elise has to say.

 

“The cholera epidemic is caused by water contamination. The disease is caused by the city’s sewage treatment system not working properly.”

“Keep talking.”

“So I think we should take this opportunity to fix the city’s sewer system, even if it costs us a lot of money. If the sewage system is properly maintained and the water pollution is prevented, we can eradicate cholera forever. We can prevent other infectious diseases too.”

 

The emperor thought she was right.

 

The world’s top city of Londo, along with Paris, the capital of the Republic, had previously been plagued due to lack of sewage treatment.

He thought it would be a good opportunity to take this opportunity to fix it.

 

“I will obey your word out of love. It’s going to take a long time, but I’ll have to start in time.”

“We’d better get it in order to make it bigger.”

“What does that mean?”

“Londo is the capital of the world, and its population is growing day by day. If the current population is 2.5 million, I’m afraid we’ll have to suffer again in the near future.”

“Then, how many people should we fit in with?”

 

Elise replied after much consideration.

“I think we should base it on at least 5 million.”

“……?!”

 

The Emperor and the Crown Prince both look surprised.

“5 million? Are you serious, Young Lady?”

 

Five million.

That’s a huge number. As far as the eastern province of Qing, which has a population of 400 million, is concerned, no western continent has a city that has much population.

“Yes, it is. I don’t think that’s enough considering the pace of the Empire’s development.”

She doesn’t know how far the empire will prosper.

When the moon is full, it tilts, so it will not be the best place in the world forever.

 

Still, compared to Earth’s case, Londo’s population will surpass at least 5 million in the future. It’s not that
far in the future.

Therefore, it is good to build construction as big as technology immediately.

“Hoho, the distribution of Young Lady is much bigger than I thought, 5 million. Yeah, you are going to be the first lady of the Empire, so I think you should have that kind of distribution.”

The Emperor insinuated that he had previously spoken.

 

Elise changed her posture. She thought it was time to get to the point.

 

She came today not to suggest sewage maintenance.

 

“Yeah, it’s time for the Young Lady to say what she wanted to say last time. Tell me. I’ll listen to anything.”

 

The emperor smiled and said, Elise asked before the story.

 

“Your Majesty, I have a question before I tell you.”

“What is it?”

“Is the last deal still valid?”

 

The last deal. She is asking him to listen to her as long as it doesn’t go against the will of the Empire.

The emperor nodded his head.

 

“Of course. I put the name of this Romanoff royal family. As long as it doesn’t go against the will of the emperor and the Empire, I will do it.”

“Thank you.”

 

Minchester frowned.

 

“But what kind of a favor is that? I don’t know why. Tell me quickly.”

 

Elise smiled slightly. I’m worried about the aftermath of this request. But there is no other way than this.

 

A way to raise the honor of the family, but escape the danger of death for the little brother.

 

“It’s not a big favor.”

“I know. Tell me quickly.”

She said.

 

“Please allow me, Elise to serve as the second Cremeian Expedition on behalf of the Clorance instead of Chris, the second son of my family.”

“…what?”

 

The whole room is as freezing as cold.

The emperor’s face hardened as if he had heard something he could not hear.

The crown prince’s face, who is also listening next to him, had face hardened.

 

“What… did you say?”

Elise knelt down and bowed her head.

Then she said again.

“Clorance’s daughter asks to honor her family and to dedicate her allegiance to the Romanoff royal family. Allow me to participate in the Crème expedition as a war doctor, so that I can fulfill my honorable duty.”

 

This is the only answer she found. Instead of Chris, she will instead participate as a war doctor. In this way, her family can save the little brother from the brink of death without betraying the honor of Noblesse Oblige.

***

 

And I don’t know how the story progressed.

 

Elise came out of the fish tank with trembling steps. The whole body trembled like a leaf.

 

While walking towards the waiting carriage of her family at the entrance of the palace, her whole body relaxed and collapsed in the hallway of the palace.

 

‘I did it.’

 

For the first time, the emperor is so angry at her.

 

He didn’t just raise his voice. He shouted and was really furious.

No matter what she did wrong in his previous life, she smiled and let it go. He must have been so angry due to her request.

‘I’m sorry, Your Majesty.’

She understood what was on his mind.

Her dear daughter is going to war. If he had known she would ask such a favor, he would have never have promised to do it in advance.

‘This is enough.’

Everyone will be angry. Her father and especially her little brother would be so angry that she couldn’t even imagine. Maybe they’ll kick her out of the family.

But this is for the better.

Even if she is kicked out of the family, or if she were hit by a bullet on the battlefield, this is much better than hearing the death of her brother once again.

‘Yeah, that’s good. Well done, Elise.’

But it is then.

“What is the meaning of this , Dame Clorance?”

A cool, yet deep angry voice stabbed her. Turning her head out of surprise, Prince Linden de Romanoff is looking at her.

With burning anger in his eyes.

‘What is this?’

Elise is so surprised by the look. She has never seen him so angry.

“I asked you what you were doing, Dame Clorance!”

And even to raise your voice. Elise got up in a hurry. Her legs were still shaking, but she held her head and bowed.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about, Your Highness.”

“Ha! You don’t know? Elise!”

“……?!”

Elise is surprised.

He grabbed her wrist roughly!

“Y-Your Highness?”

 

She called him in surprise.

She didn’t catch it. Perhaps due to his anger, she felt a strong grip and her wrists became white.

“You’re going to fight a war?! You?! Ha! What kind of nonsense! Are you kidding me?”

He glared at her.

Elise is so surprised but she couldn’t understand the current situation she’s in. What the hell is wrong with him?

“For the honor of my family and the royal family.”

“What?”

For the honor of my family and the royal family.

That is what she put on the surface. She can’t say she’s going to fight instead in order to save her second brother.

“I’m not saying this myself, but I’m a relatively good doctor. If I participate as a doctor, I can save the lives of many Imperial soldiers. It is certain that Chris, who has no special experiences in the war, will help the Empire and the imperial family, and the honor of the family can go any higher for the honor of my family. So I’m going to practice the glorious Noblesse obligation with the use of medicine.”

 

She is right in what she said.

 

Rather than Chris’s participation in the war, she is capable of doing something much more valuable, which would soon lead to family honor.

Besides, isn’t she the one who is nominated as the Crown Princess? If she participated in the war, there would be a propaganda effect again.

 

‘The noble prince also fights on the battlefield!’

 

Citizens will be even more loyal to the imperial family.

 

A great reason.

‘No, it’s all a lie.’

Elise thought in lonesome. Yeah, it’s all a lie. She isn’t interested in those things. She didn’t even want to go to the battlefield. No matter how much she tries to save others, she feels rewarded. However, she is also scared. There is no way that the battlefield wouldn’t be scary.

But she couldn’t help it for the sake of her little brother.

 

Meanwhile, the crown prince is even angrier at her coherent explanation.

 

‘This woman is really…’

Why is she always like this?! How much more heartbreak is she planning to try to herself!

Even now, he felt anxious just by looking at her like this.

She would be strained with that little body. Will she get hurt or even catch a disease? He doesn’t know how many times he gets worried for her every single day. But she’s going to war? When she goes to the battlefield, his heart will burst out of worry and anxiety.

What if she gets hurt? He didn’t even want to imagine. He would go mad worrying for her.

“No.”

“What?”

“As a second expeditionary general, I won’t allow it! You’re not going to the war! War isn’t a playground for women!”

“……..!”

He is the commander-in-chief of the 2nd expeditionary force. He is also the Crown Prince and is recognized for his excellent commanding skills in the Angelli War two years ago. So he had the authority to refuse to participate. Of course, if there is a good reason.

‘No, I have to go to war.’

Elise’s face hardened.

For now, she clasped her hands. Her hands turned red and hurt, but she had to endure and spoke in a hard tone.

“Your Majesty, your permission is not needed for my participation in the war. Even if Your Highness is the commander in chief, you can’t refuse it unless you have a good reason.”

“……!”

The crown prince shut his mouth.

Good reason? Nothing.

He just hates seeing her die. And now she’s going to war.

“I don’t understand the situation I am in right now. Isn’t it good for the Imperial Army, in terms of medicine, and for the propaganda of the Crown Prince?”

“I don’t need that.”

“What?”

“I don’t need anything like that!”

She could be in danger, so that’s not important.

The crown prince swallowed what he wanted to say that is stuck on his throat.

But Elise sighed.

She didn’t know why someone like her who didn’t do it is doing it. In her previous life, she is always rational and cool-headed.

“I’ll be honest with you. There’s an engagement scheduled between us, but your Highness and I have nothing to do with each other, right? But I don’t know why you’re doing this.”

“……!”

It is that moment.

The crown prince’s expression hardened when he heard it. As if he is hurt.

In fact, her words shook his heart.

‘Your Highness and I are nothing, aren’t we?”

The words tore his heart apart.

“Yes, you and I have no relationship.”

He let out a groan.

Yes, he is in such a hurry that he forgot.

That she hates him.

He is so worried and upset that she is going to war and forgot his heart and just wants to explode.

“I’m sorry, I raised my voice. I did it because I was afraid that you, the daughter of the Clorance, would be ruined, so please forget what I have said.”

“……it is nothing, Your Highness.”

“Then I’ll call it a day.”

After bidding goodbye, the crown prince turned his back and disappeared.

“……”

Elise bit her lips. Why? Seeing his back so far away, she felt strangely hurt, too.

The prince returned to his room and sat at his desk, covering his face with his palm.

‘Your Highness and I have nothing to do with each other, right?’

Yes, she is right.

Don’t you think it’ll be too late to hold an engagement? It is only a forced relationship resulting in desperation for her that he had forgotten that they don’t have  any relation to each other.

“Damn it.”

But her words broke his heart.

To the point that it hurts more than being cut out in the chest with a knife. It just hurt so much.

How much more pain do I have to get?

“We don’t have any relation to each other? Damn it.”

She hates him so much, should he step back in order to not get hurt anymore?

However, twisted words flowed through his lips.

“Don’t be ridiculous, me. The Linden de Romanoff? I’ll never back down. She’s the only thing I’ve wanted since that day.”

People who don’t know anything spoke up.

The Crown Prince is born with everything.

But they don’t know how hard he’s been trying hard.

None of the things he had meant nothing for him.

Fifteen years ago, a young boy lost everything in the tragedy. He cried out in front of the cold bodies.

He’ll never forget it.

He will be the Emperor and condemn those who caused that tragedy.

With only one desire, he made a bloody effort.

The innocent boy, who liked to play with his mother and sister, held the sword and opened the book. He studied Kingship, learned and learned economics, management, politics, culture, and everything.

To the effort to rise to the throne.

No, it is not just effort. It is tenacity and spitefulness.

Thanks to his tenacity and spite, he is able to win everyone’s recognition and became the crown prince.

He himself is such a spiteful spirit.

I won’t give up. Never.

‘Elise.’

His eyes glistened coldly.

I don’t know how much more I have to be sick because of her.

So what?

No matter how painful it is, I won’t let go.

It has just been a simple breeze ever since ‘that day’ occurred.

Even if he pushes herself away, his heart thumps. It didn’t matter.

No matter what happens, I will own her heart.

‘So please don’t get hurt, Elise. Please.’

***

White street is where the great nobility of Londo live together.

The Clorance’s mansion that is positioned there had upside down.

Due to Elise’s participation in the war.

Her stepmother passed out in shock as soon as she heard the news.

“Elise! You!”

The Marquis trembled due to it and was so angry that his teeth clapped.

“You’re going to fight instead of your brother? No! You are not allowed!”

“Sorry, Father.”

Elise bowed her head.

She had nothing to say.

“You…”!

Her little brother is also angry.

It is the first time in his entire life that he is so angry. No, it is the very first time that he is so angry at her.

“I want to treat a dying patient on the battlefield. So I asked His Majesty for me to participate in the war. I’m sorry.”

She lied like that.

She couldn’t just say the reason is because her brother would and wanted it to not happen again.

Elise’s track record so far shows that it’s a plausible lie at first glance.

Of course, Marquis El didn’t accept it at all.

The lie rather burned his anger.

“No way! There’s not enough infectious diseases, and now you want to treat patients in the battlefield?!”

The Marquis clenched his fist in.

Even when she went out to treat the infectious disease, he is still worried. Fortunately, it ended without a hitch, but she didn’t know how many days  he stayed up all night.

Not having enough infectious diseases, and this time she wants to go to a war?

“I shouldn’t have sent you to the hospital from the beginning! What’s war? From now on, you’re off limits to the hospital!”

“…I’m sorry.”

Elise bowed her head and repeatedly said she is sorry.

She had nothing to say even a hundred words to understand her family’s feelings.

However, she did not give up her stubbornness.

Eventually, the Marquis exploded when he saw her.

“I can’t believe you didn’t want to listen to your father! Don’t you even think about what we’re worried about?! You’re not my daughter from now on! Get out of this house because I don’t want to see you again!”

“……”

“Don’t even think about coming back before you change your mind!”

Elise’s expression shook.

Her father’s eyes were red with anger while looking at her. Like he’s about to cry.

That’s how much they love and worry about her.

It is the same for her brother. Chris is also shaking his eyes out of worry.

‘Father… I love you, little brother also.’

Elise’s eyes were sore as she looked at them.

She loves them.

Very much.

Still, she had to go. Because she never wanted to experience the death of her family again. Never.

It had to be her, who should be hurt and should be wronged.

“Father, brother.”

Elise knelt down. Then she bowed her head deep on the floor as if she begging to forgive her sin.

“I’m so sorry. And….”

She swallowed the word “I love you.”

I wish I could come back safely from the war and say this to them again.

 

***

So Elise is kicked out of the house in the middle of the night. The Marquis El, the owner of the house, declared stubbornly.

‘Unless you cancel your participation, I will never let you in!’

In short, he said to cancel the participation. Of course Elise couldn’t.

“Where are we going?”

Elise murmured blankly in the middle of White Street, where the noble mansions were gathered. I remembered Theresa Hospital, but I won’t be able to go there anymore. Because Marquis Elle told her.

“You’re fired from the hospital, too! What about you being the doctor? Don’t even think about going near the hospital!”

She became unemployed before she knew it.

“Sigh.”

Elise suddenly felt dizzy and sat on a bench near her house. She has been working too hard to fight cholera recently. But oh.

She always had meetings with the emperor, quarreled with the crown prince, and had unwanted conflicts with her family. Physically and mentally, she was so careless with fatigue.

“My head hurts and it’s cold…”

Elise murmured. The weather is chilly because autumn is already here. She had a headache in the cold wind. The warm forehead seemed to have a little fever.

“I’m getting a cold again…”

So Elise is absent-minded. She was so tired, sick, and sleepy.

‘I want to lie in a warm bed with a warm tea……’

But it is then.

Drop, drop.

It rained in the dark night sky.

“Oh, the rain…”

Trickle.Trickle.

Drops of each drop soon formed a drizzle and poured out like a pole. Elise couldn’t even think of avoiding it and got wet in an instant.

“….”

Suddenly, a drop of tears flowed. Somehow, she felt that her situation was strange.

It’s okay to go to war. She can think of it as paying back the sins of her past life. But just.

She just felt like she was in a tight spot. Being kicked out like this, being hit by the rain with nowhere to go, going to war, and having to marry the crown prince again made her sad.

So she got rained on without a word. When it rains, the only good thing is that she doesn’t have to hide her tears. Her whole body is wet and her body trembles slightly while white breath comes out of the cold, but she feels absent-minded.

But at that moment, an unexpected voice called her.

“Oh, my God! Dame Clorance? Right?”

Surprised by the high-pitched voice, she turned her head, and an unexpected figure was looking at her.

“What the hell are you doing here?”

Tall like a model, a beautiful face that shows confidence. She is the princess of the Childe family, the head of the aristocrats! Next to Yulien is a young man who is escorting her with an umbrella. He looks exactly like Yulien as if it’s her brother or a relative, but somehow he looked arrogant and self-righteous.

“Oh, my God, it’s raining like this. Look at your face turning white. What are you doing without going back to your mansion?”

Yulien is surprised to see Elise’s body. But Elise shook her head.

“I can’t go in.”

“What?”

“……I was kicked out.”

Yulien had a clumsy expression. What? She got kicked out?

Elise said with a long face.

“I’ve done something very wrong. So I got kicked out.”

Yulien looked at her when she cracked out a joke. However, seeing her shivering in the rain, she didn’t think she was lying. She, who saved Londo and even called the saint of medicine, didn’t seem to tell such a lame joke to her. Dame Clorance, is a saint who saved Londo with miraculous medicine. People don’t think that’s how Elise is these days.

Yulien looked at her with cool eyes. In less than half a year, Elise had turned into a completely different person. From a wicked princess, who is loved and respected by all, now that girl is so famous that no aristocrat of Londo could keep up. However, the image of Elise reflected in Yulien’s eyes is only seen as a sad girl wet in the rain.

‘She just looks small.’

The appearance of her being pale and trembling stimulated sympathy. It’s funny to have this feeling for a girl who is the daughter of the family who is opposite to their family and is planning to marry the prince she loves. But now the girl is like a puppy who is drenched in the rain.

“Do you have anywhere to go? You can’t stay in the rain all night like this, are you?”

“A place to go…”

Elise agonized, but she couldn’t think of anything. Imperial Palace? His Majesty is also very angry, so it is too much to put herself in the palace. At that moment, only one person came to her mind.

“Mr.Ron…”

Ron, he might accept her. But she doesn’t know where he lives or his exact last name. This is because he seemed reluctant to reveal his identity, so he could not ask in detail.

‘I miss you.’

It suddenly occurred to her that she missed him.

‘Can we meet if we go to war?’

Maybe. But Elise shook her head inside. It is better not to meet in the war. Meeting him as a doctor means he’s hurt.

“…..”

Yulien looked at Elise without saying a word and sighed.

Elise entered the Childe family’s mansion. Funny enough, it is the Childe family’s mansion was behind the bench where she was sitting. She is sitting in front of the Childe family. Yulien went into the house and saw her.

‘It’s just around the corner of my house. Isn’t this your next-door cousin?’

Elise had a wild idea. My neighbor’s cousin is right on the spot. It was her neighboring cousin who was vying for supremacy in the Britia Empire

‘The house is surprisingly frugal. Not like the Childe family.’

The Childe family, which is often ridiculed as money players, is the head of an international banking conglomerate.

Britia Imperial Bank, Paris Investment Bank, Childe Bank, Prussia Central Bank, City and Modern Bank, YP Bank, BSTC Bank. All were lists of banks owned by the Childe family and its affiliated families spread out in the Western continent. It is a huge list. In other words, they are the richest people in the world, and the amount of gold coins they distribute far exceeded the finances of most powers.

‘A family that actually holds the economy of the West.’

It costs money to move the country. Whether it’s war, construction, or investment, everything is money, money, money. But they can’t cover all the money with taxes alone. There are many times when the country is forced to lend money to banks, and it is the banks of the Childe family who lend money.

As long as the country doesn’t go down anyway, they can get their money back. If they fail to pay back, they will hand over their state-owned property at a bargain price, so they have borrowed money using huge amounts of money, and they have been called in by sitting and swimming with interest on the hook. So, the mocking nickname that came up is a money player. The Childes  are the money players. However, in reality, they are also the owner of a huge money market where all countries were wary. Emperor Minchester is also a thorn in his side, but he did not dare to touch the Childe family.

‘That’s so frugal. I thought the house would be covered with gold.’

The exterior is similar to that of the Clorance family.

At that time, the door opened and Yulien, who changed into indoor clothes, came in. Her sensual body is revealed behind the cloth she wore.

“Did you wash up, Dame?”

“Oh, yes. Thank you for your consideration.”

As soon as she entered the mansion, Yulien prepared a bath for the maid so that she could wash up.

“It’s wet, so you should wash up. Otherwise, you’ll catch a cold. I heard you always catch a cold.”

“Oh, yes. But how do I catch a cold often?”

Yulien snorted.

“Do you know how popular Dame is in the capital these days? You are more popular than Piccadilly’s most popular actor. There’s a magazine that covers every part of Dame’s life and posts it as a special feature. Anyway, I got to know it naturally after seeing those things.”

Elise had an awkward look. Is that so? The person itself had no idea.

“Are you dressed?”

Elise took off her wet clothes and is wearing Yulien’s clothes.

“It’s a little… big.”

Since it is a model-like Yulien’s clothes, it is huge for Elise, who is small even for a woman. Yulien smiled at her for some reason, with her sleeves, chest mobs, and strength loose. She looked like she was still a baby. Elise, on the other hand, has a blank look on her face.

“Dame?”

“Oh, yeah?”

“Are you not feeling well?”

Yulien looked at her face. She drank warm tea, but she still looked pale.

“It’s just… ..a little cold.”

Elise replied. The fever seemed to have caught a cold again.

“Again?”

“Yes.”

“I caught it so often. Isn’t there a problem with your immune function? I heard that you often catch a cold when your immune system goes down.”

Elise smiled and shook her head.

“It’s not like that. I’ve been weak since I was young.”

All of a sudden, Elise felt strange. How does Yulien know about the concept of immunity? I don’t know if it’s on Earth, but it’s not a common concept in this era. Whether she noticed her question, Yulien replied.

“I’ve studied once.”

“Studying? Medicine?”

“Yes.”

Elise looked surprised. Why does the princess of the Childe family do medicine?

“I envy you.”

“Who?”

At that moment, Yulien looked at her.

“Who do you mean ? It’s Dame.”

“……me?”

“Yes.”

“……why?”

Yulien smiled bitterly and said,

“Dame is the one who has what I want the most in the world. So I tried copying her.”

“Like a Young Lady, studying medicine will bring me the same luck.”

“…..”

Elise shut her mouth. This is because she has noticed what Yulien wants the most in the world.

It’s… maybe the Crown Princess position.

Yes, she loved the Crown Prince. Deep in my heart. She’s no better than her in her previous life.

“Well, I can’t help it. My family doesn’t dare to wish…for what I truly value.”

She said casually, but her eyes were wet with longingness in it. Even at this moment, her heart will be broken for her. Elise felt sad.

“If you were the princess Yulien, you could be a very good princess and empress.”

But it is too much. Unless miracles happened again, she and the Crown Prince could not be together. Because of the family’s brawl, there are concerns that it would worsen with the imperial family.

Elise left what would happen in the future, and thought of it while her expression darkened. It hasn’t happened yet, but it won’t change much from my previous life.

‘There’s no way.’

There is no other way for Elise to do this. Already, their Childe family is in the same boat with the three princes, Michael. And most of all, the intense desire of Prince Linden…

Sigh.

She sighed inwardly. It is even more sad because I knew the future. It is heartbreaking that the beautiful woman, unlike herself, who is confident and wonderful, should face such a final.

“I shouldn’t have told Dame. Never mind.”

Yulien sighed and got up from his seat.

“I don’t think you’re feeling well. Take a good rest. I’ll tell them to prepare a bed.”

“Oh, it’s okay to not prepare the bed…”

Elise shook her hand. Staying in the mansion of his hostile family, Childe. It’s unimaginable. But Yulien gave her a time.

“What’s okay with you? You don’t have anywhere to go tonight. Are you going to go out again and shake in the wind again? Just go to sleep.”

….. thank you.”

Elise thanked her for her refusal.

“Looking up in the sky, it looks like it’s going to rain, but if you don’t have nowhere else to go, you can stay here for a few more days. There are lots of rooms in the mansion.”

But Elise shook her head. She thought she can’t be so indebted to the Childe family. Elise thought that when it dawns tomorrow, she would have to find a place to stay somehow.

‘I’ll go to a small hospital, work, and get some room for a while.’

However, Elise could not leave the Childe family the next day. She caught a cold in the rain and suffered from a high fever. She was stuck in bed because she had a high fever that is over 39 degrees.

“I have to go out… and I’m sorry to bother you.”

When she saw Elise talking with a red face buried in her bed, Yulien smirked. She doesn’t mean to do it to a sick person, but Elise is important to Yulien.

She thought of her that is so cute like her younger sister. She thought she had done such a great job being so small and tender? And she’s going to war? She thought she was a great and bold girl.

“That’s enough. Get well soon.”

Yulien even called the doctor. Along with Theresa Hospital and the Imperial Cross Hospital, it is also a senior professor at Rosedale Hospital, which is part of the three major hospitals in Londo.

“I’ve made the medicine, so don’t skip it. You’ll be better in a couple of days, Dame.”

Rosedale’s senior professor, Baron Kyle Jun, looked at Elise with a fresh look. It is amazing that she, who will be the sacred star and crown princess of the Imperial medical community, received his medical treatment for colds. And in the Childe family’s mansion.

“T-thank you.”

“Don’t mention it. Get well.”

For three days before she recovered, Elise was forced to stay in the Childe family. She felt very uncomfortable, but that is not all bad things. Yulien is getting a little closer to her. What came to her mind, Yulien carefully took care of Elise, who had a cold. As if she was looking at her own sister. Elise thanked her sincerely, and Yulien smiled and said it is okay, and said she should buy her a meal later.

‘I wish we were this close.’

Elise thought so. Of course, we can’t be comfortable with each other, but Elise liked Yulien.

As her body almost moved forward, something unexpected happened. Marquis Childe, the owner of the mansion, invited her to eat.

Marquis Amsel de Childe.

Facing him at the dinner table, Elise gulped. He has the economy of the West in his hand! And the father and the crown prince’s political opponent and head of the aristocrats. Lastly, the official wife of the current imperial family, First Queen’s biological brother-in-law. Such a great person is eating vegetable soup in front of her. Mumbling that it’s bland.

“Is your father healthy?”

“Oh, yes.”

“How’s your cold? Professor Kyle says you had a bad cold. Ouch.”

“Thanks to you, I feel much better. Thank you for your concern, sir.”

“Be careful. Young Lady, the doctor, knows better, but if you don’t take good care of yourself, he’ll get old and suffer.” Like me. Cool. I’ve been coughing lately and I’m so uncomfortable.”

Elise replied with an awkward smile. What a casual conversation with the Marquis Childe! It is so uncomfortable that I could die.

‘By the way.’

Elise looked carefully at the Marquis Childe, who nibbled at the salad.

‘It’s more normal than I thought.’

His sharp eyes were nicknamed the serpent, but his eating with his family is more ordinary than expected. Instead of the father-in-law who died of illness, Albert, a foster son who succeeded as his successor, and Yulien, a daughter who told everyday stories, instead he did not show an ambitious man fighting for the hegemony of the empire. He even nagged Yulien. They say he’s not well dressed, he comes too late every time, and would drink moderately at the party.

“Okay, stop nagging me, Dad. Someone’s watching.”

Yulien said with a red face whenever he usually nags a lot of her. Elise thought it is surprising to see the father-daughter quarrel in a regular family home.

‘He’s a family person at home huh?’

In Elise’s eyes, he is just a dwarf middle-aged man with a stubborn impression. Considering his usual notoriety, it is surprising.

‘A nagging domestic serpent, Marquis Childe. It’s weird no matter what.’

But while she was eating for a while, someone came up to him and whispered to him.

“Cough, something just came up and I’ll have to get up first. I’m sorry I woke you up first after inviting you.”

“No worries, sir.”

Whether he is in poor health from the beginning, the Marquis Childe coughed every time he said something. But before leaving the dining area, he looked back at Elise.

“Oh, Young Lady, I have a favor to ask you, can you do me a favor?”

“Please… what do you mean?”

Elise had a curious expression.

“What does me, Marquis Childe, should do?’

“Well, sir.”

Then the Marquis pointed to an arrogant man who looked like Yulien with his fingers. He is the foster son of the Marquis Childe, it was the man who was with Yulien when Elise is drenched in the rain.

“This time, I’m going to the Creme with Young Lady as part of the second expeditionary force. Though I don’t want that to happen, if he gets sick, can you take good care of him?”

“…..!”

It is a request to treat his son well if he is injured. The man said with a slight blush.

“It’s all right, Father. Don’t you know what I’m capable of? And asking for help of the Clorance family is a bit…”

“Albert.”

The Marquis Childe stopped talking quietly.

“You can’t just say things like that. Zippel, I think he lost his life on the battlefield.”

“…!”

Zippel, the first emperor who died two years ago. The first emperor is meant to be with the first queen, and the first queen’s brother, the Marquis Childe, became the nephew of the first queen. For reference, the third prince, Michael, is born to the first queen, is the nephew of the Marquis Childe.

“You never know what’s going to happen on the battlefield. And an outstanding doctor can extend your life one more time.”

“…okay.”

Albert seemed to have something to complain about, but nodded instead.

“Anyway, Young Lady. Can you take good care of me if that happens?”

But at that moment, an idea came to Elise’s mind.

“Have I ever met Sir Albert in my previous life?”

She didn’t have that memory. After the Crimean War, the next heir to the Child’s family is Princess Yulien. It meant only one thing. Albert, the current heir apparent, has resigned from his post. And there is only one reason for him to step down.

‘He was killed in the Crimean War or was seriously injured.’

Elise’s expression darkened. But I didn’t reveal that fact. Instead, she answered like this.

“Don’t worry. I’m a doctor. I will do my best even if you don’t ask me that.”

“Thank you for saying that. If you help him, I, Amcel and the Childes, will not forget your grace.”

The Marquis Childe left the dining area coughing, and the dinner of the day ended.

***

On the fourth day of her visit to the Childe family’s mansion, Elise is completely healed.

‘I really need to get out.’

I’ve been here too long. I couldn’t owe them any more.

‘You can’t go home, remember?’

She sighed. Being kicked out like this, I missed my father, brother and stepmother. But it is too much. Their anger can’t be relieved immediately. When she was lost in her thoughts, the maid of the mansion approached and said.

“Well, Dame.

There’s someone who came.”

“For me?”

Elise looked surprised. They came because they saw me staying in the Childe family?

‘By any chance?’

Her heart leapt. At this moment, there is only one place to find her.

“It’s from the Clorance family.”

As expected! Her heart fluttered.

Who’s here? Is it my second brother? Is it my dad? Does that mean he’ll forgive me? Or is he going to be more upset?’

The guest is said to be in front of the Childe family, but is not coming inside because he felt uncomfortable. Elise is nervous too in getting out of the house.

But she came out. And there is someone she didn’t expect to come.

“Elise.”

“Big brother?”

A cold, beautiful man who looks as if he’s on the sidewalk.

It is Baron Lenne de Clorance!

Why the big brother?’

Elise thought with a confused mind. Lenne, her eldest brother, is not a person who is involved in trivial work such as his younger sister’s outcast. If it is his usual personality, it is always like that. But why?

Lenne looked at her for a long time without saying a word. As usual, he had a disapproving look on her.

“……why are you looking at me like that?”

“I don’t like it. I thought you wouldn’t get into an accident anymore, and it’s inevitable.”

He said it in a fiery type of speaking, but she doesn’t have anything to say. It is a huge accident. Lenne sighed and snapped.

“Follow me.”

“What?”

“How long will you be here? Come with me. I have something to teach you.”

“Teaching? What is it?”

Lenne looked into his sister’s eyes.

“How to kill.”

“….. Eh?”

“It’s exactly how you protect yourself. Come with me.”

***

Ta-ang!

A deafening roar rang everywhere.

“…!”

Elise crouched over the noise she had never heard before. Lenne flicked his tongue.

“What are you surprised about? You’ll hear it every day when you go to the battlefield anyway.”

“…..”

It is none other than the shooting range of the gun division where he brought Elise.

“Well, brother. Why are we here?”

“Why? You said you are going to the Second Expeditionary Force. I’ll teach you how to shoot.”

“But I’m going to participate as a doctor, not as a regular infantryman, so I don’t have to participate in the battle myself.”

So I thought there is no need to learn how to shoot. But Lenne looked pathetic.

“So? You’re going to the battlefield without any defense?”

“…..!”

“Of course, as a doctor, you’re not going to get into a battle unless the front line goes down to the rear hospital. But you don’t know what will happen on the battlefield. So don’t talk to me like that and take this.”

Then Lenne held out an object surrounded by cloth.

“This?”

Elise is surprised at the heavy weight of the object being handed over. She almost dropped it. When she untied the cloth, cold gray metal appeared. It is a pistol, the latest seven-shot revolver.

“….”

Elise gulped down because she had touched a gun for the first time.

“We don’t have much time, so let’s start right away. You don’t know how to load a gun, do you?”

She can’t possibly know that.

“This is the ammo room, and this is where the bullet goes in. It is state-of-the-art, so it can be pulled out sideways, and the launch method is simple. Pull the back part and load it.”

Then, her big brother showed the demonstration.

“If you pull this trigger, it’ll fire.”

Ta-ang!

At the roar, Elise is once again startled. The noise of the gun is much louder than she imagined.

“Look.”

When she turned her eyes to her brother’s words, the center of the target was exactly 50 meters away. He had a great shooting skill fit for the deputy commander of the gun division, as he accurately penetrated the target of 50 meters with a revolver pistol in short range.

“I don’t expect this much from you. No need for you to be a doctor, just hit the target 20 meters, or 15 meters ahead. Then I’ll give you a passing score.”

“15 meters?”

Elise asked in a quizzical voice. Fifteen meters is just around the corner. That’s all she needed to do? SHe has never shot a gun before, but that’s about it.

She thought she could do it easily. However, Lenne laughed as if he was looking into Elise’s head.

“It looks easy, doesn’t it? Give it a try. For your information, you can’t leave here until you get a passing grade. I’m not even going to feed you.”

This is her big, overbearing brother. Elise had no choice but to hold the gun.

’15 meters. That’s about it.’

She is also experiencing high-level surgery. He thinks she can’t shoot that far? She tried a shot with that thought, but the result is surprising. She didn’t get any of the seven shots. No, not that much, but nothing fell near the target.

“What are you doing?! Focus, shoot it right! We need to see exactly what you are capable of!”

Baron Lenne pushed her roughly as if he were teaching an apprentice knight. Elise bit her lips and raised her gun again.

Taang! Taang!

However, she failed to get a single shot this time.

“Your fingertips move when you pull the trigger! Of course it doesn’t fit! Keep your head on straight and focus! Make sure your eyes, shoulders, and the gun are aligned. Otherwise, you’ll never get a hit!”

Lenne scolded Elise hard whenever she did something wrong. However, no matter how hard he shot, he didn’t get hit.

“What are you doing? You didn’t get hit at all. Do it right!”

Eventually, Elise put the gun down.

“I can’t.”

“What?”

“I can’t do this! No matter how hard I try, it doesn’t fit me. My hands, shoulders, and back hurt so much!”

Elise strongly protested. It’s already been two hours since she started shooting. It is too hard to shoot stiffly with a heavy metal pistol. The older brother, who is usually not interested shows a coercive attitude, and is also sad.

“I don’t need to be good at shooting in the first place!”

But Lenne didn’t even blink. Rather, he spoke in a cold voice.

“I warn you, lift the gun again.”

“…!”

“Did you say you were going to war without this much determination?”

He continued.

“In shooting. Yeah, you, as a doctor, rarely shoot. I wish you never had to shoot throughout the war. If you’re going to work in the rear hospital and shoot, that means our troops are losing the battle. But!”

The big brother looked straight at her and said,

“Just in case! This one shot could save your life when you’re in danger! Why don’t you know that? So if you feel any sorry for your father, Chris and mother who are worried about you, raise your gun!”

At that moment, Elise realized. Why is the big brother pushing himself so hard? It is anxiety and love. To his sister who is going to war. If the worst case comes, he wanted to increase his sister’s survival rate even a little bit. When she thought of it, she suddenly felt emotional.

“……… I’m sorry.”

“That’s enough. Hold the gun. I don’t have much time to prepare for the war, so I can’t look after you for a long time. So focus.”

“Yes.”

Elise bit her lips and held a gun. With a different resolution than before.

‘Yes, I will come back alive no matter what happens.’

So I will meet my father, my brother, and my mother again. I’m sorry to make you worry, and I’ll tell you I love you.

Taang! Taang!

She followed Lenne’s words with concentration as if she were learning surgery for the first time.

Soup!

Finally, the center of the target is breached.

Taang! Taang!

Hit the target one after another!

“That’s enough!”

Elise looked back at her brother.

“Did I do a good job, brother?”

But Lenne spoke bluntly.

“How well? Have a conscience. You have shot hundreds and only went on three.”

Elise poked her lips at the rendition. Do I get better if he compliments her? But then, Lenne said like this as if he was passing by.

“But now it’s a little, very little better. You still have a long way off.”

Elise asked.

“Brother, that’s a compliment, isn’t it?”

“No compliments. You still have a long way to go, so just work harder.”

She laughed her head off. It is somehow fun to talk about this with my eldest brother.

“Yes, I’ll try harder.”

“Yes, I have to go into the Knights headquarters now, so I’ll practice more by myself.”

And Lenne said,

“Oh, Elise.”

“What?”

“When are you going home?”

“…!”

Elise’s eyes shook.

“I’d love to go home, but… father and brother are still angry.”

“Don’t talk rubbish, go back now.”

“……!”

Lenne shook his head.

“No father, no mother, no Chris, no one else is worried about you. What are you doing out there? Are you okay? What’s so beautiful about you, when you are this hateful hmm?”

”…”

“No matter how hard your family tries to stop you, you’re going to go to war, aren’t you?”

“……yes.”

“Then go back, beg and do well. Be a good daughter even before you start.”

Elise nodded her head.

“Yes, I understand.”

So she returned home in four days after being kicked out.

The Marquis and her second brother looked at her silently.

Everyone’s face is very damaged in a few days. She thought she worried them too much. Elise bowed her head with nothing to say.

“Elise.”

“Yes, Father.”

“Come here.”

She approached her father hesitantly. Then something unexpected happened. Her father hugged her.

“Oh, Dad?”

“Elise.”

The Marquis El spoke quietly.

“I love you, my daughter.”

“..!”

“So…you must be careful. If a single hair gets burned from you…I will never forgive you.”

With his short words, Elise is moved by the love and concern that is contained in it.

“Yes……father.”

Elise replied so. What she wanted to say is more lingering, but she couldn’t talk more because her heart is pounding already. She is just enjoying her father’s arms that she had experienced after a long time.

After many twists and turns, Elise de Clorance’s participation in the second Crimean expedition is decided. But Elise didn’t know yet. What will happen in this war? So what kind of things she’ll do as a soldier doctor. She had no idea what name she would get.

 

***

 

Time passed like water.

She couldn’t leave immediately because such a large-scale military expedition is on the way.

They had to recruit soldiers, inspect equipment, and establish a supply system. Still, the Britian Empire, like the strongest country in the world, has been preparing for the second expeditionary force.

“Liz, you have to be careful. If you’re scared, come right back.”

Chris asked several times and worried.

“Yes, don’t worry too much.”

“I should be going out with you.”

Chris insisted that he would join her, putting everyone in trouble. Neither Elise nor her father nor her mother wanted him to go. Who wants his eldest son and daughter to go to war, and even his younger son to go to war? After a long fight, he is able to easily stop his appearance in the war.

“Yeah, we’re really about to go. Tomorrow’s the ceremony right?”

“Yes.”

“You’re going to have an adult ceremony on the battlefield.”

Chris said very upsettingly.

“I’m an adult anyway. It’s okay.”

It is the third time for her to become an adult, including her first and second life. So it didn’t matter because it is only an adult ceremony.

“You’re done with the ceremony tomorrow, and you’re ready for the speech, aren’t you?”

“Yes, I practiced several times.”

Elise gave a speech at the ceremony. It is a very important and honorable role. This is because she is designated as the Crown Princess and is one of the most respected figures in Londo now. News of her appearance shook Londo, or the entire empire.

[Dame Clorance] The Crown Princess! The Crimean Expeditionary Force! A specimen of Noblesse Oblige. The saint of medicine who saved Londo, St. Elise! To save the lives of the soldiers, she will join the expedition.

To be honest, Emperor Minchester didn’t want to use her news as propaganda, but the media couldn’t have missed such a big event. The military also actively spread rumors to recruit soldiers and boost morale, and the effect is the best as expected.

“For the Dame!”

“For the Crown Princess!”

A woman who would be the First Lady of the Empire, and Dame Clorance, who saved Londo from death, would join a war of bullets to save the lives of soldiers! The citizens were deeply moved.

“Let’s go!”

“Let’s protect the Crown Princess!”

“Let’s defeat the Republicans!”

Everyone shouted in high spirits, and there were a lot of inquiries from young people about joining the army. Thanks to this, recruiting soldiers is done earlier than the deadline. Too many people gathered to drop out a large number of applicants, showing the citizens’ support and popularity for Elise.

It is not long before the day of the ceremony began.

150,000 troops from the island of Britia gathered at Barking Port, a port near Londo. It is very rare to see the imperial army in its unique red uniform lined up in line with sobbing. There is no shortage in the troops in this world.

Along with the music of the military band, three people came to the podium. Emperor Minchester. Prince Linden de Romanoff, the commander-in-chief of the expeditionary forces, and Elise de Clorance, the last vulnerable woman who decided to participate and is the Crown Princess.

“Long live Romanoff!”

“For the victory of the Britian Empire!”

The soldiers cheered loudly when they saw them.

“All eyes on me!”

Marshal McGail, who was appointed as vice commander, led the unit and gave a procession performance to the emperor.

“All units! Guns to the great Emperor!”

150,000 troops moved in perfect order.

Thud.

A thorough ritual. It is simply spectacular to see the bayonet hitting the sky without any error. They were urgently recruited, but they were not inexperienced soldiers. This is because all men in the Britian Empire have to undergo the highest level of military training for a certain period of time.

“Yes.”

When the emperor nodded, Marshal McGyle ordered.

“Army! Stand! Gun and Rest!”

Again, the general prosecutor moved with restraint, and 150,000 soldiers looked at the emperor in a floating position.

“Soldiers of the proud empire.”

Minchester opened his mouth and began his speech. A speech to pray for the victory and safe return of the Imperial Army. After all that long speech, Minchester is blessed.

She did it.

“…… and lastly, may the Lord bless you.”

It is then Linden’s turn as commander-in-chief. His speech is as short as his personality.

“I won’t talk long. We will win. Let’s show them what it means to provoke this great empire. With the soldiers, the proud soldiers of the Britia Empire don’t mind how many of them are vulnerable to Francoine. We’ll trample it in one step. And come back to your country and have an improvement ceremony. All the citizens of the Empire will honor and remember you!”

“Wow!”

“Long live the Britia Empire!”

The speech, which boosted morale, is greeted with thunderous shouts. Finally, it is Elise’s turn. Wearing an officer’s uniform, she took a deep breath.

“Don’t be nervous, Elise. You can do a good job.”

She moved forward to the podium. And the moment she comes forward.

“Wow!”

A tremendous roar resounded. She felt like the hall was going to collapse.

“Dame Clorance! My Lady!”

“Long live the Crown Princess!”

“First Lady! Our Lady!”

Everyone is crazy about her. A soft girl who is going to fight for herself even though she is a princess. In everyone’s mind, she is the lady who is more precious, more protective than anyone else, and is with them.

“Dear soldiers.”

Soon, Elise opened her mouth. Then the soldiers shut up as if they were not noisy at all. It is to listen to her every word. Elise held her trembling chest.

‘Do I deserve to tell them this?’

This thought passed by at a moment. She isn’t going to the battlefield for the noble cause like their misunderstanding. The reason for her participation in the war is very personal. But she had to do something for them to fight for her life. Because she’s a doctor.

“I won’t tell you anything else.”

She started talking like that.

“Some of you will get hurt. Those who die will be healed.”

The words made the soldiers solemn. Yeah, some of them will get hurt and die. It is an undeniable fact.

“As a doctor, I can’t promise to come with you and save everyone. But I promise you this, to you and to the Lord.”

Elise paused for a moment.

“I’ll be with you when you get hurt, when you suffer from it. I will do my best to help at least one more person return to the family’s arms and nothing at all.”

Yeah, she can’t save everyone. No matter how much she is, she can’t do that. However, she vowed to do her best as a doctor, although the war is over a smaller cause than anything else.

“Everybody. I’ll be with you so that no one falls down all alone. This is my promise. May the blessing of the Lord who saved us be with us.”

“Wow!”

The brief but sincere speech cheered the Empire soldiers once again.

“Dame Clorance!”

“St. Elise!”

“Long live the Crown Princess! Our Lady!”

150,000 soldiers called her with single thought in their mind. And at that moment, the prince standing next to her took her hand.

“…!”

Elise looked back at him in surprise. Why hand? But she thought it was propaganda to show the soldiers. As expected, the soldiers cheered more enthusiastically when they saw both of them holding hands.

“Hooray for the Crown Prince! Long live the Crown Princess! Long live Romanoff!”

“For the victory of the Empire!”

Elise smiled for the soldiers, even though his hands on her were bothering her. Her hand he had caught is hot for some reason.

Meanwhile, the prince held her hand and felt enraged.

Elise.

In fact, he didn’t hold her hand for imperial morale.

‘Why are you driving me crazy?’

He just couldn’t resist the longingness towards her.

‘In the end, I didn’t stop her from participating.’

Although he has tried so hard, he could not prevent her participation because of the promise the emperor made under the name of the imperial family. For other information, Emperor Minchester does not know how much he regretted his rash promises after that day.

“I know. I can’t help it.”

Linden’s eyes sank deep.

He  has no choice but to protect her.

He looked at Elise. If she gets hurt when he’s so distressed by just worrying, he won’t be able to stand it. His heart may stop beating.

‘If I kick her out of the country in the middle, there’s no way this stubborn woman can hear me.”

So there’s only one way.

‘Now I have no choice but to protect you.’

That’s how the ceremony ended. And the last moment.

Click!

A large lens captured their appearance with a loud sound. It is an invention that is recently developed and first introduced to Western newspapers. Newspapers reported the friendly images of the crown prince and the princess-to-be in black and white at the ceremony.

Meanwhile, when the ceremony is in full swing. A guest visited Beecher, which is located deep in the palace of Londo, and a glass palace full of thistles.

“What’s the matter?”

“What’s going on? I came to see my mother before I went to war.”

Blonde haired man. A man with a bright face like a flower. Londo’s womanizer, the strongest of all Knights on the Western continent, and at the same time the third prince, Michael! He is wearing a black suit and a coat, with a silver sword hanging on his waist.

“Isn’t it the ceremony today?”

“You’re gonna hear the boogers anyway. What are you doing there? I sent the deputy director instead.”

This refers to the deputy head of the Korean Colonel’s Order, which is headed by the three princes. The all nighter sword squad is the strongest assault cavalry on the Western continent.

The captain of the glass palace sighed.

“You’d better just leave today.”

“Why?”

“… don’t you know?”

The face of the three princes, who were always bright, suddenly darkened. But also for a moment, he said with a smile.

“Man, we’re boys. What’s the matter? If we don’t see each other today, we won’t see each other until the war is over, so let us look at each other.”

“…okay. The queen is in a state of instability, so don’t stay long.”

The butler is forced to guide him into the building. The palace, where the mother of the Third Prince and the wife of the current imperial family is staying, only had a small mansion. The inside of the palace is well managed, but he felt desolate somehow.

‘There’s no one but me who’s’ there.

The three princes felt bitter. But it is that moment.

“Ahhhhhh!”

There is a loud noise and something cracking. It would have been a surprise if someone who didn’t know heard it, but neither the Third Prince nor the chief of the castle did a blink of an eye. It is familiar. Just Michael’s expression got a little darker.

“Oh, no! No!”

Standing in front of the room, the president carefully opened the door. Michael said with a forced smile.

“Mother, your son is here.”

At that moment!

Puck! Flang!

Something flew in, hit him on the forehead, and shattered. It is a glass.

“Mother.”

Michael called her, shaking off the glass on her forehead and shoulder. He’s going to automatically best in keeping himself from being calm even if he is injured.

“Mother, I’m here. Michael… No, it’s wet.”

He watched a middle-aged woman shivering and shedding tears in the room. Marriane de Childe, or now Marriane de Romanoff, the empress of the present imperial family. But she didn’t even realize that her son had come.

Michael’s eyes trembled when he looked at her. The back of her hands is full of wounds, whether he had hurt herself or not.

“Get the medicine.”

The butler brought the medicine, and Michael approached her.

“Mother, I’m leaving for Crimea now. The people of the peninsula massacred my people, and there is a war.”

Can she understand it though? He didn’t think so. Queen Marriane’s eyes were still blurry without any focus. But Michael kept talking.

“I’ll be careful when I’ll be right back. Mother is happy to make a lot of balls. So I’ll be the emperor and make you the Empress Dowager. So.”

He hugged his mother carefully.

“You’re doing great. My lovely lady.”

After such a short meeting, Michael left the glass palace.

“Have a safe trip. I wish you a strong man.”

The butler said to him who is going to the battlefield.

“Yes, please take care of  her while I’m away, and take care of her wounds too.”

“Yes, Your Grace.”

I should go on. Michael looked up at the sky. The sky is clear as if winter had come. Unlike his frustrated feelings.

‘Who’s fault did this happen?’

Mother? Father Minchester? The Childe family? Or the Empress? Well, I don’t know. Michael is frustrated.

I want to go on a trip.

He looked at the silver sword hanging from his waist of his men’s uniform. This silver sword was given by a close friend in the Eastern Territory, at the Silk Road calling it a treasure of his family treasure.

‘I had a lot of fun back then. There’s nothing to worry about, drink as much as I want.’

The corners of his mouth went up slightly. Looking back, it is a very happy time. Even now, I want to run on the Silk Road.

‘I think it’ll be fun to go with her.’

Michael suddenly recalled a man. The girl who called herself Mill with tears in her eyes. Elise de Clorance, the absurd girl who claimed to be a doctor on the topic of being nominated as Crown Princess, suddenly came to mind.

“Let’s call it quits and ask her to go on a trip together. She would travel for medicine, and I’m an escort.’

Michael grinned. I thought it would be fun just thinking about it. It would be about a thousand times more fun than power struggle. But he knew he couldn’t. He knows that very well.

‘It can’t happen.’

His face has straightened. Because he has to be the emperor.

“I’ll be back. Take care.”

He turned around and bid goodbye to the glass palace for the last time. So Michael de Romanoff finished his own ceremony.

***

Across the island of Britia, it is the Crimean Peninsula on the eastern mainland of the Western continent.

Quang! Quang!

A large-scale firepower battle is taking place on the plains near Simpepol, the capital of the Crimean Peninsula. Guns fired countless fires, and blue-dressed Republicans rushed toward the Imperial Army with bayonets.

“Argh!”

“For freedom and equality!”

The Imperial Army is pushed back endlessly by the Republican Army, who rushed toward the Republic’s banner of freedom and equality. The plain is quickly stained with blood, most of which belonged to the Britia Empire.

But it is in the middle of a low mountain overlooking the hellish road. There is a strange scene that is not easily understandable.

“Hmm, the newspapers are interesting, too. My father’s been killing the press so much that the Republican press on… is it okay for the Empire to release the press like this?”

A young man, as handsome as a picture, with a soft impression, is reading the newspaper leisurely! A newspaper next to a hell of a lot of people dying like this? But if he knew who the man was, he could understand this situation.

The desert scorpion, the man, is none other than Louis Nicholas, the greatest master of the Republic of Francoine, who conquered the northwestern part of the Black Continent! He is the one who created this blood-stained hellhole. After shaking the Imperial Army, which was defending Simpepol, in a disturbance operation, he made a full-scale attack under confusion. The result is the hell that opened up before him now. The man lost interest in the battle and is absorbed in reading the newspapers of the Britia Empire.

“Hmm?”

However, there is an article in the topic section of the newspaper that strongly attracted his interest.

“The woman who will be the Crown Princess fought in this war?”

The topic column showed a preliminary crown princess speaking at the ceremony in black and white photographs. Is it because she’s in uniform? Louis raised the corners of his mouth in her beauty and elegance.

“Elise de Clorance, what a beautiful girl.”

He had met this girl. He went to the Empire’s birthday party as an envoy and asked for a dance, which is rejected in a pleasant way. No, he would’ve known this girl before if it didn’t happened.

“Because she is the one who saw through my plan to use the Kingdom of Moncel to take over the Imperial Army.”

His smile deepened. A wise and extremely beautiful girl.

Good. Very good.”

But it is then. A Republican officer approached him and reported on the progress of the battle.

“Your Excellency, this is a great victory. An estimated 7,000 Imperial soldiers are retreating north. This has brought the peninsula to our republic’s sphere of influence.”

“Trace it.”

“What?”

“Keep track and kill as many as you can.”

“Yes, sir! Salute!”

Louis, who simply ordered, turned back to the newspaper and to Elise’s photographs.

“She’s so beautiful.”

He said as if he were possessed.

“I want to do anything as much as I want.”

He turned to the north. Soon, the Second Expeditionary Force of the Empire, led by the crown prince of the Empire, will arrive. Including this girl.

“Good for you.”

He smiled again. He will defeat the Imperial Army and he’ll catch this girl. He spoke in a confident voice.

“I will have it then. The trophy for our victory.”

Have this beautiful girl as a trophy. How enticing would it be if a pretty and elegant girl like a doll shed tears? Just thinking about it made him happy.

“The fight against deductions, and it’s going to be a fun war after all.”

So Elise, Linden, Michael and Louis. Countless others gathered in the Crimean Peninsula with their own thoughts and reasons.

It is the beginning of the Second Crimean War.